Weekend Previews, Man !

23/9/06 Saturday Fixtures:

Anfield

LIVERPOOL vs Tottenham Hotspur

Both team started really slowly this season, already dropping points and Spurs are currently near the bottom of the table. Liverpool meanwhile, will take the 2-0 win over Newcastle in mid-week as a launch pad to kick start the season before it is really too late.

Spurs have a terrible record at Anfield in recent years, only won one of the last eight meetings. Liverpool will be without Harry Kewell who is back home in Australia while Riise is still nursing the ankle injury. Pennant is doubtful after missing the mid-week game. Meanwhile, Spurs will be without their summer signing, Dimitar Berbatov. Therefore the 'big man-small man' combination will definitely feature Mido and either Keane or Defoe.

Drogballs' Prediction: Liverpool 1-0 Spurs. Spurs wouldn't want to lose this, but I can see the Reds nicking it.

City of Manchester Stadium

Man City vs West Ham Utd.

City's under pressure boss, Stuart Pearce have dismissed claims that his side is currently in a crisis despite 13 defeats in the last 16 games. It's a horrendous record, but 'Psycho' is confident that his side will bounce back. But West Ham will be in the way of their revival, therefore Man City will have to at least grab a draw from this.

The Hammers on the other hand, despite of adding the two Argentinians into the squad, seemed to lost a little bit of form and will want to kick start their engine once again. The visit to City of Manchester stadium is not going to be easy, ask Arsenal. But with the quality of the players, they could get a draw out of this.

Drogballs' Prediction: Man City 1-1 West Ham.

Riverside Stadium

Middlesbrough vs Blackburn

After getting dumped out of the Carling cup already, Boro boss, Gareth Southgate will have to ring changes and bring in the big guns for this game. Blackburn on the other hand, will look to build on their impressive win last week and get their first away point of the season.

Drogballs' Prediction: Boro 1-1 Blackburn

Emirates Stadium

Arsenal vs Sheffield Utd.

It's hard to imagine the Gunners have yet to win at their home ground, but understandably, the 'New Stadium Syndrome' will stop pretty soon and there is no other better time than after a morale boosting 1-0 win over bitter rivals Man Utd last Sunday at Old Trafford. Arsenal have been playing well, but not putting their chances they created into goals. Sheffield could be in for an onslaught here. The 2-1 home loss against Reading highlighted that they're not good enough just yet.

Drogballs' Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Sheff. Utd. I could've predicted a higher score, but let's keep it a bit more respectable before it backfires and I becoming a fool.

Villa Park

Aston Villa vs Charlton

Villa, enjoying a wonderful start to the season with Martin O'Neil, will welcome Charlton to Villa Park today with much confidence after narrowly beating Scunthorpe in the Carling Cup tie. Charlton have been pretty poor this season, losing 4 of their 5 games.

Drogballs' Prediction: Villa 2-0 Charlton

Craven Cottage

Fulham vs Chelsea

A corresponding fixture last season left a bitter taste in the mouth for the Chelsea fans and players alike, after losing the game and losing a man as well. Chelsea will want to build on their 1-0 victory over Liverpool last week and go on a roll. But they will be without the service of German captain, Michael Ballack, after he got suspended for stamping on Momo Sissoko.

Drogballs' Prediction: Fulham 1-3 Chelsea. A repeat of last season's victory is unlikely for Fulham.

JJB Stadium

Wigan vs Watford

Drogballs' Prediction: Wigan 1-0 Watford

Madejski Stadium

Reading vs Man Utd.

Both teams started decently, but there were mix fortunes last weekend, with Reading winning and Man Utd losing at home to Arsenal. Gary Neville made a battlecry earlier this week, claiming they must beat Reading. Reading meanwhile have impressed the pundits with their flowing style football and a couple of in form players.

Drogballs' Prediction: Reading 1-3 Man Utd


24/9/06 Sunday Fixtures:

St. James' Park

Newcastle vs Everton

Newcastle have a fairly decent start to their season, but will certainly look back at the 2-0 defeat at the hands of Everton's bitter rivals, Liverpool. They will be without Steven Taylor for this game. Everton on the other hand have enjoyed a fantastic start to the season, but finally dropped points after a 2-2 draw with Wigan at Goodison Park last weekend.

Drogballs' Prediction: Newcastle 1-1 Everton

25/9/06 Monday Fixture:

Fratton Park

Portsmouth vs Bolton

A wonderful start to the season for Portsmouth and how many people actually predicted that they'll do that. They have yet to drop a point or even concede a single goal so far and is the most in form team at the moment. Bolton meanwhile, struggles to kick start their season and will definitely be affected by the news about the 'bungs' taken by manager, Sam Allardyce. And Allardyce's insistence of bringing the matter to court will also cause some unrest in the camp.

Drogballs' Prediction: Portsmouth 2-0 Bolton