Well that was a very interesting couple of weeks with the World Cup Qualifications. The USA had already qualified before this particular rounds but my own country, England, needed the two wins they did eventually get and have also gone through.
Now we turn our attention to the Premiership as the teams start to show us what they have in store for each supporter this season.
SATURDAY (All Kick Offs 3:00 pm (BST)/10:00am (ET) unless stated:
Newcastle v Liverpool (12:45 BST, 7:45 ET):
Newcastle host Liverpool in the early game on Saturday with Brendon Rodgers side trying to continue the form they had in the early part of the season. Five wins from their first seven games sees the Merseysiders second only of goal difference to Arsenal and will maybe be thinking back to their trip there last season when a Sturridge brace saw the visitors leave with all three points in a 6-0 win.
For Alan Pardew and Newcastle it is surely damage limitation right now and I don’t just mean with reference to the opponents. You get the impression at Newcastle that the vultures are circling and at anytime Mr Kinnear or Mr Ashley will swoop in, pick up Pardew and leave the carcass that is Newcastle. Actually, as a result of this tension there is rumored to be a protest before the game aimed at owner Mike Ashley.
Newcastle didn’t start off that great against Manchester City but with three wins in the last five they find themselves in 11th place, a win away from a European place but also a defeat away from a relegation spot. A point or more for Newcastle would be a fantastic result and with Arsenal not playing until later in the day a point would also see Liverpool return to the top for a while.
Prediction: 1-3
Arsenal v Norwich:
If there ever is a game with a secured three points on it then surely it should be this one. Arsenal are top of the league, unbeaten since the opening game and are on fire. Norwich, not so much.
The Canaries find themselves in the relegation zone and only two wins all season. With the amount of money thrown at this side in the summer the fans would have been expecting more. Sure it was not on the Manchester City, Chelsea or even Arsenal level but still ample enough to lift the squad to the other side of mid table. Some frustration revolves around Mr Hooper and the lack of starts he is getting under Hughton. Meanwhile Ricky Van Wolfswinkel keeps starting and only scored once.
The Norfolk side were unlucky to lose 3-1 to Chelsea right before the break and having won the game before that will feel as if they might be able to give Arsenal some problems. If Hooper starts and Ricky Van is benched then maybe, but I do not think Hughton is ready to sit the Dutchman out just yet.
Prediction 2-0
Chelsea v Cardiff:
It will be interesting to see what the recent disruption at Cardiff in the backroom will have on the field. Certainly away to Chelsea is not where you’d ideally want to find out but that’s where Malky Mackay finds himself. If you are not familiar with the recent happenings at Cardiff let me just bring you up to speed. The head of recruitment, and a key member of Malky Mackays backroom staff was let go, for no particular reason other than family loyalties. This has put Mackays job in threat now and has the potential to be one of the biggest self destruct jobs I think the Premiership has witnessed.
What makes it worse is that on the pitch Cardiff were doing okay. A win against Manchester City saw them with eight points from the first seven games.
Meanwhile this is the exact kind of game Chelsea will be looking at to get two wins on the bounce after the 3-1 defeat of Norwich before the International break.
Prediction 3-0
Everton v Hull:
Both of these two sides have been fantastic so far this season. Newly promoted Hull City could never have dreamed to be above Manchester United at this point but that is exactly where they find themselves.
In the other dugout is Everton under new manager, Roberto Martinez, who were undefeated until the last game before the International break. With that in mind the Toffee’s do still boast a home undefeated record which stretches way back to the end of 2012.
I think this really is made for Everton to continue their home record against opponents but you never really know with these games and whether Baines and Jagielka will be on a high after their England duty or tired may be a key aspect.
Prediction: 2-1
Man Utd v Southampton:
I am still not convinced about Manchester United this season. The defeat against rivals City was bad but a home defeat to West Brom was worse. The eventual win against a struggling Sunderland was a good three points but I didn’t feel as if the team played as fans expect. Before a United side would have pressed the opposition high up the pitch and counter attacked at pace. Under Moyes it seems as if he thinks he is still managing an Everton side who needs to pack the defense and be cautious on the break.
Pochettino on the other hand may have a nosebleed with how high up the table they are. This is not undeserved for the Saints either who are coming off a three game winning streak, which included a 1-0 win away to Liverpool. A defeat here for Moyes would certainly increase the doubters and I think that could be a bit unfair on who is actually a good manager.
Prediction: 1-2
Stoke v West Brom:
Mark Hughes started so well early on in the season but have slipped down the table in recent days. Only one point from the last four games means they would be looking at this fixture as the greatest chance to fix the situation. The next win will be Mark Hughes 100th win as a Manager so why not have a double celebration on Saturday.
Goals have been the real problem with Stoke having scored only twice in their last five games and a goals to shot ratio being very poor.
West Brom are on the opposite track to Stoke with the Baggies now finding form after struggling early on. Undefeated in the league since early September Steve Clarke has got his side playing as a team again collecting four points against Man Utd and Arsenal recently.
Prediction: 1-1
Swansea v Sunderland:
Both of these sides are going through bad spells at the moment as far as League form goes. Sure Swansea are doing well in the Europa League but have only won one in the last four and find themselves not even the best Welsh team in the league currently.
Even more desperate for a win though are their opponents Saturday with only one point so far this season. A new manager has come in and under Gus Poyet far from reassuring fans I think the board have posed more questions. I have no doubts he is a nice guy and a good manager, but having never been tested at Premiership level. I think with this situation a more experienced manager would have been preferred. Although after DiCanio I think anyone would look better, so in that regards he has nothing to lose.
Prediction: 2-2
West Ham v Man City (Kick Off 17:30 BST/ 12:30 ET)
If this was at the Etihad, before the International break and with no Champions League game midweek I would have said a no brainer Manchester City win. However the away record of Pellegrini has been terrible this season and he seems to give priority to Champions League games. That and West Ham are coming off a great 3-0 win against Tottenham.
Will Kompany be fit and if he is will Pellegrini play him? Demichelis just went through a reserve game midweek and so might be up for contention.
If West Ham are up for it on Saturday then I honestly think City will be there for the taking.
Prediction: 2-1
SUNDAY
Aston V v Tottenham (Kick Off 4pm BST/11am ET):
Benteke back for Villa will be a great boost for Paul Lambert who is actually on quite a decent run right now. A win against his old club Norwich was followed by the Manchester City win. A boring draw against Hull meant a good return of seven points from the trio of City’s.
Tottenham will be looking to get back to winning ways after not seeing one in their last two League games. Again, like Swansea, they are doing well in the Europa League but I am sure the Premiership is the main focus and a win Sunday will put that back on track.
Prediction: 1-3
MONDAY
Crystal Palace v Fulham (Kick Off 8pm BST/3pm ET):
I am really starting to worry about Ian Holloway and his Crystal Palace side. I think they have been unlucky against some of the bigger sides but then the teams you’d think they have a chance against they don’t play as well and end up losing them too. All defeats except the 3-1 win against bottom side Sunderland is not good enough and already a gap is appearing between his club and safety. Unfortunately he faces the same problem as he did when he was here with Blackpool a few seasons ago, every single one of his players has to be at their best and that just isn’t going to happen enough times this season I think to save them.
Martin Jol will be glad he is away from the Cottage for this fixture with the pressure being to form on him from a section of the fans. A win will see them rocket to mid table and you feel with their squad it is only a matter of time.
Prediction: 0-2
