Let’s gear up for tomorrows FA Cup matches with a video. Take a look at the highlights from last years final.

Here’s the links:

• Aston Villa shaken up [Caught Offside]
• Buy Beckham’s 2008 Porsche [Ebay]
• Manchester City played for the draw [A Different League]
• Obi Mikel out until February [Sky]
• Dzeko interview [M.C.F.C.]
• Soccer Songs [53 Songs]
• Anelka isn’t so bad [Sports Illustrated]
• Wanker of the year contest [Arsenal Review USA]

Feel free to follow me on Twitter and let me know if you’d like to suggest an article, video or photo for inclusion on the Premier League Links Of The Day.

The Premiership, probably at the moment, is the most open league for anyone to win since its introduction in 1992. The emergence of teams like Bolton and Sunderland is making them competitors worthy of testing the best in the league. The league in my mind has stretched across a different range altogether, watching a resurgent Newcastle United side under Chris Hughton and a spirited Blackpool side under Ian Holloway, who in their own way have silenced critics that wrote them off even before the season kicked off. However, the question lies, is the league getting any stronger or in contradiction, getting weaker to such an extent that even an average side on any day can take points off so-called “The Big Four”?

Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal have clearly dominated the Premiership; with Manchester United winning the league remarkably eleven times off the eighteen that the league has been contested. However, this season appears to be a bit different.

Let’s examine the Big Four and the other teams more closely:

Manchester United

United, though unbeaten, have looked ragged at the back and have already drawn seven games out of the fifteen that have been played. Johnny Evans, most notably, ever so brilliant looks completely out of sorts this season and has been criticized for United throwing away games at Everton and Fulham.

United though have played smart in the transfer window getting in the likes of Javier Hernandez, Bebe, Chris Smalling and Gabriel Obertan. Sir Alex has been a magician over the years in getting the best out of the youth by playing them with the experienced players, one can’t stop thinking that these players have been brought for the future and still have a lot to learn. Although, United were brilliant against Blackburn last weekend,  they still lack that touch of class that has been a feature of United’s play for years. United for sure have weakened since the departure of Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo. Though United might be stronger than what they were last season but they are definitely not the Manchester United we know.

Arsenal

Arsenal, though they look stronger than the last couple of seasons, are still extremely vulnerable at the back and are horribly inconsistent to be even regarded as a serious title threat. Holding on to leads or finishing the game has simply gone out of the window since the Henry-Vieira-Pires era. Even though they play the best football in Europe alongside Barcelona but how many times have Arsenal been regarded as “bottlers who never reach their potential” and a side lacking mental toughness to challenge for top honors? The lack of experience and Arsene Wenger’s fear of handling egos has lead to Arsenal fans not seeing silverware for five years. Arsenal, though stronger than the last season, continue to have their problems and are definitely not the once called “Invincibles.”

Chelsea

Chelsea, though they played well at the start of the season, can’t seem to get over the   loss of four influential players in Ricardo Carvalho, Joe Cole, Deco and Michael Ballack. It is so evident seeing their recent form and vindicates the fact that it is a side that lacks depth. Chelsea also have an aging core to their side in Lampard, Drogba and John Terry with the likes of Essien, who is either injury prone or not the player he once was. They might have Malouda and have brought in Ramires but they lack a flair player like Robben, Joe Cole or a Damien Duff back in the day. Except Josh McEachran and Bruma, who are a couple of the best young players in England, they lack players who can walk in to the first team, unlike United and Arsenal.

Liverpool

As for Liverpool, I think even the Liverpool supporters wouldn’t deny that this is the weakest Liverpool team to have played in the Premiership.

Gerrard and Jaime Carragher aren’t getting any younger for the Reds. They also lack replacements for Alonso and Mascherano. Poulsen and Raul Merieles are decent players but are they Liverpool quality? It’s a puzzle in its own as to how Lucas Leiva is playing at Liverpool.

Liverpool have simply failed to replace quality with quality. Aquilani was a quality signing who failed to make an impact. He is performing exceptionally well at Juventus during his loan spell and so, there is a strong chance that Juventus, who have an option of buying Aquilani will make his loan move permanent. Kelly and Shevley are good players but you have to think that they are too young and inexperienced to make an impact at the Premiership level. I mean, just have a look at the recent transfers: Riise out, Konchesky in; Mascherano out, Poulsen in; Alonso out, Lucas in; Crouch out, N’Gog in; Bellamy out, Jovanovic in; Benayoun out, no one in. Signing average players like Konschesky and Poulsen, and a manager in Roy Hodgson seems to be turning Liverpool into Fulham than into the Liverpool of old.

Spurs and Man City

Manchester City and Spurs are the only clubs who are getting stronger every day but still don’t look to impose a serious title threat. City with the owner Sheikh Mansour making multi-million pound signings doesn’t seem to be getting the desired results and it only underlines the fact that money can’t buy trophies.

Their title aspirations were questioned when City played for a draw at home to Manchester United.

Having a manager in Harry Redknapp, Tottenham seem to be heading in the right direction. Spurs have a balanced side, with pace, experience, zeal combined with a team that plays some of the best football. But again, they majorly lack consistency. On one day, they teach the Champions of Europe a lesson; four days later, they get outclassed by Bolton 4-2 and the following week, they beat Arsenal at the Emirates 3-2. That’s Spurs’ story.

The Rest of the League

For the rest of the Premiership, Steve Bruce’s Sunderland and Owen Coyle’s Bolton have surprised a lot of people.

Though they have won only four games this season, Sunderland have their tails up and their 3-0 victory against Chelsea has set a benchmark for anyone who wants to go to the home of the champions and literally insult the champs by playing better football for periods in the game. Sunderland have bolstered their squad by making four loan signings in Nadeem Onuoha, Menshah, Elmohamady and Danny Welbeck, along with spending 13 million GBP on Asamoah Gyan. These are great signings who have performed well this season but you really have to wonder, what would have happened if these players would have performed the same way had they been playing in the league five years ago.

