Spurs v Hull City: Can Ramos's flops tame the rampant Tigers?

I bet when the fixture lists were released there weren't too many Tottenham fans bothered by the arrival of Hull City on October 5. After all Spurs were tipped to be fighting for a top four place while the Tigers were supposed to be the whipping boys of the Premiership. It's amazing what six games can do! After making their worst start to a league season for 53 years, and Phil Brown's Hull City making one of the best starts ever by a promoted team in the Premiership, this is going to be one hell of a test for the under-fire Spurs boss Juande Ramos - one that he surely must get a result from if he is to have any chance of remaining in charge at White Hart Lane past November.

Tottenham were simply awful against Portsmouth on Sunday. They showed no fight, no hunger or commitment. Even at 2-0 down the defenders were happy to just pass the ball around instead of launching it into the mix and hoping something might happen. Mind you, Ramos's decision to replace Pavlyuchenko with Darren Bent with 20 minutes remaining was hardly the most positive move in the world, especially when it's revealed later that the Spaniard thinks the two strikers are too similar to play with each other. Mind boggling just isn't the word.

Spurs fans need to see a drastic improvement on the pitch but they couldn't ask for a more difficult opponent at this particular time than Hull City. The Tigers return to north London after their stunning 2-1 win at the Emirates last week and they will be looking to make it four games unbeaten on the road in the top flight. A feat that was simply unthinkable in the summer. However, Hull City fan Robert Kelly, 50, who was at the Emirates on Saturday and had tipped Spurs for a great season, is not expecting Phil Brown to send out the same starting 11 against Tottenham as he did at Arsenal, but insists the level of commitment will be the same.

"It’s a truism that there won’t be any easy games at this level and in many ways Spurs will be trickier game than Arsenal as expectations will be higher. Brownie has proved over the last season and a half that he will make changes to the game plan for different opposition. For example at Arsenal he left out players who had done well the week before to change the formation. I don’t think you will see the same line-up as Saturday, but you will see the same commitment."

Hull City have disposed of Newcastle and Arsenal on their travels and achieved a well-earned point against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park. But at home they have managed to pick up just four points. Not really the norm for a promoted team, so why are they so dangerous away from the KC Stadium? Robert, whose favourite Hull player of all time is captain Ian Ashbee, thinks it could have something to do with the fans' expectations at home.

"At home we tend to be under more pressure to perform and dictate the game whereas away we have been playing more on the counter as teams take the game to us. Wigan was something of an anomaly as there were several of the new signings missing and it was back to the Championship team more-or-less. Against Everton we decided to try and defend the 2-0 lead and invited them to attack for the last 20 minutes or so. That might have worked in lower leagues but there’s just a little more skill on show this season. I also think there is a lot of expectation from the crowd at the KC and they have a history of getting on the players backs if there isn’t instant success. You’ll probably find this hard to believe but there even people moaning at some of the players on Saturday."

Spurs fan Tony Bellew caused quite a stir on this site earlier this month when he stated that Ramos had two games to turn it around or the Spaniard should be sacked. However, despite losing the last two games, Tony admits that he may have got carried away.

"Maybe I was being harsh when I said that. After all we give Jacques Santini 12/13 games to prove himself. I have to admit this year is a bit of a roller coaster as far as Tottenham are concerned but the key to a team like Tottenham is not to judge a manager on six games especially when he has a proven track record.

"There is always pressure for managers in the Premier League. What can you say. Maybe he underestimated the most powerful league in the world. He's already proved he is a great manager, the Premiership will only reiterate that fact. With good managers come loyalty and respect. I feel he already has that from the players. This, even if it is our worst start since 1955, means nothing. Tottenham are a fighting force. Ramos deserves his chance like everybody else."

Tony, who insists that Spurs cannot keep playing with one man up front, may be willing to give Ramos more time to turn things around, but it appears that Ramos may not get that time with the Press reporting that Ramos has four games to transform the club's fortunes. With promoted sides Hull City and Stoke City following Thursday night's clash with Wisla Krakow, Ramos knows that he must get points on the board and Tony believes that four out of six would keep most fans happy.

"A lot of Spurs fans would probably say we expect to claim all six, but this is now not the case as it is now a competitive league. I’d like to think that we would get at least four – draw with Hull and a win against Stoke. But it is a tough call at the minute."

Fellow Tottenham fan Jo Ford, who says she is still shellshocked by the defeat at Portsmouth, believes it is way too early to think about relegation, but hopes Ramos goes on the offensive on Sunday.

"We need to win against Hull and I hope Ramos goes for a 4-4-2 formation. Just one up front is not working at the moment against a strong defence. Ramos will be under pressure to get a win but it's the players out there that have got to do their job. It was frustrating to watch them slowly passing the ball to each other with only minutes to go. A few long balls to the front would have been better and a bit of enthusiasm too thrown in.

"We can beat anyone one on our day and I certainly think Ramos and Poyet can turn it around but we need it sooner  rather than later. I'm longing for the January window to open so that we can get another striker in. We have quality in the team but their confidence is low so that needs sorting out fast. They are certainly  not earning their wages at present. Any team that loses three strikers at the start of the season is going to be in trouble. Ledley King is not able to play that much so hope Corluka will fill his place. The swapping around of players doesn't help either. I know Ramos wants to find his best team but I feel everyone should be playing in their best position then the confidence will grow quickly and the team will gel. I was very surprised to see Gilberto playing in the hole, I thought he was a defender!"

Derby County, who hold the record for the lowest points tally in the Premiership, had four points at this stage last season, but while it's way too early to consign Tottenham to a relegation battle, when you look around at the players at White Hart Lane it's hard to see who is willing to roll their sleeves up and put their career on the line for the club. Modric, Bentley, Huddlestone, Jenas etc are all ball players, they are not battlers, and that is what Spurs are crying out for at the moment. Somebody who's willing to make the crunching tackles, put themselves about and frighten the opposition. However, Tony Bellew is refusing to even consider the drop.

"I'm not even contemplating relegation. This is a phase we are going through. The players know themselves what they have to do. It's no longer a battle against the top four clubs. It has now developed into a very competitive league. Think about the results we've seen this season. Hull beat Arsenal, Manchester City hammer Portsmouth and then get beat by Wigan the following week. It's a league of survival of the fittest and it's too early to call this one after six games.

"I think the score will be 1-1"

Hull City stunned the football world by becoming only the second club to record a victory at the Emirates. Could they complete a north London double and pile more pressure on Juande Ramos? At this moment in time you wouldn't count against it.

* Calling all Spurs fans - How confident are you that Sunday will be the turning point in your season? How much faith do you have in Ramos? What do you think the score will be on Sunday?

* Calling all Hull fans - What would it mean to you if you were to beat both Arsenal and Tottenham in the space of eight days? Have you started dreaming of UEFA Cup football next season or are you still cautious of bagging another 30 points or so in order to remain in the Premiership? We'd love to hear from all of you.

Ashley Young: Why won't Capello pick him for England?

If Fabio Capello really believes that Middlesbrough's Stewart Downing is a better player and deserves an England call-up ahead of the in-form Ashley Young then I'm gonna drag him down to Specssavers by his ankles.

The Italian is set to name his squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Belarus on Sunday and there will be a lot of dumbfounded people if the 23-year-old former Watford winger is not in his plans. What does he have to do to feature in the national squad?

The Aston Villa ace just keeps getting better and better and it's criminal the way Capello has overlooked him for England. He has an amazing turn of pace, delivers superb balls into the box on the run or from dead balls and his free-kicks are out of the top draw. He also has the ability to put the ball in the back of the net with four goals to his name already this season. But his biggest asset, in my eyes, is his ability to create an extra yard for himself in order to get the ball into the danger zone and the credit for that must go to Villa's number two and former Nottingham Forest star John Robertson, who was a major star in Cloughie's glory days at the City Ground.

Compare that to Stewart Downing for instance who has failed to make an impression on the international stage, has missed two penalties for Middlesbrough since his return from an uninspiring display against Andorra and is still seeking his first goal this season. On that basis you'd think there's no comparison. However, Capello, who opted to play Downing, 24, ahead of Young in the friendlies against the USA and Trinidad and Tobago in the summer, is believed to be a big admirer of the Middlesbrough star. Maybe Downing has more of the so-called big game experience but look at the impact Theo Walcott had on the game against Croatia, and he's only 19. Imagine the raw pace of Walcott down the right and Young down the left? The opposition full-backs would be absolutely bricking it!

When Capello first took charge he said he wasn't going to be influenced by reputations and would pick players on form. Well here's his chance to prove it, especially with Steven Gerrard back from injury. Downing couldn't hit a cow's backside with a banjo while Ashley Young is tearing defences to shreds week in, week out. If ever anyone deserved an England call up it's Young.

However, I'm all for keeping a winning team together and the way England destroyed Croatia in Zagreb should, barring injuries, result in the same 11 starting against Kazakhstan on October 11. But if Joe Cole, who has been struggling with knocks recently, isn't passed fit for the double header then it would be the ideal opportunity to give Ashley Young the chance to show what he can do.

Aston Villa defender Curtis Davies insists that Ashley Young is one of the best English players in the game and told the Birmingham Mail that Young is even better than Cristiano Ronaldo.

“Would I swap him for any other winger? Not at the moment. You could talk about Ronaldo but the way Ash plays – right or left – I don’t think anyone can cope with it when he whips balls in.

“He is one of the best players I have played with. We have got some good players here but he is our most important because he is the one who is going to make something happen.

“If we did not have Ash, we would be a different team. He means that much to us and we are doing that well, so I am sure he is good enough for England."

Even Antony Melvin, editor of this website, believes that the time is now for Ashley Young to be given a chance.

"Ashley Young is a severely under-rated player generally. This seems especially odd given that such an astute manager as Martin O'Neill was prepared to pay a team well on the way to relegation to the Championship £10m to buy him in January 2007. It is no coincidence that Aidy Boothroyd and Watford tried to hang on to him until relegation seemed inevitable, but when survival hopes faded they sold up.

"Reports at the time suggested that six Premier League teams were prepared to offer £5m - £10m but only Villa offered a deal acceptable to both Young and Watford. Last season Young was in the Premier League Team of the Season and rightly called into the England squad largely on the back of his fabulous dead ball technique and attacking verve.

"To be honest when so many managers want to sign him, when so many good judges rate him and when the stats (like 17 assists last term) start to pile up the only real question is why is he not already an England regular? He has the dead ball ability to replace David Beckham, he has the pace to offer a superb counter-attacking outlet, the discipline of a Martin O'Neill player and a left foot capable of solving England's issues there for the next decade. At 23 Ashley Young's time has surely come."

The calls for Ashley Young to be called up to the England squad is getting louder and louder by the day, but will Capello bow to public pressure? We'll find out on Sunday.

* Calling all Aston Villa and England fans. Do you think Young deserves an England call up? What would he give the national team? Are Villa fans happy that he isn't involved with England so he puts in the displays for his club? Do you think Downing is a better player than Young? We'd love to hear from you.

Squarefootball Diary; Wednesday September 24 2008

Money can't buy me love, nor can it buy me a passage into the fourth round of the Carling Cup.  Even if I draw Brighton and Hove Albion.  That's the harsh lesson learned by Manchester City tonight as they crash out of said competition to the less than celebrated Seagulls.

Mark Hughes' side are a minute from victory after Gelson Fernandes' 64th minute goal, only to be dragged kicking and screaming into extra time by Glenn Murray's equaliser.  Joe Anyinsah puts the south coast side ahead in the extra period, but when Stephen Ireland levels the scores order looks to have been restored.  Not so, as Michael Ball makes a porridge of his 12-yarder allowing Matthew Richards to secure Brighton's 4-3 shoot-out win;

"There is a lot of focus on us at the moment but I don't know if I'm more embarrassed than angry." says an embarrassed and angry Hughes;

"I'm not going to crow about beating the so-called richest team in the world because as a player and a manager I've been on the wrong end of these type of results." says Albion manager Micky Adams.

On the subject of the rich, the rather more frugal Queens Park Rangers hit the headlines with a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa at Villa Park.  Damien Stewart makes the decisive contribution on 58 minutes, much to the annoyance of Martin O'Neill;

"Not to be in the hat for the next round is really frustrating." he sniffs, while Rangers manager Iain Dowie offers scintillating insight into his managerial philosophy;

"I have a big sheet in the dressing room saying that we have to deal with set-pieces." he announces.  So there.

The Desperation Derby sees Newcastle United dumped out by Tottenham Hotspur at St.James' Park.  Newcastle's smallest home crowd in 16 years might wonder what else they could have been doing on a night when goals from Roman Pavlyuchenko and Jamie O'Hara help seal a 2-1 win.  At least the Magpies have Michael Owen, whose late goal is not enough to spare them on this occasion;

"I believe we deserved to win tonight. In the first half, everything was equal and the two teams were playing at more or less the same level." claims Spurs boss Juande Ramos, while Newcastle caretaker boss Chris Hughton has a more simple explanation;

"We had two very good chances early in the second half and didn't take them, and the two Spurs got, they were able to put away with good quality."

More all-Premier League fare on offer at Ewood Park where Blackburn Rovers edge out Everton by the only goal.  That comes from Martin Olsson in the 10th minute and leaves Rovers boss Paul Ince praising his ageing stars;

"The two old men (Robbie Fowler and Tuguy) were different class.   I played him (Fowler)  in a slightly deeper role and he did ever so well. He never lost a ball and had a couple of chances."

Portsmouth just can't stop leaking goals, following up the six they shipped at Manchester City on Sunday (September 21) with four more at home to Chelsea tonight.  Frank Lampard scores twice, while Florent Malouda and Salomon Kalou complete the rout;

"We didn't want to get smashed up." points out Harry, just in case you were wondering about his side's intentions;

"This is what I want from my team and it is what they did today. " chirps Phil Scolari.

In the night's remaining tie Wigan Athletic march into Portman Road and emerge with a 4-1 thrashing of Ipswich Town under their belts.

By Stephen Orford

29 September 2008    

Squarefootball Diary - Tuesday September 23 2008

Cup shock enthusiasts must make do with a couple of minor upsets on the opening night of third round Carling Cup action.

Premier League West Ham United are downed 1-0 by Watford thanks to an own goal by Hayden Mullins 20 minutes from time.  The former Crystal Palace man is the unfortunate scorer after stand-in goalkeepr Jan Lastuvka fluffs Lee Willamson's free-kick;

"I said to the players that it doesn't have to change our positive attitude to the work we're doing." says ultra-positive Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola.

Fulham kiss their hopes goodbye also, losing by the only goal at Burnley.  Just two minutes remain when Jay Rodriguez delivers the telling blow;

"Now we are in the last 16 who knows what awaits us." asks Burnley boss Owen Coyle rhetorically, remembering a time when the claret and blue were serial silverware collectors;

"The Premier League is our priority and some of my players have niggling injuries." is Fulham manager Roy Hodgson's frankly lamentable excuse.

Rotherham United may be another victim of the Football League's policy of penalising teams out of existence, but their fans can at least celebrate a reasonable cup run.  Having already disposed of Sheffield Wednesday and Wolverhampton Wanderers the Millers cruise past Southampton 3-1 at Don Valley Stadium.  Nick Fenton, Danny Harrison and Drewe Broughton are on the mark for the South Yorkshire outfit, with Stern John replying for the Saints.

The all-Premierhip clash between Manchester United and Middlesbrough has a predictable enough conclusion, but sprucing things up slightly in the Old Trafford side's 3-1 win is the controversy involving Emannuel Pogatetz and United youngster Rodrigo Possebon.  The former is dismissed for a shocking tackle on the latter, who sustains a suspected broken leg as a result;

"What gets me about challenges like that is that the opponent always claims he has done nothing wrong." fumes Sir Alex, who absolutely has NEVER claimed to be innocent despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary;

"At least Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate was very good about it. He apologised and understood the gravity." he adds, after seeing goals from the returning Cristiano Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs and Nani seal United's progress.

Arsenal's youngsters have been prominent in this competition for a number of years now, and tonight they serve up another masterclass in thrashing Sheffield United 6-0 at the Emirates Stadium.  Mexican striker Carlos Vela bags a hat-trick, while there are two for Nicklas Bendtner and another for Jack Wilshere;

"The team showed a good mixture of talent." starts Gunners boss Arsene Wenger;

"They also showed a mature collective spirit to play the way we want to play. They remained focused and they looked a complete team. I am very proud of that.";

"They were awesome at times and would have beaten most teams. A lot of people would like to know how Arsene Wenger can do it." admits Blades boss Kevin Blackwell.

Both Stoke City and Sunderland require penalties to dispose of lower league opposition.  Tony Pulis' Potters draw 2-2 with Reading after extra time, emerging 4-3 winners in the shoot-out after James Henrys' miss.  Meanwhile Sunderland manager Roy Keane is apalled with his men despite their gutsy fight back from 2-0 down at home to Northampton Town.  Anthony Stokes scores twice in the last five minutes for the Black Cats, paving the way for a 4-3 win on penalties.  Not that Keane is about to let that get in the way of a good rant;

"It was probably one of the worst and longest nights I have ever had in my football career. It was a shambles." he rages;

"From the start, it was walking pace, nobody sprinting, the passing was awful, nobody was prepared to run off the ball, supporters booing everybody, abusing me towards the end." he explains, and that's just the positives.

