RG Fantasy Football: Are Chelsea boring?
There's nothing quite as boring as a winning team.
Although, having written that, thoughts instantly turn to the first half of last week's turgid football — I think that's what they were playing — match between Liverpool and Stoke.
But machine-like success? Is it fun to watch? I mean, even José Mourinho appears bored by constantly having to explain how good Chelsea are playing right now.
Not that their fans will care, of course, with Manchester City seemingly the only team capable of keeping pace with his impeccably drilled squad.
The last time Chelsea lost was on April 30 to Atlético Madrid, which seems eons ago.
For the rest of us fans, match day remains a wonderfully unpredictable game of chance deemed successful merely if your players are able to locate a colleague in a similarly-coloured shirt.
Fallibility and vulnerability are the real charms of football.
Just look at Newcastle; a mess of a club that is constantly on the version of implosion. What fun.
Supporters hate the chairman, Mike Ashley, and the manager, Alan Pardew, who, rather loves himself.
Players at his old club Southampton reportedly called him “Chocolate” because if he could, he'd eat himself.
To be fair to “Chocolate”, in the face of all the haters, he's doing a fine job right now.
All things point to him melting against Chelsea, though.
Tomorrow's games
All times Bermuda
11am unless stated
Newcastle v Chelsea
8.45am
Chelsea are still the only unbeaten team in the top flight and are able to welcome back striker Diego Costa.
A defeat and a draw has followed Newcastle's five-win streak that took everyone — including their own fans — by surprise. Hard to see a shock here.
Prediction: 1-3
Hull City v West Bromwich Albion
All is not well at the Hawthorns — how can it be when you bring on Georgios Samaras off the bench?
They've lost their past four games but they go to Hull, who are winless in seven. Something has to give.
Prediction: 2-0
Liverpool v Sunderland
Two wins on the spin has pepped Liverpool up and they will be expected to add a third against Sunderland, who were smashed up by Sergio Agüero in midweek.
Gus Poyet's men have one win in three away from home in the league this season.
Rickie Lambert to bag one in a comfortable home win. Prediction: 3-1
Queens Park Rangers v Burnley
A proverbial “six-pointer” is set up perfectly. QPR have a much-improved home record, while Burnley are unbeaten in four.
It's also the battle of two strikers determined to prove their worth in the top division — Danny Ings and Charlie Austin. The result of that duel will be critical.
Prediction: 2-1
Stoke City v Arsenal
Always entertaining, if only to watch Arsène Wenger struggle to conceal his hatred for Stoke.
It's a feeling borne out of the fact his side rarely deal with their opponents. Should be feisty.
Prediction: 1-1
Tottenham Hotspur v Crystal Palace
Palace have just one win in eight games and appear unable to string a consistent run of results together. The midweek defeat to Villa will have hurt manager Neil Warnock.
Spurs show glimpses of promise but remain a work in progress.
Prediction: 3-1
Manchester City v Everton
1.30pm
City are getting a head of steam, thanks largely to the superlative form of Sergio Agüero.
The boy might make a player, you know.
Everton still look a shadow of last season, which is difficult to fathom and they'll struggle here.
Prediction: 3-0
Sunday's games
West Ham United v Swansea
9.30am
West Ham: unbeaten in five at home. Swansea: No win in five away.
Going to stick my neck out and go for a home win.
Prediction: 2-0
Aston Villa v Leicester City
12pm
Leicester have bombed after an encouraging start and Nigel Pearson, the manager, got involved in a spat with a fan in midweek.
If they aren't here to help, they can stay at home, was his sentiment. Luckily his team are away this weekend or they could have been playing in front of an empty stadium.
Prediction: 1-0
Monday's game
Southampton
v Manchester United
4pm
Ronald Koeman's team are in the middle of a tough run of games that detractors insist will prove their early season position false.
So far, they are right. A point against an improving United will help.
Prediction: 1-1

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