Same thing applies for Bolton, Fulham, Aston Villa, etc. and rest of the teams battling relegation; though saying that some of the managers like Chris Hughton and Ian Holloway have done a commendable job.

The fact of the matter is that the gap between the Big Four, or now the top six, has been reduced remarkably and it’s not because the entire league has gotten stronger. This is because, the top teams have weakened to such an extent that they are becoming challenged by the teams that would normally not stand a chance to even compete and would finish mid table. These top teams are often finding it hard to get results even against the teams that might eventually end up getting relegated. For example, Arsenal lost to West Brom 2-3 at the Emirates and United played a 2-2 draw against West Brom at Old Trafford. Chelsea recently have only picked up five points out of a possible eighteen.

The English Premier League has turned into a weird league but one that has turned into probably the most entertaining league in the world. The reason of the overall competiveness and weakening of the league is not due to the teams outside of the top four getting ever so strong, which admittedly is a slight factor, but because “The Big Four” have not been replacing “older” players and creating a new fresh cycle with the same level of quality.

The partisan nature of football is one of the greatest things about the sport. It gives us the chance to get behind one team, to share banter with opposing fans and feel that ecstatic high when our team wins. But do we take things too far? I am not talking about violence or poor behaviour by a minority of idiots, we all know that there is no excuse for that, but would the game be better, perhaps even more enjoyable if we all occasionally took off our team’s blinkers?

For me, one of the most frustrating elements of the modern game is the fan who never admits any failure by his own team. We see it from managers all the time but they are paid to protect players and play the mind games. We all moan every time we see football move away from being just a sport but we could all be a part of the problem.

Sport is completely unimportant. It doesn’t matter at all. Football is something that was invented as a way to pass the time between other much more important things, at its best when the balance between seriousness and frivolity is found and at its most useless when it becomes the be all and end all. By refusing to see things as they truly are we admit to seeing football as something more important than it is. Society frowns on those who blindly and ignorantly ignore simple truths. Why should football be any different?

I am as guilty as much as the next man. My natural position is to robustly defend my team even if I know that really they are rubbish or that they have made a mistake. I have seen otherwise perfectly normal, morally upright people defend actions on the pitch that would not be accepted in real life simply because the accused plays for their team. Surely this is a trait that we should all try and step away from?

Football creates debate like no other sport. Unfortunately in my experience it also fails to follow up on this promise of good discussion thanks to the proliferation of people who refuse to say a word against their team. How many arguments can you remember being ruined by someone who simply sticks to the line of argument that makes his club look good, regardless of its relationship with the truth?

How frustrating is it to see managers come out after the match and claim not to have seen a decision or that they only lost because of poor decisions and/or bad luck? I find this bad enough but coming from friends and fellow fans it is much worse. If we all just took a step back and viewed the game a little more objectively then I am certain we would all benefit. Debates would still happen but we might actually progress towards the occasional agreement and we might all regain a little bit of perspective.

After all, football is only a game, much as that may baffle a few people out there.

Simon Kuper and Stefan Syzmanski titled the American version of their new book Soccernomics (review is here), but their title for the release in the UK is Why England Lose.  In the book, Kuper and Syzmanski identified the US as a rising power in soccer and England as a permanent disappointment to their rabid fans.  With all the caveats that their analysis is designed to look at trends over time and not the outcome of one game, the June 12 match-up between the US and England in South Africa will be a mini-test case for their theory.

Kuper and Syzmanski believe that national team greatness is based on three factors – wealth, size and experience.  For purposes of this argument, England and the US are equally as wealthy.  The soccer playing male population over the age of 12 is probably a little larger in England, but the US is catching up fast and will probably surpass them any moment now.  However, it is in experience where, according to Kuper and Syzmanski, the US is outgunning England.

Kuper and Syzmanski define experience as the collective different types of soccer under which a team and its coaches have played.  For example, one of the main reasons for Brazil’s success, according to Kuper and Syzmanski, is that their players have played in a large variety of leagues all over Europe.  The Brazilian team is full of players who play in the EPL, La Liga, Serie A, and other great leagues in Europe.  When he was considered the best player in the world, Ronaldo was a one man soccer travel guide.  He had done a stint in Holland (PSV), two tours of Spain (Barca and Real Madrid) and two tours of Italy (Inter and AC Milan).  By experiencing these different leagues, and learning how to master them, Ronaldo made himself unstoppable.

Conversely, Kuper and Syzmanski believe that England always disappoints because the English players only master how to succeed in England.  English players rarely travel across the channel to gain experience anywhere else.  They play for English clubs, usually under English managers, against English opponents, and learn only how to beat other English teams.  Unfortunately, when it comes time to go to the World Cup or the Euro tournament, the team that they are best suited to beat (England) is the one team they will never oppose.  It is for this reason that England has not reached the final of a major tournament in over 40 years, and during that time did not qualify for either a Euro or World Cup Finals seven times.

If you project out the most likely team to line up against the US in South Africa, you see this problem in spades.  My projection of the starters and reserves England will field next June is a team that not only plays all its club soccer in England – it does not have a single player who has ever played for a non-English club team.  The only country in the World Cup Finals that can match England’s insularity is North Korea.

English Starters (Club Team Country)

• David James – England
• Ashley Cole – England
• Rio Ferdinand – England
• John Terry – England
• Glen Johnson – England
• Aaron Lennon – England

• Frank Lampard – England
• Steven Gerrard – England
• Joe Cole – England
• Wayne Rooney – England
• Jermaine Defoe – England

English Reserves (Club Team Country)

• Paul Robinson – England
• Wayne Bridge – England
• Mathew Upson – England
• Theo Walcott – England
• Gareth Barry – England
• Michael Carrick – England
• Darren Bent – England

Conversely, the US team is a tribute to diversity.  In my projected starting XI, nine different nations are represented in the players’ club history.  Add in the reserves, and you are adding in another two countries.

