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Friday, 24 December 2010

Premier League Predictions- Week Three












Credit; here




Each week, I will now post my predictions for the weekend, and see if i can get more right than BBC pundit Mark Lawrenson.

This week, the predictions below stand.

This week's predictionsScoreLawroEdward
Fulham v West Ham1-32-11-1
Blackburn v Stoke0-21-12-1
Blackpool v LiverpoolP-P1-20-2
Bolton v West Brom2-02-1
3-0
Everton v BirminghamP-P2-02-0
Man Utd v Sunderland2-02-04-0
Newcastle v Man City1-31-10-0
Wolves v Wigan1-22-01-1
Aston Villa v Tottenham1-22-11-2
Arsenal v Chelsea (Mon)3-12-11-3


I expect the big winners this weekend to be Manchester United, who head into Christmas top of the pile. Their home game with Sunderland is not a given, with Steve Bruce's side, and Asamoah Gyan in particular, in great form. They have nothing to lose, as they didn't at Stamford Bridge a few weeks ago, but I expect United to up the tempo as they usually do after Christmas.

The Red Devils have won their last 3 Premier League games, all at home after postponements, scoring 10 goals and only conceding one.

Perhaps now might be the time for Wayne Rooney, who only has only one league goal to his name (a penalty against West Ham), to show his worth to the team who face Marseille in the last 16 of the Champions League.




Wayne Rooney has had a frustrating time in front of goal and hasn't scored in his last 4 against Sunderland.


Credit; here




Without doubt, the big game comes on Monday night from the Emirates, where Arsenal play Chelsea looking to avenge a 2-0 defeat in October. It's been a while since Arsenal beat the Champions but, with injuries across the back, I doubt even the returning Cesc Fabregas will change that here.

Didier Drogba is usually too much for the Gunners defence without Thomas Vermaelen and Chelsea will be boosted by the return of Frank Lampard. He will add the solidity back into a side which have missed their midfield maestro over the last few weeks.




Didier Drogba has scored 5 goals in his last 3 games against Arsenal.


Credit; here




A Chelsea victory would see Carlo Ancelotti's side leapfrog Wenger's and, with a Champions League tie with Barcelona looming, could spell the end of their title challenge at this early stage.

At the other end of the table, interesting ties see new Blackburn Rovers boss, Steve Kean, who has taken the job til the end of the season, take charge for the second time against Stoke, whilst Wigan travel to Wolves in what could, already, be a six pointer.





Neither Wigan or Wolves have had a flying start to the season.


Credit; here



I doubt either of these two will be Christmas crackers, but the results are just as important at the bottom as at the top.

Good luck to everyone's teams this Boxing Day.

2 comments:

  1. Not sure if you were naughty or nice so I didn't post my picks but I made them, most wrong but I did predict Stoke City to win, Stoke City per the news did not take off Christmas days and I believe the holiday fixtures have notoriously seen blowouts occur but this was not one but I've got to think a very disappointing result for Blackburn and likewise Newcastle. Not only this but where in the world is the Blackpool/Liverpool game? I don't even see it listed as a scheduled match though Lawro did pick it too, I pick a draw in that, love to see the Reds win but believe the Seasiders are a stubborn side and 'Pool or rather Hodgson not that good away they say. http://www.soccerway.com/teams/england/liverpool-football-club/ But I am confused about when this game was suppose to be played or I missed it or something, Liverpool has not played it looks like in over 10 days. I thought Sunderland would surprise with a draw.

    In fact, everyone check out Blackpool's squad, most British/Home countries squad I've seen in awhile, more than Aston Villa or any of those other teams. Good for 'em.

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  2. Merry Christmas! Feel free to post predictions on this page in the future, be interesting to get people involved!

    The Blackpool v Liverpool game was called off because the pitch at Blackpool doesn't have under-soil heating so they struggled to keep the -10 temperatures away from affecting the surface.

    Similarly at Everton, the water pipe was frozen so they struggled to get the pitch sorted. I'm sure it's not a big problem now that the snow seems to be dispersing.

    Hopefully we'll get a full schedule from now on!

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