Arsenal 1/6 v Derby 12/1 (9/2 draw)
Arsenal are playing their 4th home game of the season against Derby with only 2 away games so far. This in part explains their loft position at the top of the league. Granted, they came back from 1-0 down at White Hart Lane last week but that is not exactly difficult against Spurs at the moment is it?! Derby will have faced two of the ‘big 4’ after this one, both away from home – again this in part may explain their dismal position. They did manage a first win of the season at home to Newcastle on Monday with a fine debut performance from Kenny Miller and an energetic performance from Gary Teale. I don’t think it is in any doubt who will win this one and at a price of 1/6, Arsenal aren’t exactly value. I would have to go with a correct score of 3-0 at 6/1 to find some value, the rejuvenated Cesc Fabregas is a massive 12/1 to net first.

Liverpool 1/5 v Birmingham 9/1 (9/2 draw)
Liverpool have been rocked by the news that Daniel Agger and Xabi Alonso will be out for up to 6 weeks after both players returned from International Duty with a stress fracture to their metatarsal. This means Hyypia will keep his place in the team alongside Carragher who himself has only just returned after fracturing a rib against Sunderland. Liverpool however, do have the squad to cope and should find this pretty comfortable against Birmingham. A 2-0 home win is 11/2 with Dirk Kuyt who scored against Porto on Tuesday at 4/1 to score first.

Middlesbrough 5/6 v Sunderland 11/4 (9/4 draw)
A local derby up in the North East where ‘boro have come out on top in recent meetings with Sunderland. Middlesbrough have won 5 of the last 6 meetings home and away. Sunderland got a great result at home to Reading last week and it’s their home form that will be so pivotal in deciding if they stay up or not. Middlesbrough have had an ok start to the season, winning twice, drawing once and losing three times has put them firmly in a mid table position. Although it is hard to know which Middlesbrough will show up for this game I am going for them to nick this one at 5/6. Definitely one for your accumulators.

Reading 1/1 v Wigan 9/4 (9/4 draw)
It seems as if Reading are suffering “second season syndrome” after picking up only 4 points from their first 6 games, that puts them in the relegation zone with only the lacklustre Derby and Bolton beneath them. Wigan have surprised a few people already, most pundits had them down to struggle after losing Paul Jewel last season, the emergence of Antoine Sibierski can be thanked for this, having scored three times already. Again when a team is looking like it’s having a difficult season it is their home form that becomes imperative, for this reason I will side with a Reading win at evens. A good bet may be a draw on the handicap (Reading -1) at 5/2.

Fulham 11/8 v Man City 13/8 (11/5 draw)
Man City must be in cloud nine at the moment, they currently occupy second place in the Premier League and more importantly for the fans – are above United! Sven appears to be doing at City what he never could for England – getting wins. Their signings have been fantastic, Elano has been tremendous as has the young Michael Johnson, a real upcoming young English talent. Fulham have started to pick up results with American Clint Dempsey scoring three goals and looking in great form right now. Tough game to call so I will go for the draw at 11/5. If you are looking to do a first goalscorer, Clint Dempsey can be found at 12/1!

Newcastle 1/1 v West Ham 9/4 (9/4 draw)
Newcastle looked dismal at Derby on Monday night, there seemed to be no passion or fight which is usually a hallmark of a Sam Allardyce team. Michael Owen again had to go off with a slight groin injury but he apparently should be ok for the weekend. West Ham have started great guns so far picking up 10 points from a possible 15. This is a real tricky game and I’m tempted to go with West Ham as they will be full of confidence, but this is St James’ Park and any team going there will have to fight to get a win. A draw may be safest at 9/4. Bellamy who is scoring some fantastic goals for club and country is 7/1.

Aston Villa 6/5 v Everton 15/8 (11/5 draw)
This is a tricky game, in the last 10 meetings, Everton have won 4 times, Aston Villa 3 times and 3 draws. Given Villa’s tendency to get draws very often, I think this is nailed on to finish level at 11/5.

Blackburn 5/6 v Portsmouth 11/4 (9/4 draw)
What a price for Blackburn, no team will go Ewood Park this season and find it easy to come away with a win. This is a team who fight for every ball and have a wealth of attacking options. Portsmouth are a similar team only less effective going forward and are playing away. Nailed on Blackburn at 5/6!!

Bolton 6/4 v Tottenham 6/4 (11/5 draw)
What can be said about Bolton, in fact – what can be said about Spurs. This is a meeting between two sides who are very low on confidence and are conceding goals left, right and centre. Bolton used to do well against Tottenham but that was with the Allardyce way of playing, Sammy Lee just doesn’t seem to know what to do to improve the team. Martin Jol must be feeling the pressure with plenty of speculation about his future. I think the away side will take this one at 6/4.

Man Utd 11/10 v Chelsea 9/4 (2/1 draw)
Bye bye Mourinho! The special one has left Stamford Bridge leaving Avram Grant to take over as permanent manager. Bit of a shock to say the least, Chelsea now have a manager with very little top class experience in control of the team. Most people will see this as a Man Utd win but with both side spluttering so far and not being the same teams of last season, I still see this as a draw at 2/1. Draw half time – draw full time is 7/2, I decent bet in my opinion.