Portsmouth v Everton (12:45) – Prediction: 1-3
Portsmouth are still without a single point this season, but they can count themselves unlucky in the last few games. They also managed to pick up a win mid-week in the Carling Cup. However, after Everton’s troubled start, following the Lescott transfer saga, since then they have been picking up results and have scored 11 goals in three games, with three clean sheets. Everton also have a number of big players returning. Yakubu is always a goal threat and he showed that in their cup game in mid-week. Portsmouth may be in with a shout, but Everton are playing really well at the moment and I cannot see the home defence being able to cope for the entire 90 minutes.

Birmingham v Bolton (15:00) – Prediction: 0-1
I think that this will definitely be a tight affair. Birmingham have looked strong defensively this season, but they do struggle going forward. Now that Benitez is fit for them, he could pose a threat to Bolton. The away side however, have managed to grind out three results in the last two weeks. First they beat Portsmouth in a 3-2 thriller, then scored late to deny Stoke three points last weekend, and finally in the Carling Cup they picked up a good win against West Ham. Bolton may not play the most attractive football in the league, but they can put teams under pressure. I think that they will just about steal the full three points in this game.

Blackburn v Aston Villa (15:00) – Prediction: 1-2
Everyone had Villa down as a team in crisis after the first game of the season where they lost at home to Wigan. Since then though, they have been picking up results, without actually playing that well. That has to be a good sign for them, considering what they could be like if they started to really get into their stride. Blackburn on the other hand have looked a little bit inconsistant. They have been without a few injured players, that are starting to come back now. I think they will be fine once the season picks up pace, but I cannot see them winning against Villa this weekend.

Liverpool v Hull City (15:00) – Prediction: 4-0
Already I am looking at Hull and worrying about their Premiership survival. Last season I remember Phil Brown getting on the mic at the end of their last league game and singing a song because it was so brilliant that they had managed to stay up. In truth their survival was never in their own hands. They lost their final game of the season, but so did Newcastle. If Newcastle had managed to get a point out of their game at Aston Villa then it would have been them staying up. Hull have also sold, in my opinion, their best defender in Michael Turner. They looked very ordinary in mid-week as Everton took them apart to win 4-0 at the KC Stadium. Liverpool were under early pressure after losing a few games, but now with Torres, Gerrard and Kuyt hitting a good run of form, then I can really see Liverpool giving Hull and Phil Brown more things to worry about.

Stoke v Manchester United (15:00) – Prediction: 0-1
Stoke have a much stronger squad this season and I think that they will be capable of much more than last season, especially in away games. However, in games against the big four, I cannot see them picking up any solid points. They have a chance of holding out for a draw, but I think that in the full 90 minutes, the big teams will have those moments of class to just out do Stoke. Stoke played well against Chelsea, but they still came away from the game with no points. United look a little big shakey at the back with Ben Foster in goal, and Rio Ferdinand looking off the pace of the game at Old Trafford against Man City last Sunday. I think it will be a close game with both teams having chances to win 1-0, in the end though, I think United will edge the game out.

Tottenham v Burnley (15:00) – Prediction: 3-0
Tottenham had a brilliant start to their Premiership season, but they have had two tough games against Man United and Chelsea in the last two weeks. However, they showed that they still had confidence, picking up a 5-1 away win in the Carling Cup against Preston in the week. Peter Crouch looked in good form with a hattrick. Burnley have also had a good start to their Premership season, where they remain unbeaten at home. Their away form on the other hand is not great, and I think that they could have similar success to Stoke last season. They will definitely struggle on the road, and I think that Tottenham have the players to cause them real problems. I predict a comfortable win for Spurs.

Wigan v Chelsea (15:00) – Prediction: 0-3
Wigan have struggled since their opening win against Aston Villa that had everyone raving about how well they could do this season. They looked very impressive against Villa, especially closing the ball down and putting the opposition under pressure. Since then though, they have not managed to recreate a similar performance. They have never beaten a big four club in over 30 attempts and have already been punished 5-0 and 4-0 against Manchester United and Arsenal respectively. Chelsea on the other hand look unstoppable at the moment. Under Ancelotti they look like a different team. When Scolari was incharge this time last year, he had an equally good start, however, under Ancelotti the team look hungry and determind. Didier Drogba will be a key player in their season, and after he was given the all clear following his injury scare last week, he will be a big player against Wigan.

Fulham v Arsenal (17:30) – Prediction 1-2
Arsenal looked good value in their win last weekend over Wigan, following their two disappointing results in Manchester. Arsenal are still without a few key players, such as Nasri and Arshavin, but they seem to be doing well enough with what they have. Eduardo has shown that he is still the same player following his injury, and Rosicky is finally back to being match fit. Fulham on the other hand do not look as steady as they did last season. Maybe the number of games piling up for them could be difficult to cope with. Their season began a lot earlier than most other teams, with Europa league qualifiers. I think that Fulham will have their chances, but ultimately, Arsenal will have more fire power.

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Hull have may have only won once in their last eight Premier Leauge games, however, their performances have been gradually improving. If they want to remain in the Premiership next season then they have to start picking up points in these vital games. The same thing can be said about Middlesbrough who are desperate for a win and three points. They are already five points adrift of safety and with games rapidly running out it seems more and more likely that they will be in the Championship next season.

Middlesbrough’s last six Premiership home games:
1-1 Portsmouth [D]
2-0 Liverpool [W]
0-0 Wigan [D]
0-0 Blackburn [D]
1-1 Sunderland [D]
0-1 Everton [L]

Hull’s last six Premiership away games:
1-0 Wigan
0-1 Fulham
0-0 Chelsea
2-0 West Ham
2-0 Everton
5-1 Man City

Middlesbrough have an uphill struggle to survive the drop, but it can be done as Fulham proved last season. Everyone had written them off and now look where they are this season. Boro may just need that one win to show the side that they are capable of Premiership survival. They definately showed their potential in their home win against Liverpool a few weeks back, but since then they have lost all concentration and been prone to defensive errors. Hull on the other hand have been a little bit unlucky in some of the recent games. They did however, hold out for a decent draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, and also picked up a later winner against Fulham.

Middlesbrough will be without captain Emanuel Pogatetz who is injured for around three weeks and midfielder Gary O’Neil is on a two match ban. Hull could be without striker Daniel Cousin, but may welcome back George Boateng who has been out for three months. The reverse fixture of this game ended win a 2-1 win to Hull where all three goals came in the last 15 minutes.

I think that this could be a big three points for either team should they win. The pressure might be on a little too much and both sides may be looking for a draw. I think it is a game that Middlesbrough cannot afford to lose and that affects my prediction.

Prediction 1-1

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