Far from being a more open and competitive Premier League this season, as many in the media had predicted, early indications from the first two rounds of fixtures are that the gulfs between the big boys and the also-rans, and between the also-rans and the never-started-running-in-the-first-placers are actually widening. 6-0 seems to have become the fashionable scoreline as we have witnessed that result in an incredible four out of the first twenty matches played, and when you take a look at the coming weekend’s fixtures, it would seem quite likely that the total will increase further.

The first international break of the season starts on September 4th, so there will be no bulletin next week, and the fact that I will be lying on a beach stuffing my face with ice cream the following week with uncertainty over internet access means that I’ll probably miss the subsequent round of fixtures and will be back with a preview of the 18th/19th September matches, but in the meantime, let’s take a look at the coming weekend’s batch of potential 6-0s:

1) Blackburn v Arsenal: It’s still quite difficult to gauge where Arsenal rank amongst those challenging towards the top of the table at the moment as their match at Liverpool was affected by the early sending off for Joe Cole, while Blackpool also suffered the same fate at the Emirates last weekend, although nobody doubts that a home win would have resulted even if Ian Evatt, who I still can’t believe has managed to make it to the Premier League, hadn’t been sent off in the first half. This fixture may well continue the run of red cards in Arsenal’s matches so far, as it has often proved to be a feisty encounter in recent years, and in three of the last six renewals, a player has been sent off. Arsenal had all but given up by the time they visited Ewood Park last season, and a 2-1 defeat ensued, but spurred on by a new challenge this time around, I’m sure they will be able to avoid a similar fate on Saturday, even if the odds of around 4/7 are a bit on the mean side. 6-0 is generally available at 150/1 for Arsenal or 200/1 for Blackburn by the way.

2) Blackpool v Fulham: So, early evidence shows us that Fulham are performing pretty much the same under Mark Hughes as they were under the previous regime. Goalless away draws were commonplace under Roy Hodgson, and they followed that result at Bolton with a stirring second half performance to rescue a point from Man.United last Sunday. If their results are to stay consistent with previous seasons, then I fear they may be embarrassed on Saturday as Bloomfield Road stages its first Premier League fixture. Fulham only managed one point from away matches against the three newly-promoted sides last season, and the same tally the season before that. Indeed, you have to look back six years to find the last time they won away to a newly-promoted side, which is quite incredible considering that matches at Burnley, Hull, Watford and West Ham are included in that period. As always following a heavy defeat, Ian Holloway’s priority will be to try and put the Emirates disaster out of his players’ minds and get back on track as soon as possible, just as West Brom managed following their opening day thumping, and I think he will achieve that by recording a score draw here.

3) Chelsea v Stoke: Who would you choose to welcome as you try to record a third consecutive 6-0 win? How about a team that you beat 7-0 just four months ago? Stoke were a little unfortunate not to have gained their first point of the season last weekend against Spurs, but this is a different matter entirely. Home win with the minimum of fuss.

4) Tottenham v Wigan: The potential drubbings keep on coming this week, and who can forget the 9-1 thrashing meted out to Wigan at White Hart Lane last season? Injuries to three of their four first choice strikers seem to be the only thing that can stop Spurs taking Wigan to the cleaners again, so it may be worth checking the team news closer to kick off, but even if Peter Crouch is again the only available forward for Harry Redknapp to select, Wigan’s desperate start to the season looks set to get even worse on Saturday. 

5) Wolves v Newcastle: Chris Hughton would probably have earmarked a home match with Aston Villa as one with the potential to kickstart his side’s season, but even he would have been stunned by the magnitude of the victory, particularly after Villa missed an early penalty. I feel that Newcastle can really push on from that result, which could spell a first defeat of the season for their hosts. Wolves haven’t been anything more than efficient so far in taking four points from their opening matches, and I always feel with Mick McCarthy’s sides that they are vulnerable to teams that bring a bit more panache onto the pitch. Newcastle fit the bill in that respect, and look good value to take the points here.

6) Man.United v West Ham: Another potential tonking for this weekend. Only the famous Tevez match from 2007 prevented Man.U. from recording a clean sweep of victories in the last seven renewals of this fixture in League and Cup, and there have been some heavy pastings handed out to West Ham recently at Old Trafford, including a couple of fours, a seven and, you guessed it, a 6-0 in the FA Cup back in 2003. Any side conceding to Johan Elmander needs to sharpen up their defence. Any side that concedes two goals to him in the same game is in serious trouble. A repeat of the 6-0 scoreline is a shameful best price of 33/1 with sportingbet and Coral.

7) Bolton v Birmingham: So far, Bolton’s results have both matched those from the previous season, and if that run is to continue, they should beat Birmingham on Sunday. In fact, Birmingham have lost on their last three visits to the Reebok, and judging by both sides’ efforts so far this season, it is Bolton who have impressed me more with the improvement they seem to have made since the last campaign, and I see no reason why they can’t put City away on Sunday.

8) Liverpool v West Brom: Sticking to the 6-0 theme, you only have to go back to 2003 to find the last time Liverpool subjected West Brom to a defeat by that scoreline, and the Baggies have a quite awful record at Anfield, having lost fourteen and drawn two of their last sixteen visits, and having scored just once in their last ten visits. That reminds me of their record at Stamford Bridge, and we all know what happened there on the opening day. Once again, the bookies are taking no chances with an unimpressive best price of 50/1 for a 6-0 home win.

9) Sunderland v Man.City: Last season, City were mightily impressive at Eastlands, but managed just six wins away from home, which ultimately cost them a place in the Champions League. Following Monday’s thumping of Liverpool, it is evident that their home form has carried on where they left off, so as they struggled to get a point from their opening away fixture at Tottenham, this match will be a big test of their title credentials, especially when you consider how they relied on an injury time equaliser created out of nothing by Adam Johnson to salvage a 1-1 draw at the SOL last season. Prior to that match though, they had won on their previous four visits to Sunderland, and I would be most surprised if they don’t return to that sort of form on Sunday.

10) Aston Villa v Everton: It’s hard to find valid excuses for Villa’s complete collapse at St.James’s Park last Sunday, but I suppose it will have focussed Randy Lerner’s mind on the need to appoint an experienced and capable manager as soon as possible in order to avoid any further embarrassments. These two clubs had high hopes of climbing into the top four not so long ago, but that aim appears to be fading after just two games, and both must surely now realise that without significant funds somehow being made available, a Europa League spot is the best they can hope for. The last two renewals of this fixture have ended in high scoring draws with Everton throwing away the lead late on, and I see no reason to believe that the result will be any different this time around.

The odds are poor and the selections are unadventurous, but can you imagine any of Chelsea, Man.United or Rangers failing to win this weekend? The odds are so skinny though, that for any real excitement, I would suggest adding Inverness CT and Stranraer, giving a possible payout of £61.76 to a £10 stake at paddypower.com. Incidentally, if your selections are all winning at half time, but one or more lets you down at full time, paddypower.com will refund your stake for bets placed online. I hope you get your £61.76 return rather than your £10 back though.

Good luck!