The game on everyone’s minds is the titanic clash between Liverpool and Manchester United on Sunday. We preview that game and all the other weekend action.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Aston Villa
You’d think that Aston Villa will stroll to victory here. But Villa seem to have this annoying habit of stealing points from games no one expects them to, and making incredibly hard work against lower quality opposition. Wolves though shouldn’t provide a major challenge, but you never know. Villa should net three points.
Prediction: 1-2
Saturday 24 October 2009
Kickoff: 13:45 / TV: 13:30 – 15:45 (SuperSport 3 Live HD)

Birmingham City vs. Sunderland
Birmingham aren’t the greatest. Sunderland, on the other hand, are proving that they’re a couple of players short of really challenging for a top six spot. Away from home, they’ll likely find the going tough. There are also big worries over the injury to Lee Cattermole, that they could’ve done without. Sunderland have to deal with two or three injuries, but Birmingham are virtually depleted. Sunderland need to step up and prove that they cannot just take points off the bigger sides. They should easily win this. It could very well be a rout.
Prediction: 0-2
Saturday 24 October 2009
Kickoff: 16:00 / TV: 18:00 – 19:55 (SuperSport 7)

Burnley vs. Wigan Athletic
You would think, looking at the teams involved, that Wigan will win this. But Burnley have a perfect record at home, versus a five losses from five on the road. Wigan’s away record reads similar to Burnley’s. So the smart money is on a Burnley win. These two teams are pretty comparable. Burnley will likely win this, but I can’t help thinking it’ll end in a draw – a good result for both teams.
Prediction: 1-1
Saturday 24 October 2009
Kickoff: 16:00 / TV: 15:55 – 18:00 (SuperSport 5 Live)

Hull City vs. Portsmouth
Poor Hull. Poor Pompey. Both are languishing at the complete bottom of the table. It’s going to be a long season for Phil Brown. Yes, Hull will be at home. But something tells me Portsmouth will edge it. They just seem more potent. I’ll stay out of this game, as anything can happen.
Prediction: 1-2
Saturday 24 October 2009
Kickoff: 16:00 / TV: 15:55 – 18:00 (SuperSport 7 Live)

Tottenham Hotspur vs. Stoke City
Spurs are blowing hot and cold at the moment, after a terrific start to the season. There are injury problems too. Stoke will be without Robert Huth for a while thanks to his hot-headedness. Spurs will struggle a bit, but Stoke travelling aren’t great. That should save them. A scrappy draw is also likely.
Prediction: 3-2 (or 2-2)
Saturday 24 October 2009
Kickoff: 16:00 / TV: 15:45 – 18:00 (SuperSport 3 Live)

Chelsea vs. Blackburn Rovers
Chelsea were shocked at Villa last weekend. But they stepped up a gear in midweek against Atletico Madrid, a team more potent than most in the Premier League. Blackburn aren’t the best away from home, in fact they have yet to pick up a single point away from home. Nothing but a win here. I don’t fancy a clean sheet, as Blackburn may get lucky. Over 2.5 goals for me.
Prediction: 3-0
Saturday 24 October 2009
Kickoff: 18:30 / TV: 18:00 – 20:30 (SuperSport 3 Live HD)

Bolton Wanderers vs. Everton
A toughie. Bolton are decent at home and have scrapped some points off opposition tougher than Everton. They very nearly clinched a draw against Manchester United in the dying minutes last Saturday. Everton were walloped in the Europa League on Thursday, and this could hurt them in preparation for this game. I reckon Bolton will steal it. Just.
Prediction: 1-0
Sunday 25 October 2009
Kickoff: 15:30 / TV: 15:25 – 17:30 (SuperSport 6 Live)

Liverpool vs. Manchester United
History and stats show that in many ways, the draw is the best bet in this match. But those discount the fact that Liverpool is facing sizeable injury problems. Their squad hasn’t got the most depth either. That said, Manchester United have not been the same team we know from seasons past. But they still manage to escape. Week. After week. Call it luck, call it persistence. This (and the reverse fixture) is the biggest match of the season. Manchester United should crush Liverpool. But that’s what makes football so utterly amazing. It’s unpredictable.
Prediction: 1-3
Sunday 25 October 2009
Kickoff: 16:00 / TV: 15:00 – 18:00 (SuperSport 3 Live HD)

Manchester City vs. Fulham
Man City aren’t runaway top four challengers that most were expecting earlier this season. This team does have problems, but are classier than Fulham. That said, Fulham should be able to make life difficult for City. Wigan proved (AGAIN) that if you choke Manchester City’s midfield, it’s nearly impossible for them to score. Play a free, open game and you’ll get into trouble. City should still edge it though.
Prediction: 2-1
Sunday 25 October 2009
Kickoff: 17:00 / TV: 16:55 – 19:00 (SuperSport 7 Live)

West Ham United vs. Arsenal
Poor West Ham. The off-field problems seem to be having at least some impact on the team’s performance, and they’re still stuck in the relegation zone – a place they honestly don’t deserve to be. It’s thankfully very early in the season and they’ll escape the drop. Arsenal are going to win this. That simple. The only thing uncertain is the margin.
Prediction: 1-3
Sunday 25 October 2009
Kickoff: 18:15 / TV: 18:00 – 21:30 (SuperSport 3 Live HD)

*All times Central African Time.