Premiership Predictions
Last week, Lawro managed an impressive 7 correct results with 2 correct scores. I achieved 6 correct results and 3 correct scores. Maybe this punditry lark isn’t as easy as it looks? On to this week’s predictions…
Blackburn v West Ham
Blackburn still haven’t managed to shake off their tag as being an “overly physical” side, although truth to tell they maybe haven’t been trying that hard. Equally, West Ham are still known as the football academy based on their past achievements. Still, this game should be one of craft against graft but which will come out on top?
Blackburn 1 v 2 West Ham
Bolton v Liverpool
Liverpool have had a shocking start to the season and know they can’t afford to lose again so early in the season. The sale of Alonso has clearly disrupted them but I’m sure the master tactician Rafa Benitez has been working behind the scenes to resolve their problems. Bolton on the other hand are distinctly average. They’ve lost some of their physicality but have yet to replace it with any degree of skill. As a result I expect the Scousers to get back on track
Bolton 0 v 2 Liverpool
Chelsea v Burnley
Chelsea have had an undramatic start to the season, retaining their 100% record without setting the world alight. Burnley on the other hand have surprised many, winning 2 out of 3 games including that defeat of Manchester United. Can they repeat the giant-killing, or will Chelsea continue to efficiently collect points? There’s only one answer for me I’m afraid
Chelsea 3 v 1 Burnley
Manchester United V Arsenal
By any reckoning, the stand-out tie of the weekend. Manchester United stuttered against Burnley but responded in typical fashion with a 5-0 mauling of Wigan. Arsenal have started the season impressively, forcing many pundits to start thinking about which sauce to use when eating their hats. This game could provide the test to see if they are potential champions or also rans.
Manchester United 1 v 2 Arsenal
Stoke v Sunderland
From the tie of the weekend to a complete non-entity unless you happen to support either team. Both sides will be looking to achieve a comfortable position in mid-table this season and should do so. Sunderland have bought some decent players, but I’m not sure if it will be enough so I’m going for a dire
Stoke 0 v 0 Sunderland
Tottenham v Birmingham
For many seasons Tottenham have been promising to achieve but consistently failed to deliver anything of note. This season they have the strikeforce to threaten the status quo, although question marks remain over their defence and whether they can actually stay fit for once. Birmingham City, as the new boys will find it tough going against the established premiership side and I can see them leaving empty handed.
Tottenham 3 v 0 Birmingham
Wolves v Hull
Wolves have had a promising start to the season without actually getting anywhere, while Hull seem to be caught in the rut that gripped them in the second half of last season. The Wanderers will have targeted this as a vital 3 points towards premiership survival and I think they may just get them
Wolves 1 v 0 Hull
Sunday
Aston Villa v Fulham
Villa will be feeling confident following last week’s win over Liverpool and will be looking to use their pace up front to trouble Fulham’s back line. Ashley Young could be decisive in this game, particularly if he continues to learn from Arsenal’s Eduardo. Fulham haven’t had the best of starts to the season and both sides may be a little tired following their European exertions in mid-week.. Another 3 points for Martin O’Neill’s boys.
Aston Villa 2 v 0 Fulham
Everton v Wigan
Everton will be desperate to get something from this game following their dismal start to the season, including that 6-1 thrashing at the hands of Arsenal. They will be hoping that the eventual sale of Lescott to Manchester City and the purchase of that Russian bloke whose name I can’t spell, much less pronounce will provide the squad with some much-needed stability. Wigan will be reeling following their late capitulation that saw them concede 5 goals after defending superbly in the first half.
Everton 2 v Wigan 1
Portsmouth v Man City
Let’s face it, Portsmouth are falling apart at the seams and it will take more than a new owner to pull them together in time for this fixture, especially against the expensively assembled Manchester City side. Adebayor looks to be rejuvenated now that he is finally being paid what he believes he is worth, although he still seems to be struggling with the offside rule. I see another big loss on the cards for Pompey
Portsmouth 0 v 4 Man City
Friday, 28 August 2009
Saturday, 22 August 2009
Premiership Predictions 22/8/09
Arsenal v Portsmouth
Arsenal have started the season well, while Portsmouth have been less than impressive. However, Wenger may decide to rest a few players before the Champions League 2nd leg, especially with Man U waiting just around the corner. I'll go for a rather modest
Arsenal 2 - 0 Portsmouth
Birmingham v Stoke
Newly promoted teams tend to struggle in the premiership but Birmingham will feel they can get something from this game. Stoke have been fairly pedestrian and one-dimensional so far. I was tempted to go for a draw, but since Lawro has done just that, I'll predict a narrow
Birmingham 1 - 0 Stoke
Hull v Bolton
Two teams I loathe, one because of their manager and the other because of their thuggish play. They'll spend more time kicking lumps out of each other than going for goal, so I predict a dull
Hull 0 - 0 Bolton
Man City v Wolves
Another newly promoted team coming up against an established premiership side. Man City are out to prove that it is possible to buy the title but star names don't make a team. If Wolves get the offside trap right they could sneak a point but realistically
Man City 3 - 1 Wolves
Sunderland v Blackburn
Sunderland have been quietly building a half decent team and I expect them to reach mid-table mediocrity this year. Blackburn have been a team in reverse for the last few seasons and it looks like this trend is going to continue.
