Friday 3 December 2010

Predictions For Premier League Gameweek 16.

It's that time of the week again where I attempt to predict the outcome of this weekend's Premier League games. I didn't do so well last week, as I only got two correct scorelines, two correct outcomes, and six incorrect outcomes. It means that I slipped into third place in my predictions league, but I still haven't given up hope of turning things around. If I'm going to win it I'll have to start catching the leader very soon. Here's a look at how the table stands.

NC 1
(1)
_Bradley08 760 +100 0
Up 2
(3)
preetgreet 530 +35 0
Down 3
(2)
aranmichael 520 +15 0  
NC 4
(4)
senarmy 485 +5 0
NC 5
(5)
essexgooner1965 480 +5 5
Up 6
(7)
COSGOONER 440 +5 0
Up 7
(9)
billygooner_29 430 +60 0
NC 8
(8)
Nickmc1980 410 0 0
Down 8
(6)
oakhamgooner 410 -30 0
NC 10
(10)
Imjola 400 +65 0
 
Arsenal v Fulham
Arsenal v Fulham
Arsenal are third in the league, and they're only two points behind "Manure". Their away form is fantastic, but they have lost three out of seven home games. They need to turn that form around if they are to be considered serious title contenders, and this is an ideal opportunity to do just that. With Cesc Fabregas injured Samir Nasri should be pulling the strings in midfield, and the fit again Robin Van Persie is a very welcome sight for Arsenal fans.

Fulham find themselves just above the relegation zone, and without an away win so far this season. They may have a new manager this season, but their away form is something that just doesn't seem to change. They have managed to draw five of their away games so far, but they will need to find something extra to get a result in this game. I can't see anything except an Arsenal win.

Prediction: 2-0

Birmingham v Tottenham
Birmingham v Tottenham
Birmingham will be on cloud nine after beating local rivals Aston Villa to reach the Carling Cup semi-finals. They have only lost at home once in the league in over a year, and they are a very difficult team to beat.

The Spuds have moved up to fifth place, after yet another come from behind victory last week. It shows how strong their belief and team spirit are, but it also shows how poor they are defensively. A lot may depend on the fitness of Rafael Van Der Vaart for them, as he is a top quality player, and he makes all difference for them in my opinion. Ithink that Birmingham will manage to hold them in this game.

Prediction: 1-1

Blackburn v Wolves
Blackburn v Wolves
Blackburn were thumped at "Manure" last week, and they will surely want to prove something to their fans in this game. There seemed to be no fight in their team in that game, but I expect to see plenty of it against Wolves. I expect them to put plenty of aerial pressure on the Wolves defence, as that's how Sam Allardyce likes to play the game.

Wolves managed to get a win last week, despite falling behind at home to Sunderland. It was a much needed win, but they are still in the relegation zone. I have enjoyed watching them play for the last few weeks as they have played good football, despite having Karl Henry in their team. It won't be easy for Wolves against a team that have to bounce back from that 7-1 defeat last week, and I think that Blackburn will sneak a narrow victory, as they have only lost at home to Arsenal and Chelsea.

Prediction: 2-1

Chelsea v Everton
Chelsea v Everton
Chelsea have only taken four points in their last five Premier League games, and they have scored only two goals in those games. Crucially they will see the return of Michael Essien and he could be the catalyst they need to regain some form. They lost the leadership in the league to "Manure" last week, and Arsenal are breathing down their necks too. There are problems behind the scenes at the club, and they need to sort them out, or things will not improve on the pitch.

Everton were expected to beat West Brom at home last week, but they were beaten 4-1. Their defence had been fairly solid before that game, but they now find themselves just outside the relegation zone in a very tight league. They are still missing a striker to get the goals that are needed to climb the table, and only Tim Cahill looks capable of scoring for them most of the time. I think Chelsea will get back to winning ways in this game, but only just.

Prediction: 2-1

Man City v Bolton
Manchester City v Bolton
Man City are fourth in the Premier League, and they will be looking for a win to keep the pressure on the teams above them. They have found it difficult to score goals at home, with only seven goals in seven games. They will be looking to Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli to change that in this game.

