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CHELSEA vs MANCHESTER CITY (1230 ko)
No doubt where most of the nation’s TV cameras will be congregating today. This could have a considerable bearing on who finally wins the title in eight months’ time. On paper, a battle of two high-class, evenly-matched sides. But there’s home advantage – along with something in the manic determination of Thomas Tuchel – that could just be the difference. Home win.
MANCHESTER UNITED vs ASTON VILLA (1500)
Having been relieved of the burden of the League Cup for the season, Man U can focus fully on the Premier League, for now. Their third claret and blue opposition in a week and possibly the most straightforward. Home win.
EVERTON vs NORWICH CITY (1500)
Playing Norwich, particularly at home, is like being given a birthday present. But you have to make the effort to unwrap it. Home win.
LEEDS UNITED vs WEST HAM UNITED (1500)
A classic of the English game, sort of. The hosts are yet to register a win this season and sit miserably one place above the bottom three. Injuries to several key players will see them again fielding a weakened side. Michael Antonio is back for us, while Ryan Fredericks is our only injury-enforced absentee. Despite their lowly position, Leeds are battlers and this will be a fight between two of the league’s fittest sides. That may take the fitness aspect out of the equation of relative advantage, leaving a fascinating battle of guile, skill and determination. Should be a good watch. Away win.
LEICESTER CITY vs BURNLEY (1500)
Neither side will be delighted with their start to the season. Burnley lack firepower. Leicester are the stronger side and play at home. What else could it possibly be but a home win.
WATFORD vs NEWCASTLE UNITED (1500)
Newcastle are another side that have underwhelmed to date. For their long-suffering fans, that’s a familiar state of affairs. It’s hard to see a distinct advantage for either side today. Draw.
BRENTFORD vs LIVERPOOL (1730)
Looking forward to this one. Liverpool will win, of course, but it will be interesting to see how they deal with the Bees’ avowed attacking intent. It’s paid good dividends so far. An early goal for the home side will get things really buzzing. Away win.
**SUNDAY**
SOUTHAMPTON vs WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS (1400)
Two more sides that will be disappointed with their starts. But you just feel that the Saints have got more in their locker than the visitors. Home win.
ARSENAL vs TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (1630)
Arsenal’s win at Burnley last week, again by the narrowest of margins, saw them pull out of the bottom three. But they remain massively unconvincing. With Spurs, you’re never quite sure what you’ll get, but they should be strong enough to claim local bragging rights this evening. Away win.
**MONDAY**
CRYSTAL PALACE vs BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION (2000)
An aerial battle of Eagles and Seagulls. The latter have made a cracking start to the campaign, dropping just three points thus far. But Patrick Viera’s side have started to show guts. Who has the sharper talons? Draw.
**PICK OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP, etc**
Coming from a goal down, West Brom put QPR to the sword on Friday night to climb to the top of the Championship on goal difference above Coventry. Bournemouth, who host Luton, and Fulham, who visit Bristol City, both have an opportunity to dislodge the current top two this afternoon. At the bottom, Derby – on minus two points – travel to Sheffield United while Forest entertain Millwall. There’s something unsettling about seeing the present plight of these once great houses of English football.
Cowdenbeath, who for reasons unknown seem to have generated interest from this forum, travel Stirling Albion: two hours by bus, seven quid. The visitors, who are located a few miles north of Edinburgh across the Forth Bridge, lie second from bottom of the fourth league of Jock football, while Stirling Albion are at the other, western, end of the Firth of Forth, surrounded by lots of towns with splendid Scottish names. Not least of which is Bannockburn, where Robert the Bruce defeated Kind Edward II in June 1314. Och aye.
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