Saturday
Manchester Utd v Wigan, 7:45am, Setanta: United will miss Carrick, who's now out for the next six weeks with a broken elbow, but (not counting Coventry) United's unbeaten over the last seven games, winning six of them 1-0. I was impressed by Wigan's resilience against Liverpool last weekend, but I doubt that resilience will be enough here. United 2-0
Aston Villa v West Ham, 10am, Setanta: The only time Villa's failed to come away with all three points at Villa Park was the first game of the season, while West Ham really should have done better in their last two games (Arsenal and Newcastle). And yet I can't help but think of how Villa threw away two points at Tottenham on Monday with a three goal lead, and wonder if, like last year, they're still the team that ends up drawing with all the other mid-table sides. 1-1
Sunday
Arsenal v Sunderland, 7am, Setanta: Since I don't have much nice to say about either side, I'll just write that I'm fairly certain Arsenal's going to win this one at a canter, and I can't wait for October 28th. Arsenal 3-0
Reading v Derby, 9am: Billy Davies has come out today and said that he expects Derby to say up, primarily because it's October, and they're still not out of it. Um, okay. Reading hasn't performed to the standards they set last season, let in 7 goals last week, and won't be helped by the long-term injuries to Little and Cisse, but if I were Billy Davies, I'd hold off on making statements like that until Derby picks up their first points away from Pride Park. Reading 2-1
Bolton v Chelsea, 10am, Setanta: Yeah, Bolton's still amongst the relegation places, winless in their last 4 in the league, while Chelsea got their first victory under Avram Grant in the Mestalla against Valencia of all places. Maybe I'm hoping that Chelsea hasn't turned a corner and still thinking of last year's Bolton at the Reebok, but I think we're going to be treated to a similar Chelsea performance to that against Fulham. 0-0
Newcastle v Everton, 10am, Setanta Xtra: Newcastle at St. James' Park has been a different team than Newcastle away all season long. Like Villa, they're unbeaten at home, but Newcastle's also lost at Derby and was housed last weekend at City. Everton's still in the top five, but I still can’t believe they came back to win in the Ukraine today, and I think the long trip might take something out of the team. Newcastle 2-1
Blackburn v Birmingham, 10am: Birmingham may be the highest-placed promoted team, but that's not saying much at the moment. Blackburn’s struggled in Europe (going out of the UEFA Cup to Larissa despite winning at home today) but been tough to beat in the league, especially at home, and I imagine that trend will continue. Blackburn 2-0
Manchester City v Middlesbrough, 10am: I'll copy and paste what I wrote about Boro last week, as it's still relevant: "Yikes, Boro on the road, where their only win came against Fulham and was due to one of those disallowed goals mentioned above." In case you were wondering, Everton won that game 2-0. Yikes indeed. City 2-1
Fulham v Portsmouth, 11:10am: Draw written all over it. Fulham's been tough to beat despite only have 7 points on the board, and like last season, has earned good draws in tough venues. Portsmouth's a surprising sixth despite playing all of the "big 4," and should have enough to win given their line-up and form, but I can't bet against Fulham the way that Dempsey's playing and the fact that the game's at Craven Cottage. 2-2
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