It's that time of the week again, when I attempt to predict the outcome of this week's Premier League games. Last week went reasonably well, as I got one correct scoreline, four correct outcomes, and five incorrect. It meant that I stayed fourth in my prediction league, and at this stage that appears to be as good as it will get for me this season. I will be absolutely shocked if Stephen Bradley doesn't win the league, as his lead is still over 300 points. I suppose I can always look forward to next season.
Here's a look at my prediction league.
SATURDAY
Wolves v Everton
Wolves recent good form came to a grinding halt last week, when they were well beaten by Newcastle. It leaves them second last in the table, but they are still only one point from safety. Their home form is what's kept their chances of staying up alive, and they have won as many games at home as the fifth placed Spuds. Wolves know they will have to go for a victory in this game, as points are precious at the wrong end of the table.
Everton have moved up to seventh in the table, despite drawing 14 of their 31 games so far. They would be doing much better if they could have turned a few of those draws into victories. Their away form isn't great though, as they have managed only three wins on their travels. Injuries are mounting for them too, and they could be in for tough time against a team that need the points desperately.
This game could go either way, but I think Wolves will manage their eighth home league win of the season by a one goal margin.
Prediction: 2-1
Blackburn v Birmingham
Blackburn will have taken some heart from their point away to Arsenal last week. Their home form is still quite good, and like so many other teams they will target all of their remaining home games as must wins. They are level on points and goal difference with Birmingham, and a win would give them some much needed breathing space.
Birmingham got back to winning ways last week with a 2-1 victory over Bolton. Ben Foster was their man of the match, and they will need more gritty performances like that if they are to stay up. Their away form is very poor, with only two wins in 14 games, but luckily for them they have five of their last eight games at home. The thrill of winning the Carling Cup will be of little use to them if they are relegated.
I can see Blackburn making the most of their home form, and winning yet another hard fought and close game.
Prediction: 2-1
Bolton v West Ham
Bolton are down to eighth in the table, but at least they have an FA Cup semi final to look forward to next week. Their home form has been very impressive this season, and they will be looking for three points ahead of that huge game.
West Ham looked like they were about to beat the league leaders at half time last week, but then they went to pieces in the second half. Their away form has been far from impressive so far, but the need for points in the relegation dogfight will surely have them at their best. Things are so tight at the wrong end of the table that a victory could see them move from 18th to the relative safety of 14th.
I think West Ham will give everything they have in this game, and Bolton might just have next week's semi final on their minds, which could mean the teams end all square.
Prediction: 2-2
Chelsea v Wigan
Chelsea might just have stayed in the title race if they had beaten Stoke RFC last week, but in the end they were lucky to get a draw. After losing at home to "Manure" in the Champions League quarter final on Wednesday night, it looks like their season is all but over. They need to win at Old Trafford on Tuesday night, or they will end the season with their trophy cabinet empty. Their home form should still be far too good for bottom team Wigan, and it would be a major shock if they didn't win.
Wigan are the lowest scorers in the Premier League so far this season, and if they are to stay up they need to change that statistic. They may be at the foot of the table, but they are only two points from safety. Their biggest problem might be that only two of their last seven games are at home, and I think it will spell disaster for them.
I can't see anything other than a victory for Chelsea in this game.
Prediction: 2-0
Man Utd v Fulham
"Manure" will be without the suspended Wayne Rooney for this game, and their FA Cup semi final against Man City next week. Even without him in the team it looks like the momentum is well and truly with them now, and it will be very difficult to stop them winning a domestic double now. They are also in a great position to reach the semi finals of the Champions League, despite being the worst "Manure" team I have seen in a long time. Tactically they seem to have the upper hand in every game they play at the moment, and it's hard to see it changing in this game.
Fulham won well against Blackpool last week to ease their own relegation fears. The returning Bobby Zamora scored twice, and things are looking up for them. They have nothing to lose in this game, but they have won less games away from home than any other Premier League team so far this season. However, no other team has drawn more away games than them so far either, and if they hold on for long enough they might just get something out of this game.
"Manure" have an exceptional home record this season, and it's hard to see Fulham taking anything from this game. If the close calls go their way they might have a chance, but ask West Ham and Chelsea which way those calls go.
