EPL Predictions For Weekend Of 3/5-3/7
By Sam McPhee
SATURDAY’S FIXTURES
Arsenal v Sunderland
Chad Arsenal 3-Sunderland 1
Arsenal bounced back in the FA Cup with many changes to their lineup after the loss to Brum in the Carling Cup. Can they bounce back again with most of their regulars who played in the Carling final as they get back into EPL play? The magic cannon ball says, “all signs point to yes”.
Corey Arsenal 1-Sunderland 1
Arsenal may have an eye on the return clash with Barcelona next week & will be without in-form Robin Van Persie & Theo Walcott & likely Cesc Fàbregas. Niklas Bendtner likely will get the start as a he netted a hat trick last time out against Leyton Orient in the FA Cup. Plus, newfound goal-scoring machine, Gaël Clichy can be relied on for a goal…. LOL! Sunderland are still chasing Europa League spots so the stage is set for Arsenal to drop some points I’m afraid.
Birmingham City v West Bromwich Albion
Chad Birmingham 2-West Brom 0
Corey Birmingham City 3-West Brom 1
Bolton Wanderers v Aston Villa
Chad Bolton 1-Aston Villa 1
Corey Bolton 2-Aston Villa 1
Fulham v Blackburn Rovers
Chad Fulham 2-Blackburn 0
Corey Blackburn 1-Fulham 0
Manchester City v Wigan Athletic
Chad Man City 3-Wigan 0
Manchester City is on a roll and word on the street is Kolo Toure likes to roll things too if you know what I’m saying. This will be an easy match for the citizens as Wigan packed it in last week versus Man U in the last 20 minutes. Wigan Athletic has given up on the season and and sure locks to take the drop!
Corey Man City 3-Wigan 1
Not sure about Wigan “packing it in.” They were actually a bit unlucky not be up 2-1 at one point against Man U. But as Man U has a veritable monopoly on creating their own luck, Wigan got hit late with 3 goals. Anyway, Wigan completes the Manchester daily double as they face Man City who seem to be back in-form & likely will face another whipping in the scoreline.
Newcastle United v Everton
Chad Newcastle 3-Everton 2
Corey Newcastle 2-Everton 0
West Ham United v Stoke City
Chad West Ham 2-Stoke 1
Corey West Ham 2-Stoke 0
SUNDAY’S FIXTURES
Liverpool v Manchester United
Chad Man U 2- Liverpool 1
King Kenny’s group could barely get past Sparta Prague in the Europa league and then somehow where beaten handily by lowly Olympic Ham. Meanwhile Man U is a lightning rod of controversy with Rooney and his on pitch wrestling moves and Fergie’s big mouth but somehow I see the Red Devils getting the road victory even though their road form is bad and he with the long flowing hair (Andy Carroll) may be making his Liverpool debut.
Corey Liverpool 2-Man U 2
Liverpool is all atwitter with the possibility of the £35 million man, Andy Carroll, possibly making his Reds’ debut against one of their big rivals. Man U has issues in the backline to sort out with Rio Ferdinand highly doubtful for the game & Nemanja Vidic set to miss out after being sent off in the Chelsea match. I expect a draw & an exciting, possibly contentious match!
Wolverhampton Wolves v Tottenham Hotspur
Chad Wolves 2-Spurs 1
This is a complete trap game for Tottenham as they prepare to take on AC Milan at the Lane early next week. They very well could win on Sunday at Wolves but can also lose in pathetic fashion and then go out and boat race AC Milan advancing in the Champion League. That would be very Spurs like and without VDV or Bale I don’t hold out much hope for 3 points to go to the Lilywhites.
Corey Wolves 1-Spurs 0
I think Wolves will spring an upset but not because it’s a trap game. Spurs have done well this year & fair play to them (barf) but I think Wolves win simply because the Black Country side has found a bit of form of late & Spurs don’t have quality depth at the moment to combat their injury crisis. They’re just a completely different side without Bale & Van Der Vaart & their strikers have been inconsistent all year long in the league.
MONDAY’S FIXTURE
Blackpool v Chelsea
Chad Chelsea 3-Blackpool 1
Don’t look now but Fernando Torres is coming! If he can’t score a goal versus the Seasiders and their adventurous brand of football I’m not sure that he will at all this season for the Blues. It has to happen right? Right!!!??? I mean the 50 million pound man has to come through sometime and the time is now.
Corey Chelsea 5-Blackpool 1
Chelsea’s win over Man U may have snapped them out of their second funk of the season which doesn’t bode well for Blackpool. Ian Holloway’s constant positive style has done Blackpool well & should be commended. However, going up against the likes of Chelsea who battle-tested in the EPL & in Europe, Holloway & Blackpool’s style unfortunately may be tactical naïve & will be exposed & exploited mercilessly.