After a break for World Cup Qualifiers, football in this country now returns to Premiership action, with five fixtures that feature London's top flight clubs taking place over three days. In our last preview, guest contributor David gave us a clear and thoughtful analysis of that weekend's games which provided a welcome relief from the flippant and mocking commentary that has blighted this feature since its inception. Football is a serious business, and from now on we are going to treat it that way.
Here are the fixtures...
Chelsea v Bolton
Bolton may well be fancying themselves to be the first team to take points off the Premiership leaders, especially as the Blues , having had 18 players away on international duty, could do without pitting themselves against the Trotters' direct and muscular brand of football. We feel that Chelsea might bend, but won't break. Draw.
Tottenham v Everton
It's looking bleaker and bleaker for Everton, who will be without Mikel Arteta, David Weir and James Beattie when they travel to White Hart Lane. In contrast, Spurs will welcome back Micheal Carrick and Lee Young-Pyo, although England's new midfielder, Ledley King, is rated as having a 50-50 chance of playing. This Spurs side is looking increasingly confident and should prove too strong for the Toffees. Home win.
West Brom v Arsenal
More injury woe for Arsenal , as Alexander Hleb joins Ashley Cole, Sol Campbell, Robin van Persie and Thierry Henry on the casualty list. With Hleb in increasingly impressive form, this is a real blow for Arsenal and they will be forced to rely on the youthful central midfield partnership of Flamini and Fabregas to get them a result. Another Gooner in form, Jose Antonio Reyes, could make all the difference, but Arsenal will surely struggle. Draw.
Man City v West Ham (Sunday)
West Ham are flying right now and will believe that they can take all three points on offer at the City Of Manchester Stadium on Sunday. Stuart Pearce's City beat Everton in their last match, ending a run of four games without a win and will be banking on their pacy strikers causing problems for the volatile Tomas Repka. Look out for Nigel Reo-Coker, in superb form at present and a possible late entrant to England's World Cup squad. Draw.
Charlton v Fulham (Monday)
Darren Bent spent his time with England watching all the action from the bench and will be itching to add to the eight goals he has already scored for Charlton this season. Another player with a point to prove is Danny Murphy, who failed to receive the England call-up that so many had prdeicted for him. Fulham have lost their last three Premiership matches and are unlikely to get any respite on Monday. Home win.
Enjoy your weekend.
