Premiership Predictions 2008/9 - Week 7

By: Daryl | October 3rd, 2008

Saturday, 4 October 2008

Blackburn v Man Utd, 17:30
Paul Ince’s Rovers beat Newcastle last week, but Man Utd will be a tougher customer - even without the injured Scholes and Rooney. Fergie faces yet another of his managerial offspring, which has to make him feel old.
Prediction: 0-2
Bonus Prediction: Fergie to give Ince deliberately bad “advice” before the game. Something like “don’t mark C-Ron”.

Sunderland v Arsenal, 15:00
Hmmm. Arsenal have already gotten over that famous defeat to Hull by spanking Porto in the Champions League, but Sunderland have had all week to stew on last their defeat to Aston Villa. But my guess is Arsenal still have something to prove and will play accordingly.
Prediction: 1-3
Bonus Prediction: More anger from Roy Keane, directed at either his players, an Arsenal player, Arsene Wenger, or the crowd.

West Brom v Fulham, 15:00
The glamour game. Baggies have won two of the last three, Fulham have lost the last three by narrow margin. Even stevens.
Prediction: 1-1

Wigan v Middlesbrough, 15:00
The plucky Latics are fast becoming everyone’s favourite second team, and Premier League top scorer Amr Zaki keeps on banging in the goals. Boro have lost the last three and are slipping dangerously close to the drop zone.
Prediction: 2-0
Bonus Prediction: Wilson Palacios to produce a dive so spectacular, the ref will award not just a penalty kick but an actual goal.

Sunday, 5 October 2008

Chelsea v Aston Villa, 15:00
Arguably the most interesting game of the weekend as first meets third. Chelsea are ravaged by injuries but still have enough quality, while Villa have a chance to prove they’re a proper big four team. Chelsea will scrape it, because of fortress Stamford Bridge.
Prediction: 1-0
Bonus Prediction: Martin O’Neill to photocopy last week’s teamsheet again.

Everton v Newcastle, 16:00
Newcastle have been giving away three points to anyone who asks lately, so this game looks like exactly what Everton need to cure the UEFA Cup failure hangover.
Prediction: 1-0
Bonus Prediction: Dinosaurs? Giant bees? Attack of the killer tomatoes? Who knows what’s going to happen when Newcastle are involved?

Man City v Liverpool, 15:00
How good is the current incarnation of Man City? Are Liverpool real Premier League title contenders? The answers are: quite good and maybe. So Man City will put up a good fight, but LFC will leave with three points.
Prediction: 0-1
Bonus Prediction: Mark Hughes to taunt Rafa Benitez with the following sentence: “You know, I could buy Gareth Barry like that [clicks fingers]. Any time I want.”

Portsmouth v Stoke, 15:00
Portsmouth have a leaky old defence, but an in-form Peter Crouch. Stoke have Rory Delap’s big throw (among other things, but mostly that). I see goals, but more for Portsmouth than for the Potters.
Prediction: 3-2 to Portsmouth

Tottenham v Hull, 15:00
Hull have made everyone (except Arsenal fans) feel better about the Premier League by not being Derby County. Can they make Spurs fans feel better about the Premier League by giving them a first win? I keep betting against Hull and keep getting it wrong, so this time I’m predicting a draw.
Prediction: 2-2
Bonus Prediction: Juande Ramos to offer Phil Brown £10 million for the Premier League secret.

West Ham v Bolton, 13:30
Gianfranco Zola seems to be finding the Premier League all too easy. Gary Megson is having “difficult second album syndrome” after saving Bolton last season. I see that continuing.
Prediction: 3-1
Bonus Prediction: Rob Styles will not referee this match.

Disagree? Predictions of your own? Let us know in the comments or back it up with some money on Bet Offside