English Premier League: Predicting the Results of This Weekend's 10 Matches

Last weekend's matches, the first of the 2011-12 season, produced several moments of drama and unpredictable scores.

Who would have predicted that Bolton Wanderers would be top of the league? That Gervinho would be sent off on his league debut?

That Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool would all fail to win their matches?

Nevertheless, I scored eight points for predicting two correct scores and two other correct results to defeat World Football Team Leader Will Tidey by five points.

This weekend sees two huge lunchtime kick-offs on Saturday which see two big clubs who have suffered setbacks over the last year go head-to-head for an early advantage in the race for the top four places and the first North-East derby of the season.

The round of fixtures is brought to a close on Monday with title holders Manchester United hosting Tottenham Hotspur, a team full of stars but which has not beaten their opponents for more than 10 years in the league.

This week, it is the turn of Bleacher Report Deputy Editor Adam Hirshfield, who averages more than 10,000 reads per article, to take me on in the prediction game.

Enjoy the slideshow!

Sunderland V Newcastle United

Date: Saturday 20th August, 12:00 BST

Last season: Sunderland 1-1 Newcastle United

Key Players: Sebastian Larsson (Sunderland), Demba Ba (Newcastle United)

Form: .Sunderland were compact and entreprising on the break last week at Anfield, but perhaps fortunate to come away with a point. New signing Larsson (above) scored a goal which demonstrated his technical ability. Newcastle United enjoyed an equally impressive result, but showed less attacking intent than Saturday's opponents.

Odds: Sunderland 6/5 Draw 12/5 Newcastle United 11/4

Prediction: 2-1

Adam Hirshfield says: 1-1

Arsenal V Liverpool

Date: Saturday 20th August, 12:45 BST

Last season: Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool

Key Players: Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Andy Carroll (Liverpool)

Form: Arsenal enjoyed the lion's share of possession and chances last weekend but could not break down Newcastle United. They could look to Walcott's pace as a weapon capable of hurting Liverpool. Liverpool showed last that they will be a stronger team this year but tall forward Andy Carroll, who was subdued last week, will need to improve to form a strong partnership with Uruguayan Luis Suarez.

Odds: Arsenal 13/8 Draw 9/4 Liverpool 2/1

Prediction: Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool

Adam Hirshfield says: Arsenal 0-0 Liverpool

Aston Villa V Blackburn Rovers

Date: Saturday 20th August 2011, 15:00 BST

Last season: Aston Villa 4-1 Blackburn Rovers

Key Players: Charles N'Zogbia (Aston Villa), Chris Samba (Blackburn Rovers)

Form: Aston Villa never really got going last weekend at Fulham and were indebted to a fine debut performance from Irish goalkeeper Shay Given. They will hope Darren Bent (above) can link up better with new signing N'Zogbia. Blackburn fans will be concerned that the team lost at home to a club they finished above last season.

Odds: Aston Villa 4/5 Draw 13/5 Blackburn 5/1

Prediction: Aston Villa 3-1 Blackburn Rovers

Adam Hirshfield says: Aston Villa 2-1 Blackburn Rovers

Everton V QPR

Date: Saturday 20th August 2011, 15:00 BST

Last season: n/a

Key Players: Louis Saha (Everton), Adel Taarabt (QPR)

Form: Everton's match at Spurs was the only to be cancelled last weekend due to the riots which destroyed parts of London. But whether their visitors on Saturday will be any sharper is debatable, after they were taught a footballing lesson at home by Bolton Wanderers, who shackled their talisman Adel Taarabt (above) and caught The Hoops out several times on the counter-attack

Odds: Everton 6/11 Draw 3/1 QPR 13/2

Prediction: Everton 1-1 QPR

Adam Hirshfield says: Everton 2-0 QPR

Swansea City V Wigan Athletic

Date: Saturday 20th August, 15:00 BST

Last season: n/a

Key Players: Scott Sinclair (Swansea City), Gary Cahill (Bolton Wanderers)

Form: Swansea showed glimpses of quality on the ball away to title hopefuls Manchester City on Monday, but were ultimately undone by two moments of magic from Premier League new boy Sergio Aguero as they could not cope with the growing pressure they were coming under after conceding ground too easily. Bolton stormed to a handsome 4-0 win at promoted QPR but will hope star defender Gary Cahill is at his best to cope with the pace of Sinclair (above)

