Battle of the Bosses

YTM moves into month number 3 this weekend - and we’ll stump up another sensational £10,000 prize to the manager who performs best in October. When you win it, you can think back to this blog post and thank me for the vital information you received in the weekend preview, which has a slight twist this week…

There may only be one game that counts for October’s competition (Spurs v Villa on Monday night), but it could prove vital to those of you chasing the monthly money.

The Arsenal bandwagon rolls on to Upton Park this weekend, with only the current league leaders and Liverpool defending unbeaten records in the Premiership this season.

With a tricky set of fixtures set to take place over the next three days, YTM points could be hard to find - especially for Liverpool fans if Rotating Rafa tinkers with his squad any more.

Speaking of managers, I think we should throw this weekend’s opposing managers into the ring and let them have a brawl. Some of the match-ups would be unmissable fights and would generate more excitement than Audley Harrison could produce in a lifetime - here’s a taste of what to expect… 

Saturday (3pm unless stated)

Man City v Newcastle (Sven v Big Sam) (12.45pm)

Stuff the football - I’d pay to watch these managers slug it out! Sven would be a peacemaker in the ring, while I think Big Sam would be reminiscent of Butterbean. Google him for a laugh. On the field of play, however, Newcastle are less than convincing when away from St. James’s Park - and their vulnerability when travelling can be exploited again by a City side who look destined for the top six.

Prediction: Man City 2 - 1 Newcastle… YTM Player to watch: Martin Petrov

Chelsea v Fulham (Grant v Lawrie)

My money would be on Sanchez in the battle of the bosses - although Avram Grant does look like an evil mafia boss. He also looks like Uncle Fester from the Adams Family. On the pitch, Chelsea should sneak past an ever-entertaining Fulham team, and it would be no surprise to see another goal fest.

Prediction: Chelsea 3 - 2 Fulham… YTM Player to watch: Florent Malouda

Derby v Bolton (Little Billy v Little Sam)

The clash of the straw-weights here, with aggression at a maximum… This game is appropriately being played at Pride Park - because this is exactly what both teams are playing for. Currently the worst two teams in the league - could be a six pointer. Bolton are better than Derby. They just are.

Prediction: Derby 1 - 3 Bolton… YTM Player to watch: Ivan Campo

Portsmouth v Reading (Hatchet Harry v Crafty Coppell)

Two wise old heads would clash in the ring, while two solid teams clash on the field of play. Portsmouth have faced all of the big four, and with an unexpected win at Blackburn under their belts, they can pile more misery on Reading who are struggling.

Prediction: Portsmouth 2 - 0 Reading… YTM Player to watch: John Utaka 

Sunderland v Blackburn (Keane v Hughes)

And so to the main event of the evening - what a ruck this would be. The two former Man Utd players are hard as nails - I’ll sit on the fence. Their respective teams are pretty hard too - and Blackburn will relish such a battle. With an impressive record in the North-East, they can gain a valuable three points.

Prediction: Sunderland 0 - 1 Blackburn… YTM Player to watch: David Bentley

West Ham v Arsenal (Curbishley v Wenger)

Arsene Wenger threw a wobbly on this ground when Pardew was in charge - if their recent form is anything to go by, however, he won’t need to raise an eyebrow to any off-field antics. Arsenal may be flying high, but that is exaggerated as they have had four home games (won all of them) and just two away games (won one, drew one). West Ham will provide a stern test for the leaders - and I can see it being all square.

Prediction: West Ham 1 - 1 Arsenal… YTM Player to watch: Dean Ashton  

Wigan v Liverpool (Hitman Hutchings v Rough Rafa)

I wouldn’t take any price about Rafa in a fight - he’d rotate his cornerman after every round if he could. This may sound stupid, but if Benitez plays his best team, Liverpool will win this in a canter. Torres was simply awesome against Reading midweek, despite their defence’s best efforts to be charged with GBH on him.

Prediction: Wigan 0 - 3 Liverpool… YTM Player to (hopefully) watch: Fernando Torres 

Birmingham v Man Utd (Basher Bruce v Fuming Fergie) (5.15pm)

A classic clash of student vs mentor - and Fergie can rule over his former captain. He’ll still be outraged after suffering a humiliation at the hands of, er, mighty Coventry and with the senior players restored to the starting XI, they can continue their impressive recent league form.

Prediction: Birmingham 0 - 2 Man Utd… YTM Player to watch: Cristiano Ronaldo

Sunday

Everton v Middlesbrough (Moyes v Southgate) (4.00pm)

In a game that somehow made it as the main live showing this weekend, goals may be hard to come by in front of the cameras. Everton’s home form has been solid enough, while Middlesbrough have made an adequate start despite having an easy fixture list.

Prediction: Everton 1 - 0 Middlesbrough… YTM Player to watch: Mikeal Arteta

Monday

Tottenham v Villa (Jobless Jol v Oh No O’Neill) (8pm)

Monday night football can provide a victory for Tottenham, which is desperately needed at White Hart Lane following their atrocious start to the campaign. Villa are a classic mid-table side, who will do well to contain Jol’s classy side - even if they haven’t displayed such ability on the pitch yet.

Prediction: Spurs 2 - 0 Villa… YTM Player to watch: Steed Malbranque

Good luck this weekend and for October’s £10k prize, and remember where you got your inspiration from!

Matt H @ YTM