Premier League predictions

Back to earth for Blackpool again

Aston Villa v Bolton
Villa will have thought themselves terribly unlucky to lose to the last kick of the game at Stoke last Monday. They would also have expected to have their new manager in place, but Houllier isn’t arriving until after this game.

Bolton will not consider themselves unlucky to have been stuffed at Arsenal last week because they know they were well beaten.

Villa and Bolton will probably be happy with their current seventh and twelfth place respectively and would settle for being there at the end of the season.

I fancy Villa in this one.

Soccernews prediction: 2-1

Blackburn v Fulham
Both of these teams are hard to beat but neither of them are too exciting going forward. Fulham have certainly lost their main threat with the injury to Bobby Zamora.

Blackburn are particularly measly at home and I can see them nicking this one by the odd goal.

Soccernews prediction: 1-0

Everton v Newcastle
This is a game between two sides who enjoyed contrasting fortunes last week.

Everton have had a poor start but their comeback from 3-1 down to Manchester United going into injury-time to rescue a 3-3 draw will have boosted their confidence no end.

Newcastle have had a decent enough start but reality kicked in last week with a disappointing 2-0 defeat at home to fellow promoted club Blackpool.

I think Everton’s greater class will win the day.

Soccernews prediction: 2-0

Stoke v West Ham
At one stage on Monday evening it looked as though this game would be between the two bottom clubs who hadn’t got a point between them in their opening four games. However, Stoke came back from 1-0 down against Aston Villa to win 2-1 with two goals in the last ten minutes.

That momentum will be enough to see Stoke see off a very poor West Ham side.

Soccernews prediction: 2-0

Sunderland v Arsenal
Sunderland have started reasonably well and will fancy their chances of causing an upset in this one.

Arsenal have started really well and will have no difficulty in showing Sunderland that their optimism was mis-placed.

Soccernews prediction: 0-3

Tottenham v Wolves
Last season Wolves almost ended Tottenham’s hopes of a top four finish with an ‘against the odds’ 1-0 win at White Hart Lane. They have started well and will be pleased with the five points they have from their three games.

Tottenham will have to play the dreaded ‘after the champions league’ game for the first time and it will be interesting to see how they react. However they do react will be good enough to win here.

Soccernews prediction: 2-0

West Brom v Birmingham
A midlands derby as West Brom take on Birmingham in what will be a cauldron of an atmosphere.

West Brom have recovered well from their opening day thrashing at Chelsea and look to be a tidy team.

Birmingham have carried on where they left off last season and look very comfortable at the top level.

I fancy an away win here in a very tight game.

Soccernews prediction: 1-2

SUNDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER

Chelsea v Blackpool
After Blackpool’s first away win at Wigan they were brought straight back down to earth with a thumping defeat at Arsenal. After their second away win at Newcastle exactly the same thing will happen to them at Stamford Bridge.

Soccernews prediction: 4-0

Manchester United v Liverpool
This game is the biggest one of the weekend I suppose but with Arsenal and Chelsea looking so good, it is possible that these two teams will be in the group chasing third and fourth place.

United over the years have earned a reputation for scoring late goals but this season they are in danger of getting one for conceding them.

Liverpool are rebuilding under Roy Hodgson and it looks as though it might be a long, slow process.

Soccernews prediction: 2-1

Wigan v Manchester City
Wigan had a terrible start in their first two games but a win at Tottenham and a home draw with Sunderland have eased the mood at the club.

Manchester City have huge expectation on them this season and defeat at Sunderland and a home draw with Blackburn have not been good enough. I think they’ll get back to winning ways in this one.

Soccernews prediction: 0-2