Premier League predictions

Will he be the difference again?

Aston Villa v Manchester United
Villa scraped through against Blackpool reserves on Wednesday night, but a win is a win. I wonder if they will adopt the Manchester City policy of playing against Manchester United and put ten men behind the ball and settle for a 0-0. They won’t, I think they’ll go for it. With the type of players they have they have little choice.

United are still unbeaten and if everyone plays like City and doesn’t try to score against them, it will stay way! I think Villa will attack and that should make for a decent game. I can see United just coming out on top.

Soccernews prediction: 1-2

Manchester City v Birmingham
Manchester City fans will be hoping to see a much more adventurous performance today than they saw on Wednesday. I assume, as this isn’t a side that Mancini is scared of, that is exactly what they will see.

Birmingham are still not the side of last season and they are giving away silly goals at the back. I think that will cost them again here.

Soccernews prediction: 2-0

Newcastle v Fulham
Everything was going swimmingly for Newcastle, on the pitch at least, until along came Blackburn and their old manager Sam Allardyce. A 2-1 defeat and the return of ‘nasty’ Joey Barton rather than ‘talented’ Joey Barton and everything turned a little sour. They need to bounce back.

Fulham haven’t won an away game for months and months. It doesn’t make sense because they are well organised, solid at the back and they can score goals. It must be a psychological problem and I can’t see this game curing it.

Soccernews prediction: 2-1

Stoke v Liverpool
Tony Pulis has had his moan about poor refereeing decisions costing his team points and to be fair, he had a point. Stoke really have had the rough end of many decisions so far this season. They haven’t played too well, but Tuesday’s 3-2 win over Birmingham will have lifted the spirits.

Liverpool have been better of late but a disappointing 1-1 draw at Wigan on Wednesday was a reminder of how bad they were. On the plus side, it looks as though Fernando Torres is on his way back to his best. He could be the difference in this one.

Soccernews prediction: 0-1

Tottenham v Blackburn
Harry Redknapp was incredulous when his Tottenham team were booed at the end of their 1-1 draw with Sunderland in mid-week. I don’t blame him! Tottenham are playing well and the good results will return, starting today.

Blackburn had a great win at Newcastle on Wednesday but Premier League laws state that Blackburn cannot possibly win two away games in a row.

Soccernews prediction: 2-0

West Ham v Blackpool
The Hammers looked pretty good in their 2-2 draw with West Brom on Wednesday but they didn’t win and they are still bottom of the table. They need to start winning some games.

Blackpool put out a reserve side at Aston Villa and were just a few seconds away from picking up a deserved point. I’m assuming it will be the first team here and it would take a foolish man to bet against Holloway’s men getting something from the game.

Soccernews prediction: 1-1

Wigan v West Brom
There is no doubt that Wigan are in for a season of struggle. They got a decent draw at home to Liverpool on Wednesday but they are still in the bottom three and have won only one of seven home games.

West Brom are still playing a refreshing brand of attacking football home and away and sit in a deserved mid-table position. I can see them picking up the points in this one.

Soccernews prediction: 1-3

Wolves v Bolton
Wolves were unlucky to concede an injury-time winner at Old Trafford last week and were then the better team against Arsenal on Wednesday but lost again. These good performances but defeats against the top sides need to be turned into wins against the ‘others’ if they are to stand any chance of staying up.

Bolton are sixth and were seconds away from a great win at Everton on Wednesday. They have been beaten on their travels once this season so far and I don’t see Wolves adding to that.

Soccernews prediction: 1-1

SUNDAY 14TH NOVEMBER

Chelsea v Sunderland
Although Chelsea only beat Fulham 1-0 the other night, they played some great stuff and could have had several more goals. They still look like the best side in the league by a long way.

Sunderland are up to eighth place and have bounced back well from their humiliation at neighbours Newcastle. They are a pretty useful outfit these days but the fact is they are not in Chelsea’s league.

Soccernews prediction: 3-0

Everton v Arsenal
Everton looked as though they had turned the corner after their terrible start but draws at Blackpool and at home to Bolton have raised further question marks about their ambition to be in and around the European qualification places.

Arsenal were not good at Wolves or Newcastle and they will have to be sharper if they want to get three points at Goodison. I think they will be.

Soccernews prediction: 0-2