Premier League Predictions- Week Nine

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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 5-6 February, the predictions below stand.

This week's predictions	Score	Lawro	Edward
Aston Villa v Fuham	2-2	2-1	1-0
Chelsea v Liverpool	0-1	2-0	3-0
Everton v Blackpool	5-3	2-0	1-1
Man City v West Brom	3-0	2-0	4-0
Newcastle v Arsenal	4-4	0-2	0-3
Stoke v Sunderland	3-2	2-0	1-2
Tottenham v Bolton	2-1	2-0	3-1
Wigan v Blackburn	4-3	1-1	1-2
Wolves v Man Utd	2-1	0-2	0-3
West Ham v Birmingham	0-1	2-1	1-1

I expect the big winners this weekend to be Manchester City. Roberto Mancini;s side have been threatening to fire for some time now and, after their draw at Birmingham midweek, I think we could see an adverse effect against a West Brom team which concede goals for fun and haven't scored on their last four away games.



Edin Dzeko has yet to hit the back of the net in the league for City, but I expect him to get off the mark against West Brom.

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City's home record is generally pretty good, winning their last 3 in the league but the goals continue to fly in, with Mancini's side having scored four goals in three of their last four home ties.

If City are to challenge for the title, they would need to improve their goal difference, with Arsenal being ten goals better off with 14 games left to play.

Dzeko would be my pick for any fantasy teams this weekend, providing he starts alongside Tevez, while David Silva is set to be included alongside the Toure brothers, who were both missing in their 2-2 draw at Birmingham.

It's important that City win and they could really add to West Brom's problems, the Baggies being only two points clear of the relegation zone and having recorded only eight points away from home all season, four of which being against Arsenal and Manchester United.

Peter Odemwingie has scored nine goals and The Baggies have never lost when he has scored.

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It's worrying times for the Midlanders but Peter Odemwingie's goals might be the difference between staying up and going down, although Carlos Vela;s introduction will be interesting and surely his quality will show on occasions. Big players perform on big occasions, it's a big game for the Baggies tomorrow ahead of ties with West Ham, Wolves, Stoke and Birmingham over the coming weeks.

The other big winners of the weekend could be Arsenal, who travel to St James' Park for the second time this season, having beaten the Toon army in the 5th round of the League Cup.

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Games like this will define Arsenal's league season but their away record has improved this season, having picked up 10 points from their last four away days.

If they can carry on where they left off, without the injured Samir Nasri, they can keep the pressure on Manchester United, who face Wolves before the Manchester derby next Saturday.

It seems the return to fitness of Robin van Persie has really made a difference to the Gunners and Arsenal have started playing the football we grow to expect, especially with Cesc Fabregas returning to form.






Robin van Persie has scored 5 goals in his last three league games and also scored against Leeds in the FA Cup replay.




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On the contrary, Newcastle are looking to life after Andy Carroll and it seems a strange decision not to have brought anyone in, even on loan, to replace the physical front-man on transfer deadline day.

The fans will have been looking forward to a decent season but whether Shola Ameobi (who is out injured for 6 weeks), Leon Best and Peter Lovenkrands can score enough goals remains to be seen.

They couldn't hit the target against Fulham as the side fell to their first league defeat in 5, but a league double for the Magpies doesn't look likely, with the team having only won two of their 16 Premier League games with Arsenal.

The big game is obviously at Stamford Bridge, where Fernando Torres is set to make his bow against his last club, Liverpool.

It will be interesting to see how the Spaniard fits into the system, but I'd guess that he'd play on the right of the three, with Drogba down the middle and Anelka on the left.






Chelsea's front three will have to be switched after they signed Fernando Torres for £50m.




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Another interesting selection will be whether Florent Malouda will again be on the bench, with the French winger out of form and having now lost a previously cemented place up front.

Carlo Ancelotti might have problems selecting Malouda, with Lampard, Ramires and Michael Essien looking solid in midfield, but it's a selection problem that the boss will welcome, given Chelsea's recent lack of strength in depth.

Liverpool are also looking forward, having beaten the Blues at Anfield earlier in the season, so it will be good to see how Luis Suarez applies himself against a top team.