Liverpool are safely through after beating Crewe Alexandra 2-1 at Anfield, while Swansea City's Jordi Gomez scores the goal that helps his side beat Welsh rivals Cardiff City at the Liberty Stadium.  Leeds United hold off Hartlepool United 3-2 courtesy of Andy Robinson's injury time winner.

By Stephen Orford

29 September 2008   

 

Joe Kinnear probably can't believe his luck

It's tough at the top and given the influx of foreign coaches and increased desire for local heroes getting a shot in the Premier League as a manager is very difficult. Which makes the appointment of Joe Kinnear somewhat puzzling, but he at least arrives with a clean slate.
Gianfranco Zola recently had to fend off his Chelsea roots, Mark Hughes his Manchester United ones and you can't see Roy Keane being welcome at every league ground as a manager.

In short as decent managers like Bryan Robson, John Barnes, Sam Allardyce, Graeme Souness, Graham Taylor, David Pleat, David O'Leary, Terry Venables and others have found even employment can be tough after a couple of dodgy seasons. So Joe Kinnear's appointment at St James Park must have been met with gasps on the pundits couches across the land.

Kinnear is fundamentally a Championship manager, with stints at Nottingham Forest and Luton. His attraction is based on his top flight experience with Wimbledon, where he inherited a club from Dave Bassett (via Bobby Gould, Joe Harford and Peter Withe) that was well established in the top flight. He did well at Wimbledon (coincidentally managing Dennis Wise) securing a series of top half finishes in his seven years in charge before his well documented health problems.

But he has been out of football since his resignation at Forest in 2004 and must have been surprised as anyone when Newcastle came calling. His best years as a manager were in motivating and re-energising the Wimbledon team of 15 years ago - which is a distant memory in the modern game. Was Graham Taylor an option? Ron Atkinson?

But if he can get some of the underperforming Newcastle team to play to their ability he can win games and restore his reputation.

To be fair he is in a no-lose situation. His pension pot will be enhanced by a reported £50,000 per game, no-one expects anything from him and so anything that he does achieve will be well received. His name is back in the football firmament and if he scrambles 6 or 7 points from the next few games it could well be enough to secure a Championship team in the coming months. In many ways he is an older Sam Allardyce used to eking out decent, if limited teams, on a tight budget. It does make you wonder what was so wrong with the younger version and I'm sure that Kinnear can't believe his luck.

Squarefootball Diary - Sunday September 21 2008

Honours even at Stamford Bridge as Premier League and Champions League protagonists Chelsea and Manchester United share a 1-1 draw.

It's United who strike first as a rare mistake from Petr Cech is pounced on by Ji-Sung Park on 18 minutes.  The visitors who lose goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar to injury around the half hour mark, are finally pegged back by Salomon Kalou's header 10 minutes from time;

"I feel we have missed a good chance, obviously. If we had had a bit more energy, we would have been OK." reckons Sir Alex, while Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari has his explanations at the ready;

"The game is one of the best games we've played this season, because we have many problems.  After we lost Deco, Manchester controlled the game for 15 minutes."

Earlier Aston Villa earned West Midlands bragging rights with a 2-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns.  Villa score two in two minutes through John Carew and Gabriel Agbonlahor, with James Morrison replying for the Baggies five minutes after Agbonlahor's effort;

"I thought we played splendidly. It was our third away game in five-and-a-half days and to win it is magnificent." beams Villa boss Martin O'Neill, so delighted that he even manages to finish two sentences in less than 45 minutes;

"They shouldn't be getting headers in our box. That was disappointing to see." huffs Albion boss Tony Mowbray.

The result of the day belongs to Manchester City, who flog Portsmouth 6-0 at Eastlands.  Jo, Richard Dunne, Robinho, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Ched Evans and Gelson are the six different scorers in a quite staggering success for Mark Hughes' side;

"It was the best performance by one of my teams by a country mile. Portsmouth are a good side but today they were not allowed to play their game." gloats Hughes;

"Defensively, it was the worst I have ever seen from us." says Harry, adding;

"It was a poor Portsmouth performance. We were abysmal."

Hull City have to settle for a point after blowing a two-goal lead at home to Everton.  Michael Turner's header is the only score of the first half and when Phil Neville diverts the ball into his own net five minutes after half-time it looks bleak for the Toffeemen.  Yet they fight back well as first Tim Cahill's 73rd minute shot is adjudged to have bounced off the crossbar and over the line and then Leon Osman taps home five minutes later;

"Beforehand we probably would have taken a draw but when you are 2-0 up after 65 or 70 minutes you are looking to close out the game." reflects Hull manager Phil Brown ruefully.

Meanwhile Everton Big Cheese David Moyes has a message for his faltering defenders;

"People who have been very reliable for us have become unreliable. We must put an end to the goals and we are conceding from set-pieces." he notes.

Tottenham remain in the bottom slot after drawing 0-0 at home to Wigan Athletic.  A forgettable match is memorable only for the Spurs players leaving the field to a cocophony of boos from the home fans;

"The crowd gave their reaction at the end and maybe it was just but I don't think it is anything personal." suggests Spurs manager Juande Ramos hopefully.

Wigan boss Steve Bruce responds to patronisation of his own side by patronising his own side;

"No-one really gives little Wigan a chance and we keep proving we have good players who in my opinion enhance the Premier League." he offers, patting heads and cooing slightly.

In League Two Shrewsbury Town continue their strong start to the season with a fighting 1-1 draw at Chester City.

The Old Firm are in action in Scotland, both winning naturally.  Celtic pick up a 3-1 win at Kilmarnock with two goals from Georgios Samaras and another from Shaun Maloney, while Rangers hold off Motherwell 2-1 at Ibrox thanks to Steven Davis and Nacho Novo;

"I feel embarrassed. That was the worst performance by us since I've been at the club." claims Motherwell manager Mark McGhee, which is quite a tongue-twister.  Go on, try it.  A hundred times.  Fast.

Celtic manager has nothing funny to add for a change, and is therefore not about to get column space here.

By Stephen Orford

28 September 2008      

Wigan Athletic vs Manchester City: Premier League Prediction Panel 2008/9 - previews and predictions

Wigan Athletic were once more roundly backed for relegation, but has based a survival strategy based on obdurate defence (just four goals conceded is only bettered by Chelsea and Liverpool) and lightning fast breaks (as evidenced in the big away win in Hull).  On the downside it isn't a policy that is getting too many points and Wigan lie just apoint above second-bottom Newcastle.  Against City's spending Wigan will probably look to defend - even in a home game - and then see what happens on the break.

Manchester City are now the richest club in the world, so fortunately for the rest of the world the existence of a transfer window has stopped any amazing bids for the moment.  And this week City has demonstrated its usual schizophrenic nature in trouncing Portsmouth 6-0 before sharing four goals with Brighton before losing a penalty shoot-out.  If the Portsmouth game City team turn up then they must win, but if its the Brighton game team ...

City start as favourites, but the attacking will need to be incisive against an excellent defensive unit.

Wigan Athletic vs Manchester City; Kick Off 04:00pm 28 Sep 2008

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew : 1 - 2
Dave Blackburn : 1 - 1
Sue Gardener : 2 - 2
Chris Goodwin : 1 - 3
Paul Grech (sqf) : 1 - 1
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 2 - 3
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : TBC
Peter Lee : 1 - 2
Don McMahon : 0 - 3
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 1 - 2
Stephen Orford (sqf) : 1 - 3
Tony Ratton : 1 - 3
Peter Rendle : 0 - 2
Dan Taylor : 1 - 1
Andy Wakeman : 1 - 2
Isaac Williams : 1 - 3
Mark Williams : 1 - 1

Panel Verdict
The panel have a few backers for the draw, but the clear majority are expecting a Manchester City win.

Home: 0; Draw: 5; Away: 11; TBC: 1;

Spread Betting
Despite Wigan's exceptional defensive record the bet today looks like total goals, City seem to be involved in four or six goal thrillers every game and only three goals for the two teams will make a buy profitable.

Example: 20pts buy Total goals at 2.6
No goals: You lose 52pts
1 goal: You lose 32pts
2 goals: You lose 12pts
3 goals: You win 8pts
4 goals: You win 28pts
5 goals: You win 48pts
6 goals: You win 68pts
and so on

* Do we have it right, or do you know better?  Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!

Portsmouth vs Tottenham Hotspur: Premier League Prediction Panel 2008/9 - previews and predictions

Portsmouth's season has been so uncharacteristically inconsistent that there must be a case to suggest that some player feel that the FA Cup win and UEFA Cup qualification is enough for them.  But if Portsmouth want to get anywhere near the UEFA Europa League then they really need to start putting some results together.  Three defeats out of five has let rivals for the fifth-sixth-seventh places like Aston Villa, Manchester City and West Ham to steal a march on Pompey.

Another team that has yet to start the season is Tottenham, but Spurs has been so woeful that mid-table would come as something of a relief.  The first league win has not yet arrived and until it does unnecessary pressure is placed on the manager and players.  The transfer shenanigans over the summer have clearly hurt the club but it is well past the point where that can be used as an excuse.  The first ten games of the season usually dictate the shifts in the balance of power - and Spurs need to win two or three of the next five, counting this one, if they are not going to get wrapped up in a relegation scrap.

Portsmouth should start as favourites at home, but a lot of money has been placed on Spurs betting on the turning of the tide.

Portsmouth vs Tottenham Hotspur; Kick Off 1:30pm, 28 Sep 2008

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew : 0 - 1
Dave Blackburn : 2 - 0
Sue Gardener : 2 - 0
Chris Goodwin : 3 - 3
Paul Grech (sqf) : 1 - 1
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 3 - 1
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : TBC
Peter Lee : 1 - 0
Don McMahon : 0 - 1
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 2 - 1
Stephen Orford (sqf) : 2 - 2
Tony Ratton : 1 - 2
Peter Rendle : 2 - 1
Dan Taylor : 1 - 2
Andy Wakeman : 2 - 2
Isaac Williams : 2 - 1
Mark Williams : 0 - 1

Panel Verdict
The panel is split with the largest minority pick being a Portsmouth win, 2-1?

Home: 7; Draw: 4; Away: 5; TBC: 1;

Spread Betting
Two strikers look particularly interesting punts in this game.  Firstly Jermain Defoe will always have a point to prove in this fixture and will want to remain at the front of Fabio Capello's mind.  Secondly Roman Pavlyuchenko got a goal in the week and may be starting to adapt to the division.  Both look decent picks for a buy on goal minutes.

Example: 3pt buy Defoe goal minutes at 23
No goals: you lose 69pts
Defoe scores after 45 minutes: You win 66pts
Defoe scores after 30 and 60 minutes: You win 201pts
Defoe scores after 30, 60 and 90 minutes: You win 471pts
and so on

Example: 3pt buy Pavlyuchenko goal minutes at 19
No goals: you lose 57pts
Pavlyuchenko scores after 45 minutes: You win 78pts
Pavlyuchenko scores after 30 and 60 minutes: You win 213pts
Pavlyuchenko scores after 30, 60 and 90 minutes: You win 483pts
and so on

* Do we have it right, or do you know better?  Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!

Hull City in Premiership dreamland

Hull City's first season in the top flight of English football was supposed to be a nightmare. Most pundits thought they were going to be this season's whipping boys and many doubted whether they would even beat Derby County's abysmal points total last season. However, after just six games of the Premiership season, the Tigers are in dreamland.

Phil Brown's men were supposed to be like lambs to the slaughter at the Emirates. After all, Arsenal had only lost once at their sparkling new home - against West Ham - since they moved from Highbury, and nobody gave newly promoted Hull a hope in hell's chance of getting a result (you just have to look at our Premiership Prediction Panel if you needed any proof). But the Tigers had a game plan and it worked like a dream.

Whenever you travel to places like the Emirates you know that you aren't going to see a lot of the ball and for most of the game you'll be pinned inside your own half. A lot of teams set their stall out with 10 men behind the ball against Arsenal in order to stifle them and offer little in terms of attack themselves. Brown, who was a full back at Bolton, Hartlepool, Halifax and Blackpool, however, had his defenders perfectly organised and his attacking players posed Arsenal more problems than they could have ever imagined.

Arsenal, as you would expect at home, had the bulk of the possession and created a number of goalscoring opportunities, but their desire to walk the ball into the back of the net was their undoing. Theo Walcott was a menace down the right, but his final ball eluded him once again. He had a great chance to open the scoring when the ball fell to him unmarked in the box, but instead of putting his foot through it he tried to control it and it bounced off his foot into the arms of the ever grateful Myhill. Eboue was also guilty of this when he was played in by Adebayor's intricate pass into the box, but with a clear sight of goal he opted to pass to Van Persie, who was on his back foot, and Hull cleared.

Arsenal had the chances to put this game to bed, but let's not take anything away from Hull City. They didn't come to the Emirates to sit back and play for a draw. Nor did they turn up to kick the Gunners off the pitch. They played their own counter-attacking game and not even Sergeant Pepper from the A-Team could have hatched a better plan. Ian Ashbee, who has captained the Tigers from League Two up to the Premiership, was simply immense and protected the back four like a warrior. Andy Dawson, who made a wonderful last-ditch tackle on Theo Walcott as he looked certain to score, was also solid in defence, and Boaz Myhill pulled off two stunning saves late on from Fabregas to deny them a share of the spoils.

In attack, Phil Brown took a risk by playing Daniel Cousin, Marlon King and Geovanni, but the risk certainly paid off. Their pace, strength and movement ensured that Gallas and co had to remain in their positions and not charge forward to support the attack - until the last 10 minutes anyway as they sought an equaliser. King put in a great team performance, Cousin made sure he relieved the pressure off his defence by holding on to the ball and Geovanni, who capped off a wonderful evening with an early contender for goal of the season, was full of energy. But everyone in a Hull shirt played their part on Saturday and even the most ardent Arsenal fan would have to agree that Hull deserved to win. The Tigers were simply more committed, more passionate and more up for it.

With the influx of foreign owners, English managers seem to be a dying breed, but Phil Brown is a great motivator and tactician and surely has a great future ahead of him in the game. He worked wonders in the transfer market this summer and has assembled a superb mix of skill and experience. Fabio Capello had better watch his back!

This was the Tigers first win against Arsenal for 93 years and pushes them up to sixth in the Premiership ahead of the likes of Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United. It was also their third away game unbeaten this season and their next opponents, Arsenal's north London rivals Spurs who they will play at the Lane, must be quaking in their boots.

So where do Hull City go from here? After they won their first game of the season against Fulham most pundits put it down to catching Fulham unaware, claiming their first game in the top flight was like their cup final. They drew with Blackburn at Ewood Park before being well and truly smashed by Wigan Athletic 5-0 at home. Many thought that Hull's luck had run out, but they bounced back with a win at crisis club Newcastle United, drew with Everton and then recorded their most amazing league win ever against the Gunners. They have now amassed the same number of points in six games as Derby managed in the whole of last season. Can they follow in the footsteps of Ipswich Town in 2000, who were promoted and finished fifth in the Premiership, or will the fans still be happy to settle for a fourth from bottom finish come May?

Whatever happens, Hull, and the other two newly-promoted clubs West Brom and Stoke City, deserve a lot of credit for refusing to lay down and let the big boys run all over them and I think we'll be hearing a lot more of the Tigers' roar this season.

* Calling all Hull fans. How do you feel after that game? Who were the stand-out performers in your eyes and why? How highly do you rate Phil Brown? Have you been surprised at the start you have made to life in the Premiership? What do you think Hull City can achieve this season? Have your expectation levels shot up now following the Arsenal game? Do you think you can go to White Hart Lane now and turn them over? We'd love to hear from you.

Aston Villa vs Sunderland: Premier League Prediction Panel 2008/9 - previews and predictions

Martin O'Neill will expect a reaction to the League Cup defeat to QPR and their league form is strong enough to suggest that Sunderland at home is extremely winnable.  Villa has invested heavily over the summer and they along with Manchester City are the most likely team to break into the top four in 2008/9.  Indeed Villa could go top this afternoon if other results go their way - an unlikely but surely indicative statistic.  Villa are creating chances but look a bit loose at the back for a top four team - this kind of game is crucial in gauging O'Neil's progress.

Sunderland do not offer a consistent goal threat at the moment, but perhaps that is something Michael Chopra can rectify as he picks up match sharpness.  There are signs that some of the more experienced recruits from the summer horsetrading are starting to improve the team - Steed Malbranque is going in my Fantasy Team - but last weeks scratchy win over Middlesbrough does not disguise how much work is needed if Sunderland are to push into the top half this season.  I'd guess that they are two seasons behind Villa in terms of where they want to be (ie roughly the same position consistently in the top six).

