David Bently 40-yard volleys?
Papa Bouba Diop handballs?
Hull City crashing back to the stratosphere?
Yeah, for some reason the Premier League saved some of its best stuff from the middle of the week and here in the states -- the middle of the day on a work day. Thanks Richard Scudamore, thanks a lot.
Now this week because of the clock changes, all the start times go screwy, lousing things up again! At least Saturday ought to be normal again.
Until then hopefully everybody has their Barcary Sagna take-home bleach-and-twirl kit for Halloween.
Saturday
* Everton v. Fulham -- (Live, 8:30 a.m. Setanta) When you're wrong, you're wrong. The Toffees appear to have some live in them, thanks to newbie Marouane Fellaini, who is rocking the top flight's best afro since, well, you tell me. Adebayor? Fear the fro Fulham, fear the fro. Yeah, it's also doubtful the Goodison faithful will be too pleased to see Andy Johnson's bald pate. Fro=fresh, shaved=tiresome. ... Everton 1, Fulham 0
* Chelsea v. Sunderland -- (Live, FSC, 11 a.m.) All things being equal, the only way this match has any juice is if Roy Keane decides to line up in the Sunderland midfield. ... Chelsea 2, Sunderland 0
* Manchester United v. Hull City -- Chelsea and United back-to-back...the scheduling gods frown upon the Tigers. With Ronaldo and Rooney rolling, how this doesn't turn into a bloodbath is a mystery. At least Hull get Bolton next week. Hope their asses aren't too sore. ... United 3, Hull 1
* Middlesbrough v. West Ham United -- Zzzzz. 'Boro get a couple results in a row and are now in the top half of the table. Okay, a little more? Apparently Gareth Southgate and Shaun Wright-Phillips got into a little spat in the midweek, probably because SWP wanted to know where he could buy that mask for Halloween. Burn! ... Boro 3, West Ham 2
* Portsmouth v. Wigan Athletic -- My little Latics went 0-fer-October. Maybe they can capitalize on a Pompey team that has one eye firmly on White Hart Lane. Perhaps we can commission NASA to draw a pie-chart or something figuring Wigan's peformance in correlation to the redness of Steve Bruce's face. ... Portsmouth 1, Wigan 1
* Stoke City v. Arsenal -- In theory, this is a trap game for Arsenal. In years past going away from London has proven tricky for the young Gunners, especially after that 4-4 stunner with Spurs in the midweek. Yet, this season the two Arsenal losses were actually in London (Craven Cottage to Fulham, Emirates to Hull City). The Potters probably won't even catch a break with Arsenal resting players ahead of their next Champions League match in the week vs. Fenerbahce since they're already in their Group driver's seat. ... Stoke 0, Arsenal 2
* West Brom v. Blackburn -- You'd think this is a chance for West Brom to put three points in the bank, but Blackburn is actually pretty good on the road. Go figure. Roque Santa Cruz is out for Blackburn, which could spell doom if it turns into a long-term issue. ... West Brom 1, Blackburn 1
* Tottenham v. Liverpool -- (Live, FSC, 12:30 p.m.) Another must-watch match, simple as that. Once Spurs sort out their keeper mess and add all of Portsmouth's good players they'll be dangerous. Liverpool need to be wary since Tottenham have somehow managed draws with Chelsea and Arsenal. Again, not to sound like a broken record, but this is another big test for Liverpool if it wants to sustain the reality its a serious contender. You also have the return of Robbie Keane to White Hart Lane. Wonder if he'll get the Sol Campbell treatment. ... Tottenham 1, Liverpool 2
Sunday
* Bolton v. Manchester City -- (Live, FSC, noon) Bolton hasn't won a home match since the season-opener on Aug. 16. For City, to be taken seriously, win this match in front of what should be a large traveling contingent from nearby Manchester. It's only about 10 games, but we've seemed to find a equation that Robinho + lower half teams = goals. ... Bolton 0, City 2
Monday
* Newcastle United v. Aston Villa -- (Live, Setanta, 3:30 p.m.) It's the James Milner on Monday Night Football. Let's send it over to Tony Kornheiser. Ok, in seriousness, you probably can't find two clubs on different planes of stability. Newcastle is as volatile as the Dow Jones, while Villa is as stable as sticking money in the ol' mattress. Stability, ruthlessly, wins out. ... Newcastle 0, Villa 3
Last round: 4-6 (if you noticed I left three games blank, d'oh!)
