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THE BEAN PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW 8-9-06
Christopher Bean
Hello one and all, and welcome to another edition of The Bean Preview. Admittedly I had a shocker in the last round of Premiership fixtures as I only got two results right. So I am due a good run of results this week, otherwise I will be given my P45 quicker than Luis Aragones!
Everton v Liverpool
Everton 11/4 - Paddy Power
Draw 9/4 - Victor Chandler
Liverpool 11/10 -  Ladbrokes
The first match after the international break is the battle of the Scousers as the Toffees take on Liverpool at Goodison Park. Both teams have made unbeaten starts to this year's campaign, and for bragging rights in the city both teams will want to maintain their undefeated start.
Everton will be without James McFadden who was injured on the quagmire of a pitch in Lithuania in midweek. James Beattie will take his place. Liverpool is without defenders Jamie Carragher and John Arne Riise who are both carrying knocks to the ankles. Agger and Aurelio are expected to take their places.
Scouse derbies have always been one of the most hotly contested matches over the years and I cannot see any different with this match. It will be 100mph, with tackles flying, some sublime football and plenty of goals. However I believe honours will be shared and this will be an exciting 2-2 draw.
Prediction 2-2
Best odds for a 2-2 draw - 14/1 -  Betfred
Arsenal v Middlesbrough
Arsenal 1/3 - Skybet
Draw 4/1 - Victor Chandler
Middlesbrough 10/1 - Total Bet
Boro make their first trip to the new Emirates Stadium on the back of an embarrassing 4-0 loss to Portsmouth. Arsenal are yet to win a league match in their home ground as they drew in their opening match with Aston Villa 1-0.
William Gallas and Julio Baptista look certain to go straight into the starting eleven after their eleventh hour moves on transfer deadline day. Boro have been rocked by the news that defender Chris Riggott has been ruled out for eight weeks with a knackered ankle. Returning Boro lad Jonathan Woodgate will deputise in place of the former Derby centre back.
Boro have always had a bad record at Arsenal's home patch with only one league win recorded since 1930. But it is a new stadium, and the Gunners have not acclimatized to Ashburton Grove just yet. Also a defeat could see Arsenal bottom of the table. But getting back down to earth, we won't win tomorrow due to our shaky defence. A draw is a big possibility though. A 2-2 result would make me more than happy! Another thing to remember Boro are the Robin Hood of the Premiership. Steal from the rich and give to the poor, same will happen again today.
Prediction 2-2
Best odds for a 2-2 draw - 28/1 - BetDirect
Bolton v Watford
Bolton 4/6 - Bet365
Draw 5/2 - Victor Chandler
Watford 5/1 - Stan James
The Hornets are looking for their first victory this weekend as they travel to the Reebok Stadium to face Bolton, who have not being playing to their ability after their opening day win over Tottenham.
Bolton new boy Nicholas Anelka will make his debut in place of the suspended Kevin Davies, who was sent off in the match against Charlton for persistent elbowing. Veteran Tommy Smith who was snapped up just before the transfer window shut should make his second debut for Watford.
This game is bound to be a nitty gritty affair with tackles a flying. But I cannot see much between these two teams, so that's why I am going for a 1-1 draw.
Prediction - 1-1
Best odds for a 1-1 draw - 6/1 - Betfred
Chelsea v Charlton
Chelsea 1/5 - Ladbrokes
Draw 11/2 - Victor Chandler
Charlton 16/1 - UK Betting
The champions Chelsea overcame their 2-1 defeat to Boro by beating Blackburn 2-0 in their last match. They welcome Charlton to Stamford Bridge for yet another London derby this season.
The controversial Ashley Cole will make his debut for the Abramovich Globetrotters after signing for Chelsea with 0.47 seconds left of the transfer window remaining. Hreidarsson is suspended after he was sent off in the game against Bolton two weeks ago and Darren Ambrose has a 50/50 chance of making the squad.
Iain Dowie's team does not looked to have gelled as of yet, and going to Chelsea really looks like they are on a hiding to nothing. Therefore it's going to be a 3-0 victory to the Blues.