Villa are clear favourites and should cement their top four position today.

Aston Villa vs Sunderland; Kick Off 03:00pm 27 Sep 2008

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew : 2 - 1
Dave Blackburn : 2 - 0
Sue Gardener : 2 - 1
Chris Goodwin : 3 - 1
Paul Grech (sqf) : 2 - 1
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 3 - 1
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : TBC - TBC
Peter Lee : 2 - 1
Don McMahon : 1 - 1
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 2 - 0
Stephen Orford (sqf) : 2 - 0
Tony Ratton : 1 - 1
Peter Rendle : 2 - 0
Dan Taylor : 2 - 2
Andy Wakeman : 2 - 1
Isaac Williams : 2 - 0
Mark Williams : 2 - 1

Panel Verdict
The panel are going strongly for a narrow home win, probably 2-1 or 2-0.

Home: 13; Draw: 3; Away: 0; TBC: 1;

Spread Betting
John Carew looks sucha threat this season and he won't be far away from 20 league goals by the end of it.  I'm not sure how well Sunderland will deal with the quality of delivery from Ashley Young and so I'd back a buy on Carew to score.

Example: 3pt buy Carew goal minutes at 20
No goals: you lose 60pts
Carew scores after 45 minutes: You win 75pts
Carew scores after 30 and 60 minutes: You win 210pts
Carew scores after 30, 60 and 90 minutes: You win 480pts
and so on

* Do we have it right, or do you know better?  Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!

Newcastle United vs Blackburn Rovers: Premier League Prediction Panel 2008/9 - previews and predictions

Newcastle welcome a new short term boss in Joe Kinnear, an appointment that has caused more Geordies to say 'you're joking' than if the appointment had been his dead namesake Roy.  Quite how many managers must have been considered before Kinnear's name came up is interesting, but as he was Dennis Wise's manager at Wimbledon it may not be quite as many as some pundits are suggesting.  Even if everyone wants to play Newcastle at the moment Kinnear, who is essentially a retired Championship-level manager, probably can't believe his luck.

Blackburn are another side that like British managers but whereas Newcastle seem obsessed with flights of fancy like Keegan and Shearer, Blackburn go for the more rugged, school-of-hard-knocks appointments like Souness, Hughes and Ince.  Blackburn will miss Paul Robinson who has tweeked a calf but will expect to extend their winning run to three games after narrow wins over Fulham and Everton.

Blackburn will start as favourites, but can Kinnear offer an instant boost?

Newcastle United vs Blackburn Rovers; Kick Off 03:00pm 27 Sep 2008

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew : 1 - 0
Dave Blackburn : 1 - 1
Sue Gardener : 1 - 1
Chris Goodwin : 1 - 2
Paul Grech (sqf) : 0 - 1
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 1 - 2
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : TBC - TBC
Peter Lee : 1 - 2
Don McMahon : 0 - 1
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 0 - 1
Stephen Orford (sqf) : 1 - 2
Tony Ratton : 1 - 1
Peter Rendle : 1 - 1
Dan Taylor : 0 - 1
Andy Wakeman : 1 - 1
Isaac Williams : 1 - 1
Mark Williams : 1 - 1

Panel Verdict
A close panel verdict with a slight majority favouring Blackburn over a debut draw for Joe Kinnear.

Home: 1; Draw: 7; Away: 8; TBC: 1;

Spread Betting
In a tight game will Kinnear instill some fighting spirit, and will his players dig in.  Against Blackburn this could be a match with a few bookings in it so it is a bit surprising to see the bookings market set at about four yellows - looks a decent buy price.

Example: 1pts buy Bookings at 42
No bookings: You lose 42pts
2 yellows: You lose 22 pts
4 yellows: You lose 2 pts
6 yellows: You win 18 pts
8 yellows: You win 38 pts
10 yellows and a red: You win 83 pts
and so on

* Do we have it right, or do you know better?  Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!

Stoke City vs Chelsea: Premier League Prediction Panel 2008/9 - previews and predictions

Stoke City has shown some great battling qualities so far this season and will doubtless park a bus in front of goal in the manner that they stifled Liverpool at Anfield last week.  Whether they can hold out against a more prolific side like Chelsea is debateable.  Interestingly all but one of Stoke's goals have been second half strikes - 6 goals in total; suggesting that if Stoke can keep the first half goal-less then they may start to fancy their chances if Chelsea start to get frustrated.  And few teams can have an answer to Rory Delap's throw-ins late on!

Chelsea's biggest threat must be complacency because if they go into the match assuming that it is won (as Liverpool did last week) then they may never gather the momentum needed to actually score the necessary goals.  Chelsea are clear favourites for the title and this is one of those games that Scolari will expect to win; and to be honest so will everyone else.  An early goal and this could be a rout.

Chelsea are massive favourites but may need an early goal to avoid frustration.

Stoke City vs Chelsea; Kick Off 03:00pm 27 Sep 2008

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew : 1 - 0
Dave Blackburn : 0 - 3
Sue Gardener : 0 - 2
Chris Goodwin : 0 - 5
Paul Grech (sqf) : 0 - 4
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 2 - 4
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : TBC - TBC
Peter Lee : 0 - 3
Don McMahon : 0 - 2
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 0 - 4
Stephen Orford (sqf) : 1 - 4
Tony Ratton : 1 - 2
Peter Rendle : 1 - 3
Dan Taylor : 1 - 3
Andy Wakeman : 0 - 3
Isaac Williams : 0 - 2
Mark Williams : 0 - 2

Panel Verdict
Only one dissenter in the panel all the rest expect a solid and big scoring Chelsea win.

Home: 1; Draw: 0; Away:15; TBC:1;

Spread Betting
Chelsea really should run in a few goals, and although the goal rush market requires 3 Chelsea goals to make a buy profitable the profits grow exponentially after that point making it an attractive looking buy.

Example: 2pts buy Chelsea goal rush at 27
(0 goals=0pts, 1 goal = 10pts, 2 goals = 20pts, 3 goals = 33pts, 4 goals = 50pts, 5 goals = 70pts, 6+goals = 100pts)
0 goals: you lose 54pts
1 goals: you lose 34pts
2 goals: you lose 14pts
3 goals: you win 12pts
4 goals: you win 46pts
5 goals: you win 86pts
6 goals: you win 146pts

* Do we have it right, or do you know better?  Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!

Middlesbrough vs West Bromwich Albion: Premier League Prediction Panel 2008/9 - previews and predictions

Middlesbrough struggled once Emanuel Pogatetz was sent off - and the tough defender will be missing for three games, perhaps allowing David Wheater to move back inside alongside Robert Huth.  Boro's expansive (and expensive) attacking options are boosted by the return of Mido.  Gareth Southgate will have targeted this as a chance to get back to winning ways after consecutive defeats on the road in Portsmouth, Middlesbrough and Manchester - all games in which Middlesbrough had chances to win before conceding late goals.

West Brom remain one of the favourites for relegation, but their competitive spirit suggests that they will not go down without a manful struggle.  The Baggies did beat a dispirited West ham side a couple of weeks ago but that is the bright spot in a series of irritatingly narrow defeats, 2-1 to Villa and Everton, 1-0 to Arsenal.  The fixture list looks a bit easier now for West Brom - and they may well fancy something here. 

Middlesbrough start as strong favourites but on the back of poor form, possible upset?

Middlesbrough vs West Bromwich Albion; Kick Off 3:00pm, 27 Sep 2008

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew : 0 - 0
Dave Blackburn : 3 - 0
Sue Gardener : 3 - 1
Chris Goodwin : 1 - 2
Paul Grech (sqf) : 2 - 1
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 1 - 2
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : TBC
Peter Lee : 1 - 0
Don McMahon : 2 - 2
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 1 - 1
Stephen Orford (sqf) : 2 - 1
Tony Ratton : 2 - 1
Peter Rendle : 2 - 0
Dan Taylor : 1 - 0
Andy Wakeman : 0 - 1
Isaac Williams : 2 - 1
Mark Williams : 1 - 1

Panel Verdict
The panel are going with a Middlesbrough win on a majority verdict; with some support for a draw.

Home: 10; Draw: 4; Away: 2; TBC: 1;

Spread Betting
Alfonso Alves has shown that he has a strikers touch that rivals the striker that he fundamentally replaced in Yakubu; and will be given a strike partner in a home game which should cause enough disruption for his sharp mind to pick a hole.  A buy on his goal minutes will be profitable if he scores - unless it is very early in the match.

Example: 3pt buy Alves goal minutes at 23
No goals: you lose 69pts
Alves scores after 45 minutes: You win 66pts
Alves scores after 30 and 60 minutes: You win 201pts
Alves scores after 30, 60 and 90 minutes: You win 471pts
and so on

* Do we have it right, or do you know better?  Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!

Manchester United vs Bolton Wanderers: Premier League Prediction Panel 2008/9 - previews and predictions

Manchester United has had a weak start to the season and despite a game-in-hand they remain oddly placed at fifteenth - especially if you factor in that winning that game-in-hand will only draw them up to Hull!  But the fixture computer and the Super Cup has given them a tough opening but the fixture list will now ease somewhat starting with this game against Bolton.  With van Der Sar fit again the goalkeeping crisis has abated and although United has yet to beat a team heavily this season it is inevitable that some team or other will take a heavy beating soon.

Bolton has a decent record at Old Trafford and captain Kevin Nolan has especially fond memories.  But Bolton are without a win in any competition since the opening weekend (16 August) and although failure to beat Arsenal is understandable, the other games - Newcastle, Northampton, West Brom and Fulham - looked much more winnable.  Bolton will be hoping that big money signing Johan Elmander is fit and firing and that Gary Cahill can improve the defence.

United are hugely odds on to win this one, and Bolton will need to be very obdurate to avoid conceding.

Manchester United vs Bolton Wanderers; Kick Off 03:00pm 27 Sep 2008

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew : 2 - 0
Dave Blackburn : 3 - 0
Sue Gardener : 2 - 0
Chris Goodwin : 3 - 0
Paul Grech (sqf) : 3 - 0
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 3 - 0
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : TBC - TBC
Peter Lee : 2 - 0
Don McMahon : 3 - 1
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 3 - 0
Stephen Orford (sqf) : 3 - 0
Tony Ratton : 3 - 1
Peter Rendle : 4 - 0
Dan Taylor : 3 - 0
Andy Wakeman : 3 - 0
Isaac Williams : 2 - 0
Mark Williams : 3 - 0

Panel Verdict
The panel are going for a solid Manchester United win, the majority guessing at a 3-0 scoreline.

Home: 16; Draw: 0; Away: 0; TBC: 1;

Spread Betting
After a goal on his first start in the week this is an ideal game for Cristiano Ronaldo to make friends and influence people.  He's never cheap but usually good value!

Example: 2pt buy Ronaldo goal minutes at 39
No goals: you lose 78pts
Ronaldo scores after 45 minutes: You win 12pts
Ronaldo scores after 30 and 60 minutes: You win 102pts
Ronaldo scores after 30, 60 and 90 minutes: You win 282pts
and so on

* Do we have it right, or do you know better?  Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!

Fulham vs West Ham United: Premier League Prediction Panel 2008/9 - previews and predictions

One of those London derbies that neither set of fans actually considers too closely.  Fulham have started the season in solid mid-table form which is commendable given the massive turnover of players that Roy Hodgson has overseen.  Late goals for Burnley and Blackburn mean that Fulham go into the match on the back of two 1-0 defeats - but nevertheless they are a team with an excellent defensive record with clean sheets in half their league games.  Interestingly Fulham has conceded a goal after the 80th minute in the last three games suggesting that a one goal lead is never very secure.

West Ham has been rocked by losing the latest Tevez judgement and the lack of an appeal route leaving the club open to more financial penalties.  Gianfranco Zola got the luck of the fixture computer last week (everyone wants to play Joe Kinnear's Newcastle right now - how odd does that sentence sound?) but this looks an altogether more difficult fixture.  West Ham have yet to keep a clean sheet despite games against the likes of Watford, Newcastle, West Brom and Macclesfield so have plenty of problems at the back; but score more than two goals a game.

Fulham look like favourites but will have trouble holding off a prolific Hammers attack.

Fulham vs West Ham United; Kick Off 03:00pm 27 Sep 2008

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew : 1 - 1
Dave Blackburn : 2 - 0
Sue Gardener : 1 - 2
Chris Goodwin : 1 - 0
Paul Grech (sqf) : 1 - 0
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 2 - 3
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : TBC
Peter Lee : 2 - 2
Don McMahon : 1 - 2
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 1 - 0
Stephen Orford (sqf) : 2 - 2
Tony Ratton : 1 - 2
Peter Rendle : 2 - 2
Dan Taylor : 2 - 1
Andy Wakeman : 1 - 1
Isaac Williams : 1 - 1
Mark Williams : 2 - 1

Panel Verdict
The panel is hopelessly split on the result - but do expect a few goals.

Home: 6; Draw: 6; Away: 4; TBC: 1;

Spread Betting
With Zola likely to favour a little Italian influence the talented Di Michele will probably get another start, and his hunger for goals make him look like a player likely to go on a hot run.  The run may not last but right now a buy on his goal minutes looks interesting.

Example: 3pt buy Di Michele goal minutes at 17
No goals: you lose 51pts
Di Michele scores after 45 minutes: You win 84pts
Di Michele scores after 30 and 60 minutes: You win 219pts
Di Michele scores after 30, 60 and 90 minutes: You win 489pts
and so on

* Do we have it right, or do you know better?  Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!

Everton vs Liverpool: Premier League Prediction Panel 2008/9 - previews and predictions

Everton have been very inconsistent this season and are yet to string together consecutive wins with a record of LWLWDDL but are recovering defensively after shipping nine goals in the opening four games.  The cliche regarding form and this fixture is very accurate and almost any result is possible.  Everton probably need an early goal to see off Liverpool though because the longer the game remains goal-less the more the red neighbours will fancy another late goal.

Liverpool struggled to see off Stoke last week and then almost blew it against Crewe - so the traditional Manchester United game comedown has again been a tough one.  But the season is going well with Liverpool one point behind Arsenal at the top and with one of the toughest games out of the way.  Liverpool have scored a lot of late winners this season but ten goals from eight games is hardly prolific - Robbie Keane needs to start contributing or the title charge will start to founder.

Everton vs Liverpool is one of the most anticipated English derby games and is one of those games that seems to have 2-2 written all over it.

Everton vs Liverpool; Kick Off 12:45pm 27 Sep 2008

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew : 0 - 2
Dave Blackburn : 1 - 1
Sue Gardener : 0 - 1
Chris Goodwin : 2 - 2
Paul Grech (sqf) : 2 - 0
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 2 - 2
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : TBC - TBC
Peter Lee : 1 - 1
Don McMahon : 3 - 2
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 0 - 0
Stephen Orford (sqf) : 1 - 1
Tony Ratton : 2 - 2
Peter Rendle : 1 - 2
Dan Taylor : 1 - 2
Andy Wakeman : 0 - 0
Isaac Williams : 1 - 2
Mark Williams : 1 - 2

Panel Verdict
The majority verdict is a score draw, although a Liverpool win is also popular.

Home: 2; Draw: 8; Away: 6; TBC: 1;

Spread Betting
With the bookings market priced a little too high at around 6 yellow cards the value appears to be in total goals; derby matches often see unexpected defensive lapses and three or more goals will make a buy profitable.

Example: 20pts buy Total goals at 2.5
No goals: You lose 50pts
1 goal: You lose 30pts
2 goals: You lose 10pts
3 goals: You win 10pts
4 goals: You win 30pts
5 goals: You win 50pts
6 goals: You win 70pts
and so on

* Do we have it right, or do you know better?  Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!

Arsenal vs Hull City: Premier League Prediction Panel 2008/9 - previews and predictions

Arsenal fans are simply purring about the potential of the youth players that outplayed Sheffield United in the League Cup; to such an extent that Cesc Fabregas has expressed his desire to fight off young challengers to his place.  Well he is a veteran of 21 now so clearly past his best!  No doubt the impressive Jack Wilshere will get more chances this season, and as the two games he has been involved in have seen Arsenal win 4-0 and 6-0 he must think that the gameis easy.  But the established names will return for this match and with such bouyancy at the club there is huge expectation of a win against Hull.

Hull have started the season in the best form of the three promoted clubs and are starting to achieve the kind of points that could prove decisive when the inevitable dip comes in December/January.  Many promoted sides have momentum and players that are new to the top divisions scouts and so have a brief advantage; teams that take advantage of this honeymoon period can survive and Hull are clearly in that bracket at the moment.  Hull appear to be too open defensively to grind out a 0-0 against a team like Arsenal, so expect them to hunt for early goals.

Despite only one defeat from five game Hull have conceded 8 goals as they are happy to trade punches, this will be ideal for a clinical Arsenal team who will expect an easy win.