Here's a look at my prediction league.
 | 1 (1) |  |  | _Bradley08 | 1500 | +20 | 0 |  |
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 | 2 (3) |  | | essexgooner1965 | 1165 | +80 | 10 | |
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 | 3 (2) |  | | preetgreet | 1140 | +30 | 0 | |
| | ||||||||
| | 4 (4) | | | aranmichael | 965 | +40 | 0 | |
| | ||||||||
| | 5 (5) | | | Nickmc1980 | 910 | +20 | 0 | |
| | ||||||||
| | 6 (6) | | | Imjola | 825 | -30 | 0 | |
| | ||||||||
| | 7 (8) | | | COSGOONER | 765 | +10 | 0 | |
| | ||||||||
| | 8 (7) |  | | billygooner_29 | 750 | -40 | 0 | |
| | ||||||||
| | 9 (9) |  | | Sinesladael | 685 | 0 | 0 | |
| | ||||||||
| | 10 (10) | | | oakhamgooner | 650 | -30 | 5 | |
SATURDAY
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Wolves recent good form came to a grinding halt last week, when they were well beaten by Newcastle. It leaves them second last in the table, but they are still only one point from safety. Their home form is what's kept their chances of staying up alive, and they have won as many games at home as the fifth placed Spuds. Wolves know they will have to go for a victory in this game, as points are precious at the wrong end of the table.
Everton have moved up to seventh in the table, despite drawing 14 of their 31 games so far. They would be doing much better if they could have turned a few of those draws into victories. Their away form isn't great though, as they have managed only three wins on their travels. Injuries are mounting for them too, and they could be in for tough time against a team that need the points desperately.
This game could go either way, but I think Wolves will manage their eighth home league win of the season by a one goal margin.
Prediction: 2-1
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Blackburn will have taken some heart from their point away to Arsenal last week. Their home form is still quite good, and like so many other teams they will target all of their remaining home games as must wins. They are level on points and goal difference with Birmingham, and a win would give them some much needed breathing space.
Birmingham got back to winning ways last week with a 2-1 victory over Bolton. Ben Foster was their man of the match, and they will need more gritty performances like that if they are to stay up. Their away form is very poor, with only two wins in 14 games, but luckily for them they have five of their last eight games at home. The thrill of winning the Carling Cup will be of little use to them if they are relegated.
I can see Blackburn making the most of their home form, and winning yet another hard fought and close game.
Prediction: 2-1
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Bolton are down to eighth in the table, but at least they have an FA Cup semi final to look forward to next week. Their home form has been very impressive this season, and they will be looking for three points ahead of that huge game.
West Ham looked like they were about to beat the league leaders at half time last week, but then they went to pieces in the second half. Their away form has been far from impressive so far, but the need for points in the relegation dogfight will surely have them at their best. Things are so tight at the wrong end of the table that a victory could see them move from 18th to the relative safety of 14th.
I think West Ham will give everything they have in this game, and Bolton might just have next week's semi final on their minds, which could mean the teams end all square.
Prediction: 2-2
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Chelsea might just have stayed in the title race if they had beaten Stoke RFC last week, but in the end they were lucky to get a draw. After losing at home to "Manure" in the Champions League quarter final on Wednesday night, it looks like their season is all but over. They need to win at Old Trafford on Tuesday night, or they will end the season with their trophy cabinet empty. Their home form should still be far too good for bottom team Wigan, and it would be a major shock if they didn't win.
Wigan are the lowest scorers in the Premier League so far this season, and if they are to stay up they need to change that statistic. They may be at the foot of the table, but they are only two points from safety. Their biggest problem might be that only two of their last seven games are at home, and I think it will spell disaster for them.
I can't see anything other than a victory for Chelsea in this game.
Prediction: 2-0
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"Manure" will be without the suspended Wayne Rooney for this game, and their FA Cup semi final against Man City next week. Even without him in the team it looks like the momentum is well and truly with them now, and it will be very difficult to stop them winning a domestic double now. They are also in a great position to reach the semi finals of the Champions League, despite being the worst "Manure" team I have seen in a long time. Tactically they seem to have the upper hand in every game they play at the moment, and it's hard to see it changing in this game.
Fulham won well against Blackpool last week to ease their own relegation fears. The returning Bobby Zamora scored twice, and things are looking up for them. They have nothing to lose in this game, but they have won less games away from home than any other Premier League team so far this season. However, no other team has drawn more away games than them so far either, and if they hold on for long enough they might just get something out of this game.
"Manure" have an exceptional home record this season, and it's hard to see Fulham taking anything from this game. If the close calls go their way they might have a chance, but ask West Ham and Chelsea which way those calls go.
Prediction: 2-1
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Sunderland are in the middle of a terrible run at the moment, and the 5-0 defeat away to Man City last week was a low point for them. They will hope to turn things around at home to a side at the wrong end of the table, but a defeat would actually see them fall behind West Brom. If Sunderland do not arrest their slide, they will find themselves slap bang in the middle of the relegation battle.
West Brom seem to have turned things around since Roy Hodgson took over, and they are now unbeaten in six games. Like so many other teams, their away form is pretty poor, but they will see this as a game they have a real chance of winning.
I think both teams will be fairly happy with a draw, and the game will probably end up that way.
Prediction: 1-1
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The Spuds got a spanking on Tuesday night away to Real Madrid in the Champions League. They haven't won any of their last four Premier League games, and fourth place looks like it could be beyond them this season. They will need to win at least six of their last eight games to snatch a Champions League place for next season in my opinion, but I just can't see it happening.
Stoke RFC don't exactly play attractive football, but they have been effective this season. They have an FA Cup semi final against Bolton next week, and they might just see this game as a dress rehearsal. They have lost 11 times on their travels though, and another defeat is the most likely outcome.
The Spuds know this is a must win game, but they have to lift themselves after Tuesday's defeat, and before Real come visiting on Wednesday. I think they will struggle to score yet again, and it will end up in a draw.
Prediction: 1-1
SUNDAY
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Blackpool are now only one point and one place above the relegation zone, and it doesn't look good for them. They have been great to watch this season, but the 63 goals they have conceded are just too many for a team to avoid relegation. Five of their last seven games are at home, and this is probably the toughest of them. If they are going to get anything from this game they will have to depend on the skills of Charlie Adam.
Arsenal have drawn their last three Premier League games, and it looks to have killed their title chances. Their display against Blackburn last week was just not good enough for a team challenging for the league title, and they cannot afford to perform so poorly again. Blackpool will let them play, and that can be very dangerous against this Arsenal team. As long as Arsenal can keep things tight at the back they will fancy themselves to score a few goals, and get the three points.
I think Arsenal will just about manage to win, but it won't be easy against a spirited Blackpool team who have been a revelation this season.
Prediction: 2-3
SUNDAY
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Aston Villa seem to think they are too good to be relegated. They need to look at the table, and see that they are in 16th place, and only two points off the drop zone. Better teams than them have been relegated in the past, and will be in the future too. They have some very good attacking players, but their defence has been poor all season long, and they need to sort it out for the last seven games.
Newcastle had a very good 4-1 win against Wolves last week, and I think they are fairly safe from relegation as a result. They can climb as high as seventh if they win this game, but their away form has been poor recently. Their biggest problem on their travels is a lack of goals, but they will see this Villa defence as quite beatable.
I think Villa might finally live up to their potential, and get a result to pull them away from the bottom three.
Prediction: 3-1
MONDAY
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Liverpool have suffered a few injuries recently, and it's found their squad strength wanting. Their home form is still good, but they will have to be at their best to beat a City team who are chasing hard for third place. With Fernando Torres sold and Steven Gerrard injured, Liverpool are short of real quality, and City have that quality in their squad.
Man City have an FA Cup semi final against "Manure" next week, and they would love to take three points from this game beforehand. I would imagine that they will play their usual defensive game, despite their 5-0 victory over Sunderland last week. If they have the guts to attack Liverpool, I think they could actually get a win from this game.
I think this game will end all square, which should probably keep both managers happy enough.
Prediction: 1-1
That's it for today.
See You Tomorrow.
@Jamrock,
ReplyDeleteYou may want to correct this "...and Steven Gerrard sold"
@ahujag Thanks, I will do it now.
ReplyDelete