Saturday 22nd October 2011
12:45
Wolves vs Swansea
Whilst unbeaten at the Liberty Stadium, Swansea haven’t exactly lit up the league on their away travels having lost all four of their games away from home with the most recent defeat coming at Carrow Road last week against fellow Premier League new boys Norwich.
As bad as Swansea have been away, Wolves haven’t been much better at home. After beating Fulham in their first home game of the season, Mick McCarthy’s side have lost their other three games at the Molineux.
Everything points to a draw, but I have a sneaky suspicion that the home side may steal this one.
Prediction: 1-0
15:00
Aston Villa vs West Brom
Villa’s unbeaten run came to an end last week as they were swept aside by league leaders Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. Despite that Alex Mcleish’s men have won two and drawn two of their games at Villa Park although the two victories were against the bottom two teams in the table – Blackburn and Wigan.
West Brom come off the back of a 2-0 victory in the Black Country derby against Wolves and have been boosted by the return of last year’s top scorer Peter Odemwingie.
I can see this being a close one with Villa having their unbeaten start destroyed last week. I’m on the fence with this Midlands derby.
Prediction: 2-2
Bolton vs Sunderland
After 6 straight Premier League defeats, Bolton lifted themselves off the foot of the table last week with a 3-1 win at fellow struggles Wigan. After a hard run of games against some of the League heavyweights, Owen Coyle’s side will be keen to kickstart their season.
Sunderland were undone last week by the superb Robin Van Persie in a game which they were largely spectators for. After spending big in the summer Steve Bruce’s side have only registered one win in the current campaign so far and are yet to win away from the Stadium of Light.
Bolton have the momentum and Sunderland look poor away from home. A rejuvenated home side will take this one at the Reebok.
Prediction: 2-0
Newcastle vs Wigan
The Toon Army came from behind twice at St James Park last week to earn a 2-2 draw against a strong Spurs side and preserve their unbeaten start to the season.
Wigan currently sit 19th in the table and were leapfrogged in their own back yard by basement club Bolton last weekend and haven’t won since beating QPR at the DW Stadium at the end of August.
I can see this being a pretty routine victory for Newcastle, the away side are going to struggle big time this season.
Prediction: 3-1
17:30
Liverpool vs Norwich
Steven Gerrard’s return from injury last week wasn’t enough for the Reds as they conceded a late equalising against rivals Manchester United in a game that the home side can take a lot of positives from despite rueing a few late chances.
Norwich were finally rewarded for their decent start to the season with a 3-1 victory against Swansea and find themselves 9th after eight games.
I think home advantage is going to tell in this one though and Luis Suarez will give the Premier League newbies a day to forget.
Prediction:
4:1
Sunday 23rd October
13:30
Arsenal vs Stoke
Robin Van Persie was brilliant in the Gunners’ much-needed win over Sunderland last Sunday. A win away in the Champions League against Marseille on Wednesday also means that the Arsenal faithful have been given something to shout about as the feel-good factor slowly creeps back in to the Emirates.
Stoke are two points clear of their upcoming opponents in the league and enjoyed a Europa League victory against Macc Tel-Aviv on Thursday to add to last weekend’s triumph over Fulham.
Whilst Stoke usually give Arsene Wenger’s side a good game, they have been poor on the road this season and Arsenal are starting to get the ball rolling as og late. A home win it is, but it will be close.
Prediction: 1-0
Fulham vs Everton
Fulham’s defeat in Europe on Thursday won’t have helped their confidence after coming undone late at the Britannia last weekend. However they did trounce QPR 6-0 in their last match at Craven Cottage.
Everton re-signed James McFadden this week and he’ll be looking for success against Fulham after the Toffee’s recent run of testing matches.
The two teams sit side-by-side in the table and I can’t separate these sides either.
Prediction: 0-0
Manchester United vs Manchester City
The game we’ve all been waiting for. The top two finally meet with the Champions coming off the back of a point at Anfield last Saturday and a tricky away win in Romania on Tuesday and will have be out to silence their noisy neighbours.
City top the division after their 4-1 win against Villa last weekend and kept their wave of momentum going with their first Champions League success on Tuesday and are out to prove that they mean business.
The game will be contested in heated conditions and whilst City will go out and attack, I think home advantage will prove to be the difference.
Prediction: 2-1
15:00
Blackburn vs Tottenham
It’s been a painful season for Rovers so far who sit bottom of the table despite a 4-3 home victory over Arsenal a month ago have haven’t tasted victory since then.
Spurs haven’t lost since August and have registered impressive wins over Liverpool and Arsenal as well as picking up a win in the Europa League on Thursday.
Spurs will have too much for Steve Kean’s side and keep their impressive run going.
Prediction: 1-2
16:00
QPR vs Chelsea
Rangers only managed a draw at home to Blackburn last time out and were battered 6-0 at Craven cottage on their last away trip. Interestingly both their victories this season have come away from Loftus Road.
Chelsea thrashed Genk during the week in the Champions League and have won their last three Premier League matches including a 5-1drubbing of Bolton at the Reebok.
Chelsea can take advantage of the Manchester derby and further catch-up with the leaders. QPR won’t be able to contain the Stamford Bridge outfit in this meeting of London clubs.
Prediction: 0-3
Matt Cotton @FindingCotton