Premiership Power Rankings

Last week's 10 games provided 34 goals and bags of entertainment. Pretty much guarantees that this round of games will be about as much fun as listening to David Platt commentate on Carling Cup tie, featuring, oh, say Man Utd and Wolves? Thrilling...

1. Chelsea (played 6, points 18, No Change) - Still winning. Still playing well. Still top. Probably the only team in the league without defensive concerns.

2. Man Utd (p 6, pts 15, NC) - The good: Wayne Rooney's form, Ryan Giggs' longevity, Michael Owen's timing. The bad: Edwin Van der Sar's injury, Rio Ferdinand's fitness, Dimitar Berbatov's profligacy. Yet to convince.

3. Man City (p 5, pts 12, NC) - Their first loss of the year came away from home, at the champions, without arguably their two best players, thanks to a 96th minute goal. No need to panic.

4. Liverpool (p 6, pts 12, NC) - Not making it easy for themselves and not as sturdy at the back as they were last year but, in Fernando Torres, they have the league's premier marksman.

5. Arsenal (p 5, pts 9, Up 1) - 26 goals scored and 11 conceded in their 9 games played so far this year. Can they finish higher than 3rd?

6. Aston Villa (p 5, pts 12, Up 1) - 6 straight wins and 4 straight clean sheets in all competitions. Gabi Agbonlahor has also hit the net in each of the last four - should he be in Capello's squad for the World Cup?

7. Tottenham (p 6, pts 12, Dn 2) - Consecutive defeats to big-four sides may have dented optimism at the lane a little but here's their next four fixtures; Burnley (h), Bolton (a), Portsmouth (a), Stoke (h). Plus, they've got the back-heeling, robot-dancing, sky-reaching Peter Crouch.

8. Sunderland (p 6, pts 9, NC) - Well, everyone loses at Turf Moor...

9. Everton (p 5, pts 6, Up 4) - Seemingly back on track with their comfortable victory over Blackburn. Seemingly prematurely rising these rankings but I'm in a good mood and Phil Jagielka just got robbed; he needs some good news.

10. Stoke (p 6, pts 8, Dn 1) - Survived Blackpool in the Carling Cup but will have to step up if they are to beat their next opponents; Manchester United.

11. Fulham (p 5, pts 6, Dn 1) - 26 goals in 139 games. That's Andrew Johnson, Diomansy Kamara, Erik Nevland and Bobby Zamora's combined goal tally since joining the West Londoners.

12. Burnley (p 6, pts 9, Up 2) - Prediciton I; Burnley lose to Spurs by at least 2 goals this weekend.

13. West Ham (p 5, pts 4, Dn 2) - My favourite Carlton Cole chant (to the tune of 'Gold') Carlton Cole, goal, Always believe in your soul, You've got the power to know, Your indestructible, Always believe in, Carlton Cole, goal...

14. Birmingham (p 6, pts 7, Up 3) - Prediciton II; the Blues will never open Match of the Day this season.

15. Wolves (p 6, pts 7, Up 3) - Michael Kightly and Sylvain Ebanks-Blake are on the way back to lend some needed quality and potency. They go to Sunderland next.

16. Blackburn (p 5, pts 4, Dn 4) - El Hadji-Diouf can't stay out of trouble, Chris Samba can't be a forward and Sam Allardyce can't escape the fans ire.

17. Wigan (p 6, pts 6, Dn 2) - Totally abused by United and Arsenal this year. Let's see what Chelsea do with the lightweight Latics.

18. Bolton (p 5, pts 4, Up 1) - Prediction III; if Wanderers don't beat Birmingham this Saturday, they'll be in the bottom 3 come November.

19. Hull (p 6, pts 4, Dn 3) - I guess if your team plays in Amber and Black, and you're the devoted kind, then you have no choice but to look like a seedy strip club owner from the Costa Brava circa 1983. Not a great look there Phil.

20. Portsmouth (p 6, pts 0, NC) - Performed well at the Villa and earned a second straight Carling Cup victory in midweek. What? They could stay up...honestly...ok, they've gone...sorry about that...yeah...no chance...