Premier League Predictions - 20/10/12

Tottenham V Chelsea

The return of the Special one, well part two anyway. AVB who was nicknamed the second coming of the Special One when he arrived at Chelsea before his ill fated spell at the London club and now he takes charge of a club not that far away in the form of Spurs. AVB's men are unbeaten since the loss at Newcastle in the opening game of the season and have beaten Manchester United, Villa and QPR. 

The problem is that they come up against A Chelsea side in the same kind of form who are sitting pretty at the top of the table as well. Chelsea are unbeaten in the league and have notched up wins against Arsenal, Newcastle and Stoke this season so the scene is set. Defoe, Bale, Lennon and Dempsey up against Torres, Hazard, Oscar and Mata. It's the early Kick off so expect fireworks at lunchtime and a cracking game of football. 

Players to Watch - Eden Hazard/Gareth Bale 0 - Players in top form right now

Predicted Scoreline - 2-2

Fulham v Aston Villa 

In contrast this match looks the most odds on for a draw if you were a betting man. Fulham are a force on their own patch but defensive frailities continues to haunt them, Whilst Paul Lambert's side are showing signs of a mini revival after their early woes. Fulham at 9th are a few places above Villa at 15th, Villa got thumped 4-1 away to Southampton last week so expect a response here. Fulham lost their last game at home to Manchester City which is no disgrace so expect them ready to fire here, with goals expected this could be an exciting game on the eye. 

Players to Watch - Dimitar Berbatov/ Christian Benteke 

Predicted Scoreline 3 - 1

Liverpool v Reading

With all respect to Reading, I think this will be on the most one sided games of the weekend. Liverpool at home are always a mixed bag with a great performance normally resulting in a disappointing result. They have lost at home to Arsenal and Manchester United which isn't really a bad result but they really are unpredictable this season. Liverpool have one 3 pointer under their belts this season and that was a 5-2 win away to Norwich. Reading on the other hand have not won at all this season and I don't see this changing anytime soon with a draw probably their best option if Liverpool struggle to get over their psychologic problems at Anfield. The Brendan Rodgers era is definitely starting to show promise with Rodgers getting the best out of players like Shelvey, Sterling, Kelly and co. 

Players to Watch - Luis Suarez/ Alex McCarthy 

Predicted Scoreline - 2-0

Manchester United v Stoke City 

United could be in for a long afternoon if they don't try to negate Stoke's aerial bombardment, United struggled against Stoke last season home and away and have struggled to hit any kind of form this season amidst defensive frailties. The win at Newcastle last game could be where they kick on from now. After losing to Spurs at home they outclassed Newcastle at the Sports Direct Arena which is no easy fate. Robin Van Persie and Wayne Rooney are slowly starting to find a partnership which will worry Stoke because whilst they might match United in height and physical stature, movement off the ball and composure is something the Potters severly lack.  Creativity also. 

Players to Watch - Wayne Rooney/ Michael Kightly 

Predicted Scoreline - 3-1

Swansea City v Wigan Athletic

Swansea are on a barren run of late, Their opening 3 fixtures yielded 7 points and some classy performances, however their other 4 have yielded 1 point against sides who they should have been taking more against which is worrying considering the big boys are in town next week. The Liberty was a fortress last season where they only got beat 4 times last season and need something along the same lines again this season. 

They got soundly beat at home by Everton recently and just about managed a draw last despite being 2-0 down at home to Reading. Wigan despite lacking quality since the departure of Victor Moses to Chelsea still have some exciting talent in the forms of Shaun Maloney and Franko Di Santo. Last time out they held Everton at home 2-2 which if you consider Leighton Baines nicked a late penalty it could have been a bit better. Swansea need this game more than Wigan and need better protection at the back with the back four constantly changing.

Players to Watch - Michu/Shaun Maloney 

Predicted Scoreline - 2-1

West Brom v Man City 

A potential banana skin here for the reigning champions. West Brom under Steve Clark are a complete package this season and the signing of Lukaku from Chelsea on loan. The home side sit comfortably at 6th in the league and only a point behind their fabled counterparts. West Brom's defeat at home to Liverpool remains their only blemmish in what has been a particularly exciting opening from the Hawthorns outfit. Man City on the other hand have had two wins recently which came after two draws so not all doom and gloom for a side who have been deemed a little underprepared this season. West Brom have promised goals this season and Man City always manage to score goals wherever they go.

