PÄIVÄN

West Ham - Aston Villa 2.20 - 3.45
Home win, despite the famous W Ham signings. (2.20) Kidding, but not only kidding. Tevez and Mascherano are great players, but there is no guarantee that they will fit in without problems. They caused quite a few for their previous club, Corinthians. Anyway, it should be difficult to put Zamora and Harewood on the bench right now.

Villa, like Portsmouth, are playing like men possessed, Things work so well for Villa, they got the early goal against Newcastle, and it is amazing how the change of a manager can make that much difference. First signing for O'Neill, as his previous Celtic ace, S Petrov, has signed and will make his debut on Sunday. M Baros finally fit and he will start on the bench. W Ham have much stronger offensive potential, and I back the home win. (2.20)

Reading - Manchester C 2.40 - 3.00
Quiet on the Reading transfer scene and coach Coppell continues with his well oiled unit. It worked perfect for him in the Championship, but this writer does not know if his squad is good enough for the Premiership. I am beginning to have some doubts. Skipper Murty and G Little should be fit for this Monday game, but striker D Kitson is touch and go.

City had an important win at home to Arsenal. I think that the 3 points arrived at the right moment for Pearce's team. Of course they were lucky - you seldom see Henry missing so many chances. It does not matter, the win was crucial and the fact remains, they kept a clean sheet against Arsenal. New signing, the American star, De Marcus Beasley, will not play tomorrow and A Cole has left. Time for both D Hamann and Trabelsi to make their debuts. No strong opinion for this one, perhaps a Monday draw. (3.25)

Serie A

Roma - Livorno 1.50 - 8.50
Home win. (1.50) The talented Roma squad is intact and their popular coach, Spalletti, continues. On top of that some interesting new names such as Vucinic, Pizarro and Cassetti. Yes, Roma look strong. No Vucinic tomorrow.

C Lucarelli is still with Livorno and that is good news for the Tuscany club. Kuffour from Roma, Pasquale, Vigiani, Pavan and Vidigal have signed for the club. Kuffour is a safety risk these days. Livorno will use a 3-5-1-1 formation with Lucarelli as the lone striker. Pavan is suspended this weekend. Home win! (1.50)

Fiorentina - Inter 3.15 - 2.50
Luca Toni is still with Fiorentina, but one of his striking partners, Bojinov, has left for Juventus. Pazzini, the other alternative alongside, Toni, is out injured. Could be that the Dane, M Jörgensen will join Toni in the front line. Blasi, Liverani, Mutu, Potenza and Reginaldo have signed for the club, with Fiore, Jimenez, Brocchi and Bojinov going the other way. Fiorentina have definately gained on their transactions.

The Inter coach Maldini has several alternatives up front with Crespo, Adriano, Ibrahimovic and Recoba available. The excellent Palermo defender Grosso has joined Inter as well as P Vieira. Inter are 19 points ahead of Fiorentina before the start of this match, and my guess is that the difference will be the same afterwards. A score draw. (3.15)

Sampdoria - Empoli 1.63 - 7.10
It was a poor Sampdoria campaign last season. Novellino has remained their coach and I suggest that he will start this season better. Two of his players were part of the Italian squad against France. I am thinking of Del Vecchio and Palombo. The Juventus forward Olivera has joined the club, as well as Terlizzi, Quagliarella, Del vecchio and Bonnani. They have lost Pisano, Diana, Dalla Bona and Gasbarroni. Maybe they will miss Pisano.

Best Empoli player Tavano has left for Valencia. A major set back of course, but quite expected. Average players like Adani and Saudati have signed on, plus a young S American, Rincon. Missing on Sunday are Eder and Vanigli, with Tosto a doubt. Looks like a home win. (1.63)

Palermo - Reggina 1.50 - 9.00
Favourites to come fourth in Serie A, Palermo, after the untouchable Inter, Milan and Roma. Why? Palermo have been very active on the transfer market. The excellent Parma duo, Simplicio and Bresciano, have signed for the Sicilian club, plus Amauri, Pisano, Bovo and Diana. OK, they have lost the great Grosso and Makinwa among others, but I am optimistic about the Palermo possibilities this season. Amauri and Carracciolo up front. Looks interesting enough.

Poor Reggina. Destined to struggle and now they start with minus 15 points. Quite hopeless situation. They have not gained on their transfers either. Home win. (1.50)

Milan - Lazio 1.45 - 9.00
Milan may be the oldest team in top football and they start this season on minus 8 points, but nevertheless, they will compete with Inter and Roma for the Scudetto. Yes, they have lost Shevchenko as well. Gourcoff, Brocchi and Oliveira are new Milan players, but I had expected more quality signings. Maldini will reappear in the Milan defence joining his old partner Nesta again. Gattuso is suspended and he will be replaced by new boy Brocchi.

