Premier League Midweek Predictions

The games are coming thick and fast in the Premier League with six games today and tomorrow. I got five out of the 10 right for the weekend ’s games, which puts me one game up on Mark Lawrenson of the BBC.

Sunderland vs. Chelsea
Both sides got off to a winning start on Saturday, so both managers will be hoping to get something from this game. The physical play of Kenwyne Jones and Darren Bent will give Chelsea some problems, but Chelsea have too many great counter-attacking players for them to lose here.

Prediction: Chelsea 1-1

Wigan vs. Wolves
I was really surprised at how well Wigan played against Aston Villa, and now they get to come home in front of their own fans and play relegation candidates Wolves. The Wolves, like most promoted teams, are missing that piece of quality up front, and they will struggle to score goals this season.

Prediction: Wigan 2-0

Birmingham vs. Portsmouth
Birmingham put up a good showing against Manchester United on Sunday, and if they can maintain that same work ethic and organization they will become difficult to beat, especially at home.

Portsmouth is this season’s version of Newcastle. The wheels have come off this train, and it is not a pretty sight. It was is an early relegation six-pointer, I expect Birmingham to win this one.

Prediction: Birmingham 2-0

Burnley vs. Manchester United
Burnley had to be hoping to get something from the Stoke game because playing the champions at home is a tall order. Man Utd, never got out of second gear against Birmingham, and I expect them to get a comfortable win here.

Prediction: Manchester United 2-0

Hull vs. Tottenham
Both teams looked good this weekend, and Hull were very unlucky to lose such a late goal against Chelsea. For Hull to avoid relegation, they need to improve their home form. And whom better to do it against than a Tottenham side that really struggled away from home last season. Spurs are still a work in progress and I look for Hull to pull the upset here.

Prediction: Hull 2-1

Liverpool vs. Stoke
That was a terrible performance by Liverpool on Sunday, and they have to win this game because they cannot afford to drop six points behind Chelsea and Man United this early in the season. Stoke had a great win on Saturday, and this is the type of game that they are not expecting to get anything from. I expect the crisis to be over at Anfield for a couple of days at least as Liverpool will win this one comfortably.

Prediction: Liverpool 3-0