Remember Paul the psychic Octopus? Well here at Hoof! Football we have our very own psychic sea-dweller, ready to give you his tips for the weekend's fixtures. Introducing Pilchard's Premiership Predictions!!
SATURDAY
Arsenal v Swansea
Arsene Wenger is the man in the spot light at the moment after suffering a crushing 8-2 defeat at old Trafford on Sunday. He will be looking for his team to bounce back after this poor performance, but with an injury list as long as his coat, it looks like it’s going to be another hard match. It’s not all doom and gloom for Arsenal though as the likes of Vermaelen and Bacary Sagna look certain to return to the team, and the possibility of Abou Diaby playing in his first game since undergoing ankle surgery is surely the boost Wenger is looking for to ensure all three points.
Swansea, like Arsenal, are still searching for that elusive first win, after a heavy defeat at the hands of Man City on the opening day, the Swans have drawn their last two games with stand out performances so far from the Dutch keeper Michael Vorm. However the shot stopper will have to keep up his fantastic performances if he is looking to prevent the likes of Walcott and Van Persie, who have both scored 2 goals in their last 2 games, off the score sheet. Sitting just above the relegation zone, Brendan Rodgers will be looking for his team to capitalise on Arsenal’s weakened side and come away with a win, however beating Arsenal at the Emirates is no small feat, and with a Swansea team yet to score in the Premier league, they will undoubtedly be the underdogs going in to this one.
PREDICTION: 2-0
BOOKIES ODDS:
Everton v Aston Villa
Everton have had a mixed start to the season, although they have three points from six, which isn’t all that bad, their performances have not been what we have come to expect. Their opening day fixture against spurs was cancelled, and in their first game against QPR the toffees were poor, wasting chances on goal and failing to close down eventually led to a 1-0 defeat. Moyes’ men looked to bounce back in their second game against Blackburn, but this never materialised, with youngster Barkley and centre back Jagielka both giving away penalties, which Rovers failed to convert. A soft penalty handed Everton the win. However David Moyes will have worked his players hard in training this week as I’m sure he will want to get a home win under his belt.
With the controversial appointment of Alex McLeish as Aston Villa manager in the summer, the pressure was on to win over the claret and blue faithful and replace the departures of Ashley young and Stewart downing. The midland side are unbeaten so far this season, winning one game and drawing two. This start is a good platform for Alex McLeish to build on, with the defence only conceding one goal and with summer signings such as N’Zogbia looking sharp; it bodes well for the midland side for this fixture at Goodison Park.
PREDICTION: 1-1
BOOKIES ODDS:
Man City v Wigan
Manchester City are looking like real title contenders this season, with emphatic wins over both Swansea and Tottenham. It looks as though Roberto Manchini has put together a world class squad which can challenge for all competitions, and with their perfect start to the campaign they look a formidable prospect for any top flight team. With Edin Dzeko firing on all cylinders having scored 6 goals in 3 premier league matches, Wigan will have to be in inspired form to stop the big Bosnian.
Wigan have had their best start to a season in the Premier League, being unbeaten in three games and sitting in eighth having won once and drawn twice. Wigan’s 2-0 win over QPR last weekend will help give confidence to the Lactics with Franco Di Santo on target to earn three points. Roberto Martinez has done well to keep hold of striker Hugo Rodallega who was linked numerous clubs over the summer, and the Wigan manager will be looking for the Colombian to be on form in this tough fixture and test a Manchester City defence which isn’t entirely convincing.
PREDICTION: 3-0
BOOKIES ODDS:
Stoke v Liverpool
Stoke will approach this game with great belief having successfully qualified for Europe and are unbeaten in all competitions. Tony Pulis has done a great job so far at stoke, building from their promotion to the top flight in 2007-08 season, improving both the defence and attack, he’s added both strength and depth to a team which hopes to compete in all competitions. The Britannia has become a fortress for stoke with many Premier League teams being held to a draw or defeated there, as Chelsea found out on the first day of the season.
Liverpool have started the season well, winning two games and drawing their first against Sunderland. Kenny Dalglish has added to a Liverpool squad which failed to win a place in any European competition last season, and his new signings have hit the ground running with Jordan Henderson and Stewart Downing particularly impressing in their first few games. Liverpool will have to play at their best to take anything away from stoke who will have a well earned rest from Thursday night football.
PREDICTION: 1-2
BOOKIES ODDS:
Sunderland v Chelsea
Sunderland have had a difficult start to the season with two draws and one defeat. Steve Bruce is still looking for a replacement for Darren Bent; however the signings which the Black Cats manager has made over the summer has improved the defence with the likes of Wes Brown standing out in recent matches. Sunderland will be looking for a home win in this fixture and will look to exploit Chelsea’s poor defensive displays so far, possibly utilising Gyans pace to get in behind the blues back four.
Chelsea will also be looking to win this match as recent fixtures haven’t been the most convincing as to their possible title challenge. Their game has not been as fluid as normal and if it wasn’t for Bosingwa then maybe Chelsea would have struggled to get all six points from their last two games, However with new signings Lukaku and Mata both getting pitch time against Norwich, maybe their title challenge is about to begin. I believe Chelsea will just have too much for Sunderland in this fixture but it should still be a well fought contest.
PREDICTION: 1-3
BOOKIES ODDS:
Wolverhampton v Tottenham
Wolverhampton wanderers under Mick McCarthy look every bit a premiership team, with a great start to the season, and some strong summer signings; they are very much in with a chance of beating Tottenham in this encounter. Mick’s no nonsense approach to football is reflected in his team, who work hard and don’t give up. The signing of Roger Johnson is turning out to be a great move by the Wolves manager, as he’s started all three league games, keeping clean sheets in two of them and almost grabbing a debut goal.
