It's that time of the week again when I attempt to make my predictions for this weekend's Premier League games. Last week went fairly well for me as I got one perfect score, four correct outcomes and five wrong outcomes. Unfortunately the leader of my predictions league got more points than me again this week, but at least I managed to just about stay in second place. With the season already one third of the way complete, I will have to start making up some ground on him very quickly. Here's a look at the current table.
Arsenal v Tottenham
Arsenal go into this local derby in second place in the league, and if they win they will be on top of the table until Chelsea's game is over at least. The international break has been good to them for a change, as only Jack Wilshere is a doubt from the team that started against Everton last week. With Cesc Fabregas on his way back to his best they can expect to have the better of this game, and there's a possibility that Robin Van Persie might make an appearance too, just to make life harder for The Spuds.
The Spuds haven't won away to one of the traditional top four in almost 20 years, and it says a lot about them. Their defence isn't particularly strong at the moment, as injuries have taken a toll on them. With 17 goals conceded in 13 games they will do well to get out of this game with that figure below 20 goals. Of course they have real threats in both Gareth Bale and particularly Rafael Van Der Vaart, but Arsenal will look to make sure that they won't see too much of the ball. I think Arsenal should win by a couple of goals, and move 10 points clear of the team who are always in their shadow.
Prediction: 3-1
Birmingham v Chelsea
Birmingham have become very fond of giving teams two goal leads before attempting to get back in the game. They can't afford to do that in this game, as Chelsea are still very strong despite all their injury problems. If Birmingham are brave enough to go for this game they might just get something out of it, as Chelsea are looking very vulnerable at the moment.
Chelsea will be missing some of their best and most important players through injury and suspension, and Didier Drogba is still not at his best after a bout of what may have been malaria. Drogba has played through his sickness, but he has been poor, and they will need him to play well if they are going to rediscover their form. They still have enough good players to win this game, but if they play like they did against Sunderland they will be lucky to get a draw. I think this one will end up all square.
Prediction: 1-1
Blackpool v Wolves
Blackpool have slipped down the table since their great start, and they now find themselves in 15th place. With Wolves in 19th place this is a very important game for both teams, and it could actually produce some good football. Blackpool have the worst defence in the league, but only the top three, Bolton and Newcastle have scored more goals than them. With only one win in five home games Blackpool need to get something out of this game.
Wolves put in some very good displays against some of the very best teams in the league recently, but the real test for them is how they perform in games like this. With only one point in six away games this season Wolves need to get something out of this game too, and it could make for a very interesting game. I think this one will end with honours even.
Prediction: 2-2
Bolton v Newcastle
Bolton are playing very well so far this season, and they are in fifth place in the table. They look very dangerous in attack, although they seem to concede in every game they play as well. I think we can expect a few goals in this game.
Newcastle are only one point behind Bolton in the league, and they have won three of their six away games so far. They will be without the suspended Joey Barton which greatly reduces the chances of Andy Carroll scoring with a header. In Kevin Nolan they have the joint highest scorer in the Premier League this season, and like Bolton they have managed to score over 20 league goals this season. I think Bolton will continue their good run with a narrow victory in this game.
Prediction: 2-1
Man Utd v Wigan
"Manure" are still unbeaten in the league this season, but to mention their current team in the same breath as Arsenal's invincibles is an insult to that great Arsenal team. Their form has been very poor by their standards, but they still find themselves three points off the top of the league. Interestingly enough they have conceded 15 goals already which is three more than Arsenal, who are seen as weak defensively. Read into that what you will, but as Wigan are the lowest scoring team in the league it should be an easy win for a "Manure" team who have won all but one of their home games. There is a rumour that "Shrek" will make his comeback this weekend, but I would doubt it very much.
Wigan had a very poor start to the season, but they have come back from that, and they are no longer in the relegation zone. They have only conceded 11 goals in their last 11 league games, and they have looked quite strong in defence. It will be interesting to see if Wigan can hold out for long in this game, and if so whether "Manure" will then be able to break them down. I can't see past "Manure" winning with Nani again being the player who gets things going for them.
Prediction: 2-0
West Brom v Stoke
West Brom have gone off the boil a little recently after their excellent run. They play a very attractive brand of football, and I enjoy watching them play. They need to get things back on track, but they won't find it easy against Stoke RFC. In Chris Brunt they have a player who can make chances for them, but they will need to take a few of those chances to get a result.
Stoke RFC are not exactly pretty to watch, but they are on a good run at the moment. After a couple of wins in a row they have moved swiftly up the table, and a win in this game will leave them just outside the top six. They have a few players who can actually play football rather than just kick the ball up in the air, or kick their opponents, and those players could make the difference in this game. I would love West Brom to win, but I have a feeling Stoke RFC will take the three points despite their poor away record.
