Premier League predictions

Last game in charge for the Wigan boss?

Blackburn v Arsenal
Ewood Park is one place Arsenal do not enjoy going. Big Sam will tell his players to ‘get in Arsenal’s faces’ and we all know how much Arsene and his boys enjoy that.

Blackburn have won one and lost one, Arsenal have won one and drawn one. The big difference is that Blackburn have a goal difference of zero having scored two goals and Arsenal have a goal difference of six, having scored seven. That extra fire power will see Arsenal through.

Soccernews prediction: 0-2

Blackpool v Fulham
Blackpool thought that the Premier League was a lot of fuss about nothing after their opening day win at Wigan. When the sixth goal went in last week at Arsenal they suddenly realised where they were.

Fulham have had two decent draws under Mark Hughes and they now need to pick up a win. They will.

Soccernews prediction: 0-2

Chelsea v Stoke
Stoke haven’t started very well, losing their two opening games 2-1. They would be looking for a relatively easy game to get their season up and running. How about a game away at the home of the champions? How about a game away at a team who’s record reads played two, won two, scored twelve, conceded none?

I think Stoke might have to wait at least another week to get some points on the board.

Soccernews prediction: 4-0

Manchester United v West Ham
For West Ham it is a similar story to that of Stoke. Lost both their games and now facing a daunting away trip in which they have little or no hope of getting anything other than a beating.

United weren’t great at Fulham last week but even ‘only reasonably good’ would be enough to see off this current West Ham side.

Soccernews prediction: 3-0

Tottenham v Wigan
You have to feel for Wigan don’t you? They have a very real chance of becoming the worst Premier League team ever. Having failed to score and conceded ten goals in their two games so far they now travel to Tottenham where they conceded nine last season.

Roberto Martinez has been given the dreaded vote of confidence by his chairman. That vote of confidence is likely to mean as much as they usually do if this one goes the way I expect.

Soccernews prediction: 4-0

Wolves v Newcastle
These two sides sit seventh and ninth and how would love to still be there come the end of the season. In reality, of course, both sides will probably be fighting against relegation but Newcastle looked like world beaters in their win over Aston Villa and Wolves didn’t look too shabby when they saw off Stoke and drew at Everton.

I think they might be pretty evenly matched so I expect a draw.

Soccernews prediction: 1-1

SUNDAY 29TH AUGUST

Aston Villa v Everton
Two sides who would have been hoping for a better start. It all looked good for Villa after their opening day win over West Ham, but since then they have been hammered at Newcastle and dumped out of Europe.

Everton are notoriously slow starters but defeat at Blackburn and a draw at home to Wolves is disappointing even by their standards. I think they might suffer again as Villa will surely be keen to get back on track.

Soccernews prediction: 2-1

Bolton v Birmingham
Owen Coyle is doing a fine job at Bolton and Alex McLeish likewise at Birmingham. They’ve both picked up four points from their first two games and I fully expect them both to maintain a mid-table position.

I don’t think much will separate them at the end of the season and I don’t think anything will separate them this afternoon.

Soccernews prediction: 1-1

Liverpool v West Brom
Hopes at Liverpool were high but a last minute equaliser by Arsenal and a stuffing at Manchester City have been something of a reality check.

West Brom started by being thrashed at Chelsea but they are not the only team who will suffer that fate this season. They picked themselves up to beat Sunderland and although they will struggle they might just have a rare season when they are not relegated or promoted. They’ll lose here though.

Soccernews prediction: 2-0

Sunderland v Manchester City
Sunderland are a team who never seem to be quite as good as they should be. One point from two games suggests that they might have a season of struggle again.

Manchester City had to battle get a draw at Tottenham where they were outplayed for long periods, but they looked pretty good in beating Liverpool. If all their players can gel together, they will be a fine side.

Soccernews prediction: 0-2