FA Cup and Premier League predictions

Will it be Fergie celebrating again?

FA Cup

A United side looking good, but without their talisman Wayne Rooney, against a City side looking poor and without their talisman Carlos Tevez. The question is, which side can best cope without their star man?

Well, United can call on the world class Dimitar Berbatov who is the top scorer in the Premier League to replace the thirteen goal Wayne Rooney. City can call on Edin Dzeko, who hasn’t yet scored, to replace the twenty-two goals of Tevez. It looks like a no brainer really doesn’t it.

In City’s favour, this game is absolutely crucial to them whereas United have bigger fish to fry. Does that mean they’ll want it more? I can’t see Fergie letting that happen.

This game could go either way but the sensible money must surely be on United and I’m not going to go against that.

Soccernews prediction: 0-2

Premier League

Big game for both sides who will probably be safe but will be under great pressure if they lose this one. That is particularly true of Sunderland who, although they are three points better off than their opponents, are on a truly terrible run and are sliding downwards alarmingly.

Birmingham have arrested their decline with four points from their last two games and look as though they will have enough about them to get out of trouble. I expect them to catch Sunderland after this game.

Soccernews prediction: 2-0

This is a real six pointer between the teams who are favourites for the drop. In fact, I would probably go as far as to say that whoever loses this one will be relegated. They both try to play attacking and entertaining football and both managers are doing the best they can with very limited resources. I don’t really want to see either of them go down but fear they both will.

I have a feeling that it will be Wigan who have a modicum of hope after this one.

Soccernews prediction: 1-2

Seventh placed Everton take on struggling Blackburn in a game that is far more crucial to the visitors than it is to the hosts. That is Blackburn’s only hope. They are a poor side with a manager who is way out of his depth. They have gone nine games without a win, although they have drawn their last three and would probably settle for another point here to keep edging them towards safety. I don’t think they’ll get one.

Soccernews prediction: 2-0

Roy Hodgson has revitalised a West Brom side who are unbeaten since he took over. He has taken them from looking dead and buried to mid table respectibility. As a team, West Brom have also proved themselves to be difficult opponents for the top sides.

Chelsea will be feeling lower than a snake’s belly after their champions league exit and with manager Ancelotti saying he expects the boot at the end of the season, it will be difficult for them to get up for this game. I think they’ll get up enough for a point, but no more.

Soccernews prediction: 1-1

I thought West Ham had turned a corner and were going to escape with ease, but two defeats in a row have seen them drop back into the bottom three.

Aston Villa eased the tension with a less than convincing 1-0 win over a weakened Newcastle side last week, but I think they are still deep in trouble. I have a feeling they will be more so after defeat here.

Soccernews prediction: 3-1

Sunday 17th April

FA Cup

This is not an FA Cup semi-final that anyone would have predicted, but both sides deserve to be there and have become established Premier League teams. It will be great to see one of them in the final.

Before Owen Coyle went to Bolton, this game would have been a battle of who could kick the ball further and higher and harder, but Coyle has got Bolton some playing some decent stuff. In fairness to Stoke, they are not all about the long ball and set-pieces either, although they are mainly!

It is a really tough one to call but the team I would rather see in the final is Bolton, so I’m going with them.

Soccernews prediction: 1-0

Premier League

Second plays sixth in a game between two teams who all of a sudden look fairly evenly matched. Liverpool were excellent against an admittedly poor Manchester City last week, and look like a team, particularly with Suarez and Carroll, who might be able to mount a challenge on the top four next season.

Arsenal could still win the title, but must still be struggling psychologically at the exit from three other competitions in which they thought they had a chance.

Liverpool will hate taking points off Arsenal and handing the title to Manchester United, but I think that is exactly what they’ll do.

Soccernews prediction: 1-1