Weekend Predictions: Shearer’s New Manager Smell Should Guarantee a Point

By: Daryl | April 3rd, 2009

International week is over and so it’s back to the bread and butter of domestic footy.

All eyes will likely be on St James’ Park, where we’ll find out if there’s any benefit to having a legendary goalscorer wearing a suit and tie on the sidelines. Meanwhile it’s 2nd plays 3rd in Germany and two unbeaten teams meet in MLS.

My reliably unreliable predictions are below, and – if you’re brave enough – please leave yours in the comments.

Newcastle vs Chelsea, Saturday April 4th, 15:00

Alan Shearer has eight games to prove he’s the Geordie Messiah, and not just a slightly duller than average Match of the Day pundit. That nice new manager smell should guarantee a lively performance at the very least.

Guus Hiddink no longer has that aroma at Chelsea, but after his recent first defeat vs Spurs I can’t see him accepting another one.

Prediction: An exciting 2-2 draw that Newcastle fans will (quite rightly) greet like a win. Oba Martins to get on the scoresheet.

Odds: Newcastle 9-2, Draw 13-5, Chelsea 4-6
2-2 draw: 13-1
Oba Martins to score first: 9-1
Micky Owen to score first: 15-2
John Terry to score first: 20-1
More odds at PaddyPower

Bonus Prediction: Shearer’s appointment will produce a noticeable upturn in quality. On the Match of the Day sofa.

VfL Wolfsburg vs Bayern Munich, Saturday, April 4th, 15:30

Did you know that just 1 point separates 4th and 1st in the Bundesliga?

You do now.

Hertha Berlin are top with 49 pts, while Wolfsburg and Bayern have 48pts and an identical goal difference. Hertha are at home to Borussia Dortmund, while 4th place Hamburg are at home to 5th place Hoffenheim.

So the winner of this Wolfsburg vs Bayern game could possibly find themselves top on Monday morning.

Bayern have Luca Toni back from injury, but VfL boast the Bundesliga’s top scorer in Brazilian Grafite, who has an incredible record of 18 goals in 16 games this season.

Prediction: Wolfsburg have scored seven goals in their last two games, and I see them giving an international week wearied Bayern problems. 2-1 to Wolfsburg, with Grafite on the scoresheet.

Odds: Wolfsburg 17-10, Draw 12-5, Bayern 7-5
2-1 Wolfsburg win: 8-1
Grafite to score first: 11-2
Ribery to score first: 9-1
More odds at PaddyPower

Toronto FC vs Seattle Sounders, Saturday, April 4th, 16:00

Seattle won their first two games but have been hit by the flu bug, and will very likely have to face Toronto without young Colombian stud (and MLS top scorer) Freddy Montero. Freddie Ljungberg may or may not be fit enough to make his Seattle debut.

For the home team it’s Dwayne DeRosario’s first game at BMO Field, so expect a loud reception and a performance to savour.

Prediction: Seattle’s great start will hit a bump without Montero. TFC to win 2-0, with DeRo on the scoresheet.

Odds: TFC 7-5, Draw 11-5, Seattle 8-5
TFC to win 2-0: 10-1
More odds available at PaddyPower

Bonus Prediction: Toronto and Seattle fans will clash violently. But only in the sartorial sense.

Now for a look at the midweek predictions.

Here’s what I went with:

England 1-0 Ukraine (Crouch)
USA 3-1 T&T (Altidore)
Brazil 2-0 Peru (Kaka)

Here’s what happened:

England 2-1 Ukraine (Crouch, Terry; Shevchenko)
USA 3-0 T&T (Altidore x3)
Brazil 3-0 Peru (Fabianox2, Melo)

So I scored seven points.

Congratulations to the following for their predictions:

Gold
Weston: 9pts
Silver
John, Jem and Nathan: 8pts
Bronze
Ian, Rob, Helge, Martin: 7pts

Slight rule change for this week (last time I promise). We’ll go back to the old system of one point for a correct result, two bonus points for correct scoreline. But I like the bonus point for a correct goalscorer, so let’s stick with that.

So, what do you think? Give me your predictions (and predict one goalscorer) for the following games:

Newcastle – Chelsea
Wolfsburg – Bayern
Toronto – Seattle