Last week turned into a small (and I really mean small) money-spinner for me. With correct score bets on 5 matches, I had two spot on. Let’s see if I can keep up the good work this weekend, although there are few obvious home bankers in this round of fixtures.

Aston Villa v Blackburn 2-1

Milan Baros to score a brace on debut - how long before Rovers are down to 10 men this week?

Fulham v Everton 1-1

Everton will be hurt by their Champions League exit, but Fulham have just enough to scrap for a point in this sort of fixture.

Man City v Portsmouth 2-0

Hard to see where Pompey are going to get many goals from this season. City can be vulnerable at the back, but this should be comfortable enough for them.

Tottenham v Chelsea 1-2

Tottenham never ever ever beat Chelsea in the League. End of.

West Brom v Birmingham 2-2

What are West Brom doing all the way up there in the table? Early doors, I know, but surely they can’t be hoping Horsfield’s goals will keep them in the top half…? Birmingham look rubbish, but local derbies always end in a draw. That’s a rule.

West Ham v Bolton 1-0

I can’t bring myself to like the Hammers (nothing to do with Pardew and me being a Reading fan…) but if they catch Bolton on one of those days where Sam’s International Expeditionary Force can’t quite muster up the enthusiasm for the fight, they should pick up useful points.

Wigan v Sunderland 2-0

Sunderland are really not a good side, and they’ve all but forgotten how to win in the Premiership Wigan look sharper and hungrier, on the other hand, and will get a good lift from this one.

Middlesbrough v Charlton 2-0

My Charlton are rubbish on the road theory seems to be taking a knock, but don’t expect anything to happen for them this weekend. Bent can’t score every week, and even Danny Murphy has off days. Boro’s League of Extraordinarily Sulky Strikers will send the locals home happy.

Newcastle v Man Utd 1-1

Only ‘cos I hate ManYoo. Newcastle are behaving, as usual, like Viv Nicholson’s in the Chairman’s seat, but to no avail. Luque, apparently, isn’t the goalscorer Souness is after, so it’s a shame he’s bought him while Owen keeps sending love letters to Benitez and Parry, spurning Newcastle’s approach. The scum, on the other hand, look depressingly assured for such an early stage in the season, so I’m opting for the draw more in hope than expectation.

Tags: Football, Premiership, Predictions