Premier League predictions

Who will be smiling after the game?

Aston Villa are in mid-table but just two points clear of the drop zone. Add to that the fact some of the players are clearly unhappy with the methods of Gerard Houllier and the team bonding session this week ended with James Collins and Richard Dunne picking up fines, and things don’t look great at Villa Park.

Wolves are still fighting for their lives and despite still being second from bottom, they are putting together some decent performances and results I think they might get another one here.

Soccernews prediction: 0-1

This is a game between the two worst sides in the Premier League at the moment. They are tied together just one point above the danger zone and whoever loses this game will be in deep trouble.

Neither team has looked capable of winning in their last couple of outings and a draw here will be no good to either of them.

Soccernews prediction: 1-1

This is a game between the two most average teams in the Premier League. They are both well organised, they both work hard, they both lose as many as they win and they will both finish in mid-table.

They will both get a point.

Soccernews prediction: 1-1

United may be wobbling and they may have four first team defenders injured, but they are still top and they are still invincible at Old Trafford.

Bolton are the ‘best of the rest’ outside the top six and will present a tough challenge for Fergie and his walking wounded.

Soccernews prediction: 2-1

Twelfth plays tenth in a game between two teams who should be safe but will still have a nervous eye on those below.

Stoke are decent at home and Newcastle are decent away, so I expect this one to be close. I think home advantage will just about win this one for Tony Pulis’ men.

Soccernews prediction: 1-0

A London derby with points being crucial for both teams for different reasons.

Tottenham need them to keep pace with Chelsea and Manchester City in the race for fourth, and to keep ahead of Liverpool, whereas West Ham, despite being on a good run, still find themselves in the bottom three.

West Ham are a different side to the one of a few weeks ago and now look capable of escaping trouble. Tottenham are just beginning to show the strain of fighting on two fronts.

I think West Ham might cause an upset.

Soccernews prediction: 0-2

A low point of Arsenal’s season was when they were beaten by today’s opponents at the Emirates. Having said that, they have had some even lower ones over the past couple of weeks!

West Brom are still in the battle to avoid the drop and whilst they might not be as attractive to watch under Roy Hodgson, he has got them organised.

Arsenal will dominate possession but will they be able to turn that into goals? Yes, they will.

Soccernews prediction: 0-2

Two teams deep in trouble, for whom defeat is unthinkable in this game. Neither side can put a run of decent results together and they will both be disappointed with a point.

Soccernews prediction: 0-0

Sunday 20th March

Third against fourth in the game of the weekend.

Chelsea are getting better although still a long way short of their best. City are too inconsistent and will struggle to hold Chelsea off for third place. That struggle will become harder after this one.

Soccernews prediction: 2-1

An out of form Sunderland take on a Liverpool team who were pretty woeful against Braga on Thursday. In the league, Liverpool have been getting better and that form should see them through against a team who just can’t live up to the promise they sometimes display.

Soccernews prediction: 1-2