Thomas Woods
predicts the outcome of the eighth week of Premier League fixtures,
which includes Liverpool hosting old rivals Manchester United, Manchester City at home to Aston Villa, Everton visiting Stamford Bridge and the Black Country derby.
Saturday
Liverpool v Manchester United
Both sides have kinks to iron out. Liverpool's manager, Kenny Dalglish, is
trying to work out how to get the best out of an under-performing Andy Carroll.
United have been shaky at the back, though, but Nemanja Vidic will return at
Anfield. Liverpool romped home in this fixture last season and, after not
hitting top form this season, this could be the occasion to do it. 2-1
Manchester City v Aston Villa
David Silva is in sensational form and is rapidly turning into City's most
important player. The home side may be short in attack, if Sergio Aguero does
not recover from a groin injury, but they can still call on Edin Dzeko and
Mario Balotelli. Not too bad. Villa, this season's draw specialists, will
probably play for one. 1-0
Norwich City v Swansea City
A battle of two promoted teams, both have got off to decent starts and sit
level in the top half of the table on eight points. Swansea have yet to win
away from home though and that could be a stumbling block here. 2-1
QPR v Blackburn Rovers
Despite a decent campaign so far, they also have eight points, QPR have yet to
win at home and have only scored one goal. This is the occasion to break that
duck against a Blackburn side in the relegation zone, and they don't travel
well. They have conceded seven in three games on the road, and have lost five
of seven games this season. 3-0
Stoke City v Fulham
Fulham, who have a poor away record over the past three or four seasons, are up
against it against a physical Stoke side who held Manchester United and beat
Liverpool at the Britannia Stadium earlier in the season. 2-0
Wigan Athletic v Bolton Wanderers
This signals a chance for Bolton to end their poor form. They have lost six in
a row but much has been made of the fact they faced Manchester City, Chelsea,
Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal in that run of games. Wigan are not as
good as those teams and also miss their key striker Hugo Rodallega. 0-1
Chelsea v Everton
This will be a tough match for Chelsea so don't expect a glut of goals. But Everton
are hurting for their lack of firepower at the moment and, especially if
Chelsea get the first goal, it's hard to see them outscoring the home side. 1-0
Sunday
West Bromwich Albion v Wolverhampton Wanderers
A West Midlands derby, it will be frenetic and passionate. Form goes out the
window, which is just as well for the home side. On paper they have a team to
match Wolves, though could be without Peter Odemwingie, their star striker.
West Brom to edge a thriller. 3-2
Arsenal v Sunderland
Some respite for stuttering Arsenal in the fact that they face a team in worse
form than themselves. Both teams should be higher up the table. Nicklas
Bendtner, the Dane, will start for Sunderland against his old side. You fancy
the visitors to score, but Arsenal to net more. 3-1
Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur
Alan Pardew's home side are in top form and unbeaten. But Spurs are also
playing well and that makes this one tough to call. Newcastle have home
advantage, but Spurs have more "match winners" in players like Gareth Bale,
Emmanuel Adebayor and Luka Modric. 1-1