Archive for January, 2006

Woo!

Saturday, January 28th, 2006

No predictions this weekend, mainly because it’s FA Cup 4th round, and also because I’ve only just finished my exams.

However, I was able to watch Southport vs Kidderminster Harriers (my local team) at Haig Avenue today, and I’m so glad I did, as we won 4-1! I was able to take a few pictures of the game, the best is this one (Click to view Full Size):

Harkness' Goal

It shows our 2nd goal, to go 2-1 infront, it was a free-kick from Jonny Harkness, which floated all the way into the net, untouched :)

It was an enjoyable game, especially as the last time I saw Harriers, we lost 1-0 to Burton :(

The rest of the pictures can be downloaded here (4.2MB Zip file).

Who’d have thought that!

Thursday, January 26th, 2006

Wigan, in their first ever season of top flight football, are through to the Carling Cup Final! Well done to them, although Jason Roberts 119th minute winner did wreck my prediction of an Arsenal vs Man United final. United did however make it through to the final, scraping (and punching judging by the half-time scuffle) past Dave Whelan’s old club, Blackburn Rovers.

I did mention that Wigan are an unpredictable side at times, and when they went 1-0 down to Henry’s header, I thought they were on their way out. However they battled well and brought the game to extra time, where anything can (and usually does) happen. I didn’t even think that the Carling Cup had an away goals rule, and by the looks of it, neither did Dave Whelan or Jason Roberts.

Current Overall Prediction percentage: 42% (5/12 correct)

Carling Cup Preview

Tuesday, January 24th, 2006

It’s the Carling Cup semi-final second legs this week, which could mean a nice run out for the premierships reserve youth teams. However, looking at the current scorelines in the ties, I expect that this will not be the case (for a change).

Arsenal vs Wigan (Aggregate 0-1) Tuesday Night
After losing to Everton on Saturday, and already trailing to Wigan, I’m sure that Arsene Wenger will pick a relatively strong team (this could be Arsenal’s only chance of silverware, they are certainly out of contention for the league). I find it virtually impossible to predict how Paul Jewell’s Wigan are going to perform, they are having an amazing season overall, but sometimes they can be awful.
My Prediction: Arsenal to go through, I don’t see Wigan’s solitary goal lead being enough, especially at Highbury.

Manchester United vs Blackburn (Aggregate 1-1) Wednesday Night
I think that this is the more interesting of the weeks ties, with both teams having come away with close victories in the weekends fixtures. Blackburn have already won at Old Trafford this season, and will be hoping to repeat that success again, and with Morten Gamst Pedersen having a superb season, they have every chance to do so. After beating liverpool at the death on saturday, Sir Alex will be hoping for the momentum to continue here, however he will want his strikers, especially van Nistelrooy to perform better than against Liverpool.
My Prediction: This game could go either way, if United play a strong team though, I can see them comfortably winning, but if they only play a scratch team then Blackburn could capitalise. If I have to choose though, it would be United.

So from these predictions I forsee a United vs Arsenal final, if so, let’s hope it isn’t as boring as when they met last May for the FA Cup final.

So much for that stalemate

Tuesday, January 24th, 2006

Well, thank you Rio for that 90th minute winner, it may have done your goal race with Anton good, but it put me below 50% in my weekends predictions :(
Looking back at my previous post it seems that some of my predictions were rather wide of the mark, especially the brum pompey match. I did however manage to predict 4 games correctly (including the correct score at spurs, and an amicable description of the newcastle vs blackburn match), also, two of my predictions were true up and till the 90th minute (thank you Mr. Mellor and Mr. Ferdinand).

Current Overall Prediction percentage: 40%

Another stalemate perhaps…..

