Premiership Predictions

Saturday, 7 February 2009

Blackburn v Aston Villa, 15:00
Blackburn are to be respected a lot more since Sam Allardyce replaced Paul Ince. Their football is not the sort to be respected by lovers of the beautiful game but it's the type that gets results. Villa have been this season's real surprise package. They were expected to fight it out out for a UEFA Cup spot with Everton and Spurs, not take a Champions League spot away from Arsenal. Away to Rovers, could this be where Villa start to lose momentum?
1-0

Chelsea v Hull, 15:00
There was much brouhaha following Frank Lampard's red card at Anfield on Sunday. If the referee had awarded a red card for similar incidents earlier in the game the card might have been deemed more acceptable by the watching public as his studs were showing. Regardless of the fact that they were reduced to 10 men, Chelsea were not very good in that game and deserved to lose. They will compensate for that performance and result by beating Hull at home.
3-0

Everton v Bolton, 15:00
Both teams' strength is defence so this could be a war of attrition, or just a very boring game.
0-0

Man City v Middlesbrough, 12:45
The dullards from Teeside enter stage at the Eastlands Variety Show. City won't have Kaka but they will have Craig Bellamy... All the same they should beat Boro.
2-1

Portsmouth v Liverpool, 17:30
Liverpool have struggled at Pompey in the past. The noisy crowd and constant bell ringing clearly play a part, as well as the managerial nous of Harry Redknapp. But he's gone and the good ship Pompey is now being steered by the captain of the Titanic. All of Adams's years in therapy have rendered him so introspective that he's failed to notice the iceberg of relegation on the horizon. With Gerrard out, Liverpool will be looking to Fernando Torres for goals so they'll probably come from Yossi Benayoun and Ryan Babel.
0-3

Sunderland v Stoke, 15:00
Stoke have now acclimatised to being the relegation battlers they should have been at the start of the season. Sunderland aren't doing brilliantly but as the home side they should have enough to leave with another three points next to their name by Saturday evening.
2-1

West Brom v Newcastle, 15:00
West Brom's success only seems to come at home. Newcastle appear to be in decline: they've sold Shay Given, are without Michael Owen and don't have much else to tell the kids about.
2-0

Wigan v Fulham, 15:00
Don't tell anyone but Wigan are seventh in the table. Steve Bruce has rescued them from Paul Jewell's disastrous sophomore season and turned them into viable contenders for the UEFA Cup. Fulham are sometimes good but are now missing Jimmy Bullard who had been their key player since his return from injury. A close game, probably but the ever impressive Wigan will likely continue their charge.
2-1

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Sunday, 8 February 2009
Tottenham v Arsenal, 13:30
Much is made of the hatred between the two sides in this North London derby but of greater concern will be for Arsenal to wrench fourth spot from Villa and for Spurs to claw themselves further away from relegation. Victory for Spurs in this game is such a rarity that there's no point suggesting they might win. Perhaps Arsenal can edge it with their better players but the passions invoked by the game could curtail any actual difference in ability.
1-1

West Ham v Man Utd, 16:00
If Liverpool win they will have overtaken Man United at the top of the table. Such is football, I believe that Liverpool will win and United will draw leaving United ahead on Goal Difference, and with a game in hand.
2-2