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August 2010

Friday, 27 August 2010

Aston Villa v Everton: Will the real Villa please stand up?

What is going on at the Villa? Since losing James Milner to Manchester City, Villa have been thrashed by Newcastle United 6-0 and dumped out of the Europa League by Rapid Vienna for the second year running. It’s all a far cry to the joyous scenes on the opening day following their comfortable opening day win over West Ham.

Two weeks ago some Villa fans were going “Martin who?” now Randy Learner must act swiftly to get a new manager in place before their season falls apart before it has properly begun.

Their visitors this weekend Everton have made another poor start to the season and David Moyes is desperate to get his first win of the season under his belt. The Toffees were surprisingly beaten by Blackburn Rovers on the opening day then held to a 1-1 draw with Wolves last weekend, and their record at Villa Park does nothing to breed confidence.

The visitors have managed just one win at Villa in the Premier League era but only a late Phil Jagielka own goal denied them all three points last year. Moyes will be hoping to put things right this time round.

These two sides have served up some entertaining goalfests in the past few years and I see no reason why that shouldn’t continue this weekend, although the majority of the Panel seem to believe the points will be shared.

Aston Villa v Everton; Kick off 4pm 29 Aug 2010

Prediction Panel

Arsenal

Don McMahon

2

V

2

Aston Villa

Lynette Ranson

2

V

1

Birmingham

Steve Coulter

1

V

1

Blackburn

Terry Kennedy

1

V

1

Blackpool

Phil Trow

1

V

1

Bolton

Dave Blackburn

1

V

1

Chelsea

Joe Tyler

1

V

1

Everton

Chris Goodwin

1

V

2

Fulham

Russell Goldman

1

V

2

Liverpool

Mark Williams

1

V

1

Man City

Callum Rothwell

1

V

2

Man Utd

Peter Lee

2

V

1

Newcastle

Michael Stout

1

V

2

Stoke City

Philip Eccleston

2

V

2

Sunderland

Tony Ratton

2

V

2

Tottenham

Dave Nash

1

V

1

West Brom

Andy Wakeman

2

V

1

West Ham

Nigel Telfer

3

V

2

Wigan

Alan Moore

1

V

1

Wolves

Chris Cox

2

V

1

OUR EXPERTS

Editor

Antony Melvin

2

V

1

Writer

Colin Illingworth

2

V

2

Writer

Hugh Larkin

1

V

1

Writer

Paul Grech

1

V

1

Pompey fan

Dan Taylor

1

V

1

Boro fan

Sue Gardener

1

V

2

Pompey fan

Peter Rendle

1

V

1

West Ham fan

Matthew Beeby

2

V

2

Panel Verdict

It looks as though the points will be shared again.

Home: 6; Away: 5; Draw: 17.

* 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!

Posted by Colin Illingworth at 11:10 AM in Aston Villa, Colin Illingworth, Everton, PP10, Predictions, Premier League | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Liverpool v West Bromwich Albion: Baggies face Reds backlash

Liverpool go into Sunday’s game with West Bromwich Albion still searching their first league win under new manager Roy Hodgson. However, history suggests this should be an easy day at the office for the Anfield giants.

The visitors haven’t won on the red half of Merseyside for 43 years and haven’t even breached Liverpool’s goal, home or away, for 24 years. If ever there was a home banker this is it.

The Baggies surprised a few pundits last weekend by beating Sunderland at the Hawthorns but nobody, not even our Albion fan, expects anything other than a home win here.

