Premiership Predictions--Opening Weekend

1. Sunderland vs. Tottenham (Saturday, 7:45 AM, Setanta): If he plays (he's questionable due to injury), it'll be a tough debut for Sunderland's new goalie, Craig Gordon, with the quality of attacking players Tottenham possesses. However, don't just write off Sunderland at home in front of what should be a capacity crowd at the Stadium of Light as it's their return to the Premiership. Tottenham-2, Sunderland-1

2. Bolton vs. Newcastle (Saturday, 10:00 AM, Setanta): A warm welcome back to the Reebok for new Magpies manager Sam Allardyce will be the most exciting part of a game between injury-racked Newcastle and old-as-dirt Bolton. Bolton-1, Newcastle-1

3. Derby County vs. Portsmouth (Saturday, 10:00 AM--2:15 PM delayed, FSC): Premiership new boys Derby County, already missing their best player in Giles Barnes, will be the first team to see just how good Portsmouth will be this year. Portsmouth-2, Derby County-0

4. Everton vs. Wigan Athletic (Saturday, 10:00 AM, Setanta Xtra): New Everton left back Leighton Baines makes his debut against the team he played for since 2002, when he was just 17. The start of the new era at Wigan under manager Chris Hutchings won't be a pleasant one. Everton-2, Wigan Athletic-0

5. Middlesbrough vs. Blackburn (Saturday, 10:00 AM): Benni McCarthy and Roque Santa Cruz, Jason Roberts, Maceo Rigters, or Matt Derbyshire + Middlesbrough's extremely depleted back line, especially in the center (which wasn't that good to start with) = no contest. Blackburn-3, Middlesbrough-0

6. West Ham vs. Manchester City (Saturday, 10:00 AM, FSC): Has new Manchester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson ever even watched any of his 8, to this point, new signings play a game before?? It takes a while to build chemistry and get used to the Premiership. West Ham-2, Manchester City-0

7. Aston Villa vs. Liverpool (Saturday, 12:15 PM, FSC): Game of the week figures to be this one. Aston Villa is a team on the rise and Liverpool brought in a host of talented players this summer. Liverpool scored just 18 goals in 19 away games last season (13th best in the league) en route to only 6 wins. Can Torres help turn that around this year? Aston Villa-1, Liverpool-1

8. Arsenal vs. Fulham (Sunday, 7:00 AM, FSC): Arsenal plays the beautiful game, Fulham are draw specialists who sit 9 or 10 men behind the ball, content to boot the ball up field all game long. Fulham invested a lot of money into a lot of players, mostly defenders. That won't matter one bit here. Arsenal-3, Fulham-0

9. Chelsea vs. Birmingham City (Sunday, 8:30 AM, Setanta): "Eh, the boys played well, I thought the boys deserved better and the boys will go out and give it 110% next week, I'm sure of that", says Birmingham manager Steve Bruce after the game. Injuries are plaguing Chelsea, but they'll keep the unbeaten streak at Stamford Bridge going. Chelsea-2, Birmingham City-0

10. Manchester United vs. Reading (Sunday, 11:00 AM, FSC): Reading will have to fight the second season jinx that almost cost Wigan their spot in the Premiership last year. They won't get relegated, but they won't get a result out of this game either, not against the defending champions. Manchester United-2, Reading-1