The Uruguayan score on his debut against Stoke and will be looking to get his name on the score sheet yet again.

It's sure to be a good game but I think Chelsea will be inspired by their new signings. Although Torres will be all the rage before the game, Liverpool's defence can't just worry about him or someone like Anelka will step up and hurt them, with the Frenchman failing to punish sloppy defending in the reverse fixture.

Good luck to everyone's teams this weekend.

Want to play along? Please discuss your predictions below.

Chelsea Testing Liverpool's Resolve

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Two weeks ago, I questioned Roman Abramovic's stance over transfers, with little world class talent coming in and the likes of Michael Ballack departing, but it seems the Chelsea owner has finally seen the light, that they need some younger players if they are to succeed in his much wanted Champions League.

Finally, after 18 months of speculation, Chelsea have bid for Fernando Torres.

The Liverpool striker, 26, had been a fraction of his old self under Roy Hodgson, but now King Kenny has returned, the striker has hit three goals in four league games and looks to be back on song.

El Nino, the kid, has grown up over the last two seasons at Liverpool, firing a better strike rate than Didier Drogba's last season, despite the Ivorian claiming the Premier League golden boot.

Drogba and Torres have an opportunity to better their acquaintance.

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A statement on the BBC's website from a Liverpool FC spokeman said "The player is not for sale."

The offer, which is believed to be in the region of £35-£40 million, follows their last bid, in May, for the hit-man who Carlo Ancelotti would seem a perfect partner for the flourishing Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba at Stamford Bridge.

Torres would offer something different to both of them and I could see them complimenting each other well in the three-pronged attack which Chelsea have become accustomed to.

The big person in this situation is Torres himself, with the club failing to make the Champions League last season and looking unlikely to do so again given their opening period.

Could a player like Torres go two seasons, in the prime of his career, without playing in Europe's best knockout competition? I'd say not.

It could be down to the player whether any movement happens but, with the transfer window looming and closing on Monday night at 10pm, a decision must happen quickly for both parties to sort out their squads.

Torres, of course, would be ineligible for both the FA Cup and the Champions League, having also represented Liverpool in Europe, but his presence in the league alone could see Chelsea push Manchester United to the line, especially with the Champions still to face the current league leaders twice.

That would see Torres face up against Nemanja Vidic again, with the Liverpool striker having won the battle on several previous occasions.

Torres has often left Manchester United, and Nemanja Vidic, flat on their backs when he's played against them.

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The problem, should Torres leave, is what Liverpool could do next.

Obviously, they've been linked with Luis Suarez, who is currently at Ajax, but he, in no way, could replace a World class striker if Liverpool still have ambitions.

On the other side, you wonder whether Torres has fully recovered from his knee injury which he sustained before the World Cup, where he went the entire tournament without scoring.

If that is the case, Liverpool should take £40 million and run but it seems unlikely, given his age, that he is passed his best.

Carlo Ancelotti admitted after the Bolton game that he hoped to agree terms with Brazilian centre back David Luiz soon.

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It would certainly be a statement of intent were the Londoners to come back with an improved offer to accompany David Luiz, who is expected to sign from Benfica, as Abramovic decides whether he would like to make inroads into the transfer market and sent a message of intent to Europe.

Will Torres go to Chelsea? Who would Liverpool sign? Please discuss below.

Bent Asking for Move

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I'm hearing confirmed reports that Sunderland striker Darren Bent has handed in a transfer request.

That can only be bad news for the Black Cats in a season where they have played well and sit 6th in the league.

Bent has continued his good record at the North East club this season, and has scored 12 goals for Steve Bruce's side, despite taking a side role to club record signing Asamoah Gyan of late.

The Ghanaian has scored 8 goals since his move from Rennes and has been played in a lone striker role, especially away from home.

The reasons for the written request haven't yet been released and nothing has been posted on his official twitter page, on which Bent was accused of using to seal a move from Tottenham two seasons ago.

Bent has scored 37 goals for the North East outfit.





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Perhaps he feels it's time to step back up a level and you wonder whether a team like Liverpool might test Bruce's resolve for the player who signed for £10 million in the summer of 2009.

