A run down of the weekend's Premier League fixtures.
Manchester United v Crystal Palace
United are currently on a learning curve under David Moyes and he needs time to set up his own legacy at the club. Unfortunately for him United fans have never been use to change and demand success week after week, and who can blame them when Sir Alex Ferguson brought them success for the best part of 26 years.
However it is crucial for the successful future of the club that the Old Trafford faithful give Moyes and his team some time.
Having watched United against Chelsea and the 1-0 defeat to Liverpool I worry for them simply because of the lack of chances they have created in both games. Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia have been poor and offered very little at Anfield, so it will be interesting to see whether Moyes plays Wilfried Zaha against his old club. The promising youngster may offer the spark and attacking threat from midfield that they have lacked so far.
Wayne Rooney is also fit again and available to Moyes and now his future is secured you would assume he is raring to start. The main cause for concern for the manager is how to use him. Ferguson moved him around a lot in the previous few seasons and it is key for Moyes to find a settled position for the England striker if he wants to get the best out of him. For me, that is playing just behind Robin van Persie as they are currently lacking someone to link the midfield and the prolific Dutch striker.
As for Crystal Palace I have been pleased with what they have offered to the Premier League this season and believe they will do well under Ian Holloway. There will be a lot of changes to their squad for their trip to Old Trafford purely because of all the signings they made on and before deadline day.
Manager Holloway knew he had to replace Zaha and the injureed Glen Murray and he has done just that in the form of Jimmy Kebe from Reading to play out wide and Cameron Jerome as a powerful out-and-out striker.
As for on the day, United shouldn't have too many problems overcoming the new boys, although Holloway will have a plan for the champions. However United have enough know how and quality to easily overcome the challenge.
Prediction: 4-0
Aston Villa v Newcastle
Villa manager Paul Lambert has a good footballing brain and it has shown throughout his reign at Villa Park so far. In the first few months he received a lot of criticism for not using his experienced players in Shay Given and Darren Bent - and going with youth, but the risk is now reaping reward.
Youth seems to be the way to go for Villa who have established themselves as a safe mid-table team over the years but now you feel it is time to move on. A top 10 finish is what they should be looking for this year and they are proving they are a very competitive side now - as Chelsea have already found out this year.
Libor Kozak from Lazio should cause many a defender big problems this season which will be helped by his height of 6ft 4 in! His £7m price tag could take some shaking off for the first few weeks but it looks like he could be a 15-20 goals a season man which is just what Villa need.
As for Newcastle, where do you start? The biggest positive to come out of St James Park for a long time was that they kept hold of influential midfielder Yohan Cabaya and he's reportedly been giving 100% in training in an attempt to get back to full fitness. He needs to knuckle down and get the respect of Newcastle fans now, especially as it seems Arsenal won't be trying to resign him in January.
Alan Pardew's main aim has to be to get the focus of Newcastle FC back on the football pitch. Since Joe Kinnear's appointment as director of football all the talk has been about goings-on off the pitch - this is not good for any football club. In terms of signings Loic Remy is their only significant signing and if they keep him fit he should guarantee goals.
As for the outcome, it is going to be a tough season for Newcastle and I expect Villa to emphasise this on Saturday.
Prediction: 2-0
Fulham v West Brom
The home side got a good win at Sunderland on the opening day but have struggled to find form since then. The biggest problem for Martin Jol is that he doesn't yet know his beat team, and like a lot of clubs just after the transfer window, they are still finding their way. In their advantage they are a very strong side when playing at the Cottage and they have an abundance of attacking players who can cause teams trouble and score goals.
As for West Brom they have had a poor start, but they recognised that and have added fire power in Stephane Sessegnon from Sunderland and Victor Anichebe from Everton, so Steve Clarke will be hoping they have solved their problems going forward.
Both teams would have liked a better start for the season, so a share of the spoils seems most likely.
Prediction: 1-1
Hull v Cardiff
A fixture that would have won you a lot of money if you bet on it being a Premier League game in January. Both teams know how difficult the Premier League can be, although for Cardiff it is their first outing. To counter this both have strengthened over the summer and will at the very least be competitive.
Hull put in a very competitive performance against Manchester City and with a bit more composure in front of goal they could have won the game. As it was they lost 2-0 and it's those kind of games that they will struggle to overcome.
Cardiff have spend some decent money and have a very good manager at the helm in Malky Mackay. He keeps his feet firmly on the floor and doesn't make too much fuss over winning or losing, he takes it one game at a time and this could be key to their survival.
They are both similar sides and they know they are in for a long slog and their home form will be vital.
