Quick hits and a Weekend preview...

Some quick hits to start out:

Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney will both be back in SAF's squad but SAF isn't sure yet if Rooney will be unleashed.

Chelski tells Real Madrid to back off of Michael Ballack.

Micah Richards named the Barclay's Premier League player of the month. Well done lad, your star is certainly on the rise. Sven was also named Manager of the Month -- a double for the Citizen's.

Shiva to start in place of the injured Drogba.

David Moyes really enjoyed his Scottish strikers crack against the Frenchies.

Tim Howard is most likely out of this weekend's match versus ManYoo.

Mark Lawrenson offers up his predicitions on this weekends fixtures:

THIS WEEK'S PREDICTIONS

SATURDAY

Birmingham v Bolton

Both of these teams look nervous, lack a little bit of confidence and are perhaps fearing a long, tough season.

Birmingham boss Steve Bruce said that his team did not turn up for their previous fixture at Middlesbrough, which Blues lost 2-0, and will want a much improved showing.

Bolton need striker Kevin Davies fit again as soon as possible - I think that to a degree their season depends on the success of his partnership with Nicolas Anelka.

Prediction: 1-1

Chelsea v Blackburn

Blackburn are a very decent side and they will certainly compete against any team they take on.

Playing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge is not easy and to an extent this means that the pressure is off them.

However, although Chelsea had a hiccup at Aston Villa in their last game I still think that they are the team to beat.

Prediction: 2-0

Everton v Man Utd

Everton have had a very good start to the season, while Manchester United came back from 2-0 down to register a crucial 4-2 win at Goodison Park last April on their way to winning the Premier League title.

I think that this will be a tight game that will go the way of United because they have more match winners in their team, especially with the expected return of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Prediction: 1-2

Portsmouth v Liverpool

Liverpool have had an excellent start to the season and with the regular inclusion of Ryan Babel and Fernando Torres in the team they seem to have a lot more attacking edge and pace in their attack.

Portsmouth, I should imagine, will be pleased when this game is out of the way. It is only their sixth Premier League game of the season and they will have now met all of the 'big-four' teams.

Having said that, Fratton Park is a very difficult ground to visit and I think Pompey might take something from the game.

Prediction: 1-1

Sunderland v Reading

Sunderland's home games are of huge importance to them this season.

Roy Keane probably knows that his team are in for a long and difficult campaign and I imagine he would settle for finishing top of the 'mini-league' of numerous team's battling against relegation at the bottom end of the table.

I think that they will have a much-needed victory on Saturday over a Reading team that are starting to slip down the league.

Prediction: 2-0

Tottenham v Arsenal

I do not think that all that many Tottenham fans are getting on coach Martin Jol's back but the club have certainly put themselves in a tricky position following the business with Sevilla coach Juande Ramos.

Another couple of bad results and we know what could well happen - and that would be a complete travesty for Jol.

I hope for Jol's sake that Tottenham do not lose this high-pressure game against their local rivals.

Arsenal have made a good start to the season but I'm still not convinced about them away from home.

Prediction: 1-1

West Ham v Middlesbrough

There have been changes in personnel at Middlesbrough over the summer but I still think they are in for a tough season.

Home form will be crucial for them because their away record is not great.

I do not think West Ham will struggle this season, although I was talking to Alan Curbishley the other day and he pointed out that he is already without several key players.

The likes of Kieron Dyer, Julien Faubert and Freddie Ljungberg may all be first-team regulars if fit, though Scott Parker should return this weekend.

Prediction: 2-0

Wigan v Fulham

Wigan boss Chris Hutchings has been at the club for several years, initially working under Paul Jewell, and his team have made a good start to the season.

There seems to be a real durability about the Latics and I reckon Hutchings will see this sort of fixture as very much a bread and butter home win.

I do not think this match would be my pick of the week to watch.

Prediction: 1-0

SUNDAY

Man City v Aston Villa

Manchester City have lost their last two fixtures and I think they will end up defeated in this one as well.

The newness of Sven-Goran Eriksson's arrival has worn off and with so many players away on international duty he will not have had much opportunity to work on shape and systems.