Two Lazio players have left, Di Canio and Liverani, with Makinwa, Ledesma, Foggia, Mutarelli and L Jimenez their new signings. I suggest that Lazio have signed 5 players with clearly their best days ahead of them, unlike Di Canio and Liverani. Interesting looking midfield with Ledesma, the exciting Foggia and Mutarelli. Minus 11 points to start with is of course a hammer blow for the club. Milan should win this one, but this price (1.45) gives me no joy.

Messina - Udinese 3.05 - 2.60
I pick the away win. (2.60) Iaquinta has remained with Udinese - very important of course. Udinese always liked to use 3 strikers. Iaquinta, new Asamoah and new Montiel should be the front line with Obodo, Pinzi and De Martino (Eremenko) behind. Special game, this one, for the previous Messina player D'Agostino, who has signed for Udinese, and will make his first start against his old club. Eremenko could replace Asamoah, who is a late injury scare.

Messina will have problems on Sunday and probably during the whole of the season. Relegation candidates, yes, but there are many of them. Messina have lost D'Agostino, Donati, Sculli and Muslimovic. Rigano has joined from Empoli. Supporting the away win. (2.60)

Chievo - Siena 1.85 - 6.00
They had the chance to reach the group phase of the Champions League, but Chievo blew it. Levski Sofia proved too strong. It was not a big surprise at all. Italian teams in August are seldom ready for competitive football and Chievo had not enough time to prepare for the two legs. They have lost Amauri and Franceschini and tried to cover these losses by signing Marcolini, Carbone and Kosowsky. Sounds like Chievo could do with a few signings. No D'Anna on Sunday but probably Brighi from the start.

Veteran striker Chiesa tries again for Siena together with Bogdani. Experienced defenders Tudor and Legrottaglie have left. Absolutely not the end of the world, not at all. Cozza, Rinaudo, Pavarini, Bertotto, Candela and Coda are some of their new players. Siena do not look that bad, in my opinion. D'Aversa is out injured. I have no winner here, but I will probably bet on the over alternative.

Cagliari - Catania 1.80 - 5.60
My choice will be the home win. (1.80) As always I expect Cagliari to pick up their points on the island. Hopefully they will not change their coaches as frequently as last season. Pretty quiet on the transfer market, or should I say, that their transfers look slightly insignificant. Their Honduaran ace Suazo has remained with the club.

Catania - nothing much is expected from these newcomers. They have made their attempts to strengthen their Serie B squad, but is has not been easy. Rossini from Udinese, Edusei, Falsini, Stovini and G Colucci will not make much difference. Caserta is suspended on Sunday. Home win. (1.80)

Atalanta - Ascoli 1.95 - 5.10
The Serie B champions have recruited Vieri, Abeijon, Doni and Donati. Maybe the names of Vieri and Doni sound better than they really are, but you give more respect to Atalanta with those names in their side. Atalanta will probably play the 4-2-2 system with Zampagna and Ventola up front. Both Vieri and Abeijon are out injured for the weekend and now also Doni is sidelined.

Foggia, Quagliarella, Coppola, Parola, Paci, Bonetto and Guana have left the surprise package from last season, Ascoli, with the Bologna duo, Pagliuca and Pecchia joining the club. Ascoli will have a tougher second season. I do not know really, many big names missing for Atalanta, but on the other hand, Ascoli look poor. OK, the draw. (3.20)

Torino - Parma 2.05 - 4.33
One of the few good prices this round. (2.05) Torino, the only Turin club in Serie A, should be the strongest newcomers after some impressive signings. Abbiati, Franceschini, Barone, Fiore, Comotto, De Ascentis and Pancaro will play for Torino this season.

Parma have been raped again. Simplicio, Bresciano, Marchionni, Corradi and Bonera have all left. Their best players last season, in other words. Gasbarroni and Kutozov have joined from Sampdoria and Muslimovic from Messina. Parma usually have nine lives, but they could face difficulties in this opening game. Both Cout and Savi are sidelined for this match and Muslimovic is a major doubt. Home win. (2.05)

La Liga

Gimnastic - Celta Vigo 2.65 - 2.70
I backed Nastic 2 weeks ago, this time I choose to oppose the newcomers. (2.70) C Vigo were unlucky losing their home premieré against Barcelona, 2-3. They played some good away matches last season and I expect Celta to hit back this weekend, away to Nastic. The home side will be enthusiastic in front of their own people but Celta are the perfect counter attacking side. Guayre, the previous Villarreal striker, will be fit to play his first game for Celta, but Jorge is an injury doubt. P Garcia has just left Real Madrid for Celta and this is good news for the club. Iriney is suspended. Latest news indicates that Guayre is not ready. Nastic once again miss the injured Generelo. One enforced change for this match, as Merino is out injured and he will be replaced by J Diaz. I am backing the Celta away win. (2.70)

Mallorca - Deportivo La Coruna 2.55 - 2.85
I am not the loyal type. I backed la Coruna a fortnight ago, but this time I go against Dep. (2.55) Mallorca should have an improved season. Not that you could notice that in their season opener, away to Recreativo. (1-1) Poor game and the draw result gave a fair reflection of the game. Their 2 strikers, Maxi Lopes and Arango, should form a good partnership, at least the way I see it. They have Nunes back from injury this week end and their old favourite, Ibagaza, has rejoined Mallorca. On his day, he is a terrific player. Hector probably sidelined again.