Arsenal vs Hull City; Kick Off 5:30pm, 27 Sep 2008

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew : 3 - 1
Dave Blackburn : 3 - 0
Sue Gardener : 4 - 0
Chris Goodwin : 2 - 0
Paul Grech (sqf) : 4 - 0
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 4 - 1
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : TBC
Peter Lee : 4 - 0
Don McMahon : 2 - 0
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 3 - 0
Stephen Orford (sqf) : 4 - 1
Tony Ratton : 3 - 1
Peter Rendle : 3 - 0
Dan Taylor : 4 - 1
Andy Wakeman : 4 - 0
Isaac Williams : 3 - 0
Mark Williams : 2 - 0

Panel Verdict
Every confirmed vote on the panel goes for a two or more goal win for Arsenal.

Home: 16; Draw: 0; Away: 0; TBC: 1;

Spread Betting
Can't see a better tip than betting on Arsenal goals, 3 or more will make a buy profitable.

Example: 20pts buy Arsenal goals at 2.8
No goals: You lose 56pts
1 goal: You lose 36pts
2 goals: You lose 16pts
3 goals: You win 4pts
4 goals: You win 24pts
5 goals: You win 44pts
6 goals: You win 64pts
and so on

* Do we have it right, or do you know better?  Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!

Squarefootball Prediction Panel, weekly commentary

Round 5
Mark Williams leads the way in week two picking 7 results and 2 correct scores from the 10 games; which brings him into mid-table overall after a forgettable first week. Squarefootball's Paul Grech follows up last weeks top spot with second place with 2 scores and 5 results correct; the same mark as Dan Taylor.

The back markers this week are Don McMahon and Chris Goodwin who picked two results out of ten with no correct scores and Tony Bellew who picked four results in total.

A better week for the panel with 47% of results chosen correctly and 10% of scores. Again the Squarefootball writers outperformed the readers:

sqF Writers: 48%/13%
sqF Readers: 46%/9%

Round 5 Table:

%correct score / %correct results
20/70 Mark Williams
20/50 Paul Grech
20/50 Dan Taylor
10/60 Dave Blackburn
10/60 Isaac Williams
10/60 Peter Lee
10/60 Antony Melvin
10/50 Andy Wakeman
10/40 Colin Ill'worth
10/40 Stephen Orford
10/40 Sue Gardener
10/40 Tony Ratton
10/40 Tony Bellew
10/20 Chris Goodwin
10/20 Don McMahon

OVERALL
Squarefootball's Paul Grech remains top and his inspired predictions including Liverpool's 0-0 with Stoke got him second place in week two; Dan Taylor moves up into second after finishing third in week two and a joint fourth week for Squarefootball's Antony Melvin keeps him in the top three.

At the bottom Tony Bellew remains rooted to the bottom; and with Peter Rendle not involved Don McMahon, Chris Goodwin, Squarefootball's Colin Illingworth and Sue Gardener are all in relegation trouble.

In the readers versus writers battle; the writers have extended their lead picking 50% of results correctly and 14% of scores; compared to 41% and 8% for the readers.

Overall table:

%correct score / %correct results
25/65 Paul Grech
20/55 Dan Taylor
15/60 Antony Melvin
15/50 Isaac Williams
10/55 Andy Wakeman
10/50 Peter Lee
10/45 Mark Williams
10/45 Stephen Orford
10/30 Peter Rendle
5/45 Dave Blackburn
5/40 Tony Ratton
5/35 Sue Gardener
5/35 Chris Goodwin
5/35 Colin Ill'worth
0/30 Don McMahon
0/25 Tony Bellew

Players we love to hate: Cristiano Ronaldo

Some players are hated because they play for our fiercest rivals, others are hated because of their constant moaning and cheating, while others are detested purely because of who they are and what they've done. Cristiano Ronaldo unfortunately falls into all three categories!

The Manchester United ace is back in action following surgery on a troublesome ankle so who better to kick-off this new feature than the man who turned a whole nation against him with just one wink and likened himself to a slave because Manchester United wouldn't let him join Real Madrid in the summer.

Make no doubts about it, Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the greatest players in the world and has lived up to the expectations that the famous number seven shirt at Old Trafford brings with it. He has it all. He's got the blinding pace, he can score from anywhere with any part of his anatomy, he can turn defenders inside out all day long, defend, pass and his free-kick technique is simply unrivalled. He's won everything he could possibly wish for with Manchester United and the worst thing is, is that at just 23, we still haven't seen the best of him. No wonder he's hated! However, for all of his glorious skills and attributes, the Portuguese ace has left opposition fans around the world enraged with his desire to go down at the slightest touch.

Ronaldo was just 18 when he made his debut for Manchester United and soon got a reputation for going down quicker than a nymphomaniac deep sea diver. He would terrorise defenders with his blistering pace, but as soon as somebody tried to tackle him he'd go down like a sack of spuds. Some fans even claimed that all you needed to do was breathe on Ronaldo and he'd fall over. His constant appeals for free-kicks soon became extremely boring to the spectators so he opted to take his skills into the penalty box for extra rewards.

Furious Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate was spitting feathers after Ronaldo conned the referee into giving a penalty at the Riverside in 2006. Boro lost the game 2-1 and Southgate was quoted after the final whistle saying: "Ronaldo is a cheat, simple as that. How many times are we going to see it? The lad's got a history of doing this. Our goalkeeper has done everything to get out of the way and yet the lad's gone down. Once more. For me, it's never a penalty. I don't know what you can do about it, that's for people better qualified than me."

There was also the controversial penalty he won at White Hart Lane a few years back when he went in between two Tottenham players and the ref adjudged that he had been clipped when replays clearly showed that contact was minimal to non-existent.

However, if I was to document all of his misdemeanours I'd be here until Christmas. So let's fast forward to the incident that saw the winker become public enemy number one in England over night. Portugal were playing England at the World Cup in Germany 2006 when Ronaldo's United colleague Wayne Rooney became tangled up with Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho. It looked as though the ref was going to give Rooney a yellow card for accidentally stamping on Carvalho until Ronaldo sprinted up to the referee seemingly urging the ref to send Rooney off. Rooney lost his head and pushed his teammate away only for the referee to show him the red card. And Ronaldo inflamed the situation further by being caught on camera winking to his Portuguese colleagues on the bench.

It was like David Beckham ala 1998 all over again as the English media went all out in pursuit of Ronaldo. The media printed dartboards with Ronaldo's face on them, websites were created specifically for people to vent their spleen about the Portuguese ace and even some United fans were appalled by his actions. There were fears that the youngster didn't want to return to Old Trafford due to the level of hatred that was being aimed at him and many believed that Rooney was going to batter him if he ever did return. However, Ferguson, knowing how important Ronaldo was to his future plans, did everything in his power to persuade the youngster to comeback to United and prove everyone wrong, just like Beckham did. And boy has he repaid Fergie's faith in him.

He scored 23 goals in the 2006-07 season to guide United to the Premiership title and a semi-final spot in the Champions League and went even better last season by scoring a phenomenal 42 times, helping United retain the Premiership title and clinching the club's third Champions League trophy.

However, he let himself down again and infuriated the United fans again in the summer by refusing to commit his future to the club and allowing Manchester United and Real Madrid to become involved in a public battle for his services. Ferguson persuaded him to stay at the club once again, even though Ronaldo agreed with Sepp Blatter that he was being treated like a slave, and he was greeted back by the Old Trafford faithful like a legendary war hero when he came on as a substitute against Villarreal in the Champions League last week.

To be fair to him, he has tried to stay on his feet a lot more in the past two seasons and has flourished under the guidance of Sir Alex Ferguson. However, there are plenty more reasons to hate Ronaldo, bar the diving and cheating. For one he's earning more cash in a week than most will earn in a decade, he has the pick of nearly any girl on the planet and is doing something which we all wish we could do - no not sleeping with a string of top heavy lovelies - play football at the highest level.

Ronaldo is one of those players that the opposition fans love to hate but the sad fact is is that if he joined your club you would almost certainly be singing his name from the rooftops and getting his name on the back of your shirt. Still, while he's at United the rest of the Premiership can unite in their hatred of him!

* Calling all football fans. Why is Cristiano Ronaldo the player you hate the most? Is it because he is so blessed with skill that it's frustrating to see him cheat to get an advantage? Is it jealously because he is simply so good or is it because he plays for Manchester United? Has Ronaldo won you over in recent seasons by curbing his urge to dive so easily? What other players would you like to see mentioned in the Players we love to Hate feature? We'd love to hear from you.

Squarefootball Diary - Thursday September 18 2008

An unreasonable five English teams are competing in this season's UEFA Cup, with all maintaining a good chance of reaching the group stages after tonight's second round first leg ties.

First to Bulgaria where Aston Villa secure a 3-1 success over Litex Lovech.  Martin O'Neill's side must come from behind when Ivelin Popov opens the scoring after 10 minutes, but manage all that and more with goals from Nigel Reo-Coker, Gareth Barry and Stilyan Petrov;

"It was a very sluggish start." says O'Neill, offending slugs everywhere.

There's also an away win for Manchester City.  The newly crowned Richest Club In The World suffer a Villa-like set-back when Klodian Duro puts Cypriot side Omonia Nicosia one up just after half-time, but a double from Brazilian striker Jo retrieves the situation for Mark Hughes' side;

"It is important for a striker at a new club to get off the mark and make an impression and he did that." he observes.

Portsmouth have little trouble in easing to a 2-0 win over Vitoria Guimaraes at Fratton Park.  Lassana Diarra and Jermain Defoe are on the mark for Harry Redknapp's side;

"It was a great night for supporters and they have deserved it. They have had to endure the bad times for years." says Harry.

Juande Ramos cannot buy a win in the league with Tottenham but having twice won the UEFA Cup with Sevilla this was always a competition with the potential to be kind to him.  And so it proves as a Darren Bent header seals a 2-1 home win over Wisla Krakow.  David Bentley's 33rd minute opener is cancelled out by Thomas Jirsak within a minute and a half, before Bent settles the score 17 minutes from time;

"Let's hope this starts a positive run leading to better results." says Ramos with as much conviction as he can muster.

The only English team failing to win on the night is Everton.  David Moyes' side draw 2-2 with Standard Liege at Goodison Park, with all four goals coming in the first half.  Dieudonne Mbokani puts the Belgians in front but Everton are level when Aiyegbeni Yakubu shoots home.  A Joseph Yobo own goal throws a spanner in the works before Segundo Castillo rifles in his first goal for the Toffeemen;

"Hopefully we will play better and defend better in the return leg." Moyes comments with a confidence that could best be described as Ramos-esque.

Motherwell will hang on to their hopes just as tightly, that despite losing 1-0 to AS Nancy in France.  Pascal Berengeur's header is the only goal of the game, but Graeme Smith's save from Issiar Dia's penalty keeps the SPL side in the tie;

"It's a good result for us but we didn't play well or get forward and threaten enough." says manager Mark McGhee.

Tournament favourites AC Milan help themselves to a 3-1 win over FC Zurich at the San Siro, while there are also routine wins for Ajax (4-1 at the amusingly named Borac Cacak), Sampdoria (5-0 over FBK Kaunas, are you watching Rangers?) and Sevilla (2-0 against SV Salzburg). 

The standout ties see Napoli edge out Benfica 3-2 in Italy and Udinese's 2-0 win at Borussia Dortmund.  Those who like a shock will have enjoyed Feyenoord's 1-0 loss at home to Kalmar FF and SK Brann's 2-0 success over Deportivo La Coruna.  Other highlights include Galatasaray's 4-3 win in Switzerland over Bellinzona and Norway's Rosenborg holding off Denmark's Brondby 2-1 in a distinctly Scandinavian affair.

By Stephen Orford

24 September 2008   

Newcastle and Spurs and Icarus

The blinding light of the Champions' League has sent a number of teams crashing to their doom. Leeds flew too close to the sun in trying to consistently enter the competition and dropped into the third tier of English football a handful of years after appearing in the Champions' League semi-final. Chelsea were struggling with debts as Ken Bates tried to keep Chelsea aloft - and only the intervention of Roman Abramovich maintained the club's position.

And there will be more, as no doubt Manchester City will be expected to enter the Champions' League before the end of the decade. As five into four doesn't go someone will have to see if their financial plans survive a season or so in the UEFA Cup.

And there have been others, most notably Spurs and Newcastle.

Spurs finished fifth in consecutive seasons and then attempted to immediately replace Martin Jol when he suggested that moving further up the league would be very difficult; within months he was gone and his replacement, Juande Ramos, was only able to negotiate a mid-table finish last season (admittedly with a League Cup win). This season his team are rock-bottom of the Premier League.

Newcastle brought in Sam Allardyce barely a year ago. Allardyce immediately pushed Newcastle into the top half of the table, but the new owner simply hated his style of play and quickly replaced him with the expansive Kevin Keegan. Interestingly Keegan also voiced his doubts that Newcastle could fly as high as fourth, instead a more Daedalus-like eighth was his ambition. His relationship with Mike Ashley never recovered and a few months later Keegan was gone. Newcastle are now second bottom in the league.

Now the two meet in the League Cup, a competition that would provide some respite but could also distract them from getting vital league points. But surely Spurs and Newcastle are too good to go down so a run in the League Cup will be welcome as they inevitably gravitate to mid-table. Unless, like Icarus, their wings are already shot that is.

Squarefootball Diary - Wednesday September 17 2008

The British success from last night cannot be replicated as none of Manchester United, Arsenal or Celtic can muster a win in their opening Champions League matches.

On the plus side none of them lose either, with perhaps Arsenal's 1-1 draw at Dynamo Kiev the most impressive of the three results.  Ismael Bangoura's penalty looks to have given the Ukranians a winning start but William Gallas is on hand to scramble a late equaliser.  Arsene isn't sure if his glass is half empty or half full;

"The game is a mixture of frustration and relief." he comments, adding;

"Frustration because it was agame that should have been over at half-time as we created clear-cut chances. It was relief as we were 1-0 down with three minutes to go.

FC Porto are top of Group G, two points clear of Arsenal and Kiev after beating Fenerbahce 3-1

More frustration at Old Trafford where defending champions Manchester United cannot find  a way past Villarreal.  The returning Cristiano Ronaldo almost creates a winner but Jimmy Evans' header rebounds off a post to keep the scores blank;

"I have no complaints. On another day we could have scored four or five." claims Sir Alex, possibly referring to a Friday.

United will be disappointed but perhaps not as much as Group E rivals Celtic.  Gordon Strachan's side are presented with a golden opportunity to make a winning start against Aalborg but Barry Robson sees his 28th minute penalty saved by Karim Zaza.  Referee Matteo Trefoloni sends off the wrong Michael with 10 minutes left, dismissing Michael Jakobsen for a foul committed by Michael Beauchamp on Giorgos Samaras.  However the Bhoys are unable to make the extra man count and must settle for just a point;

"We've got to go and try and win a game away from home, it becomes imperative now." warns Strachan, whose side haven't won a game away from home in the Champions League in any of their five previous campaigns.

Group F's early starters are Bayern Munich.  The Bavarians return to the competition after failing to qualify for last season's event, and make an immediate impact with a 1-0 win over Steaua Bucharest.  Lyon and Fiorentina share four goals in an entertaining affair in France.

Real Madrid and Juventus will expect to progress from Group H, and both open with wins.  Juve will be delighted with their 1-0 victory over UEFA Cup and Super Cup holders Zenit St.Petersburg, while Real are too strong for Belarussian newcomers Bate Borisov, winning 2-0.

Contrasting fortunes for East Anglian sides in the Championship, as Norwich City are beaten 1-0 at home by Queens Park Rangers while Ipswich Town draw 2-2 at Southampton.

By Stephen Orford

23 September 2008

Kenny Dalglish? Is there a time warp on Tyneside?

First Newcastle United rolled back the years to bring Kevin Keegan back to the club. Now with the Magpies in turmoil as Mike Ashley tries to sell the crisis-hit club, the latest name being linked to fill the void left by Keegan is King Kev's replacement in 1997, Kenny Dalglish.

Now the Messiah's return came as somewhat of a shock after being out of the game for three years, but Dalglish hasn't been in charge of a club for almost eight years! If this rumour is true then it's easy to see why so many outsiders view Newcastle United as a joke club. Former Leeds United and Aston Villa boss David O'Leary has already been linked with the position of caretaker manager and eight managers have reportedly turned the job down as Ashley tries to secure a buyer for the club, but if Dalglish really is in the frame how long will it be before Ruud Gullit, Sir Bobby Robson, Graeme Souness and Glenn Roeder are mentioned?! It just seems that Ashley's options are very, very limited at the moment.

Despite selling some of their best players and failing to replace them with the big name stars that the fans crave, the passionate Geordies were expecting a decent season from the Magpies with Keegan at the helm. An inspired draw at Old Trafford on the opening day of the season certainly boosted the confidence of the team and the fans and it looked as though Mr Motivator himself was going to work miracles with his thin squad of players. However, the sale of James Milner and interference from above reportedly got too much for Keegan and the King decided to walk.