Liverpool v West Bromwich Albion; Kick off 3pm 29 Aug 2010

Prediction Panel

Arsenal

Don McMahon

2

V

0

Aston Villa

Lynette Ranson

2

V

1

Birmingham

Steve Coulter

3

V

0

Blackburn

Terry Kennedy

3

V

0

Blackpool

Phil Trow

2

V

0

Bolton

Dave Blackburn

3

V

0

Chelsea

Joe Tyler

1

V

0

Everton

Chris Goodwin

3

V

1

Fulham

Russell Goldman

2

V

0

Liverpool

Mark Williams

3

V

0

Man City

Callum Rothwell

4

V

1

Man Utd

Peter Lee

3

V

0

Newcastle

Michael Stout

2

V

1

Stoke City

Philip Eccleston

3

V

0

Sunderland

Tony Ratton

2

V

1

Tottenham

Dave Nash

1

V

0

West Brom

Andy Wakeman

2

V

0

West Ham

Nigel Telfer

3

V

1

Wigan

Alan Moore

2

V

0

Wolves

Chris Cox

2

V

1

OUR EXPERTS

Editor

Antony Melvin

3

V

0

Writer

Colin Illingworth

3

V

0

Writer

Hugh Larkin

2

V

1

Writer

Paul Grech

2

V

1

Pompey fan

Dan Taylor

2

V

0

Boro fan

Sue Gardener

2

V

1

Pompey fan

Peter Rendle

2

V

1

West Ham fan

Matthew Beeby

2

V

0

Panel Verdict

The Panel overwhelmingly believes the Reds will gain their first league win of the season.

Home: 28; Away: 0; Draw: 0.

* 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!

Posted by Colin Illingworth at 11:09 AM in Colin Illingworth, Liverpool, PP10, Predictions, Premier League, West Bromwich Albion | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Bolton Wanderers v Birmingham City: Game has draw all over it

There are some games this weekend that seem like total home bankers – Chelsea v Stoke, Spurs v Wigan and Manchester United v West Ham – this game though, according to our Panel, seems like a stick on draw.

Neither Bolton nor Birmingham have tasted defeat this season and they currently sit fifth and sixth respectively in the table. Owen Coyle’s men have conceded just one goal in the Premier League but Alex McLeish’s men just never know when they are beat. They may have lost the services of Joe Hart in goal but they have shown they have plenty of fighting spirit after coming from behind at Sunderland and against Blackburn.

The Wanderers completed the double over Alex McLeish’s Birmingham last season and the visitors haven’t won at the Reebok since 2003. However, the vast majority of our Panel are going for a draw.

Bolton Wanderers v Birmingham City; Kick off 1.30pm 29 Aug 2010

Prediction Panel

Arsenal

Don McMahon

1

V

1

Aston Villa

Lynette Ranson

1

V

1

Birmingham

Steve Coulter

2

V

0

Blackburn

Terry Kennedy

1

V

1

Blackpool

Phil Trow

1

V

1

Bolton

Dave Blackburn

2

V

1

Chelsea

Joe Tyler

0

V

0

Everton

Chris Goodwin

1

V

1

Fulham

Russell Goldman

2

V

1

Liverpool

Mark Williams

1

V

1

Man City

Callum Rothwell

1

V

0

Man Utd

Peter Lee

1

V

1

Newcastle

Michael Stout

1

V

0

Stoke City

Philip Eccleston

2

V

1

Sunderland

Tony Ratton

1

V

1

Tottenham

Dave Nash

0

V

0

West Brom

Andy Wakeman

1

V

0

West Ham

Nigel Telfer

2

V

1

Wigan

Alan Moore

0

V

0

Wolves

Chris Cox

1

V

1

OUR EXPERTS

Editor

Antony Melvin

2

V

1

Writer

Colin Illingworth

2

V

2

Writer

Hugh Larkin

1

V

1

Writer

Paul Grech

1

V

1

Pompey fan

Dan Taylor

2

V

2

Boro fan

Sue Gardener

0

V

0

Pompey fan

Peter Rendle

1

V

1

West Ham fan

Matthew Beeby

0

V

0

Panel Verdict

This game has draw written all over it.

Home: 9; Away: 0; Draw: 19.

* 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!

Posted by Colin Illingworth at 11:08 AM in Birmingham City, Bolton Wanderers, Colin Illingworth, PP10, Predictions, Premier League | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Sunderland v Manchester City: City hope to build on Liverpool win

Were Manchester City that good or were Liverpool that bad? That has been one of the burning issue this week in the game following City’s 3-0 win over the Reds and City’s visit to the Stadium of Light may go some way to answering it.

The Black Cats home form is nothing to be sniffed at yet City seem to have the edge over Sunderland when it comes to playing on Wearside. They have won four of their past five visits to the Stadium of Light, although they needed a late stunning strike by Adam Johnson to salvage a point last time out.

