DC Predicts: Premiership Predictions Week 7

Welcome to my seventh weekly Premier League predictions article. I am predicting the Premier League fixtures every week and tracking my progress as I go along using a points system that I have devised which is as follows:

Getting the outcome of the match wrong: 0 points

Getting the outcome of a match correct: 1 point

Getting the exact score of a match correct: 3 points

BONUS POINTS

Getting five outcomes in a set of fixtures correct: 2 points

Getting five exact scores in a set of fixtures correct: 4 points

I am comparing my progress to BBC Sport’s Mark Lawrenson and seeing how our prediction success compares throughout the season.

Last week I got five correct outcomes including two perfect scores. I get two bonus points for five correct outcomes. I scored 11 points in total.

Mark Lawrenson got four correct outcomes last week, which included one perfect score. This gives him six points in total.

After six weeks of the contest Mark Lawrenson and I are now tied on 36 points. It’s as close as it can get at the moment.

Who will be ahead after Week 7? Here are all my predictions.

Please look through my profile to find out my predictions from other weeks.

Sunderland v. Arsenal

Arsenal had a very bad result against Hull City. It was one of those games where it didn’t click. Losing against Hull City and Fulham will worry Arsene Wenger. However Arsenal bounced back in brilliant style against Porto in the Champions League.

Sunderland started the season quite well but they have started to stutter slightly. All doesn’t seem to be as well at the Stadium of Light. Roy Keane hasn’t been happy about a few things of late.

Sunderland will give all they have got but I think Arsenal will have too much for them.

Verdict: 1-3

West Brom v. Fulham

Fulham looked very good at the start of the season but lately, like Sunderland above, have stuttered slightly.

I was worried about West Brom at the start of the season, and thought they were dead certs for the relegation scrap. However they have bounced back and put some points on the board recently.They will see this as another opportunity.

This game could be close. West Brom want to continue getting points and Fulham don’t want to end up on a losing run.

I think this will end in a draw, which will please West Brom more than Fulham I think.

Verdict: 1-1

Wigan v. Middlesbrough

Wigan lost their first couple of games but they have looked really strong since then. They are my tips to be the surprise package in the top ten. They have strength and pace, and both of these are vital assets in the Premier Division. Steve Bruce has been buying wisely since arriving at Wigan.

Middlesbrough are another of these midfield Premiership teams that have improved recently. The results haven’t gone their way just of late but I can see them challenging for the top 10 like Wigan.

Overall this is a game of two heavily improved sides. However at home I tip Wigan to edge the match.

Verdict: 2-1

Blackburn v. Manchester United

Manchester United did start very slowly, perhaps slower than in other Premier League seasons. However they are now starting to click, and I can see them going on a long undefeated run from here on in. There are match winners all over the pitch so even if they are average, they will get a goal at the vital moment.

Blackburn will give them stiff opposition though. Everyone though the wheels would fall off once Mark Hughes left but Paul Ince is doing a great job.

Overall Man Utd will sneak this one.

Verdict: 0-1

West Ham v. Bolton

Bolton haven’t improved as much as is required in my opinion. Other teams around them have improved and the promoted teams look in good shape. They did give a good performance against United. Unfortunately decisions went against them but there isn’t much they can do about that. They really need points here.

West Ham haven’t quite got going under Zola yet they have still some points on the board. Soon the Zola’s style will set in on the players and they will move forward.

I think West Ham’s home advantage will give them the edge. They have more goal threat in them than Bolton at the moment.

Verdict: 2-0

Chelsea v. Aston Villa

This is a very interesting fixture. Aston Villa have been simply brilliant this season. They are the best team immediately outside the top four at the moment. They currently sit in third place on merit with the fourth best goal difference. There is a lot of pace and youth in that team.

Chelsea have made a good start to the season, having one or two brilliant games and getting the result they need in others. However they were disappointing this week with a 0-0 draw in the Champions League.

Chelsea still have this awesome home record and this gives them confidence. Chelsea would be devastated if that record went away. I don’t think it will but they won’t win the game either.

Verdict: 2-2

Manchester City v. Liverpool

This is another really good game in prospect. Manchester City now have a brilliant team. Everyone was fearful after that game against Portsmouth. However the team were brought back down to Earth losing away 2-1 to Wigan.

Liverpool have had a solid start to the season, but the main issue is dropping too many silly points. Drawing 0-0 against teams like Stoke simply can happen if Liverpool want to win the title.

This match will tell us a lot about the state of these two teams at the moment. At home I think Manchester City can win this game.

Verdict: 2-1

Portsmouth v. Stoke

Portsmouth had a very bad time losing 6-0 to Man City and 4-0 to Chelsea but they have recovered. They beat Spurs 2-0 comfortably and got through to the group stages of the UEFA Cup. However they were taken to extra time, and don’t have a long rest till the next game so that could be an issue.

Fratton Park is normally a tough place to get a result, but as Pompey are a bit tired Stoke have a chance to nick a result.

Verdict: 1-1

Tottenham v. Hull City

Spurs are enduring a really difficult period at the moment. They have signed a lot of players and they just aren’t gelling. At least getting through to the UEFA Cup group stages will lift their spirits. The team is strong on paper and they just need one strong result and they will recover.

Hull have made a great start and beating Arsenal was a big surprise to everyone. They definitely have a shot at the top 10. The main thing is they have been brought back down to Earth and concentrate on getting the same result against Tottenham.

I think this will end up level, which won’t suit Spurs at all. They just need three points fast.

Verdict: 1-1

Everton v. Newcastle

Both these teams face troubled times. Everton’s performances have slipped recently. At the back they are weak. Alan Stubbs and Lee Carsley both haven’t been replaced. At least David Moyes has appeared to commit his future to the club.

They are not in as big a mess as Newcastle though. Fans aren’t happy with Joe Kinnear, who in turn has shouted back at the media.

Everton were knocked out of the UEFA Cup this week but they have home advantage and their team is far more stable than Newcastle.

Verdict: 2-0