The fans, who were delirious when Keegan walked back into St James' Park in January, were furious when news broke that Keegan had left the club and began protesting for the former England boss to be reappointed as manager and for Ashley, Wise and Llambias to leave the North East immediately. With his position at the club untenable, Ashley succumbed to public pressure and placed the club on the market, but the multi-millionaire is unlikely to sell without making a profit on his investment, which may mean this fiasco could rumble on for weeks to come.

It's been almost three weeks since Keegan walked out of Newcastle but they are no closer to finding a replacement, leading fans to speculate that Keegan will be reappointed as manager by the new owner. However, Newcastle need somebody in charge now with a bit of experience before they are cut adrift at the bottom of the Premiership. Dalglish guided the Magpies to a second place finish and an FA Cup final in his 18-month stint at the club, but he was hardly flavour of the month with the majority of the fans. Would he be welcomed back by the Newcastle fans even as a stop-gap measure? I doubt it.

* Calling all Newcastle United fans. How would you feel about having Kenny Dalglish back at St James' Park? Would David O'Leary get your vote? How concerned are you about your league position? How vital is it to get an experienced head in charge? How confident are you that Keegan will come back to the club once Ashley is gone? When do you think Newcastle United will be able to get back to concentrating on matters on the pitch? We'd love to hear from you.

If United didn't, would you prefer Arsenal won the Premiership?

Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger have had more battles than Gordon Brown and Tony Blair over the past decade so it was surprising to hear Fergie praise the Gunners ahead of the crunch game against Chelsea at the weekend.

The fiery Scot was quoted in the Daily Mirror to have said that if the Red Devils couldn't retain the Premiership title this season that he'd prefer the Gunners won it ahead of Chelsea or Liverpool. Now was this just Fergie playing mind games before visiting Stamford Bridge or could the Premiership's elder statesmen be forming some sort of alliance?

It goes without saying that Fergie would rather hell froze over than Liverpool win their first Premiership title, especially after last weekend's defeat at Anfield. And then there's moneybags Chelsea. Although Phil Scolari has got his vastly talented squad playing entertaining football they still won't be respected by the majority of fans due to the fact that Roman Abramovich has bankrolled the club for the past five years. Which leaves Arsenal as the lesser of all evils I guess.

Despite failing to win a major honour since beating Manchester United on penalties to lift the FA Cup in 2005 and losing a number of top stars, Arsene Wenger has never changed his football philosophy. The Gunners led the title race last season against the so-called expert opinions of pundits and bookies alike and if it weren't for a build up of injuries, poor refereeing decision and a lack of form, who knows, maybe they would have pipped United to the title last season. Wenger has an enormous amount of faith in his young guns, is never afraid to throw them in at the deep end, and has refused to buy players just to please fickle fans and the media. And Ferguson has undoubtedly been impressed by The Professor's principles.

Over the years, Ferguson and Wenger have failed to see eye-to-eye on a number of subjects and that intense rivalry often manifested itself on to the pitch and in to the dressing rooms afterwards with some pizza thrown in for good measure! However, following Mourinho's arrival they had somebody else to dislike and their own personal feud has kind of died down. So much so that they can often be found praising each other in the media. They also both publicly spoke out in support of Kevin Keegan and Alan Curbishley's decisions to walk away from Newcastle United and West Ham United respectively over transfer interference. Maybe age is starting to mellow the two!

But is Fergie's admission that he'd rather Arsenal won the league over their other rivals an honest opinion or does he simply believe that the Gunners, who are currently top of the league, aren't serious title material and just playing mind games with everyone?

I'd like to give the former Aberdeen manager the benefit of the doubt this time because there's no doubt in my mind that Arsenal and Manchester United are the best two footballing teams in the country. Regardless of what team you support, if you were asked to name the most entertaining and exciting team in England over the past few years you'd have to go for either of these two massive clubs. And despite his razor sharp comments directed at Arsenal over the years I believe Fergie admires the way the Gunners play the game and would definitely prefer a proper football team to win the Premiership.

Everyone knows the rivalry between Manchester United and Liverpool, so I guess there's no way anyone from Manchester would want Rafa's Reds to win the Premiership, and nobody really respects Chelsea for throwing their money at achieving success - although that might change now with City's sheiks on board - so do United fans agree with Fergie? If you were to lose your grip on the Premiership season who would you prefer to be champions and why? We'd love to hear from you.

Premier League Prediction Panel 20-21 September 2009, wrap

Saturday could see Liverpool take a big lead in the Premier League as they host Stoke; third placed Arsenal could also go top if they win at Bolton.  Seventh placed Fulham travel to third bottom Blackburn, West Ham will look to increase Newcastle's gloom and Middlesbrough play the days big derby match at Sunderland.

On Sunday the big game is undoubtedly league leaders Chelsea against Manchester United, which is increasingly looking like a must-not-lose for the champions.  Fourth placed Villa travel the short distance to West Brom; Hull host a team from the other end of the M62 in Everton; sixth placed Manchester City play Portsmouth and Wigan travel to bottom club Tottenham.

Prediction Panel Week 2

Saturday

Bolton Wanderers v Arsenal:
The vast majority of the panel expect an Arsenal win.

Blackburn v Fulham:
With three predictions outstanding the panel is predicting a home win; with goals at both ends likely.

Liverpool v Stoke City:
An overwhelming home banker.

Sunderland v Middlesbrough:
The panel is going with the common derby match prediction - a score draw, probably 1-1.

West Ham v Newcastle
The is little support for Newcastle, with most pundits anticipating a West Ham win.

Sunday:

Chelsea v Manchester United
The panel has edged towards a Chelsea win, but there are advocates for all three results.

Hull City v Everton
An away win for Everton is favourite, but a third of panellists are expecting a draw.

Manchester City v Portsmouth
The panel are solidly behind a City win, with 2-1 a very popular pick.

Tottenham Hotspur v Wigan Athletic
A split panel here, with the draw the marginal favourite with just two predictions outstanding.

West Brom v Aston Villa
A split verdict between those that think The Baggies can hold Villa to a draw and those that think they won't.

Week 1 commentary:

Squarefootball's Paul Grech leads the way after calling a stunning 8 out of 10 results correctly including 3 correct scores. Dan Taylor and Squarefootball Antony Melvin are the closest challengers picking 6 results and 2 correct scores to date.

At the wrong end of the table Tony Bellew picked out just one result, with Mark Williams and Squarefootball's Colin Illingworth getting only two right. 

The par score from past seasons has been to correctly pick 50% of results and 10% of scores, which suggests that the current panel is a little off the pace; averaging 40% of results and 9% of scores. Breaking this down into the Squarefootball 'experts' and readers shows that the experts are currently bossing the panel picking 48% of results and 15% of scores; compared to the readers who have picked 38% of results correctly and 7% of scorelines. Can the readers turn this deficit around?

sqF writers: 48% / 16%
sqF readers: 38% / 7%

Team                    Pl      W       D       L       Pts     %Results %Scores
Paul Grech (sqf)        10      3       5       2       14      80      30
Dan Taylor              10      2       4       4       10      60      20
Antony Melvin (sqf)     10      2       4       4       10      40      20
Isaac Williams          10      2       2       6       8       40      20
Andy Wakeman            10      1       5       4       8       60      10
Chris Goodwin           10      1       4       5       7       50      10
Stephen Orford (sqf)    10      1       4       5       7       50      10
Peter Lee               10      1       3       6       6       40      10
Peter Rendle            10      1       2       7       5       30      10
Don McMahon             10      0       4       6       4       40      0
Tony Ratton             10      0       4       6       4       40      0
Dave Blackburn          10      0       3       7       3       30      0
Sue Gardener            10      0       3       7       3       30      0
Colin Illingworth (sqf) 10      0       2       8       2       20      0
Mark Williams           10      0       2       8       2       20      0
Tony Bellew             10      0       1       9       1       10      0

(win = correct score, draw = correct result but score wrong, loss = wrong)

West Bromwich Albion vs Aston Villa: Premier League Prediction Panel 2008/9 - previews and predictions

A big west Midlands derby sees The Baggies host their neighbours from across the border in Birmingham lifted by an opening league win in a five goal thriller with West Ham.  In fact West Brom's form has picked up smartly after the opening three defeats with a draw at Bolton before the win over West Ham.  So they take good form and are largely free of injuries in the run up to this derby match.

Aston Villa sit fourth in the division with seven points and if one of the big four have an off season they could be the team that benefits; but only if they can stop conceding so many soft goals.  Villa have lost just once this season and that to Stoke who scored an injury time winner that went against the run of play.  It could be that another physical encounter here wouldn't be to Villa's benefit.

Derby matches often end in draws, but Villa will start as favourites in a game where a win could potentially send them top (depending on Saturdays and Sundays games).

West Bromwich Albion vs Aston Villa; Kick Off 12pm, 21 Sep 2008

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew : 0 - 0
Dave Blackburn : 0 - 2
Sue Gardener : 2 - 2
Chris Goodwin : 2 - 2
Paul Grech (sqf) : 1 - 2
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 3 - 3
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : TBC
Peter Lee : 1 - 3
Don McMahon : 2 - 2
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 1 - 3
Stephen Orford (sqf) : 1 - 3
Tony Ratton : 2 - 2
Peter Rendle : TBC
Dan Taylor : 2 - 2
Andy Wakeman : 2 - 0
Isaac Williams : 0 - 2
Mark Williams : 1 - 2

Panel Verdict
A split verdict between those that think The Baggies can hold Villa to a draw and those that think they won't.

Home: 1; Draw: 7; Away: 7; TBC:2;

Spread Betting
This is usually a feisty fixture and the bookings market looks a bit cheap with a buy available at less tha five yellows.  A buy looks good value.

Example: 1pts buy Bookings at 48
No bookings: You lose 48pts
2 yellows: You lose 28 pts
4 yellows: You lose 8 pts
6 yellows: You win 12 pts
8 yellows: You win 32 pts
10 yellows and a red: You win 77 pts
and so on

* Do we have it right, or do you know better?  Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!

Tottenham Hotspur vs Wigan Athletic: Premier League Prediction Panel 2008/9 - previews and predictions

Tottenham are rock bottom and although the UEFA Cup win was a relief the sooner that they put the transfer sagas behind them the sooner they can climb the table.  A top eight finish is still a reasonable target and this is a good game with which to kick their league season into gear.  Interestingly Spurs have scored and conceded in every game this season so it isn't the attack that is entirely to blame - the defence and goalkeeper need to start getting meaner.

Wigan are doing better than the pundits who once again were raising relegation expectations before the season started; but not so well that the season will be plain sailing.  Bruce has created an unlikely but effective strikeforce in Zaki (every fantasy football teams favourite right now) and Heskey - this might not be a pairing for the cold winter months to come.  Bruce is unafraid to play for a draw and see what happens on the break; and that could well be the tactic here.

Spurs are desperate for points and that could leave them open to a Wigan side that is very effective on the break.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Wigan Athletic; Kick Off 3:00pm, 21 Sep 2008

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew : 1 - 1
Dave Blackburn : 1 - 1
Sue Gardener : 0 - 1
Chris Goodwin : 1 - 2
Paul Grech (sqf) : 1 - 1
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 1 - 2
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : TBC
Peter Lee : 1 - 1
Don McMahon : 2 - 1
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 2 - 1
Stephen Orford (sqf) : 2 - 1
Tony Ratton : 1 - 1
Peter Rendle : TBC - TBC
Dan Taylor : 2 - 0
Andy Wakeman : 0 - 0
Isaac Williams : 2 - 0
Mark Williams : 0 - 0

Panel Verdict
A split panel here, with the draw the marginal favourite with just two predictions outstanding.

Home: 5; Draw: 7; Away: 3; TBC: 2;

Spread Betting
Spurs are strong favourites with the bookies, but my tip is for another goal for the red-hot Egyptian Zaki - he is the leading scorer in the Premier League and yet is more generously priced than the misfiring Spurs forward line.  As a Spurs alternative Bent looks more likely than Pavlyuchenko right now.

Example: 3pt buy Zaki goal minutes at 18
No goals: you lose 54pts
Zaki scores after 45 minutes: You win 81pts
Zaki scores after 30 and 60 minutes: You win 216pts
Zaki scores after 30, 60 and 90 minutes: You win 486pts
and so on

* Do we have it right, or do you know better?  Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!

Manchester City vs Portsmouth: Premier League Prediction Panel 2008/9 - previews and predictions

The excitement over the Robinho transfer can quieten down now, and with Jo starting to chip in with some goals Manchester City are starting to look like a very threatening outfit.  Whether this can be converted consistently into results will probably dictate the length of Mark Hughes tenure!  This is the tenth game of the season for City, who may tire later in the season but for now look likely to win most of their fixtures.  City won this game last season 3-1.

Portsmouth were also in action in the UEFA Cup this week and have strung together thre good wins, 3-0 (Everton), 2-1 (Middlesbrough) and 2-0 (Guimaraes).  Which have put their two early season defeats to Manchester United and Chelsea into some perspective; Portsmouth have a very good team.   

Two good teams that will be fighting for places in the top six come the business end of the season - should be very close.

Manchester City vs Portsmouth; Kick Off 3:00pm, 21 Sep 2008

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew : 1 - 1
Dave Blackburn : 2 - 0
Sue Gardener : 2 - 1
Chris Goodwin : 0 - 0
Paul Grech (sqf) : 3 - 1
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 3 - 2
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : TBC
Peter Lee : 2 - 1
Don McMahon : 1 - 0
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 2 - 1
Stephen Orford (sqf) : 1 - 1
Tony Ratton : 1 - 2
Peter Rendle : TBC
Dan Taylor : 2 - 1
Andy Wakeman : 2 - 1
Isaac Williams : 2 - 1
Mark Williams : 2 - 0

Panel Verdict
The panel are solidly behind a City win, with 2-1 a very popular pick.

Home: 11; Draw: 3; Away: 1; TBC: 2;

Spread Betting
Although Robinho is capturing all the attention the small matter of the measly £19m Brazilian striker, Jo, should be considered.  He is looking like he could score a bagful of goals and is priced reasonably for this match partly because of the Robinho factor.  A buy looks good value on Jo's goal minutes.

Example: 3pt buy Jo goal minutes at 19
No goals: you lose 57pts
Jo scores after 45 minutes: You win 78pts
Jo scores after 30 and 60 minutes: You win 213pts
Jo scores after 30, 60 and 90 minutes: You win 483pts
and so on

* Do we have it right, or do you know better?  Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!

Hull City vs Everton: Premier League Prediction Panel 2008/9 - previews and predictions

Hull are clearly the surprise package of the promoted teams so far and have been prepared to attack in every game - to their cost against Wigan - but it is a clear sign that they will pick up unexpected wins at home and away.  Two wins to date against Fulham and Newcastle shows that they can mic it with any of the teams outside the elite but they will get turned over from time to time simply because Hull can't keep a clean sheet - not to date at least.

Everton are inconsistent this season and come into this game on the back of a struggle against Standard Liege in midweek.  Everton are conceding so many goals this season that it is questionable how high they will rise, only once so far has Everton kept the opposition down to just one goal - no doubt this is an area that David Moyes will want sorting out as soon as possible.

Two sides that trade goals does make for an entertaining if unpredictable outcome!

Hull City vs Everton; Kick Off 3:00pm, 21 Sep 2008

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew : 2 - 1
Dave Blackburn : 0 - 0
Sue Gardener : 0 - 2
Chris Goodwin : 2 - 3
Paul Grech (sqf) : 0 - 4
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 1 - 2
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : TBC
Peter Lee : 1 - 2
Don McMahon : 1 - 2
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 0 - 1
Stephen Orford (sqf) : 1 - 1
Tony Ratton : 1 - 3
Peter Rendle : TBC
Dan Taylor : 1 - 2
Andy Wakeman : 1 - 3
Isaac Williams : 1 - 1
Mark Williams : 1 - 1

Panel Verdict
An away win for Everton is favourite, but a third of panellists are expecting a draw.

Home: 1; Draw: 4; Away: 10; TBC: 2;

Spread Betting
Two teams that score and concede a lot of goals, a buy on total goals will result in a profit if there are three goals in the game.  Put in perspective Hull's games this season have seen 3, 2, 3, 5 and 3 goals and Everton's 5, 3, 3, 5 and 4 goals - between them they have only once been in games with less than 3 goals.  A buy on total goals looks great value.

Example: 20pts buy Total goals at 2.7
No goals: You lose 54pts
1 goal: You lose 34pts
2 goals: You lose 14pts
3 goals: You win 6pts
4 goals: You win 26pts
5 goals: You win 46pts
6 goals: You win 66pts
and so on

* Do we have it right, or do you know better?  Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!

Squarefootball Diary - Tuesday September 16 2008

Chelsea's bid to go one better than in last season's Champions League begins well with a thumping 4-0 home win over Bordeaux in Group A.

Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka are all on target for Luiz Felipe Scolari's side, not that it impresses the man himself all that much;

"We did not control the game enough, we let them have too much of the ball, especially in the second half." he complains.  Perhaps a look at the other result in the group might cheer him up as main rivals Roma crash to a sensational 2-1 defeat by competition new boys CFR Cluj of Romania.

