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?