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.
Hmmmmn
Birmingham 1-1 Portsmouth,
Bolton 1-1 Man City,
Chelsea 3-0 Charlton,
Everton v Arsenal,*
Man Utd 0-1 Liverpool,
Middlesbrough 0-2 Wigan,
Newcastle 0-1 Blackburn,
Tottenham 2-1 Aston Villa,
West Brom 2-0 Sunderland,
West Ham 2-2 Fulham,
*I don’t like predicting Everton games
Couple of things
1. Everton 1-0 Arsenal
YYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I failed to find a single person who didn’t think we would be thrashed, however my ploy of not predicting our scores worked again.
2. It’s BrYan Robson not Brian
3. Repka, hmmmn still at the hammers i believe, his last game is to be against Fulham.
4. What was Alan Shearer’s threat to Craig Bellamy?
1. Arsenal appear to struggle away from home, especially if Henry under-performs.
2. Fixed, ta.
3. Indeed it is Repka’s last game, I wonder what would happen if he got sent off
4. It was rumoured he sent him a txt saying that if he ever returned to Newcastle he’d duff him in, luckily for Bellamy he was suspended for yesterdays match
[...] 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). [...]