See what I did there! No, ok. This is my first Premier League Predictions for the 2013/14 season. Hope you all had a good summer break and here we go.
Man Utd v Crystal Palace (12:45pm)
It is very unlikely for this game to result in anything but a home win but Ian Holloway's team got their campaign off and running with a deserved victory over Sunderland nearly two weeks ago. In the defeats to Tottenham and Stoke, they gave a good account of themselves but as everyone knows you have to score goals to get wins that will keep you in this division.
The slight encouragement for Palace fans is when their team last visited Old Trafford they came away with a 2-1 win after extra time. David Moyes has had a mixed start to his time in Manchester but it is still early in the season so anything can happen.
I said at the start of the season if they win one of the cups and get a Champions League place, for his first season I think it would be a good platform to build on.
Score: 3-1
Aston Villa v Newcastle
I think both teams have made decent starts to the season. Paul Lambert will be pleased with three points considering their first three games were trips to Arsenal and Chelsea followed by a tight home tie with Liverpool. I feel they should have five points but still they have made a decent start.
Newcastle have improved considerably defensively since the opening day mauling at Manchester City where in fairness lots of teams will be comfortably beat this year. Clean sheets against West Ham and Fulham are a good sign. The only worry for the fans is the lack of goal threat as Shola Ameobi doesn't really contribute much in terms of goals, Papiss Cisse is offside half the time and Loic Remy has a court case coming up.
However, Hatem Ben Arfa does provide some real creativity on his day and Alan Pardew's team could well end up with a point to bring back to the North East from the Midlands this weekend.
Score: 1-1
Fulham v West Brom
Following a fortunate opening day win over Sunderland with defeats to Arsenal and Newcastle so Martin Jol maybe pretty satisfied with the points tally but against Arsenal and Newcastle they were outplayed in most aspects possible and should get more points sooner rather than later.
This is an ideal game for them to get back to winning ways as West Brom are not on the best of form themselves. Against Everton they were resilient but their two home games against Southampton and Swansea they were poor and Steve Clarke needs to get a win soon.
Last season West Brom failed to take a single point against Fulham and haven't beaten them in a league encounter since October 2010 in a 2-1 home win. I think Fulham's good recent record against the Baggies will remain in tact.
Score: 3-1
Hull v Cardiff
Everyone will remember what happened at this ground the last time these two met - which is probably one of the best advertisements for the Championship. The 2-2 draw in May which sealed Hull's promotion was incredible, especially at the end when Leeds scored the winner at Watford to send Steve Bruce's Tigers up to the Premier League.
Five months on and these two have made steady ground in their top flight campaign, Cardiff taking four points from a possible nine including that dramatic win over title contenders Manchester City. Hull have taken three points against Norwich which is good considering that game was sandwiched between trips to Stamford Bridge and the Etihad Stadium.
As for this weekend's game, I am backing Hull to take the win. I feel that they have the best chance of staying up out of the three teams but Cardiff have been a pleasant surprise so far this year and certainly aren't a force to be reckoned with.
Score: 2-1
Stoke v Man City
The last four league meetings here between these two sides have all ended 1-1 although Man City did win here in the FA Cup last year.
Mark Hughes has had a good start as Stoke boss after losing at Anfield he has won his next two games and Stoke currently sit fifth in the league table.
Manuel Pellegrini has also claimed six points out of a possible nine and has made a steady beginning to his rein at Manchester City. But as the stat speaks for itself, City do not like going to the Britannia and I think 1-1 is the most predictable scoreline for this game. So, naturally, that's what I am going for here.
Score: 1-1
Sunderland v Arsenal
Paolo Di Canio's side desperately need a win. The home defeat to Fulham where they dominated was followed by a 3-1 defeat at Crystal Palace which sandwiched a well-earned point at Southampton. Not the start the Black Cats fans were hoping for but there is still 35 league games to go this season so it is still early days.
Arsene Wenger will be delighted as well as the fans for the deadline day capture of Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid for £42.5m. I do not think they will be title contenders this year but this is a step in the right direction for them.
Arsenal have won the previous two league visits to the Stadium of Light while losing 2-0 in a FA Cup game and I think they may just edge it here but you never know which Sunderland will turn up.
Score: 1-2
Tottenham v Norwich
Andre Villas-Boas made a very good statement this week - Spurs must move on from Gareth Bale's transfer to Real Madrid and I couldn't agree more.
Bale was an influential player last season, there is no doubting that, but he is not the only quality player that Tottenham have got so it may not be as big an issue as people think. What is a concern, however, is they have yet to score a Premier League goal from open play as their two goals so far have come from the penalty spot.
Against a disciplined Arsenal side in the North London derby, they had some nice build up play but in reality the Gunners looked comfortable in defending their lead.
They should not have as much trouble breaking down Norwich but the previous two White Hart Lane encounters ended with an away win followed by a draw. Chris Hughton's team got a needed win against Southampton but I only see a home win here.
Score: 2-0
Everton v Chelsea (Saturday, 5:30pm)
Everton fans must be cursing the rule where loaned players are not allowed to play against their parent clubs, otherwise deadline day signing Romelu Lukaku could have been in the starting line-up.
Roberto Martinez has been doing some very good business in this summer's transfer window. True they sold Marouane Fellani for £27.5m but they have replaced him with former Wigan midfielder James McCarthy and signing Gareth Barry and Lukaku on loan deals to add quality to the team.
Jose Mourinho rather unfortunately lost the super cup game against Bayern Munich on penalties but their performance and their seven points on the board will give them confidence for the season. I still think Chelsea will win the league this season but I also see Everton matching them, securing a draw.
Score: 1-1
Southampton v West Ham (Sunday, 4:00pm)
Southampton's unbeaten start to the season ended with defeat at Norwich and this game should get them back to winning ways as West Ham's away record could be better to say the least.
England man Rickie Lambert has had the time of his life in the last couple of weeks. He scored the winner at West Brom and internationally established himself. Mauricio Pochettino's side still play some lovely football and I can see them winning this one.
Sam Allardyce's side may struggle to cope with the intensity of the Saints but I think the Hammers could still have a decent season.
Score: 2-1
Swansea v Liverpool (Monday, 8:00pm)
Brendan Rodgers' second return to the club where he made his Premier League debut. The last visit ended in a goalless draw but he will obviously want to continue his side's tremendous start to the season.
They may be without in-form Daniel Sturridge but they still have other goal-scorers and Luis Suarez will be back from suspension soon enough.
Swansea have had a difficult start to the season but in fairness two of those games were against Manchester United and Tottenham but got a good win against West Brom before the international break.
I see this one ending the same as the last one but not 0-0. A trip to Swansea is usually difficult for many teams and let's just say Simon Mignolet will earn his wages this weekend.
Score: 1-1
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