Week 2: Early season Blues (Jim's picks)

Even if Chelsea wore pink and purple polka dots (which I heard is their 3rd kit for 09-10), the title of this post would remain the same as there was a mean funk to the midweek debate. Really, international friendlies: Is there anything more pointless?

Compound that with the resumption of boardroom melodrama at Anfield and me having to see Samir Nasri's pixie-ish visage every three steps I make on the Intertubes, and it's been a long week waiting for Saturday to come.

The most impressive Week 1 display was, of course, Chelsea. The least impressive in victory was Liverpool, sadly to say. The most gawdawful to watch was Spurs. OK, let's get on with it:

Blackburn 3 – Hull City 1: Hull strikes me as scrappy, so they'll score. They had extra grit on display against Fulham, but the Week 1 euphoria has passed. Santa Cruz and Co. will introduce them to a familiar feeling that will be around this season.

Liverpool 2 – Middlesbrough 0: Torres is good for at least one more, but I think Liverpool will struggle to keep working out the kinks. It's still enough for the Anfield opener.

Newcastle 2 – Bolton 1: Keegan has to be ecstatic with the Old Trafford draw. Gut says Newcastle gets a bright start in these first few weeks.

Stoke City 0 – Aston Villa 3: Gareth Barry will lead Villa to another good performance before Liverpool comes to Villa Park next week. That'll really be something.

Tottenham 1 – Sunderland 1: I'm picking a draw only because Spurs must gain something from opening the White Hart Lane schedule. I actually think they'll lose, but I can't pick that.

West Brom 0 – Everton 1: When the Toffees are in disarray, Moyes rallies the players. They have enough here.

Fulham 1 – Arsenal 3: Silvestre! I mean ... Silvestre! Wow! Anyway, lord love Peter Wilt. I know we all do, but it's Arsenal, man. Too much, too soon for the Cottagers.

Wigan 0 – Chelsea 3: Blues have something to prove early on. Plus, Big Phil is kind of a cagey bastard that I think really relishes some comfortable results here with the spotlight on him.

Manchester City 3 – West Ham 3: City is in shambles, so I see them conceding way more than should ever be acceptable. Should be another good day for Ashton.

Portsmouth 1 – Manchester United 1: This is more heart than head, but I feel bad for Pompey's start: away to Chelsea and then home to United. C'mon! That's unfair, but I'd like to think Crouchy gets on the sheet and early, premature "Doom for United" talk continues after this one.