Liverpool made hard work of reaching the knockout stage last season, only securing their place after a 4-0 win in Marseille in their final group game.  Returning to Marseille for this year's opener the Reds find the French outfit a much tougher proposition, having to fight back from a goal down before securing a 2-1 win.  Lorik Cana beats a shoddy offside trap to put Eric Gerets' side ahead on 23 minutes, before The Steven Gerrard Show begins.

The England man first conjures a ridiculous curling drive into the top corner from Dirk Kuyt's awkward pull-back, before converting a penalty won by Ryan Babel after a hopeful punt by Jamie Carragher;

"Gerrard's first goal was amazing. A fantastic goal." admits a startled Rafa Benitez.

Joining Liverpool as opening day winners in Group D are Atletico Madrid who brush aside PSV Eindhoven 3-0 in Holland.

Group B leaders are Jose Mourinho's much fancied Inter Milan.  The Italians earn a 2-0 win over Panathinaikos in Athens while Champions League debutants Anorthosis Famagusta of Cyprus earn a creditable 0-0 in Bremen against Werder.

Barcelona's 3-1 win over Sporting Lisbon sees them off to a fast start in Group C, and there is victory for Shakhtar Donetsk of Ukraine who beat Basle 2-1.

In the UEFA Cup FC Schalke, Olympiacos and Hertha Berlin take a giant stride towards the group stages with convincing first leg successes over Apoel Nicosia, FC Nordsjaelland and St.Patrick respectively.

Back home there is a busy night of Championship action.  Birmingham City and Wolverhampton Wanderers continue their good starts to the season with 2-1 wins over Bristol City and Crystal Palace respectively, while Reading signal their intentions with a 6-0 thumping of Sheffield Wednesday at the Madejski Stadium.  Cardiff City win 1-0 away to Barnsley in a repeat of last season's FA Cup semi-final, and there's more misery in South Yorkshire as Doncaster Rovers fall by the only goal at home to Charlton Athletic. 

Burnley have some Lancashire bragging rights after beating Blackpool 2-0 at Turf Moor, with Preston North End also winning 2-1 against Nottingham Forest.  Watford endure another disappointment with a 2-1 home loss to Plymouth Argyle, while there are 1-1 draws between Sheffield United and Coventry City and Swansea City and Derby County.

In League One Cheltenham are kings of Gloucester after beating Bristol Rovers 2-1 and Stockport County draw 1-1 with Northampton Town.

By Stephen Orford

20 September 2008

Squarefootball Diary - Monday September 15 2008

Tottenham Hotspur hit rock bottom of the Premier League after being more convincingly than the 2-1 scoreline suggests at home to Aston Villa.

Martin O'Neill's side are in front after just four minutes when Nigel Reo-Coker guides home Gaby Agbonlahor's cross, and the lead is doubled on 54 when Spurs stopper Heurelho Gomes inexplicably allows Ashley Young's modest effort to squirm under his body.  Darren Bent briefly revives the home fans' hopes with three minutes left, but Spurs remain without a win from their four opening fixtures;

"The blame I give to the goalkeeper is the blame that is due to him, like the other players. On other occasions he also stopped them scoring goals." explains Spurs boss Juande Ramos, defending his goalkeeper to a point before adding;

"I think he was absolutely magnificent apart from that goal.

The Northern Irish O'Neill offers us the benefit of his wisdom on the international game, and in particular the England prospects of Young and Agbonlahor;

"With Ashley Young and Gabby Agbonlahor, their time will come. I'm really selfish about this and want them to be on the fringe of the internationals but not actually play." says the man whom half the population wanted to see in charge of the national team when Steve McClaren was sacked.

By Stephen Orford

20 September 2008

"I'd hope that would continue for another eight years!

Squarefootball Diary - Sunday September 14 2008

Stoke City versus Everton may not have had the makings of a classic, but there is plenty of action as David Moyes' side edge a five-goal thriller at the Britannia Stadium.

A dull first half is livened up by Aiyegbeni Yakubu's goal four minutes before the break, and Everton are two up when the yak's compatriot Victor Anichebe heads past Thomas Sorensen on 51.  Cue the Stoke fightback, as Seyi Olofinjana pulls one back before Phil Jagielka heads a Rory Delap throw-in into his own net.  Tony Pulis' side look good for a point until 13 minutes from time Tim Cahill pops up to head home Mikel Arteta's corner.

By this time Moyes has been sent to the stands by referee Alan Wiley for over zealously disputing the decision not to give a penalty when it seems that City defender Leon Cort has handled in his own area;

"The referee pointed to the spot and where I was standing he (Cort) was two yards inside (the box)." argues Moyes;

"If I was wrong I would apologise to him and if he was wrong I would expect the same." he adds wishfully.

Meanwhile Pulis suspects his side of having stamina problems;

"We started well in the first 20 or 25 minutes we were fine, but we faded away and gave them the impetus." he explains.

Queens Park Rangers have no trouble disposing of troubled Southampton at Loftus Road.  Iain Dowie's side run out 4-1 winners thanks to two goals from former Saint Dexter Blackstock, and further efforts from Damion Stewart and Patrick Agyemang;

"Dexter was great. I think he plays as he trains - at a great intensity. He ran in behind, won balls in the air and scored two great goals." enthuses Dowie;

"You see 4-1 and if you didn't see the game you think that's clear, but we played a reasonable game." claims Southampton coach Jan Poortvliet after seeing Ollie Lancashire dismissed after 30 minutes of his debut for a tackle on Damien Delaney.

By Stephen Orford

20 September 2008 

Juande Ramos: Time to sack the Spaniard

Tottenham were tipped by all and sundry to break into the top four this season but after just four games of the new campaign they find themselves rooted at the foot of the Premiership.

Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Aston Villa have all turned over the North London giants, with the only point of the season coming against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. However, Tottenham's poor run of form goes back well in to last season. They have won only six Premier League games this calendar year and kept just seven clean sheets in the same period. But because Ramos delivered the Carling Cup the fans were willing to give the Spaniard time to get to grips with his players and the English game. Their form in pre-season was breathtaking and many were expecting a great season down at the Lane, but it hasn't panned out that way at all and long suffering Tottenham fan Tony Bellew, and he isn't alone in this view, believes that Ramos has two games to save his job at Spurs.

"Ramos is not the right man for the job. Being honest, Ramos won the Carling Cup last season with Martin Jol’s team. In fairness the Carling Cup was always going to be won by Spurs. Martin Jol had the makings of a good team. Ramos didn’t do a lot to develop the team as it were. You could see that from every game after they won the Carling Cup. Champagne or no champagne, Tottenham had no heart to play as a team once they knew they were in the UEFA Cup.

"I honestly think that if Tottenham don’t get any sort of a result against Wigan then Ramos may look for another job. Jol’s record speaks for itself. He’s managing a team that are now sitting top of the league now. Ramos bottom of the league with one point. Think about it?

"I think Ramos is also playing a lot of players out of position. Not to mention the fact that he should have played Bentley and Jenas from the start against Aston Villa."

Tottenham recorded their first win of the season on Thursday night against Wislaw Krakow in the UEFA Cup, but Ramos's decision to rest players against Aston Villa ahead of the European clash has enraged Tony.

"That was an absolute disgrace. No ambition whatsoever. People who go to see these games, ie season ticket holders/fans want to see their best players."

When you consider all the factors that make up a great football club Tottenham Hotspur have it all in abundance. They have a fantastic stadium, a large and passionate fanbase, an internationally respected manager and a squad of top class players. It's no wonder that the fans expect to be challenging for honours year in, year out. However, much to the amusement of football fans up and down the country, the club can never seem to meet their fans' expectations. But, Tony, who believes the Tottenham board is also to blame for the current slump, insists that radical changes will have to be made at the club in order to realise the fans' dreams.

"From my time as a season ticket holder with Spurs, I always figured that challenging for the top four would be a struggle for Tottenham, but to be fair Tottenham were always a feeder club for the big European clubs. Once Kanoute left that was the start of it for Tottenham. If you look at the recent records of finances within clubs, and buying and selling players, Tottenham have always worried more about making profits, or balancing the books. If I had my way the board at Tottenham would be sacked."

Some people will be reading this thinking: "Hold on. Ramos has brought a lot of new faces to the club over the summer. Surely they need time to become accustomed to their new surroundings." Internationals like Luka Modric, David Bentley, Vedran Corluka, Gomes, Pavlyuchenko and Giovani have all arrived at the Lane while the likes of Paul Robinson, Pascal Chimbonda, Malbranque, Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov have left for pastures new. It's bound to take some time for the players to strike up an understanding, but Tony believes that Ramos's decision to buy foreign names and throw them together is not the way to get success.

"Honestly buying in a lot of foreign players without being tested in the Premiership doesn’t make for a good combination of players. Given Arsene Wenger and Alex Ferguson’s record with youth they have done very well. Tottenham's young players don’t seem to have any heart to play because, personally I think they listen to the media in the UK too much. People expect Tottenham to be doing well because of the players they have bought. In an ideal world this would be the case but Tottenham do lack one thing that the fans respect more than anything, a backing staff that is not just worried about profits."

Spurs have their first win under their belt and have a real chance of getting their season back on track on Sunday against Wigan, but Steve Bruce's men are going to be no pushovers. The Latics have been a revelation so far this season and Zaki could turn out to be the signing of the century. Tony, who believes that Robbie Keane will regret the day he joined Liverpool, thinks Wigan will prove to be a tough test and is hopeful of getting at least a point from the game. However, all the pressure will be on Spurs to get a result and that is never good for a team still getting to know each other. But with a trip to crisis club Newcastle in the Carling Cup in midweek, followed by a trip to Fratton Park next weekend, Juande Ramos knows that Spurs must get something from the Wigan game or the calls for his head will only continue to grow.

Juande Ramos is the right man for Spurs

* Calling all Spurs fans. Should Daniel Levy sack Ramos or should he be given more time? Who do you blame for the club's poor start to the season? Are the players Ramos has signed good enough for Tottenham Hotspur? We'd love to hear your views on the situation at the Lane.

Juande Ramos is the right man for Spurs

All is not well down at the Lane. Tottenham's poor start to the season has left them rooted at the foot of the table and many fans are now doubting Juande Ramos's abilities as a coach - with some of them even calling for him to go. However, despite enduring their worst start in years, the majority of Spurs fans seem willing to give the former Seville boss time to turn things around.

Tottenham were supposed to be putting pressure on the top four for a much-coveted Champions League place this season. However, after just four games in they find themselves below the likes of Hull City and Stoke City with only one paltry point to their name. Spurs recorded their first win of the season against Wisla Krakow in the UEFA Cup on Thursday and the fans are hoping that they will be able to build on that result when Wigan visit on Sunday. But considering Tottenham have won only six Premier League games this calendar year others fear that it may be another false dawn.

However, lifelong fan Jo Ford insists Ramos, who guided the club to Carling Cup success last season, is the right man for the job and there's no need to panic just yet.

"Ramos is the right one to lead us forward and should be given time to sort things out. Those who want him sacked are being ridiculous. Sir Alex Ferguson took several years to get it right at Manchester United and he turned it around. No one is pointing the finger at them for being low down in the league.

"I feel disappointed that we are on the bottom of the table but it's to be expected with the late departures of Keane and Berbatov. I'm sure things will turn around soon. You have to be positive, that's part of being a Spurs supporter!"

And fellow supporter Michael Chibuzor agrees.

"Our current league position is upsetting, but it doesn’t really reflect how poorly we’ve played, I feel it reflects how tough the league has become.

"The board should stick with Juande Ramos regardless of our league position at the end of the season because continuity is really necessary. He needs the kind of faith the Toffees' board had in David Moyes when Everton were almost relegated."

However, Ramos has managed to get the fans' backs up with his baffling decision to rest players against Aston Villa ahead of their UEFA Cup clash and Jo hopes that Ramos puts out his strongest team against Wigan on Sunday.

"Ramos shouldn't rest any of his best stars unless they are injured. Aston Villa played a great game last Monday and ran rings round us I have to admit. We really have to up our game against Wigan and I hope Campbell starts as he played so well against Wisla Krakow and set up a goal for Bent. Shame we only have him for one season."

Michael concurs with Jo's opinion and thinks that Pavlyuchenko is going to take a long time to settle in to the hustle and bustle of the Premier League.

"I feel Ramos should have fielded a full strength team. The team selection wasn’t that bad though I would’ve liked to see more midfield battlers in that match maybe O’Hara and Jenas should’ve probably started because Barry and Ashley Young had too much space.

"No doubt all the new signings were good, but seeing Pavlyuchenko against Villa on Monday night, I pitied him because as a direct replacement for Berbatov, he probably doesn’t know the level of responsibility he has. He came up against the likes of Laursen and Barry in that game. He really has his work cut out for him in the Premiership."

A number of fingers have been pointed at who's at fault over Tottenham's poor start, ranging from the players, the manager and the board. However, Michael isn't one for placing blame on people and insists that the club have just been unlucky.

"I wouldn’t really blame any of them, I’d just blame luck. Look at it this way, Boro are a tough side any day - Liverpool was fortunate to beat them. Sunderland should technically have the same problems that Spurs has because they basically changed certain core players like we did. In fact, Cisse arrived a couple of days earlier only to net the winner. I feel if we had met one of the new comers, or maybe even a team in transition like Blackburn or Manchester City, we would’ve gotten good results and would’ve been high on confidence. Six or seven new players that may be low on confidence due to their league position after 4-5 games only can only spell doom for Spurs."

Jo, who felt betrayed by Robbie Keane leaving the club, agrees and says everything will be fine given time.

"There is no problem at the club. The team is new and needs time to gel together. Bent is scoring nearly every game now and we have a good goalie. Once Dos Santos, Modric and Pavyluchenko settle in everything will be fine." 

Unfortunately not everyone agrees. Some fans insist that Ramos has two games left to get the fans back on side and with Wigan at home on Sunday, crisis club Newcastle away in the Carling Cup in midweek and a visit to Portsmouth next weekend the vultures could well be circling over the Lane for fresh meat. And Michael admits that he can see it happening. 

"Two more bad games and Ramos might start getting what I call “The Martin Jol” treatment. Of course, I’ve never doubted Ramos’s ability, I feel the Spurs players will pick up with time and with teams like Fulham, West Brom, Stoke and Hull getting results from more established teams, hopefully the gap between top teams and lower teams won’t be too much."

Ramos brought a number of top international players to the club in the summer and it's bound to take time for everyone to get used to their new surroundings and strike up an understanding with their new teammates. Of course when you have players like Bentley, Modric and Bent at the club you expect them to shine from the off, but occasionally, for whatever reason, it just doesn't work. Ramos's record at Seville made him one of the most sought after coaches in Europe and he hasn't become a bad manager overnight. Likewise Spurs who blitzed everyone put before them in pre-season, have not become a poor club overnight. But Ramos must be made fully aware that if they fail to get a result against Wigan on Sunday then the calls for his head will only intensify from the long-suffering Tottenham fans.

Juande Ramos: Time to sack the Spaniard

* Calling all Spurs fans. Do you think Ramos should be given more time or is it time to cut your losses now? How would you assess the players that the Spaniard has brought to the club and let go? How confident are you that Ramos can turn your club's fortunes around? We'd love to hear from you.

Chelsea vs Manchester United: Premier League Prediction Panel 2008/9 - preview and predictions

Chelsea are top of the table and looking strong favourites to record a third league title success in five seasons.  Today's opponents were everyones picks to be Chelsea's nearest challengers but are struggling in the bottom half of the table and another Chelsea win will push nine points between the two - and even at this early stage that could be a decisive gap.  Chelsea's form is superior in every way and they will not expect to cede their long unbeaten home run in this game.

United will miss the suspended Nemanja Vidic, with Jonny Evans the favourite to replace him and big signing DImitar Berbatov is also struggling.  Evans has had a couple of successful stints at Sunderland and slotted in alongside Rio Ferdinand very nicely against Villarreal - almost bagging the winner with a diving header.  The big question concerns the return of Cristiano Ronaldo and whether he starts - how Ronaldo, Berbatov, Rooney and Tevez can play together without compromises is a question for another time.  After a sticky start to the season United will be delighted to bag a draw.

Chelsea will start as clear favourites.

Chelsea vs Manchester United; Kick Off 02:00pm 21 Sep 2008

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew : 0 - 1
Dave Blackburn : 1 - 0
Sue Gardener : 3 - 2
Chris Goodwin : 2 - 1
Paul Grech (sqf) : 1 - 2
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 2 - 1
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : TBC
Peter Lee : 1 - 1
Don McMahon : 3 - 2
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 1 - 1
Stephen Orford (sqf) : TBC
Tony Ratton : 1 - 1
Peter Rendle : TBC
Dan Taylor : 1 - 1
Andy Wakeman : 0 - 1
Isaac Williams : 2 - 1
Mark Williams : 2 - 0

Panel Verdict
The panel has edged towards a Chelsea win, but there are advocates for all three results.

