How did the FC Football Blog do last week?
Predicted Results Actual Results
Chelsea 2-0 Sunderland Chelsea 5-0 Sunderland
Everton 2-2 Fulham Everton 1-0 Fulham
Man Utd 2-0 Hull Man Utd 4-3 Hull
Middlesbrough 1-1 West Ham Middlesbrough 1-1 West Ham
Portsmouth 4-1 Wigan Portsmouth 1-2 Wigan
Stoke 0-2 Arsenal Stoke 2-1 Arsenal
Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Tottenham 2-1 Liverpool
West Brom 1-2 Blackburn West Brom 2-2 Blackburn
Bolton 1-2 Man City Bolton 2-0 Man City
Newcastle 1-2 Aston Villa Newcastle 2-0 Aston Villa
The FC Football Blog got three results right including one perfect score.
This Week’s Predictions
Arsenal – Man Utd
The Gunners are really struggling at the moment and a fixture against Man Utd isn’t the easiest match you’ll ever see. On the other hand, many will say this is the true acid test for Arsene Wenger’s boys, to see if they can challenge for the title again, after recent defeats to Fulham and Stoke.
The Red Devils will feel confident that they can get all three points here. They are on good form but, after conceding three goals against Hull last week, Sir Alex Ferguson and co know there is still room for improvement. I think this could be a traditional 12:45 game with scrappy goals and sleepy players.
Verdict: 1-1
Hull – Bolton
Hull will have been disappointed with last weeks result; they scored three goals at Old Trafford but ended up being the losing side. I don’t think this should affect them however, because manager Phil Brown knows a win here could put his team back upto 3rd in the League.
Bolton obtained three crucial points against the Citizens last week but this may turn out to be a tougher test for them. Boss Gary Megson is under pressure because only another win will make sure Bolton will be out of the relegation zone.
Verdict: 2-1
Liverpool – West Brom
Liverpool saw their unbeaten run come to a halt last week with their shock defeat against Tottenham, but everyone knows that true champions forget about the loss and move straight back to winning ways by the next game. A game against West Brom should be a treat for the Reds.
West Brom would have been more than happy with their entertaining 2-2 draw with Blackburn last week, but this match will be a much, much tougher test for them. They will be inspired by the Stoke draw a month ago but I just don’t see Liverpool dropping any points here.
Verdict: 3-0
Sunderland – Portsmouth
Sunderland are very inconsistent. A fabulous 2-1 derby victory against Newcastle, then an absolute shocker against Chelsea, in which they played well enough to earn a point in a conference match. They need to rebuild, and quickly.
Portsmouth have stuttered recently with the new manager appointment of Tony Adams, but I think once he settles in, they’ll get back to winning ways. Although in hindsight I would say Pompey should win, their away form has been poor but I reckon they can still nab a point.
Verdict: 1-1
West Ham – Everton
The Hammers ended their barren run of losses by getting a crucial point at Middlesbrough, and at home they have been so inconsistent, with three wins and two losses. It’s been the defence which has been the main problem for boss Gianfranco Zola.
Everton have been riding their luck in the past couple of matches – late, late winners which have helped the Blues to a respectable 7th position in the League. Their away form can only be bettered by Chelsea, but I don’t think they’ll win at Upton Park.
Verdict: 2-2
Wigan – Stoke
Wigan boast two world-class strikers – yet they find themselves relying on goal difference to stay out of the drop zone. If they want to keep players the calibre of Zaki and Heskey at the club they need to start winning games more frequently.
Stoke are indebted to long-throw king Rory Delap, who’s contraversial bullets have been all over top newspapers such as the Sun, credited by Page3. They have only claimed one point away from home – a sure sign that handicapped boss Tony Pulis needs to buy some reinforcements in the transfer window.
Verdict: 2-1
Aston Villa – Middlesbrough
Villa’s slim top four hopes were dented against last week by Newcastle with 2-0. I still think they are a very good side though. They have only conceded 10 this season – that’s fewer than Arsenal – and they are one of only three teams that are still unbeaten at home.
Middlesbrough are the team to watch out for this season. They are 8th, and have many players of ranging quality. Manager Gareth Southgate has done a fantastic job and he will be even further respected should his team qualify for Europe this season. However, I think Villa will be too strong for him, here.
Verdict: 2-0
Blackburn – Chelsea
Blackburn haven’t been the same since former boss Mark Hughes left the club, and although black boss Paul Ince isn’t doing a bad job, they find themselves in a disappointing and unlucky for some 13th position in the English Premier League table.
Chelsea will look to rectify their shock 3-1 loss against Roma in mid-week by cruising to another victory here. Luiz Felipe Scolari will make his players play another aggresive game and if Blackburn don’t defend too well, Chelsea may well take them to the cleaners.
Verdict: 0-2
Fulham – Newcastle
Fulham have been absolutely awful away in the League, but that counts for nothing in this match as they host the Toons at Craven Cottage. They have scored just 8 goals in the League, one of the fewest and defensively they are poor as well.
Star striker Michael Owen claimed Newcastle should aim for Europe this season; a big ask considering they were in the drop zone just last week. There will be no patriotic 50,000 fans for the Toons but I still see them obtaining a point.
Verdict: 1-1
Man City – Tottenham
De Souza Robinho is in cracking form for City, but the men from Eastlands find themselves stuck in mid-table. They continue to show that they are a team that puts the show on at home, but away, they have no shape nor balance in the side.
Tottenham are very much high-flying – even if they’re still rooted to the foot of the table. 7 points from a possible 9 for new manager Harry Redknapp, and that’s including ties against Liverpool and Arsenal. Another point should be Tottenham’s here.
Verdict: 2-2
