Premier League predictions

If you are a returning reader who has taken to offering me in good faith the slightest slither of the vast pie chart that is your total internet usage, then as this week’s Premier League predictions is a little longer than previous ones, I have a request: ‘please sir, can I have some more?’

Do not fear, there are circumstances far more mitigating than mere self-indulgence and egotism; there is a post-weekend, rearranged Merseyside derby for one thing.

To offer the most minimal, meaningless compensation for my decreased conciseness, I have formatted the page in what I consider to be an infinitely superior format to its predecessor. So if anyone reading this suddenly finds themselves caught in the throes of ‘format-appreciation’ to coin a phrase, then you can consider yourself lucky I’m so pedantic. Enjoy!

Last week’s score: 6

Saturday March 10, 2012

Bolton 2-2 QPR (12:45)
QPR were on the front foot for large parts of the game with Everton, and with a bit of composure, could have taken three points and though I wasn’t too impressed with their performance in truth, I believe the return from suspension of Djibril Cisse will galvanise the side.

Bolton did well against Manchester City in that they were not humiliated which really is an accomplishment considering the mismatch of talent. I expect them to fight here, a win would take them above QPR and possibly out of the relegation. The combination of desperation and crap defending will make for a good old relegation thriller.

Aston Villa 1-2 Fulham (15:00)
Fulham were fantastic against Wolves and the fact that they had 19 shots on target says it all. Talk about a replacement, after only three games, Pavel Pogrebnyak has just two less than Bobby Zamora managed in six months. The impressive victory continues an excellent spell of form for Jol’s men who have followed up defeat at the Etihad with three consecutive league victories.

The fact that Fulham are brimming with confidence (which really does serve as a testament to the sort of effect Martin Jol can have as a manager) and Aston Villa seem weak, incoherent and directionless, is enough to tip it in favour of the form side for me. Fulham victory and plenty of abuse to follow.

Chelsea 3-1 Stoke City (15:00)
This seems a bit of a strange prediction I think, but you know when things just seem to follow an odd pattern in football? I wouldn’t find it the least bit surprising to see Frank Lampard return to scoring action, Fernando Torres to come good and Chelsea to look like a decent side again. Sometimes a change is all that’s needed.

They looked good against Birmingham and a 2-0 away victory against Chris Hughton’s team is a fairly decent result. Juan Mata should have allowed Torres to take the penalty I think. I just expect Roberto Di Matteo and whoever he names on the teamsheet to be greeted with far more optimism than has been shown of late and that really could be the decisive factor in Chelsea’s revival.

Sunderland 1-2 Liverpool (15:00)
Last season, Luis Suarez had one of his best games in a Liverpool shirt at the Stadium of Light. For me, Suarez’s ability to take players on, outpace defenders and get in behind is best showcased away from home as sides tend to sit back and soak up pressure at Anfield. Last year’s 2-1 victory for the Reds was is a case in point. I think that Sunderland will miss Sessegnon as he has that natural ability to link the play and move Sunderland up the pitch.

I know that Nicklas Bendtner scored a penalty against Newcastle, and that some supporters fancy him to get a few goals, but in my opinion, he is such a rubbish striker that, in ironic contrast to the Dane’s peculiar belief that bad luck causes each of his misses, I believe good luck assists all of his goals. Martin Skrtel is one of the best defenders in the league at the moment and alongside Jamie Carragher, Liverpool should have enough protection for Suarez and dare I suggest Andy Carroll to go and win the game.

Wolves 2-1 Blackburn (15:00)
I felt for Terry Connor last week. Having earned a laudable draw at St. James’ Park, the worst thing he could have asked for was a side in the sort of form Fulham were. It’s just another unfortunate aspect of Mick McCarthy’s departure; he had to be sacked after the West Brom game, there is no doubt about that, but two tough away trips to Newcastle and Fulham are the hardly the sort of games you would mark down as confidence-builders.

Blackburn at home is however. Despite Rovers’ impressive away return in terms of goals, they represent a realistic chance of victory for Wolves. Level on points but split by the symbolic dotted relegation graphic of misery, this match couldn’t be better poised. I expect an exciting game and Paul Robinson to play well but Wolves to find just enough spirit for the win.

Everton 1 -1 Tottenham (17:30)
As a Blue, I am in two minds about this fixture. Firstly, the prospect of playing a Tottenham side hurting from the devastating efficiency of Manchester United’s attacking last week is a cause for concern. On the other hand however, a night match at Goodison is always a special occasion.

