The Hot Crossed Friday Premiership Predictions
Predictions for this weekends Premiership action...
Saturday
Everton vs West Brom (12.45 Kick Off, live on Sky)
A particularly uninspiring game to kick the weekend off, with Everton looking to keep the pressure on the top 4 without the services of Mikel Arteta who is out for the season. West Brom are looking certainties for the drop as things stand but I can see them picking up a point in this game. Expect West Brom to occupy a deeper position than an armbandless baby in a swimming pool, and hold out for a 0-0 draw.
Draw
Arsenal vs Fulham (3pm Kickoff)
A big game for Arsenal, particularly following their last league outing at the Emirates last weekend. While Fulham are quite comparable in terms of difficulty to Sunderland, I see a comfortable win for the gunners this weekend. They know how important 3 points is tomorrow, and with the pressure temporarily lifted from their shoulders following a morale boosting win over Roma, Arsenal will coast to a 3-0 victory in this tie.
Home Win
Chelsea vs Wigan (3pm Kickoff)
Wigan are another one of the sides with not much riding on their league form, but this game has something different about it than the game taking place in North London. Hiddink will not allow complacency to set in for his first home league game, but I feel that Chelsea will have their eye off the ball for this one. Wigan may not have a huge amount to play for, but Steve Bruce is not the kind of manager to let them rest on their laurels. Players like Hugo Rodallega will be trying to prove themselves and I can see a score draw taking place at the bridge.
Draw
Middlebrough vs Liverpool (3pm Kickoff, Live on Setanta Ireland)
The riverside has proved to be a tricky place for visiting big 4 teams over the last few years, and Liverpool will no doubt be placed under pressure with Gareth Southgate’s men desperate to move out of the relegation zone. Liverpool will undoubtedly field a weakened team following their trip to Madrid and with a game against Sunderland to follow on Tuesday, so expect to see the likes of David Ngog, Lucas and Ryan Babel involved. Despite this I can see Liverpool winning, as Middlesbrough have to go for the win and this will suit Benitez’s team. A brave Middlesbrough to go down 2-0.
Away win.
Sunday
Hull vs Blackburn (12.30pm Kickoff)
This is the game of the weekend in my humble opinion, and arguably the real first relegation six pointer of the year. Hull have been falling faster than a banker’s pension, and find themselves only 5 points away from the relegation zone, a position that was unthinkable back in December when they last won a league game. Blackburn for all the good work that has been done under Allardyce are only one position higher from when he started, and had a bad result in the midweek FA cup ties. The added subplot of the apprentice taking on his master is apparent in Phil Brown meeting Sam Allardyce for the first time, and will add spice to an already tasty encounter. Call me stupid if you will, but Hull have to win at some stage and I have a feeling Geovanni may be involved for the first time in a while. I can see a high scoring home win, perhaps a 3-2 or something like that. Expect fireworks.
Home Win
West Ham vs Manchester City (12.30pm Kickoff)
This is potentially an utterly uninteresting game, but the only intrigue for me comes from how City build on a useful 1-1 draw at Anfield and their progression in the UEFA cup. Mark Hughes appeared a very happy man after last nights game, and he is no doubt aware of the importance of a good cup run in regard to his future of manager. West Ham have hit a bit of a slump following a good run of form, and I can see another good win for Robinho and his gang.
Away Win
Bolton vs Newcastle (1pm Kickoff)
An absolutely massive game for the toon, with Chris Hughton continuing to take charge as JFK recovers from his quite possibly verbally induced heart problems. Gary Megson continues to do an excellent job with no credit whatsoever, and the siege mentality that pervades Bolton has led me to believe that they can achieve a sixth place finish. Newcastle are in a bad place right now, and I just can’t see them getting anything out of this game. They would do well to remember the last time they won at Bolton, the first day of the 2007/2008 season, and Sam Allardyce’s first game in charge. He is lurking manacingly with his Blackburn side in wait for them to slip, and to take revenge on his former employers.
Home Win
Aston Villa vs Stoke (3pm Kickoff)
"It stayed personal for him and had nothing to do with football. I suddenly realised my manager could destroy my career. He must really have had a down on me, because why would he effectively destroy my chances for me to change clubs?" Thomas Sorenson certainly doesn’t appear to have much time for Martin O’Neill, and his first return to Villa Park appears a good opportunity to stick it to his former manager. Villa have looked tired in recent weeks, leading O’Neill to rest 9 first teamers for the trip to CSKA Moscow. It’s a gut feeling, but I think that Stoke might just nick this one, with a bit of help from their keeper along the way.
