Wow, it’s only 4 weeks until Christmas and I have so much to do before then. In 2 weeks it’s the Christmas do. The venue is booked, the meal is booked and the disco is booked. What a night it is going to be. The costumes arrived yesterday - wow PVC looks good when it’s new. Just waiting for the talc now (to prevent big time chaffage). I asked Jug Ears to put the costumes away but he refused - I hope nothing in my closetis scaring him.
I am struggling with the table plan, you see I know Scotty (who has a lovely red vicars outfit) and Brummie (who won the draw for the purple PVC bishop’s outfit) don’t like each other, but I have run out of room and have to sit them next to each other. I just hope they don’t argue otherwise Scotty will spend all night bashing the purple bishop at the table. We had enough of that last year. Some stains just won’t come out.
Before that we have the neighbourhood watch meeting next week. Herr Muller / Shickelgrubber (I must ask him about that) is still not willing to host the meeting. He’s a funny bloke, he’s had an argument with the old lady next door, he wants to take over the bottom of her garden, he swears it’s his last territorial demand. Anyway, I have volunteered to host the next meeting now. There’s some dodgy looking bloke moved in at the end of the street. I suppose I should introduce myself and invite him.
Well, here are your predictions …….
Aston Villa v Fulham
Villa have finally made it into the top 4 after weeks of trying and have a real chance of staying there this season. After a good home point last week they will be determined to consolidate that position.
Fulham, by some miracle, managed to escape from the Mecca with a point and that will give them great confidence going into this game. However I cannot see them being that lucky 2 weeks running and I see a home win here.
Prediction : 2-0
Middlesbrough v Newcastle United
“They” finally lost last week. Phew - I was getting worried there. Glad to see normal service has been resumed and I can only hope that this is the start of a slippery slope for “them”.
Newcastle picked up a fantastic point last week at Chelsea and although they are still in the drop zone, confidence will be high for them now. They also have all their strikers fit and raring to go. Away win.
Prediction : 0-3
Stoke City v Hull City
Stoke got a much needed win last week and know how important their home form is to their ultimate survival in this league. The will relish 2 home games against the sides that came up with them
Hull got a great point last week, and while they are not winning they will be buoyed by the fact they are managing to pick up points. This is not as simple as it looks on paper and I see another hard fought draw here.
Prediction : 1-1
Sunderland v Bolton Wanderers
Sunderland were poor at home for the first time in a long while last week and the defeat they suffered has sucked them back down towards the bottom three. They too know the importance of their home games to their survival.
Bolton got an easy win last week. OK, OK it was only against “them” but a win is a win I suppose. It has eased them away from the bottom of the table so I cannot see them with the same intensity and they will be made to pay for that
Prediction : 2-1
Wigan Athletic v West Bromwich Albion
Wigan picked up a great and unexpected win against Everton last week. They will feel it is no more than their football deserves and will now look on playing the basement team as a chance to put some breathing space between themselved and the bottom teams.
The baggies have been cut a little adrift, but as Spurs showed this season you can soon get that back. However they need to start winning - and soon. However I can only see a defeat for them today.
Prediction : 2-0
Manchester City v Manchester United (Sunday, KO 13:30)
This promises to be the most fascinating Manchester derby for years. City are a completely different side at home compared to away, and the confidence in the City camp will be sky high after their win last week.
Had this been at Old Trafford it would have been an easy home win. United are on the brink of being out of the title race and cannot afford to drop any more points, but I can’t see them winning here in another hard fought game.
Prediction : 1-1
Portsmouth v Blackburn Rovers (Sunday, KO 15:00)
Portsmouth will be disappointed to have been held at home last week, however with so many draws they will have been relieved not to have lost any ground on the teams above them.
Blackburn are in the middle of a dreadful run at the moment and need to get out of this before they too are adrift at the bottom. Is Ince’s job on the line ? I cannot see them winning here as Pompey are so strong.
Prediction : 2-0
Tottenham Hotspur v Everton (Sunday, KO 15:00)
Spurs picked up more points last week and are using their home games as a good springboard to better things. While not completely out of trouble they are looking more accomplished now.
Everton suffered a surprising loss last week bringing to an end a good run of form and showing how unpredictable the league is this season. I fully expect them to bounce back and take the points home with them.
Prediction : 1-2
Chelsea v Arsenal (Sunday, KO 16:00)
Chelsea slipped up at home last week but remain top (somehow). They were frustrated in midweek and will not want to make it 3 draws in a row. They know how important home wins are for their challenge.
Arsenal slipped out of the top 4 last week and are probably out of the title race. Will they put all their eggs in the Champions League basket ? Either way I can see no other result but a home win here.
Prediction : 2-0
Liverpool v West Ham United (Monday, KO 20:00)
Why do I have to wait until Monday before seeing my beloved Reds ??? Well I suppose they saved the best til last. They battered Fulham last week totally and I cannot believe they did not pick up all three points.
The hammers are happier after picking up an away win last week, to ease the pressure on their manager. No such luck this week, they too will be battered at the Mecca and leave the North West with nothing.
Prediction : 3-0