Premier League predictions

Another tough day at the office for the Wigan boss

Arsenal v Blackpool

After their amazing start at Wigan last week it would take a brave man to predict against Blackpool. Well, no it wouldn’t actually! Much as I admire Ian Holloway and what his team achieved last season and last Saturday, it just isn’t going to happen again today.

Arsenal were a bit lucky to come away with a point from Anfield last week and they have a few problems with injuries to midfield players, but they will surely be too good for Blackpool. The only hope for Blackpool is that Arsenal fail to turn their pretty football into goals. I don’t think they will.

Soccernews prediction: 4-0

Birmingham v Blackburn

Two sides that will be hoping for a mid-table finish and two sides who will probably get one.

Blackburn aren’t pretty but Big Sam has turned them into an effective team. Having said that, they are much better at home than they are away.

Birmingham surprised a lot of people last season and may just find the going a little harder this time around. They will need to pick up points at home and I think they’ll start here.

Soccernews prediction: 1-0

Everton v Wolves

Two teams with different ambitions who had very contrasting fortunes last week.

Everton will be looking for another top six finish and will have half an eye on that top four. They will have been really disappointed by last week’s defeat at Blackburn although Tim Howard is unlikely to gift another goal in quite the same comical fashion he did in that game.

Wolves will be looking for survival and they will have been absolutely thrilled to get off the mark with their home win over Stoke.

I think Everton should get their season started in this one.

Soccernews prediction: 2-0

Stoke v Tottenham

Stoke are great at home. It’s a good job because they are not so great away. They were poor at Wolves last week and will be looking to bounce back.

Tottenham could only manage a point against Manchester City last week but they played some scintillating football at times. They look as though they are playing like a team who feel comfortable in their top four position. A win here will do nothing to damage that view.

Soccernews prediction: 1-2

West Brom v Sunderland

West Brom are the proverbial yo-yo team personified. Last week’s thrashing at Chelsea suggests that they are likely to be candidates to once again go straight back down to the Championship. If they are to stay up they need to win their home games against teams who are likely to be in the struggle with them.

Talking of teams who are likely to be in the struggle with them today’s visitors are Sunderland. They are team who promise much but rarely deliver. Whilst they will be hoping for a mid-table finish, I can see another season of relative struggle ahead. They’ll get a point here though.

Soccernews prediction: 1-1

West Ham v Bolton

West Ham were woeful at Aston Villa last week and Avram Grant will be keen to put that right in front of their own fans today. If they don’t it might start to look like another season of struggle for the Eastenders.

Owen Coyle has made Bolton much more difficult to beat than they were but it is still hard to see where the goals will come from. I fancy them for a second 0-0 draw here.

Soccernews prediction: 0-0

Wigan v Chelsea

If you lose your first home game 4-0 at home to Blackpool who would you like to play next? Would it be the champions, who scored six last week and scored eight last time they played you? Sorry Wigan. It could be worse, you could be playing Tottenham who scored nine past you. Oh, sorry again, you’ve got them next!

Soccernews prediction: 0-3

SUNDAY 22ND AUGUST

Newcastle v Aston Villa

Newcastle had a bit of a rude awakening to life in the Premier League when they were outclassed at Old Trafford. Having said that, they only lost 3-0 so the damage was limited and they won’t have realistically expected anything else. They’ll be looking to their home games and their phenomenal support to bring them some points.

Villa were supposedly in turmoil after Martin O’Neill left but you wouldn’t have thought so if you saw them breeze past West Ham last week. They’ve now lost James Milner but they look as though they’ll be OK without him.

Soccernews prediction: 1-2

Fulham v Manchester United

Manchester United don’t like playing at Fulham but this United side look ready to make a serious challenge to reclaim the title. Also, they are not playing ‘Roy Hodgson’s’ Fulham, so it might be a little easier.

United dispatched Newcastle without breaking sweat and Fulham got a decent point at Bolton. I think Fulham would settle for a point again. They won’t get one!

Soccernews prediction: 0-2

MONDAY 23RD AUGUST

Manchester City v Liverpool

This is a battle between two teams who know they must finish in the top four and who’s fans will be thinking that the title is a possibility.

Manchester City didn’t turn up for the first half of their game at Tottenham but still came out with a point thanks to Joe Hart. Liverpool didn’t really show up for their game at home to Arsenal until they went down to ten men, when they did really well and also picked up a point. Pepe Reina didn’t quite pick up as many plaudits as Joe Hart!

Difficult one to call so I’ll sit on the fence.

Soccernews prediction: 1-1