Ladies and gentlemen, we’ve got another big weekend of Premier League action coming up, with some great games on tap. You’ve got Chelsea-Aston Villa. You’ve got Manchester United-West Bromwich Albion. There’s also Everton-Liverpool, which despite the terrible starts by those two teams, will still be a fun game to watch. With that said, it’s once again time for Corey Chatelain, Clay Travis, and myself to make our picks for the week. So let’s get right to the predictions!
QUICK PICKS
Bolton Wanderers vs. Stoke City
Corey: Bolton Wanderers
Clay: Bolton Wanderers
Blake: Stoke City
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. West Ham United
Corey: DRAW
Clay: DRAW
Blake: West Ham United
Newcastle United vs. Wigan Athletic
Corey: Newcastle United
Clay: DRAW
Blake: Newcastle United
Arsenal vs. Birmingham City
Corey: Arsenal
Clay: Arsenal
Blake: Arsenal
Blackpool vs. Manchester City
Corey: Manchester City
Clay: Manchester City
Blake: Manchester City
Blackburn Rovers vs. Sunderland
Corey: DRAW
Clay: Blackburn Rovers
Blake: DRAW
GAMES OF THE WEEK
Fulham vs. Tottenham Hotspur
Corey: Fulham has yet to lose this year but Spurs are beginning to click with new signing Rafael Van Der Vaart. While Spurs will inevitably choke or come down with “food poisoning” at a most inopportune time for them (what can I say I’m a Gooner), I think their good form continues & they come away with 3 points at Craven Cottage.
Clay: I can’t say I would be surprised if Tottenham pulled together a pretty solid win here. However, given the fact that they’re playing at Craven Cottage and that Fulham have still somehow remained unbeaten despite losing Zamora, I think I’ll go with a draw. I have very little confidence in the pick, especially with the way Van der Vaart has been playing, but I’m going with my gut.
Blake: This could certainly go either way, but I just have more confidence in Tottenham right now. Sure, Fulham hasn’t lost this season, and they are the hosts here, but I think Tottenham is on the up-swing, and will find a way to pick up three points here.
Manchester United vs. West Bromwich Albion
Corey: I practically say this in every game for them but I think Man U at home will have enough or find enough Old Trafford magic or have enough time from the ever-frightening, special “Man U Clock” to outlast West Brom despite Albion having a dream start to their season.
Clay: West Brom is off to a fantastic start, but I have to take Man U at home, even despite the somewhat uneven start to their season. Eventually the Red Devils are going to get rolling again, and this seems like a pretty solid opportunity to kick it off.
Blake: The great start for West Brom has to end at some point…..but it won’t end here. It doesn’t matter to me that this one is at Old Trafford, because Manchester United just hasn’t looked all that good lately. I really like what Roberto Di Matteo is doing with West Brom, and while I don’t think they’ll get the full three points, they’ll get one, which is a successful road trip at this point in the season.
Chelsea vs. Aston Villa
Corey: Chelsea finally showed a chink in the armor last time out & Villa looked very dangerous in their last match despite losing to Spurs. I think this one has draw written all over it.
Clay: I think I should like Villa a whole lot more than I do, but for whatever reason, it’s hard for me to have faith in them performing. I think Chelsea’s on a mission this season, and I really expect them to win, even if it is away from the friendly confines of Stamford Bridge.
Blake: I’m with Clay here. Maybe I should give Aston Villa more credit for a good start to the season, but I just don’t see them winning this game. This one has the chance to be high-scoring, but Chelsea has the bigger scoring threats, so they’ll come out with three points.
Everton vs. Liverpool
Corey: Wow, what can one say? Who ever thought a Merseyside derby talk would include the words administration or have both teams in or around the relegation zone? Until Liverpool’s behind the scenes problem are sorted out & until either Torres is fully healthy or they find someone to lead their attack in his absence, I can’t see them doing much. All things considered, Everton should win this match but it’s a derby, so anything goes. But I’ll still lean towards the blue half of Liverpool for the pick.
Clay: HOMER ALERT! Sure the FA Daily’s resident Evertonian is choosing the Toffees to continue the misery for the dreaded Reds, even if he halfway thought of going for the “reverse jinx” here. In all honesty, I think the off week happened at a pretty interesting time for both sides, Everton after their first win and Liverpool after an embarrassing loss to newly-promoted Blackpool. Given that it’s a derby, I think it could probably go either way, but I’m going to go with the side that hasn’t had a drama-filled two weeks.
Blake: I’m pretty confident that Everton will win this match. I didn’t think I would be saying that about this derby match, but I am. Liverpool simply has way too much going on right now, and I don’t see it getting better anytime soon. But of course, picking Everton hasn’t exactly been a lock this season either. Still though, I think Everton is on their way back up, and this a great place for that process to get started.