Premier League predictions

A goal for Torres?

A dour old battle at the foot of the table between one team with a top manager, and Blackburn. That was a bit harsh on Steve Keane, but if it comes to a battle of managerial nous between the two then Alex McLeish and his men will surely pick up three points.

That’s what I expect to happen. Birmingham edge to safety and Blackburn head towards the drop.

Soccernews prediction: 0-1

At half time last week West Ham would have been feeling that they had one foot firmly lodged inside the door of safety. Forty-five minutes later they were right back in the mire. They need to bounce back quickly and a very difficult trip to Bolton wouldn’t have been their first choice.

Bolton are well organised, have great spirit and play a mixture of direct and passing football. I can see them being too strong for West Ham despite how much better the Hammers have been of late.

Soccernews prediction: 2-1

If Chelsea could pick a fixture to pick themselves up from Champions League defeat and build some confidence for next week’s second leg, they would pick bottom club Wigan at home. Who knows, even Fernando Torres might score a goal!

Whilst Wigan will battle and fight for their lives, they simply do not have the quality to have any real hope of getting anything from this game.

Soccernews prediction: 3-0

United will controversially be without Wayne Rooney, but he may well have been rested between the two Chelsea games anyway. The question is, who else will Fergie decide to give a rest to?

United can’t afford to take Fulham lightly as they have become a tough side to beat. This is the first game in a week that could see United consolidate their position at the top of the Premier League, get to the semi-finals of the Champions League and get to the final of the FA Cup. They have to start the week right if that is going to happen.

I have enough respect fpr Fergie to think that he will select a team to do the job.

Soccernews prediction: 2-0

It appears that Sunderland are slipping and West Brom are getting better. I would guess that there really isn’t a lot between the two teams at the moment. Roy Hodgson is starting to have an impact and the players are responding to him rather better than those at Liverpool did.

Hodgson still has a horrible away record, but I fancy his relegation threatened team to pick up another valuable point.

Soccernews prediction: 1-1

This game will be something of a test of character for Tottenham. They had an absolute disaster in Madrid on Tuesday evening and their league form is poor. In order to rescue what had appeared likely to be one of the best seasons in their history they need to start winning games again.

Stoke will be their usual selves and if they sense any hesitancy or lack of confidence in the Tottenham ranks they will go for the jugular.

Soccernews prediction: 1-1

Every time I think Wolves might just escape the drop they go and play like a team that should go down. The loss of Kevin Doyle is a huge blow and one that I fear may prove fatal to their chances of Premier League football next season.

Everton are still nowhere near as good as they should be and if Wolves are to have any hopes then they need to win this one.

I don’t think they will.

Soccernews prediction: 0-1

Sunday 10th April

The powers that be at Aston Villa have once again offered their full and total support for beleaguered manager Gerard Houllier. It is becoming increasingly difficult to see what that support might be based upon as the Frenchman continues to lead a team, who should be challenging for Europe, towards the exit door to the Championship.

Newcastle will probably be OK now and with self proclaimed ‘best English midfielder’ Joey Barton in their ranks, so they should be. You’ve got to love Barton haven’t you? No? OK then.

Soccernews prediction: 0-1

It is getting hard to see where Blackpool’s next point is going to come from and I don’t see it being tomorrow afternoon.

Arsenal may have suffered a relative slump in recent games but they have so much more quality in their side than their plucky, if limited, opponents.

Soccernews prediction: 0-2

Monday 11th April

This should be a fascinating game although it is surprisingly between a team with a remote chance of European qualification and a team fighting for a top four finish. I’m sure at the start of the season Liverpool would have been hoping for top four and City would have been hoping for the title.

Even so, it should be a good game and a good test of where both sides actually are. City have more quality but maybe Liverpool play more as a team. It really is a tough one to call. If in doubt, predict a draw.

Soccernews prediction: 1-1