Having said that, I will be at the game as I'm covering it for BBC Radio 5live so I should be careful what I say!

Aston Villa will be buoyed by their win over Chelsea last time out.

Sometimes it takes a decent victory like that early in a season to remind people at a club that they really do have a decent team.

Prediction: 0-2

MONDAY

Derby v Newcastle

Newcastle are undefeated so far with two draws and two wins in the Premier League this season.

Michael Owen also seems to be very much back in form following his goal-scoring exploits for England.

I reckon that Owen will fancy himself to score against a defence for whom the word porous is a definite understatement.

Rams boss Billy Davies must work out how his team are going to win their share of home games.

There have also been lots of stories about his future as manager.

I don't know where they have come from but surely the board at the club should let him get on with the job.

He has a very difficult task at Derby, not helped by the fact that the team winning promotion through the play-offs has less time than the others clubs to recruit over the summer.

Prediction: 1-2

Svens makes play for Deco

What a stunning addition Deco would be the surprisingly good Man City side!

Since taking over at Eastlands in the summer, the former England coach has spent over £40million bringing in such quality players as Elano, Martin Petrov and Rolando Bianchi.

However, it appears as though the Swede has not yet finished his spending just yet, and is saving his best for last – with reports suggesting he is lining up an £8million to sign Portugal international ace Deco.

The midfielder, who turns 30-years-old next week, seems to be out of favour at Barcelona who have made him available, and the player could be tempted to try his luck in England.

Premier League week 2: XI conclusions

A great wrap up of the past weekend from Whoateallthepies:

1 Micah Richards is a superhuman backtracking machine who will hunt you down and tackle you (and he'll get himself in all sorts of terrible positions first just to give you a bit of a chance!).

2 If Sven keeps this up he might be able to miss 'the England years' out of his autobiography altogether. Manchester City top of the table. Who would have thought?

3 Rob Styles was having a 'mare. He gave a soft penalty after Florent 'Salmon' Malouda leaped into Steve Finnan, and then started flashing yellow cards around regardless of whether the player had committed an offence, had been booked before or whether he actually intended to book them.

4 Bolton + Sammy Lee = Big Trouble. I smell Steve Wigley Syndrome.

5 Goal-line technology needs to be brought in - just ask David Healy and the gang at Northern Ireland FC, sorry Fulham. A dodgy decision cost them a point against Middlesbrough.

6 Derby losing 4-0, Sunderland losing 3-0. It's about time these newcomers learnt their place! It gives some sense of normality.

7 Harry Redknapp seems to have unearthed another gem in John Utaka. Showed his pace and scored a classy goal against Bolton. I would draft him into my fantasy team if he was registered as a midfielder (where he is currently playing).

8 Manchester United's title challenge will be over before it has started if they drop any more points in the next couple of weeks. We all know they are traditionally strong finishers, but they are giving everyone a worryingly big headstart.

9 Call it stating the obvious but Manchester United desperately need a tap-in merchant, a fox-in-the box. Emergency call to Andrew Cole?

10 In theory, Wigan could have had about five penalties and made their victory over Sunderland really emphatic. As it was referee Mike Riley only gave two (apparently first half penalties have been outlawed).

11 Arsene Wenger is naive if he thinks calling Blackburn 'violent' after their 1-1 draw will stop them doing exactly the same again. He needs to invest in a couple of players with some grit to help the Gunners' flair players cope in this sort of match. At least he can sleep easy knowing Bolton will roll over this season!

Monday Quick hits

Newly signed Man City striker Bojinov out 5 months with ligament damage.

Ref dropped from the Premier League after horrendous call against Liverpool.

Man U only has 2 points after losing the Manchester derby but Fergie isn't panicking (yet.)

After 3 games Man U are already facing a must win against the Spurs.

Diouf wants to wander away from Bolton.

Alan Shearer might buy Newcastle with help from some Icelandic friends.

American spare part Eddie Lewis is signed by Derby from troubled Leeds side.

For US viewers -- top goals in the Premier League last weekend.