For perhaps the very first time living memory, Everton have a fully fit squad with long-term absentees Phil Jagielka, Leon Osman, Jack Rodwell, and Seamus Coleman all featuring in the 0-0 reserve derby at Goodison this week. Obviously this is a cue for another injury crisis but hopefully it occurs late enough in the game for us to have already made our mark on a Tottenham side depleted itself after the withdrawals of Michael Dawson and Aaron Lennon against Stevenage.

Sunday March 11, 2012

Manchester United 3-1 West Brom (14:00)
Given his long spell on the sidelines, you could argue that Ashley Young has had to establish himself twice at Old Trafford. It is a real indication of his ability that after a handful of games, he was able to brilliantly score England’s momentary equaliser against Holland, create Ryan Giggs’ 90th minute winner against Norwich and take the game beyond Tottenham’s reach with two outstanding goals. His return to the team will be like a bolt of adrenaline for United, hopefully England too.

I expect a more confident showing from United after a good win at Spurs. West Brom are a great side at the moment, they’ve been on top for every minute of their last three consecutive victories, having scored 10 and conceded just two. United look more like their old selves of late and this game represents a great chance to prove it. Form used to stand for nothing at Old Trafford, so let’s see.

Swansea 0 – 2 Manchester City(14:00)
So poisonous is the chalice that the Chelsea job has become that even a fledgling manager of a Welsh team, an ex-Chelsea coach no less, moved quickly to rule himself. It also speaks well of him. But of course, this is no ordinary Welsh side, this is a really talented, co-operative bunch and one that I personally am looking forward to seeing developed next year.

Despite their home record, Swansea do give away chances at the Liberty Stadium and Manchester City are too good for that, so for me, I anticipate a bit of a cagey game, settled by either brilliance or precision.

Norwich 2- 0 Wigan (16:00)
Despite just one defeat in four games, Wigan look like a relegation side and if we’re all honest with ourselves, they’ve looked like one for a year years now. Martinez is often lauded for playing the game ‘the right way’. For me, he plays ‘the right way’ the wrong way as his sides consistency lack both leadership and finishing ability. Going into a relegation battle bereft of these two assets is like entering a gun fight equipped only with scathing insult: you are going to get your comeuppance eventually.

Since the excellent win at Swansea, Norwich have lost three games in a row but I fancy Lambert’s men raise their game in the knowledge that three points will leave just two short of the magical though contextually irrelevant 40-point mark.

Monday March 12, 2012

Arsenal 3-1 Newcastle United (20:00)
Prior to the AC Milan game, I wrote that an Arsenal victory of any kind could really set them up to secure fourth place (Shameless plug) and I think the experience of Tuesday’s impressive win will bear that out. If Arsenal beat Newcastle, Alan Pardew’s men can give up on the Champions League dream and Arsenal’s concerns for the rest of the season will be focused squarely on London rivals, Tottenham and Chelsea.

Robin Van Persie will want to make amends for his costly miss, not that he needs to. And with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain thankfully having secured his starting-place, I tip Arsenal to earn a comfortable victory.

Tuesday March 13

Liverpool 2-1 Everton (20:00)
I was really tempted to go for a draw here but having backed Everton to get one good result already in this piece, I think its probably wise not to get carried away. And besides, I expect Suarez to be diving left, right and centre, and we all know how that story ends.

Liverpool were unlucky against Arsenal as they have been for most of their home performances as an Evertonian, I must admit I respect the way Liverpool will always be on their game for the derby, especially at home. Without meaning to bleat on, I believe the difference with be that little goofy sod up front through whatever means.

By Chris Smith

Premier League predictions

In this week’s set of predictions, I have gone for some bold/ stupid ones. This comes in spite of the fact my top score is something like six. Included in there are two 2-3 predictions which are deemed to serve an interesting purpose. If I am in any way correct, you, the reader, are bound to think ‘ah this chap must know a thing or two’, you come back again, I’m happy, you’re happy, everyone’s happy (to an extent). And if I am wrong, well, who gives a shit?

Last week’s score: 5

Saturday February 25, 2012

Chelsea 2 – 1 Bolton Wanderers 15:00
A lot has been written about Villas-Boas this week and rightly so. The players are either under-performing or past it but without meaning to get too personal Andre, it is precisely your personality that is the problem for me. Dropping Ashley Cole for Jose Bosingwa? He deserves what he gets for that. In terms of Bolton, I was delighted to see Ryo Miyaichi start and score against Millwall. Hopefully, he replaces the rubbish Martin Petrov in the starting line-up. If so, Bolton could have another Jack Wilshere situation on their hands. Whether or not that happens, I am going make a bold prediction here, Torres to score in a Chelsea win.