US Starters (Club Team Country)

• Tim Howard – US/England
• Jonathan Spector – England
• Oguchi Onyewu – Belgium/Italy
• Jay DeMerit – England
• Carlos Bocanegra – US/England/France
• Landon Donovan – Germany/US
• Michael Bradley – US/Holland/Germany
• Benny Feilhaber – Germany/England/Denmark
• Stuart Holden – US
• Clint Dempsey – US/England
• Jozy Altidore – US/Spain/England

US Reserves (Club Team Country)

• Brad Guzon – US/England
• Steve Cherundelo – Germany
• Jermaine Jones – Germany
• Fernando Torres – Mexico
• Maurice Edu – US/Scotland
• Robbie Findley – US
• Conor Casey – Germany/US

With Holden and possibly Donovan set to go to Europe in the January transfer window, this diversity of experience will continue.  With the US learning under different systems, playing against different types of players, and refining different skill sets, they are more apt to absorb the challenges of international tournament like the World Cup.

Does this mean the US will win the game on June 12?  There is no crystal ball for that.  The only statistical theory that Kuper and Syzmanski could say about that game is that the team that scores the most goals will come out ahead.  However, according to Kuper and Syzmanski, the US is coming on fast and England is a stagnant, creaking soccer power.  Over time, if this trend continues, the US will certainly overtake England on the world stage.  The question is whether that Rubicon is crossed on June 12 in Rustenberg or sometime a little further down the road.

A clash between the second- and third-place teams in the Barclays Premier League is set for Sunday at Stamford Bridge when Chelsea entertains Liverpool.

Sounds like fun, right?

But first, check out the TV schedule here.

Now, on with the previews:

Chelsea vs. Liverpool

Oh, no big deal. Just two clubs with title dreams playing in the late game on a Sunday.

Table watch: It’s two versus three as the Blues (18 points, second place) host the Reds (15 points, third place) at Stamford Bridge.

Recent memories: Last season, Liverpool ended Chelsea’s home unbeaten streak in this fixture. But later in the year, Chelsea responded by knocking the Reds from the Champions League in spectacular fashion.

They said it, part one: “I have never seen this team of mine struggle as much as we did in the first half. I was just so disappointed because we made so many mistakes and were made to pay for them.” – Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez after his team’s 2-0 loss to Fiorentina in mid-week Champions League play.

They said it, part two: “We have to play better. I’m not angry with the players. I have a lot of faith in this team and these players. I was a player for a lot of years myself, and I know when things don’t go well.” – Chelsea gaffer Carlo Ancelotti said after his team’s underwhelming 1-0 win over APOEL Nicosa.

Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Portsmouth

Wolves welcome in pointless Pompey to start the weekend’s action.

Table watch: Wolves are in 16th place on seven points while Portsmouth is still looking for its first positive result of the young season.

Money crunch: Something you never like to hear from the rich guys owning your club is “we’re broke.” But that’s the tune at Fratton Park.

“All the money from all the player transfers and the Sky TV money, all of the £35 million from January, has gone straight to the Standard Bank,” Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie said. “There is no money left.”

Headed for 0-0?: According to Eurosport, Wolves have failed to score in the last three league games against Portsmouth and the last five meetings between the teams at Molineux have all been draws. Hmm, there may be a trend there.

Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor

Hull City vs. Wigan

Bottom dwellers Hull City will look to start to climb in the standings when giant-killing Wigan comes calling.

Table watch: Hull City is in 19th place on four points while Wigan is five points ahead of them in 10th spot.

Oh captain, my captain: Phil Brown has named his fifth captain of the season. Nick Barmby will wear the armband this weekend as the Tigers try to snap out of their recent funk.

“This is something that has got Nicky’s name written all over it,” Brown told the Daily Mail. “He is a strong enough character in the dressing room. … He’s had a lot of close relationships with managers during his career and I feel as though I have got a close relationship with him. We speak frankly about things and we share things, none more so than about what is happening at Hull City at the moment.”

Lesson learned: “When you are a team like Wigan Athletic and you play against the top four you have two options,” Wigan manager Roberto Martinez told the Sunday Times. “You can beat them or you can get hammered — and that’s what happened when we lost 4-0 and 5-0. The reason we won is because we learned our lessons.
“We’ve been brave from the first second. Nobody can say we didn’t deserve the win and to say that against a special team like Chelsea is a big, big compliment to our football club.”

Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor

Bolton Wanderers vs. Tottenham

If Spurs want to hold off Manchester City, Arsenal and Aston Villa nipping at their heels, they’ll need a result at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday.

Table watch: Bolton is in 13th place on seven points while Spurs are sitting fourth on 15 points.

Injury strikes Defoe: Spurs and England striker Jermain Defoe has a fractured hand and will likely miss
the game this weekend. Peter Crouch could start alongside in-form Robbie Keane up front.

Home and away: Bolton has one point in three home games while Spurs have already collected six points on their travels.

Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor

Burnley vs. Birmingham City

After getting walloped last week against Tottenham, Burnley is hoping for better luck at Turf Moor against Birmingham City.

Table watch: Burnley is in 11th spot on nine points while Birmingham is in 14th place with seven points.

A lack of options: With striker Christian Benitez headed back to Ecuador to be his his father, who was involved in a serious auto accident, City may struggle for goals this weekend. That, and the reports that Birmingham players were shouting at each other after last week’s loss to Bolton, isn’t a sign of happy times in the Second City.

They said it: “At this level, 50, 60, 70 minutes in the Premier League’s not good enough because of the quality they’ve got. If you switch off you’ll be punished and that’s what’s happened.” – Burnley boss Owen Coyle, to the Burnley Express on his team’s 5-0 loss to Spurs.

Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor

Manchester United vs. Sunderland

The Red Devils, fresh off a come-from-behind win over Wolfsburg in Champions League play, host Sunderland in the late game on Saturday.

Table watch: United is in the top spot wit 18 points on goal difference over Chelsea. Sunderland has 12 points, which is good for eighth position.

Match facts: Thanks to the good folks at Eurosport, we know the following:

United have won 11 and drawn three of the last 14 league meetings with Sunderland since the Black Cats last won against Sir Alex Ferguson’s side in March 1997. … Sunderland’s last win at Old Trafford came in May 1968 when they won 2-1 a few weeks before Man Utd lifted the European Cup. … Sunderland have not kept a clean sheet since the opening day a run of six games. … Ryan Giggs has assisted on each of United’s last five league goals.

Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor

Arsenal vs. Blackburn Rovers

The Gunners can break back into the top four with a win and little help as they welcome Blackburn to London on Sunday.

Table watch: Arsenal is in six place on 12 points while Rovers are in 15th place on seven points.

A fixture in English football: Arsenal manager Arsene Wegner became the longest-serving manager in the club’s history on Thursday. “When you work abroad it is never easy because, frankly, they do not need you,” the Frenchman told the New York Times. “It is difficult to put into context today because now every foreign manager arrives on a red carpet. It was not like that when I arrived. They (Arsenal) needed to be, maybe not crazy, but certainly brave. However I believe I was lucky to find the support I found at Arsenal and that is always important for success.”

Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor

Everton vs. Stoke City

After an early season filled with blunders and woe, the Toffees appear to have their act together as the Potters come calling.

Table watch: Everton is in ninth place on nine points while Stoke City in in 12th spot on eight points.

Mid-week success: Everton rallied to win its Europa League tie on Thursday for its fifth straight win in all competitions.

Last time: Everton won this fixture last season, 3-1.

Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor

West Ham vs. Fulham

After an uninspired effort at Manchester City, West Ham will try to bounce back at Upton Park against Fulham.

Table watch: West Ham is in 18th place on four points while Fulham isn’t faring much better in 17th place, two points ahead.

Home form a worry: West Ham is winless in its two home fixtures so far this season.

History lesson: West Ham won this fixture last season with a 3-1 score line.

Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor

Aston Villa vs. Manchester City

Two teams with Champions League places on the brain clash at Villa Park on Monday.

Table watch: Villa is in seventh place on a dozen points while City is in fifth place on 15 points.

Not looking back: “If you asked me ‘would we still rather have Gareth around here?’ then the answer would be ‘definitely, absolutely.’ But Gareth (Barry) has moved on to Manchester City this summer and I think we have made a shift ourselves.” – Villa boss Martin O’Neill on his former player, to Goal.com.

Welcome back, Ade: Emmanuel Adebayor is done with his three-match ban and is eligible to play for City.

Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor

If it’s lonely at the top, you wouldn’t guess it by watching Chelsea run rampant through the Premier League in the early stages of the 2009-2010 campaign.

With a perfect 18 points in six matches and a +12 goal difference to boot, the Blues aren’t letting their recent transfer ban get in the way of a rapid start.

Next up is a trip to Wigan. Can Chelsea make it seven wins in a row to start this season?

Stay tuned.

First, have a look at the TV listings.

Now, on with this week’s schedule:

Portsmouth vs. Everton

The search for points rolls on as Pompey entertains an Everton squad that may finally be getting its footing after a rocky start.

Table watch: Portsmouth is still pointless and rooted to the foot of the standings while the Toffees are on six points in 13th place.

Staying in the cup: Both teams advanced in the Carling Cup, as Pompey clipped Carlisle, 3-1, while Everton whipped Hull City, 4-1.

Fratton Park, a fortress?: “We’ve all got to stay together,” Michael Brown told the team’s Web site. “Portsmouth is known for being a very intimidating place and that’s what we’ve got to create.”

Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor

Blackburn Rovers vs. Aston Villa

After last week’s humbling loss to Everton, Blackburn plays host to Aston Villa looking to rebound Saturday.

Table watch: Rovers are in 18th place on four points while Aston Villa is sitting in fifth place with 12 points.

In and out: Steve Sidwell is an injury doubt with a thigh strain while Emile Heskey and Ashley Young might return to action for Villa.

Manic Monday: Following the effort against the Toffees, Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce ordered the team to the training ground at 7 a.m. Monday morning.

“It’s something I did once before at Bolton. Hopefully, it has had the desired effect,” he said. “Were they happy? I don’t think so. But everybody was on time and we sorted a few things out.”

Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor

Tottenham Hotspur vs. Burnley

After coming out on the wrong side of a 3-0 pasting against Chelsea, Spurs hope to change their luck at White Hart Lane against the Clarets.

Table watch: Tottenham is on 12 points in sixth place while Burnley is in ninth spot with as many points.

Flashback: These two sides played a memorable Carling Cup tie last season with Spurs advancing by the narrowest of margins.

Road woes: Burnley is still seeking a point away from home this season.

Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor

Birmingham City vs. Bolton Wanderers

Birmingham City looks to keep its spot in mid-table when Bolton comes calling.

Table watch: Birmingham is on seven points in 11 th place while Bolton has four points, which is good for 17th.

Under pressure: While City has done better than most observers thought early on, the noose may be tightening a bit on Gary Megson and Bolton.

“It (the booing) does not help the players one bit. That is the way it is,” he said after the Stoke stalemate last week.”One group of supporters thought it was OK, another didn’t. But that’s life and you have to get on with it.”

Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor

Wigan Athletic vs. Chelsea

The Latics will do their best to knock Chelsea from the unbeaten ranks on Saturday.

Table watch: Wigan has six points and sits in 15th place. Chelsea is in the penthouse with a max 18 points.

They said it: “Up to Arsenal I had been very pleased. It is going to be up to ourselves to reach certain targets and bounce back from that disappointment. To do that it doesn’t matter who you are playing against but it couldn’t be a better game to test ourselves than against Chelsea.” – Wigan boss Roberto Martinez

Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor

Stoke City vs. Manchester United

The Potters face a tough test as the Red Devils roll into town.

Table watch: Stoke City is on eight points in 10th place while United, after clipping Manchester City in a thrilling derby that may have lasted a tad bit too long, is in second place on 15 points.

Punchless?: Scoring goals against United may be challenge enough for Stoke, but the Potters may have to try it without strikers Ricardo Fuller and James Beattie, who have groin and ankle injuries, respectively.

Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor

Liverpool vs. Hull City

The Reds welcome in struggling Hull City to Anfield this weekend.

