English Premier League Predictions, Week 4
It's been a couple of weeks since we've had any Premier League action thanks to the dreaded international break, but thankfully things can now get back to normal for the next month. My predictions were a little better the last time out as I got two perfect scores, three correct outcomes, and five wrong outcomes. It means I moved up to fourth place in my predictions league, and I'm hoping to continue that progress with this week's predictions.
Everton v Man Utd
Everton have had a pretty poor start to the season but if they aren't up for this game they will have serious problems. Not only are they playing "Manure" but it's a "Manure" team that should contain their old boy Wayne "Shrek" Rooney.
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Personally I think Everton's problems are in part because the manager doesn't know what formation to play with the players he has, and he needs to sort that out immediately.
I have no doubt that the Everton fans and players will give "Shrek" as hard a time as possible in his first domestic game since the revealations about his personal life, and I wonder how he will react.
As for "Manure," they have seven points out of a possible nine so far this season but they were well beaten at this ground last season. They will need to win if they want to try to keep pace with Chelsea and "Shrek's" reaction will be key for them.
Rodwell is injured for Everton as is Carrick for "Manure" and if you have either of them in your fantasy team it's time to remove them. I have a funny feeling it will finish all square.
Prediction: 1-1
Arsenal v Bolton
Arsenal will be without Walcott, who has had a great start to the season, and Robin van Persie, who only managed 30 minutes in his first game of the season before getting injured yet again. Both players will be out for four to six weeks according to the club but don't be surprised if it's longer.
They still have enough quality to dispense with Bolton though with Cesc back in the team and Chamakh leading the attack. There's a possibility of Nasri making a return but with Braga to play on Wednesday night he will probably be saved.
Bolton are trying to play more football under Coyle but I expect them to revert a little towards their more traditional game as they attempt to thwart Arsenal at any cost and hit them where it hurts from set pieces. Having said that I still expect Arsenal to have too much and end up winners.
Prediction: 3-1
Fulham v Wolves
Fulham have drawn all three games so far and they need a win to get themselves into the middle of the table. With Stockdale injured it will be interesting to see if Schwarzer comes back into the team after his proposed move to Arsenal fell through.
Wolves are also unbeaten but having won a game they find themselves in seventh place and their squad certainly seems stronger than it was last season, despite that fact they seem weaker at the back this time around and they need to tighten up a little bit.
I can see this being a very tight game and ending up all square as both teams continue their unbeaten record.
Prediction: 1-1
Man City v Blackburn
Man City lost away to Sunderland on their last outing and they will be looking to put that right with a home win over Blackburn. The biggest problem for Mancini is who to play but it would seem that Milner and Tevez will be mainstays of his team and are well worth the selection for any fantasy team.
Blackburn fought hard at home to Arsenal in their last game but they still lost and we can expect more of the same from them as they try to counter City's football by keeping the ball in the air when possible. I can't see it working and their away form was very poor last season, so it should end up as a win for City.
Prediction: 2-0
Newcastle v Blackpool
Newcastle's only home match so far ended in a 6-0 victory over Aston Villa and the fans will be hoping for more of the same from the bar codes against fellow new boys Blackpool.
With Carroll, Barton, and Nolan in their team there are plenty of players to score points for any fantasy team and they will be hoping to turn it on again.
Blackpool started off very well with a great win at Wigan, but they have shipped eight goals in two games since then. They still have the ability to score against any team but I think their efforts will be in vain on this occasion.
Prediction: 4-1
West Brom v Tottenham
West Brom have won their only home game so far and lost on their travels on two occasions. They will be happy to be at home in this game but their shortage of goals means that they will struggle all season in my opinion.
On the other hand, The Spuds have only one win under their belts and that was in their only away game so far. It was a bit of a lucky win as Stoke had a perfectly legitimate goal disallowed and a win is must for them in this game.
Jermain Defoe is out for three months after picking up an injury on international duty, and it will be interesting to see who replaces him and also how van Der Vaart fares in the Premier League. I think the Spuds will have a bit too much and get the win they need.
Prediction: 1-2
West Ham v Chelsea
West Ham hoped that their new manager would mean a new beginning after their flirtations with relegation last season. As it stands they sit on the bottom of the table with no points from three games and have played very poorly so far.
They need a result in this game and the last opponent they could wish for would be reigning champions Chelsea.
On the other hand Chelsea are the only team with a 100 percent record and they couldn't have asked for an easier start to the season. It appears as if both Terry and Lampard will be fit again after missing England's two games, so we know where their priorities lie.
With virtually a full squad to choose from, I can't see Chelsea slipping up and if you don't have three of their players in your fantasy team at the moment, you are losing out. It's knowing which three to pick and how to afford them that is the trick.
Prediction: 0-3.
Wigan v Sunderland
Wigan surprised everybody including me in their last game by winning 1-0 away to The Spuds. Their keeper played out of his skin and they eventually took one of the many chances they made thanks to poor keeping bu Cuddicini to get their first points of the season after two drubbings in their first two games which were both at home.
They're at home again and if they come out and attack Sunderland they may well be caught on the break again and suffer.
Sunderland's away form has been poor for a number of years now but they will see this as an ideal opportunity to get a rare away win.
I don't think it will be that easy for them but Bent will be hoping to add to his goal haul that earned him an appearance for England on Tuesday night and a goal to go with it. I think this will end in a score draw.
Prediction: 2-2
On Sunday afternoon Birmingham host Liverpool in a game that is very big for both clubs. Birmingham brought in some good players just before the window closed and they will be looking to build on the good season they had last time round.
They were very good defensively last season and although they are shipping more goals this season they also seem to have more of a goal threat too.
Liverpool face four points and two goals from their three games so far and if their new manager wants to have a successful season he will have to get them playing a lot better very soon. I have been wholly unimpressed with their efforts so far and as a result I can't see them winning this game.
Prediction: 1-1
Stoke v Aston Villa
On Monday night Stoke RFC play Aston Villa and at the moment Stoke don't have a point to their names. They will need to get some points on the board very soon or they will find themselves in a relegation battle before too long. We all know what tactics they will use and while it's ugly it's usually quite effective at home.
Villa have a new manager but Houllier won't actually take charge until after this game. The players should be out to impress him but they were dire in their last away game when Newcastle beat them 6-0, and they were very lucky to beat Everton in their last home game. I think Stoke will get the win they want and Villa will stay on six points after four games.
Prediction: 2-0
That's it for this week but I'll be back with more predictions next week.
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