I mentioned last week how much I was looking forward to the return of League football after the international break, and I certainly wasn't disappointed with the fare on offer over the weekend. The usual elements of goals, excitement and controversy were all there in abundance, but what was exceptional about the latest round of League fixtures was that no fewer than seven hat-tricks were scored in the four English Leagues, which is a stunning number, especially considering that players from Crewe and Norwich managed two apiece.

Whether or not we witness more of the same this coming weekend, I can't wait to get stuck in again as the season builds to a climax. The coming weekend's Premier League fixtures start at what is sure to be a nervy Molineux:

1) Wolves v Everton: Saturday's thumping at Newcastle has left Wolves continuing to struggle one off the bottom, but it isn't their home form that has let them down this season. Only Stoke in the bottom half of the table have won more home matches than Wolves, and they also haven't lost any of their last four meetings with Everton, so there is some cause for optimism heading into Saturday's match. Everton have been on a decent run of five games undefeated, and they may well extend that run with a score draw on Saturday.

2) Blackburn v Birmingham: Vital points were gained by both of these sides last weekend, but both remain just two points above the relegation zone, so this is sure to be a hard-fought match for the fans to endure. Despite a creditable point at Arsenal last weekend, Rovers have failed to win any of their last eight matches, but they will be encouraged by the history of this fixture, as even Kevin Phillips hadn't been born the last time Birmingham won a match at Ewood Park. City's away record remains patchy at best, so I'm happy to take a chance on Blackburn gaining a rare and narrow victory.

3) Bolton v West Ham: Prior to a couple of recent away defeats, Bolton had been relishing life at the Reebok, having recorded three consecutive wins there, and they will certainly be looking forward to a visit from West Ham if previous history is anything to go by. Bolton have won nine and drawn the other two of their last eleven home matches with West Ham in League and Cup, and with only three sides having scored more goals at home than Bolton, I fear another defeat for the Hammers here.

4) Chelsea v Wigan: Chelsea start a run of four matches against relegation-threatened sides on Saturday with a visit from a team who conceded eight on their last trip to Stamford Bridge. It's easy to see why Wigan have failed to win matches this season, as nobody has scored fewer than their disappointing total of 29 goals, and as only 11 of those goals have come on the road, it is difficult to see them picking anything up from this fixture. No doubt they will try to hang on for a 0-0 from the first whistle, but no doubt they will also fail.

5) Man.U. v Fulham: Since 1964, Fulham have visited Old Trafford on 18 occasions and have lost 17 times, winning the remaining match in 2003, so with United showing their strength and determination to capture the title with their comeback at West Ham last weekend, you would have to fear for the Cottagers here, but I can't help feeling that they may be able to nick a draw. I can't back up that prediction with any statistics or relevant form figures, but despite winning very few away matches, Fulham have shown time and again that they are capable of keeping things tight and frustrating their hosts. The return of Bobby Zamora also increases their chances of snatching a goal on the break, so I'm happy to take a chance on this one ending all square.

6) Sunderland v West Brom: The run continues. Seven games without a win and four games without a goal for Sunderland, and Saturday's visitors now sit just one place behind them in an increasingly competitive tussle at the bottom. The Baggies are now unbeaten in six and appear to have timed their resurgence to perfection, so in the absence of any significant goalscoring threat from Sunderland at present, I am willing to back West Brom to take all three points here.

7) Tottenham v Stoke: I find it bewildering how, having qualified for Champions League football this season, Tottenham have taken their eye off the ball in the League to such an extent that it now seems unlikely that they will qualify again. Their last four League games have resulted in three draws and a defeat against teams struggling at the bottom, and in that sort of mood, they will certainly find Stoke no pushovers either. Last season's smash and grab win at White Hart Lane was Stoke's first there since 1975, but on current form, and with Tottenham's players' minds elsewhere, I fancy them to make it a quick double.

8) Blackpool v Arsenal: With one win in eleven games and now just one place above the drop zone, you would think that Arsenal are far from ideal visitors for the Tangerines on Sunday, but Arsenal themselves are on a woeful run that has derailed their season totally in a matter of just a few games. Their last three League matches have seen them draw against teams that would normally be cannon fodder for them, so it is difficult to be confident about taking short odds against them to win here. If Blackpool were in better form, I may have been tempted to take some fancy prices about an upset, but I'll settle for leaving this one alone.

9) Aston Villa v Newcastle: Newcastle return to the scene of their departure from the Premier League in 2009 in confident mood following their crushing win over Wolves last Saturday (I told you last week I wouldn't get it right), but their inconsistency makes this an impossible match to call. Villa's need for the points is more desperate, but their underperforming stars cannot be relied upon to turn that desperation into points, and Newcastle may well be able to take advantage with a rare win at Villa Park (cue all readers scrambling to back anything other than an away win).

10) Liverpool v Man.City: It would be easy to get carried away with City's 5-0 drubbing of a poor Sunderland on Sunday, but for me, the previous week's disappointing effort at Stamford Bridge is more relevant to this fixture. When visiting the higher placed teams in the division, Roberto Mancini has displayed a frustrating lack of ambition, and that sort of attitude may be punished here. City have won just one of their last 21 visits to Anfield, and I think Liverpool will be fired up enough by last weekend's defeat to take advantage of any complacency from their visitors.

Only Arsenal's miserable performance against Blackburn denied us a payout last week, but I've got three suggestions for this week. A winning £10 treble on Cardiff, Livingston and Dundee would return exactly £50 with Coral.

Good luck!