Looking at this weekends fixtures, there are no matches that really stand out as being big games, although with the race for the european spots hotting up, especially after Man United won the League Cup, which made 6th a UEFA Cup spot. Here are this weeks predictions:

Aston Villa vs Portsmouth: Portsmouth haven’t won a league game this calendar year, picking up only 1 point since the turn of the year, and I cannot see them improving this record away to Villa, although Villa are struggling in the lower half of the table. My Prediction: 2-1 Villa.

Fulham vs Arsenal: Another away match for Arsenal, and with them still missing Cole, it’ll probably be another non-english XI. Arsenals league form is only better than the Premiership’s bottom two, they’ve been unable to produce their champions league form at home, perhaps the players feel more at home in europe Fulham are on a good run of home form, winning their last 4 home games, but I think this game will be end that run. My Prediction: 1-1.

Liverpool vs Charlton: Another home game for Liverpool, and with the england match having being played at a Anfield as well, the pitch will have taken quite a pounding in recent weeks. A win for Liverpool and they will be in 2nd spot in the league for at least 48 hours, with Man Utd not playing till weds. Charlton, like Villa, are struggling in the bottom half of the league, and I can’t see their situation improving here. My Prediction: 2-0 Liverpool.

Middlesbrough vs Birmingham: An important game for both sides, a boro win virtually guarantees them safety, and turns the relegation battle into a 3 from 4 situation, and if Birmingham win, and West Brom lose, then Birmingham are out of the relegation zone. My Prediction: 2-1 ‘boro.

Newcaslte vs Bolton: Alan Shearer may return to the Newcastle squad for this match, but Newcastle still are without Keiron Dyer, and somewhat less importantly, Titus Bramble. Both teams are on a good run of form, and I can see a stalemate on the cards. My Prediction: 2-2.

West Brom vs Chelsea: Frank Lampard misses another premiership match, which may dampen Chelsea’s attacking powers, however against a struggling West Brom side, I cannot see the loss of Lampard really stopping a Chelsea win. My Prediction: 3-0 Chelsea.

West Ham vs Everton: Both teams have had excellent runs of form lately, West Ham are top of the form chart currently, and Everton were on a 7 game unbeaten streak until facing Newcastle last weekend. I think this will probably be a tight encounter. My Prediction: 1-1.

Man City vs Sunderland: Another tough match for Sunderland, and although Man City have fallen away from the european spots of late, they still will provide tough opposition for the black cats. Man City are without Joey Barton, so they may struggle slightly, but probably not much. My Prediction: 2-0 City.

Tottenham vs Blackburn: Another outing on sky for spurs, and with Blackburn hot on their heels for the Champions League spot, and important match for both teams. Spurs have had indifferent form of late, whereas Blackburn have charged up the league table. My Prediction: 2-1 Spurs.

Wigan vs Man United: Wigan will be hoping to avenge their thrashing in the League Cup final last weekend, and their thrashing at Old Trafford earlier in the league (both games were 4-0 wins for United). Van Nistelrooy is unlikely to play again this week (apologies for last weeks prediction) with a stomach complaint, so another runout for Saha, who will be hoping ton continue his run of form (although his cup final goal was hardly a classic). My Prediction: 3-1 Man Utd.

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’ve been busy with things lately, so I was unable to review my prediction performance last week, so I shall do two weeks worth of football now:

The main scoreline I predicted wrong here was the ‘boro vs villa match, when Luke Moore grabbed a hat-trick and added to boros slide in the league table. I also didn’t think that Newcastle would win vs Portsmouth, however I presume that the Newcastle faithful must have more faith in Shearer and Roeder. I was pleased with my correct prediction of the Arsenal Birmingham City game, not even Mark Lawrenson could see Arsenal winning it.

By far the biggest result this weekend was Middlesbrough thrashing Chelsea 3-0 at the Riverside, I don’t think many people would have predicted this, even ‘boro fans. The other match I predicted rather badly was the Spurs Sunderland match. I have to admin that as a Spurs fan I was rather over-keen, and went for what seems an outlandings 3-0 scoreline now.

On to tonights prediction…

Following on from yesterdays post on Saturdays fixtures, it’s time to predict todays fixtures:

Man City vs Charlton: Both of these teams have been struggling as of late, although Charlton did beat Liverpool on tuesday evening. My Prediction: 2-1 Charlton

Sunderland vs Tottenham: After Defoe’s return to scoring ways last Sunday, I cannot see Sunderland having any real chance here. My Prediction: 3-0 Spurs

There is also a game on Monday evening:

West Ham vs Birmingham: West Ham have been on quite a decent run recently, and with Birmingham still struggling, I think they will find it hard to win this match. My Prediction: 3-1 West Ham

After watching virtual premiership newboys Reading win 2-0 vs Southampton tonight, it’s time to produce some predictions for this weekends premiership football:

Arsenal vs Bolton: After losing at the Reebok twice this year (once in the league, once in the FA Cup), Arsenal will want to make amends at Highbury and with Thierry Henry still on fine scoring form, they have every chance to do so tomorrow. My Prediction: 3-0 Arsenal

Aston Villa vs Newcastle: A battle of the mediocres here, Newcastle may have the added impetus from last weekends win, but I cannot see them being able to make an impact at Villa Park. My Prediction: 2-1 Aston Villa

Everton vs Blackburn: Another battle of the mediocres here, with Everton still reeling from wednesday’s thrashing by Chelsea in the FA Cup, they will be keen to make amends here. My Prediction: 2-1 Everton

Fulham vs West Brom: With both teams struggling as of late, this is an important match for both teams. My Prediction: 2-0 Fulham.

Middlesbrough vs Chelsea: Middlesbrough have been on dreadful form as of late, and I cannot see them improving this form against Chelsea. My Prediction: 3-0 Chelsea.

Portsmouth vs Man Utd: With Harry Redknapp still struggling with his Portsmouth squad, one of the worst teams they want to play is Man Utd, having been recently reinvigorated they are on impeccable form as of late, and I cannot see Pompey beating them. My Prediction: 3-1 Man Utd.

Wigan vs Liverpool: Having lost to Charlton on tuesday, Liverpool will be looking to make amends here, and they have a good chance against a continually inconsistent Wigan side. My Prediction: 2-0 Liverpool.

I will do Sunday and Mondays predictions later, I’m too tired atm

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%

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.