Alright fans - Zack, AK & I had a little miscommunication about the Preview - but I still wanted to get a little blog post up about the games this weekend - so here we go...

Saturday's Matchups

Chelsea vs. Blackburn - Chelsea have the chance to jump back to the top of the table on Saturday - they host the Rovers at Stambford Bridge...if the Blues win - they will be back on top...well - at least until Sunday - it depends on the Manchester United - Liverpool result.  This looks like bad news for Blackburn no matter how you look at it...Chelsea lost their last time out in the Premier League to Aston Villa - so Chelsea will look to get back to their wiining ways.  Plus, Blackburn has not scored against Chelsea in their last 6 EPL matches and the Rovers have lost their last 8 road games...all not good stats for Big Sam's club...Prediction: Chelsea 3  Blackburn 0

Tottenham vs. Stoke City - Spurs look to continue to impress this year...and if other results would go their way - they would be top of the table at the end of the weekend, but that is hard to see happening with Chelsea's cake matchup.  Tottenham will be without their most consistent striker so far this season, Jermaine Defoe, but Peter Crouch (if you have been listening to the podcasts) should be starting anyway - and will get the start here.  Stoke has only won at White Hart Lane once - so this matchup does not look promising...
Prediction: Tottenham 3  Stoke City 1

Wolverhampton vs. Aston Villa - I expect this Midlands derby to be very intense, but Villa is off to their best start in 10 years and I expect that to continue Saturday.  Wolves have not beaten Aston Villa in cup or league play for 29 years - 1980!!!  Wolves have only won 1 of their last 7 EPL matches - so look for Villa to roll...Prediction:  Wolves 1   Aston Villa 2 

Hull City vs. Portsmouth - This is an absolute embarrassing matchup - this is a preview of a Coca Cola Championship match in 2010...Hull City have only 3 clean sheets at the KC Stadium in 23 home matches...Portsmouth won a road match for the 1st time in 17 EPL games with a win over Wolves last time out and they have not lost to Hull City in their last 7 league matches dating back to September 1988...just a small opinion of mine - if Hull City lose this match - Phil Brown will be fired as Manager no later than Monday, Tuesday at the latest...and look for this to come to fruition...Prediction: Hull City 1   Portsmouth 2

Birmingham vs. Sunderland - Upset alert??  Sunderland are off to a flying start and a big reason for this is Darren Bent (who should have had an International callup this last time up) - Bent has scored in 5 successive EPL matches and it's not like it has been against some chumps either - their last 2 opponents have been Manchester United and Liverpool (although, Pool has Jamie Carragher, who is the biggest sieve defender in the world).  If Bent would score in this match, he would be the first to score in 6 successive top-flight matches for the Wearsiders since Trevor Ford in December 1951.  Why do I say Upset Alert??  Birmingham in their last 6 matches against the Black Cats - they are 4-1-1.  I'm torn on my prediction here after this last stat, but man is Sunderland hot...
Prediction:  Birmingham 1   Sunderland 3

Burnley vs. Wigan - This will be the first meeting between these two teams in the top flight.  Burnley have only beaten Wigan twice in 16 meetings in all competitions.  The Clarets are the first newly-promoted team in 27 years to wintheir first four top-flight home matches, since Watford achieved thesame feat in 1982-83.  Burnley have outscored their opponents 7-2 in those 4 home matches...Prediction:  Burnley 2   Wigan 1

                                                          

Sunday's Matchups

Liverpool vs. Manchester United - Liverpool have lost 4 consecutive games in all competitions and that is the worst run for the club in 22 years.  And if they would lose to the Red Devils - it would be their worst form since 1953.  Liverpool won both matchups last year over ManU, but this looks like a completely different Liverpool team and the Red Devils will be confident, even without the services of Wayne Rooney, because of the 1-0 win at CSKA Moscow in Champion's League play earlier in the week...
Prediction:  Liverpool 1   Manchester United 2

West Ham vs. Arsenal - Lock of the weekend - West Ham have not won a game since opening day of the EPL season and Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 4 matchups versus the Hammers.  Arsenal have won 4 consecutive EPL matches and they lead the league in goals scored with 27 in just 8 games played.  While on the flip side, West Ham have scored just 9 goals this season - this has all the makings of a beat down (like I do against Zack in racquetball on a weekly basis)... Prediction:  West Ham 0  Arsenal 4

Bolton vs. Everton - This is the Do Not Bet Game of the Weekend - Bolton is 1 of only 3 teams in the league without a home win - and this is rare for Bolton who are typically a very good team at the Reebok.  Bolton is also the only team in the league without a clean sheet.  Everton is coming off of a 5-0 thumping at the hands of Benfica in Europa league on Thursday...so how the heck can you predict this game at all??  Tim Cahill has to get it going for David Moyes & Everton at some point right?? 
Prediction:  Bolton 1  Everton 3

Man City vs. Fulham -  Man City have won their last 6 home matches at the City of Manchester Stadium and they will continue to try to keep up with the big boys at the top of the table.  Fulham beat Hull City Monday evening 2-0 and could not hold on for a win against Roma in Europa League on Thursday, but still came away with a draw - whgich on paper, is a good result for the Cottagers.  Fulham have won 3 of their last 4 matches at Man City, but this is a new regime...Prediction: Man City 2  Fulham 0

Information in this article was taken from the following sites: Premier League http://tinyurl.com/2mbk7a