Sunderland have made a disappointing start to the new campaign and Steve Bruce will be keen to get one over his former Manchester rivals, but it’s been 10 years since they last beat City, home or away. And with the strength in depth that Mancini has to choose from, there are not too many pundits who see Sunderland taking anything from their visitors.

Sunderland v Manchester City; Kick off 3pm 29 Aug 2010

Prediction Panel

Arsenal

Don McMahon

1

V

3

Aston Villa

Lynette Ranson

3

V

2

Birmingham

Steve Coulter

1

V

1

Blackburn

Terry Kennedy

1

V

3

Blackpool

Phil Trow

0

V

3

Bolton

Dave Blackburn

1

V

1

Chelsea

Joe Tyler

1

V

1

Everton

Chris Goodwin

1

V

4

Fulham

Russell Goldman

0

V

2

Liverpool

Mark Williams

1

V

1

Man City

Callum Rothwell

1

V

2

Man Utd

Peter Lee

1

V

2

Newcastle

Michael Stout

1

V

3

Stoke City

Philip Eccleston

1

V

2

Sunderland

Tony Ratton

1

V

1

Tottenham

Dave Nash

1

V

2

West Brom

Andy Wakeman

1

V

2

West Ham

Nigel Telfer

1

V

2

Wigan

Alan Moore

0

V

3

Wolves

Chris Cox

1

V

2

OUR EXPERTS

Editor

Antony Melvin

1

V

2

Writer

Colin Illingworth

1

V

3

Writer

Hugh Larkin

0

V

1

Writer

Paul Grech

0

V

2

Pompey fan

Dan Taylor

1

V

2

Boro fan

Sue Gardener

3

V

2

Pompey fan

Peter Rendle

1

V

2

West Ham fan

Matthew Beeby

1

V

3

Panel Verdict

City are strong favourites to leave Wearside with maximum points.

Home: 2; Away: 21; Draw: 5.

* 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!

Posted by Colin Illingworth at 11:07 AM in Colin Illingworth, Manchester City, PP10, Predictions, Premier League, Sunderland | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Manchester United v West Ham United: Can the Irons avoid a hammering?

If Sir Alex Ferguson learned one thing about his side last weekend it was not to let Nani take a penalty when the game remains in the balance. The Portuguese winger denied the Red Devils victory at the Cottage and those two dropped points could be the difference between winners and losers come May. However, United should have no problem in getting back to winning ways this weekend when they entertain the hapless Hammers.

Avram Grant must be thanking God that Wigan’s Roberto Martinez has endured a worse start than him. The former Portsmouth boss was expected to guide the Hammers away from the drop zone this season, but if early form is anything to go by then it may just be another long, hard season for the suffering West Ham fans.

Beaten by Aston Villa on the opening day, West Ham were then dismantled by their bogey side Bolton Wanderers and there’s never a good time to visit Old Trafford. However, Grant will be keen to see his side pick up at least a point as next up for them is the champions Chelsea.

Manchester United haven’t lost at home to West Ham since a certain Argentinean stopped them from going down in 2007 and only our optimistic Hammers fan, Nigel Telfer, can see anything other than a comfortable home win.

