Saturday Predictions

Here are some of out thoughts(have some free time) and predictions on the upcoming games. We would love to hear your comments and maybe your predictions as well. Feel free to post your comments/predictions. We will keep track of your predictions and see who can see the future best.

Middlesbrough vs Blackburn

Boro has always been unpredictable especially at home with notable victories over the likes of chelsea and manyoo in the past. They have not really strenghtenend the team much. Signings that we are looking forward to see are Sanli Tuncay (he is damn good in FM) and also former arsenal striker Aliadiere. Viduka is out so we expect a new look attack for Boro. Will it be effective remains to be see. This gonna be an important season for Southgate as he has reiterate that his youngsters is good enough for the premiership. Woodgate, Pogatetz and Huth are missing with injury so we expect Boro's defence to be patchy.

Blackburn did the double on Boro last season. They have reinforced their strikeforce with Paraguayan Santa Cruz. We expect him to start with Benny McCarthy, thier top scorer last season. With Gamst and Bentley in support, it is a strong attack. On paper, Hughes men looked the better side and they have no major injury worries. Savage and Ooijer will be back from horrific injuries at the end of last season so they should be up for this.

Predictions: We dont see Middlesbrough winning this one. A makeshift defence against a strong Blackburn attack looks to shift the advantage to Rovers. Boro will be happy with a draw. Rovers to win 2-0.

West Ham vs Manchester City

Honestly, these are the two middle table teams we are most excited to see. Its West Ham after Coker-Tevez Era against Thai-backed Sven's outfit. Both team have been busy during the summer. Well thats an understatement if u looked at how many Sven has recruited. West Ham will be without their new signing Parker for this one so expect Noble to start in the middle in his place. Bellamy would most likely be making his debut and a gut feeling says he's gonna excel at Upton park. Ljunberg is also set to begin his new adventure. A cast away from Arsenal, we still he still has much to offer. Boa Morte on the left with Ljungnerg down the right. Thats ability and experience much present. They just need to make sure they dont leak as much goals as last season. An unfortunate fact their defence has no new signings.

Man City oh Man City. Where do we start on this team. Sven is currently undertaking his revolution for the blue half of manchester. Recent signings Valeri Bojinov, Vedran Corluka and Elano will be waiting for their international clearance to play this weekend. Rolando Bianchi, Geovanni, Gelson Fernandes, Javi Garrido and Martin Petrov will hope to figure in the match. Man City will never look like last season thats for sure. At least playing staff-wise, results wise? Time will tell. After bore-ing us with the England national team, it will be intriguing to see how Sven sets out his team and the kind of football he plays. His track record with league football has been good to his credit but the premier league is a whole different ball game.

Predictions: very close to call. Any victory would most probably be for West Ham. Reason being that they have a more settled team at the moment. Man City is still right now a bunch of good players. Will they make a good team? We gonna play safe on this one and say an exciting 2-2 draw as the final score.

Sunderland vs Tottenham

The first kickoff of the season and Keano will pray that this will give a boost to his side because they are gonna need it against an impressive pre season Spurs. The big question is will Sunderland be good enough for the premiership. looking at their team list, they are really no notable quality in his team but then again we said that about Wigan and Reading. If Kieran Richardson and ageing Dwight Yorke are the biggest names in your squad, Sunderland is in for a rocky ride. Keano's team absoulutely crushed the Championship so this will really be a more true reflection of the team's ability. Look out for Carlos Edwards. He has a good world cup for TnT. All eyes will also be on Craig Gordon, the 9 million pounds keeper.

Tottenham is looking very impressive for this season. Darren Bent has arrived to add more firepower to an already strong front line. They have also strengthened where needed, in defence, with Bale and Kaboul. What they need more this season is a fit Ledley King. If he can remain injury-free, Tottenham will do well and maybe break into the top four. But.....He's out for this one yet again. One can never be sure which two Jol will select in his predictable 4-4-2. For our sake we would like to see Berbatov and Bent to start with Keane behind them. Ooooo...that would wet our taste buds indeed.

Predictions: No chance for Sunderland. Tottenham if play to thier potential should run away with this. An away win to start this weekend. 3-1 Spurs win.

Bolton vs Newcastle

You cannot write this stuff. Big Sam first competitive game in charge and he has to go back to Reebok Stadium to face Bolton. Bolton was strong at home under Big Sam. This will also be a first game for Sammy Lee. His first managerial post so we cant really say or predict how his team will line up or play. We hope that long ball tactics of last season will be extinct. Maybe a short passing game? Sammy Lee is a former Liverpool coaching staff. Gary Speed is in line to make his 600th career start against the club he spent six years with before joining Bolton.

A new look Newcastle side ravaged with injuries will arrive at the Reebok Stadium. Owen, Barton, Emre, Babayaro, Given and Duff is in the treatment room. Some of those with light knocks so it remains to be seen. Alan Smith is set to start though, most probably alongside Viduka. Expect a stronger defence this season from Newcastle with Big Sam in charge. The question to ponder is how will Newcastle play. Will it be like Bolton? They have Viduka as a target man to note. In our opinion newcastle has a team of players who are comfortable with the ball on the ground and (Milner, Zogbia, Martins, Solano) we expect Big Sam to change his style to suit the players at his disposal.

Predictions: We gonna say it again. The away team looked to be the stronger of the two. A draw is the most likely result. But we are are gonna stick out head out of the window and predict a Newcastle win. 2-1.

Aston Villa vs Liverpool

The team with the most draws last season against the team that struggles away from home.

Villa has been very quiet in the summer. Notable signings are Harewood and Reo Coker from West Ham. Coker is certain to start. We expect Villa to start with 3 strikers, barring any injuries of course, Carew, Agbonlahor and Young to try to breakdown Liverpool's stingy defence. Villa has keeper problems with Sorensen out and Carson cant play against his own team.

With a stat such 99 games fielding a changed side every game, one can never guess who starts for liverpool. This is especially this season with the depth of the squad increased. Liverpool has always started the season poorly and we kinda expect the same, based on pre season performances. Torres is expected to start with Benayoun more likely to figure rather than Babel. We are eagerly anticipating where Gerrard will play. Stick him out right would be a waste. Now they have benayoun and pennant to be thrown out right. And for the record, we dont think liverpool is ready to win the league this season.

Predictions: Another draw is looking likely. 1-1 at final whistle.

Derby vs Portsmouth

Honestly, a match we most probably wont be waiting in eagerness.

Derby qualified via the playoffs last season and this squad really really really look like they are going to struggle in the premiership. In fact, they are our prime candidates for relegation. Let us see, their two reinforcements, Claude Davis and Rob Earnshaw are from previously relegated teams, Sheff Utd and West Brom respectively. Wonderkid Giles Barnes will be out for some time. The weather forecast says it will be cloudy all season long in Derby.

Portsmouth has improved their playing staff during the summer. Dave Nugent and Utaka are two new strikers. Nugent impressed during pre season. Distin has been recruited to further reinforced their defence. They started very well last season and with this opening fixture, they will most probably start off on the right foot. Matt Taylor had a cracking last season and he will hope to continue that form.

Predictions: A win for Porstmouth. We dont see Derby scoring against the likes of Campbell, Distin and James. A comfortable win 2-0.