Steve Bruce has been telling everybody with half an ear this week about how "let down" he's been by Darren Bent's admittedly surprising decision to swap Europe chasing Sunderland for relegation threatened Aston Villa. Bent himself claims the move was not money orientated, but aside from getting a nice little signing on fee, he's earning more money too. It can't be anything to do with moving to a more glamorous city either, because let's face it; Sunderland and Birmingham aren't exactly Rio. Bent's reasons are rather unclear, as he's only offered the explanation that Aston Villa have more history than Sunderland. Well Darren, as a certain Corkman who once snapped Alf-Inge Haaland in two said, history is for historians, and in Villa's case will count for very little if they're playing in the Championship next season.
All this has just been fuel to feed Steve Bruce's raging fire. Few Crystal Palace fans will have any sympathy for him however, after he left them just three months into his job at Selhurst Park to take over at Birmingham. He lasted even less time at Wigan, departing after just two months in his first stint there. The sooner Bruce realises there's no loyalty in football anymore - and he only has to look in the mirror to see that - he'll be a happier man.
Bruce's Sunderland travel to Blackpool on Saturday in one of ten games this weekend. They've been dealt another striker blow with the news that the excellent on loan signing Danny Welbeck is out for a couple of months, leaving summer signing Asamoah Gyan as their only fit striker.
Man United and Arsenal will expect to record comfortable victories at home to lowly Birmingham and Wigan respectively, while don't rule out an upset for Liverpool or Chelsea as they face tricky looking away ties at Wolves and Bolton. Man City have been going well of late but face a difficult away trip of their own at Villa Park, with Darren Bent expected to make his debut. A couple of goals in that one for Bent and Steve Bruce will be foaming at the mouth.
BetPack Premier League Predictions:
Wolves 2-2 Liverpool
Arsenal 4-0 Wigan
Blackpool 1-1 Sunderland
Everton 2-0 West Ham
Fulham 1-1 Stoke
Man United 3-0 Birmingham
Newcastle 2-2 Tottenham
Aston Villa 2-1 Man City
Blackburn 2-1 West Brom
Bolton 1-1 Chelsea
