Get ready for a feast of mid-afternoon games! Sit back, put your feet up and take in as much footy as you possibly can this lazy Saturday afternoon… And, oh yes, we hope your favourite team gets you a good result…

Arsenal v Everton, 15:00

After losing against Hull last time out, Arsenal welcome Everton to the Emirates. They cannot afford to drop any more points at home and still hope to keep up with the early pace-setters. Their football is great to watch, and they can tear teams apart when it all comes together, but they tend to try and walk the ball into the net too often sometimes and this really costs them in close games.

Everton are not enjoying the best of starts to the new season, especially after the great season they had last time. They will take solace from the fact that their away record is better than their (currently dismal) home record, so they will be hoping to spring a surprise on Arsenal here, with the Gunners just coming off a home loss to Hull in their last game at the Emirates. 

Pundit’s corner:

Arteta and Yakubu are real threats here, and Arsenal will have to keep a close eye on them. I wouldn’t be surprised if Everton got a goal from a set-piece, as Arsenal have not had the greatest season in defending against corners and free-kicks. You still have to feel that Arsenal have too much for the Toffees though, especially if Fabregas starts pulling the strings again. Arsenal to shave a close one at the Emirates.

Aston Villa v Portsmouth, 15:00

Aston Villa haven’t had trouble scoring goals this season, and with their attacking options, it’s not hard to see why. The pace of Young and Agbonlahor has frightened a lot of defences this season, and will continue to do so, while Carew gives them a great outlet up front to send the ball up to. They got shut out by Chelsea last time out, but not a lot of teams will do that to them this season.

For Portsmouth, Defoe and Crouch are really clicking together nicely, and it’s really fascinating watching the two of them play together. Their defence, which has been regarded as stingy in previous seasons, has been leaking a few goals though. They need to tighten up at the back a bit in order to challenge for Europe again this time around.

Pundit’s corner:

This is the type of game that Villa really need to win if they have hopes of challenging the top four places this season. Offensively they are in great form, but they have only kept one clean sheet this season, and this is where they may be found out in this game, especially with Crouch and Defoe in such great form. A resonably high-scoring draw seems the most likely result in this one.

Bolton v Blackburn, 15:00

Bolton have been playing some decent football at times this season, and actually looked really good value for their win against West Ham last time out. With Davies in good form upfront, they will still always remain a danger with their trademark long-ball tactics. The Reebok stadium remains a difficult place to go to, and many teams will go there this season and struggle to impose themselves on the physical home side.

Paul Ince has had a mixed start to his Blackburn career, and will hope to gradually improve as the season goes on. They were completely outplayed at home against Manchester United, but as long as he takes the lessons from games against the Premier League elite, he will learn a lot about survival in the top flight.

Pundit’s corner:

This is one of those games where both sides could easily cancel each other out and end in a tame draw. Bolton are notoriously difficult to beat at home, but you imagine that an Ince-coached side will not be bullied. A low-scoring draw in this one.

Fulham v Sunderland, 15:00

Fulham have been struggling of late and need to start winning games or they will soon be firmly entrenched in that dreaded bottom 3 again. You feel that they are destined to struggle once again this year, and with the league being so much tighter, they look likely candidates to go down.

Roy Keane is slowly building a side that is more than capable of holding its own in this league. Bring in players like Cisse, Malbranque, and Diouf will ensure that Sunderland will always trouble other teams, and with the January transfer window not far off, don’t bet against Keane bringing in another couple of high-profile players.

Pundit’s corner:

This is an opportunity for Fulham to get back on their feet at Craven Cottage. Sunderland will definitely not make it easy, but you feel that if Fulham can get ahead early, they will shade this one.

Liverpool v Wigan, 15:00

Is this the year?? That’s the question that all Liverpool fans are asking. The bad news for them about this game against Wigan is that this is roughly around the time of year that they slip up and fall behind the leaders.

A potential banana-skin for Liverpool then, this one, as Wigan also have some exciting offensive players. That, coupled with the fact that they’ve forged a reputation as being somewhat stingy at the back under Steve Bruce, will mean that this game will be anything but an automatic 3 points for the Anfield side.

Pundit’s corner:

An early goal is crucial for the Reds here, as it will allow them to relax and force Wigan to come after the game. This should allow Liverpool to open them up a bit more, and grab a couple more goals. The longer this game stays level, the better for Wigan, who have the potential to grab something on the break. Liverpool seem to have developed a winning habit this season though, so they should grind out a good result here. The Reds to win this one by a couple of goals.