Players to Watch - Romelu Lukaku/ Carlos Tevez

Predicted Scoreline - 1-3

West Ham v Southampton

West Ham are a mixed bag this season, they were simply beaten by Arsenal at home last game, Beat QPR and drew to Sunderland so you can't really predict this one in fairness. Southampton are actually in the same boat, early performances yielded attractive games but not attractive points on the board. The boys from St Mary's drew at Fulham recently which is surrounded by a pretty standard defeat to Everton and yet put 4 past Villa so it's hard to guage where they are right now. This result could simply could either with James Collins and Hooiveld on each sides having numerous lapses at the back costing their sides so expect a fair few goals here. 

Predicted Scoreline - 2-1

Players to Watch - Andy Carroll/Adam Lallana 

Norwich City v Arsenal

Last season in this fixture RVP showed his class with a performance of pace and precision. The Gunners came out 2-1 winners here and drew 3-3 at the Emirates so we know goals are a given. Arsenal look steely at the back but have yet to truly continue to click over numerous games. They won away in their last outing against West Ham and lost at home against Chelsea so i think Arsene Wenger will be happy his team are on the travels again this time out. Arsenal are at 7th whilst Norwich are contrasting whilst sitting in 19th place and have struggled to find anything from last season which served them well but it is early days so far. 

Predicted Scoreline - 0-2

Players to Watch - Grant Holt/ Santi Cazorla

Sunday fixtures -  21/10/12

Sunderland v Newcastle United

The other derby of the weekend tales place in the north with the Tyneside bragging rights up for sale as well as the valuable 3 points. The two clubs are only 2 points at this stage with Newcastle in 10th and Sunderland in 13th which means if Sunderland win this weekend then they will overtake their neighbours which as all rivals will say is a huge psychological boost over the other. Both clubs come into this game on heavy defeats against the Manchester clubs with Newcastle's game more worrying since it was at their own stomping ground. This game is known for bad blood and sendings off. You can bet Lee Cattermole will be somewhere around the action. Having already been sent off 5 times in his Sunderland career. He has built a reputation for an uncompromising player. 

Predicted Scoreline - 1-1

Players to Watch - Stephane Sessegnon/ Demba Ba

QPR V Everton

The last game of the weekend features two sides essentially on the opposite ends of the form spectrum, QPR sit rock bottom of the Premier League with a solitary 2 points.  Whereas Everton on the other hand sit in 4th after some terrific early season promise slowly halted with the draw away to Wigan recently although remember Everton have only lost once this season away to West Brom.  QPR always seem to manage goals, the problem is that it's normally against them which is the problem whilst Everton have plenty of attacking options which is worrying for a QPR side whose home form is also questionable. Baines and Piennarr to cause huge problems down the left. 

Predicted Scoreline - 1-2

Players to Watch - Junior Hoilett, Marouane Fallaini

Much Appreciated

D.John

Opening Fixtures - Barclays Premier League

Arsenal 0 Sunderland 0 

Well life after Van Persie is exactly as it sounds for Arsenal fans as they watched on as plucky Sunderland frustrated them all afternoon and despite an encouraging debut from Santi Cazorla it was a less than encouraging debut for both Lucas Podolski and Oliver Giroud with the latter spurning a chance to show the Arsenal faithful that he can replace RVP. Sunderland didn't really set out to attack Arsenal so you could really see this result coming as both sides cancelled each other out. Perhaps not surprising after the anti climax of Arsenal's finest heading through the exit door each summer.

Fulham 5 Norwich 0 

After many expected Fulham to struggle this season particularly without Clint Dempsey as well, it seems unbelievable that such a result occured. Norwich were beyond poor in this game but take nothing away from Fulham who were speared by their rampant wingback in the form of John Arne Riise who seemed to find the form that made him unstoppable at Liverpool. It seems that Norwich have plenty of soul searching to do after this game because it looked like their first game in the league not their 39th. Loads of work ahead for Chris Houghton. Martin Jol will be ecstatic to start the season with such a commanding display.