The new La Coruna managed to win their home fixture with Zaragoza, 3-2. They were helped by a Juanfran dismissal in the second half. Last season, the old la Coruna, with plenty of veterans, were stronger away from home, but I expect normal order this season. New team, new players and home advantage becomes so important. Mallorca to win. (2.55)

Villarreal - Recreativo Huelva 1.55 - 7.60
Backing the big favourite. (1.55) Villarreal took over in the second half away to R Madrid, and we witnessed the strong, hard to beat Villarreal side again. The score line was 0-0, but with Nihat, Forlan and Franco, Villarreal will not be without goals very often this season. New signings for the club are the two defenders Cygan and Fuentes, but they will not play this game. Pena and Quique Alvarez will be the two central defenders again. Sorin has left for Hamburg. Somoza and Riquelme are fit and ready after their international commitments.

Recreativo have been active on the transfer market last week and players like P Amo, Sinama-Pongolle, Juanma, J Guerrero, Beto and Laquoit have joined the club. Left overs from other clubs? Well, something like it. J Merino returns for this match, but still no Barber.
Home win for Villarreal. (1.55)

French League

Nantes - Lille 2.88 - 2.80
Nantes have only 1 point after 4 rounds of football and they continue to have defensive problems. Cetto is suspended this week end and both Signorino and Cubillier are severe injury doubts. Maybe Cubillier could be ready to play. Capoue is their latest injury victim. A new Brazilian defender, Adriano has just been recruited. The only bit of negative stuff I can come up about Lille is the fact that they sometimes play too cautious in their away fixtures. The way I see it - if they will go for the 3 points tomorrow, they will get the victory. Away win! (2.80)

Rennes - Sochaux 2.25 - 4.20
Time for the first Rennes win. (2.25) They have waited for their defensive ace Mensah to be fit to play and tomorrow is the big day. Still no Didot, but possibly Monterrubio could play some part.

The Sochaux defender Diawara has left for Charlton and their latest signing, Le Tallec, is an injury doubt. Great start for Sochaux, unbeaten this far, and sweet revenge for their coach, Perrin, who failed at Portsmouth. Rennes to win. (2.25)

Auxerre - Monaco 2.40 - 3.40
Two pretty disappointing sides so far, but Monaco have at least won their first game. They defeated Sedan 2 weeks ago, 2-1, with Sedan hitting the wood work 3 times. Monaco have signed the ex- Roma defender Cufre. Suspensions have hit Monaco hard, as Bernardi, Leko, Gapke and Ruffier are suspended. The first three played 2 weeks ago. Captain Givet is an injury doubt.

Auxerre have strengthened their squad by recruiting the Lyon midfielder Pedretti and N'Diaye. Pedretti, former international, could prove a great catch. Fully fit Auxerre squad. I will definitely back the home win. (2.40)

The Championship

Derby - Sunderland 2.55 - 2.70
Sunderland were improved beyond comprehension when they defeated WBA, 2-0. This was before Keane bought all the new players and Keane was not actually leading the team. T Hysen played his first game and gave a good account of himself. Since then Keane has signed L Miller, G Kavanagh, D Connolly, D Yorke, S Varga and R Wallace. Talk about healthy competition and then Keane as motivator. Yorke is not in contention tomorrow.

Two Derby players have left the club, or to put it correctly, they have been sold. Idiakez and T Smith have gone to Southampton and Watford. They did not work hard enough, or something like that. New face, the defender B Malcolm. There is nothing great with Derby at the moment and I think that they will struggle against this extremely pumped up Sunderland side. Away win. (2.70)

Preston - Cardiff 2.50 - 2.85
Not that often you get 2.50 on the Preston home win. My choice, despite the fact that they face the league leaders. Interesting new face in the Preston squad. The Liverpool striker Neil Mellor has joined the club. Most of the previously injured players are back in training, but they are not yet ready for serious action. Cardiff miss the suspended D Purse again, with both Ledley and P Parry major injury doubts. K Cooper and W Flood their replacements. Nugent and Mellor should do it for Preston. (2.50)

W B A - Leicester 1.90 - 4.80
A Midlands derby and I support the away win. (4.80) WBA have the stronger squad, no doubt about that, but the way the WBA players acted away to Sunderland makes me wonder. No guts at all. This week end they miss their best defender, C Davies. Quashie could be replaced by Koumas. Leicester have a fully fit squad. Big price. (4.80)

Chris.