Players: 42 out of 49. Points scored: 246. Highest score: 10 (Saleel Sathe). Average score: 5.86. Prediction of the Week: Neil Hayes (Arsenal 1-1 Middlesbrough).

Results: Arsenal 1-1 Middlesbrough; Bolton 1-0 Watford; Chelsea 2-1 Charlton; Everton 3-0 Liverpool; Manchester United 1-0 Tottenham; Newcastle 1-2 Fulham; Portsmouth 1-0 Wigan; Sheffield United 0-0 Blackburn; West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa; Reading 1-0 Manchester City.

Dave Taylor (Chelsea) remains in pole position after three weeks of the new Predictorship season, but only on ‘goal difference’ from Steven Dunlop (Benfica), who has one less correct score.

Dave and Steven are already threatening to pull away from the chasing pack. They are two points clear of Dave McAleer (Crystal Palace) and Pete Yoder (Wolverhampton Wanderers) and three points better off than seven players on 22 points, five of whom have identical records. Furthermore, two of those five (are you still following me?) are last season’s top two predictors, Mike Dufficy (Jersey United) and Cathryn Harker (Clapton F.C.). The cream has risen to the top with alarming speed.

Saleel Sathe (Liverpool Reserves) bags the best score of the week (10) to rise from 38th to 21st. Going against team orders, Saleel is one of six predictors to plump for a home win for Everton against his beloved scousers, a score that brought a smile to the faces of everyone in the blue half of Merseyside and footie fans across the globe (with the notable exceptions of Saleel, Joe Zalewski and all other Liverpool supporters).

We welcome two new predictors this week: Malaysian-based Nottingham Forest fan Alex Iskandar Liew (Tricky Trees - the nickname of the greatest football team in the world. Who said I have to be unbiased?) and Minnesota Vikings fan Brian Dunlop (Purple Haze), remarkably no relation to annoyingly-good Predictorship wizard Steven and fortunately no admirer of cack-handed guitarist Jimi Hendrix. Good luck to both of you for the rest of the season.

In other news: David Roberts (Watford) sends out his scores to the entire Predictorship field on Friday. Luckily, few take any notice of his “crazy psychology games” and the Hornets man slumps to a four-point week. Tom Palmer (Southampton) is the wackiest predictor of the week for a highly possible Chelsea 6 Charlton 1 and Norman No Mates (The Nil-Nils) is still propping up the table. No change there then.

More next week …