Newcastle 2-1 Wolves 15:00
Wolves’ search for a new manager has rapidly become a farce but good luck to Terry Connor. It would be easy to condemn Steve Morgan and the rest of the board, but to be honest, Wolves have been average at best for far too long and the embarrassment at home to West Brom was about ten final straws at once. I expect a spirited performance from them but Newcastle are a really strong side at home. The more Cisse and Ba play together, the more goals, the more confidence, more goals etc etc, so a Newcastle win for me.

QPR 3-2 Fulham 15:00
This seems like a bit of a wild prediction but there is method in my madness. There are lots of interesting details to stoke up the intensity of the game. Mark Hughes walked out on Fulham last year, Bobby Zamora in January, and of course the fact it is a very local derby. QPR desperately need the points given their predicament and although 3-2 is a bit of a risky prediction, these games have to happen some time don’t they?

West Brom 1-2 Sunderland 15:00
I expected Sunderland to ease past Arsenal in the FA Cup and they did. Consequently, I expect that momentum to spur them on at the Hawthorns where a thoroughly capable West Brom side strangely continue to struggle. It has all been said about Martin O’Neill so I think it best to concentrate on James McClean who looks a fantastic player. I think Sunderland are playing well enough to control the game which will frustrate West Brom and their supporters. I expect Sunderland’s efficient attacking to secure a late win.

Wigan 1- 2 Aston Villa 15:00
To be blunt, I think this will be a fairly dire game from two boring sides but for me, Villa’s attacking potency coupled with Wigan’s defensive inadequacies will be the difference. Villa have some really good players, and to a lesser extent so do Wigan, but both sides lack the consistency required to climb the table. Poor game, Keane or Bent to win it.

Manchester City 3-0 Blackburn 17:30
My first thought was ‘easy win for City’, my second ‘ah but Blackburn did win at Old Trafford’, my third ‘no you were right, easy win for City’. So easy win for City then. I could explain my reasons but is there any point?

Arsena 2-3 Tottenham 13:30 
Historically, I love Arsenal. Furthermore, I have grown accustomed to hating various Spurs teams over the years. Though I wouldn’t claim my Arsenal sympathies have gone full circle, my Spurs dissent certainly has. Though Man City play the slightly better football, Spurs do it more often and for longer periods. If you take this team as a reference for Redknapp’s England manager’s application then I cannot wait. Arsenal on the other hand are back to the same old sorry mixture of woeful defending, unfortunate injuries and an all-too evident crisis of confidence. They will fight here but Spurs will fight back stronger.

Norwich 0-2 Manchester United 13:30
To allow my Spurs praise to spill over for a second, I rate them on a similarly plane to Manchester United these days which is why I have gone for 2-0, the scoreline when Spurs visited Carrow Road. Rio Ferdinand’s return will be welcome for a defence that looked awful against Ajax. Norwich may just catch United napping by coming out of the traps but I would expect Ferguson’s men to be prepared for that despite playing on Thursday. Enough quality in United’s attack to secure a good win.

Stoke City 2-0 Swansea 15:00
A lot was made of Tony Pulis’ selection in mid-week but one thing that is for sure, whoever plays will come out fighting in a winnable home game. Swansea’s win at West Brom was courageous but unrepresentative of a much more abject away form. On their day, they can match anyone but it seems their day comes all too seldom away from home. Stoke are a great side at times and surely Pulis has prepared things perfectly for a great home performance.

Carling Cup Final

Cardiff City 1-2 Liverpool 16:00
It is difficult to tip Liverpool to win a final as an Evertonian, especially as I really rate Cardiff, but I imagine Craig Bellamy will start, and an attack that boasts him, Luis Suarez, and Steven Gerrard is hard to ignore. All three have tremendous talent but far more importantly on the day, the sort of clinical efficiency which is crucial in converting chances into cup-winning goals. Cardiff will create and the dead ball ability of Peter Whittingham will give them chances in any game but Liverpool will have the quality and the nerve to triumph. (Bastards)
 

Premier League Predictions

Here is the latest round of Premier League predictions. I’ve made one key change and that is to add a line or two of explanation to each game. Naturally, this is to make the blog ‘more interesting’ for any readers, and beyond that, to be even more self-indulgent.

