We’ll meet again…
This weekend sees the ninth meeting in two seasons of Liverpool and Chelsea, Chelsea have won four, Liverpool have won just the one, with three nil-nil draws. The matches have always been interesting, especially the Carling Cup final, and hopefully this Sundays match will be another enjoyable match, I don’t see it being as one-sided as Chelsea’s 4-1 league win earlier in the season however. With Man Utd slipping up at Ewood Park on wednesday night, Liverpool will be looking to continue their hunt for second place, they are only 3 points behind with two games in hand, and they will be keen not to lose ground to Chelsea if they have any real hope of taking the title. Robbie Fowler will be looking to net his first goal on his return to league football with the reds, but with Chelsea without a win in 3 games, it could be a tough order. Chelsea are still struggling defensively though, and with Liverpool stingy defence (Reina has more clean sheets than Cech this season), they will have to try and not concede if they want to win.
My Prediction: (This week I will be brave, and try and predict scorelines) I can see this game being a score draw, probably 1-1.
On to the other games this weekend…
Bolton vs Wigan: Another north-west derby for Sam Allardyce’s men, and with an ever inconsistent Wigan team (through to the Carling Cup final, losing to Man City in the FA Cup), this will be a hard game to predict. Bolton have been on good form late, having beaten Arsenal in the FA cup last weekend, and I can see Stelios Giannakopolous playing an important part again.
My Prediction: Bolton just to take it, 2-1
Birmingham vs Arsenal: Arsenal are on dreadful form as of late, losing to West Ham, Bolton and Everton in the last few weeks, the defeat to West Ham on wednesday also bringing out the first signs of dissent among Wenger’s players, and I think if Campbell’s absence continues they will struggle to pick up points in the next few weeks. Birmingham on the other hand are on the up, the transfer window signing of Chris Sutton has certainly bolstered the team, he had an excellent performance against Portsmouth two weeks ago. They also managed to pick up a point at Anfield on wednesday, and they will be hoping for a similar result against the gunners this weekend.
My Prediction: Without Sol Campbell Arsenal sometimes struggle, Henry however still has his scoring boots, and Birmingham’s sometimes frail defence will probably suffer, 3-1 Arsenal
Everton vs Man City: Everton have managed some important results of late, having beaten Arsenal in the league, and drawing with Chelsea in the FA Cup, they will be hoping to continue their ascent up the league table, rising up to twelfth over recent weeks. Man City have had a dip in form in recent months, falling down to 10th in the league, and this match has mid-table mediocrity written all over it.
My Prediction: Everton to sneak the win, 1-0
Middlesbrough vs Aston Villa: Both boro and villa will be hoping that this season soon ends and they can try again next year, starting as possible UEFA cup qualifiers, they both have had decidedly mediocre seasons, with them languishing in the lower half of the table. Aston Villa’s fortunes have improved of late, and they will be pleased with the point they picked up against Chelsea on wednesday night, and they will be looking to continue this form at the Riverside. Middlesbrough have had decidedly inconsistent form of late, having beaten Sunderland on wednesday, but only drawing with Coventry in the FA cup last weekend.
My Prediction: 2-2 draw
Newcastle vs Portsmouth: Whoever is in charge of Newcastle for this game has a tough task on their hands Glenn Roeder, Newcastle’s caretaker manager has a tough task ahead, this is the true definition of a must win match for Newcastle. Harry Redknapp will be keen for his new signings to perform, otherwise Mr. Gaydamak will be buying players for a Championship side if they are not careful.
My Prediction: 1-1 draw
West Ham vs Sunderland: West Ham will be looking to take all 3 points here, especially after beating Arsenal on wednesday night, and they will have every chance against Mick McCarthy’s Sunderland side. Having lost to League One Brentford last weekend, and losing at home to Middlesbrough on wednesday, Sunderland will probably struggle here too.
My Prediction: 3-0 to West Ham
West Brom vs Blackburn: Having beaten Man Utd on wednesday, Blackburn will be looking to take maximum points again here, and with West Brom being as inconsistent as ever, they have every chance. With Steve Bruce’s Birmingham City only 3 points behind them, the baggies need to try and get some consistency in their performances.
My Prediction: Blackburn to win, 2-1
Man Utd vs Fulham: Man United will be looking to bounce back from wednesdays defeat at Ewood Park, and they have every chance to do so playing against a relatively poor side in Fulham. However, Fulham were able to beat Spurs on tuesday, and they may be able to score past united’s defence, especially if ferdinand and vidic play as badly as they did on wednesday.
My Prediction: United to take it, 3-1
Tottenham vs Charlton: Another London derby for spurs, and having lost to Fulham on tuesday, they will want to win this. However, with a lack of any goal scorers at the moment, scoring could create problems. Danny Murphy could make his debut against his former club, and he could be a critical player in the game.
My Prediction: Spurs to win, just, 2-1
I shall hopefully be off to Shay Stadium this Saturday, to watch another Kidderminster Harriers match, this time away to Halifax. We have just sold our best three players this week, including our top scorer and our team captain, so it will be an interesting team we play, and I’m afraid I don’t have the highest of confidence levels for this match, especially with Halifax being in the playoff spots in the Conference. I don’t care though, it’s great fun travelling to away games 
