What a week. Liverpool are finally clear at the top and I celebrated in true Not Lawro style ….. mmmmm. Well have I been busy busy busy this week with the final preparations for the Christmas do next week. That is going to be a humdinger.
It started with me welcoming the new neighbour. He looked a little tough so I took a cake as a peace offering and Jug Ears for protection. We introduced ourselves - I’m sure he said he was called Don. Then the accent clicked. Oh God he’s one of “them”, this is an exclusive estate how on earth did one of “them” get in. Still I will give him a chance. I invited him to the neighbourhood watch meeting and left quickly as Jug Ears had soiled himself by this time.
The meeting itself was eventful. We did get through the main points of the agenda which we will start to implement after Christmas, but it was overshadowed by Don knocking over a bottle of wine all over my Persian rug just because I didn’t buy some aftershave. I think it was accidental. Still Jug Ears and I need to find somewhere else to spend quality time until it gets back from the cleaners. I do hope he can get all of the stains out. Mrs Slocombe left soon after, said she needed to rub some cream into her pussy. Herr Muller left with her - I do hope nothing is going on there, but they were very familiar and he called her Eva. Do they know each other ?
Still at the end of the day they all loved me giving them a roast. I also told them about my world famous Yule Log. Mrs Perkins said I should sell them. Wonderful woman - I would be happy for her to make me flog my log. Here’s the predictions ….
Fulham v Manchester City (KO 12:45)
Fulham have been on a decent run of late and picked up 2 good away draws. They will be a little concerned at their lack of goals and need to take advantage of the home games to keep up the momentum.
City will be very disappointed with their performance and the result in the Manchester derby last week and their current weaknesses away from home will be a worry. I can see the teams taking a share of the spoils here
Prediction : 1-1
Arsenal v Wigan Athletic
Arsenal got a much needed victory last week, but I still think they are out of the title race. They are just not consistent enough to produce the performances to get the results to get back into the race.
Wigan have pick up in the past few weeks and are finally getting the results they feel their performances deserve. With Arsenal’s inconsistencies of late, they will feel they have a chance here but I have to favour the home side.
Prediction : 2-1
Blackburn Rovers v Liverpool
Rovers put a good performance up last week and just missed out on a point. They are in danger of getting cast adrift at the bottom. However they face the table toppers this week and their record against the top 4 is not good.
The Reds have somehow failed to score for the past 2 weeks at home but are now in their rightful place on top of the league. My wrists have celebrated this fact well, and the players will too with a comprehensive victory.
Prediction : 0-3
Bolton Wanderers v Chelsea
Wanderers are sitting pretty now after a couple of good away wind and would ideally be looking to consolidate with their home form. Unfortunately the visitors to the Reebok will prevent the good form continuing.
Chelsea need a win to consolidate 2nd place after their surprise home defeat last weekend. Their away form has been very good this season and I can see no other result here but an away win.
Prediction : 0-2
Hull City v Middlesbrough
Hull have picked us some good draws recently to get their season back on track following a dodgy little run. They will relish being back at home - especially having such an easy game at the KC as well.
“They” picked up a point last week. At least it wasn’t three. It’s nice to see their position going south and hopefully Santa will deliver for me and see them in the drop zone by Christmas. Home win.
Prediction : 3-0
Newcastle United v Stoke City
Newcastle got their second away point running. But drawing away at “them” is nowhere near as impressive as away at Chelsea. But if they are to pull away from the bottom they need to sort out their home form.
Stoke will be ruing dropped points at home as they know that is where their key to survival is. They need to try and eek out the odd point away from home when they do drop points at the Britannia. I can only see a home win here.
Prediction : 2-1
Manchester United v Sunderland (KO 17:30)
Manchester United will be flying following their derby day win and with the top two dropping points and them having a game in hand they know they have put themselves right back in the race for runners up spot.
Sunderland suffered a second home defeat and I fear for them if they cannot win their home games as they do struggle away from home, and the last place I would want to come when you are trying to get out of a losing streak is here. Home win.
<update - My old friend Royston Keane has left them, a shame>
Prediction : 2-0
West Bromwich Albion v Portsmouth (Sunday, KO 15:00)
Albion are in trouble. Although not a big gap they is a gap now between them and the rest. Last weeks late defeat will be hard to take and they will be wondering when they will win again.
Portsmouth have suffered no ill effect of Harry moving on and as other teams are faltering they are in prime position to make an assault on a UEFA spot for next season. They have to keep pushing as any let up will undo all their recent good work. Away win here.
Prediction : 0-2
Everton v Aston Villa (Sunday, KO 16:00)
Everton got a great win at Spurs last week and their season just looks stronger all the time. However their home form is a little patchy at present and this is stopping them from even breaking into the top 4.
Villa were frustrated by Fulham last week and suddenly find themselves 5th again as the top of the table becomes as tight as the bottom … hmmmmmm. These teams are so similar I can only see a share of the spoils.
Prediction : 1-1
West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur (Monday, KO 20:00)
The hammers somehow survived the 90 minute bombardment from the mighty reds at the Mecca. They have steadied the ship after a little dodgy run and will be looking to make further moves up the table here.
Spurs surprisingly lost last week and this has checked any major moves up the table. They will be determined to make sure last week is a blip. Their away form has been better than their home form so I can see them taking something from this game but the hammers are made of sterner stuff lately.
Prediction : 1-1