Away Win.
Saturday
Everton vs West Brom (12.45 Kick Off, live on Sky)
A particularly uninspiring game to kick the weekend off, with Everton looking to keep the pressure on the top 4 without the services of Mikel Arteta who is out for the season. West Brom are looking certainties for the drop as things stand but I can see them picking up a point in this game. Expect West Brom to occupy a deeper position than an armbandless baby in a swimming pool, and hold out for a 0-0 draw.
Draw
Arsenal vs Fulham (3pm Kickoff)
A big game for Arsenal, particularly following their last league outing at the Emirates last weekend. While Fulham are quite comparable in terms of difficulty to Sunderland, I see a comfortable win for the gunners this weekend. They know how important 3 points is tomorrow, and with the pressure temporarily lifted from their shoulders following a morale boosting win over Roma, Arsenal will coast to a 3-0 victory in this tie.
Home Win
Chelsea vs Wigan (3pm Kickoff)
Wigan are another one of the sides with not much riding on their league form, but this game has something different about it than the game taking place in North London. Hiddink will not allow complacency to set in for his first home league game, but I feel that Chelsea will have their eye off the ball for this one. Wigan may not have a huge amount to play for, but Steve Bruce is not the kind of manager to let them rest on their laurels. Players like Hugo Rodallega will be trying to prove themselves and I can see a score draw taking place at the bridge.
Draw
Middlebrough vs Liverpool (3pm Kickoff, Live on Setanta Ireland)
The riverside has proved to be a tricky place for visiting big 4 teams over the last few years, and Liverpool will no doubt be placed under pressure with Gareth Southgate’s men desperate to move out of the relegation zone. Liverpool will undoubtedly field a weakened team following their trip to Madrid and with a game against Sunderland to follow on Tuesday, so expect to see the likes of David Ngog, Lucas and Ryan Babel involved. Despite this I can see Liverpool winning, as Middlesbrough have to go for the win and this will suit Benitez’s team. A brave Middlesbrough to go down 2-0.
Away win.
Sunday
Hull vs Blackburn (12.30pm Kickoff)
This is the game of the weekend in my humble opinion, and arguably the real first relegation six pointer of the year. Hull have been falling faster than a banker’s pension, and find themselves only 5 points away from the relegation zone, a position that was unthinkable back in December when they last won a league game. Blackburn for all the good work that has been done under Allardyce are only one position higher from when he started, and had a bad result in the midweek FA cup ties. The added subplot of the apprentice taking on his master is apparent in Phil Brown meeting Sam Allardyce for the first time, and will add spice to an already tasty encounter. Call me stupid if you will, but Hull have to win at some stage and I have a feeling Geovanni may be involved for the first time in a while. I can see a high scoring home win, perhaps a 3-2 or something like that. Expect fireworks.
Home Win
West Ham vs Manchester City (12.30pm Kickoff)
This is potentially an utterly uninteresting game, but the only intrigue for me comes from how City build on a useful 1-1 draw at Anfield and their progression in the UEFA cup. Mark Hughes appeared a very happy man after last nights game, and he is no doubt aware of the importance of a good cup run in regard to his future of manager. West Ham have hit a bit of a slump following a good run of form, and I can see another good win for Robinho and his gang.
Away Win
Bolton vs Newcastle (1pm Kickoff)
An absolutely massive game for the toon, with Chris Hughton continuing to take charge as JFK recovers from his quite possibly verbally induced heart problems. Gary Megson continues to do an excellent job with no credit whatsoever, and the siege mentality that pervades Bolton has led me to believe that they can achieve a sixth place finish. Newcastle are in a bad place right now, and I just can’t see them getting anything out of this game. They would do well to remember the last time they won at Bolton, the first day of the 2007/2008 season, and Sam Allardyce’s first game in charge. He is lurking manacingly with his Blackburn side in wait for them to slip, and to take revenge on his former employers.
Home Win
Aston Villa vs Stoke (3pm Kickoff)
"It stayed personal for him and had nothing to do with football. I suddenly realised my manager could destroy my career. He must really have had a down on me, because why would he effectively destroy my chances for me to change clubs?" Thomas Sorenson certainly doesn’t appear to have much time for Martin O’Neill, and his first return to Villa Park appears a good opportunity to stick it to his former manager. Villa have looked tired in recent weeks, leading O’Neill to rest 9 first teamers for the trip to CSKA Moscow. It’s a gut feeling, but I think that Stoke might just nick this one, with a bit of help from their keeper along the way.
Away Win.
posted by Oz @ 12:18 PM
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