A mixed bag for me this week. An unlucky defeat at the weekend and Jug Ears has been too quiet. I’m hoping it’s because I now know how much he earns - and he has the cheek to borrow chains off me rather than get his own. I’ll have to have a word with him though as he shakes any time he’s near my wardrobe and then cannot look me in the eye.That reminds me, anyone know whats good for getting stains off PVC? The shed is secure again so I’ve packed all the stuff away for the winter. The wet and windy weather has made Stevie G’s bush go all curly. I’d love to trim it down so I don’t get tangled in it, but there’s no chance of that now. Fernando is the same. I never got as far with him as I would have liked to …. Hmmmm. Didn’t help that the kids egged my house on mischief night and now he has a sticky mess all over his face …. Hmmmm.
Damn kids, they are starting to be a nuisance. The only well behaved ones are those Austrians that live over the road. Only the other day I was talking to Herr Muller, he’s thinking about getting a cellar built. I’ll bring that up at the next Neighbourhood Watch meeting. Here’s your predictions ……
Arsenal v Manchester United (KO 12:45)
Arsenal are a strange team at the moment. The cannot get into any sort of rhythm and I never thought I would say this but Wenger’s boys are very inconsistent at the moment. They may struggle to hold on to the top 4 if this continues.
United seem to finally be getting into a rhythm and just about held on against Hull last week. For the first time this season they are in the top 4 and will be gunning for the top 2. This is a game Arsenal have to win but I can see the points going back to Manchester.
Prediction : 1-2
Wigan Athletic v Stoke City (KO 12:45)
Wigan picked up a tremendous late win away at Portsmouth last week which lifted them out of the bottom three. It doesn’t mean a lot at the moment considering 3 points separate 8th and 19th, however it means they will have renewed confidence for the weekend.
Stoke had a tremendous win at home last week but seem to be struggling to pick up the results away from the Britannia despite playing the same way. I can see this being a draw.
Prediction : 1-1
Hull City v Bolton
Despite their loss last week, Hull will be satisfied with their form and the fact they neatly got something at Old Trafford, and will be looking to carry that on at home. They are proving very difficult to beat and Geovanni is scoring at the other end which is the reason for their good form.
Bolton got a critical win last week but are another side which are very up and down in their performances as well as their results. At this moment I honestly cannot see any way that they will leave Yorkshire with the points.
Prediction : 2-0
Sunderland v Portsmouth
Sunderland were hammered last week but Roy Keane remains upbeat about their progress this season. He knows that the key to a solid or good season is being strong at home and he will look to that.
Pompey shot themselves in the foot last week but I do not think they will collapse totally now that Harry has gone owing to the quality they have in their squad, and I can see them putting in a solid if unspectacular dispay and taking a point.
Prediction : 1-1
West Ham United v Everton
West Ham could only pick up a point against “them” and if you can’t beat “them” the omens are not good for the forthcoming weeks. The saving grace here is they are at home where they have been strong.
I don’t think Everton have quite turned the corner yet. The left it late against Everton and I am still not convinced they have “clicked”. For that reason I am going for a share of the spoils here too.
Prediction : 1-1
Liverpool v West Bromwich Albion (KO 17:30)
How Liverpool lost last week I will never know. I could I enjoy Strctly Come Dancing after that ? Spoilt my whole weekend. Luckily they are back at the mecca against more lambs to the slaughter. With Stevie G back in fine form midweek there will be no stopping them.
The Baggies were denied late on last week and for that reason they are in the bottom three. They will still be there as they will be battered mercilessly here and return to the West Midlands with nothing.
Prediction : 3-0
Blackburn Rovers v Chelsea (Sunday, KO 13:30)
Rovers rescued a late point last week at Albion but their home form will be Paul Ince’s concern, as they have been outclassed against two of the top 4 this season. I can see that continuing here.
Chelsea totally battered Sunderland last week, recovering well from their defeat to the Champions-elect. I cannot see their midweek European loss affecting them too much and they will cruise to victory here.
Prediction : 0-2
Aston Villa v Middlesbrough (Sunday, KO 15:00)
Villa suffered for me a surprising defeat at Newcastle and they have to take the opportunities in front of them if they are serious about breaking into the top 4. Luckily they have an easy game this week.
“They” somehow sneaked a point last week but I am confident their luck will run out soon. “They” never normally do well in the West Midlands and I see normal service being resumed and a nice heavy defeat for them.
Prediction : 3-0
Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur (Sunday, KO 15:00)
City were poor in losing at Bolton last week and will not succeed until they can stop being such poor travellers. They will be thankful to have a home game where they are a completely different side.
Spurs are transformed. A new manager and 4 points in a week and all of a sudden everything is wonderful in their corner of North London. I don’t think they are there yet but I can see them bagging a point here.
Prediction : 1-1
Fulham v Newcastle United (Sunday, KO 16:00)
Fulham lost late last week and know they need to start some sort of run to avoid the struggles they had last season. The key to this would be their home form but there has been no form to speak of this season.
Kinnear finally has Newcastle winning. The confidence levels will be high and the Toon Army will be glad to see Martins back in the starting eleven. It will not be easy but the points will end up in the North East at the end of this one.
Prediction : 0-2