Weekend Preview

Birmingham v West Ham
Birmingham have looked sharp and are unlucky to only have a point to show for their two games this season. I'm not convinced Curbishley's signings have gelled yet, and can see them struggling here.
Verdict: Home

Fulham v Middlesbrough
Boro are just awful this season; Mido might start, but I'll be surprised if he's motivated enough to do well, and The Yak's out of the squad, pending his move to Everton. Fulham have been battling, and David Healy has two goals to his name (regardless of the quality of the first one, the second was a peach), and will feel like he can score again.
Verdict: Home

Newcastle v Aston Villa
Big Sam vs Little Martin. Newcastle have bought a solid defence over the summer, and while they might not all play, the biggest improvement they made was shipping out Bumble. Up front, they've got competition with England's Michael Owen back, and Martins on fire at Bolton; midfield has creativity in Milner and Zog, and steel in Butt. Villa have looked uninspiring and dogged, and will be looking for a boring point here.
Verdict: Home

Portsmouth v Bolton
Bolton are just woeful and rudderless, Pompey are creative and unpredictable, but too strong for Little Sammy's boys.
Verdict: Home

Reading v Everton
Reading are very physical and have played two great games against their toughest opponents. However, Everton will be feeling confident and at the top of their game having humiliated Spurs away.
Verdict: Away

Tottenham v Derby
Forget the crisis, Spurs will win this. Derby might score too, and their style will cause problems to Spurs' injury-ravaged defence.
Verdict: Home

Wigan v Sunderland
Sunderland have been created in Keane's image - Irish and feisty. Wigan are made of balsawood.
Verdict: Away

Blackburn v Arsenal
Tought to call - Blackeye Rovers physical approach versus Arsenal's creative fragility. Should cancel out, though there will be cards here.
Verdict: Draw

Liverpool v Chelsea
Liverpool's championship credentials will be answered if they can beat Chelsea. Chelsea's defence has been porous of late; Tegsy's return should stop that.
Verdict: Draw

Man City v Man Utd
City have played two, won two; Utd have played two, drawn two. Tellingly, Utd played a tricky Pompey and a tough Reading; City played a poor West Ham and a naive Derby. Forget Rooney, Utd will walk this even without him.
Verdict: Away