SATURDAY

Birmingham v West Brom (1245 GMT)

It will be interesting to see what state Birmingham's players are in after beating Arsenal to win the Carling Cup final at Wembley on Sunday. It was a fantastic result for them, and a real triumph for teamwork and never believing you are beaten. That is something you cannot buy - you have to foster and develop it.

You have to wonder if this game might be a case of after the Lord Mayor's Show for the Blues but if you look at the table, you can see that they have to get themselves motivated because they are in desperate need of the three points.

They are one win away from going to Wembley again, in a potential FA Cup semi-final, but they have to be careful that they don't lose sight of what is happening in the league. I'm sure their manager Alex McLeish and some of the strong characters in their squad will make sure of that.

SATURDAY

Bolton v Tottenham (1245 GMT)

Bolton were unfortunate to be beaten by Liverpool last week when they had the better of the chances.

It's all gone a bit Bale crazy hasn't it? If I was a Bolton right-sided player I'd be lining up to get stuck into him.

I think there is a danger of getting too carried away with Bale, if he has a couple of ordinary games people will be saying he has gone off the boil, as they always do. Bolton will obviously be strengthening their right side but Tottenham have plenty of other talent in Aaron Lennon, Luka Modric and Rafael van der Vaart

Arsenal v West Ham

I was a little bit worried at how easily the Hammers rolled over at home to Newcastle last week.

They could not handle the Magpies' direct approach and I fear they will roll over against Arsenal - succumbing to their fluid passing.

Arsenal will coast past West Ham.

Prediction: 2-0

SATURDAY

Tottenham v Everton (1245 BST)

Everton played very well against Liverpool last week and showed they are a much better team than their early season results suggested. They will give Tottenham a good game too.

I was at the San Siro on Wednesday and Spurs were run ragged for most of the first 60 minutes by Inter Milan before almost fighting back late on.

The next game after playing in the Champions League is a big test for any squad, and Spurs have got a few defensive problems at the moment too - but they have got enough strength in depth to cope.

Arsenal v Birmingham

I don't know off the top of my head how many internationals were playing from both sides over the last week - depending on how many and who may affect the teams' performances.

What I do know is Arsenal are pretty good at home, bar that blip they had against West Brom.

Alex McLeish's men are a tough proposition on their own turf, but I don't fancy them at the Emirates.

Wigan v Wolves (1245 BST)

Neither of these two teams have enjoyed the best start this season but Wolves, for one, are not a bad side at all. They are certainly competitive but the trouble is they don't score many goals - a fact underlined by last week's loss to Aston Villa when they probably deserved more.

Not scoring enough goals is something that can often change against Wigan... but I don't think so this weekend.

Man City v Chelsea (1245 BST)

Both of these teams were knocked out of the Carling Cup in midweek, but Chelsea seemed to take it more seriously and picked up a few injuries. I am still surprised City approached that competition the way they did, though, because they need a trophy and their manager Roberto Mancini is under a bit of pressure.

Chelsea have been free-scoring so far this season but a lot of that has been down to the opposition they have faced and I am expecting this game to be extremely tight.

Stoke v West Ham

Stoke manager Tony Pulis' family bereavement obviously inspired them to a victory against Aston Villa which for a long time didn't look like they were going to get.

On Saturday Stoke come up against a West Ham team who are obviously without manager Avram Grant for religious reasons.

I'm going for a home win, which would obviously leave West Ham without a point this season, but there is no need to panic.

SATURDAY

Blackburn v Arsenal (1245 BST)

Blackburn's home record last season was excellent and they rolled Everton over in their opening game by stopping them creating in front of goal. They put you under intense pressure, force you on to the back foot, don't give daft fouls away and, as we saw at Birmingham last week, remain dangerous from set-pieces.

SATURDAY 28 AUGUST

Aberdeen v Kilmarnock

Dream start to the new SPL season for the Dons; top of the league, six points out of six, five goals for five, zero against and into the next round of the Co-operative Insurance Cup comfortably. Manager Mark McGhee must be delighted the way his new look side have gelled together so quickly. Five of last Saturday's starting 11 are new to the club.