Odds: Swansea 6/5 Draw 12/5 Bolton 14/5

Prediction: Swansea City 1-2 Bolton Wanderers

Adam Hirshfield says: Swansea City 0-0 Bolton Wanderers

Chelsea V West Bromwich Albion

Date: Saturday 20th August, 17:30 BST

Last season: Chelsea 6-0 West Bromwich Albion

Key Players: Fernando Torres (Chelsea), Peter Odemwingie (West Brom)

Form: Chelsea were occasionally fluent last week in their 0-0 draw at Stoke City, but did lack some cohesion and new manager Andre Villas-Boas will hope Torres scores his first goal of the season early in this match to help settle his and his team's nerves. Manager Roy Hodgson must have been delighted with the application of his players during the team's 2-1 loss at home to Man Utd, but will hope his players can hold their concentration and make the right decisions. The news that striker Odemwingie (above) has today signed a new, three-year contract will please fans.

Odds: Chelsea 1-3 Draw 9/2 West Brom 11/1

Prediction: Chelsea 2-0 West Brom

Adam Hirshfield says: Chelsea 3-1 West Brom

Norwich City V Stoke City

Date: Sunday 21st August, 13:30 BST

Last season: n/a

Key Players: Wesley Hoolahan (Norwich), Matthew Upson (Stoke)

Form: Norwich credibly drew at Wigan Athletic last weekend, with Hoolahan (above) capping a fine performance with the equaliser from the penalty spot after team-mate Richie De Laet conceded an early penalty kick. Stoke gave Chelsea a difficult match and their physicality through the midfield, proficiency from set-pieces and skill in the wide areas will challenge Norwich throughout this match.

Odds: Norwich 13/8 Draw 23/10 Stoke 19/10

Prediction: Norwich City 1-2 Stoke City

Adam Hirshfield says: Norwich City 1-1 Stoke City

Wolverhampton Wanderers V Fulham

Date: Sunday 21st August, 14:00 BST

Last season: Wolves 1-1 Fulham

Key Players: Jamie O'Hara (Wolves), Brede Hangeland

Form: Wolves showed last week they could have an outside chance of achieving a surprise top-six finish last week as their players, particularly winger Matt Jarvis and former Spurs midfield Jamie O'Hara, played with intelligence and moved well off the ball. New Fulham boss Martin Jol (above) will have pleased with his side's dominance of a strong Aston Villa team last weekend but will surely need to bulk up his squad if they are to compete on four fronts this season.

Odds: Wolves 7/5 Draw 23/10 Fulham 23/10

Prediction: Wolves 2-0 Fulham

Adam Hirshfield says: Wolves 1-2 Fulham

Bolton Wanderers V Manchester City

Date: Sunday 21st August, 16:00 BST

Last season: Bolton 0-2 Man City

Key Players: Gary Cahill (Bolton), Yaya Toure (Man City)

Form: Cahill, reportedly a £15 million target still for Arsenal, showed his ability with a brilliant 25-yard goal and a solid defensive performance for The Trotters at QPR last weekend. Man City put in the best performance of the weekend and could have beaten Swansea by more than four goals. If Toure can take hold of midfielder early on, Man City could force the hosts into negative tactics.

Odds: Bolton 4/1 Draw 13/5 Man City 5/6

Prediction: Bolton 1-2 Man City

Adam Hirshfield says: Bolton 1-2 Man City

Manchester United V Tottenham Hotspur

Date: Monday 22nd August, 20:00 BST

Last season: Man Utd 2-0 Tottenham

Key Players: Wayne Rooney (Man Utd), Heurelho Gomes (Tottenham)

Form: Man Utd are still experts at winning in the Premier League. Yet again, the Champions scored a late goal and showed their ability to collect three points despite not clicking as a team at times. Spurs currently lead 3-0 after 40 minutes of their Europa League match at Scottish side Hearts, but will know they need to perform to their full ability, have Luka Modric and other central midfielders back from injury and hope goalkeeper Gomes keeps things simple.

Odds: Man Utd 4/6 Draw 3/1 Spurs 5/1

Prediction: Manchester United 3-1 Tottenham Hotspur

Adam Hirshfield says: Manchester United 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur