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Liverpool FC - Source: Reuters -
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Arsenal v Hull
With Arsenal's current high-flying form this match-up should be a
synch for the top of the table leaders against newly promoted side
Hull FC.
But Hull haven't had as bad a start to their Premier League debut as some would have predicted, netting two wins and two draws since the start of the season.
Since their opening 2-1 win over Fulham, Hull have had a 2-1 win
at Newcastle and a 2-2 draw with Everton, a feat that has seen them
take up a respectable seventh place on the Premier League table -
but with Arsenal's recent wins and their B-side's 6-0 romp over
Sheffield United in the Carling Cup, Arsenal's young-gunners are
becoming a side to be reckoned with and will no doubt be fighting
off Chelsea and Liverpool to keep their place at the top of the
League.
Premier Pick:
Arsenal
Aston Villa v Sunderland
After a shaky start to the new season, fourth placed Aston Villa
are starting to find their groove with recent wins over West Brom,
bottom placed Tottenham and a fantastic 3-1 win in the UEFA
Cup.
Three wins from three away games have boosted Villa's hopes but this week's 1-0 defeat to QPR in the Carling Cup may have put a dampener on the party spirit.
Meanwhile Roy Keane's Sunderland finally kicked into gear last weekend with a 2-0 win over Middlesbrough. That game saw a well timed return to form for Michael Chopra whose two goals gave the Black Cats their first home win of the season.
Villa are riding high with the likes of John Carew and Gabriel Agbonlahor forming a fantastic partnership upfront while skipper Gareth Barry and Reo Croker continue their great work in the midfield and a much-wanted home game will make Villa the favourites for this Midlands clash.
Sunderland have a good record against Aston Villa and with
tiredness creeping in for the home side this one may go to a
draw.
Premier Pick:
Draw
Everton v Liverpool
Here we go, here we go, here we go will be the chants coming
from Liverpool this weekend as Everton and Liverpool get set for
the 179th Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.
Third placed Liverpool will be hoping to maintain their unbeaten run in their Premier League, with a point to prove after a disappointing 0-0 draw with Stoke at Anfield last weekend. Meanwhile, Everton will be looking to grab some much needed points and a win over their bitter rivals in a game that is more about pride than football.
Everton have been bolstered in recent weeks with the return of striker Tim Cahill who will be wanting to make an impact on the pitch.
Liverpool's Robbie Keane will also be hoping to score his first goal of the season after failing to find the back of the net since making his 20-million-pound move to Anfield from Tottenham and there could be no better place to make yourself a Kop hero.
With the pressure on to maintain their place in the top-of-the-table Liverpool can not afford to lose this game so expect plenty of passion, pride, fouls and cards at both ends of the pitch.
Premier picks: Liverpool
Stoke v Chelsea
Chelsea may be suffering somewhat of a slump in form with the loss
of Deco and Michael Essien but they have taken the step of signing
Brazilian midfielder Minerio on a free transfer to rectify some of
the problem, not that it should matter for this week's game against
Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium.
Stoke have won just one game since being promoted to the Premier League and will probably employ the same 10 men behind the ball tactics they used against Liverpool to contain the Blues at home.
This should be a walk in the park for Chelsea but there will be few complaints from the Potters fans if another 0-0 draw ensues.
Premier prediction: Chelsea
Manchester United v Bolton
Manchester United have once again kicked off their Premier League
title defence with the stutter many of their fans have become
accustomed to during the last few seasons.
With a loss to Liverpool, a draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and just one win under their belt, Sir Alex Ferguson will be hoping this has been the calm before the storm for his 15th placed side.
The return of Cristiano Ronaldo is enough to give United the kick start they need against Bolton who are just one place below the Premier and Champions League holders on the table.
Like United, Bolton have taken just one win this season; theirs coming in their new season opener against Stoke but as United look to find their path to the top, Bolton will be looking to keep themselves out of the bottom.
Premier Prediction: Manchester United
Fulham v West Ham
Liverpool v Everton is not the only derby this weekend as
Fulham take on West Ham in the third London Premier League derby of
the season.
Both suffered embarrassing losses this week to Championship sides in the Carling Cup.
But Fulham have done well at Craven Cottage winning both their home games with season - with one of those wins coming against Arsenal.
A new look West Ham with new manager Gianfranco Zola enjoyed a confidence boosting win over Newcastle last weekend, and may be on the road to recovery after losing both of their away games this season.
Fulham may have the luck of being at home but the Hammers hold an unbeaten Premier League record against the side, picking up 13 out of 15 points on their trips Craven Cottage since 2002.
Premier Pick: West Ham
Middlesbrough v West Brom
This weekend's game at Boro will be Gareth Southgates 100th game in
charge of the side and the boys will be looking to maintain their
100% home Premier League record against the Baggies.
Middlesbrough will also be looking to put an end to their three successive league losses while West Brom will just be looking for a win.
Boro were poor against a strong Aston Villa last weekend so will be looking to push this one for a win.
Premier Pick: Middlesbrough
Newcastle v Blackburn
With half-full stadiums and ongoing club troubles managerless
Newcastle may be staring down the face of yet another defeat this
weekend.
At the battle of the bottom in their Carling Cup tie it was Tottenham who came out trumps and even though striker Michael Owen is pulling some gems out of the bag, he alone is not enough to save the rot that is taking over this once great club.
Blackburn on the other hand had a fantastic Cup win over Everton and will be looking for their fourth consecutive win over the Magpies home and away - the only problem for the Rovers may come with the loss of goalkeeper Paul Robbinson - Newcastle could just pull this one out.
Premier Pick: Newcastle
Portsmouth v Tottenham
In another bleak match-up Portsmouth take on bottom placed
Tottenham who are more than feeling the loss of top striking force
Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane with no wins in the Premier
League this season thus-far.
But Spurs did manage a good result against Newcastle in the Carling Cup during the week, with new signing Roman Pavlynchenko finally proving his worth.
Meanwhile Pompey have conceded 10-goals in the last two games, the worst coming with their 6-0 thrashing by Man City, and with Portsmouth's poor defensive record, Tottenham may finally be on the up.
Premier Pick: Tottenham
Wigan v Manchester City
Money can buy you at lot of things, but if City's loss to Brighton
this week proved anything, it is that it can't buy you goals.
If you go by records you will see that Manchester City have never beaten Wigan in the Premier League but that was before the club was renamed Manchester Money Bags and they scored themselves some Brazilian flare.
Premier Pick: Manchester City
