That's On Point: The Web Site

Sorry for the cop-out this weekend, which is the best slate of games the Premier League has to offer so far. I just wrote what felt like a 5,000 word preview for my paying gig and my brain feels like ice cream that was left out in the sun.

Let me say this, this is the going to be a fun weekend if you subscribe to ESPN, Fox Soccer and Setanta. At 10 a.m. you're getting three quality matchups, followed by Spurs hosting Manchester United in the late game. You're getting everyone in the top six facing off against each other. (Stoke is a sneaky fifth.)

In my book, I'd rank the 10 a.m. matches thusly:

1) Manchester City/Arsenal (Storylines o'plenty)
2) Stoke City/Chelsea (Admittedly, I'm oddly giddy about this one.)
3) Liverpool/Burnley (Anfield in HD, enough for me.)

Honestly, you can't lose this weekend ... unless you wanted to see Portsmouth/Bolton.

Saturday:

* Portsmouth v. Bolton -- Here's your latest amazing David James look. Joking aside, we somehow get two of the three winless teams in the Premier League fighting in a key early season relegation six-pointer. (Never too early for one of those.)

This match could set a record for different nationalities involved in a match with Portsmouth featuring 15 different countries on its first team roster, while Bolton clocks in at 18.

Both teams also made some sneaky transfer deadline day loan signings with Portsmouth grabbing Cote D'Ivorie international Aruna Didane and Bolton grabbing Croatian Ivan Klasnic. All that said. ... Portsmouth 1, Bolton 1

* Blackburn Rovers v. Wolves -- Hey! Two Original Football League teams! Too bad it wasn't 1889, right? ... Blackburn 2, Wolves 1

* Wigan Athletic v. West Ham United -- That Wigan win over Aston Villa seems like a couple years ago. ... Wigan 1, West Ham 1

* Liverpool v. Burnley -- (Live, ESPN2, 10 a.m.) Broken record alert! Liverpool, if it wants to be taken seriously, can't afford to drop any points in this scenario. It's really that simple. And if it doesn't go the Reds way, please don't scream or scowl at the refs. Thanks. ... Liverpool 2, Burnley 0

* Stoke City v. Chelsea -- (Live, FSC, 10 a.m.) Guess I'm officially on the Potters bandwagon. Can they find a way to get a result against mighty Chelsea? At home, I'll give them a shot, but it's not very likely. ... Stoke City 1, Chelsea 2

* Manchester City v. Arsenal -- (Live, Setanta USA 10 a.m.) Too bad Andrey Arshavin won't be around for this one, because this has the chance to be the most fun game to watch of the season. Arsenal probably should have gotten the result last time out against United, so it says here they take it out on City. ... City 1, Arsenal 2

* Tottenham v. Manchester United -- (Live, FSC, 12:30 p.m.) For all his warts, not literally the ones on his face, Harry Redknapp doesn't seem too intimidated by the specter of Sir Alex Ferguson. Tottenham supporters on the other hand? They'll be ready from the opening whistle for the other shoe to drop. From the talent and form standpoint, Spurs should win, but United have the knack to pull out results in these type of games. Still, I like Spurs. ... Tottenham 3, United 1

Sunday:

* Birmingham City v. Aston Villa -- (Live, Setanta, 7:15 a.m.) Nice, angry derby here. This one feels like a late winner. Maybe James McFadden carries his Scotland form into this match. ... Birmingham City 1, Aston Villa 0

* Fulham v. Everton -- (Live, FSC, 11 a.m.) -- Wouldn't this match have been a lot more fun last season? ... Fulham 2, Everton 1

Last week: 8-2
Season: 22-14

Labels: English Premier League, Prem Picks, Premier League, Premier League on ESPN, Soccer