Premier League Predictions – Happy homecoming for Robbie?

Just three right out of ten last week. I think I’m beginning to realise why I haven’t made my fortune on the football pools or in the betting shops!

Saturday 7th February 2009

Here we have a Blackburn side unbeaten in eight, but with only three wins in there and no wins in the last three, against a Villa side, unbeaten in fourteen in domestic competitions. That suggests that both teams are very hard to beat.

Blackburn have developed a steely edge under Sam Allardyce and their comeback a couple of weeks ago to get a draw after being 2-0 down to Bolton wouldn’t have happened before Big Sam’s arrival. Having said that, being 2-0 down to Bolton and only drawing 0-0 at Middlesbrough isn’t great!

Villa were booed from the field by some very strange supporters after their 0-0 draw with Wigan last week. I expect them to get back to winning ways in this one.

SoccerNews prediction: 1-2

At least Frank Lampard will be available for Chelsea after his ridiculous red card last week. Amazingly, they will also have Bosingwa available after the FA decided not to punish him for committing Grievous Bodily Harm!

The home side will still be hurting after their late defeat at Anfield last week and they will wonder if their title chances have all but disappeared. They will console themselves with the fact that Hull have only won once in fifteen games and that was against Middlesbrough so doesn’t really count!

An easy win for Chelsea that will come as some relief to all at Stamford Bridge.

SoccerNews prediction: 3-0

David Moyes has worked wonders with his small and depleted squad. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he gets the best out of Manchester City misfit Jo and the team just get better and better. Confidence will be sky high after Wednesday’s dramatic win over Liverpool.

Bolton had a good win against Tottenham last week to give them their first win in seven games. They gave away a two goal lead for the second time in four days in that game so they desperately need to tighten up defensively.

I can see Everton keeping the pressure up on those above them and Bolton staying in what is likely to be a tough relegation struggle.

SoccerNews prediction: 2-0

The richest team in the Premier League are a very long way away from being the best. In the transfer window, instead of buying a centre half like they need, Mark Hughes has bought in a goalkeeper who will replace England’s best young prospect, a midfielder they didn’t need and a striker who nobody likes.

The only positive thing for City is that they are playing the side who are probably the worst in the Premier League at this time. In fact, I think Middlesbrough are so bad that even City might beat them!

SoccerNews prediction: 2-0

Tony Adams’ side are in freefall. With only two wins in their last thirteen games in all competitions, Pompey are sliding down the table at an alarming rate. The Gaffer has even had the dreaded vote of confidence from above.

Liverpool had a crucial win against Chelsea last week, but despite sitting second in the league seem to be a club in confusion. The loss of Gerrard is a major blow and should anything happen to Torres they will have the frightening strike force of Kuyt and Ngog! That doesn’t sound like a Premier League winning forward line to me.

Despite that, Liverpool could put any eleven people from their club on the pitch and still beat Portsmouth at he moment.

SoccerNews prediction: 0-2

Sunderland look a much better side under Ricky Sbragia than they were under Roy Keane. He seems to have instilled some confidence and self belief in his players.

Stoke continue to do really well with limited talent and their 1-0 win with ten men last week against Manchester City typified the will and spirit they have shown all season.

Stoke are the more likely side to continue to struggle at the bottom and I don’t see that changing in this one.

SoccerNews prediction: 2-1

This is a really difficult one to predict. I can’t predict that they will both lose can I?

West Brom have just four wins in their last twenty-one games and got knocked out of the FA Cup by Championship Burnley in the week.

Newcastle have just four wins in their last twenty-five games. Their manager would claim the referee’s were against his team if they scored five offside goals and got given three silly penalties! Joe Kinnear really is becoming the joke that many thought he would be.

I can’t predict victory for either side, so a draw it is.

SoccerNews prediction: 1-1

Wigan have lost some of their best players in the transfer window but have got excellent draws against Liverpool and Aston Villa since then. They have a great fighting quality about them even if the footballing quality isn’t always immediately obvious.

Fulham continue to impress and their 3-1 victory over Portsmouth was easier than it sounds. Wigan don’t score too many and Fulham don’t concede too many. Only one possible result.

SoccerNews prediction: 0-0

Sunday 8th February 2009

Robbie Keane against Andrei Arshavin. The two biggest signings of the transfer deadline day. I hope they both prove to be worth all the fuss!

Arsenal were held to a 0-0 draw by West Ham last week and Tottenham lost at Bolton, so neither team will be in great spirits.

Having said that, Arsenal have only lost two in their last fifteen in all competitions, whereas Tottenham have only won five of their last fifteen.

I don’t think it will be a happy homecoming for Robbie.

SoccerNews prediction: 1-3

The improvement West Ham have shown recently has been huge. Great credit must go to Gianfranco Zola. They got an excellent draw at Arsenal last week and they are unbeaten in eight games.

Everyone knows the fantastic run Manchester United have been on, but they don’t always enjoy the best of fortunes down in East London.

I fancy West Ham to end Van Der Sar’s amazing clean sheet record and to take a couple of points off the champions as well.

SoccerNews prediction: 1-1