Manchester United v West Ham United; Kick off 5.30pm 28 Aug 2010

Prediction Panel

Arsenal

Don McMahon

2

V

1

Aston Villa

Lynette Ranson

4

V

0

Birmingham

Steve Coulter

3

V

0

Blackburn

Terry Kennedy

3

V

0

Blackpool

Phil Trow

3

V

0

Bolton

Dave Blackburn

3

V

0

Chelsea

Joe Tyler

1

V

0

Everton

Chris Goodwin

2

V

0

Fulham

Russell Goldman

3

V

1

Liverpool

Mark Williams

2

V

0

Man City

Callum Rothwell

3

V

0

Man Utd

Peter Lee

3

V

0

Newcastle

Michael Stout

3

V

0

Stoke City

Philip Eccleston

3

V

1

Sunderland

Tony Ratton

3

V

1

Tottenham

Dave Nash

3

V

0

West Brom

Andy Wakeman

2

V

0

West Ham

Nigel Telfer

2

V

2

Wigan

Alan Moore

4

V

0

Wolves

Chris Cox

3

V

0

OUR EXPERTS

Editor

Antony Melvin

3

V

0

Writer

Colin Illingworth

3

V

0

Writer

Hugh Larkin

3

V

0

Writer

Paul Grech

4

V

0

Pompey fan

Dan Taylor

3

V

0

Boro fan

Sue Gardener

3

V

0

Pompey fan

Peter Rendle

2

V

0

West Ham fan

Matthew Beeby

4

V

1

Panel Verdict

The Panel believes it is going to be another bad day at the office for the Hammers.

Home: 27; Away: 0; Draw: 1.

* 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!

Posted by Colin Illingworth at 11:06 AM in Colin Illingworth, Manchester United, PP10, Predictions, Premier League, West Ham United | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Newcastle United: Former Black Cat aims to burst the Mags’ bubble

Newcastle United sensationally joined the Premier League’s 6-0 club last weekend with a vintage display against Aston Villa. Striker Andy Carroll grabbed a hat-trick as the Mags welcomed top flight football back to St James’ Park in style. However, former Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy will be hoping to bring the Toon Army back down to earth with a bang as he unleashes his Wolves on them.

The hosts have made an impressive start to the campaign, beating Stoke City at home and holding Everton at Goodison Park, and they will not be scared by Chris Hughton’s men. After all, Molineux has not been a hit with the visitors down the years. Newcastle’s record in the Black Country is truly shocking. They’ve managed just one win in the past 50 years at Molineux but they won’t get a better chance than this.

The Newcastle dressing room will be buoyant after last weekend’s demolition of Aston Villa and they will be looking to record back-to-back wins in the top flight since December 2008. Unfortunately the majority of the Panel see this as a draw.

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Newcastle United; Kick off 3pm 28 Aug 2010

Prediction Panel

Arsenal

Don McMahon

2

V

2

Aston Villa

Lynette Ranson

1

V

0

Birmingham

Steve Coulter

1

V

0

Blackburn

Terry Kennedy

2

V

1

Blackpool

Phil Trow

1

V

1

Bolton

Dave Blackburn

1

V

1

Chelsea

Joe Tyler

2

V

2

Everton

Chris Goodwin

2

V

2

Fulham

Russell Goldman

1

V

1

Liverpool

Mark Williams

2

V

2

Man City

Callum Rothwell

2

V

2

Man Utd

Peter Lee

1

V

1

Newcastle

Michael Stout

2

V

2

Stoke City

Philip Eccleston

2

V

2

Sunderland

Tony Ratton

1

V

1

Tottenham

Dave Nash

1

V

1

West Brom

Andy Wakeman

2

V

1

West Ham

Nigel Telfer

1

V

1

Wigan

Alan Moore

2

V

2

Wolves

Chris Cox

2

V

1

OUR EXPERTS

Editor

Antony Melvin

2

V

1

Writer

Colin Illingworth

2

V

1

Writer

Hugh Larkin

2

V

2

Writer

Paul Grech

2

V

1

Pompey fan

Dan Taylor

1

V

2

Boro fan

Sue Gardener

1

V

1

Pompey fan

Peter Rendle

1

V

1

West Ham fan

Matthew Beeby

2

V

2

Panel Verdict

The Panel believes the honours will be shared come the final whistle.

Home: 8; Away: 1; Draw: 19.

* 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!

Posted by Colin Illingworth at 11:05 AM in Colin Illingworth, Newcastle United, PP10, Predictions, Premier League, Wolverhampton Wanderers | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Chelsea v Stoke City: Will the Potters join the 6-0 club?

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has a real sense of humour. Before the season kicked off he told the Press that Chelsea were not ready for the new campaign. If that’s the case then they may as well let the Blues keep the Premier League title.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men have played two, picked up maximum points, scored an incredible 12 in the process and are yet to concede. If the boys from Stamford Bridge get any better then they could break all sorts of records this season.

