Predicting Saturday’s Premier League fixtures

Believe it or not, the English Premier League season has surpassed its half-way point.

In the coming weeks, results will surely be magnified, meaning that the pressure is on to get positive results week in and week out.

With each Premier League club having just 17 matches remaining, managers and players will be under closer scrutiny.

The scrutiny starts tomorrow with the following fixtures on the schedule:

Norwich City v. Chelsea

Everton v. Blackburn Rovers

Fulham v. Newcastle United

Queens Park Rangers v. Wigan Athletic

Stoke City v. West Bromwich Albion

Sunderland v. Swansea City

Wolverhampton Wanderers v. Aston Villa

Bolton Wanderers v. Liverpool

Predictions

Let’s kick-off this segment with Norwich City v. Chelsea.

You may recall the last time these two teams met, when Norwich outplayed the Blues at Stamford, but still managed to lose the game 3-1.

With Fernando Torres and Frank Lampard on a good run of form, I fancy Andre Villas-Boas’ side to leave Carrow Road with three points after another 3-1 victory.

Now then, Everton v. Blackburn looks to be an interesting fixture.

Rovers have been on good form as of late, but look for that to come to an end at Goodison Park on Saturday, with Everton keeping a clean-sheet in a 2-0 win in front of their home supporters.

The next game on the cards is Fulham v. Newcastle United.

Fulham have been a pretty consistent home side, having just lost three of their ten games on their home pitch.

Meanwhile, the Magpies away record is the same as Fulham’s record at Craven Cottage.

That being said, I expect an even game, with a 1-1 draw the most likely outcome.

QPR boss Mark Hughes will be looking for his first win as the Super Hoops boss when his side take on Roberto Martinez’s struggling Wigan Athletic on Saturday.

Look for QPR to secure three vital points at Loftus Road, following a 2-1 win versus Wigan.

Moving on to Stoke City v. West Bromwich Albion.

It’s no secret that Stoke City are a very tough side to break down at the Britannia Stadium.

For that reason, I think West Brom will have trouble getting a goal.

Thus, Stoke City will surely go on to win the game 1-0, right?

Martin O’Neill’s Sunderland play hosts to Premier League newcomers Swansea City, who are currently sitting in the top half of the table, on Saturday evening.

Both teams are playing good football at the moment, meaning a draw would be a fair result for both sides.

Expect to see a lot of scoring chances at the Stadium of Light. This game has 2-2 written all over it.

However, do not expect a lot of chances, or goals for that matter, when Wolverhampton Wanderers take on Aston Villa at Molineux.

In fact, I would put my money on a 0-0 draw.

Saturday’s last clash is between Bolton Wanderers and Liverpool.

Can Kenny Dalglish’s men score a goal?

I think anyone can score against Bolton at the moment, and that is why I fancy Liverpool to win 2-0 at the Reebok Stadium.

That is all for today. Cheers.