As for this weekend the game has a draw all over it.
Prediction: 0-0
Stoke v Manchester City
If it wasn't for a missed penalty against Liverpool then Stoke would have had 7 points from the first 3 games. As it is they have still made a very strong start in the post-Tony Pulis era and Mark Hughes seems to be chaging their style without spending too much money and this could please a lot of Stoke fans.
Manchester City were very disappointing against Hull and the dynamic of the team was all wrong but they got through it and that is the key to winning the championship.
One thing is for sure, Manchester City are in for a physical test at Stoke and it could be a very close game.
Prediction: 1-1
Sunderland v Arsenal
I've picked Sunderland to go down this season and nothing over the first few weeks of the season has changed my mind. The biggest problem is that Paolo Di Canio has gone through so many players and he doesn't know his best eleven at the moment.
Criticising his players in public after the defeat at Crystal Palace would have done nothing for team spirit and is not good practice, but this is something he will learn at the top level. In the dressing room he is fine to do what he likes, but in the public he has to show that he is behind his team.
Di Canio added even more players on deadline day in Fabio Borini from Liverpool, but he has got an awful lot to do to prove that he is cut out for the Premier League. He cost Brendan Rodgers a lot of money at Liverpool and so far he hasn't quite cut it in the Premier League.
Arsenal fans will be expectant this season after a club record transfer fee spent for Mesut Ozil. He is a similar player to Dennis Bergkamp in terms of stature - the signing is that big for Arsenal.
I would expect Ozil to play just off the striker and he is not a luxury No.10, he will work his socks off for the cause. He will create chances and score goals and his work hard attitude will please Arsene Wenger.
There will be an expectant set of travelling Arsenal fans and they should overcome Sunderland with ease.
Prediction: 3-0
Tottenham v Norwich
Gareth Bale has left Tottenham. Finally. They can now go on with their season and aim to create a successful team after Bale.
So far the London club have made a quiet season so far and that is no doubt due to the number of new faces that have arrived at White Hart Lane and they are still finding their feet. They have only conceded one goal in three games, which gives them a solid base to build on.
Norwich are developing into a Premier League team but you wouldn't back them to go win at a top-six side away from home just yet. They have signed a lot of players over the summer and look much stronger, but so have everyone else. They should aim for a top 12 finish although it is crucial to keep hold of manager Chris Houghton who has been linked with the Repiblic of Ireland job.
Prediction: 2-1
Everton v Chelsea
Everton done well to keep hold of Leighton Baines and they can now build to the future. Many criticised Moyes when he signed for Fellaini for £15m but they have sold him for almost double. Some might say that James McCarthy was quite expensive at £15m but he is young, fits the team's style and Roberto Martinez knows him well from his time with the Latics. On the whole Everton fans will be very happy with their transfer business. Add in Gareth Barry in the midfield and Romely Lukaku up front they should prove a force over the season.
Chelsea have made a solid start under Jose Mourinho without any fireworks. Their players have been all over the world in the past 10 days and it is a really tricky fixture at Everton.
One thing for sure is that you get a real examination at Goodison Park and Chelsea will do very well to win it. I'm surprised they let Lukaku go and they will have to see where Willian fits into the jigsaw. I'm not su sure they needed him.
Prediction: 1-1
Southampton v West Ham
Both sides have taken four points so far and they will both be comfortably safe this season.
A year ago Southampton would have approached this game hoping for a draw but now they will be expectant of a win, this is what a year of investment on and off the field makes.
I would like to tip West Ham for a good season but I'm worried about where the goals are going to come from. They were linked to re-signing Carlton Cole just a few months after releasing him which would have been ridiculous, and they've ended up signing Mladen Petric on a deal until the end of the season. They are still a striker or two short.
Andy Carroll is injured yet again and it's no real surprise, he doesn't seem to have a proper footballer's physique. He is very top heavy in terms of body frame and that's why I think he suffers.
Prediction: 1-0
Swansea v Liverpool
Swansea had a crucial away win at West Brom to relive a little big of the early season pressure on them. Their new signings are settling in and midfielder Jonjo Shelvey is up against his old club with a point to prove.
Liverpool were very good against Manchester United, played good attacking football and were very difficult to break down. Boos Brendan Rodgers goes back to his old club and the two sides will line up in a familiar fashion. They will both pass the ball through the midfield and cut in from the flanks and I think it will be tight.
Daniel Sturridge will probably be fit after missing the games for England but he is right to worry about playing for his club first. A place in the national side will come, but only if he keeps playing and playing well for Liverpool.
Prediction: 1-1
