Arsenal vs West Ham
Allowing Newcastle to take all three points from you at home when you are bottom of the league kind of indicates you’ve got problems. The look on Carlton Cole’s face when he scored a pretty uninspiring goal also spoke volumes. The poor guy looked like he had discovered how to turn potatoes into gold.
Arsenal are in the sort of form that could turn this into a basketball score.
Prediction 6-0
Blackburn vs Chelsea
I don’t have psychic powers but this looks rather predictable. Unlike West Ham, Blackburn are far more well versed in dragging out the process of getting thumped and they are at home…so the goals may well come late but come they shall…
Prediction 0-3
Everton vs Stoke
No two ways about it Everton have their tails up at the moment and with home advantage they ought to do more than nudge a win here. Stokehave put in some solid performances and will come looking for a point.
Prediction 1-0
Wolves vs Man City
City will have their hands full. So what. If they are serious about all the money that’s been spent then this is 3 points. If they wish to be seen as chancers then this is 1 point. Harsh? Well this is precisely the sort of game Tottenham, Everton or Villa would screw up.
Prediction 0-2
Man Utd vs Tottenham
Whaddya mean it has 2-1 written through it like a stick of rock? You may well be right. Spurs have Van der Vaart. Utd have Rooney in Dubai. I’d call that close to even. United won’t back down and Hernandez is set for greatness.
Prediction 2-1
Aston Villa vs Birmingham
Oooh this could be dull. A dull derby. Duller than wee Willy McDull doing a sponsored Dullathon on St. Dull’s Day. Gerard Houllier needs to stamp his mark on Aston Villa. He currently has the feel of an absentee landlord. By comparison, McLeish is giving every impression of a very committed manager. Villa’s to lose.
Prediction 1-2
Newcastle vs Sunderland
This will make for plenty of heated er.. heatedness. Sunderland seem to be running at 60% of full steam. Newcastle at 90% full steam, but without the gumption to make it count. As ever, lots at stake beyond the points.
Prediction 3-1
Bolton vs Liverpool
Poor old Roy. It’s going to be a long while before he’s left alone to manage and a longer while probably before he has a team in front of him who are playing with any degree of genuine confidence. Bolton will do what Bolton do. If Liverpool lose you don’t need me to tell you what the media vibe will be.
Prediction 1-1
Blackpool vs West Brom
Games like these don’t exactly define seasons, but they certainly generate hugely valuable points. I guess it’s like a scent marking exercise – like when a dog blesses a lampost. West Brom are in great form. Blackpool are quite simply – nutters.
Prediction 3-1
