Back on normal starting times, thanks to the UK catching up with the American time change.
Fulham v Portsmouth 10:00am, FSC: Easy to say with Fulham, who along with Aston Villa have the most draws in the league, but this one looks like a tie as well. Fulham is far better at Craven Cottage while Pompey’s nowhere near their form at the start of the season, but still, this one smells like a draw all the way. Of course, every time I say that with any certainty, the match finds a way to end without a tie. 1-1
Manchester Utd v Blackburn 10:00am, Setanta: Blackburn had United’s number last season and did the double over them, but lost 0-1 at Ewood Park in November this season. Also, I’m more than likely to continue my trend of picking a United win every time out for the rest of the season, which makes me feel like eviscerating myself. United 2-0
Newcastle v Manchester City 10:00am, Setanta Xtra: Two teams that can be utterly frightening to watch. Newcastle had steadied the ship earlier in the season despite a large number of injuries, while City can’t buy a goal to save their lives. Both backlines can be completely inconsistent and prone to lapses, but I think Newcastle will start to fix their form. Either that, or Roeder will be gone at the end of the season. Newcastle 1-0
Bolton v Sheffield Utd 10:00am: I’ve come to like Sheffield. Well, at least respect them, I don’t know if I can ever “like” a team headed by the ever-amusing Neil Warnock. But Sam Allardyce has had time to fix Bolton’s recent problems thanks to the international break, and Sheffield are going to severely miss Rob Hulse’s goals. If Hulse’s injury happened earlier in the season, Sheffield would probably be doomed. They are only 4 points above Charlton at the moment, but I think they should be able to scrape through the season. It’s worth remembering Hulse has far more goals as anyone else on the team, though. Bolton 2-0
Charlton v Wigan 10:00am: Another one that looks likely to end in a deadlock. Yeah, both these teams still hover around the relegation zone, and despite being unbeaten in 3, Charlton still look likely to go down a division, but both have been far better of late. While it’s tempting to think this will be an ugly, hard-fought game, I think we might actually see some football. 2-2
West Ham v Middlesbrough 10:00am: We’re full of possible ties this week. I just don’t trust Boro on the road, while I can’t go for West Ham. I know they’ve been better at Upton Park, I know Tevez is coming around, and the team is playing with a lot more heart than they had been, but I just cannot bring myself to pick a Hammers victory. And I wish I could; I’ve said it before and I’m sure it’ll be said again. West Ham is a team that deserves to be in the Prem. 0-0
Watford v Chelsea 12:15pm, FSC: Hey look, another 2-0 Chelsea prediction! Chelsea 2-0
Tottenham v Reading 11:00am Sunday, FSC: Spurs have looked very good at the Lane, and although a fair few of their players were away for the international break, Martin Jol will have them more than ready to face Reading, who are one of Spurs’ main contenders for a European place. Look for 7th placed Tottenham to put more distance between them and Reading, who sit a point behind them. Tottenham 2-1
Aston Villa v Everton 3:00pm Monday, FSC: Going back to the tried and true “Villa as draw specialists” narratives. Not only is it easy, it’s been true. As I can attest to as a Liverpool fan, it’s all too true. 1-1
Liverpool v Arse is at 7:45am on Setanta on Saturday
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