If Kenny Dalglish believes he needs a strike partner to Fernando Torres, Bent, a consistent goalscorer in his Premier League history, might be the answer to solve the continuing problem of finding a partner for the Spaniard.




Torres has been a lone striker at Liverpool for some time and sometimes lacks support.

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I doubt that Bent, 26, would move abroad unless someone huge came in, but that seems unlikely given his pedigree to get back into the England set up.

There must be something that we don't yet know and I wouldn't be surprised if he leaves as soon as possible as that would leave Bruce time to find an able replacement.

Where do you think Bent will go? How much could Sunderland get for him? Who could replace him? Please discuss below.

Derby Draw Day

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It's been some time when I recall all four of Sunday's Premier League games ending in draws.

No doubt Match of the Day 2 will reveal how long it's been tonight, but I don't have 60 hours to check the records and see when, or if, it has happened.

I have to admit, I've watched all three televised games today and I was disappointed with the football on show, aside from the Merseyside derby.

Usually with derby football, there are tackles flying in left, right and centre but, aside from Rafael, it wasn't anywhere near as heated as I expected.

The first televised game was at St Andrews where one of the more predictable draws was played out between two sides who can't keep clean sheets or score goals.

It was good to see David Bentley return to the first team to make his debut for the Blues, and I was impressed with his temperament and crossing ability, which he has showed throughout his career.

Perhaps Birmingham could have counted themselves unlucky to have come away with only a point, given the chances they missed, notably from Matt Derbyshire, who I like as a player.

The Birmingham derby never really got going between two teams struggling for form.

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At the other end, it was James Collins who hit the target for Gerard Houllier's side, which sums up their problems, given that the front pairing of John Carew and Gabriel Agbonlahor only have 3 goals between them this season.

If you don't score goals, you will struggle to stay up and something has to change for these teams, although I think Birmingham, as Blackburn did a few years ago, will benefit hugely from Bentley's deliveries, and that will be a huge boost for them heading into the second half of the season.

Admittedly, I haven't yet seen the Tyne Tees dervy but I've had a read online and read the BBC Live text and it sounded like another drab game, with the highlight being the Sunderland mascot chasing a Magpie, the nickname of Newcastle, around the Stadium of Light and failing to get rid of it.

Something to watch tonight again on Match of the Day, no doubt.

A beach ball went un-noticed last year at the Stadium at Light when Sunderland scored, but a magpie was not welcome today in the North East in the intense derby atmosphere.

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Aside from that, another good result for Newcastle under Pardew. He might have taken some criticism with taking over after Hughton under the circumstances but it seems he's settled well and kept the dressing room and Kevin Nolan, who scored his fourth goal against Sunderland this season, happy.

It was good to see Asamoah Gyan get back on the score sheet from a neutral point of view and Steve Bruce will again be delighted that his side found confidence to rally and claim a draw.

Two derby defeats against your bitterest rivals in one season, no matter of league positions, would be demoralising and worrying, for any Premier League manager, given the current sacking rates.

Still, the point looks good for both teams who have no need for looking over their shoulder in what promises to be a good season in Tyneside.

The best game of the day, rather predictably, was the Merseyside derby, with Liverpool and Everton playing out the day's entertaining game at Anfield, with a 2-2 draw.

Interestingly, Steven Pienaar wasn't included prior to his ominous move, but Kenny Dalglish's first point as Liverpool manager round two couldn't have come in better circumstances, with his side 2-1 down just after half time, despite leading through a Raul Meireles effort early on.

Sylvain Distin scored his first league goal for Everton since March 2007 earlier today.

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On the other side, Everton manager David Moyes must be delighted that his team are unbeaten against their rivals this season, and the Scotsman must hope that there are better things on the horizon for a team who have only won twice in their last 12 league games.

Jermaine Beckford might have finally found his feet in the Premier League and it shows some good signs that Moyes was prepared to let Yakubu out on loan to Leicester for the remainder of the season, another sure confidence boost after his goal made it 2-1 today.

It will be interesting to see how Liverpool respond from their first point in four league games, ahead of their games against Wolves and Fulham, with Dalglish still searching for a first win. Surely that will come but Liverpool played better football today, even without their captain, than they have been doing of late, despite conceding two goals.

