Premier League and FA Cup predictions – Everton to triumph in battle of the pretenders?

Saturday 14th February 2009

Premier League

Managerless Pompey are in a bit of a crisis. They have sacked Tony Adams after just sixteen league games, but just two wins in those games have left them staring down the barrel of relegation.

Manchester City need a decent run to start to live up to all the hype. They weren’t particularly impressive in their 1-0 win over Middlesbrough last week but the three points were welcome and they have reached an acceptable league position.

Both teams might be reasonably pleased with a point.

SoccerNews prediction: 1-1

FA Cup

Blackburn are definitely a better side under Sam Allardyce than they were under Paul Ince, but they might just be beginning to stutter a little. They suffered their first loss under their new boss last week and will be looking for a Cup run to raise the spirits.

Coventry, managed by former Fulham boss Chris Coleman, are currently in mid table in the Championship and will provide a tough test for the team sitting third from bottom of the top tier.

I think Blackburn will have just a little too much for Coventry although it will be close.

SoccerNews prediction: 2-1

Fifth in the Championship plays twelve in the Premiership. Hull have picked up a couple of points recently to stem the tide of their slide down the table, whilst Sheffield United’s challenge for promotion has suffered a couple of recent blows.

This will be one of the few times that these two sides have met with Hull being the favourites. I think they will just about justify that tag, but only after a replay.

SoccerNews prediction: 1-1

Probably the biggest chance of an upset in this one. Swansea are flying in the Championship. After being promoted from League One last season Roberto Martinez has guided the Swans to a position just outside the play-offs. They play a fast attacking game and will provide a stern test for the difficult to beat Fulham side.

Fulham are a different proposition this season but they struggled against non-league opposition in the last round and I think they will struggle again in this one.

SoccerNews prediction: 2-1

Fourth place in the Premier League, FA Cup fifth round and the knockout stages of the Champions League. It is no surprise that Chelsea sacked their manager! It looks as though Guus Hiddink will be at Watford’s Vicarage Road ground to watch his new charges whilst Ray Wilkins takes control of the team.

This game is given added spice by the fact that Watford, who sit in the relegation zone of the Championship, are managed by former Chelsea reserve team boss Brendan Rodgers who is a protégé of Jose Mourinho.

As a lifelong Watford fan I have had to be totally professional in my prediction for this game and not let my love of the Hornets cloud my judgement.

SoccerNews prediction: 4-0 🙂

West Ham have developed into a decent side. They are good to watch and they have got a cutting edge. Now that Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke have had time to exert their influence on the side the results are beginning to show.

Middlesbrough are really not very good. They played alright at Manchester City last week but missed a load of chances and gave away a goal.

I see troubled times ahead for Boro and I’m afraid the result here won’t help them.

SoccerNews prediction: 3-0

Sunday 15th February 2009

FA Cup

Brian Clough’s son Nigel has turned things around pretty quickly at Derby and has halted the alarming slide they were on. They are, of course the only side that has beaten Manchester United or even scored against them in a very long time.

United are playing well and it is difficult to see anything other than a relatively comfortable win for them in this one.

SoccerNews prediction: 0-2

The tie of the round sees the two pretenders to the top four throne going head to head at Goodison Park. Everton’s organisation against Villa’s flair. When the two met in the league a while back, Villa were slightly lucky to take the three points with an injury time goal.

This one is likely to be equally close as the league game was but this time I fancy Everton might just come out on top.

SoccerNews prediction: 1-0

Monday 16th February 2009

FA Cup

This game is still a fourth round replay as the previous game fell victim to the weather. Cardiff are sitting in the play-off spots in the Championship and look like mounting a serious challenge to get into the Premier League. They played well in the 0-0 draw in Cardiff and Arsenal will know that this will not be an easy game.

Arsenal are still a little unpredictable but they are on a pretty good run. Despite their problems, they are still a top side and with Arsene Wenger maybe thinking that the FA Cup is his best chance of a trophy, I can’t see them slipping up here.

SoccerNews prediction: 2-0