All Change At The Top (and watch out - he's back..)

After a fairly quiet opening two weeks, September's Double Bonus Points round has really shaken things up. Six of last weeks top ten have been booted out and replaced by some major gainers. Congratulations to Robert Richards and Danny Blackman for claiming the top two spots, but all eyes are on third place where last years FPL Champion Paul Grunstein now resides. Paul, who ran away with it last season had made a quiet start to this season's campaign, but he has really shaken things up now climbing a massive 44 places into third.


The Week Ahead

Arsenal should have no problem in beating Hull. I know I say every week that Hull will lose, but I have seen the predictions and you guys are saying the same thing. Really though, home win.

Villa have impressed me and although I thought Sunderland did really well at the weekend, I can't see anything other than a home win.

Liverpool will be really disappointed not to have beaten Stoke at Anfield on Saturday. They would be top of the league now but for this slip up. On Saturday they visit Goodison Park to play local rivals Everton. This game is always tough to call, but I have a little feeling for the home side. Home win and more misery for the reds.

Fulham are once again winning at home and losing away and this week they welcome London rivals West Ham to The Cottage. The Hammers have made a good start to the season and under new boss Zola will be confident of taking something from the game. I see this as being a really tough match which could go either way but will more likely finish in a draw.

Manchester United should have no problem taking the points at home to Bolton and I would expect another home win when Middlesbrough take on WBA. Blackburn travel to St James Park and with Newcastle in freefall couldn't have picked a better time to play them. Away win.

I don't see Chelsea having too many problems at Stoke despite the home teams tactics. The way they are playing may not be pretty, but it is proving effective and if it keeps them in the division then fair play to them. I feel there is still such a long way to go that teams may figure out a way to combat the long throws, but I admire them for trying it. Still, away win.

How did Pompey take such a hammering at Man City yesterday ? That really was a shocking result. Mr Clean Sheets David James will have some serious washing to do today. I do think it was a freak result, their last away match was a 3-0 win at Everton. On the back of that result though I think Sundays match at home to Spurs is the toughest to call of them all this week. Without any great conviction I am going to go for a narrow home win.

Finally it's another NE derby with Man City making the short trip to Wigan. I thought Wigan might have struggled this season but they have put together some impressive results. City too are looking pretty good. This is like the northern version of the Fulham WHU game. I keep predicting against Wigan and keep getting it wrong. My head tells me to go for City and I do think they should win the match, but I'm really not sure and am going to go for the draw.


Here are this weekends fixtures in full:

Arsenal		v		Hull City
Aston Villa		v		Sunderland
Everton		v		Liverpool
Fulham		v		West Ham United
Manchester United		v		Bolton Wanderers
Middlesbrough		v		West Bromwich Albion
Newcastle United		v		Blackburn Rovers
Stoke City		v		Chelsea
Portsmouth		v		Tottenham Hotspur
Wigan Athletic		v		Manchester City

Double Bonus Points

To add a little extra spice to what is already becoming a Vindaloo of a game, next week will be September's Double Bonus Points week. So think extra hard about your scores and remember if you change your mind you can change your predictions right up until Saturday lunchtime.


Changes To The Bonus Game

Just to remind you that we have made a change to the bonus section of the FPL. You can now change your predictions as often as you like and at any time up to when the window closes and the tables are locked. If you have not done so alredy, take a minute and login to your members area to see the changes we have made. You can check and change you predictions while you're there.

If you have not made the changes to your table or entered your predictions you have until midday on Saturday to do so.