EPL: Everton to Hold Liverpool and Other Predictions
This weekend, Everton host Liverpool in a Merseyside Derby that sees two teams in horrific form go head-to-head. Liverpool are in turmoil on and off the field but will find no sympathy against crosstown rivals Everton.
Front runners Chelsea travel to Aston Villa, and tough tackling Wolves face West Ham in a battle of the bottom two.
Here, we give a prediction for every game this weekend in the EPL.
Blues To Be Gunned Down
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Arsenal need three points to stay in touch with leaders Chelsea as the gap is already opening. They received a blow when Bacary Sagna was injured, but if they cannot beat Birmingham at home then the “same old Gunners” criticism will start to surface.
Birmingham will be without Chile international winger Jean Beausejour, who has started well but will be out with injury. Birmingham need a win to avoid being sucked into the bottom three, but they will not get it here.
PREDICTION: Arsenal 3, Birmingham City 1
Perfect Target Man, Wrong Team?
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Two hard working teams will clash in the North-West in what will be an intense affair. Bolton are a good footballing side and forward Kevin Davies was rewarded for his years of good form with his first England cap in midweek. The Stoke defenders are used to bullying many players, but they will have a tough task against Davies here.
At the other end of the field, Stoke will be looking to exert pressure through set pieces and crosses, ironically the best aerial player on the field plays for Bolton. Stoke are in good form and are on a run of three straight wins.
On another note, if Kevin Davies played for Stoke, he would win the Golden Boot on throw-ins alone—discuss.
PREDICTION: Bolton Wanders 1, Stoke City 1
Spurs To Claim Spoils In London Derby
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Fulham are doing a fine job since Roy Hodgson left to challenge for the Premier League title, in fact they are doing better than Roy Hodgson and his struggling Liverpool team. Truth be told, Fulham appear to be missing Uncle Woy like Tottenham are missing Christian Gross!
Tottenham are taking their fans on a roller coaster ride already this season with both excitement and frustration seemingly around the next corner. Rafael Van Der Vaart is an inspired signing, and will likely be the difference here in this clash of London teams.
PREDICTION: Fulham 1, Tottenham Hotspur 2
United to Cruise To Comfortable Win
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Manchester United are unbeaten this season, but it certainly does not feel like it. The Red Devils have drawn four games and have already seen Chelsea open up a four-point gap at the top of the league. They also sit behind rivals Manchester City.
Manchester United are relying on some aging stars in Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, and forward Wayne Rooney, who is struggling for form and fitness. There will be games that will catch up to them, but it will not be this one. United will have too much for West Brom playing at home and will hope Chelsea and City slip.
West Brom are doing a fine job for a newly-promoted side, they have showed the ability to play good football and could escape relegation. All that does not mean they have an Old Trafford victory in them, and they will fall here.
PREDICTION: Manchester United 3, West Bromwich Albion 0
Carroll To Shoot Down The Latics
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Newcastle will be looking for their home form to carry them to Premier League safety this year, and will have Wigan undoubtedly marked down as a winnable game. They will be led up front by Andy Carroll, who recently signed a new five-year deal and is a lifelong supporter of the club.
Wigan have had a reasonable start since their opening day disaster against Blackpool. They will likely be without forward Franco Di Santo, who was injured in a nasty tackle last time out against Birmingham.
PREDICTION: Newcastle United 1, Wigan Athletic 0
Basement Battle As Wolves and Hammers Look To Move Upward
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West Ham will travel to Wolves for a battle of the league’s bottom two clubs. The loser of this game will find themselves under early pressure and in rock bottom position.
West Ham have not yet won away from home, and Wolves is no easy place to change that. Mick McCarthy and his team find themselves under heavy criticism for so called dirty play. The fact is Wolves are working hard and playing to their strengths, they are a tough nut to crack and Hammers will find that out the hard way.
Stephen Hunt will make his Wolves debut four months after signing, and if fit could make a real difference.
PREDICTION: Wolverhampton Wanderers 1, West Ham 0
Villains To Steal a Point From League Leaders
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Aston Villa are in good form, and new manager Gerard Houllier has had the international break to get his ideas across. Villa will likely be prepared and motivated for what is a very tough task. Emile Heskey scored a fantastic winning goal last time out, and will feature for the Villains here.
Chelsea are the best team in the land on current form, and have enough depth to not be phased by Yossi Benayoun picking up a long-term injury this week. Chelsea are unlikely to be beaten, but could be held to a tie here.
PREDICTION: Aston Villa 1, Chelsea 1
Toffees To Hold Liverpool in Sticky Situation
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It is likely there has never been a Merseyside Derby played with both teams in such miserable form. Liverpool occupy the relegation spots right now with Everton one place above them.
Liverpool are also in turmoil off the field, and expect Everton fans to waste no time in reminding them of that fact. In what could be a heated affair, passion and work ethic will likely triumph over pretty play.
Everton are yet to win a home game this season and Liverpool are yet to win away. In a tense and nervous affair, that trend should continue here.
PREDICTION: Everton 0, Liverpool 0
City To Keep Heads Above Water in The 'Pool
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Blackpool have surprised many by registering some big wins and finding themselves in the top half of the table. That fact is made more surprising by the fact that they have done it without winning a single home game. Coming off a 2-1 win at Anfield, the Tangerine’s will have a tough task to find a win here. A task made no easier by the fact Ian Holloway will be serving a touchline ban.
Manchester City have talent and depth in spades and find themselves in second place behind Chelsea. City will be looking for momentum and a trip to Blackpool must result in three points if they are looking to mount a title challenge.
PREDICTION: Blackpool 0, Manchester City 1
Blackburn To Attack Ball from All Angles
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On Monday night, Blackburn and Sunderland meet in a battle for points between teams who will be expected to finish mid-table. While Danny Murphy was complaining about Blackburn’s style of play, Blackburn are fighting for points every second of every game, and will give Sunderland a hard time here.
Sunderland have an exciting front pair in Asamoah Gyan and Darren Bent, who will be hoping to recover from a groin injury picked up before the England game. Despite their exciting front pair, Sunderland may struggle to find victory here, and Steve Bruce will be looking for better attacking play from his midfield unit.
PREDICTION: Blackburn Rovers 2, Sunderland 1
