This weekend's Premiership games feature several intriguing matchups as the early season honeymoon period fades and the pace-setters begin to distance themselves from the pack.
There are just four matches on Saturday, and of those the clash between Blackburn and Manchester United is most appetizing. Paul Ince will encounter his former boss Sir Alex Ferguson for the first time as a manager. It was Ferguson who labeled Ince a "fucking big-time charlie" and shipped the midfielder off to Inter Milan after the 1994/95 season, a campaign that ended with United finishing second in the league to...Blackburn.
Another of Fergie's former players, Roy Keane faces the unenviable task of stemming an Arsenal attack that put four past Porto in midweek. Arsene Wenger will be keen to get back to winning ways in the league after last week's shock home loss to Hull.
Rounding out Saturday's action, Wigan host Middlesbrough and Fulham travel to the Hawthorns.
The pick of Sunday's six games, and probably the whole weekend, is the showdown between 1st place Chelsea and 3rd place Aston Villa. Chelsea haven't lost a league game at Stamford Bridge in 85 attempts, but Aston Villa have as good a chance as any of breaking that run. The match provides a great opportunity to assess how far Villa have come and just how serious Martin O'Neill's top-4 intentions are.
In Sunday's other clash between top-4 establishment and wealthy upstarts, Liverpool journey the M62 to take on Manchester City. Rafa Benitez can be pleased with his side's progress so far and the icing on the cake was Robbie Keane's first goal for the club in midweek.
Goals could be in short supply at Upton Park as the Hammers welcome Bolton. With Dean Ashton missing and Bolton's Johan Elmander still working his way back from injury, the stage is set for a midfield battle.
After shipping 12 goals in their first five Premier League fixtures, Harry Redknapp will be hoping his Portsmouth side can keep a second consecutive clean sheet at home against Stoke.
For Hull's Phil Brown, it is very much a case of picking up where they left off after last week's stunning victory at the Emirates. Another win in North London would set the Tigers well on their way to a Premiership survival. In contrast, anything but a win for Juande Ramos's side would only raise more doubts over the Spaniard's future at White Hart Lane.
The final match of the weekend is a must win affair for both clubs, Everton and Newcastle. Everton were outplayed in midweek, but at least David Moyes seems set to sign a new contract and extend his 6 year stay at Goddison. There is no such stability on Tyneside. After their shambolic recent performances, Joe Kinnear would be better served saving his ire for the players rather than "innocent" journalists.
Lots of fascinating fixtures then. All that remains is to make our predictions. Let's away...
SATURDAY
Sunderland v Arsenal (Kick-off 1500 GMT)
Prediction - 1-3
Sunderland at home will be dangerous, but Arsenal should pick them apart and take the points.
West Brom v Fulham (Kick-off 1500 GMT)
Prediction - 2-0
Fulham are less impressive away from Craven Cottage and West Brom have steadily improved. Home win.
Wigan v Middlesbrough (Kick-off 1500 GMT)
Prediction - 1-1
Wigan have been excellent at JJB and Zaki has been the find of the season so far. Middlesbrough's bad luck has to end sometime and I feel they might sneak a draw.
Blackburn v Man Utd (Kick-off 1730 GMT)
Prediction - 1-2
Ince will make sure Blackburn are fired up. Will it be enough? With Berbatov off the mark and Ronaldo regaining his sharpness, United should overpower Rovers.
SUNDAY
West Ham v Bolton (Kick-off 1330 GMT)
Prediction - 2-1
Zola's arrival appears to have galvanized West Ham. Bolton will still be sick after the "penalty that wasn't" at Old Trafford, but in truth they rarely threatened the United defence.
Chelsea v Aston Villa (Kick-off 1500 GMT)
Prediction - 2-2
Villa beat Chelsea at home last season but Stamford Bridge is a different story. Chelsea hold on to their undefeated record...just.
Man City v Liverpool (Kick-off 1500 GMT)
Prediction - 3-2
The Brazilians appear to be more comfortable at Eastlands so Carragher and co. might be in for a torrid afternoon.
Portsmouth v Stoke (Kick-off 1500 GMT)
Prediction - 2-0
The Crouch-Defoe partnership is clicking. Now if that Pompey defence can just get it's act together. That said, Stoke won't pose a major attacking threat.
Tottenham v Hull (Kick-off 1500 GMT)
Prediction - 1-0
Uefa Cup progression will give Spurs some confidence but Hull have no shortage there. Expect a close game, but Spurs should edge it.
Everton v Newcastle (Kick-off 1600 GMT)
Prediction - 4-1
Both teams need to turn a corner. Everton will get there first.
Finally, here's a quick recap of how we did last week:
Row ZZ prediction - Everton 1-2 Liverpool
Actual result - Everton 0-2 Liverpool
Row ZZ prediction - Aston Villa 2-0 Sunderland
Actual Result - Aston Villa 2-1 Sunderland
Row ZZ prediction - Fulham 1-0 West Ham
Actual result - Fulham 1-2 West Ham
Row ZZ prediction - Man Utd 5-1 Bolton
Actual result - Man Utd 2-0 Bolton
Row ZZ prediction - Middlesbrough 3-2 West Brom
Actual result - Middlesbrough 0-1 West Brom
Row ZZ prediction - Newcastle 1-1 Blackburn
Actual result - Newcastle 1-2 Blackburn
Row ZZ prediction - Stoke 1-3 Chelsea
Actual result - Stoke 0-2 Chelsea
Row ZZ prediction - Arsenal 4-0 Hull
Actual result - Arsenal 1-2 Hull
Row ZZ prediction - Portsmouth 2-1 Tottenham
Actual result - Portsmouth 2-0 Tottenham
Row ZZ prediction - Wigan 2-2 Man City
Actual result - Wigan 2-1 Man City
Row ZZ picked 5 correct results and no perfect scores.
What do you think of this week's picks? Let us know by commenting here.
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