Premier League predictions

No pressure Avram!

Aston Villa v Arsenal
Villa looked like they might be starting to get used life to life under Gerard Houllier when they were 2-0 up against Manchester United with ten minutes to go a couple of weeks ago. Since then, however, they let United come back to draw and then last week they were comprehensively beaten at Blackburn. Whilst they are a decent side they will be very aware that they are only three points clear of the drop zone.

Arsenal are in something of a crisis. They have lost games and their manager Arsene Wenger is under the first serious pressure of his long tenure at the club. Despite that, they are still third and only two points off the top of the table, so it isn’t that much of a crisis!

Both teams need a win for different reasons and I think the Londoners will be the ones celebrating today.

Soccernews prediction: 0-2

Bolton v Blackpool
There was a time when this game would have been one of the biggest in the country. Memories of the Matthews Cup Final back in the fifties will probably get an airing all weekend.

It isn’t quite such a big game now, but it is a lot bigger than most people would have thought at the start of the season. Bolton are going great guns and sit confidently in fifth place in the table and Blackpool are surprisingly comfortable in mid-table. It is early stages yet and I doubt whether either team will finish the season as high as they are now, but you never know.

I think Bolton will keep the pressure on the top four.

Soccernews prediction: 2-1

Everton v West Brom
Everton started badly, got better and are now faltering a little again. They were slightly fortunate to get a share of the points at Sunderland last week and haven’t won in four.

West Brom started well but the signs for them are alarming at the moment. They have slipped down the table with just one point from their last five games.

I think Everton will be the ones to get their season back on track.

Soccernews prediction: 1-0

Fulham v Birmingham
This game is between two teams in the bottom six who both need to put some decent results together.

After a promising start Fulham haven’t won in their last four and they were totally dismantled last week in their drubbing by Manchester City.

Birmingham are showing some signs of returning to the form they showed last season and have beaten Chelsea and drawn at Manchester City in their last two outings.

Neither side score many goals and they have managed just twenty-nine goals in twenty-eight games between them so far.

Soccernews prediction: 0-0

Manchester United v Blackburn
United are not playing well but joint top place and being undefeated in twenty-two games is still a decent record!

Blackburn had a good win over Villa last week but it is hard to see their ‘up and at ‘em’ style causing too many problems at Old Trafford.

Soccernews prediction: 2-0

Stoke v Manchester City
All of a sudden Stoke have become the very difficult side to play against they were last season. They are scoring some good goals as well and not just relying on the Delap long throw. They’ve moved up to eighth in the table and have won their last three.

City have generally flattered to deceive so far but last week at Fulham they looked like the real deal. The problem they will have here is that Stoke won’t allow them anything like the freedom that Fulham did.

I fancy that this one will be a decent game and end up as a score draw.

Soccernews prediction: 2-2

West Ham v Wigan
The Hammers board have stated that this game is a ‘save our season’ affair. No pressure on Avram Grant to get a result then!

The bad news he has in getting that result he needs is that they haven’t won in eight games and in fact, have only won once all season. The good news is that they are playing Wigan.

Wigan are just not terribly good and just one win in seven games has seen them slip into the drop zone.

I think Avram Grant might just get a stay of execution.

Soccernews prediction: 2-1

Wolves v Sunderland
Mick McCarthy’s men are joint bottom of the table and can’t buy a win. Since they beat Manchester City and thought they had turned the corner they have tasted defeat four times in a row.

Sunderland had that great win at Chelsea but couldn’t build on it in their next game, drawing at home to Everton. I fancy them to get another draw here.

Soccernews prediction: 1-1

SUNDAY 28TH NOVEMBER

Newcastle v Chelsea
The Magpies have been a little unpredictable so far this season but they are comfortable in mid-table and capable of beating anyone on their day.

Chelsea are desperate for a win. They have lost three of their last four and have faced a remarkably negative media onslaught despite the fact they still lead the Premier League and have topped their Champions League group as well.

Chelsea are too good for this run to go on much longer. In fact, I think it will end today.

Soccernews prediction: 0-2

Tottenham v Liverpool
It is notoriously difficult for teams to adjust back to Premier League duty after midweek Champions League games. Tottenham suffered a little after their heroics against Inter, but have had a good win over Blackburn and a great win at the Emirates since then. They will be hoping that they will continue their good form and results rather than suffering another European hangover.

Liverpool have climbed to ninth and only lost one in nine in all competitions. That said, they still don’t look much of a team at the moment.

I fancy Tottenham to keep up their charge.

Soccernews prediction: 2-0