BBC Radio 5 Live

Watford have had a good start in their return to the Premier League and picked up their first win last weekend against Swansea.

Odion Ighalo was the man on target for the Hornets that day and his goals along with the contribution of Troy Deeney will go a long way to seeing whether they preserve their Premier League status or not.

They have a likable manager in Quique Sanchez Flores, who has managed Valencia and Atletico Madrid in the past, so his big game experience will be crucial too.

Carl Phillips:  "We've never played on this pitch before" is always a good one. 

Joel McInally:  Let in a goal from halfway in 5-a-side after the ball went under my foot. I said it bobbled due to the turf. It was 3G.

James Langley:  I'm a Goalkeeper and not having any Contact Lenses is a good one.

Image source, Getty Images

If you thought Sunderland had problems, spare a thought for the Newcastle fans. They've not seen their side score in the last four games. Their only goals this season came in the 2-2 draw against Southampton on the opening day.

Was Steve McClaren the right man for the job? Is he taking the Magpies in the right direction?

One thing is for sure, rooted to the bottom of the table, the only way they can go is up. Big money signings Georgino Wijnaldum and Aleksandar Mitrovic need to start firing sharpish.

Some news from the Netherlands...

Manchester United defender Luke Shaw has taken to Instagram , externalas he starts his recovery from a double fractured leg: "I just wanna say a massive thank you to everyone at St Anna hospital for all the care and attention they have given me the last few days. Something I will never forget! Am pleased to be flying back to Manchester today so I can start my journey back onto the football pitch!"  

Image source, Luke Shaw

Image source, .

Fancy yourself as a bit of a football expert?

Have a go at predicting the outcome of all of the weekend's Premier League matches here and check back on Sunday evening to see your performance assessed by one of the Match of the Day pundits. You can even help your favourite team climb up our leaderboard while you're at it.

What are you waiting for?

Shuvam Sinha:  Sir Alex's 'grey-strip' excuse after trailing to Southampton at half-time in 1996 is surely the most ludicrous excuse ever?

Ali Thomas: We didn't get off the bus.....

Luke Green: Best one from a player last year on the morning of the match..."sorry, just remembered I have an essay for tomorrow" on a Saturday

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Zero wins and joint bottom of the Premier League table along with fellow north east side Newcastle, this has been a horrendous start to the new season for boss Dick Advocaat.

The Dutchman was persuaded to stay on after guiding the Black Cats to safety last season and he will have to perform a similar feat this time around...assuming he is kept in the job.

This is a crucial game for the visitors and defeat will only increase the ever growing pressure on the side.

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Bournemouth were tipped to go straight back down at the end of their first ever campaign in the top flight, but currently lie 16th in the table...above champions Chelsea. What odds could you have got on that at the start of the season?

They suffered a heavy 3-1 loss last weekend at fellow promoted side Norwich, and it's another biggie for them today, as they face struggling Sunderland.

These two may well be battling it out against each other to stay in the Premier League come the end of the season.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says he won't use a lack of preparation as an excuse for his side's trip to Chelsea today.

That us got us thinking about some of the best excuses you have heard in football. From amateur leagues to the Premier League let us know your tales of excuses.

Get involved using #bbcfootball, external on Twitter, text from UK mobiles on  81111  or leave a comment on the MOTD Facebook page., external

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Saido Berahino vowed to "never play for chairman Jeremy Peace again" but the fickle nature of football saw him return to the West Brom team against Southampton last weekend.

Word is that boss TonyPulis and the squad have held clear-the-air talksin order to move on from the situation.

The Baggies have won just once in five games this season, but have kept three clean sheets in those games. That gives Pulis a good platform to build on.

Former defender Joleon Lescott could play against his old side in this Midlands derby.

Tim Sherwood was not a happy man after his side's defeat against Leicester last time out.

Villa were 2-0 up in the second half, but succumbed to defeat after the Foxes netted three times in the last 20 minutes.

What kind of response will he get from his Villa players today?

Every Saturday we team up with the Danny Baker Show on BBC Radio 5 live and ask for your unusual footballing stories. This week, the topic, as chosen by Danny himself, is:

Tales of food and accommodation while following your team.

Get in touch at #bbcfootball,, external via the Match of the Day Face book page, external or text 81111 .

Talking of Chelsea, some Women's Super League news for you...

Get involved on the  MOTD Facebook page, external  as this lot did...

Sam Evs: 

We stayed in a B and B in Blackpool. Three beds, one room, a layer of dust on the floor and a bathroom that hadn't been cleaned since before the mid 90's. We (Wolves) drew the game in the coldest game I have ever been to. We had fish and chips after the game which didn't agree with one member of the party....  

Trevor Rogers:

Best Hot Dog I Ever tasted Was From a Hot Dog Stand Outside Anfield - was soo nice with loads of onions and lashings of tom sauce  

Listen to The Danny Baker Show every Saturday morning from 09:00 BST on BBC Radio 5 live. Click on the audio icon on this page to tune in.

Jose may well need a paracetamol or two after this start...

Image source, reu