Last week’s score: 6

Saturday February 3, 2011

Arsenal 2 – 0 Blackburn Rovers 13:00
This game will be tight and I even considered going for a score draw until I found out that Yakubu is still suspended for Blackburn. There  will be chances for both sides as Arsenal’s defence is still far from steady, but the Gunners’ ability to convert will be the difference between them and a goal-shy Rovers.

Norwich City 2 – 1 Bolton Wanderers 15:00
This is what you might call a ‘six-pointer’: if Norwich lose, there will be only six points them and Bolton, if they win, they will be 12 ahead. I would suggest that the proximity of Bolton to the relegation zone (17th) would therefore render Norwich’s safety a mere formality as the Canaries would be just three wins short of 40 points. I expect Bolton to give a good account of themselves and to play well in parts, but ultimately the fantastic support from the Carrow Road crowd will buoy Paul Lambert’s men enough to gain a vital three points.

QPR 2 – 1 Wolves 15:00
This game interests me for a number of reasons. Firstly, I am very keen to see what the new Zamora/ Cisse strikeforce looks like for QPR, potentially it could keep them up. Secondly, the 3-0 hammering to Liverpool was as bad as Wolves have been since another humiliating 3-0 home defeat – against QPR in September. Mark Hughes will have been impressed by a lot of his side’s performance against Aston Villa.  I expect a good game and I believe the decisive factor will be one or both of QPR’s new strikers.

Stoke City 2 – 2 Sunderland 15:00
Tony Pulis used a post-match interview this week to highlight the fact his side have played nine of the last 11 games away. That’s absolutely incredible! I make it eight of the last 11 but even so… Surely then Stoke will be delighted to get back to the Britannia where they are a formidable outfit. On the other hand however, the confidence Martin O’Neill is transmitting to his players is there for everyone to see and never more so than the 3-0 victory over Norwich. Both sides are capable of goals, I expect a score draw.

West Brom 2-1 Swansea 15:00
West Brom’s home form has been abysmal – eight points from 11 games – whereas Swansea’s away form is somehow worse – only six points collected. For me West Brom have been losing points because of individual errors, the team as a whole appears to be functioning well. I expect their form at the Hawthorns to improve sooner rather than later and Saturday’s game seems like a great chance.

Wigan 0 – 1 Everton  15:00
Wigan have been unlucky in some games and terrible in others. For me, they look doomed and none of the transfer activity during the window changed my mind. Everton inversely will hope to boost new signings Nikica Jelavic and Steven Pienaar and come into the game off the back of their best result in a long time. The performance against Manchester City was a real morale boost and I expect a narrow win for the Toffees here.

Manchester City 3 – 0 Fulham 17:30
If Roberto Mancini’s men do not bounce back after Tuesday’s defeat to Everton, I will be extremely surprised. Many have interpreted the Italian’s decision to shoulder the blame as a sign of strength. My take is that he is removing pressure from his players – noble, but a clear acceptance they are feeling the strain. Level on points now with rivals Manchester United, City will need a positive performance to reassure fans.

Sunday February 4, 2011

Newcastle United 2 – 0 Aston Villa 13:30
If, as expected, Newcastle partner new Senegalese striker Papiss Cisse with countryman Demba Ba, Newcastle ought to be back to their confident best. Though Villa have improved of late, Alan Pardew’s side are a real prospect when their strikers are firing on all cylinders and if Cisse is half as good as Ba, they have two cracking players up top. Newcastle to win comfortably.

Chelsea 1 – 3 Manchester United 16:00
This game could well boil down to one side losing key players at the wrong time and one gaining them at the right. Chelsea will be without Terry, Lampard and Cole though will most likely give a debut to Cahill whereas Rooney, Young, Nani and Cleverley are all back for United. Victory away at Arsenal was a real sign Ferguson’s men are beginning to reach the levels of efficiency and consistency required for champions. Chelsea have not impressed me all season and if, before I even start any tactical discussion, Jose Bosingwa plays, there will be plenty of goals for an in-form United.

Monday February 5, 2011

Liverpool 2-1 Tottenham 20:00
I was all ready to go for a draw believing that whilst Liverpool have been at their best against the top sides this season, and on as good a run of form as they are, I expect their luck to run out eventually. In that case, Luis Suarez could not be returning at a better time. Undoubtedly one of the best strikers in the Premiership, I expect the Uruguayan to channel the frustration of his eight-game ban positively and lead Liverpool to a fairly comfortable victory.

 

By Chris Smith