Bolton had a great chance to keep pace with the top four last week, but they could only manage a draw at home to Blackpool. In Kevin Davies and Johan Elmander they have two in form strikers who will look to give City a few problems. Bolton have very few clean sheets to their name, and I can't see them keeping one here either. I think City will come out on top in a tight game.

Prrediction: 2-1

Wigan v Stoke
Wigan v Stoke
Wigan are in the bottom three, and went out of the Carling Cup against Arsenal with a whimper on Tuesday night. They are the lowest scorers in the Premier League, and they need something to change quickly for them. They do try to play good football, but unfortunately that's not everything.

Stoke RFC have had an up and down season, but they are currently in one of their up phases. They sit eighth in the Premier League, and they look like a very difficult team to beat at the moment. Their away form has never been particularly good, I think they will come out on top in this battle of contrasting styles.

Prediction: 1-2

Blackpool v Manchester United
Blackpool v Man Utd
Blackpool take on "Manure" in the Saturday evening game, and it will be a tough game for Blackpool. They have been fantastic since gaining promotion to the Premier League, but they were well beaten away to both Arsenal and Chelsea. Their home form has been patchy, but they always create plenty of chances when they play.

"Manure" absolutely thumped Blackburn last week to go top of the league. Wayne Rooney is back from his injury, and they are now the top scorers in the league. With Dimitar Berbatov scoring five goals against Blackburn he is the leading scorer, and Nani is playing very well too. I think that plenty of goals are guaranteed in this game, but "Manure" might lose their spot on top of the league if it doesn't go ahead due to the weather. That is a very real possibility at the moment, but more will be known tomorrow. If the game goes ahead I can't see "Manure" slipping up.

Prediction: 1-3

SUNDAY
West Brom v Newcastle 
West Brom v Newcastle
West Brom halted their recent slump by winning 4-1 away to Everton last week, and they will be hoping to continue that form against one of the teams that were promoted with them. Only goal difference separates the two clubs in the table at the moment.

Newcastle have a pretty good away record so far, and they drew at home to champions Chelsea last week. In Andy Carroll they have a striker who looks like he will trouble any defence, and they have a chance in most games he plays. A lot of games have been drawn this season, and I think this one will be too.

Prediction: 2-2

Sunderland v West Ham 
Sunderland v West Ham
Sunderland have had some very good results and performances, but they have been very disappointing at times too. They lie seventh in the table, and they will see a home game against the bottom club as a chance to improve on that. In Assamoah Gyan, Darren Bent and Danny Welbeck they have some good strikers, who should bag them plenty of goals.

West Ham followed up last week's victory over Wigan with a 4-0 demolition of a second string "Manure" team in the Carling Cup on Wednesday night. They will be looking to build on those two results, and get themselves off the bottom of the table, but it won't be easy. Sunderland are unbeaten at home and West Ham haven't won away, which points to a Sunderland victory for me.

Prediction: 2-0

MONDAY

Liverpool v Aston Villa 
Liverpool v Aston Villa
On Monday night Liverpool host Aston Villa, and it's a chance for Liverpool to get back to winning ways in the Premier League. They were ahead at half time against The Spuds last week, but they paid the price for some poor finishing, and ended up losing. Fernando Torres needs to find his best form if they are to stay in touch with the top four, and he needs to do it very soon.

Aston Villa look a pale shadow of the team that they were last season, and they are letting in far too many goals for their own good. They are dropping dangerously close to the relegation zone, and they have lost five of their seven away league games so far. It all points to a comfortable win for Liverpool in my opinion.

Prediction: 3-1

That's my predictions for this week. As usual, feel free to tell me where I have gone wrong, or right as the case may be. I'll be back next Friday with the predictions for gameweek 17, as the season gets ever closer to reaching the halfway stage. Between now and then I will be previewing Arsenal's game against Fulham early tomorrow morning, as well as their game against Partizan Belgrade on Wednesday. There will be match reports on both of those games, before the build up to the trip to play "Manure" on Monday week.


See You Tomorrow.

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