No game this weekend for Manchester United who are in Japan and for Wigan who would presumably have been playing against United if they hadn’t gone to the World Club championship.
A look at last week’s predictions shows that I got just four right out of ten. Not as good as the week before but a whole lot better usual!
Saturday 20th December 2008
Blackburn have had a tough few weeks and the last week hasn’t been any easier. Having said that, if some of the reports about player unrest are anything like true, then some of the players may be relieved that Ince has gone.
Stoke continue to surprise and manage to stay just one small step ahead of the relegation zone. In theory, they should be favourites to win this one.
With the Blackburn players being keen to impress new manager Sam Allardyce I expect they’ll show what they singularly failed to show for Paul Ince.
SoccerNews prediction: 2-1
Bolton are a half decent outfit and Gary Megson has done well to turn their season around. He was the deserving winner of the manager of the month award for November, but as is often the way with that award, December has seen defeats to Chelsea and Aston Villa.
Portsmouth are a decent outfit but as I have said, they somehow don’t look the same under Adams as they did under Redknapp. If anyone can explain why that is, please let me know!
Although player for player I think Portsmouth are the better side, I expect Bolton to get back to winning ways here.
SoccerNews prediction: 2-1
A battle between two mid-table teams. I’m sure fans of both clubs would have been happy to be where they are now at the start of the season.
Having said that they are mid-table, they are only three and two points respectively above the drop zone and will still believe they have a lot of work to do to avoid slipping into the relegation battle.
I think they’ll both be reasonably pleased with a point.
SoccerNews prediction: 1-1
Hull got a great draw at Liverpool last week following on from their late victory over Middlesbrough the week before. They look as though they have goals in them and that they will be a test for anyone that plays against them.
Sunderland looked revitalised last week in their 4-0 win over West Brom but had played well in the 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford the week before as well.
Tough one to call but I can see Hull just sneaking it.
SoccerNews prediction: 1-0
The battle of the claret and blues. West Ham in sixteenth place dreading the Championship and Aston Villa in fourth place dreaming of the Champions League.
Things couldn’t be much different at the two clubs although West Ham will have taken great heart from their draw at Chelsea last week. They need to consolidate that win by picking up points here.
I don’t think they will.
SoccerNews prediction: 0-2
Sunday 21st December 2008
The big game of the weekend sees fifth take on top. Arsenal are already conquerors of Chelsea and Manchester United. Liverpool too are already conquerors of Chelsea and Manchester United.
Despite that fact, neither team will be going into this game with too much confidence. Liverpool scraped a 2-2 draw with Hull last week and Arsenal only managed a 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough. I’m sure both teams will raise their game for a match like this, but which one will raise it enough?
I think Liverpool will do just enough and leave Arsenal in real trouble in terms of Champions League qualification.
SoccerNews prediction: 0-1
Two teams that have got considerably better since the start of the season. Both teams will feel that they are still in a relegation struggle but realistically I don’t think they are. I can see both teams comfortably pulling away from danger.
Tottenham are still on a great run and last week Newcastle managed to turn their run of draws into a win. I can see them both edging a point nearer to safety.
SoccerNews prediction: 1-1
Manchester City are not going very well at the moment but West Brom are in danger of becoming the whipping boys of the Premier League. I mean, nobody loses 4-0 at Sunderland!
This one should be an entertaining game with both teams playing attractive football, but like everyone else in the Premier League, City will be too good for the Baggies.
SoccerNews prediction: 1-3
Monday 22nd December 2008
A real test for Everton’s credentials to be a top four or five side. They have crept up the table without looking good but will find this a step too far.
Chelsea have had their problems at home and in Europe but in the Premier League they have won every one of their away games. I don’t expect that to change here.
SoccerNews prediction: 0-2
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