Home: 7; Draw: 4; Away: 3; TBC: 3;

Spread Betting
With Ronaldo just back from injury his goal minutes market price is very low - and this could be the best time to exploit it regardless of the result.

Example: 5pt buy Ronaldo goal minutes at 14
No goals: you lose 70pts
Ronaldo scores after 45 minutes: You win 155pts
Ronaldo scores after 30 and 60 minutes: You win 380pts
Ronaldo scores after 30, 60 and 90 minutes: You win 830pts
and so on

* Do we have it right, or do you know better?  Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!

West Ham United vs Newcastle United: Premier League Prediction Panel 2008/9 - preview and predictions

West Ham are nothing if not entertaining this season.  With eight scored and eight conceded in four games you would expect to win money if you plumped on 'goals scored' with some regularity!  Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke will hope to win over the Hammers faithful quickly and will have looked at this game as something of a godsend; it will be no surprise if West Ham are set out to attack and run in a few goals today.

Newcastle are in a mess.  The opening games saw a point at Old Trafford, a win against Bolton and then a league cup win at Coventry.  Since when Arsenal beat Newcastle easily amidst rumours about Kevin Keegan; rumours that quickly solidified as frustrations boiled over.  Keegan's resignation has left the club in limbo and the abject defeat at home to Hull points to a team that everyone will want to play as soon as possible.  It is difficult to see who Newcastle will beat at the moment; even with a potent forward like Michael Owen available.

West Ham will expect to win very comfortably unless Newcastle find some well-hidden form.

West Ham United vs Newcastle United; Kick Off 3:00pm, 20 Sep 2008

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew : 0 - 2
Dave Blackburn : 2 - 0
Sue Gardener : 1 - 0
Chris Goodwin : 2 - 1
Paul Grech (sqf) : 1 - 1
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 2 - 1
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : TBC - TBC
Peter Lee : 1 - 0
Don McMahon : 2-1
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 2 - 0
Stephen Orford (sqf) : TBC
Tony Ratton : 2 - 2
Peter Rendle : TBC - TBC
Dan Taylor : 2 - 1
Andy Wakeman : 2 - 0
Isaac Williams : 2 - 0
Mark Williams : 2 - 1

Panel Verdict
The is little support for Newcastle, with most pundits anticipating a West Ham win.

Home: 11; Draw: 2; Away:1; TBC: 3;

Spread Betting
With West Ham likely to score goals today the goal rush market looks good value especially as more than one goal will return a profit, and the profit increases heavily for three or more goals.

Example: 3pts buy West Ham goal rush at 18
(0 goals=0pts, 1 goal = 10pts, 2 goals = 20pts, 3 goals = 33pts, 4 goals = 50pts, 5 goals = 70pts, 6+goals = 100pts)
0 goals: you lose 54pts
1 goals: you lose 24pts
2 goals: you win 6pts
3 goals: you win 45pts
4 goals: you win 96pts
5 goals: you win 156pts
6 goals: you win 246pts

* Do we have it right, or do you know better?  Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!

Sunderland vs Middlesbrough: Premier League Prediction Panel 2008/9 - previews and predictions

Sunderland face another testing game as they struggle to make progress up the league; although a point more would put them in mid-table given the logjam of seven teams stuck on four points.  With all three promoted sides already having won a league game this could be a season with some unexpected relegation candidates, so the returns of Chopra and Edwards will be a boost.  After consecutive home defeats Sunderland fans will be expecting an improvement in home form (which is the worst in the division at this early stage) and will be delighted if an improvement comes at the expense of their near neighbours.

Gareth Southgate is slowly improving a Middlesbrough side that has a strong youth team element and this season could yet see a welcome, if unexpected, battle for a top six place.  With two home wins and two away defeats Middlesbrough travel a little uncertainly, but have the goalscoring threat to bag at least one goal.  If the game can be kept tight then Middlesbrough will expect at least a point.

Sunderland will start as favourites but as the home team has no home points and the away team has no away points in the league this season - something has to give!

Sunderland vs Middlesbrough; Kick Off 12:45pm 20 Sep 2008

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew : 3 - 1
Dave Blackburn : 1 - 1
Sue Gardener : 1 - 2
Chris Goodwin : 1 - 1
Paul Grech (sqf) : 1 - 1
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 2 - 3
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : TBC
Peter Lee : 1 - 1
Don McMahon : 0 - 2
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 1 - 1
Stephen Orford (sqf) : TBC
Tony Ratton : 2 - 1
Peter Rendle : TBC
Dan Taylor : 3 - 2
Andy Wakeman : 1 - 1
Isaac Williams : 2 - 2
Mark Williams : 1 - 1

Panel Verdict
The panel is going with the common derby match prediction - a score draw, probably 1-1.

Home: 3; Draw: 8; Away: 3; TBC: 3;

Spread Betting
Never underestimate the possibility of the bookings market in tense, tight games between local rivals.  As one comment to the Liverpool vs Man United game pointed out both are usually towards the top of the fair play league, and what happened?  A clutch of yellows and a red.

Example: 1pts buy Bookings at 46
No bookings: You lose 46pts
2 yellows: You lose 26 pts
4 yellows: You lose 6 pts
6 yellows: You win 14 pts
8 yellows: You win 34 pts
10 yellows and a red: You win 79 pts
and so on

* Do we have it right, or do you know better?  Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!

Liverpool vs Stoke City: Premier League Prediction Panel 2008/9 - previews and predictions

After a great result against Manchester United at the weekend, the return of Torres and Gerrard (Liverpool's very own Batman and Robin) and a satisfying away win in the Champions League there is little to quibble about at Anfield.  So for the fixture computer to throw up a home game against a promoted side after such a tough week was icing on the cake.  Liverpool have started to pick up pace after a sluggish start and with Man United struggling surely this season will witness that long awaited title challenge.

Stoke have quickly settled into 19th place in the division but will be encouraged by the battling defeats against Everton and Middlesbrough; in fact Everton were made to look very ordinary at times towards the end as they struggled to break clear whenever Stoke put a long throw into the box.  Stoke's ability to get goals from set-pieces will be crucial in their bid to stay up.  No-one will give a cat-in-hells chance of a Stoke result here, but Stoke has scored in every match so far this season and if they can avoid conceding (again Stoke has conceded in every match this season) for any length of time they have a sluggers chance from the set-pieces that will inevitably come their way.

Liverpool start as massive favourites for this one.

Liverpool vs Stoke City; Kick Off 3:00pm, 20 Sep 2008

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew : 4 - 1
Dave Blackburn : 3 - 0
Sue Gardener : 2 - 0
Chris Goodwin : 3 - 1
Paul Grech (sqf) : 0 - 0
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 5 - 1
Hugh Larkin (sqf) :  TBC
Peter Lee : 3 - 0
Don McMahon : 3 - 0
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 3 - 1
Stephen Orford (sqf) : TBC
Tony Ratton : 3 - 1
Peter Rendle : TBC
Dan Taylor : 3 - 1
Andy Wakeman : 3 - 0
Isaac Williams : 3 - 0
Mark Williams : 2 - 0

Panel Verdict
An overwhelming home banker.

Home: 13; Draw: 1; Away: 0; TBC: 3;

Spread Betting
It's a temptation to go each-way on Torres and Gerrard - as one is almost certain to score.  But the team is now so desperate for Robbie Keane to score that I reckon that he might be offered several excellent chances - and he is too good a player to keep missing.  Also he offers good value in a match against a Stoke side that battle hard but defend naively.

Example: 3pt buy Keane goal minutes at 26
No goals: you lose 78pts
Keane scores after 45 minutes: You win 57pts
Keane scores after 30 and 60 minutes: You win 192pts
Keane scores after 30, 60 and 90 minutes: You win 462pts
and so on

* Do we have it right, or do you know better?  Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!

Bolton Wanderers vs Arsenal: Premier League Prediction Panel 2008/9 - previews and predictions

Tough game for Bolton who despite having an exceptional record against Arsenal in recent years will not really fancy this game.  Bolton's big-money striker Johan Elmander could return which would be a boost given that Bolton have only one league goal since the opening day three against Stoke - when Elmander scored in his only full appearance (he was injured early on against Newcastle the following week).  Bolton will miss Matt Taylor and Gary Cahill though and will surely go on the defensive and view a draw as a massive boost.

Arsenal are a bit short of midfielders and are likely to be without Samir Nasri, Tomas Rosicky and Abou Diaby as they look to record their fourth win in five league games.  The match after a long European trip has always been a tricky one for the big clubs and this early in the season a few Arsenal players will be feeling that much travelling before the end of this match.

Arsenal will start as favourites, but will their European game ultimately cost them something?

Bolton Wanderers vs Arsenal; Kick Off 5:30pm, 20 Sep 2008

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew : 2 - 3
Dave Blackburn : 1 - 0 (more hope than anything else)
Sue Gardener : 1 - 3
Chris Goodwin : 0 - 2
Paul Grech (sqf) : 0 - 1
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 1 - 3
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : TBC
Peter Lee : 0 - 2
Don McMahon : 2 - 0
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 0 - 1
Stephen Orford (sqf) : TBC
Tony Ratton : 1 - 2
Peter Rendle : TBC
Dan Taylor : 1 - 3
Andy Wakeman : 0 - 4
Isaac Williams : 1 - 3
Mark Williams : 0 - 1

Panel Verdict
The vast majority of the panel expect an Arsenal win.

Home: 2; Draw: 0; Away: 12; TBC: 3;

Spread Betting
Looking at the centre forwards here, Elmander scored on debut for Bolton and promptly got injured - he should return here and is both well priced and the most likely scorer for Bolton.  Adebayor looks set to go on one of those runs where he seems to score two or three every week - in form and against Bolton the expectation must be that he will score.

Example: 5pt buy Elmander goal minutes at 10
No goals: you lose 50pts
Elmander scores after 45 minutes: You win 175pts
Elmander scores after 30 and 60 minutes: You win 400pts
Elmander scores after 30, 60 and 90 minutes: You win 850pts
and so on

Example: 2pt buy Adebayor goal minutes at 28
No goals: you lose 56pts
Adebayor scores after 45 minutes: You win 34pts
Adebayor scores after 30 and 60 minutes: You win 124pts
Adebayor scores after 30, 60 and 90 minutes: You win 304pts
and so on

* Do we have it right, or do you know better?  Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!

Chris Coleman v Iain Dowie: tale of the managerial tape

Coventry City's current and former managers go head-to-head on Saturday as the Sky Blues face QPR and Chris Coleman and Iain Dowie will provide an interesting contrast in managerial styles.

Before the game:  While at the Ricoh Arena, Dowie was always firmly involved in the pre-match build up on the pitch, putting his players through their paces and supervising the warm-up.

Coleman meanwhile leaves the warm-up in the hands of his coaching staff, led by trusted number two Steve Kean, and is obviously from the school of thought that his players will respond more to seeing him less.

On the touchline:  Coleman favours the suited and booted look but has already shown this season that that doesn't mean he lacks passion. A lengthy rant against referee during the Bristol City game saw him banished to the stands and hit with a hefty £5,000 fine.

One of the lads to the last, Dowie is a tracksuit manager, heading every ball on the sidelines, a frustrated player itching to get out onto the park.

After the game:  Dowie endeared himself to Coventry fans after victories with a fist-pumping salute to all sections of the Ricoh Arena. His post-match interviews were conducted in the same all-action style he employed on the touchline.

Coleman seems to have less interest in cultivating a relationship with supporters but has not shied away from some controversial after-match comments regarding officials.

Reputation: Coleman's appointment as Sky Blues' boss was seen as an ambitious appointment and he seems to enjoy the more favourable media profile, thanks perhaps to his suave style and time in charge at everyone's second favourite club Fulham where the majority of pundits seem to agree that he did a 'good job'

His decision to then boss Real Sociedad resulted in a win-win situation of being seen as someone not afraid to manage abroad and then the victim of an unjust sacking.

In contrast, Dowie departure from Charlton, coupled with the decision to leave Crystal Palace in favour a move north which saw Dowie end up at The Valley only days later, ended his meteoric rise to managerial fame.

Prospects: With the full backing of chairman Ray Ranson, who sacked Dowie to get his man, Coleman looks fire-proof for a long while yet. All Coventry fans are hoping for a period of stability and despite some mixed results have seen a more pleasing element to the team's play.

Dowie of course has already had to contend with rumours about his future which are likely to be par for the course with QPR's wealthy owners in the background.

They have looked good since the international break after a stuttering start and although few currently think the manager will be there this time next season, a good campaign will go a long way to restoring Dowie's reputation back to the heady days of Crystal Palace's promotion.

Style of play:  Coventry have looked to get the ball down and play far more since Coleman's arrival as manager (although the manager has no qualms about using the long throws of Arron Gunnarson to bombard the box with), with mixed results.

When it works, as at Sheffield United in midweek it's pleasing to watch and effective but occasionally this season, the man signed to be the fulcrum of the team, Guillaume Beuzelin, has struggled to cope with the pace of the Championship.

Dowie's slightly more high-tempo, direct football wasn't a problem when results were good (the opening dozen games of last season and the cup wins at Manchester United and Blackburn) but looked cruder as confidence fell around Christmas and the New Year period.

Whatever the outcome on Saturday however, both men will get a decent hand from the Ricoh Arena crowd. Dowie's time in charge was hampered by having little money to spend on players and the threat of administration in the background.

His sacking was not called for, neither though was it mourned. Coleman is seen as the better long-term bet for a Premier League return.

Blackburn Rovers vs Fulham: Premier League Prediction Panel 2008/9 - previews and predictions

Blackburn Rovers under new manager, Paul Ince, will be unhappy with their start to the season. Only one win and five goals from four games is a poor start but underneath that is a worrying trend. An injury time winner at Everton was a great start but since then a grinding draw with Hull, followed by an unfortunate 4-1 defeat at West Ham (if you can be unfortunate in conceding 4) and then the worst performance of the season in being battered 4-0 at home to Arsenal. Blackburn are left in the drop zone and if this season isn't going to require a relegation rescue mission - and perhaps a change of manager if the board panics - then games like this one need to be won.

Fulham started the season as possibly the most likely relegation candidate outside the promoted three - but have demonstrated their mettle in narrow wins over Arsenal and Bolton and in leading at Hull. If Fulham win their game in hand they will move into the top four. Roy Hodgson has extensively remodelled Fulham in the last two transfer windows but the team pivots around England squad member Jimmy Bullard who retro hair and perpetual motion were always likely to make him popular. Fulham will have few fears in the journey north.

Blackburn will start as marginal favourites because Fulham have rarely travelled well in recent seasons.

Blackburn Rovers vs Fulham; Kick Off 3pm, 20 Sep 2008

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew : 2 - 0
Dave Blackburn : 1 - 0
Sue Gardener : 3 - 1
Chris Goodwin : 2 - 2
Paul Grech (sqf) : 1 - 1
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 3 - 1
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : TBC
Peter Lee : 0 - 1
Don McMahon : 1 - 1
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 2 - 1
Stephen Orford (sqf) : TBC
Tony Ratton : 1 - 2
Peter Rendle : TBC
Dan Taylor : 2 - 2
Andy Wakeman : 2 - 1
Isaac Williams : 2 - 0
Mark Williams : 2 - 1

Panel Verdict

With three predictions outstanding the panel is predicting a home win; with goals at both ends likely.

Home: 8; Draw: 4; Away: 2; TBC: 3;

Spread Betting

This should be an open game between two teams that will be wary but unafraid of each other - the panel expects both teams to score so a buy on total goals looks decent value when three or more goals will yield a profit.

Example: 20pts buy Total goals at 2.6
No goals: You lose 52pts
1 goal: You lose 32pts
2 goals: You lose 12pts
3 goals: You win 8pts
4 goals: You win 28pts
5 goals: You win 48pts
6 goals: You win 68pts and so on

* Do we have it right, or do you know better? Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!

The door opens for Jon Mikel Obi at Chelsea

For such an obviously talented player, the last few seasons at Chelsea must have been awkward for Jon Mikel Obi. Firstly he arrived with a big price tag, £16m including £4m for Lyn Oslo but mainly caused by Chelsea agreeing to pay Manchester United £12m for the northern club to tear up the contract that they believed Obi had originally been happy to sign. Such a big fee for a teenager seemed to weigh heavily on him and his 31 league starts in his first two seasons can't have felt like enough.

However the sale of Claude Makelele and the long-term injury to Michael Essien now gives Obi a chance at an extended run as a combative defensive midfielder - a role that got him a red card against Manchester United last season. Obi's obvious power and decent technique make him more akin to Javier Mascherano at Liverpool than the now Paris based Makelele; but it is a kind of player that is very useful in the Premier League.

The United game is crying out for his muscle in midfield in what is bound to be a sparky clash. Chelsea have scored 11 goals and conceded just one in the 3 games that Obi has played this season - showing some of the value that he can offer and although there have been some complaints about his form this season there is little doubt that the extended run in the team that beckons could answer those doubters.

