Time for another round of predictions. I got five results right out of ten last week and although I only got one actual score correct, I was pretty pleased with myself.
I’ll try to avoid ridiculous predictions this week as my hunch that Chelsea would thrash Manchester United ended up making me look silly!
Saturday 27th September
Hull have made a pretty good start to the season and they have shown enough to suggest that they will fight all the way to maintain their Premiership status. Having said that, one thing that none of their fans, staff or management would expect, if they were honest, would be to get anything from a trip to the Emirates.
Arsenal are playing well and have looked good after their opening day defeat at Fulham. They seem to be a little more ruthless than they have been in recent seasons and I don’t expect them to go easy on their visitors today.
Soccernews prediction: 4-0
Aston Villa were going really well until they slipped up at home to Championship side QPR during the week. Martin O’Neill will not let his players dwell on that result and will be demanding a return to the scintillating form they have shown at times in their previous matches.
Scintillating is not a word often associated with Sunderland, but Roy Keane has turned them into a well organised and hard working side. They won’t get anything here, but they should have more than enough to comfortably survive the season.
Soccernews prediction: 2-0
Only a fool would attempt to predict the outcome of a Merseyside derby, so here I go! Liverpool had been looking really good and likely to make a serious challenge on the title this season until last week when they failed to open up a stubborn but limited Stoke side.
Everton, normally so solid at the back, have looked more vulnerable than at any time under David Moyes. They look decent going forward and the return of Tim Cahill has been a major boost.
I can only sit on the fence in this one.
Soccernews prediction: 1-1
Fulham will have been disappointed to leave Blackburn with nothing last week, but they are looking so much better than they did this time last season. I am still not totally convinced that they will avoid a relegation struggle but they might just have enough to remain in mid-table.
West Ham have a new lease of life under their new manager Gianfranco Zola, but they got brought back down to earth in their Carling Cup exit at Watford. They’ll be looking to bounce back but Craven Cottage is no longer an easy place to visit.
Soccernews prediction: 2-1
United have had a poor start to the season by their standards and will be embarrassed to be sitting in fifteenth place in the league. In their last two league games at Liverpool and Chelsea they have looked superb for twenty minutes or so and then sat back and been dominated by their opposition. There were some signs at Chelsea that they may be turning the corner and I suspect that this isn’t a great time to be going to Old Trafford.
Early signs that Gary Megson may have rejuvenated the relegation threatened Bolton side from last season are beginning to fade. It looks as though it could be another long hard season at the Reebok.
Soccernews prediction: 2-0
Middlesbrough have flattered to deceive a little so far with many experts praising the way they have played and pointing out how unlucky they have been. They currently sit in mid-table and will probably stay there.
West Brom play some lovely football but are just a little short of the necessary quality. They are fourth from bottom and everyone at the Hawthorns will be thrilled if that is where they end up.
Soccernews prediction: 1-2
If you had to play an away game this week where would you want it to be? Yes, this week, Paul Ince and his Blackburn team are the fortunate ones to be visiting the beleaguered St James’ Park. Things couldn’t get much worse for Newcastle than they are at the moment. Temporary manager, up for sale and looking decidedly poor on the pitch.
Blackburn haven’t made a great start under Paul Ince and I have reservations about a couple of the lower league players introduced to the Premier League by him, but in Santa Cruz they have a match winner.
Soccernews prediction: 0-1
Stoke have impressed me so far this season and they got a fantastic, if slightly flattering, result at Anfield last week. They will throw everything they have at Chelsea but it won’t be nearly enough.
Chelsea are looking good, even with their injury list growing by the day. Before the season I predicted them to win the league and I’ve seen nothing to change my mind. They are effective and efficient and are playing with a swagger and a style not seen under Mourinho or Grant.
Soccernews prediction: 0-2
Sunday 28th September
One week ago everything in the Portsmouth garden was looking rosy. They had just won their first ever European game and people were speaking about them in the same breath as Aston Villa as possible candidates to challenge the top four. Then a 6-0 defeat at Manchester City and a 4-0 defeat at home to Chelsea have left all at Fratton Park feeling shell-shocked.
Tottenham scraped an unconvincing win at Newcastle in the week but still look like a team with no confidence and no strikers. There is a good reason for that!
Soccernews prediction: 2-1
Wigan are the latest team to take on the new Premier League billionaires. They look like a solid outfit and Steve Bruce has put together an attractive and hard working side. They have some fine individual players and Emile Heskey. (Joking :))
Manchester City followed up last week’s stunning victory over Portsmouth with defeat at Brighton in the Carling Cup. It is likely to be an up and down season for City as the ambitions of the new owners and the fans grow.
Soccernews prediction: 1-1
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