EVERTON to be ahead of Liverpool going into the Goodison derby on September 9.
It's worth an early flutter given that Liverpool lose their second game of the season - home to Newcastle - due to Champions League pre-qualifying.
But maybe not when you see that Everton face a couple of tricky fixtures with Blackburn - now shorn of Craig Bellamy - and at Spurs.
After the derby, things look easier, but as for Liverpool, well, their start is tough on tough.
Away to promoted Sheffield United and their madcap manager - an eye-opener for Rafael Benitez, that - then cup final opponents West Ham at Anfield before Everton, Chelsea, Tottenham, Bolton, Blackburn and Manchester United.
DId Jose Mourinho programme the Premiership computer for this little lot, or does it just seem like it?
Anyway, survive that opening burst and expectations will race ahead faster than Victoria Beckham into a Versace fashion show.
And if you want a happy ending to hold on to, consider this one.
Both our city clubs do extraordinarily well and we move to the last day of the season with Liverpool and Chelsea relying on the final game to win the title.
For their part, Everton require three points to qualify for the Champions League.
The spice in all of this is that Liverpool have a home against Charlton to finish, while Everton travel to Stamford Bridge . . .
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