Table watch: Liverpool is in third place on a dozen points while Hull is mired in 19th place on four points.

Lesson learned?: Last year in this fixture, the Tigers nipped a 2-2 draw in a result that came back to haunt title-chasing Liverpool down the line.

Passing in the night: Liverpool edged Leeds United in Carling Cup play Wednesday while Hull was trounced by Everton, 4-0.

Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor

Fulham vs. Arsenal

The Whites welcome the Gunners to Craven Cottage hoping to duplicate last season’s shocking home win in this fixture.

Table watch: Fulham is in 14th on six points while Arsenal is in seventh place on nine points.

Where’s the net?: With only four goals in five league matches, Fulham has struggled to find points so far this season. Arsenal, on the other hand, have scored a league-best 17 times.

Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor

Sunderland vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers

The Black Cats will entertain Wolves on Sunday.

Table watch: Sunderland is on nine points in eighth place while Wolverhampton is in 12 place on seven points.

Let the light shine: Sunderland has won three straight in all competitions at The Stadium of Light but Wolves do have an away win to their credit already this season.

Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor

Manchester City vs. West Ham

City hosts West Ham in a Monday match set to air on the four-letter.

Table watch: Manchester City is on 12 points in fourth place while the Hammers are in 16th place on four points.

Options aplenty: Even with Emmanuel Adebayor still serving a suspension and Robinho and Roque Santa Cruz still nursing injuries, City will try to keep their perfect home record intact with Carlos Tevez and Craig Bellamy leading the line up front.

They said it: “”It’s been a bit strange, because there have been times when we’ve played some really good football and it hasn’t gone our way. At other times, we’ve struggled a little bit to play. We just need to find some consistency and to continue to play our football.”- West Ham defender and U.S. International Jonathan Spector, to the team’s Web site.

Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor

Can Spurs be stopped?

Will the real Liverpool, Manchester United and Aston Villa please stand up?

When will Pompey spend some of their new found wealth?

Oh yeah, we have our first Big Four clash of the year with Arsenal visiting Old Trafford this week as well.

Perhaps this week in the EPL will get us closer to some of the answers to these and many other questions.

First, the TV schedule.

Now, on with the show…

Chelsea vs. Burnley

Burnley will try to replicate its recent giant killing ways when it invades Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Table watch – After three matches, Chelsea is on nine points, in second place on goal difference to Tottenham. Burnley is on six points which, coupled with their neutral goal difference is good for seventh.

Leavin’ on a jet plane – Blues’ boss Carlo Ancelotti will leave after the match to catch the Milan Derby, according to Goal Italia.

A confident Claret – Steven Fletcher is enjoying life in England early on this season.

“It’s been good so far and I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead. I’m looking forward to Saturday, it will be a big game at Chelsea. It’s on TV too and everybody likes to play on TV.” – Fletcher, to the Lancashire Telegraph

Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor

Tottenham Hotspur vs. Birmingham

High flying Spurs welcome new boys Birmingham to White Hart Lane on Saturday.

Table watch – Spurs are in first place with nine points (and a +6 goal difference) in three matches. Birmingham has four points from its three games, good for eighth.

Pinball wizards – Spurs have nine goals in league play this season and added five more in a Carling Cup win over Doncaster Rovers on Wednesday.

Predict the winner with the EPL Talk Predictor

Blackburn Rovers vs. West Ham United

Blackburn will host the Hammers Saturday in search of their its point of the new campaign.

Table watch – Blackburn is in 18th place, pointless after two matches. West Ham has three points from its two matches, good for 11th.

Mid-week action – While Blackburn was notching a routine 3-1 win over Gillingham, West Ham had to endure pitch invasions in their triumph over Milwall. Maybe getting out of London will do them good…

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Bolton vs. Liverpool

After a stunning 3-1 loss at home to Aston Villa on Monday, the Reds will try to snap back on the road against Bolton.

Table watch – Bolton is in 17th place after two matches, still seeking its first point. Liverpool has just three points in three matches, putting them in 10th.

Walking wounded – Liverpool will be without Alberto Aquilani (ankle), Daniel Agger (back) and Fabio Aurelio (knee) as the Reds try to get back on track.

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Stoke City vs. Sunderland

The Potters entertain the Black Cats in this battle of top 10 sides.

Table watch – Stoke City has four points from three games, good for ninth place, while Sunderland is in sixth place on six points.

Adding depth – BBC Radio reports that Stoke City is about to add Middlesbrough’s Robert Huth and Tuncay in a deal reported to be worth £10m.

Dynamic duo – Sunderland strikers Darren Bent and Kenwyne Jones already have four goals between them this season.

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Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Hull City

Wolves play host to Hull City Saturday in an intriguing battle.

Table watch – Both teams have three points from three matches. Wolves are 14th and the Tigers are in 15th.

Quick hitters – From Eurosport: Wolves and Hull City last met in the league in 2007-08 and the Tigers won both meetings on the way to promotion. … Hull conceded the most fouls in 2008-09 and are leading the way in 2009-10 with 59. … The Tigers have allowed the opposition 57 shots this season, more than any other side. … Wolves have only ever kept three clean sheets at home in the Premier League, in 20 games.

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Manchester United vs. Arsenal

The Gunners bring their league-leading 10 goals to Manchester to face the Red Devils, who put five past Wigan in mid week.

Table watch – Arsenal are in third with six points from two matches while United also has six points (in three matches), good for fourth.

What they’re saying – “I am happy to go to Old Trafford because it is the first big, big test. You want always to have a high level of confidence when you go to Old Trafford – we have that at the moment.” – Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, to Sky Sports

Injury list – Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas’ status with his injured hamstring is still unknown. His presence, or lack thereof, could be key.

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Portsmouth vs. Manchester City

A Sunday date at Fratton Park is the latest stop on City’s tour through the EPL season.

Table watch – City has six points from its two matches and is sitting in fifth place while Portsmouth has dropped all three league matches this term and are stuck in 19th.

Takeover complete – Portsmouth has a new owner as United Arab Emirates investor Sulaiman al-Fahim has wrapped up his takeover of the club.