QPR 0 Swansea 5

Perhaps the result of the weekend, A side who had brought in bags of Premier League experience against a side who lost their manager and arguable their best player both to the same side so were almost starting new again. New signings were also on offer for Swansea with Michael Laudrup fielding Chico Flores at the back and De Guzman and Michu in midfield with the latter really grabbing the headlines. Michu grabbed a brace 8 minutes into the first half and 8 minutes into the second which were crucial times in the game. Nathan Dyer was told to come inside to look for work and both his goals were illustrated from this. Scott Sinclair rounding off a comfortable victory but an imaginable result.

Reading 1 Stoke 1

Reading's first game back in the top flight was a comfortable affair and would have been much simpler had Adam Federici been able to predict the flight of the ball to his near post as Stoke City new signing Michael Kightly had a great start to his new career. An even game in fairness and always seemed destined for a draw with both of the goals having an element of luck about them. Even Reading's penalty shouldn't have been with many people crediting that advantage had been played to Noel Hunt but his shot was saved and the referee brought it back so in contrast the game evened itself out. 

West Brom 3 Liverpool 0 

New managers on both dugouts for this fixture with Brendan Rodgers beginning to build a dynasty again at Liverpool and old Liverpool assistant Steve Clarke at West Brom this was surely to be a crucial game for both sides. They both needed the wins for their respective managers. Goals from Zoltan Gera, Peter Odemwingie and Romelu Lukaku sealed the win for the Baggies and could have been more had Shane Long's penalty been a little less tame. A sending off for Daniel Agger really couldn't have made matters any worse for Liverpool with Man City up next. As for West Brom a great start and plenty to build on. 

West Ham 1 Aston Villa 0 

Both sides got exactly what they deserved in this fixture it's as simple as the scoreline suggests. Few goal scoring opportunities and the ones that did fall were for the home side. Kevin Nolan was the difference between the sides with his simple tap in which was slowly awarded, Aston Villa looked short of Premier League class all afternoon and it will be a tough season for Paul Lambert if he doesn't act on it quickily because the warning signs were apparent here. No firepower and a lack of composure around the park. New signing Maiga could have made it easier for West Ham but his shot was cleared off the line after cleverly rounding Shay Given. 

Newcastle 2 Tottenham 1 

Definitely a close affair this one between two sides matched for the top 6 at least. Jermaine Defoe showing here why he is currently on form and his poaching abilities well documented as well with his goal a traditional strikers finish. Demba Ba got on the scoresheet with his first goal for 14 games although perhaps being on the left wing he was sacrificed for Cisse which is no insult. The turning point in the match was the penalty won by Hatem Ben Arfa which he tricked inside Van Der Vaart and Aaron Lennon to draw in the foul which he dispatched himself. A really tight match and shows how strong each side is this season although both sides still keen to re-invest. 

Wigan 0 Chelsea 2 

This fixture was very comfortable for the European Champions who only found themselves troubled against a very eager Victor Moses who is perhaps trying to appeal to his opposition to sign him already. It was a match of two wingers one who was playing in a controlled side and settled and the other who was seen as the saviour and the main player or the go-to man rather. Eden Hazard provided a masterclass for Chelsea fans with his turn proving sweet and his through ball even more delicate and things got even better for the Belgian when he endured a reckless challenge from Ivan Ramis who had a nightmare in his Wigan debut. Moses was the only shining light in an otherwise disappointing home performance at the DW. Chelsea had done enough in 10 minutes to earn the 3 points. 

Man City 3 Southampton 2

Man City seemed to start the season as they finished their last. A 3-2 scoreline perhaps illustrates that with 20 minutes to go there could have been the shock of the season as newly promoted Southampton were holding no fear at the home of champions. When Man City took the lead through Carlos Tevez despite David Silva missing a penalty earlier it seemed that normal service would be resumed but when Southampton brought on Ricky Lambert the whole team just galvanised around him. It seemed his stage as he struck home with almost his first touch and when Rangers import Steven Davis struck home there seemed an element of suprise around Manchester. Eden Dzeko proved he is the go to man when it comes to equalizing goals and Samir Nasri hitting the winner with 10 minutes to go really is the stuff of champions but they were given a mighty shock on day one which could be the perfect antidote to their season. In addition a terrible looking injury to Sergio Aguero after an innocuous challenge by Nathaniel Clyne took the striker off and after 10 minutes their hero in May was carried off on a stretcher. Best wishes to the Argentine, hope he makes a speedy recovery and well done to Southampton who played their part in a spectacular opening weekend.

Everton V Manchester United

  

To Be Continued......