Maybe times are changing at the club but it's already a season which should be written off by all involved with the club.

The last game, and perhaps the most anticipated, was Manchester United travelling to Spurs.

I would mention anything, but I really can't and, aside from Rafael van der Vaart and Gareth Bale, there was precious little good about the game, which ended 0-0.





Willem Korsten scored twice when Spurs last beat Man United over ten years ago.





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United remain unbeaten this season and return to the top of the table with games in hand, after City beat Wolves 4-3 in a cracker at Eastlands yesterday.

Spurs, on the other hand, move down to fifth after Chelsea's victory over Blackburn who can hopefully complete a better Super Sunday next week when they face West Brom at Ewood Park in the only game.

King Kenny Returns to Defeat

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Liverpool fans had been calling for it since Rafa Benitez's left the club at the end of last season, the return of Kenny Dalglish.

Now it has happened, after the departure of Roy Hodgson, the fans, players and Dalglish himself must now realise the true task they all must play in the refurbishment of the historic club.

This afternoon's defeat at Old Trafford was the start of yet another desperate attempt to recovery and the Liverpool fans must have been more encouraged by their attacking nature than they were against Blackburn on Wednesday.

Considering they only lost to a debatable penalty from Ryan Giggs and were down to 10 men for over an hour, credit must be given to the new gaffer, in til the end of the season, for seemingly recovering the confidence which has been sapped from the Merseyside club.

Former player Dalglish is a much loved character at Anfield after successful stints both on and off the pitch, but his current crop are a shadow of what he has dealt with, even at Blackburn Rovers, where he won his only Premier League title.

Dalglish (centre), with Tony Parkes (left) and Ray Harford (right), won the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers over a decade ago before returning to Liverpool as the club's ambassador in July.

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This time, he had to deal with SAF, rather than Rovers' SAS, Sutton and Shearer, as he took over his disjointed team, but it is in the game away at Blackpool where we will see how much of an effect he has had in his first week in charge.

It will be a major disappointment that his captain, Steven Gerrard, cost himself a place both there and in Dalglish's first Anfield test, the Merseyside derby against a much improved Everton.

Steven Gerrard's red card wasn't the best start to Dalglish's second stint as Liverpool boss but the captain will be an important individual in moving the club forward.

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That will be yet another crucial test in what is somewhat a baptism of fire for the 59 year old Scotsman but it seems vital that he keeps the fans on his side, or his history with the club could soon be a distant memory.

One thing that Liverpool fans need to realise is that the situation isn't going to change overnight and whatever manager was left with this task, with this squad, would be in a tricky situation.

Kenny's tricks might be better left for the transfer market, where he needs to act fast in securing a new signing, someone who will add quality, rather than depth, to a squad where not even Joe Cole has stepped up to the required standard.

Some of Liverpool's new players have yet to find lift off, despite having won numerous trophies elsewhere.

It may be a case of signing someone proven and playing them in their right position, something Hodgson was criticised for, particularly with Raul Meireles.

Surely Dalglish will demand respect and unity in the dressing room but it's a thankless task at this minute in the Liverpool managers seat, and i can't see him taking full charge after May, no matter what next season's fate may be.

Can Roy Turn Anfield's Fortunes?

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Three games in the space of one week could finally decide the pending future of Roy Hodgson.

Fans and media have been calling for his head since consecutive losses to Stoke and Tottenham and the comeback win at home to Bolton seems to only have delayed the inevitable.

Wanderers were defeated 2-1 that day thanks to a late goal from substitute Joe Cole, who might have been considered offside.

You take what you can at the bottom and it’s got to the situation where you take what you can at Liverpool.

The side face Blackburn in the league on Wednesday, where they have a good record, before facing Manchester United in the FA Cup and finishing away at Blackpool next Wednesday.

You would imagine that progression in the FA Cup is imperative after their Carling Cup 3rd Round exit to Northampton, but Hodgson is near certain to play a better team this time out.



Hodgson could only hold his head in his hands after their Carling Cup exit on penalties.


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Not only that, but some might consider four points out of the two league games to be a failure. They simply have to be on their best form and we haven’t seen that for some time.