Prediction: 1-2
Liverpool v West Ham
Liverpool seemed to have turned the corner when they beat Chelsea, but their form since then has been truly awful again. They are stuck three points off the top five, and three points off the relegation zone, and they could easily go in either direction. With Steven Gerrard now out for a month, they will have to look elsewhere for their inspiration, and if that isn't forthcoming it could be a very tough time for them. Luckily for Liverpool they are at home to the bottom club in the table, and it's a game that they just have to win.
West Ham have to start to get some points on the board very soon. They are not too far adrift yet, but if they can't add to their solitary league win in 13 games very soon they will lose all confidence. That can only lead to one thing, and relegation for a club with West Ham's financial problems would bring an awful lot of trouble. It's never easy for any club to go to Anfield and get a result, but Liverpool are not exactly in great form either. I still can't see anything but a win for Liverpool, no matter how poorly they have played in the last two games.
Prediction: 2-0
Blackburn v Aston Villa
Blackburn were beaten 4-2 by the Spuds last week, but luckily for them they had won their previous two games to escape the relegation zone. Their only home defeats have come against the top two teams, and they can expect to put Villa under a lot of pressure in this game. They don't play pretty football, but they tend to be effective at home.
Villa had a go at "Manure" last week, and they should have beaten them. Unfortunately they blew things in the last ten minutes, and ended up with only a draw after leading 2-0. It will have been a boost to their confidence, but they have only won one of their six away games so far, and that doesn't bode well for them. Their defence isn't as strong as it was last season, and I think that will make things hard for them on the road. I think Blackburn will manage a narrow victory.
Prediction: 2-1
Fulham v Man City
Fulham have drawn eight of their 13 games so far this season, and it has left them not far above the relegation zone. Their home form has been good, but it won't be easy for them against City. Another draw could possibly leave them in the relegation zone, but I can't see them finishing there this season. This game has the added incentive for Mark Hughes of playing against his previous employers, who sacked him around this time last season.
Man City have a very good squad of players, but to me they are playing far too defensively. It would seem that they are over reliant on Carlos Tevez for their goals, and if he doesn't score City are unlikely to as well. Just why Roberto Mancini plays three defensive midfielders I don't know, but as long as he continues to do so City will suffer. They have scored only 15 goals in 13 league games, and you will not win the Premier League with a return like that. To me this game has a draw written all over it.
Prediction: 1-1
Sunderland v Everton
Sunderland were superb in beating Chelsea 3-0 away from home last week, and their fans will be thrilled to welcome them home after that result. They're sixth in the table and unbeaten at home, which isn't too bad at all. They don't concede too many goals at home either, which has to make them favourites for this game. In Asamoah Gyan they have a real goalscorer, but what happens when Darren Bent returns from injury. It's a problem that Steve Bruce will be very happy to have.
Everton gave it everything they had at home to Arsenal last week, but they fell short in the end. Things haven't gone too well for them in the last few games, and this is a tough game to try to turn that around in. They are finding it hard to score goals this season, and Tim Cahill has been their saviour on more than one occasion. If he doesn't score in this game then Everton are very unlikely to get anything out of it. I think Sunderland will edge a tight game.
Prediction: 2-1
That's it for this week's predictions, but I'll be back tomorrow with my preview of our home game against The Spuds. It will be nice and early as the game starts at 12.45 BST, and I'm planning to go to the supporters club to watch it. Feel free to tell me where I have gone wrong or even if you think I have got my predictions right.
See You Tomorrow.
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Arsenal v Tottenham
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The Spuds haven't won away to one of the traditional top four in almost 20 years, and it says a lot about them. Their defence isn't particularly strong at the moment, as injuries have taken a toll on them. With 17 goals conceded in 13 games they will do well to get out of this game with that figure below 20 goals. Of course they have real threats in both Gareth Bale and particularly Rafael Van Der Vaart, but Arsenal will look to make sure that they won't see too much of the ball. I think Arsenal should win by a couple of goals, and move 10 points clear of the team who are always in their shadow.
Prediction: 3-1
Birmingham v Chelsea
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Chelsea will be missing some of their best and most important players through injury and suspension, and Didier Drogba is still not at his best after a bout of what may have been malaria. Drogba has played through his sickness, but he has been poor, and they will need him to play well if they are going to rediscover their form. They still have enough good players to win this game, but if they play like they did against Sunderland they will be lucky to get a draw. I think this one will end up all square.