I’ve gotta be me – “I don’t think I can fill the role that John Terry has at this moment in time. Obviously he has been the leader of his club and nation for a long time now so he has more leadership qualities than I have. But I look up to people like that and believe I can achieve what he has done.” – Joleon Lescott, on why he’s not Chelsea captain, and former City target, John Terry, to the Telegraph

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Aston Villa vs. Fulham

A pair of Europa League clubs will try to climb back towards that territory in a Sunday meeting at Villa Park.

Table watch – It’s two matches and three points for both sides. Villa sits 12th, one spot north of the Whites.

Up and down – Villa is flying high after shocking Liverpool, 3-1, Monday while Fulham is trying to recover from a 2-0 loss at Craven Cottage to Chelsea on Sunday.

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Everton vs. Wigan Athletic

The Toffees will be looking to get off the deck when Wigan visits Goodison Park on Sunday.

Table watch – Everton is in last place with no points from its two games. Wigan is on three points in 16th place.

In and out – Want away defender Joleon Lescott is finally on his way to Manchester City, but Russian International Diniyar Bilyaletdinov might swoop in for a Sunday start in his place.

“We’re really looking forward to bringing Diniyar in and there is a chance he could play on Sunday. There has been enough talk (about Lescott’s transfer) and now is the time for everyone to move on. My job is to try and make us stronger. That’s what I am aiming to do.” – Boss David Moyes, to The Liverpool Echo

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Have a look at the table.

Go on, have a look.

It’s always interesting to glance at a Premiership table and see Tottenham at the top while Manchester United sits mired in 10th.

Take heart, Red Devil fans. The season is still very young.

On the tube

Don’t miss the weekend’s TV schedule, which is, of course, subject to the whims of guys in suits who don’t know a back heel from a back door

Now, on with the previews:

Arsenal vs. Portsmouth

It’s hard to choose two teams that have looked any more different than the Gunners and Pompey so far this season.

A new resolve?

It’s easy to write off Arsenal’s 2-0 win at Celtic as a piece of very good fortune, but winning those type of fixtures is what separates above average teams from great ones. It’s early days, but that result has to be encouraging.

Shaking off disappointment

While Arsenal was celebrating a Champions League win in Glasgow in mid-week, Pompey was losing at home to newly promoted Birmingham on an injury-time penalty.

A sure thing?

It’s hard to imagine any other result that a thrashing at the Emirates for Pompey, who could really use some of that Middle Eastern money to bolster their squad.

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Birmingham vs. Stoke City

Their late heroics at St. Andrews gave them three points, and now Birmingham will welcome the Potters to town on Saturday.

Up and down

We’ve mentioned Birmingham’s triumph in mid-week, but Stoke City must somehow recover from a 4-0 beating at Anfield at the hands of Liverpool on Wednesday.

On the road

Stoke City picked up 10 points in their travels last season, so they’ll be looking for something this weekend.

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Hull City vs. Bolton Wanderers

The Tigers find themselves pointless after two matches, a condition they’ll be looking to change when Bolton visits on Saturday.

Where’s Jozy?

Work permit issues and H1N1 concerns have delayed U.S. International Jozy Altidore’s Hull City debut. Could this be the weekend? His Twitter account provides no answer at press time, so stay tuned…

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Sunderland vs. Blackburn

Blackburn is still seeking its first points of the campaign as it strolls into the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

A fast start

The Black Cats were on dream street with an early goal against Chelsea, but the Blues rallied for a 3-1 win on Tuesday. Blackburn hasn’t played since its 2-0 loss to City last weekend.

Still adding?

Despite a busy summer for new boss Steve Bruce, Sunderland is still looking to add Lyon defender John Mensah to the squad.

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Manchester City vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers

City hopes to continue its high scoring start to the campaign when it hosts Wolves.

An impressive result

City nabbed a 1-0 friendly win at Camp Now over Barcelona on Wednesday in a contest in which both sides fielded something less than full-strength squads.

“I’ve been able to give some young players the opportunity to play in the Nou Camp, a night they will never forget,” Hughes told the team’s Web site.

Wolverhampton also had a win in mid-week, notching a 1-0 result at Wigan on Andy Keogh’s header.

Not worried about the bulletin board

“I don’t think that expecting them to win the league when they have just bought a team is realistic. They might make a push for it. But I just don’t think it is realistic to expect them to win the league when others have got a settled team” – Wolves manager Mick McCarthy, to the Birmingham Mail

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Wigan Athletic vs. Manchester United

United, fresh off a disappointing 1-0 loss at Burnley, will look to bounce back at Old Trafford against Wigan.

Hot and cold

Both teams have split their first two games, with the Red Devils winning 1-0 against Birmingham in the opener before falling on Wednesday while Wigan won at Aston Villa in the opener before stumbling at home against Wolves.

Scoring punch

Two league matches against newly promoted sides have netted just two goals for Man U, which may still be adjusting a bit to life without Cristiano Ronaldo.

“Hopefully we get as many (chances) on Saturday. “Michael Carrick had what I thought was the best chance when the ball was squared to him in the box but he decided to take a touch on the ball and lost the opportunity. Michael Owen missed a great chance in the first half, Ryan Giggs had one in the second half and Wayne Rooney had a couple of chances.
“Our players are all disappointed, it was a bad result for us. But I’m sure we’ll get a response.” – United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, after his team’s loss to Burnley

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West Ham United vs. Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs are sitting atop the league table, but if they want to stay there, they’ll have to navigate a trip to Upton Park on Sunday.

Getting offensive

Harry Redknapp’s club has scored seven goals in their first two games, three of which came from Jermain Defoe in Wednesday’s 5-1 win at Hull City.

Lying in wait

West Ham hasn’t played since its opening round win over Wolverhampton.

Injury worry?

Tottenham’s Web site reports that starting keeper Heurelho Gomes has a groin injury. David Button has been recalled from Crewe Alexandra for insurance purposes.

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Burnley vs. Everton

After a famous win over the reigning champions, Burnley welcomes Everton to Turf Moor on Sunday.

