Moneybags Bornemouth kick off the weekend with a resounding win over troubled Newcastle. Champions elect Manchester United find their shooting boots at the Theatre of Dreams against lowly West Brom. Too much to ask that Maureen's breakdown continues with defeat at Stoke, though he'll be watching from a local greasy spoon. West Ham v Everton could be alright. Plenty of FA Cup 1st round games aswell, with non-league millioballers Fylde's trip to Millwall perhaps the most cuppy tie of the lot.

New manager syndrome kicks in at Villa Park on Sunday as the league's basement club sink leaders City thanks to inevitable goals from one or more of the three former Blues on show. Arsenal easily see off Spurs at the Library. Some pretty lively euro games aswell - Dortmund v Schalke, Roma v Lazio, Feyenoord v Ajax, Sevilla v Madrid, Barca v Villarreal.

Also, a big hello to definitely new user 'amongtheleaves', whose completely fresh banter i expect to add real value to the football threads over the coming days and weeks.