Prediction: 1-1
Blackpool v Wolves
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Wolves put in some very good displays against some of the very best teams in the league recently, but the real test for them is how they perform in games like this. With only one point in six away games this season Wolves need to get something out of this game too, and it could make for a very interesting game. I think this one will end with honours even.
Prediction: 2-2
Bolton v Newcastle
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Newcastle are only one point behind Bolton in the league, and they have won three of their six away games so far. They will be without the suspended Joey Barton which greatly reduces the chances of Andy Carroll scoring with a header. In Kevin Nolan they have the joint highest scorer in the Premier League this season, and like Bolton they have managed to score over 20 league goals this season. I think Bolton will continue their good run with a narrow victory in this game.
Prediction: 2-1
Man Utd v Wigan
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Wigan had a very poor start to the season, but they have come back from that, and they are no longer in the relegation zone. They have only conceded 11 goals in their last 11 league games, and they have looked quite strong in defence. It will be interesting to see if Wigan can hold out for long in this game, and if so whether "Manure" will then be able to break them down. I can't see past "Manure" winning with Nani again being the player who gets things going for them.
Prediction: 2-0
West Brom v Stoke
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Stoke RFC are not exactly pretty to watch, but they are on a good run at the moment. After a couple of wins in a row they have moved swiftly up the table, and a win in this game will leave them just outside the top six. They have a few players who can actually play football rather than just kick the ball up in the air, or kick their opponents, and those players could make the difference in this game. I would love West Brom to win, but I have a feeling Stoke RFC will take the three points despite their poor away record.
Prediction: 1-2
Liverpool v West Ham
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West Ham have to start to get some points on the board very soon. They are not too far adrift yet, but if they can't add to their solitary league win in 13 games very soon they will lose all confidence. That can only lead to one thing, and relegation for a club with West Ham's financial problems would bring an awful lot of trouble. It's never easy for any club to go to Anfield and get a result, but Liverpool are not exactly in great form either. I still can't see anything but a win for Liverpool, no matter how poorly they have played in the last two games.
Prediction: 2-0
Blackburn v Aston Villa
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Villa had a go at "Manure" last week, and they should have beaten them. Unfortunately they blew things in the last ten minutes, and ended up with only a draw after leading 2-0. It will have been a boost to their confidence, but they have only won one of their six away games so far, and that doesn't bode well for them. Their defence isn't as strong as it was last season, and I think that will make things hard for them on the road. I think Blackburn will manage a narrow victory.
Prediction: 2-1
Fulham v Man City
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Man City have a very good squad of players, but to me they are playing far too defensively. It would seem that they are over reliant on Carlos Tevez for their goals, and if he doesn't score City are unlikely to as well. Just why Roberto Mancini plays three defensive midfielders I don't know, but as long as he continues to do so City will suffer. They have scored only 15 goals in 13 league games, and you will not win the Premier League with a return like that. To me this game has a draw written all over it.
Prediction: 1-1
Sunderland v Everton
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Everton gave it everything they had at home to Arsenal last week, but they fell short in the end. Things haven't gone too well for them in the last few games, and this is a tough game to try to turn that around in. They are finding it hard to score goals this season, and Tim Cahill has been their saviour on more than one occasion. If he doesn't score in this game then Everton are very unlikely to get anything out of it. I think Sunderland will edge a tight game.
Prediction: 2-1
That's it for this week's predictions, but I'll be back tomorrow with my preview of our home game against The Spuds. It will be nice and early as the game starts at 12.45 BST, and I'm planning to go to the supporters club to watch it. Feel free to tell me where I have gone wrong or even if you think I have got my predictions right.
See You Tomorrow.
Got to have a go at this lark; here's mine:
ReplyDeleteNLD's have their own flavour and often defy predictions. I reckon this has 3-0 written all over it though... to us of course.
Birmingham will beat Chelsea if Essien is not in the side, otherwise it will be a draw.
Blackpool v Wolves will be the most exciting nil-nil draw for quite some time.
Bolton will narrowly lose to Newcastle, 2-1.
Wigan will bend over and take it for Man Utd as we might expect.
Stoke will struggle at West Brom, but end 2-2.
West Ham will narrowly beat Liverpool 1-0 and the scousers will whinge about Gerrard and England.
Villa will beat Blackburn, proving to the Indian poultry firm that they made a bad investment.
Fulham will manfully hold off Tevez but lose 2-0 in the end.
Sunderland on the other hand will lose 3-2 to a visiting Everton side angered by their loss to us.
So Chelsea will stay top on goal difference with Arsenal second.
@ReZnuK Essien is suspended as far as I know. I'll let you know if you beat me on Tuesday.
ReplyDelete