Premier League Preview, 2/3 October

by The Rumor Monger
(Cyberspace)

The match of the weekend is at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, where champions Chelsea take on London rivals Arsenal.

The Gunners have struggled against the Blues in recent years and there is little to suggest it will be any different this time, especially with Fabregas, van Persie, Vermaelen and Walcott all injured.

Chelsea meanwhile, have injury woes of their own, with Salomon Kalou joined on the sidelines by the influential Frank Lampard.

Elsewhere, Manchester United face a tricky match at Sunderland, where the home side have lost just one of their last 13 Premier League encounters.

That defeat though, was at the hands of United, and Fergie will be hoping for more of the same.

At White Hart Lane, Gerard Houllier will look to continue his promising start as his Aston Villa side take on Tottenham.

Spurs were beaten by West Ham last time out and Harry Redknapp will expect a much improved performance against Villa.

Saturday's lunchtime kick-off sees Wigan Athletic take on Wolves at the DW. Wigan are currently third from bottom, but their rivals are just a point better off and have not won since the opening day of the season.

Having picked up their first win last week, West Ham will look to build with a victory over Fulham at Upton Park. Fulham are one of only two unbeaten teams left in the Premier League, but have drawn five of their six matches so far.


Everton have had a wretched start to the campaign and currently occupy bottom spot. The Toffees have amassed just three points from their opening six matches and David Moyes will be desperate for his talented side to find some form.

However, they face a difficult task at St Andrews, where Birmingham City are unbeaten in their last 18 Premier League matches.

Two of the season's surprise packages thus far, West Brom and Bolton, go head to head at the Hawthorns. Last week, The Baggies stunned Arsenal at the Emirates, while Bolton were unfortunate to only draw with Manchester United.

Lastly on Saturday, to the Britannia Stadium for a match Arsene Wenger would probably dub as rugby. Stoke City and Blackburn Rovers are renowned for their direct, physical style of play so expect a cracker, albeit, not one for the football purist.

On Sunday, Manchester City host Newcastle and will look to build on their impressive win over Chelsea last weekend.

Also on Sunday Liverpool host Blackpool at Anfield, knowing that anything but a win against the Premier League minnows will be construed as yet another disaster in a season littered with them so far.