What’s going on?

A 6-1 loss to Arsenal in the season opener coupled with Julian Lescott’s want-away mindset has the Toffees in the news for all the wrong reasons.

“You deal with it and you move on so we’ll look it at it and try to do better next time. … We have to pick ourselves up quickly. … There’s no positives you can take out. We didn’t play well today and we have to take the blame. …We’ve had pre-season problems but mainly because we haven’t been able to get players playing.” – Everton gaffer David Moyes, to the BBC

Staying hot

Burnley keeper Brian Jenson credits the Turf Moor faithful for the team’s recent success:

“The fans weren’t only our 12th and 13th man on Wednesday, they were our 13th and 14th too. They were absolutely brilliant, I’ve never seen anything like it and I’ve been here seven years now. We need them, it’s vital. We don’t want them on our backs. We want them to get on the oppositions backs, regardless of what happens.
“We played well which makes it easier for them but, there will come a time here this season when we will be in trouble and that’s when we will need them the most.” – Jenson, to the team’s Web site

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Fulham vs. Chelsea

One of the better games of the weekend sets up on Sunday as the Blues pay a visit to Craven Cottage

Fact sheet

In each of the last three seasons, Chelsea has won one game and drawn the other against the Whites in league play. … Fulham has gone nine games without a home draw. … Didier Drogba has been busy, leading the league in shots on target (6) while drawing yellow cards in each of his first two matches.

Clogged fixture list

Chelsea rallied from a 1-0 deficit at the Stadium of Light to get a 3-1 win in mid-week while Fulham had a Europa League qualifier at home on Thursday.

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Liverpool vs. Aston Villa

Villa’s stuttering end to the 2008-2009 season seems to have carried over into this year’s Premier League campaign, and Martin O’Neill’s side will be hoping to change that at Anfield on Monday.

Rising and falling tides

Liverpool shook off its week one loss at Spurs by walloping Stoke City 4-0 earlier this week. Villa, having lost at home to Wigan to start the season, followed that with a 1-0 loss at Rapid Vienna in Europa League play on Thursday.

They said it

“This season you will be playing double headers. Every team you will play twice in the group stages, like in the Champions League, so it will be more games. That’s why the manager is trying to make sure we have enough players to cope with this year in domestic cup games, Europe and the Premier League as well.
“Other teams in Europe have big squads and we must do that as well. I think before the window shuts we will have a few more signings. I hope so.” – Stiliyan Petrov, to Sky Sports

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Finally.

The 2009-2010 English Premier League season is less than 24 hours away and, for the next few hours, everybody is in a Champions League spot.

Of course, a pessimist would point out that everyone is also in the drop zone.

Whatever.

Let’s get into some previews for week one, shall we?

Chelsea vs. Hull City

The Community Shield holders host Hull City in the first match of the new season.

The first domino: Last season at Stamford Bridge, the Tigers held Chelsea to a 0-0 draw – a result that led to the ouster of Luiz Felipe Scolari, the interim appointment of Guus Hiddink and the eventual arrival of Carlo Ancelotti. Who knew Hull City has so much influence?

History lesson: Hull hasn’t won in a cup or a league visit to the bridge since 1905. … Chelsea has won its last seven league openers and have taken nine of 10. … Hull won its league opener last season, taking a 2-1 win over Fulham at the KC Stadium. … Chelsea leads this series 25-9-4.

The Jozy watch: U.S. International Jozy Altidore, with his freshly minted U.K. work permit, is a likely choice to earn a starting spot up front for the Tigers on Saturday. The 19-year-old striker came on as a substitute in the second half of the U.S. team’s 2-1 loss in Mexico City on Wednesday.

On the training table: Chelsea’s Joe Cole is out with a knee injury while Yuri Zhirkov and Paulo Ferreira are also doubtful. … Ian Ashbee, Jimmy Bullard and Richard Garcia will miss out for Hull.

Key to the game: Chelsea, wearing the mantle as preseason favorites for the title, will look to pressure Hull early. The Tigers will need a big time defensive effort, particularly early, to survive the trip to London.

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Portsmouth vs. Fulham

Fulham begins its campaign at Fratton Park with a date against Portsmouth on Saturday.

Rude guests: The Whites are unbeaten in their last three trips to the south coast, leaving with a win and two draws, including a 1-1 result last year. That said, Fulham won just three matches on its travels last season.

They said it, part one: “As far as I know there hasn’t been a takeover yet and everyone has been made well aware of that. Obviously, I think it would be in the best interests of the club to get it sorted out sooner rather than later, but I am just concentrating on the football side of things at the moment, that’s my job. That’s what I’m here for, the finances are for someone else to deal with. I’m an employee of the football club I’ll get told when its right to be told and as it stands at the moment my job is out there with the players and producing a team that is going to be competitive by the start of the season.” – Phil Hart, to the Daily Telegraph about the possibility of an ownership change at Portsmouth.

They said it, part two: “It would be foolish of me to say there is no chance of (Europe proving a distraction this season.) I think the team are still strong. We’re even getting stronger if anything. But last year we were extremely lucky with injuries. I don’t know quite whether that will happen to us again.” – Fulham boss Roy Hodgson, to the Telegraph.

What to watch for: Will there be any goals? Fulham tends to pack it in away from Craven Cottage, and you wonder if Portsmouth will have much punch with its recent departures and overall instability.

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Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. West Ham United

The champions of the, well, Championship entertain West Ham in the opener for both sides.

They said it – a dose of realism: “We’re trying to stay up. Sometimes that sounds a bit negative – aim for the stars and you could end up hitting the moon – but let’s just go in and try to be a success. Take out the top six or eight, and the rest of them just want to stay there.” – Mick McCarthy, Wolves manager to the Sunday Mercury.

Been a while: These teams haven’t met since 2005, where Wolves took a 4-1 win.

The questions: Can Wolves stay up with a young squad and a skipper that lacks top flight experience? Can the Hammers push for Europe with a depleted squad with more defections likely?

