Premier League predictions

Who will emerge as the real contenders?

Blackpool v Birmingham
It shows how far Blackpool have come when you see how disappointed they were to come away from Manchester City with nothing the other day. They really felt they could have picked up a point in the game that ended 1-0. They went into that game on a five match unbeaten run so perhaps they had reason for their optimism.

Birmingham, on the other hand, are not on a good run and I spoke yesterday about the way they tried and failed to stop Arsenal playing. Hopefully Blackpool won’t be subjected to the same type of intimidation tactics. There is a reason why they are in the bottom three and I suspect that will be shown again today.

Soccernews prediction: 2-0

Fulham v West Brom
A 2-0 win at Stoke looked as though Fulham might have turned a corner but defeat at Tottenham has put any recovery on hold. The facts show that Fulham have just one win in their last ten games and manager Mark Hughes is stretching things a little when he blames their bottom three position on bad luck.

West Brom were excellent against Manchester United the other day but they lost again and that made it four in a row. They need a result to stop their slide down the table. I think they’ll get it.

Soccernews prediction: 0-2

Manchester United v Stoke
I’m not sure how long we can keep saying that United aren’t playing well but remain top and unbeaten. I suppose they must be playing well really or they wouldn’t be in that position.

Stoke are a bit up and down. They were poor in defeat against Fulham but good in victory against Everton. I don’t think it will matter if they are poor or good in this one, they’ll still lose.

Soccernews prediction: 2-1

WEDNESDAY 5TH JANUARY

Arsenal v Manchester City
This is a really big game as both teams try to establish themselves as the main challengers to Manchester United for the title. Prior to this current round of matches City were joint top with United, behind on goal difference and Arsenal were next just two points back.

The winner of this game will be sending a big message to the loser and to the rest of the league. I have a feeling that message will be coming from Arsenal.

Soccernews prediction: 2-1

Aston Villa v Sunderland
At long last Aston Villa showed a little of what they are capable of in the draw at Chelsea. That could be because Gerard Houllier made the strange decision to actually put his best players in the team!

Sunderland go from strength to strength and sit sixth in the table. Their problem is that they have only won one of their nine away games. MI don’t think they’ll add to that here but they may well pick up a point.

Soccernews prediction: 1-1

Blackburn v Liverpool
Everyone in the world apart from the Blackburn owners thought that the sacking of Sam Allardyce and the appointment of Steve Kean in his place was a foolish idea that would inevitably lead to a relegation battle. Despite a good win at West Brom, I have seen nothing to change my mind. They are going to struggle.

Liverpool snatched a much needed win against Bolton the other day with a last minute goal that Roy Hodgson will be desperately hoping turns out to be a spark that lights their season up at last. I have my doubts because they are still looking like a mid-table team and may not improve on that. I think, and hope, they’ll win here though.

Soccernews prediction: 0-1

Bolton v Wigan
It looked as though Owen Coyle had transformed Bolton into a team that could challenge the best in the league. I still think that is true but consecutive narrow defeats at Chelsea and Liverpool have shown that they still have a little way to go.

I had the misfortune to watch Wigan play Newcastle the other day. Wigan were absolutely abysmal. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a more inept performance by a Premier League team.

Soccernews prediction: 2-0

Everton v Tottenham
Every time you think Everton are starting to get things together they have a setback. Defeat at Stoke was their first defeat in five and showed that they are still short of where they should be.

Tottenham continue to live in dream land. They now sit in the top four and look capable of beating anybody. They weren’t great against Fulham the other day but they ground out a win and that, as they say, is the sign of a good team.

Soccernews prediction: 1-2

Newcastle v West Ham
I’m still not convinced that Alan Pardew is the man for Newcastle. OK, they won at Wigan, but my son’s under sixteen team probably would have done as well. I firmly believe that they should have stuck with Chris Hughton and I think results will eventually show that.

West Ham have had a great festive period and have made their way out of the drop zone. It could be that the West Ham board will be repaid for the patience they have they shown with Avram Grant. I think, and hope that West Ham will get another crucial three points.

Soccernews prediction: 0-2

Wolves v Chelsea
I have nothing against Chelsea but watching their ridiculously over the top celebrations following John Terry’s late goal to put them ahead against Villa and then seeing Villa equalise, was one of the funniest things I have seen this season. Chelsea have one win in eight and are desperate for a win. If only they could play the league’s bottom club…

Wolves had a great win at Liverpool but that was a rare highlight for them in what is going to be a very long season.

Soccernews prediction: 0-2