Manchester City vs. Blackburn Rovers
City has Jerome Boateng available to make his debut and Micah Richards should play after overcoming a chest infection. Mario Balotelli needs knee surgery and is ruled out for six weeks. Blackburn could give former City player Benjani his debut. Should be a comfortable win for City.
City 2-0 Blackburn
Newcastle United vs. Blackpool
Sol Campbell could make his debut for Newcastle. Hatem Ben Arfa and Cheik Tiote are likely to be involved. Andy Carroll should be fit after an ankle problem also. Blackpool has Marlon Harewood fit again and new boys DJ Campbell and Matt Phillips could be involved. Newcastle should win for me.
Newcastle 3-1 Blackpool
West Bromwich Albion vs. Tottenham Hotspur
James Morrison is unavailable for the Baggies due to suspension and Paul Scharner could make his debut. Tottenham have Defoe and Dawson sidelined after picking up serious injuries on international duty. Rafael van der Vaart and William Gallas could make their debuts. I still expect Tottenham to win despite a few injuries.
West Brom 1-3 Tottenham
West Ham United vs. Chelsea
Victor Obinna and Lars Jacobsen are expected to make their debuts for the Hammers and Valon Behrami is available again after injury. Thomas Hitzlsperger remains doubtful. John Terry and Frank Lampard could be back for Chelsea after missing England’s Euro qualifiers. Jose Bosingwa could return after an eleven month absence. Chelsea to continue their good start. West Ham 0-2 Chelsea
Wigan Athletic vs. Sunderland
Chris Kirkland is available again after recovering from a hip injury while Victor Moses is rated 50-50. Asamoah Gyan could make his debut for Sunderland. Frazier Campbell and Michael Turner are out but John Mensah is expected to be back. Sunderland to scrape it.
Wigan 0-1 Sunderland
Birmingham City vs. Liverpool
Aleksandr Hleb is out with a leg injury but Martin Jiranek and Jean Beausejour are in contention to make their debuts. Liverpool is missing Dirk Kuyt but David Ngog should be fit. Raul Meireles and Paul Konchesky are expected to start. A tight game ending in a draw.
Birmingham 2-2 Liverpool
Stoke City vs. Aston Villa
Stoke could give debuts to Eidur Gudjohnsen, Jermaine Pennant and Marc Wilson. Thomas Sorensen is hopeful of being fit after missing Denmark’s game with France midweek. Stephen Ireland and John Carew are doubtful for Villa. Houllier’s first game in charge will be a tough one.
Stoke 2-1 Aston Villa
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