Spurs will be dying to get back onto a football pitch and put the demolition at the hands of Manchester City behind them. Harry Redknapp has a few concerns as to his line up as Rafael Van Der Vaart limped off at White Hart Lane with a hamstring problem and the apparent effect of the transfer saga concerning Luka Modric. However Tottenham still have enough quality within their team to hurt Wolves, with bale and Lennon’s pace and Jermaine Defoe’s shooting power and movement, which he demonstrated after being brought on in the 5-1 loss.
PREDICTION: 2-2
BOOKIES ODDS:
Bolton v Man Utd
Bolton were not at their usual best at the weekend losing to Liverpool 3-1, with not many positives to be taken out of the game. Owen Coyle started the season well with a 4-0 win over QPR on the opening day, but since then the trotter ‘s have not picked up a point. Gary Cahill was not at his best against Liverpool and the transfer speculation was supposedly the cause of this problem, however with the transfer deadline only a few days away this apparent distraction will be all but settled by the time Manchester United visit the Reebok on Saturday.
Manchester United’s annihilation of Arsenal on Sunday showed the ability and belief which Sir Alex Fergusons men possess. However let us not forget, this Arsenal team were without six first team regulars and with United fielding a first team full of emerging stars, this was always going to be a challenge for Arsene’s men. The new additions to the squad have all settled in and are already contributing to the teams winning ways, with Ashley Young getting on the score sheet twice and providing three assists in the previous fixture. Owen Coyle will know all about the quality which the opposition can call upon and will try to stifle the wide play of Young and Nani also trying to prevent Rooney having time and space on the ball. Kevin Davies will really test the youngsters in defence and will use his experience to create opportunities for himself and his team mates.
PREDICTION: 1-2
BOOKIES ODDS:
SUNDAY
Overall I believe Norwich have had a good start to life in the Premiership, with a draw away at Wigan and a draw at home to Stoke. In their most recent match at Stamford Bridge they showed promise, with good attacking play and a solid defence, which was only penetrated through a great Bosingwa strike and counter attacking play. They penetrated the Chelsea backline on a number of occasions, and if it wasn’t for poor finishing, the end result may have been different. Their big number 9, Grant Holt, is an old fashioned centre forward and can cause defenders all sorts of problems, and with crosses into the box from Wes Hoolahan, this Norwich team can defiantly score goals.
West Brom have had on paper a terrible start to their campaign, losing all three of their starting fixtures. However the two games which Roy Hodgeson’s men faced in the opening weeks were tougher than any in the league. They were unlucky to not take away any points against United, only through an unfortunate own goal did they lose, and in their second game they took the lead against Chelsea and if only Shane Longs pass to his strike partner was better, it could have been 2-0 going into half time. Clearly West Brom are having no luck, and it needs to change quickly, Roy will see this fixture as an opportunity to get their season back on track and show they are better than they were at the end of last season. Bobby Zamora is to return after missing the Stoke match last weekend; this then, may be the time to get those first and vital three points.
PREDICTION: 2-1
BOOKIES ODDS:
Fulham v Blackburn
Fulham have had a poor start to the Season after drawing once and losing twice, and this needs to change if Martin Jol is looking to perform well in the Premier league and in Europe. Fulham have only scored once, courtesy of Clint Dempsey in the 88th minute at St. James Park, but one goal in three games is rightly a cause for concern. Martin Jol came out last week saying that Fulham need to beat Newcastle, since they lost 2-1, this fixture has added pressure for the London side to take all three points.
Blackburn are a club, who from the outside, do not instil confidence in their supporters, with very few summer signings after a narrow escape from relegation last season. They are yet to win in the Premiership, and have no points on the board; these are worrying times for the Lancashire club. Having been awarded two penalties in the last fixture against Everton, it seems to be unbelievable that both of the spot kicks were missed. There are some positives to take from the opening games however, as David Hoilett, the young Canadian is looking very lively, coupled with their new signing, Formica, who won both penalties at the weekend, it could prove to be a scoring Partnership. (Despite the fact they both missed their penalties on Saturday).
PREDICTION: 2-1
BOOKIES ODDS:
MONDAY
QPR are currently undergoing a revamp, players are being brought in to enhance their current squad and ensure Premier League survival. Neil Warnock is delighted to be back in charge of a top flight team again, and has three points from three games which isn’t a bad start. The new signings of Joey Barton and Luke Young look set to bring some experience and quality to the team. The ex Newcastle player will of course be grabbing the headlines with his free transfer to QPR, which seems ludicrous given his level of ability, but he must not let the media talk influence his game and stay focused on the match. The hoops have a good team, which is an attacking threat at Premier League level, as Everton found out at Goodison Park, and if they had taken the lead against Wigan then it may have been a different story.
Newcastle have had a good start to the season with seven points out of a possible nine, with Alan Pardew’s tea performing well with the loss of Enrique, Nolan and now Barton. Many wondered how the Magpies would cope without their big stars from the previous season, but players like Leon Best and Ryan Taylor are stepping up their game to ensure they get three points. I think this game will be a close call, with the pace of Obertan and Gutierrez for Newcastle but also the attacking options which QPR possess in Adel Taarabt who is looking to impact on the Premiership.
PREDICTION: 2-1
BOOKIES ODDS:
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