Huw Davies predicts what will, and will not, happen in the Premier League this weekend...
It appears to be a relatively quiet weekend in the English top-flight, with no major 'Big Four' clashes to speak of.
But with a fiery east Lancashire derby and a tough test for Chelsea, thereâÂÂs plenty to fan the flames until Rafa goes nose-to-nose with Fergie in a week's time.
Aside from everything else, there will be at least one manager effing, blinding, kicking and screaming in the direction of a referee.
Who will it be? Wenger? Mark Hughes? Sir Alex? Try an outside punt on Tony Pulis. HeâÂÂs hiding some rage under that baseball cap.
Saturday
Aston Villa vs Chelsea
This early kick-off has kicked-off even earlier with HeskeyâÂÂs alleged overtures of âÂÂplay me or sell meâÂÂ.
Gabby Agbonlahor, meanwhile, has shown Gobby Heskey the way, scoring in five consecutive games prior to his last outing.
But the real attacking threat comes from VillaâÂÂs wingers, and theyâÂÂll have a tougher job getting past Messrs Cole and Bosingwa than a spotty teen past a nightclub bouncer.
And although VillaâÂÂs defence has been solid thus far, Dider DrogbaâÂÂs been notching up goals aplenty.
Once upon a time Villa Park was something of an anti-Chelsea fortress â before last year the Blues hadnâÂÂt won there in eight matches â but not any more.
What wonâÂÂt happen: Emile Heskey to replace John Carew at half-time and bang in a hat-trick. âÂÂItâÂÂs all thanks to Martin OâÂÂNeill,â he says in the post-match interview.
What will happen: Martin OâÂÂNeill to refuse Heskey a second start in eight Premier League matches, and Carew to make it 0 goals in 8 league games. Chelsea win.
Arsenal vs Birmingham
McLeish has been promised ã40 million to spend in the January transfer window by new owner Carson Yeung, so he wonâÂÂt be too perturbed by a heavy defeat to Arsenal.
Which is what is going to happen. Sorry, Brum.
What wonâÂÂt happen: McLeish to bite the hand preparing to feed him with a scathing press conference in which he rages, âÂÂWho is this Yeung w*nker anyway?âÂÂ
What will happen: A Gunners side brimming with confidence hit their scintillating best once again, firing in three or four.
Everton vs Wolves
The team that gave Portsmouth their first points and let five in against Sunderland (thatâÂÂs Wolves, by the way) look unlikely to trouble an Everton team starting to find their feet again.
After a shocking start to the season, Moyesâ Toffees have begun to match WertherâÂÂs Originals for consistency and taste.
Expect a strong defensive display to keep the Wolves from the door and a Saha brace to blow the house down.
Or something.
What wonâÂÂt happen: A more confusing metaphor this year.
What will happen: Mick McCarthy to feel the pressure, not relieved by fixtures against Villa, Stoke, Arsenal and Chelsea. Four games, one point if theyâÂÂre lucky.
Manchester United vs Bolton
If Chelsea do struggle against Martin OâÂÂNeillâÂÂs men, FergieâÂÂs lot can go top with a win.
Fortunately for them, anything but a home win would be a massive shock.
One thing that always helps an away side at Old Trafford is a 12th man in the stands, and a sceptical Wanderersâ fanbase hasnâÂÂt provided that all season.
What wonâÂÂt happen: Bolton to score in the ninth minute of injury time and Fergie to say itâÂÂs a fair cop.
What will happen: United to prove too strong for a dispirited Bolton.
Portsmouth vs Tottenham
HeâÂÂs ba-ackâ¦Harry Redknapp braves the rotten tomatoes with a return visit to the sinking ship he deserted, now a much more relaxed man.
But despite claims they were happy with a point against Bolton two weeks ago, Spurs will have felt deflated with the draw after scoring 10 goals in the previous two games.
ThereâÂÂs every chance of some frustrated misfiring from the visitors, while Pompey, keen to prove (and score) a point, do everything right for once and David James plays out of his skin.
An unhappy draw for Spurs, a very happy one for Portsmouth.
What wonâÂÂt happen: âÂÂArry to change his mind again and move back to Pompey after the game, bringing Crouch, Defoe and Kranjcar with him.
What will happen: âÂÂArry to ignore abusive chants and at least seven banners calling him a traitor.
Stoke vs West Ham
ItâÂÂs saying something for a game when the Potters will do all the attacking.
But against a West Ham team whose confidence is at rock bottom and would be in the table were it not for Pompey, it looks the likely scenario.
Which is a bugger, because some people have Carlton Cole in their fantasy teams.
What wonâÂÂt happen: Rory DelapâÂÂs arms to fall off.
What will happen: Bore draw.
Sunderland vs Liverpool
If you had to pick one manager who doesnâÂÂt like his players going on international duty, Rafa Benitez would be a sound choice.
And with his two leading men, Gezza and Tozza, out for the count, itâÂÂs unlikely the bearded Spaniard will be writing Christmas cards to international managers any time soon.
Sunderland, on the other hand, have their two main goalscorers fit and raring to go, providing Kenwyne Jones isnâÂÂt too jet-lagged from his midweek trip to Trinidad.
The Black Catsâ rollocking momentum may have been stalled slightly by the international break, but their confidence will be sky-high going into this game.
Even so, a Sunderland win would be a brave prediction. A late Liverpool winner might see their noses Bent out of shape.
What wonâÂÂt happen: Sunderland 7-9 Liverpool
What will happen: The Reds to scrape home, or at least scrape a point. ThereâÂÂll definitely be some scraping involved.
Sunday
Blackburn vs Burnley
ItâÂÂs hotpots at dawn as the east Lancashire rivals go head-to-head in the top-flight for the first time in 43 years.
Rovers have easily been the more successful side since then, but itâÂÂs Burnley who find themselves in the top half of the table.
That would last with a confident away draw, but the fire and aggression Big SamâÂÂs instilled in his Blackburn team wonâÂÂt make it easy.
What wonâÂÂt happen: Fewer than three bookings. You heard it here first. Ish.
What will happen: Burnley to be kicked off the pitch and limp home with a draw.
Wigan vs Manchester City
Hull took a huge dump on euphoric Wigan fans two weeks ago, and the Laticsâ 3-1 win over Chelsea will become an even more distant memory after this match.
Mark Hughesâ men have traveled well this season, and this short trip wonâÂÂt bother a side beginning to look more and more like title contenders.
What wonâÂÂt happen: A repeat of that 3-1 Chelsea triumph for Wigan.
What will happen: A two-goal away win. Boring as it sounds, Manchester City wonâÂÂt be dropping too many points against the likes of Wigan this season.
Monday
Fulham vs Hull
It happens to be your correspondentâÂÂs birthday on Monday 19, and what better Monday night football to park his drunk and steadily aging arse in front of than a Cottagers/Tigers battle?
The (arguably) good news is that Jimmy âÂÂQuestionable Hairâ Bullard will return from injury to face his former club, and could inspire Hull to a second win on the trot.
But the Tigersâ defence looks unlikely to cope with Andy Johnson & co for 90 minutes, and Fulham should also grab their first clean sheet since the opening day of the season.
What wonâÂÂt happen: Phil Brown to catch a glimpse of himself in a pitchside mirror and say, âÂÂBlimey, this headset looks ridiculous.âÂÂ
What will happen: 1-0 home win â BrownâÂÂs woes to continue with a defeat to fellow strugglers (and heâÂÂll still think the headset looks good).
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