Premiership Predictions

Saturday, 13 December 2008
Aston Villa v Bolton, 15:00

Villa are one of the league's best counter-attacking sides but I'd expect Bolton to park a white bus in front of goal and try to beat Villa at their own game. Rumour has it that O'Neill wants to reunite himself with Emile Heskey in the January transfer window because his team lack a focal point of attack with or without John Carew. This will be like to boxers jabbing for twelve rounds as they look for an opening.

0-0


Liverpool v Hull, 15:00


Rafa Benitez clearly has no friend in a sub-editor at The Guardian. Benitez appears to offer a level-headed assessment that in order to win the title his side will need their rivals to falter. Liverpool have looked like faltering themselves in recent weeks, drawing with sides they are expected to beat. This peaked with sections of the crowd booing after their scoreless draw with West Ham. Hull have one of the best records on the road and have been this season's surprise package but have not been averse to the odd thrashing. Liverpool's second string comfortably beat PSV during the week so a rested side should have enough to beat Hull.


2-0
A Hull player


Man City v Everton, 15:00


Mark Hughes returns to one of the many clubs for whom he played in the twighlight of his career. Not so long ago this would have been a dull fixture that would be the last game on Match Of The Day but City's recent cash injection make this a more interesting fixture. Robinho should return to complete City's attacking trident. Contrary to my expectations, the diminutive Brazilian has consistently impressed in England following his lachrymose antics at Real Madrid. Much was expected of him when he arrived at the Spanish capital and only showed his potential in fits and starts. His chip against Arsenal was sublime and anything like that will be enough to gain victory over Moyes's strikerless rudimentary side.
2-0



Middlesbrough v Arsenal, 12:45

Arsenal have lost five games already this season. It used to be seen that a team could lose as many as six games in a season and still win the league but that figure has shrunk in recent years with Arsenal going unbeaten in the 03-04 season. Since then, Chelsea lost just once when they won their first Premiership and they and Man United lost five games in each of the following three seasons and won the league. In theory, the Premiership is not beyond them but in reality they don't look like completing the season unbeaten. The Gunners' first game in their Invincibles year was a 4-0 thrashing of Steve McLaren's Boro at The Riverside. Under the helm of Gareth Southgate the Teesiders can be just as susceptible but can also perform very well against the big sides on occasion. Boro are so unpredicatable that it's too close to call.

2-2

Stoke v Fulham, 15:00

Fulham have plenty of guile in midfield bit lack a bit of bite with Danny Murphy as the defensive fulcrum. Murphy is skillful but mobility and pace have never been any of his assets. Stoke's tall and robust side will prove to be a difficult adversary for Fulham. Stoke's home record versus Fulham's away record is a key indicator.

2-1

Sunderland v West Brom, 15:00

The other day I saw some of Sunderland's defeat at the hand's of Manchester United with Portuguese commentary. It made Sunderland's stand-in manager, Ricky Spragia, sound like he'd just flown in from the continent rather than the dour Scotsman he is. It's Mowbray's West Brom who have shown some continental flair but they are not entirely as advertised. For all their promise of attractive football a closer examination of the small print reveals that they are toothless in attack. Spragia will be looking to keep the Black Cats' ship steady until a real manager comes aboard and will be pleased with a result.

1-1

Tottenham v Man Utd, 17:30

Redknapp has historically done fairly well against his friend, Alex Ferguson. His re-introduction of Ketchup into the Spurs player's diet has done wonders to eliminate the wan demeanour they suffered under Ramos. But, third placed United will be no picnic. United look to be without key players in Rooney, Evra, Ferdinand and Carick. Berbatov is also doubtful and is seen by some United supporters as a hindrance on a par with Juan Seba Veron when he disrupted the balance of the side with his languid displays in the 2001-02 season. Some fans think that his signing ruined the side for about five years and question the need to change the innovative attacking trident of Rooney, Ronaldo and Tevez that won the league and Champions League double last year. Fans have doubted Ferguson in the past only to later dine on humble pie. Ferguson will want his side to rack up the points before they fly out to Japan next week for the FIFA Club World Cup.

0-1

Wigan v Blackburn, 15:00
Under pressure Paul Ince faces his former teammate Steve Bruce and, like two long lost friends at a school reunion, Ince will want to show that he's better than his club's current standing suggests. Blackburn haven't been a terrible side this year, they've just fallen short at times and failed to get the requisite results. Bruce's steady side have enough to beat Ince's precipitous side but don't expect a walk in the park as Rovers fight for survival.

1-1


Sunday, 14 December 2008
Chelsea v West Ham, 16:00

Zola returns to the stage where he shone so brightly and was much loved but now watches from the wings as his collection of yesteryear's understudies face the stars of today. Teflon Terry has escaped criticism for all the goals for which he has been at fault recently because he shouts a lot and heads the ball. A combination of Bellamy's pace and Carlton Cole's strength and skill could get the beating of Terry but the rest of the Hammers overcoming Scolari's obdurate midfield.

1-0

Portsmouth v Newcastle, 13:30

Victory for Sunderland would see Newcastle start this game in the relegation zone, above which Roy Kinnear has kept them so precariously balanced. Tony Adams is still pretty green as a Premiership manager but has thus followed where his predecessor left off. It remains to be seen whether or not he can sustain this over the course of the season and the busy Festive fixture list. Michael Owen is in the shop window and will hope to score against friend David James.

1-1