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, for the 12-14 February, the predictions below stand.
This week's predictions | Score | Lawro | Edward |
Man Utd v Man City | 2-1 | 1-1 | 2-0 |
Arsenal v Wolves | 2-0 | 2-0 | 5-0 |
Birmingham v Stoke | 1-0 | 1-1 | 2-1 |
Blackburn v Newcastle | 0-0 | 1-2 | 2-1 |
Blackpool v Aston Villa | 1-1 | 1-2 | 1-1 |
Liverpool v Wigan | 1-1 | 2-0 | 2-0 |
West Brom v West Ham | 3-3 | 2-1 | 1-3 |
Sunderland v Tottenham | 1-2 | 0-2 | 1-2 |
Bolton v Everton | 2-0 | 1-1 | 2-1 |
Fulham v Chelsea | 0-0 | 1-1 | 1-4 |
I expect the big winners this weekend to be Arsenal. A home tie against Wolves has come at a great time for the Gunners. who closed the gap on leaders Man Utd by a point last weekend, despite a stunning 4-4 draw at Newcastle. Now only four points behind, Arsene Wenger's side could have one eye on the home Champions League tie with Arsenal on Wednesday but a morale boosting result wouldn't go amiss four days previous.
Marouane Chamakh scored both goals as Arsenal won 2-0 against Wolves in November, but has gone off the boil since.
Credit; here
Robin van Persie is in particularly good form, having scored eight goals in his last six games, whilst Theo Walcott has been in impressive form alongside Cesc Fabregas.
The only concern for Arsenal is that they are missing the suspended Abou Diaby, so Denilson may come in, but Arsenal will have enough quality to win on Saturday and win comfortably.
Wolves are not to be underestimated having beaten Man Utd last weekend, but an away day at the Emirates could be another kettle of fish, given they lost against the three other teams who currently occupy the top four places.
With games against West Brom and Blackpool on the horizon, maybe Mick McCarthy might find it sensible to priorities his games in order to keep the Midlanders from going down.
Wolves were the first team this season to beat Manchester United, when they defeated the Red Devils 2-1 last weekend.
Credit; here
The other big winners this weekend could be West Ham, who travel to West Brom, who won't be under the guidance of Roy Hodgson.
West Brom's home form has generally been OK, winning three of their last six, but their yo-yo Premier League form seems to be again playing on their minds after an incredible slip from their fourth placed position in early November.
I've said before that their main problem is that they concede too many goals and fail to score enough, something which showed in their 3-0 loss to Manchester City last weekend.
It's obvious that they need to pick up points from games like this but West Ham have something to play for too.
The Hammers will, no doubt, be spurred on by the fact they have been given the chance to play at the Olympic Stadium and that alone could be the necessary boost that the players and the club needs to ignite their season.
Add to that the fact that Avram Grant's side could jump out of the bottom three with three points at the Hawthorns and the script is written for an away win.
Each of the strikers, Obinna, Piquionne, Keane, Cole and Sears have all been on fire of late and Grant has good selection problems, something West Brom are struggling for up front, with only Peter Odemwingie having scored more than four goals this season.
The big game of the weekend seems to obviously be the Manchester derby at Saturday lunchtime.
Manchester United v Manchester City always gives that added spark and with Carlos Tevez back in the goals last weekend, Manchester United, without Rio Ferdinand, might have a huge task on their hands.
That said, United lost against against Wolves last night and they can't afford another slip up, with Arsenal only four points behind.
United have, indeed, won three of their last four City derbies at Old Trafford and I expect them to do the same once more, if they can keep City out.
Michael Owen scored a controversial injury time winner as United beat City 4-3 in the league at Old Trafford last season.
Credit; here
Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov are in great form up front and Ryan Giggs seems to play well whenever he is picked, and their experience might see them through on Saturday.
City have got used to playing their 4-5-1 system away from home because they don't concede many goals but they might have to keep their neighbours out if they are to take anything from the weekend.
It will give us a good preview of how City might do this season and if they can manage to scrap three points, they will definitely be on for a Champions League trip next season, with Spurs slowly catching up, and Harry Redknapp's side having a game in hand, away at Blackpool, inbetween their Champions League ties against AC Milan.
Good luck to everyone's teams this weekend.
Want to play along? Please discuss your predictions below.
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