Another week of the English Premier League is upon us, with the big guns making their respective statement in the Champions League and Europa League in midweek. Plenty of talking points from those games, but how it will affect their performance this weekend remains to be seen.
While Saturday has six games scheduled, all eyes will be on Sunday and the two big ones -- Manchester United travel to Liverpool in Sunday's early kickoff (1.30 p.m. BST), with Manchester City hosting Arsenal at the Etihad (4.00 p.m.) later.
Saturday: Swansea City vs Everton at the Liberty Stadium: Swansea have seen their form dip a little bit in the last couple of games, with Michael Laudrup's team suffering their first defeat of the season last Saturday against Aston Villa. They are still in fourth place, however, with four points and will be desperate to get back some of the form shown in the first two games. Everton were unlucky to not take all three points against Newcastle United Monday night, and David Moyes will definitely have his team well prepared for the test in Wales in the early kickoff.
Prediction: 2-1 to Everton
Chelsea vs Stoke City at Stamford Bridge: The Blues have not had a great couple of weeks. First, a disastrous loss to Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup, then an unimpressive goalless draw against Queens Park Rangers. Their opening game in the Champions League also did not begin really well, with the European champs giving away a two-goal deficit against Juventus.
Fernando Torres has not looked the part in the last few games, and Roberto Di Matteo will be desperate to see his forward strike some form, with Daniel Sturridge ruled out. Stoke are never an easy side to meet, but Chelsea should get the better of them at home.
Prediction: 2-0 to Chelsea
Southampton vs Aston Villa at St Mary's: The Saints have had the worst possible fixture list at the start of the season, having to meet Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal in their first four games. All that is behind them now, and Nigel Adkins' side will look to pick up their first points of the season against Villa, who won their first game last weekend against Swansea.
Prediction: 3-1 to Southampton
West Brom vs Reading at Hawthorns: Reading were extremely poor against Tottenham last week, while West Brom suffered their first loss of the new campaign against Fulham. Expect a tough encounter, with Reading, who have just one point, especially in need of a win.
Prediction: 1-1
West Ham vs Sunderland at Upton Park: West Ham did not look like scoring without Andy Carroll in their team last week, and Sam Allardyce will wonder where the goals are going to come from, with the England international still out. The signing of Steven Fletcher seems like a masterstroke from Martin O'Neill, with the forward striking a rich vein of form since his move from Wolves.
Prediction: 1-0 to Sunderland
Wigan vs Fulham at DW Stadium: Fulham bounced back from a poor defeat to West Ham, with an impressive win against West Brom, while Wigan suffered a 4-0 loss at the hands of Manchester United. Roberto Martinez's side play much better at home though, and will not give an easy ride to Fulham, who will be without Mahamadou Diarra for at least three weeks.
Prediction: 2-2
Sunday: Liverpool vs Manchester United Anfield: The first big game of the weekend. There will be lots of emotions running around, after the Hillsborough disaster report came out, while there is also an unwanted subplot of Patrice Evra and Luis Suarez. Sir Alex Ferguson might just choose to play Alexander Buttner, who made a tremendous debut against Wigan, instead of Evra. Robin Van Persie and Shinji Kagawa will again take the creative load, while Brendan Rodgers will be wondering where his goals are going to come from, even if Liverpool scored five in the Europa League on Thursday.
Liverpool, however, are always a team transformed when they take on United; the formbook goes out of the window. Suarez will also be charged up for the game.
Prediction: 2-1 to Liverpool
Newcastle vs Norwich at Sports Direct Arena: Newcastle were lucky to escape with a 2-2 draw against Everton, and failed to find the back of the net in their Europa League encounter against Maritimo. The doubts about Demba Ba's future has also been an unwanted distraction for Alan Pardew. Norwich have flattered to deceive so far in the Premier League this season, picking up three draws in four games.
Prediction: 3-0 to Newcastle
Manchester City vs Arsenal at the Etihad: Arsenal have looked like a team this year with the new signings blending in well into the team, while their defense has been one of the best in the League. Manchester City are still to hit top gear, and will be hurting from the last-minute loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League. Anything is possible in this game. Your guess is as good as mine.
Prediction: 1-1
Tottenham vs QPR at White Hart Lane: Andre Villas-Boas is yet to pick up a win at home, and with QPR slowly finding their feet with all the new players in their squad, Spurs face another difficult challenge.
Prediction: 2-1 to QPR
