Premier League predictions

Will they still be the top two on Monday?

Aston Villa v West Brom
Villa are slipping and sliding down the table and are now just two places and two points clear of the drop zone. The last thing they need is to play at home to a team who have won away at the Emirates and drawn at Old Trafford, scoring five goals in the process. Oh dear!

West Brom had a mini-blip but have won their last two games, scoring seven goals and playing some lovely football. I expect them to turn up the heat on Gerard Houllier.

Soccernews prediction: 1-2

Everton v Wigan
David Moyes’ team got a well deserved point at Chelsea last week but that still made it a run of just one win in eight games since they won the Merseyside derby.

Wigan also did OK last week coming back from behind twice to earn a draw with Stoke. However, for them it is just two wins in ten, so we have two teams on very bad runs.

The main difference between the two teams is that Everton have the potential to be a good side and Wigan don’t.

Soccernews prediction: 2-0

Fulham v Sunderland
Despite being a well organised side, Fulham find themselves outside the drop zone purely through having a better goal difference. I was surprised to see that they have managed to take all three points just once in their last thirteen games. That is a horrible run and they need to turn things around quickly.

Sunderland are going great guns in seventh place but have only managed one win on the road in eight attempts. I have to say that this game has a draw written all over it.

Soccernews prediction: 1-1

Newcastle v Liverpool
After the remarkable and ridiculous events at St James’ Park this week it will be fascinating to see how the Newcastle fans and players react. If Mike Ashley has any sense at all, and the jury is still out on that one, he will stay as far away from North East England as he possibly can.

Liverpool are going along relatively nicely now and showed against Villa that they can win games without Gerrard and Torres. I suspect that they might pick up another win here in what is guaranteed to be a difficult welcome for Alan Pardew.

Soccernews prediction: 0-2

Stoke v Blackpool
Tenth plays thirteenth in a game between two teams who could be around the Premier League for a while to come, much to the surprise of many. Stoke are coming off a couple of draws but haven’t been beaten in five. They are still very strong at home.

Blackpool have only lost one of their last five and that was in a thrilling 3-2 defeat at Arsenal. They’ll give it a go but I think Stoke will be too strong.

Soccernews prediction: 2-1

West Ham v Manchester City
According to the board West Ham had to ‘save their season’ in their last home game, which they duly did by beating Wigan. As they then lost at Sunderland are still bottom of the table, I guess they’ve got to save it again in this one.

Manchester City continue to impress and frustrate in equal measures. If they can concentrate on the football rather than arguing with each other they will undoubtedly be too good for the Hammers.

Soccernews prediction: 0-2

SUNDAY 12TH DECEMBER

Bolton v Blackburn
This would have been a dour old game a couple of seasons back. Bolton used to play an unattractive ‘up and at them’ style of ugly long ball football, but they now play some good stuff under Owen Coyle.

Blackburn also used to play ugly, long ball football but now…well, they still do.

I hope football wins this one.

Soccernews prediction: 2-0

Tottenham v Chelsea
What a big game this is. If Tottenham win they will put a huge dent in Chelsea’s chances and bring themselves to within one point of their opponents. If Chelsea win, they will suddenly become title favourites again and people will forget about their recent blip.

Tottenham are on a high whilst Chelsea are licking their wounds. I have a feeling that fact could play a significant part in this game. If Tottenham get the first goal I fancy them to go on to a comfortable win.

Soccernews prediction: 2-0

Wolves v Birmingham
Joint bottom play thirteenth but there is only six points between the two teams. Wolves won their last home game but then got spanked 3-0 at Blackburn. They are desperate to turn Molineux into a fortress and will want to carry on here where they left off against Sunderland a couple of weeks ago.

Birmingham have ground out a couple of decent results recently but still struggle to score goals and haven’t yet won away from home. I don’t think that will change here.

Soccernews prediction: 0-0

MONDAY 13TH DECEMBER

Manchester United v Arsenal
The weekend ends with a game between the top two. If Tottenham do them a favour on Sunday, they will still be the top two at kick off time.

There is not much you can say about this game really. United won 7-1 last time out and are unbeaten all season whilst Arsenal have won four in a row and have won five of eight away games and lost only one.

I think home advantage will be just enough to tip this in United’s favour but I am a very long way from being sure.

Soccernews prediction: 2-1