After an exciting week of FA Cup and Champions League Football, the premiership returns tomorrow, with a slightly reduced number of games due to Sunday’s League Cup Final. This weekend, in the league at least, there are no really stand-out fixtures, although it will be interesting to see how Chelsea play against Portsmouth having lost on Wednesday night to Barcelona. My predictions for this weekend are:
Birmingham vs Sunderland: This is a VERY important game for both teams, Sunderland need to win this (and every other game this season) to really have any chance of staying up, and Birmingham need to win to keep up with the teams outside of the relegation zone. Both teams have had mixed form of late, but I cannot see Sunderland winning here, however it is a typical relegation six-pointer, so it could go anyway. My Prediction: 3-1 Birmingham.
Blackburn vs Arsenal: After Arsenal’s “historic victory” in Madrid on tuesday, they will be looking to improve their recent form in the league, and chase after the 4th Champions League spot, and with Blackburn having their usual topsy-turvy form, they have a good chance to win here. My Prediction: 2-1 Arsenal.
Charlton vs Aston Villa: Both these teams are in the “Mid-table mediocrity” section of the league, with Charlton only left to look for a relatively decent league position this year, and Villa left with just the FA Cup to try and repair what has been a poor season by their standards. With Villa still reeling from Sundays last minute equaliser by Man City, they will be looking to increase their gap above the relegation fighters. My Prediction: 2-0 Charlton.
Chelsea vs Portsmouth: Chelsea will be after all three points here, and with Joe Cole looking outstanding against Colchester last weekend, and probably fuming after being subbed on wednesday after Del Horno’s red card, I can see them t(h)rashing Portsmouth. It will be interesting to see what the pitch looks like too seeing as Barcelona won’t be playing there again this season 
. My Prediction: 4-1 Chelsea.
Newcastle vs Everton: Since Graeme Souness left, Newcastles form has improved dramatically (there’s a surprise), and their injury list has started to reduce in length. After Everton’s disastrous start to the season, things have improved rapidly lately, unbeaten in their last 7 league games, gaining 19 points out of a possible 21. My Prediction: 1-1
Bolton vs Fulham: Bolton are still on for a push for the UEFA cup spots, in both the league and the FA Cup, although they did lose to Marseille last night in the UEFA Cup. Fulham have been having another relatively poor season, stuck in a lowly 14th place in the league. My Prediction: 2-0 Bolton.
Liverpool vs Man City: Liverpool face the other half of manchester this week, and Robbie Fowler will be looking to score against his former club. City will be buoyed by their last minute equaliser last weekend, and with Liverpool missing Sissoko with his serious eye injury, they have a good chance of winning here, especially with Liverpool still struggling to score. My Prediction: 2-1 City.
West Brom vs Middlesbrough: This is an important game for both teams, with Birmingham trying to catch both teams up to escape relegation, neither will want to lose this match. Middlesbrough have had impressive form in europe this year, and with Yakubu still netting goals, they have a good chance of beating a poor West Brom side. My Prediction: 3-2 Middlesbrough.
I will look at the League Cup Final tomorrow at some point.
I’m gonna try and compete with you on some of these…
Birmingham vs Sunderland – this will be a pretty tight game, although both sides need 3 points badly. No real strike power on wither side with Forsell still dodgy and Ivanhoe being as shite as stead (nearly). Sunderland will break their own record this season (that’s something right) so 1-0 Birmingham.
Blackburn vs Arsenal – The Arse winning against Real Madrid ain’t as impressive as ITV would have you believe, but if Henry ties his shoelaces the wrong way this is gonna be a surprise to Blackburn in my book. Tough to beat and a fast Line-up v the big 4 of Eboue, Toure (he’s ok in fact, could be Cygan) Senderos and Flamini with Lemon in nets is playing with fire. 2-1 Blackburn.
Charlton vs Aston Villa – When the highlight of your season is a Fake Sheik trying to buy you for a NotW sting, you know it’s been bad. Neither team is that interesting to anyone (including own fans). 0-0 Charlton. And PLEASE GOD let there be a streaker!!!
). Embarrassment in midweek and the fear factor should be enough to mean a unsurprising 3-0 to Chelsea.
Chelsea vs Portsmouth – lets face facts. Chelsea Pompey (my A level maths wont allow for the Middlesboro factor in these equations
Newcastle vs Everton – Everton are finally regaining their rightful place in midtable mediocrity, Geordies need Shearer, Owen, and Jackie Milburn to return to get anywhere near respectable. Oh, and can I play in front for them in stead of Ameobi. I wont move from the pen spot so the law of averages means i will eventually ricochet the ball in the net at a higher percentage than he does.
1-0 Everton has a nice ring to it. Prob with Cahill header.
Bolton vs Fulham – if Bolton were Cottaging it this weekend it could have been a close call, but Coleman’s lads couldn’t hit Neville Southall’s arse with a banjo away from home this season. Bolton will recover with a 2-0 win after their UEFA disappointment.
Steven Gerrard vs Man City – Gerrard (or Liverpool as they used to be) usually beat City, all the more likely this season with city wanting the scourers to finish above Salford Utd. 2-1 Gerrard. (there’s a joke to be had with Barton, Sissoko and eye injury, but I ain’t the gut to think of it, sorry)
West Brom vs Middlesbrough – Boro will be knackered after playing in Europe, and WBA are due another shock win. 1-0 Baggies.