Premier League Predictions – Week 11

Last Week’s Results

Conclusion: The FC Football Blog got four results correct and one perfect score!

This Week’s Predictions
Chelsea – Sunderland
Chelsea’s 86-game unbeaten home record in the League was broken by Liverpool last week, in what was a great game of football. The Blues now face Sunderland as they look to start another impressive haul of unbeaten matches. Manager Phil Scolari knows this should be a certain 3-pointer for the Blues.
The Black Cats recorded a tremendous derby victory against Newcastle last Saturday which moved them up into mid-table, a place they’ll be challenging for the whole season. Sunderland’s away record isn’t bad at all, but I can only see a defeat for them at the Stamford Bridge.
Verdict: 2-0

Everton – Fulham
a 12:45 start usually means the players are half-asleep, which means lots of goals and defensive mistakes. I was very impressed by Everton’s home show against Man Utd last week and I thought that they fully deserved their point. Their major concern is the fact that they’ve conceded 11 goals at home.
Fulham also impressed last week with a creditable draw against Portsmouth. They coped with dangerous strikers the calibre of Jermaine Defoe and Peter Crouch and conceded only the 1 goal. Thats why I think they can get another point here, against Everton.
Verdict: 2-2

Man Utd – Hull
A very interesting fixture. Man Utd, who seem to be getting better and better with every outing, face high-flying Hull. World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been linked with Page 3 beauty Rosie Jones, is the key player for the Red Devils.
Hull are in dreamland, literally. Brazilian superstar Geovanni, who moved from Manchester City Football Club in the summer, is the man of the moment for Hull and is scoring goals regularly. However, I think if Man Utd can keep him tame, they should run out comfortable winners.
Verdict: 2-0

Middlesbrough – West Ham
Gareth Southgate’s men claimed a valuable point against Blackburn last Saturday, and look to be a team with real potential. They boast several world-class strikers in the form of Tuncay Sanli, Alfonso Alves and, of course, the irresistable Mido. Their home form has been very inconsistent, though.
West Ham’s away form has been frankly awful and they’ll need to step it up if they want to challenge for points against Boro. Manager Gianfranco Zola seems to be finally understanding what his best team is and I reckon the Hammers can get a point here.
Verdict: 1-1

Portsmouth – Wigan
Portsmouth have been ruthless at home but now that manager Harry Redknapp has left them, will their home form be affected? Certainly on paper, you wouldn’t think so. Yes, a superb manager is missing but you have some excellent prolific strikers in the form of Defoe and Crouch, plus others.
Wigan have been very poor away from home and a visit to Pompey isn’t the most easiest fixture you’ll see. Similar to Portsmouth they have two superb strikers in the form of Zaki and Heskey, but their defence is poor in my opinion. I think Portsmouth could take them to the cleaners.
Verdict: 4-1

Stoke – Arsenal
Stoke were hammered by Manchester City last Sunday, and defensively, they really are lacking some quality. They have already conceded 8 goals at home, and that’s just after having played 4 home games, at an average of 2 conceded every game!
Arsenal look capable of sustaining a serious title challenge again this year. They have some sub-standard players in my opinion (the likes of Eboue, Clichy, Denilson, Diaby, Song Billong) but some players of real class (Fabregas, Van Persie). This game should be a walk in the park for Arsene Wenger and his Gunners.
Verdict: 0-2

Tottenham – Liverpool
Tottenham look like they aren’t going to be relegation contenders at the end of season with new manager Redknapp appointed and there has already been a positive difference in terms of results. However, the former Pompey boss is yet to be fully settled with life at the North London club.
Liverpool proved their title credentials with an incredible 1-0 away win at Stamford Bridge last week, but as star player Steven Gerrard rightly said, the three points will count for nothing if you only draw the lesser teams a week later. That’s why I think Liverpool will push Tottenham aside, here.
Verdict: 0-2

West Brom – Blackburn
West Brom have been inconsistent so far, especially at home, where they have won two games but lost three. Striker Bednar, who was linked with a move away in the summer, is the in-form player for the newly-promoted Baggies.
Blackburn actually have a better away record than at home, unusually enough. However, this fact will come into play when they visit West Brom. Realistically this should be a three-pointer for Paul Ince’s men and that is exactly what I think they will get.
Verdict: 1-2

Bolton – Man City
Gary Megson knows his side will be relegation contenders at the end of the season, but he knows that if Bolton can get positive results early on, it will mean there is less pressure at the end of the season. Last Sunday they were outclassed by Tottenham and they need to rebuild quickly.
Man City seem to be a side that turns it on at home (Eastlands), but away, their shape and balance are poor. The richest Club in the World have Europe ambitions and these matches should really be three-pointers for Mark Hughes’ men. Brazilians Robinho and Jo are in good form for them.
Verdict: 1-2

Newcastle – Aston Villa
Everyone at Newcastle will still be remembering and hurting from the rare derby loss against Sunderland last week and recently-appointed manager “Big Joe” really needs a win under his belt. This will be a tough ask though, especially against in-form Villa.
Villa have been the dark-horses in the EPL so far. A very impressive start to the season sees them lying in a Europe spot. They are currently off the radar because of Hull’s stupendous form. However, I don’t think they’ll mind too much and strikers Agbonlahor and Carew will look to add more goals to their names.
Verdict: 1-2