Football FanCast columnist Mark Bryans gives us a comprehensive preview of the remaining weekend fixtures and who he feels will take the share of the spoils.

Wigan Athletic v Chelsea - 13:30

Wigan inflicted a major blow in Chelsea's title challenge last season when Emile Heskey secured a 1-1 with an injury time strike at Stamford Bridge but go into this game on the back of a defeat in their opening game. Chelsea completely outclassed Portsmouth in their first Premier League outing of the campaign and will be brimming with confidence.

Steve Bruce would liked to have had an easier home game as he attempts to chalk up his team's first points of the season, but he will still be hopeful of a result against the Blues and a draw would prove just how far Wigan have come since Bruce took charge of the club for a second time. The Latics are hoping to avoid yet another relegation scrap and therefore need to start picking up points as soon as possible.

Luis Felipe Scolari's start to his managerial spell at Chelsea could not have been better as his brand of free flowing total football destroyed a good Portsmouth side at Stamford Bridge and he will be expecting that kind of performance and result at the JJB in the day's early kick off. A win would heap pressure on title rivals Manchester United ahead of their Monday night visit to Fratton Park.

There are no new injury worries for Steve Bruce and Ryan Taylor could return. Drogba and Shevchenko remain on the injured list for Chelsea but Michael Ballack and Michael Essien should feature. Solomon Kalou may also play some part after returning from the Olympics.

MY PREDICTION: Wigan 0 - 4 Chelsea

Manchester City v West Ham Utd - 16:00

Manchester City and their new manager Mark Hughes were humbled by Aston Villa last weekend and all involved with the club will be hoping for a better result at home to West Ham. Alan Curbishley's men squeaked all three points against Wigan in their first game of the season and a prolonged good start to the season could see the Hammers in the shake-up for UEFA Cup spots come May.

Hughes' short stint at Eastlands has already been filled with controversy, although none surrounding the manager himself. With questions about his future already being asked the Welshman will want to answer questions and critics alike by picking up results on the field. The astute signing of Belgian defender Vincent Kompany proves that the club can still dabble in the transfer market despite the uncertainty surrounding owner Thaskin Shinawatra.

West Ham boss Alan Curbishley still has to appease the West Ham faithful and any sort of result in this encounter will help to do so. The Upton Park crowd still seem split on whether it is results or performances that matter most and Curbishley isn't well known for his free-flowing football sides. Success- whatever that is deemed to be - can only be achieved this season if the West Ham squad can stay fit and healthy, something that has already come under the spotlight when Dean Ashton tweaked his calf muscle in the win against Wigan.

Valeri Bojinov's injury jinx has struck again and he joins fellow City strikers Darius Vassell, Benjani (injured) and Jo (Olympic duty) in missing the game. Richard Dunne misses out through suspension. Meanwhile West Ham are sweating on the fitness of the aforementioned Ashton as well as midfielder Scott Parker whilst Craig Bellamy and transfer-rumour victim Anton Ferdinand are definitely absent through injury.

MY PREDICTION: Man City 3 -2 West Ham

Monday, 25 August 2008

Portsmouth v Manchester Utd - 20:00

Portsmouth will go into this game needing to clear their heads of last weekend's decimation at the hands of Chelsea. I claimed last weekend that Sir Alex Ferguson will have been delighted with a home game against Newcastle to start the season due to the record his side hold over the Magpies. But after a draw in that game Portsmouth away would have been his last choice of destination for their next Premier League match.

Harry Redknapp will be motivated by his side's draw against Manchester United in the Community Shield, as well as with their recent record against the Champions at Fratton Park, but he will also be aware that they face a potential backlash from the Red Devils. One thing that will be a relief to Redknapp is that two of the eight games in which his side face the ‘big four' will be out of the way already.

Sir Alex Ferguson will not be panicking after last weekend's disappointing draw to Newcastle, he still has an abundance of talent to come back into the squad, and let's not forget that a draw at home to Reading on the opening day last season was followed by a draw at Portsmouth, and United went on to win their 10^th Premier League title.

Niko Kranjcar is a massive doubt for Portsmouth but Lassana Diarra has recovered from a knock sustained in the Chelsea game. Michael Carrick will miss out after picking up an injury against Newcastle. Park and Hargreaves are back in training but unlikely to feature. Meanwhile Carlos Tevez will return after travelling home after a family bereavement and Anderson returns from the Olympics, but the latter is likely to be rested.

MY PREDICTION: Portsmouth 0 - 1 Man Utd