Thursday, January 19th, 2006

So, Man United play Liverpool at Old Trafford this week, let’s hope that it isn’t as boring as their last match, one of the dullest 0-0 draws I have ever seen. With Liverpool on a 12 match unbeaten run, scoring 24 goals and conceding only 3, they are catching up with United (they are a point behind, with 2 games in hand) and with United having lost to City in last weekends derby, this could be a critical match for United and in the race for second place (I can’t see anyone catching Chelsea). After United’s token 5-0 win over conference Burton Albion, they really need to improve against Liverpool (although with Rooney and Van Nistelrooy upfront, they might be able to beat Liverpool’s defence).
My Prediction: Probably a score draw, although if I was forced to pick a winner, I’d have to go for Liverpool, I don’t see United’s defence being able to keep them out certainly, especially if Silvestre plays :)

The other matches this week are:
Birmingham vs Portsmouth: This is probably going to be the definition of a relegation 6 pointer, with both teams struggling to pick up points, it’s a crucial game for both teams. With Portsmouth busy spending Gaydamak’s money, Harry Redknapp might actually be able to build a team with players who actually speak english. Birmingham have also recently lost Walter “I didn’t want to play here in the first place” Pandiani to La Liga’s Espanyol, so I have to say I see Portsmouth coming away with the 3 points. My Prediction: Portsmouth to win a very scrappy match, probably by a close margin.

Bolton vs Man City: With Man City on a buzz after beating United in last weekends derby, Stuart Pearce will be hoping for another victory just up the road at the Reebok. This will probably be a hard fought match, both teams can be fairly physical, but I think that Bolton have the upper edge, with a stronger defence (read, no Sylvain Distin), and a European Championship winner in Stelios Giannakopoulos (yes I know he’s greek, but he’s still won it). My Prediction: Bolton to just edge it.

Chelsea vs Charlton: Charlton will be hoping to repeat their defeat of Chelsea here earlier in the season in the Carling Cup (although that was on penalties, and against a slightly reduced Chelsea side). Robben will be out for Chelsea, but that gives a chance for Duff or Wright-Phillips to shine, and with Drogba in Egypt for the African Cup of Nations, Crespo is likely to be upfront again. Charlton have had on/off form as of late, and I cannot see them being able to pick up anything here, however surprises do happen. My Prediction: Chelsea to win, possibly as tight as their match vs Sunderland last week though.

Everton vs Arsenal: Having just beaten Millwall last night, and Arsenal buoyant after their 7-0 thrashing of Middlesbrough last weekend, I can see only one possibility for this match, and I’m afraid it’s not positive for the blue side of Liverpool. If Everton are not careful they could be on the end of another Arsenal rout (remember the 7-0 at Highbury last year), Arsenal can’t afford to slip up here if they want to stay in the race for the Champions League Spots. My Prediction: Arsenal to win, and comfortably, I doubt Everton will get a goal.

Middlesbrough vs Wigan: Middlesbrough will be keen to vanquish the memory of last weeks 7-0 drubbing at Highbury, and with Wigan having a tough time of late (4 points from the last 12 available), they have every chance. However, having beaten Leeds in the cup on tues (albeit on penalties), I’m sure Paul Jewell will try and make his Wigan side improve and carry on with their impressive league position. My Prediction: A draw, probably a score-draw.

Newcastle vs Blackburn: ZZZZZ. Although on a serious side, there may be a couple of red cards, especially if Bowyer plays for Newcastle, and Bellamy for Blackburn (I so hope Shearer carrys out the threat he made when Bellamy left). Newcastle have been struggling for goals as of late (only 2 in the last 4 games), and with Owen and Ameobi on the injury list, I can’t see them improving that tally much here. Blackburn are on a 4 game unbeaten streak at the moment, and I can see them keeping this up with this game, probably taking away all 3 points. My Prediction: Probably a win for Blackburn by the odd goal, possibly more reds than goals.

