Saturday 21st February 2009
Three clean sheets in a row, no defeat in twelve, still in three competitions, Eduardo back, could things just be looking up for Arsene Wenger and the Gunners? It certainly doesn’t sound like a poor season by any stretch of the imagination but they will be keen to re-establish themselves back in that top four.
Sunderland are a little more up and down although they too are unbeaten in five. Despite that, it is difficult to see them getting anything at the Emirates.
SoccerNews prediction: 2-0
Certainly a tough test for Guus Hiddink in his first game officially in charge. With Villa sitting two points ahead of Chelsea in third place, this game is hugely significant.
Chelsea have only won three of their last nine games in the league whereas Villa are unbeaten in thirteen. Last week Chelsea made progress in the FA Cup with a fairly straightforward win at Watford whereas Villa were well beaten at Everton.
In the overall context of this game I think both managers will be reasonably happy with a point.
SoccerNews prediction: 1-1
Bolton just can’t decide whether they are a mid-table team looking onwards and upwards or a lower mid-table team battling against relegation. The result of this game might help them decide.
West Ham have climbed to eighth place in the table and are looking like a pretty good side. I think they’ll give the Bolton faithful cause for concern.
SoccerNews prediction: 0-2
United’s remarkable run continued on Wednesday in their 3-0 win over Fulham. Once again they played some great stuff and a goalscoring return by Wayne Rooney was nothing but bad news for the others at the top.
After a bright start under Sam Allardyce, Blackburn are just beginning to stutter a little and still find themselves in the drop zone. They won’t be expecting to get much from this one.
SoccerNews prediction: 2-0
Gareth Southgate’s tenure at Middlesbrough looks as though it is coming to an end. He gained a stay of execution with a creditable 1-1 draw at West Ham in the Cup last week, but a result is absolutely crucial to him in this one.
Boro are second from bottom and have no win in their last thirteen league games. They increasingly look like relegation candidates.
Wigan on the other hand are sitting pretty in seventh place in the table with only two defeats in their last nine games.
Neither side is prolific so I don’t expect many goals. Any that are scored will heap further pressure on Gareth Southgate.
SoccerNews prediction: 0-1
Fourth from bottom play sixth from bottom. Stoke continue to battle (some would say literally) but have only managed one win in thirteen. Last time out they were pretty poor in the 2-0 defeat at Sunderland.
Portsmouth seemed to remember that they are actually not a bad team last week after Tony Adams left and they will be feeling pretty confident about this one.
I think they are right to do so.
SoccerNews prediction: 0-2
Sunday 22nd February 2009
Fulham will put the 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford behind them and look forward to taking on a less frightening prospect in West Brom. Fulham are not a bad side at home and without wishing to be cruel to West Brom, they aren’t that good a side away from home.
Should be a home banker and if Fulham can find someone to hit the target, it will go that way.
SoccerNews prediction: 1-0
The home side will be desperate to pick up the points to keep them in the race for the title, and with only one league defeat so far all season, they will confident of at least avoiding defeat.
City, on the other hand, have only one away win to their credit all season and have no reason to feel confident at all.
This one will go with form.
SoccerNews prediction: 2-0
Newcastle will be playing under Chris Hughton again whilst Joe Kinnear recovers from major heart surgery. I’m sure that all football fans will join me in wishing Joe a full and speedy recovery.
Last time out they got a crucial win at West Brom, their first win in nine games. The win lifted them to thirteenth place and four points clear of the drop zone but everyone at Newcastle knows they are still in a relegation fight.
Everton continue to impress and their victory in the FA Cup last week over Villa was an exceptional performance and extended their run to only one defeat in thirteen games. They are so solid at the back that it is hard to see Newcastle breaking them down, even if they have got most of their strikers back.
SoccerNews prediction: 0-1
Monday 23rd February 2009
Both Hull and Tottenham are picking up points here and there and slowly edging themselves to safety. Although at present Tottenham are some four points and four places behind their hosts I still think they are the more likely team to escape without a fight.
Hull haven’t actually won a league game since 6th December and Tottenham have only won one of their last nine.
This one will be close but I fancy Tottenham to start closing the gap.
SoccerNews prediction: 1-2
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