Newcastle v Chelsea
Key Battle: Chelsea will be hoping that Juan Mata can wreak havoc in midfield, but he will have to get past an obdurate defence marshalled superbly by Steven Taylor
Player to Watch: Chelsea’s defence has been appalling so far this season and they will require a more solid performance from David Luiz to get anything from the Sports Direct Arena.
Talking Point: With Chelsea’s poor form contrasting with Newcastle’s excellent start, will it be more misery for Andre Villas Boas?
Prediction: 1-0
Blackburn v Swansea
Key Battle: Swansea’s defence has been excellent so far this season but better at home than away. Blackburn have played well and attacked well at times, and Junior Hoilett will hope to get the better of Ashley Williams
Player to Watch: Leon Britton has been the best passer of the ball in the Premier League this season and he will hope to continue that form.
Talking Point: Can Blackburn finally get their second win of the season or will Swansea continue their good start?
Prediction: 2-1
Man City v Norwich
Key Battle: Anthony Pilkington will have a tough time this weekend up against Yaya Toure in the Manchester City midfield.
Player to Watch: Sergio Aguero scored Man City’s winner in the week and he will hope to continue that good form
Talking Point: Norwich won’t be given a hope by the pundits, but with the pressure off, can they spring a shock?
Prediction: 2-0
QPR v West Brom
Key Battle: Anton Ferdinand will have to continue his good form to take on Shane Long, who will hope to punish QPR.
Player to Watch: Chris Brunt is the creative spark for so many of West Brom’s goals and QPR will have to keep him closely monitored.
Talking Point: Both teams have had decent starts to the season and showed they can play decent football at times.
Prediction: 1-2
Tottenham v Bolton
Key Battle: Gary Cahill will be desperate to impress against a team who wanted to sign him in the summer and still want him, but will face the force of Emmanuel Adebayor
Player to Watch: Having endured a miserable result in the Europa League, Spurs will want to get back on track and Gareth Bale will be crucial to that
Talking Point: Can Tottenham keep up their superb run? Against Bolton at home you’d think surely they will
Prediction: 3-0
Wigan v Arsenal
Key Battle: A draw last weekend dented the Arsenal resurgence, but Robin van Persie will be back and fresh, and up against Gary Caldwell
Player to Watch: In both of Arsenal’s last two games Gervinho has come on and made a difference; playing from the start Wigan will need to watch him.
Talking Point: Wigan had a good win last weekend but can the struggling side pull off another shock?
Prediction: 0-3
Aston Villa v Man Utd
Key Battle: A poor Aston Villa side will not be optimistic ahead of the visit of the champions, reeling from defeat to Crystal Palace. Barry Bannan will have a tough job monitoring Wayne Rooney
Player to Watch: United’s danger so often comes out wide, and Nani will look to show some of his better form at the weekend
Talking Point: Can Villa shake off their awful form and spring a shock?
Prediction: 0-4
Everton v Stoke
Key Battle: Louis Saha will take on Stoke’s limited, cumbersome but physical defender Ryan Shawcross, and the winner of this duel could be vital
Player to Watch: Leon Osman will want to show his creative best form at the weekend and Stoke will have to watch the crafty player.
Talking Point: Everton have been in better form whilst Stoke have been poor after European matches this season
Prediction: 2-0
Wolves v Sunderland
Key Battle: Sunderland have lost Steve Bruce, and Seb Larsson will be their key man as usual against Wolves’ Jamie O’Hara in midfield.
Player to Watch: Matt Jarvis has been Wolves’ key player whenever they have played well, and they will look to him for inspiration.
Talking Point: Two teams near the foot of the table and in dreadful form; which will come out on top?
Prediction: 0-0
Fulham v Liverpool
Key Battle: Liverpool are buoyant right now and Charlie Adam is in great form. Up against Fulham and Dickson Etuhu he will hope to shine once more.
Player to Watch: For all Liverpool’s good form, World Player of the Year contender Luis Suarez has not been in the best of form lately, can he get back into his stride?
Talking Point: Fulham had a good result against Arsenal last week but Liverpool are in good form; who will win out?
Prediction: 1-1
