Matchday 22 Predictions

Barclays Premier League

21/01/2012

Norwich vs Chelsea     Prediction 1-1
Norwich host a Chelsea side who have looked fairly unconvincing in recent weeks, with only 2 wins from their last 6 Barclays Premier League games. Even these wins have been narrow, needing Frank Lampard to come to Chelsea's rescue on both occasions. However, Chelsea are still a side to be feared, who are unbeaten in their last 5 away games. Norwich on the other hand are enjoying a good season, with strikers Grant Holt and Steve Morrison spearheading their surge up the table. There is no doubt Norwich will provide a tough task for Chelsea and with the backing of the Norwich faithful, I expect them to match Chelsea man for man and get a well deserved point.

Everton vs Blackburn     Prediction 2-0
Everton play Blackburn at Goodison Park and are looking to kick start their season. As we all know Blackburn have had more than their fair share of troubles and on paper, are the considerably weaker side. Everton are also failing to live up to expectations, but are well known in previous seasons to flourish late on in the season. This in mind they may just prove to be too strong for relegation threatened Lancashire side. It will not be easy, but Everton should be staring at a win on the back of some turbulent results.

Fulham vs Newcastle     Prediction: 0-0
Fulham play Newcastle at Craven Cottage this afternoon, where both sides will fancy their chances in coming away with a win. Fulham’s results have been indifferent all season and are perhaps disappointed with their performance, currently lying in 14th place this season. Newcastle on the contrary are absolutely flying under Alan Pardew and are exceeding expectations and are currently occupying a Europa League spot - in 6th place. Fulham, who are coming in to the game on the back of a disappointing 3-1 loss to 10 man Blackburn, are in luck after Newcastle are without top scorer Demba Ba and enforcer Cheik Tiote who are currently representing their countries in the African cup of Nations. Therefore, the game has a boring 0-0 draw written all over it.

Stoke vs West Brom     Prediction 2-0
Stoke are a formidable side at home this season, and would be looking to extend their unbeaten run at the Britannia Stadium which extends back to the 19th November. West Brom however are currently going through a poor run of form with no win in the last 4 games. Although they are in a stable position in the Premier League, if this bad run of form continues they will soon find themselves fighting for their lives at the bottom of the table. Stoke would be expecting to build on their league position and add 3 points to their tally with a comfortable win over out-of-form West Brom.

Sunderland vs Swansea     Prediction:2-1
Sunderland are enjoying a revival under recently appointed Martin O'Neill, and have been looking good since his appointment. Although not in possession of a natural goal scorer, Sunderland have managed to make their way out of danger and Martin O'Neill is overlooking a good patch of form, with them now comfortably sitting in 12th place. Likewise, Swansea are also having a good season, and are sitting pretty in 10th place. Their Barcelona-esc style of football has made them easy on the eye this season, with midfielders Leon Britton and Joe Allen at the heart of their success. Although they have conceded a few goals in their attempts to play good football, they have reaped rewards which explain why they are enjoying a successful season so far. However they are not the greatest side away from home and Sunderland should be able to see them off today, but it should be a good game.

Wolves vs Aston Villa     Prediction 1-1
Wolves host local rivals Aston Villa in a Midlands Derby which never seems to lack controversy. Although not seen as a massive derby game, the tackles still fly in and there is usually no lack of goals. Wolves are sitting dangerously in the table, only 1 point above the relegation zone. However things are looking bright as striker Steven Fletcher is providing the team with a much needed flurry of goals and has been able to just keep them above the relegation zone. Darren Bent has also been on target many times for Aston Villa this season, but in the midst of speculation for a move to Liverpool, may be looking for an escape route to Anfield in the near future. With neither side scoring many goals this season the game should turn out to be a draw, but a fiery contest at the Molineux is expected.

Bolton vs Liverpool     Prediction: 0-2
The days late kick off see's Liverpool travel to the Reebok in search of a much needed win. Since Suarez's ban for allegedly using a racist term against Patrice Evra, Liverpool have not looked the same side without him and may struggle. However, they do face a Bolton side who are extremely low in confidence themselves, who find themselves perched in the relegation zone and in desperate need of a confidence boost at some point if they are to be in the premier League next season. Liverpool, buoyed by the return of influential skipper Steven Gerrard will be expected to return to winning ways against a poor Bolton side.

QPR vs Wigan     Prediction: 1 -2
Both sides are not having the season they were hoping for and are both find themselves in the relegation zone. With neither side impressing in recent weeks, expect this to be a dogged affair whereby both teams will be striving for the win. QPR can only boast 1 home win this season, which was against Chelsea on the 23rd October. Buoyed by the return of Joey Barton, QPR would be hoping for a win, but rock bottom Wigan will have something to say about that. Although sitting in last, Wigan always seem to produce the miracles needed to survive and those miracles may start today. The sacking of Warnock is going to haunt QPR, therefore I think Mark Hughes will continue to seek his first point as QPR boss after today’s game.

22/01/2012

Manchester City vs Tottenham     Prediction: 2-2
The first half of super Sunday see's Tottenham pit their wits against table topping Manchester City. Tottenham will be looking to extract revenge on Man City, who inflicted a 1-6 massacre on them opening day of the season. Tottenham are a changed team from then and if they come through against Man City tomorrow, it'll put them right in the title race. since the reverse fixture, Man City have never looked back and have gone from strength to strength which has seen them surge to the top of the table. However losing Yaya Toure to the African cup of nations has been a major blow, therefore they may struggle. In a titanic struggle at the Etihad, I predict the teams will cancel each other out and provide great entertainment for the neutral.

Arsenal vs Manchester United     Prediction: 2-0
The second half of Super Sunday Arsenal host Manchester United at the Emirates. In the reverse fixture Manchester United were in rampant mood, exposing a defensively weak Gunners side and inflicting an 8-2 drubbing on the Gunners. However since then Arsenal have picked up form and with Robin Van Persie scoring goals from anywhere, he will be a major threat to the United back line. With Rio Ferdinand under scrutiny, RVP may just make his season more miserable and run him ragged. That being said, I think RVP will make the difference and put Man United to bed, meaning Arsenal would've achieved the revenge they so badly wanted.

Npower League 1

Charlton vs Sheffield United     Prediction: 2-0
Charlton play the second Sheffield side in consecutive weeks, this one seeing 1st play 2nd. Charlton will be looking to put United away after putting Wednesday to the sword the week before and the home comfort would be a major boost for them. In the reverse fixture The Addicks beat the Blades 0-2, and I'm looking for a repeat of this score line today. In my opinion Charlton will easily be able to shut out the Sheffield United attack, with the Charlton defence boasting the 3rd best defensive record in the whole football league, only conceding more than Liverpool and Manchester City - who have played 4 less games. Therefore, Charlton will cruise through with a 2-0 win and create a 7 point gap between them and United with a game in hand.