Here we go with this week’s predictions. Of course, there were no predictions last week due to the international weekend and the less said about my performance from the week before, the better!
I reckon I’ve got it right this week though. Do you?
Saturday 18th October 2008
Arsenal come into the game after a shocking defeat at home to Hull and a last gasp draw at struggling Sunderland. The way Arsenal play, you wonder if someone might feel a backlash soon.
Everton go into the game with a little stability after David Moyes finally signed his five year contract. They don’t go into the game in any sort of form however, and they won’t fancy a trip to Arsenal where they were beaten 7-0 just a couple of years ago.
Arsenal have badly let me down in my last two predictions but I feel confident that they won’t this time, even though they will be without Gallas, Sagna and Bendtner.
Soccernews prediction: 3-0
Villa are looking to break into the top four this season but fifth place might be a more likely target. Portsmouth will also have an eye on European qualification through their league position, although they have been a little up and down so far.
As it stands at the moment, Villa sit fourth and Portsmouth are seventh, just a point behind them. This game might go some way to showing us which team is better equipped to launch a challenge.
Soccernews prediction: 1-1
A local derby this one, between two physical teams who will be fired up by their respective managers. Blackburn are tenth and Bolton are seventeenth but there are only three points between them.
Blackburn are in reasonable shape. Their 2-0 defeat at Manchester United last time out followed three straight victories as the Paul Ince era begins to take shape.
Bolton will have a little confidence after their win at West Ham, but that was their first win since the opening day of the season.
This will probably be a bruising encounter.
Soccernews prediction: 0-1
This game sees seventeenth take on fourteenth. Both sides are in the position whereby they could have a reasonably comfortable mid-table season or they could be dragged into a long and tortuous relegation battle.
I think both teams will be alright, but they both need to put together a couple of wins.
Soccernews prediction: 2-1
Liverpool will be without Fernando Torres but with Rafa Benitez apparently ditching his rotation policy, they should otherwise be at full strength. That full strength has so far been enough to make Liverpool look like serious title candidates.
Wigan have developed well from last season and in Zaki and Heskey they have an impressive strike force. However, their mid-table position is about right and even without Torres, Liverpool should have enough to see a victory in this one.
Soccernews prediction: 2-0
United are beginning to put a run of form together but at present they are only one point and one place above their opponents today. West Brom have made a good start to their first season back at the top level, but they won’t be banking on picking up any points here.
If West Brom adopt a damage limitation policy I think they will lose narrowly, but if they try to play the kind of expansive football they have played so far, they could get thumped.
Soccernews prediction: 2-0
Middlesbrough flatter to deceive and are another team that could get sucked into a relegation battle.
Chelsea look great at the moment, even without Deco, Essien, Carvalho and Drogba. It seems Bosingwa could be added to that list and Ballack is definitely out, but even with these injuries, they will be too good for Boro.
Soccernews prediction: 0-3
Sunday 19th October 2008
I don’t suppose too many people thought that this game would be a top of the table clash, but with Hull in third and West Ham in sixth, that’s exactly what it is.
Hull come into the game on the back of amazing wins at Arsenal and Tottenham and West Ham lost their last game at home to struggling Bolton.
In some ways, Hull might just find things a little more difficult at home and their bubble may well burst at some point. I think that point might be tomorrow.
Soccernews prediction: 1-2
The bottom two take each other on at Stoke tomorrow with Stoke, remarkably, probably the slight favourites.
Stoke haven’t won in their last five league games, losing four of them and Tottenham haven’t won all season, losing five of their seven games.
Both teams will be nervous and will know how important this game is. Don’t expect many goals!
Soccernews prediction: 0-0
Monday 20th October 2008
What a different situation these two clubs find themselves in. Newcastle without an interested owner and City with the richest owners in World football. Newcastle at rock bottom in terms of confidence and hope for the future and City riding the crest of a wave.
It is hard to see how Newcastle, particularly without the injured Michael Owen, can win a game at the moment. Having said that, Manchester City have lost four of their last five away games and aren’t really setting the world alight.
Soccernews prediction: 0-1
Over to you.
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