Prediction - 3-0 to Chelsea
Best odds for a 3-0 Chelsea win - 7/1 - Skybet
Newcastle v Fulham
Newcastle 3/4 - BetDirect
Draw 5/2 - Victor Chandler
Fulham 4/1 - Bet365
After some wise moves in the transfer market snapping up Sieberski and Bernard in the transfer window, Newcastle welcome Fulham to St James Park. The Cottagers have one of the worst away records in the Premiership from last season, so this will be a good marker on how rubbish the Geordies will be this season.
Martins returns to the squad after suffering what must have been the worst dead leg ever. Ameobi has a late fitness test due to a dodgy hip, but Steven Taylor is a major doubt with an injured foot. Fulham midfielder Michael Brown returns to the fold after suffering a dickey knee, but new boy Wayne Routledge will start on the bench.
As bad as Fulham's record is away from Craven Cottage, I just can't see the Geordies winning. There is an air of discontent lingering over Tyneside, and a 0-0 draw will make their air quality more toxic than Teesside. Oh hang on - it already is!
Prediction - 0-0
Best odds for a 0-0 draw - 19/2 - Victor Chandler
Portsmouth v Wigan
Portsmouth 17/20 - Sporting Odds
Draw 12/5 - BetDirect
Wigan 4/1 - Stan James
The fans at Fratton Park are bouncing with excitement at the moment, after making their best start to a top flight season for years. Wigan travel to Pompey on Saturday afternoon and they have an air of inconsistency of late.
Pedro Mendes returns to the team after he nearly got murdered by Ben Thatcher. Former Boro target Rudolph Douala is set to make his Pompey debut. The most injury prone goalkeeper ever Chris Kirkland is fit to play for Wigan after having a bout of Sciatica, but Todorov is ruled out due to his loan conditions.
Portsmouth are in a purple patch at the minute, and I can see it continuing against Paul Jewell's side, but by the narrowest of margins. A 2-1 win to Pompey. Ten points out of twelve for the south coast team? Who would have thunked it.
Prediction - 2-1 to Portsmouth
Best odds for a 2-1 Pompey win - 7/1 - Coral
Sheffield United v Blackburn
Sheff Utd 7/4 - Total Bet
Draw 9/4 - Victor Chandler
Blackburn 13/8 - Bet365
Only three matches into the season, and already we have a battle of the basement boys as bottom team Blackburn travel to Yorkshire to face the nineteenth placed side Sheffield United.
The Blades are currently hit with an injury plague, mainly in their defence which has resulted in midfielder Phil Jagielka to move back a few yards to start in centre back. Paddy Kenny returns in goal after an injury. Blackburn have the whole squad to chose from apart from Ryan Nelsen.
If Neil Warnock's team want to survive this season, they will need to make Bramall Lane a fortress. So far they have managed to get a point out of Liverpool, but I do believe they can go one better, and a 1-0 win will elevate them out of the relegation zone.
Prediction- 1-0 to Sheffield United
Best odds for a 1-0 United win - 7/1 - Coral
Manchester United v Tottenham
Manchester United 1/2 - Stan James
Draw 3/1 - Total Bet
Tottenham 7/1 - UK Betting
An under performing Spurs team travel to Stretford where they take on the only team in the Premiership with a 100% record - Manchester United.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has decided not to give squad places to Alan Smith and Gabriel Heinze, after lengthy layouts with nasty leg injuries. Gary Neville does return however after a calf strain which ruled him out of Euro 2008 qualifiers. Ledley King returns for Spurs, and a starting place should be given to new boy Pascal Chimbonda.
Spurs have looked really dodgy of late after being beaten by Everton and Bolton, and they were not too convincing in their win against Sheffield United, whereas United have been a class apart from anyone so far this season. Therefore it is going to be a comfortable victory for the home team. 3-1 to the Manchester Reds.
Prediction - 3-1 to Manchester United
Best odds for a 3-1 United win - 11/1 - Bet365
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