Tottenham vs Aston Villa: Being a Tottenham fan, being impartial for this match isn’t going to be easy. After losing to Leicester and Liverpool, Spurs will be looking for a win, however with Mido now on international duty with Egypt in the African Cup of Nations, I think they will find it hard to score. Villa have been in quite good form as of late, although they did lose at home to West Ham last weekend, and they will be keen for Angel and Baros to actually hit the target. My Prediction: Probably a draw, with a no-score draw on the cards.

West Brom vs Sunderland: Having lost 3-2 after being 2-0 up against Reading in the FA Cup on Tuesday, Bryan Robson will be looking for an improvement in his defence against bottom of the league Sunderland. Mick McCarthy will be pleased at his sides performance against Chelsea, and will hope for them to keep this up at the Hawthorns. My Prediction: West Brom to just edge it, although it will be a close match.

West Ham vs Fulham (Monday Night): With Thomas Repka returning to his homeland of the Czech Republic, West Ham will have to hope that Christian Dailly can play as physically as him. The Hammers have had an impressive return to the premiership, and will hope to do well in the London derbies. With Zamora and Harewood beginning to find their premiership feet (about time for Zamora), they should do well against Fulham. Fulham have been having a topsy-turvy season, beating Liverpool (Liverpool’s last league defeat), and losing to Portsmouth in the league and Leyton Orient in the FA Cup, and I think this inconsistency will show again here. My Prediction: West Ham to win an entertaining London derby.

I will try and do this for each weeks fixtures, and keep track of my predictions, I imagine they will be way off, hence why I’m not a betting man.

The Superbowl Approaches

Wednesday, January 18th, 2006

On 5th February 2006, it’s Superbowl XL, this year hosted in the “motor city”, Detroit, at Ford Field. It’s meant to one of the most watched events on television, and I will be one of those watching it on the box. The NFL playoffs are currently in full swing, with the conference championships due to be played this coming Sunday (22nd Jan). There have already been a few shocks in the playoffs, the biggest by far was Pittsburgh dumping the Indianapolis Colts out last weekend. The Colts, who were 13-0 at one point (that means 13 wins, no losses), were the favourites to reach the superbowl from the AFC, and quite possibly the favourites to go on and win them. The other shock (well it is in my opinion) was the Bears losing to the Panthers, the Bears had probably the best defence in the league, with defensive MVP Brian Urlacher at the head of it. The Panthers however have Steve Smith, who is one of the best wide receivers in the league, and we just couldn’t stop him. Anyway, on to the conference championships this weekend.

AFC Championship: Pittsburgh Steelers @ Denver Broncos

The Steelers have already pulled off two shocks, beating the Cincinnati Bengals (quite literally) and the Indianapolis Colts, I don’t think they’ll be able to pull of three, which is a pity, as with it being Jerome “the Bus” Bettis’ last season, I’m sure he’ll love to make it to the superbowl. The Broncos defense is strong, they won 3 fumbles against the Patriots, and nearly scored a 100 yard interception touchdown, also Roethlisberger, the Steelers quarterback, has been nursing a hand injury for quite a while, and from the clips I saw of the Colts match, he aggravated it again.

NFC Championship: Carolina Panthers @ Seattle Seahawks

In my opinion, this has to be the Seahawks’ game, they have homefield advantage, and in Seattle I think this will give them a huge advantage. Before their game against the Redskins, it had rained for 27 straight days, and I thought Manchester was wet. Provided Shaun Alexander has recovered from his mild concussion, then I cannot see the Panthers being able to stop them, although I’m sure Steve Smith will try his hardest.

Thanks to Mr. Murdoch, I’ll have to monitor superbowl.com for the scores, and then watch the highlights on ITV1 on monday :(

Test

Wednesday, January 18th, 2006

I wonder what this looks like with two posts….

Welcome.

Wednesday, January 18th, 2006

I’ve finally decided to ditch MSN Spaces and use a decent blog engine, so welcome to my WordPress powered blog, let’s hope I update it more often than the MSN one :)

Anyway, revision to be done, night!