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Aston Villa vs. Wigan

After last year’s stumble from what seemed like a sure Champions League berth, Aston Villa is back for another push for the top four as they host Wigan.

Something’s got to give: Aston Villa has never won a home league fixture with Wigan, while Wigan has never earned a point from a league opener.

History lesson: Villa’s only win against Wigan at Villa Park came in a cup match in 1994. … The Latics have dropped four straight on the road.

New faces: Jason Scotland and Jordi Gomez could feature for Wigan on Saturday. I’d mention some newcomers for Aston Villa, but there doesn’t seem to be any…

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Stoke City vs. Burnley

Burnley’s debut in the EPL comes with a visit to the Potters on Saturday.

Managing expectations: “There’s no doubt we will be written off as the underdogs in each and every match. I don’t have a problem with that and, let’s be honest, we’re in the Premier League on the smallest budget by a country mile. The more money you pay, the better players you can get, but it’s not always about having the best individuals. It’s about the best team.” – Clarets gaffer Owen Coyle, to The Sun.

The team approach: Stoke City knows all about the team-first philosophy, having survived last season with a stifling defense and gritty play.

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Blackburn Rovers vs. Manchester City

City’s “big four” dreams get their first test Saturday with a trip to Blackburn.

Grab bag: Blackburn has won its last two openers. … City’s only two opening day wins in the Premier League have come in away fixtures. … New City signee Emmanuel Adebayor (doubtful, groin injury) has scored five goals in his last three starts against Rovers, including a hat trick at Ewood Park for Arsenal last season.

Pressure cooker: City boss Mark Hughes, with nearly £200 million worth of transfers to play with, needs a fast start and a season-long challenge for a berth in next year’s Champions League. Anything less will likely mean the sack.

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Bolton vs. Sunderland

Two teams that avoided relegation last season begin the trick of doing it again at the Reebok Stadium Saturday.

A facelift?: Bolton didn’t exactly splash the cash around, but it did add Sean Davis, Zat Knight, Sam Ricketts and Paul Robinson to the squad.

Another makeover: New Black Cats’ boss Steve Bruce has a few new pieces himself this season, as Darren Bent, Lee Cattermole, Lorik Cana, Frazier Campbell and Paulo Da Silva are all new signings.

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Everton vs. Arsenal

Probably the best match of the weekend as the Toffees host the Gunners on Sunday Saturday.

History lesson: Arsenal leads the all-time series 85-37-54. … Arsenal has drawn in the last two meetings to Goodison Park.

Injury worries: Everton is hoping that Jo and Marouane Fellaini will be in the squad while Arsenal doesn’t have any major concerns in this area.

Key fixture: It might be an opener, but with both of these sides likely challengers for the top four, this result might loom large all season long. The tactical matchup between David Moyes and Arsene Wenger should make for must-watch football.

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Manchester United vs. Birmingham

Welcome back to the Premier League, Birmingham. Here’s a ticket to Old Trafford…

A quick first step to title No. 19?: The Red Devils have won 21 straight meetings against Birmingham, dating back to a 5-1 loss in Nov. 1978.

A long medical list: United are heavy favorites, but with Nemnaja Vidic, Jonny Evans, Gary Neville and Rafael Da Silva unlikely to play, the defense will surely be a makeshift one.

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Tottenham Hotspur vs. Liverpool

Another nice first-week encounter as the Reds invade White Hart Lane.

Will he or won’t he?: Liverpool talisman Steven Gerrard is doubtful with an injured groin.

A tough road: Spurs haven’t lost a league match at home in 10 months, making Liverpool’s job all the more difficult.

Recent history: Tottenham took two wins off Liverpool last year, a 2-1 win at home and another triumph in the Carling Cup in November.

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One year ago, Fulham was arguably the worst team in the Premier League not named Derby.  The club showed little holiday spirit, sacking Lawrie Sanchez just four days before Christmas.  New manager Roy Hodgson needed a great escape, scraping to 36 points and safety on the season’s final day.

This season, however, Hodgson has revolutionized Fulham, currently sitting comfortably mid-table on 26 points with a game in hand.  Here are five facts to explain Fulham’s resurgence this season.

Ferocity at the Back: Americans have a saying, “Offense wins games.  Defense wins championships.”  Fulham are nowhere near title contention, but a vastly improved defense has proved pivotal.  Halfway through the current season, Fulham have allowed just 14 goals in the 19 matches.  That’s fourth best in the Premier League, behind only Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United.  If Fulham maintain that pace, they would allow 28 goals.  They shipped 60 the previous year.  Fulham are far more competitive and have their backline to thank.

Fortress Craven Cottage: Fulham’s 2008-09 model has the requisite fragility away from home.  They’ve failed to win in nine attempts, although they have drawn five.  However, Fulham have been spectacular at home this season, winning six and drawing three of their ten matches.  Only Manchester United and Liverpool have fared better at home this season than Fulham.

Overcoming Squandered Investments: Fulham spent serious moolah over the summer, nearly £20m, to revamp their striking with Andy Johnson and Bobby Zamora.  Despite their success, the duo have been largely ineffective, combining for only five goals in 33 combined appearances.  American forward Clint Dempsey has four times as many goals as Bobby Zamora, with barely more than half as many pitch minutes.  Fulham’s success has been despite not because of this substantial investment.

A Steely Run: Fulham, though only winning three, are undefeated in their past nine matches, last losing to 1-0 to Everton on Nov. 1.  This run of matches saw Fulham play top tier sides, such as Liverpool, Chelsea and Aston Villa.  They also played more talented teams, such as Manchester City, Newcastle and Tottenham twice.  Fulham may fade a bit, but those fifteen difficult points could stave off relegation.

Backbone Against the Big Five: These fixtures are often overrated.  For a team out of the title race six-pointers, they matter not more than any other match.  However, Fulham, with a victory against Arsenal and draws with Chelsea, Liverpool and Aston Villa, are undefeated in these matches.  They conceded just two goals in the four matches, both against Chelsea.  Tangibly, Fulham gain six points, but the value of the confidence earned is considerable.