But if Obi can't convince Luis Scolari of his quality by Christmas then he may well get replaced in January. The door has opened for Obi - he has three months to persuade everyone that he is good enough to come through it.

Manchester United's form could point to more Champions' League glory

Manchester United started the season in high spirits after winning the Premier League and Champions' League titles last season; but the closest challenger in both tournaments, Chelsea, has started the season so well that there are already doubts as to whether United can win either trophy this time round.

Losing to Liverpool last weekend was bad enough, but the vagaries of the fixture list mean that three of the first four United league games would be away from home - with two of them against teams in the big four. And whereas Chelsea and Liverpool have started strongly United have only managed one win this season in normal time, and that a scrappy 1-0. So United are already playing catch-up in the league, with Chelsea in particular looking formidable.

Although United started last season in even worse form (draws with Reading and Portsmouth, plus defeat against Manchester City) - Chelsea did not seem as formidable and were in the process of a damaging regime change. So United were relatively OK.

This season add the newly rich Manchester City factor into the mix and any deficit that lingers into the new year could prove decisive.

The Champions' League will once again be easier to win this season than the Premier League because as long as the group stage is negotiated then good form in the second half of the season can secure the prize - obviously the league title requires excellence in many more games. With United off the pace in the league it could be that, like many recent Liverpool campaigns, the second half of the season is focused on cup tournaments.

With the Club World Championship likely to take focus away from league games in the crucial pre-Christmas period it would not be a surprise to see United 10 points adrift in league terms in the new year. In that case they would have a strong excuse to simply focus in on the cups and rest players in league games ahead of big cup games - a crucial plus point. This season I reckon that United are significantly more likely to win the Champions' League than the domestic title - and as a minimum surely a fourth final beckons.

Roma howler leaves Chelsea free and clear

The pre-match talk that Laurent Blanc had moulded a good Bordeaux side (on the way to becoming manager of the French national side) was rudely shown up tonight.  It could be that the English teams are now so dominant that Chelsea were really playing a good side - but at times it was hard to see that.  Chelsea dominated and Frank Lampard was the latest player to dispel this 'big game' myth that used to follow Thierry Henry around, and before him Eric Cantona.  Good players tend to struggle in big games because the opposition set out to stifle them - not because of some inherent weakness.

Roma's home defeat against Cluj - which given that the Italian side generally progress to the last eight (before being eliminated by Manchester United) - is one of the most extraordinary results in the Champions' League.  The much derided UEFA coefficient points do generally work and it will take some research to see whether Roma (provisionally ranked 15th) being beaten by Cluj (provisionally ranked 109th) represents the biggest giant killing of recent years.  I've had one or two too many sherbets to actually do the research myself, so I'll leave it to the daily newspapers to find out.

All this leaves Chelsea free and clear to qualify.  Bordeaux and Roma will now have few ambitions other than to fight it out for second in the group (although Cluj may well act as kingmakers) and as a result teams will try to limit the damage against Chelsea whilst fighting a three-cornered battle to qualify.  Chelsea are now the top ranked team in Europe by UEFA and favourites for the Premier League neither of these facts is a surprise.  Chelsea have a great team and really should win one or both of the major trophies on offer this season.

Would Spurs have benefited financially by selling Berbatov earlier for less money?

For some time in the summer the departures of Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov from Tottenham seemed inevitable; only the price was a deciding factor. The Spurs hierarchy settled on £20.3m plus an apology for Keane but spun out the Berbatov transfer to the final hour of the window - but at what cost to the team? A dispirited Berbatov was unavailable for selection and without his transfer cash confirmed the replacements were similarly delayed.

As a result the traditional pre-season optimism of Spurs fans that this season they will have the big four on the run is now evaporating. It is little surprise to see Spurs struggle to settle into a rhythm with a bunch of talented players who have not had time to get to know each other. No doubt by Christmas Spurs will be flying and can justify my own pre-season prediction of a seventh placed finish on 53-58 points - but the current problems may take some time to overcome.

Pre-season optimism forced Sporting Index to price Spurs season points at 59.5 - 61 points, but after just four games they have knocked 5.5 points of the likely Spurs total to 54-55.5. Given a likely Spurs rally in the next few weeks this is now starting to look like a decent buy price

Juande Ramos appears to be taking the issues in his stride even if he is blaming the start squarely on the transfer window dealings:

"We had very little time to prepare - Corluka, Pavlyuchenko and Frazier Campbell are new to the club and haven't really had time. We are behind in our preparations. We need to keep the spirit going and climb as high up the table as possible."

One can blame the buying clubs for wanting Spurs players (and in the same way the clubs that Spurs have picked players and the manager from have complained) - but where does that get anyone?

In taking Manchester United for £30.75m Daniel Levy got the best financial deal for Spurs; but the timing of the deal has had inevitable complications and has disrupted the start of the season as the manager had to deal with a major player who didn't want to be there and a delay in the recruitment of replacements.

It is possible that an earlier deal for less money would have resulted in a more competitive team at this stage of the season and a higher league finish; and a higher league finish may have completely offset the transfer fee difference in any case.

Prediction Panel Wrapper; Premier League, 13-15 September 2008

A choice for the biggest game of Saturday; is it the battle of the ultra-rich as Chelsea travel to Manchester City or merely the battle of the barely billionaires as Liverpool host Manchester United?  Arsenal travel to Blackburn with the latest England hero, Theo Walcott, sweating on a game; whilst Gianfranco Zola takes his new West Ham team to bottom club West Brom.  Strong starting Middlesbrough travel to improving Portsmouth; Bolton travel to Fulham in an early match for two of the teams in last season's relegation scrap.  Newcastle face Hull in mid-table but without a manager and Wigan and Sunderland clash in a 'must not lose' game.

On Sunday Stoke host an inconsistent Everton team and Monday's game sees Villa travel to Spurs.

Saturday

Blackburn Rovers (10) vs Arsenal (4)      
With one prediction outstanding a narrow away win is the large majority verdict, probably 1-2.

Fulham (14) vs Bolton Wanderers (8)       
The panel is split between a 1-1 draw and a 2-1 home win.

Liverpool (2) vs Manchester United (9)   
The panel sees recent history as a good guide and for United to make it four wins from five league games at Anfield, in what could be a high scoring match.

Manchester City (3) vs Chelsea (1)       
A real split panel here, with every result having backers - but a 1-2 or 1-3 away Chelsea win is most popular.

Newcastle United (11) vs Hull City (12)    
Despite the turmoil the panel are expecting Newcastle to see off new boys Hull; in a high scoring match where the majority of pundits expect three or more goals.

Portsmouth (16) vs Middlesbrough (6)      
With one prediction outstanding there is a totally split panel unable to choose between a home win or a draw - a 2-1 home win is the most common prediction however.  The vast majority of pundits expect both teams to score.

West Bromwich Albion (20) vs West Ham United (5) 
The panel is very split on this one with plenty of support for a first West Brom win, but a narrow majority expect that Gianfranco Zola will be celebrating a narrow away win.

Wigan Athletic (13) vs Sunderland (18)      
The panel are at a loss here with all three results and every conceivable score backed strongly, with 5 goal thrillers and no score draws both favoured.

Sunday

Stoke City (15) vs Everton (17)
An overwhelming punt on an Everton win, with a comfortable 1-2 or 0-2 scoreline predicted.

Monday

Tottenham Hotspur (19) vs Aston Villa (7)
The panel have nervously edged towards a draw, but given the number of goals expected (the most popular scoreline is 3-3) it is not a strong prediction.

* Do we have it right, or do you know better?  Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before the match!

Stoke City vs Everton: Premier League Prediction Panel 2008/9 - previews and predictions

A win each for Everton and Stoke leaves the pair of them just outside the relegation zone early in the season; but there is little doubt that the pair will soon be parted by up to half the division.  Stoke's opening day win has not proved to be too big a boost and a couple of defeats later and Stoke are going to have to revert to a powerful pressing game and nicking the odd goal.  Stoke picked up a number of experienced players in the final days of the transfer window like Ibrahima Sonko, Danny Higginbotham and Michael Tonge - and these players will be invaluable in the months to come.  But right now Stoke look vulnerable.

There is little doubt that David Moyes will be targeting this as a must-win, although his pre-match comments focused on concern over the physicality of Stoke and their danger from set-plays - which were comments probably aimed at the match officials.  Everton were lousy at times against Portsmouth but with an expensively acquired midfield, Everton will expect to boss possession and create enough chances to win easily.

Stoke City (15) vs Everton (17); Kick Off 1:30pm, 14 September 2009

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew: 0-2
Dave Blackburn: 0-1
Sue Gardener: 1-2
Chris Goodwin: 1-2
Paul Grech (sqf): 0-3
Hugh Larkin (sqf): TBC
Colin Illingworth (sqf): 1-1
Peter Lee: 0-2
Don McMahon: 1-2
Antony Melvin (sqf): 0-2
Stephen Orford (sqf): 0-1
Tony Ratton: 0-2
Peter Rendle: 0-2
Dan Taylor: 0-1
Andy Wakeman: 1-3
Isaac Williams: 1-2
Mark Williams: 0-0

Panel Verdict
An overwhelming punt on an Everton win, with a comfortable 1-2 or 0-2 scoreline predicted.

Home: 0; Draw: 2; Away: 14; TBC: 2; mode score: 1-2 or 0-2

Spread Betting
Moyes will be expecting a positive reaction from his team after the last match and two goals will be the least expectation that the travelling fans will have on the short trip down the M6.

Example: 30pts buy Everton team goals at 1.6
No goals: You lose 48pts
1 goal: You lose 18pts
2 goals: You win 12pts
3 goals: You win 42pts
4 goals: You win 72pts
5 goals: You win 102pts
6 goals: You win 132pts
and so on

* Do we have it right, or do you know better?  Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!

Wigan Athletic vs Sunderland: Premier League Prediction Panel 2008/9 - previews and predictions

There seems to be a meeting of former Manchester United players turned managers every week; and this weeks clash sees a head to head between the battered visage of Steve Bruce and the all too well preserved features of Roy Keane.  Bruce seems to have his team going in the direction he wants and the inspired deal to bring in Zaki looks very good business right now and the partnership between Heskey and Zaki could be the surprise hit of the season.  Bruce stated yesterday that 'it's one of those games you can't afford to lose' - and I think that Wigan will again defend and look to hit Sunderland on the break - a tactic that paid dividends at Hull last time out.

Roy Keane has gone on record as saying that he felt his team was bullied in losing 3-0 last time they went to Wigan - and that it won't happen again.  A clear indicator that this could be a bruising low-scoring affair.  Sunderland are in the early season relegation zone and will be happy to grab a point and start moving up the table. 

As Bruce pointed out this is a game neither side can afford to lose, and seems to have 0-0 written all over it.

Wigan Athletic (13) vs Sunderland (18); Kick Off 3pm, 13 September 2009

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew: 1-2
Dave Blackburn: 2-0
Sue Gardener: 0-2
Chris Goodwin: 0-1
Paul Grech (sqf): 0-0
Hugh Larkin (sqf): TBC
Colin Illingworth (sqf): 2-1
Peter Lee: 1-1
Don McMahon: 1-3
Antony Melvin (sqf): 0-0
Stephen Orford (sqf): 0-0
Tony Ratton: 2-2
Peter Rendle: 3-0
Dan Taylor: 3-2
Andy Wakeman: 2-1
Isaac Williams: 1-1
Mark Williams: 1-0

Panel Verdict
The panel are at a loss here with all three results and every conceivable score backed strongly, with 5 goal thrillers and no score draws both favoured.

Home: 6; Draw: 6; Away: 4; TBC: 1; mode score: 0-0 or 2-1

Spread Betting
The referee today is Rob Styles who is one of the stricter referees issuing 8 yellow cards in two matches to date; only Chris Foy has been stricter.  So it is a surprise to see the bookings market priced at less than four yellow cards in a game that could be a bruiser.  A buy on bookings looks interesting.

Example: 1pts buy Bookings at 38
No bookings: You lose 38pts
2 yellows: You lose 18 pts
4 yellows: You win 2 pts
6 yellows: You win 22 pts
8 yellows: You win 42 pts
10 yellows and a red: You win 87 pts
and so on

* Do we have it right, or do you know better? Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!

West Bromwich Albion vs West Ham United: Premier League Prediction Panel 2008/9 - previews and predictions

Two more clubs in difficulty for entirely different reasons.  West Brom are bottom and with a solitary point and a solitary goal to date; unless the Baggies can start scoring goals then this will be another long relegation scrap.  Against a West Ham side that has a new manager this week West Brom may take some heart - and this type of home game needs to be won if the crowd aren't going to sense danger.  Hopefully the wonderfully named Ryan Donk will get a game and maybe Donk will dink one in? 

Gianfranco Zola has arrived and will look for an immediate impact, but new managers often get a better reaction to their second match in charge (oddly enough) and as West Ham are looking for more coaches it could be that the new manager will make few tactical changes until the new management team is in place.  The Hammers are in decent form in fifth place and will fancy their chances on form grounds and with some uncertainty removed this could be a relaxed outing.

West Bromwich Albion (20) vs West Ham United (5); Kick Off 3pm, 13 September 2009

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew: 0-0
Dave Blackburn: 0-3
Sue Gardener: 1-2
Chris Goodwin: 2-2
Paul Grech (sqf): 1-0
Hugh Larkin (sqf): TBC
Colin Illingworth (sqf): 1-3
Peter Lee: 0-1
Don McMahon: 2-3
Antony Melvin (sqf): 1-0
Stephen Orford (sqf): 0-2
Tony Ratton: 1-1
Peter Rendle: 0-1
Dan Taylor: 2-0
Andy Wakeman: 2-0
Isaac Williams: 1-1
Mark Williams: 0-2

Panel Verdict
The panel is very split on this one with plenty of support for a first West Brom win, but a narrow majority expect that Gianfranco Zola will be celebrating a narrow away win.

Home: 4; Draw: 4; Away: 8; TBC: 1; mode score: 0-1, 1-0 or 2-0

Spread Betting
Despite West Ham's better form and league position Sportin Index make West Brom favourites due to the turmoil in east London; but with that resolved are West Ham outsiders?  A sell on West Brom supremacy will break even if it is a draw and will result in a profit with a West Ham win - and that looks good value.

Example: 20pts West Brom/West Ham sell supremacy at 0
West Brom win by 2 goals: you lose 40pts
West Brom win by 1 goal: you lose 20pts
Draw: you break even
West Ham win by 1 goal: you win 20pts
West Ham win by 2 goals:you win 40pts
and so on

* Do we have it right, or do you know better? Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!

Portsmouth vs Middlesbrough: Premier League Prediction Panel 2008/9 - previews and predictions

After a 3-0 win at Goodison Park, Harry Redknapp will have high hopes of seeing off a talented if inexperienced Middlesbrough side.  Portsmouth have started slowly after defeat in the community shield it seemed that too many players were still celebrating the FA Cup win, but the Everton game perhaps is a demonstration that Pompey are ready to put a string of results together - and with fixtures against Man City, Spurs and Stoke coming next an unbeaten run is certainly achievable.

Both sides have niggling injury worries, but will be somewhere close to full strength; and Middlesbrough's loss of Tuncay merely eases Gareth Southgate's selection problems now that he has four good forwards to choose from.  Middlesbrough flirted with relegation in Southgate's first season but have improved each season under their young manager and a top half finish and cup success may well be achievable this season.  Two home wins and an unfortunate loss at Anfield suggest that Boro are the form team here - but will Pompey make home advantage count?

Portsmouth (16) vs Middlesbrough (6); Kick Off 3pm, 13 September 2009

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew: 0-0
Dave Blackburn: 0-0
Sue Gardener: 1-1
Chris Goodwin: 3-2
Paul Grech (sqf): 2-2
Hugh Larkin (sqf): TBC
Colin Illingworth (sqf): 2-2
Peter Lee: 0-0
Don McMahon: 1-1
Antony Melvin (sqf): 2-1
Stephen Orford (sqf): 2-1
Tony Ratton: 3-1
Peter Rendle: 2-1
Dan Taylor: 3-1
Andy Wakeman: 2-1
Isaac Williams: 2-1
Mark Williams: 1-1

Panel Verdict
With one predictions outstanding there is a totally split panel unable to choose between a home win or a draw - a 2-1 home win is the most common prediction however.  The vast majority of pundits expect both teams to score.

Home: 8; Draw: 8; Away: 0; TBC: 1; mode score: 2-1

Spread Betting
It has to be goals today, only three of our 16 panelists don't see a goal for both sides and 60% are expecting three goals or more - which would make a buy profitable.

Example: 20pts buy Total Goals at 2.6
No goals: You lose 52pts
1 goal: You lose 32pts
2 goals: You lose 12pts
3 goals: You win 8pts
4 goals: You win 28pts
5 goals: You win 48pts
6 goals: You win 68pts
and so on

* Do we have it right, or do you know better? Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!