Premier League predictions

Battle of the Scottish legends

The Gunners will have been devastated by the Carling Cup defeat last weekend but will have been heartened and revitalised by Manchester United’s defeat at Chelsea in midweek. Having said that, they will be missing Walcott and Fabregas and now Van Persie has joined them on the treatment table.

Sunderland have only won once in seven games and are likely to find even an under-strength Arsenal side too hot to handle at the Emirates.

Soccernews prediction: 2-0

A passionate local derby that carries more than the usual amount of importance as both sides are fighting the drop. West Brom are just one point above the bottom three whilst Birmingham are just a point better off.

Birmingham had a wonderful day last Sunday and have a trophy to show for it. They played in a manner and style that would surely see them safe in the league. Can they reproduce that form in a game like this?

West Brom secured a late point in midweek and will be looking for at least a point again. I fear that Roy’s problems on the road may mean that they won’t get it.

Soccernews prediction: 1-0

The blip in form that afflicted Bolton seems to have passed as they have put together a decent unbeaten run. They also have an FA Cup quarter-final to look forward to and are looking as though they’re going to have a good season.

Villa have steadied the ship in the league and look as though they will achieve mid-table respectability. Quite why their manager decided to play a reserve team and not bother with the FA Cup is a mystery to all but him.

Soccernews prediction: 1-1

Mark Hughes takes on another of his old clubs this week after leading Fulham to a draw at Manchester City last week. Whilst his side are level on points with Blackburn I see very different futures for the two sides.

I think Hughes will take Fulham into mid-table, whereas, as predicted by everyone other than the Indian owners at Blackburn and Keane himself, I can see Steve Keane taking his Blackburn team into a relegation struggle. A run of five games without a win, including four defeats, is likely to continue here.

Soccernews prediction: 2-0

Last weekend City’s title hopes were pretty much extinguished by only managing to draw at home to Fulham. The threat of Chelsea and Tottenham means that they can’t afford to drop more home points if they are going to maintain a position in the top four.

The good news for City is that they are playing Wigan, so the chances of dropping points are slim to none.

Soccernews prediction: 3-0

A mid-table clash sees a Newcastle side, unbeaten in four (although three of them were draws) take on an Everton side who have won two, lost two and drawn three of their last seven. It is difficult to find a more inconsistent side.

That inconsistency makes this a tough game to predict. The only option I have is to go for the draw.

Soccernews prediction: 1-1

The Hammers have put together some decent results, but frustratingly for them, so have the other sides at the bottom, so they remain in the drop zone. They looked excellent in their win over Liverpool last week and if it was their brilliance rather than Liverpool’s dire show, then they look good to avoid the drop.

Stoke are too good to go down but they can’t quite get it together at the moment. They aren’t great away from home and whilst they will give it everything, as they always do, I can see West Ham picking up more vital points.

Soccernews prediction: 2-1

Sunday 6th March

Neither side will need to be motivated by their manager’s for this one. United need to bounce back from defeat at Chelsea and Liverpool will be keen to reduce the chances of United beating their record of league wins.

The teams don’t like each other, the fans don’t like each other and the manager’s don’t like each other. It should be feisty and good to watch.

Despite United’s indifferent away form I think they will re-establish their title credentials.

Soccernews prediction: 1-2

Wolves are another side picking up points but still being unable to get out of that bottom three. Tottenham were going really well until the defeat at Blackpool derailed them.

It is a crucial game for both teams as Wolves look to get out of the bottom three and Tottenham look to get into the top four. I think Tottenham will have too much for the home side.

Soccernews prediction: 0-2

Monday 7th March

Ian Holloway’s men are going to fight all the way as their win over Tottenham showed. However, reality kicked in with a heavy defeat at Wolves. They will go for Chelsea, make no mistake about that.

Chelsea will be desperate not to ruin the good work against Manchester United. I’m pretty sure they won’t.

Soccernews prediction: 1-3