Text Box: Text Box: Text Box: Friday 19th September 2008 Well that was a difficult start... It’s always difficult to come out all guns blazing on Day One of the competition and why should you? Though what it does show is that there was no way Joe Mourinho was sacked on the back of last year’s opener against Rosenborg– if that was the way of things, both Ferguson and certainly Roma coach Spalletti would be on the dole. Roma’s loss at home to Romanian minnows, CFR Cluj is certainly the biggest shock there has been for quite a few years– surely significantly reducing their chances of contesting the final in their hometown. There were no major shocks elsewhere though Liverpool and Manchester United will no doubt have been reaffirmed what difficult tasks they face. In the UEFA Cup however, things are looking much more interesting. Galatasary are certainly making life difficult for themselves with a 4-3, 95th minute winner against the mighty Swiss side Bellinzona. Domestically only Manchester City, Aston Villa and Portsmouth produced convincing results. Tottenham are readily disappointing me this season. It must be really hard to be a Spurs fan– no matter how much cash is thrown around, the team just seem incapable of producing consistent results! Everton have really made it hard to themselves, conceding two away goals at Goodison Park against Belgians Standard Liege. Moyes’ side face an uphill struggle to make it to the impending Group Stage, that’s for sure. Text Box: Links and affiliates Contact Me Text Box: Archive Text Box: SEASON 2008/09 Predictions Text Box: EPL Week 5 Predictions (1 point for each correct part of score, 1 point for correct result) 2-1 1-2 2-0 3-1 0-1 Text Box: 1-3 2-1 1-1 2-2 2-1 SunderlandMiddlesbroughBlackburn RoversFulhamLiverpoolStoke CityWest Ham UnitedNewcastle UnitedBolton WanderersArsenalWest Bromich AlbionAston VillaChelseaManchester UnitedHull CityEvertonManchester CityPortsmouthTottenham HotspurWigan AthleticThat European ThingText Box: This week in the Premier League leaves no rest for the wicked. Fresh from having to contend with Liverpool away last weekend, Villareal at home on Wednesday, United travel to Stamford Bridge where a team brimming with form and confidence await them. Could this be the motivation United need to get their season up and running? Arsenal face a difficult away game up at their former worst nightmare– The Reebok Stadium. Meanwhile the worst two clubs in the League meet at Upton Park and it’s a baptism of fire for Franco Zola. Liverpool you could say have it relatively easy at home to Stoke. This could well be a defining weekend for clubs jostling for position. The Big Times Start Here...