Premiership Predictions

Saturday, 21 February 2009
Arsenal v Sunderland, 15:00
Despite being close to winning the title last year, only dropping off following the shocking injury to Edouardo, Arsenal are increasingly resembling yesterday's men.

Luckily for them, they're only playing Sunderland. This could be the ideal opportunity for Russian Flat Track Bully Arshavin to make his mark in his first start for the team.
2-0

Aston Villa v Chelsea, 12:45
Can Villa take anything from the Golden Guus? I didn't see Villa's UEFA Cup game but it's reported that fatigue is setting in to the small squad. Chelsea are likely to benefit from the boost that usually comes from having a new manager in charge. Hiddink will probably have started work on his players' fitness and making the team difficult to beat so I can imagine them getting something from the game.
1-1

Bolton v West Ham, 15:00
Zola looked down and out a few months ago but has risen to the challenge. Some credit has been given to his assistant Steve Clark but regardless of that, they are getting the results they need, sitting happily in eighth position. Bolton are less convincing.
1-2

Man Utd v Blackburn, 17:30
Could this finally be where Edwin Van der Saar has to pick a ball out of the back of his net? Does Allardyce have the formula to unlock United's defence? Probably not but for the sake of being contrary and hoping that it makes the league a bit more interesting again I'm going to go with a score draw.
1-1

Middlesbrough v Wigan, 15:00
Middlesbore take on Bruce's rising Wigan. Bruce was overly peripatetic in his early managerial career but Southgate is starting to look as though he's been in his first job too long. Boro are never predictable but it's not hard to see them being beaten.
0-2

Stoke v Portsmouth, 15:00
Stoke are in touching distance of their rightful place in the relegation zone. Portsmouth will be looking to recover form the Tony Adams debacle and continue to pick up more points after beating a witless Manchester City in their last game. Stoke are fading fast.
0-2

Sunday, 22 February 2009
Fulham v West Brom, 13:30
Fulham need to respond to their 3-0 defeat to Manchester United. West Brom need to drag themselves from the bottles of the table. Only one necessity is like to bear fruit.
2-0

Liverpool v Man City, 15:00
Despite being only February, some consider Liverpool to be Manchester United's only serious contenders for the title now. Liverpool will have to beat City to maintain that mantle. Liverpool have lost a game fewer than United but have drawn more. Those draws have usually been scoreless when Benitez's men have lacked the guile to open up defensive teams. The erratic City are not known for the defence although they should benefit from the return of Richard Dunne.
2-0

Newcastle v Everton, 16:00
With Joe Kinnear recovering from a heart bypass operation it's hard to see Newcastle as a steady ship.

Everton are doing extremely well with limited resources and have much more below the surface than... stretching iceberg metaphor... they should beat Newcastle.
0-1

Monday, 23 February 2009
Hull v Tottenham, 20:00
It's hard to to laugh at Hull's record signing being injured for months due to their lack of foresight. Fulham wouldn't given him a new contract because they were unsure of his knee so Hull splashed the cash in record fashion instead. Spurs will be humbled by defeat in the UEFA Cup. Four points separate the sides. Not much in it.
0-0