Premier League predictions – Top two to draw?

SoccerNews crystal-ball

Wolves have opened up a five point gap on the bottom three and that may prove to be enough. Arsenal have dropped four points behind the leaders and that may prove to be too much.

Arsenal will be wondering how they are still in with a chance in Europe after their absolute mauling by Barcelona and they will miss their injured stars, Fabregas, Gallas and Arshavin. Wolves will be on a high after an unbeaten run of four matches.

Even with their injuries and the game in Barcelona to come, I still feel that Arsenal will have too much for Wolves, however much of a high they are on.

SoccerNews prediction: 2-0

A few weeks ago this would have been an away banker as Bolton looked doomed to a relegation struggle and Villa pushed for a top four spot.

Now, however, Owen Coyle has edged Bolton towards safety and Villa have fallen to third favourites for fourth place.

Neither side can claim to be in any sort of form as they were both hammered by the top two last time out. Bolton were beaten 4-0 at home by Manchester United whilst Villa were trounced 7-1 at Chelsea.

I fancy a draw here which will be a better result for Bolton than it is for Villa.

SoccerNews prediction: 1-1

Burnley haven’t won a game for a long time. Last time out they lost at home to their hated neighbours Blackburn and things look pretty bleak for them.

Manchester City are still inconsistent as they try to qualify for the Champions League and they didn’t look good against Wigan until they had a man advantage.

On the basis that I have been quoted as saying I can’t see Burnley picking up another point, I’d better go for City!

SoccerNews prediction: 0-2

This is being billed as a title decider. Whilst it is not quite that, the winners if there are any, will certainly be in a great position to go on and win it.

Much will be made of Wayne Rooney’s absence but although he has been brilliant, United do have one or two other players. Maybe even Dimitar Berbatov could rise to the occasion?

Chelsea looked a poor shadow of their former selves for a while but twelve goals in two games have announced their return. They will be fresh and raring to go.

United weren’t good in Munich the other night and Sir Alex won’t let that happen again.

I can’t call it. It has to be a draw.

SoccerNews prediction: 1-1

Very poor side against slightly better side in a drab prospect on the south coast. Difficult to work up too much enthusiasm over this one.

SoccerNews prediction: 0-2

Mid table Stoke are safe and showing all other promoted teams how to stay up and then overcome ‘second season syndrome’. They are formidable at home and they look every inch a Premier League outfit.

Hull had a shock win over a below strength Fulham last week and have caught West Ham on points. They will think that they can escape.

Unfortunately for Hull, I don’t expect to see a weakened Stoke side and they will not be able to handle the intensity of the home side’s play.

SoccerNews prediction: 2-0

Sunderland’s mini-revival took a knock last week when they were turned over 3-0 at Liverpool. The eight point gap they have over the bottom three will see them safe but they will still be looking to pick up points where they can.

Sunderland striker Darren Bent has scored goals wherever he has been but he will feel that he was never appreciated enough at Tottenham and will have a point to prove.

Tottenham are still holding that crucial fourth place and in a difficult run-in they will see this as a game they have to win. I think they will.

SoccerNews prediction: 1-2

Sunday 4th April

Ninth placed Birmingham take on sixth placed Liverpool in a game that looks like being really tight. Who would have predicted that before the season started?

Birmingham continue to impress and after a couple of rare poor results and performances they bounced back last week with an excellent draw against Arsenal.

Liverpool are definitely better than they were but they still don’t look quite the real deal to me.

I fancy Birmingham to pick up another impressive home point.

SoccerNews prediction: 1-1

Two extremes here as the brilliantly in-form Everton take on the woefully out of form West Ham. Whilst football always throws up surprise results, it is very difficult to imagine it doing so here.

SoccerNews prediction: 2-0

Whilst Fulham continue to impress and amaze in Europe, understandably, their league form has just started to deteriorate a little.

Wigan had a crucial win at Burnley and then didn’t look too bad against Manchester City before Caldwell was sent-off. On their day they are a decent team, but those days don’t happen very often.

I think Fulham will win a close encounter.

SoccerNews prediction: 1-0