Premiership Predictions Week 12: Arsenal to Drop Out of the Top Four

Saturday, 8 November 2008

Arsenal v Man Utd, 12:45
With Walcott, Gallas, Sagna, Adebayor and Eboue all doubtful and Robin van Persie injuredsuspended, we could be seeing Arsenal’s Carling Cup team at the Emirates. That might work against Sheffield United, but it won’t work against Manchester United.
Odds: (win/draw/win) Gunners 2-1, Draw 9-4, Man Utd 11-8
Prediction: 2-0 to Utd

Hull v Bolton, 15:00
Doesn’t look all that exciting but this is an important game for both teams. Hull have lost the last two so need to get back to winning, while Bolton need to get their heads above the relegation zone and breathe in some oxygen.
Odds: Hull 11-10, Draw 23-10, Bolton 5-2
Prediction: 3-1 to Hull.
Bonus Prediction: Bolton chairman Phil Gartside will wack Phil Brown on the head to induce amnesia. When he comes round, Gartside will tell Brown he’s the Bolton manager.

Liverpool v West Brom, 17:30
Rafa’s men lost their first Premier League game last week, but will bounce back with a vengeance against the Baggies.
Odds: LFC 1-4, Draw 9-2, WBA 11-1
Prediction: 4-0
Bonus Prediction: If things are tight, Steven Gerrard will spontaneously combust in the West Brom penalty area. If it’s in front of the Kop, ref will point to the spot.

Sunderland v Portsmouth, 15:00
Sunderland lost 5-0 at Chelsea last week, but haven’t lost at home in five games (if you include the cup.) Meanwhile Portmsouth haven’t won away in five games. I put all those stats into a giant supercomputer and it told me I’d be spending Friday night alone. Then I kicked it and it said one all draw.
Odds: Sunderland 11-8, Draw 9-4, Pompey 2-1
Prediction: 1-1
Bonus Prediction: Portsmouth players will run out of things to do on the long trip to the north east.

West Ham v Everton, 15:00
It’s all going a bit wring for Gianfranco Zola, and that’s probably going to get worse against a suddenly in form Everton. Marouane Fellaini has picked up five yellows already so he’ll sit this one out, but Everton will still have too much.
Odds: Hammers 6-4, Draw 9-4, Toffees 9-5
Prediction: 1-0 to Everton

Wigan v Stoke, 12:45
All jokes about Titus Bramble aside… he’s a big physical defender and will deal with Rory Delap’s throw-ins a lot better than Arsenal’s defence did last weekend. Wigan turned the corner with that late win over Portsmouth and will keep it going here.
Odds: Wigan 5-6, Draw 12-5, Stoke 7-2
Prediction: 2-0
Bonus Prediction: Paul Jewell (oops) Steve Bruce to give all five of these ideas a try.

Sunday, 9 November 2008

Aston Villa v Middlesbrough, 15:00
Villa are so close to the top four they can almost smell the Champions League. A win here, and they’ll definitely leapfrog either Arsenal or Man Utd. Or maybe both.
Odds: Villa 8-11, Draw 5-2, ‘Boro 4-1
Prediction: 2-0 to Villa
Bonus Prediction: Villa install “exotic dancers” on all four goalposts to encourage John Carew and scare Stewart Downing (who’s possibly never seen a naked lady before.)

Blackburn v Chelsea, 13:30
No Benni Mac and maybe no Roque Santa Cruz for Rovers. And Chelsea will be mad after losing to Roma in midweek. Last time Chelsea were beaten (by Liverpool) they scored eight goals without reply over their next two games. Brace yourselves Blackburn fan.
Odds: Blackburn 6-1, Draw 3-1, Chelsea 1-2
Prediction: 0-3

Fulham v Newcastle, 16:00
With Newcastle and Spurs turning things around, Fulham are getting sucked towards the drop zone. That trend will continue at Craven Cottage on Sunday.
Odds: Fulham 7-5, Draw 23-10, Toon 19-10
Prediction: 0-2

Man City v Tottenham, 15:00
Spurs are unbeaten under Harry Redknapp but still bottom of the table. Man City have been enjoyably unpredictable and currently sit where Spurs will probably finish the season: 10th. I see an entertaining draw.
Odds: Citeh 6-5, Draw 9-4, Spurs 12-5
Prediction: 2-2
Bonus Prediction: In a brilliant man-management move, Mark Hughes will lie to Richard Dunne about which goal Man City are defending.

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Category: English Premier League