One man who is central to their contrasting form is Fernando Torres, who was back on the score sheet at weekend, only his second goal since scoring a brace at home to Chelsea on the first weekend in November.

The goal, set up by captain Steven Gerrard, was one moment of quality in a game which saw Liverpool again create precious little and offer minimal threat going forward.

That, quite simply, has to change and immediately if Hodgson is to come out of January, or even this week, in the hot seat at Anfield.

Perhaps the goal will ignite the Spaniards confidence and it will be interesting to see whether he plays at Blackburn, given his record against Manchester United, and Nemanja Vidic, in particular.



Torres has scored three in his last four against United and seems to have the better of Nemanja Vidic.



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It seems as though Hodgson hasn’t matched the fans ambitions since the start and, even when he was appointed, the Reds’ fans were wondering whether he had a big enough pedigree for the historic Merseyside club.

Those views haven’t been helped by several defeats, including at home to Wolves and Blackpool, over the last 5 months.

It used to be that games against Liverpool, especially at Anfield, struck fear into the opposition but now teams come knowing that, if they play their best football, they can get a result of some sort. Bolton proved that on Saturday and were outdone by one moment of skill and one moment of mis-fortune.

It is that tight for Liverpool.

How ironic that it was one of Hodgson’s buys, Joe Cole, who rescues the English gaffer from a sure sacking the next day, but one of his other midfield buys, Raul Meireles, playing in an un-natural holding role, has failed to step up to the Premier League, despite his good reputation at International level and at Porto.







Meireles scored in the World Cup against the Ivory Coast, but has yet to find the target for his new employers.





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That, in itself, was a disappointment, even for me and I was looking forward to seeing him in action, but instead we have been treated to another lacklustre individual in Lucas Leiva.

People have started to defend Lucas but I have no idea why.

Every time I watch Liverpool, his passing is awful, he can’t tackle and he doesn’t exert any influence on the game in the same position which Xavi Alonso took up when Liverpool won the Champions League in 2005. It seems a long time ago.

At the other end of the pitch, Liverpool have improved of late, with four clean sheets out of their last ten games, but they remain especially vulnerable from set pieces, from which Kevin Davies capitalised at weekend.

The defence remains another problem, however, for Hodgson, with the centre backs being changed regularly, while Fabio Aurelio and Paul Konchesky seem to be sharing the left back birth. It’s little things which change every game, rather than in the long run, which sup confidence out of a side, despite what Rafael Benitez seems to believe.

I think it is slightly ludicrous that Hodgson is under so much pressure given the other sides, namely Aston Villa and Everton, who have struggled in the first half of the season.

Ok, Liverpool might be considered a bigger club but the fact that Blackpool currently sit in 8th position shows that it’s been a strange season in England’s top flight.

Regardless, Hodgson has had to deal with a change in owners, he’s had the fans on his back from the off and he’s had injuries to the three key players; Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Jamie Carragher, at separate times this season.

Any manager would say that they struggle without their key players and the side now is not too different to Benitez’s from last season, where the fans wanted him out.

It would be a considerable change is the Spaniard, sacked by Inter Milan last month, returned to Anfield in place of Hodgson, with English managers being sacked left, right and centre in Chris Hughton and Sam Allardyce going in December.

The real question is how long the side afford not to play good football and how can they improve a side which is full of individual talent, but seemingly lacking in togetherness.

Some might say that the solution is to sell Fernando Torres and bring in some money, but that’s happened before and the likes of Peter Crouch, Robbie Keane and Craig Bellamy have both failed at the club, despite going on to better things.



It rained on numerous Liverpool strikers before the signing of Torres offered a more optimistic outlook.

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It’s a lack of patience and realisation which leaves Liverpool in a fairy-tale land and the sooner they return to Earth the better.

All it takes is a little bit of time, with the same team playing each week, and Liverpool should reach the top half come May.

You’d be wrong to expect much more, but keep your fingers crossed Hodgson can turn it around; he is a good English manager and we need to keep the likes of him in our English Premier League.

Can Hodgson turn it around at Anfield? Who should Liverpool sign in January? Please discuss below.