Reality check?
This is a game between two teams who may have been expecting to be fairly close together, probably fighting against relegation.
Wigan are only two points above the drop zone and when I have watched them recently they have been pretty dire. They might just about stay up as it is possible that there are three teams worse than them, but there are not too many more than three.
On the other hand, Birmingham are sitting pretty in tenth place some twelve points clear of Wigan. They may be slightly concerned that their excellent run has come to an abrupt halt with defeats against West Ham and Fulham, but they are still much better off than they would have expected. I expect them to get back to winning ways here.
SoccerNews prediction: 2-0
This is a game between two pretty poor teams. Bolton haven’t really had a honeymoon period under Owen Coyle and if he wasn’t sure of the enormous task he had when he took on the job, he certainly is now.
Wolves keep doing just enough to stay a point clear of the drop zone and they have the occasional great result like their two wins over Tottenham.
I can’t really side either side scoring to be honest.
SoccerNews prediction: 0-0
Talking of games between two poor sides…
Burnley haven’t exactly gone from strength to strength under Brian Laws and they are deep in trouble. They will never have a better chance of winning a game than this and if they don’t, they will probably be doomed.
Pompey have finally gone into administration and the nine point penalty puts them seventeen points adrift of safety and certain relegation if they manage to survive as a club. It doesn’t get much more bleak than that.
SoccerNews prediction: 2-1
This is a real test of Manchester City’s credentials as a genuine top four challenger. They have stuttered recently and it is beginning to look as though Mancini will be no more successful than Mark Hughes was.
Chelsea march on and despite their defeat to Inter the other night they will be full of confidence. I have a feeling that they may provide something of a reality check for all at the City of Manchester Stadium.
SoccerNews prediction: 2-0
Oh how Arsene Wenger and his players love playing against Stoke! The football that Stoke play seems to rile Wenger beyond belief. That is for two reasons. Firstly, it is not the pretty pass and move football that Wenger so admires and secondly, his team really struggle to cope with it.
Expect Stoke to throw absolutely everything they have got at Arsenal and give them a torrid time. Arsenal’s class will probably just about be enough to see them through, but they won’t enjoy it.
SoccerNews prediction: 1-2
Sunday 28th February
A few weeks ago this would have been a game between a good team in bad form and a bad team in bad form. It has changed slightly as both teams have got better. Liverpool are back in the hunt for fourth place and Blackburn have climbed to safety.
All things being equal, I expect Liverpool to take the points.
SoccerNews prediction: 2-0
Sunderland’s slide down the table has been alarming. They are now just three points above the drop zone and they are in a genuine relegation battle.
Fulham are amazing. They continue to defy logic both in the league and in Europe. They are tight at the back and in Bobby Zamora they have a striker in the form of his life. They will be looking at Sunderland and thinking that an early goal will be enough to see them off as they are so low on confidence. I expect them to get it.
SoccerNews prediction: 0-1
I guess this is just about a fourth placed battle. Tottenham are currently holding that position whilst Everton have climbed up to eighth place, although they are some seven points behind.
Tottenham have scored seven without reply in their last two outings whilst Everton will be looking to bounce back from European disappointment.
Everton are a tough nut to crack but I think Tottenham will eventually manage to do it.
SoccerNews prediction: 1-0
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