by Nick Webster

Comment

I'm pretty sure no one had this result except for bitter, sad Tottenham fans. That's what makes the prediction game so brilliant though. In fact, if anyone can prove that they've nailed ten-for-ten I'll send you the Premier League team shirt of your choice.

At least I got back to 50%...for the week.

Season to date: 25 from 59 = 42% (5 bulls-eyes)

Saturday

Blackburn vs. Manchester United

After taking a serious tonking from Arsenal, Paul Ince went back to basics and taught his team how to defend — with excellent results. Now the big test arrives and Ince will want to tweak the nose of the man who said that the self-proclaimed 'guv'nor' was a big time Charlie.

United needed a dodgy penalty to win their first Premiership match in over a month. (By the way, referee Rob Styles has just received his Old Trafford season tickets and a thank you card from Alex Ferguson.) They looked good in Europe but Blackburn at Ewood Park have proven to be a thorn in the side over the last ten years.

Blackburn 0-1 Manchester United

Sunderland vs. Arsenal

Home form at the Stadium of Light was meant to be the key for the Black Cats. However, they only have one league win on their own turf. Roy Keane must find a settled line-up and quickly because the boo-birds are warming their tonsils.

Arsenal, Arsene Wenger, the Premier League and half of North London are still in shock after their Tigers humbling. Set-pieces and an aesthetic desire to toy with teams instead of killing them off continue to cripple his club. Surely they'll be no mistakes on Saturday?

Sunderland 1-2 Arsenal

West Bromwich Albion vs. Fulham

Tony Mowbray will have the grinder turned up to the max at the Hawthorns. I expect a steady aerial bombardment to start around the Fulham box at 3pm and end sometime at 4.45pm.

The win over Arsenal proved to be a false dawn for Fulham because since then they've been poor. Roy Hodgson has to forget about playing attractive football and just roll up the sleeves, pull up the socks and fight.

West Bromwich Albion 0-0 Fulham

Wigan vs. Middlesbrough

Wigan will fancy their chances and rightly so, as they've been on quite the roll since getting beaten by Chelsea. Steve Bruce has fashioned a decent looking team that looks to play bright football at the JJB and I expect that to continue.

Boro keep losing tight decisions and unless they reverse this trend, a long fretful season awaits Gareth Southgate, who steadfastly refuses to push the panic button. He'll be groping for it on Monday.

Wigan 2-1 Middlesbrough

Sunday

Chelsea vs. Aston Villa

The injuries continue to mount for Big Phil and losing Didier Drogba is a massive blow as they're as thin as my hair in the striking department. Salomon Kalou is the new favored son until the transfer window opens.

Something tells me that Villa may do the unthinkable and win at the fortress known as Stamford Bridge. There is a confidence and swagger about Villa. However they have yet to find the consistency. Breaking Chelsea's home-game unbeaten streak (currently at 85 games) could be the turning point.

Chelsea 1-2 Aston Villa

Everton vs. Newcastle

Pick your poison!

Everton are a mess and David Moyes is playing it all coy on just whether he'll sign his new deal or not. Getting bounced out of Europe at the first hurdle isn't too clever either. Being winless at home is just downright horrible.

Why has Joe Kinnear been brought in to manage at St. James' Park? Why is Mike Ashley willing to sell to anybody with a pulse? Is Dennis Wise part of the Cockney Mafia? Are the Newcastle players spineless cowards? Do you feel sorry for the Geordies?

Everton 1-0 Newcastle

Manchester City vs. Liverpool

At Eastlands, Manchester City look like the real deal and if they just played at home they'd walk the title. This will be City's second test against one of the 'Big Four' and Hughes will want more application and concentration than was on display against Chelsea. If the 'Samba Boys' are out, it could be entertaining.

Are Liverpool serious about the Premiership this season? To date the answer is 'yes.' Yet they've still not hit the high notes and yet they remain unbeaten. I feel that this match, more than any other Rafa and Co. have played this year, will be the statement game. A grinding 1-0 win or a flamboyant 3-0 victory will make me a believer.

Manchester City 1-2 Liverpool

Portsmouth vs. Stoke

That European adventure that Pompey waited 110 years for was almost over before the passport ink had dried. But thanks to Peter Crouch, travel agents in the Portsmouth area can breath again. Now the question is: will they have a European hangover or momentum on their side? With consistency a major problem, only Harry Redknapp has the answers.

Stoke are a poor side and if Rory Delap is once again sidelined, they're toothless. I think Tony Pulis should tell his side to have a real go at Fratton Park and maybe exploit a tired Pompey side.

Portsmouth 2-1 Stoke

Tottenham vs. Hull

Tottenham embarrassed themselves at Portsmouth last Sunday and then barely squeaked by Wisla Krakow. Look, player for player, Spurs should stroll this. But that's what their neighbors, Arsenal thought and look what happened to them. Juande Ramos still needs time to get it right but the sand is slipping through the hourglass. I can't help but wonder if the chairman, Daniel Levy, is looking over at the Bayern Munich situation.

It's official! Hull are the new Bolton/Wigan/Reading and I couldn't be more pleased after consigning them to the cellar in pre-season. They work incredibly hard for each other while Phil Brown seemingly has an eye for a cast-off.

Tottenham 2-1 Hull

West Ham vs. Bolton

It is amazing what a new man can do. Gianfranco Zola has waltzed into Upton Park and given the place a massive lift. Their schedule has been super soft and it continues with the Trotters who will have no answer to the flying Mathew Etherington, a man, it seems, on fire.

Gary Megson can rightly have a moan about the phantom penalty Rob Styles gave against them last week, but in all honesty they never had a chance. I still say Megson will be the next man sacked because Bolton have nothing about them.

West Ham 2-0 Bolton

Until them, I'll see you at the far post.

Fox Soccer Channel's Nick Webster writes about English soccer for FOXSoccer.com, and contributes his blog to interact with his fans.