Brazil scores a goal in the first 9 seconds of the U-17 World Cup.

Sven says the Citizen's aren't a top table side yet.

Martin Jol can't take the pressure.

Gerrard, Hargreaves and Bent are out of the English friendly.

Roy Keane blasts Sunderland after Wigan whoops his lads.

Week 3 Wrapup

From Thatsonpoint:

Premier League round three in the books...and we don't know anything.

Manchester City beats Manchester United.

Wigan Athletic has won two in a row.

At least Blackburn rallied to draw Arsenal. Jens, Jens, Jens.

Instead of all that, we'll start with Liverpool/Chelsea and a 'dodgy' penalty call by Robbie Stiles. That's not to say there wasn't contact between Steve Finnan and Flourent Malouda, but of all the things that aren't called penalties this was suspect.

Then of course, the draw helps Manchester United, who are now only five points behind Chelsea, instead of seven. In either event, United's margin of error is next to nothing for the time being.

And again, credit to City for a shocking debut, nine points from three games. Who'd have thought.

Elsewhere, it seems when anyone from the midtable play, anything can happen.

Week's stars

1. Geovanni, Man City -- If YouTube didn't became fascists, the I could link you to the Brasilian's curling tally. It was pretty damn impressive. (Thanks to a reader, got a link...be warned you don't want Scotland Yard on your ass.

2. Andre Bikey, Reading -- Cameroonian was immense in the back for Reading in their first victory of the season.
3. Lee Cattermole, Middlesbrough -- Academy product fires a late winner to get 'Boro its first points of the year.
4. Steed Malbranque, Tottenham -- Belgian/French dude scores twice in the first half to get Spurs season back on track vs. Derby County (who just added Eddie Lewis, yay!).
5. Kanu, Portsmouth -- Nigerian was all of the place in Pompey's 3-1 win.

Baked

Fulham's American captain Brian McBride had to be stretchered off after twisting his ankle in the 20th minute of his team's 2-1 loss to Middlesbrough. Very disappointing. Sounds like the longtime US international will be gone a while. More information likely during the week. Doesn't sound good.

Play Now Sports

I've used this comparison before, but I'll do it again. Wigan Athletic are George Costanza, the rest of the league is Play Now Sports. Nobody wants Wigan or Costanza, but like a 'weed in Hitler's bunker' they're tough to get rid of.

Lookalikes

Reading's goalscoring hero (and bane of Petr Cech), Irishman Stephen Hunt and late AC/DC frontman, Aussie Bonn Scott. Hopefully Hunt doesn't choke on his own vomit after a night of Guinness.



Sorry for a brief recap, lot of other stuff going on.

Adios.

Top goals from Wednesday's action...

Michael Johnson's superb strike for Man City, showing why all the big clubs want this kid.

Voronin's immaculate blast for Liverpool in their away leg qualifying round match against Toulouse.

Online Videos by Veoh.com

Hartley's great header to give Celtic a huge advantage in their CL qualifying battle with Spartak.


Scholesy's thread the needle screamer from outside of the box to put United up on Portsmouth.


Clichy's steal and set up for Fabregas as Arsenal take a two goal advantage in their CL qualifying round with Sparta.

Messi's wonder strike against Bayern Munich


Caffa's stoppage time free kick goal for Real Betis to win the friendly over Real Madrid.

Betis 1 - 0 Real M. Caffa 93'
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And of course, Golden Balls' is free kick.


And if you get a chance, here are Drogba's tremendous strike and Hleb's kamikaze goal. Cheers.

Arrest warrant issued for Man City owner

Man City fan surely cannot sleep easy on this news - especially after all the cash that was spent over the summer:

Thailand's supreme court has approved a prosecution request to issue arrest warrants for the Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife on corruption charges. The former Thai prime minister, who has been living in self-imposed exile in England, took over City in the summer and installed Sven-Goran Eriksson as manager.

It is understood that, if convicted, Thaksin could face up to 10 years in jail and a nominal fine.

Whether this move is politically motivated or not it can't be good to have so much uncertainty surrounding Man City after such an outstanding start to league play.