Season: 41-56
Papa Bouba Diop handballs?
Hull City crashing back to the stratosphere?
Yeah, for some reason the Premier League saved some of its best stuff from the middle of the week and here in the states -- the middle of the day on a work day. Thanks Richard Scudamore, thanks a lot.
Now this week because of the clock changes, all the start times go screwy, lousing things up again! At least Saturday ought to be normal again.
Until then hopefully everybody has their Barcary Sagna take-home bleach-and-twirl kit for Halloween.
Saturday
* Everton v. Fulham -- (Live, 8:30 a.m. Setanta) When you're wrong, you're wrong. The Toffees appear to have some live in them, thanks to newbie Marouane Fellaini, who is rocking the top flight's best afro since, well, you tell me. Adebayor? Fear the fro Fulham, fear the fro. Yeah, it's also doubtful the Goodison faithful will be too pleased to see Andy Johnson's bald pate. Fro=fresh, shaved=tiresome. ... Everton 1, Fulham 0
* Chelsea v. Sunderland -- (Live, FSC, 11 a.m.) All things being equal, the only way this match has any juice is if Roy Keane decides to line up in the Sunderland midfield. ... Chelsea 2, Sunderland 0
* Manchester United v. Hull City -- Chelsea and United back-to-back...the scheduling gods frown upon the Tigers. With Ronaldo and Rooney rolling, how this doesn't turn into a bloodbath is a mystery. At least Hull get Bolton next week. Hope their asses aren't too sore. ... United 3, Hull 1
* Middlesbrough v. West Ham United -- Zzzzz. 'Boro get a couple results in a row and are now in the top half of the table. Okay, a little more? Apparently Gareth Southgate and Shaun Wright-Phillips got into a little spat in the midweek, probably because SWP wanted to know where he could buy that mask for Halloween. Burn! ... Boro 3, West Ham 2
* Portsmouth v. Wigan Athletic -- My little Latics went 0-fer-October. Maybe they can capitalize on a Pompey team that has one eye firmly on White Hart Lane. Perhaps we can commission NASA to draw a pie-chart or something figuring Wigan's peformance in correlation to the redness of Steve Bruce's face. ... Portsmouth 1, Wigan 1
* Stoke City v. Arsenal -- In theory, this is a trap game for Arsenal. In years past going away from London has proven tricky for the young Gunners, especially after that 4-4 stunner with Spurs in the midweek. Yet, this season the two Arsenal losses were actually in London (Craven Cottage to Fulham, Emirates to Hull City). The Potters probably won't even catch a break with Arsenal resting players ahead of their next Champions League match in the week vs. Fenerbahce since they're already in their Group driver's seat. ... Stoke 0, Arsenal 2
* West Brom v. Blackburn -- You'd think this is a chance for West Brom to put three points in the bank, but Blackburn is actually pretty good on the road. Go figure. Roque Santa Cruz is out for Blackburn, which could spell doom if it turns into a long-term issue. ... West Brom 1, Blackburn 1
* Tottenham v. Liverpool -- (Live, FSC, 12:30 p.m.) Another must-watch match, simple as that. Once Spurs sort out their keeper mess and add all of Portsmouth's good players they'll be dangerous. Liverpool need to be wary since Tottenham have somehow managed draws with Chelsea and Arsenal. Again, not to sound like a broken record, but this is another big test for Liverpool if it wants to sustain the reality its a serious contender. You also have the return of Robbie Keane to White Hart Lane. Wonder if he'll get the Sol Campbell treatment. ... Tottenham 1, Liverpool 2
Sunday
* Bolton v. Manchester City -- (Live, FSC, noon) Bolton hasn't won a home match since the season-opener on Aug. 16. For City, to be taken seriously, win this match in front of what should be a large traveling contingent from nearby Manchester. It's only about 10 games, but we've seemed to find a equation that Robinho + lower half teams = goals. ... Bolton 0, City 2
Monday
* Newcastle United v. Aston Villa -- (Live, Setanta, 3:30 p.m.) It's the James Milner on Monday Night Football. Let's send it over to Tony Kornheiser. Ok, in seriousness, you probably can't find two clubs on different planes of stability. Newcastle is as volatile as the Dow Jones, while Villa is as stable as sticking money in the ol' mattress. Stability, ruthlessly, wins out. ... Newcastle 0, Villa 3
Last round: 4-6 (if you noticed I left three games blank, d'oh!)
Season: 41-56
Labels: Prem Picks, Premier League, Soccer
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