Premier League 2008/9 Predictions – Week 4

The Premier League in week four is a very different place to the Premier League in week three. Dimitar Berbatov is now at Man Utd, and Robinho traded Real Madrid for Man City (still feels weird to type that). Meanwhile West Ham have a new manager and Newcastle currently have no manager. Oh and suddenly Theo Walcott is the real deal.

So what will happen this weekend? Read on for some random stabs in the dark…

Saturday 13 September 2008

Blackburn v Arsenal
All eyes will be on England’s hat trick hero. Will Walcott repeat his Zagreb feat with another Theo trio. Will he even score? Will he even play? See the odds at Bet Offside. Blackburn aren’t as bad as their 4-1 defeat last week might suggest (two of those goals were conceded in added time) but my prediction is still an away win for the Gooners.
Prediction: 2-0 to Arsenal.

Fulham v Bolton
Apparently Fulham and Bolton have scored all their Premier League goals in the first half this season. So I’m predicting that to hold true (not forever, but on Saturday at least) with a goal each in the frist 45 and nothing after the halftime oranges.
Prediction: 1-1

Liverpool v Man Utd
Always a big game. There’s No C-Ron and no Stevie G, but Benitez still hasn’t ruled out Fernando Torres and Man Utd will likely give Dimitar Berbatov his debut. How will his partnership with Rooney look? And where does Carlos Tevez fit in? We don’t know yet. A lot of things up in the air going forward but both defences looking decent. Plus some interesting form to consider: Liverpool haven’t scored at home in this fixture in the last four years. I see a goalless draw.
Prediction: Liverpool 0-0 Man Utd

Man City v Chelsea
Arguably the two richest clubs in the world (don’t forget QPR) meet in what probably – albeit unoriginally – be called the battle of the billionaires. The big difference is that – Robinho aside – Man City’s money is mostly yet to be spent, while Chelsea’s is mostly on the field.
Prediction: 3-1 to Chelsea

Newcastle v Hull
Hull are reeling from last week’s 5-0 thumping at the hands of Wigan, but Newcastle aren’t looking good either. Keegan is gone, baby, gone and there’ll be extra police at St James’ Park in expectation of supporters protesting against Mike Ashley’s regime of crazy. For no good reason, I predict a narrow Newcastle win.
Prediction: 1-0 to Newcastle, but celebrations will be half-hearted

Portsmouth v Middlesbrough
Boro have had the more consistent season so far, but Portsmouth looked like they’d turned a corner last week. That could continue this week with a narrow win.
Prediction: 2-1 to Pompey

West Brom v West Ham
West Brom have had a miserable start to the season, but this is tough to predict because I have no idea what Gianfranco Zola will be like as a coach. And neither do West Ham, if they’re honest. Only definite news is that losing Anton Ferdinand adn George McCartney isn’t going to help them defend. So I’m going to jump up on this here fence and predict a scoring draw.
Prediction: 2-2

Wigan v Sunderland
Wigan put five past Hull last time they played and looked unstoppable. Sunderland were so bad in losing 3-0 to Man City that Roy Keane was gald of the international break. But preventing Dwight Yorke from playing against the USA on Wednesday was bad karma, and it’s going to bite Keane in the ass as Emile Heskey and Amr Zaki bag a goal each.
Prediction: 2-0 to the Latics

Sunday 14 September 2008

Stoke v Everton
Stoke might fancy their chances against an out of form Everton, but what Tony Pulis doesn’t know is that Everton are now being represented on The Offside again. Automatic 2-0 win.
Prediction: 2-0 to the Toffees.

Monday 15 September 2008

Tottenham v Aston Villa
Spurs looked a bit more respectable drawing 1-1 against Chelsea, and both Woodgate and King have had a nice rest during the international break. Then again, so have Ashley Young and Gabby Agbonlahor. I see a draw.
Prediction: 1-1

Predictions of your own? Let us know in the comments. And if you’re going to put some money on them stop by Bet Offside.

Complete 2008/9 Premier League Schedule here.

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Category: English Premier League