Sunderland 2 - 1 Blackburn
Wigan v Man U
You've got to feel sorry for Wigan. Not only do they have to face the champions early in the season, but they have to do so after their humiliating defeat at Burnley. Man U may be missing their creative influence and the core of their defence but they'll have a point to prove and will be far too strong for the home side
Wigan 0 - 3 Man U
West Ham v Tottenham
This has all the makings of a cracking game. Both sides have started the season well and Tottenham fans will be wondering if they can finally challenge for a place in the top 4. Although their lack of defensive cover may prove costly over the season, I expect them to be good enough to overcome the hammers and keep the dream alive for a few more days
West Ham 1 - 2 Tottenham
Burnley v Everton
On paper this should be a straightforward away win. However, Burnley will be on a high following their victory against Man U while Everton will be reeling from their 6-1 demolition by Arsenal. For that reason I'm going for
Burnley 1 - 1 Everton
Fulham v Chelsea
Chelsea have started strongly and look to be the team to beat this year. They haven't bought any big names so far, but neither have they sold any. Fulham will be playing more in hope then expectation and I can only see this going one way
Fulham 0 - 2 Chelsea
Liverpool v Aston Villa
Both sides have lost a key man from their midfield and suffered as a result. Villa will be looking to use their pace up front, but without Barry to play the through balls I can see them struggling to break down a miserly Liverpool defence. This could well descend into a scrappy affair decided by a single goal.
Liverpool 1 - 0 Aston Villa
Hmm I wonder if I'll get more right than the fabled Lawro?
Arsenal have started the season well, while Portsmouth have been less than impressive. However, Wenger may decide to rest a few players before the Champions League 2nd leg, especially with Man U waiting just around the corner. I'll go for a rather modest
Arsenal 2 - 0 Portsmouth
Birmingham v Stoke
Newly promoted teams tend to struggle in the premiership but Birmingham will feel they can get something from this game. Stoke have been fairly pedestrian and one-dimensional so far. I was tempted to go for a draw, but since Lawro has done just that, I'll predict a narrow
Birmingham 1 - 0 Stoke
Hull v Bolton
Two teams I loathe, one because of their manager and the other because of their thuggish play. They'll spend more time kicking lumps out of each other than going for goal, so I predict a dull
Hull 0 - 0 Bolton
Man City v Wolves
Another newly promoted team coming up against an established premiership side. Man City are out to prove that it is possible to buy the title but star names don't make a team. If Wolves get the offside trap right they could sneak a point but realistically
Man City 3 - 1 Wolves
Sunderland v Blackburn
Sunderland have been quietly building a half decent team and I expect them to reach mid-table mediocrity this year. Blackburn have been a team in reverse for the last few seasons and it looks like this trend is going to continue.
Sunderland 2 - 1 Blackburn
Wigan v Man U
You've got to feel sorry for Wigan. Not only do they have to face the champions early in the season, but they have to do so after their humiliating defeat at Burnley. Man U may be missing their creative influence and the core of their defence but they'll have a point to prove and will be far too strong for the home side
Wigan 0 - 3 Man U
West Ham v Tottenham
This has all the makings of a cracking game. Both sides have started the season well and Tottenham fans will be wondering if they can finally challenge for a place in the top 4. Although their lack of defensive cover may prove costly over the season, I expect them to be good enough to overcome the hammers and keep the dream alive for a few more days
West Ham 1 - 2 Tottenham
Burnley v Everton
On paper this should be a straightforward away win. However, Burnley will be on a high following their victory against Man U while Everton will be reeling from their 6-1 demolition by Arsenal. For that reason I'm going for
Burnley 1 - 1 Everton
Fulham v Chelsea
Chelsea have started strongly and look to be the team to beat this year. They haven't bought any big names so far, but neither have they sold any. Fulham will be playing more in hope then expectation and I can only see this going one way
Fulham 0 - 2 Chelsea
Liverpool v Aston Villa
Both sides have lost a key man from their midfield and suffered as a result. Villa will be looking to use their pace up front, but without Barry to play the through balls I can see them struggling to break down a miserly Liverpool defence. This could well descend into a scrappy affair decided by a single goal.
Liverpool 1 - 0 Aston Villa
Hmm I wonder if I'll get more right than the fabled Lawro?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