West Bromwich Albion and Wigan Athletic have both been hit for six by Chelsea already this season and there’s a high chance that Stoke City could suffer a similar fate this weekend. The Blues put seven past the Potters on their last visit to the Bridge and on current form you can’t see anything other than a comfortable Chelsea win.

Stoke City are yet to pick up a point this season following defeats by Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur, although Spurs striker Peter Crouch has played a huge hand in that.

The Potters haven’t triumphed at the Bridge in the league since 1974 and only one of our Panel members see this as anything other than a resounding home win.

Chelsea v Stoke City; Kick off 3pm 28 Aug 2010

Prediction Panel

Arsenal

Don McMahon

0

V

2

Aston Villa

Lynette Ranson

4

V

0

Birmingham

Steve Coulter

3

V

0

Blackburn

Terry Kennedy

4

V

0

Blackpool

Phil Trow

3

V

1

Bolton

Dave Blackburn

4

V

0

Chelsea

Joe Tyler

4

V

0

Everton

Chris Goodwin

5

V

1

Fulham

Russell Goldman

3

V

0

Liverpool

Mark Williams

3

V

0

Man City

Callum Rothwell

4

V

0

Man Utd

Peter Lee

4

V

0

Newcastle

Michael Stout

4

V

1

Stoke City

Philip Eccleston

2

V

0

Sunderland

Tony Ratton

3

V

1

Tottenham

Dave Nash

3

V

1

West Brom

Andy Wakeman

2

V

0

West Ham

Nigel Telfer

2

V

1

Wigan

Alan Moore

5

V

0

Wolves

Chris Cox

4

V

0

OUR EXPERTS

Editor

Antony Melvin

4

V

0

Writer

Colin Illingworth

6

V

0

Writer

Hugh Larkin

3

V

0

Writer

Paul Grech

4

V

1

Pompey fan

Dan Taylor

4

V

1

Boro fan

Sue Gardener

5

V

1

Pompey fan

Peter Rendle

3

V

1

West Ham fan

Matthew Beeby

5

V

1

Panel Verdict

The Panel believes Chelsea will keep their unbeaten start to the season going.

Home: 28; Away: 0; Draw: 0.

* 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!

Posted by Colin Illingworth at 11:04 AM in Chelsea, Colin Illingworth, PP10, Predictions, Premier League, Stoke City | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Tottenham Hotspur v Wigan Athletic: Martinez faces another spanking

It must be a great time to be a Spurs fan. Harry Redknapp’s are in the Champions League proper, are playing some fantastic football and this weekend they welcome the whipping boys of Wigan to the Lane.

To say Roberto Martinez has had a poor start to the season is an understatement. Thrashed on the opening day by Blackpool, Wigan then crumbled to the champions Chelsea. Now they return to the scene of their worst result in the top flight and no-one gives the visitors a hope in hell of recording their first points of the season here.

Only the heroics of Manchester City’s Joe Hart on the opening day of the season denied Tottenham a winning start to the new campaign but then they have to give Champions League hero Peter Crouch a big hand for ensuring they took all three points at Stoke last weekend following his late goal line clearance.

Spurs put nine past Wigan last time out and no-one other than our resident Wigan fan, Alan Moore, can see the visitors leaving the Lane with anything other than a hiding.

Tottenham Hotspur v Wigan Athletic; Kick off 3pm 28 Aug 2010

Prediction Panel

Arsenal

Don McMahon

3

V

0

Aston Villa

Lynette Ranson

2

V

0

Birmingham

Steve Coulter

4

V

0

Blackburn

Terry Kennedy

4

V

0

Blackpool

Phil Trow

4

V

0

Bolton

Dave Blackburn

4

V

0

Chelsea

Joe Tyler

3

V

0

Everton

Chris Goodwin

4

V

1

Fulham

Russell Goldman

4

V

0

Liverpool

Mark Williams

2

V

0

Man City

Callum Rothwell

3

V

1

Man Utd

Peter Lee

4

V

0

Newcastle

Michael Stout

3

V

0

Stoke City

Philip Eccleston

4

V

0

Sunderland

Tony Ratton

3

V

0

Tottenham

Dave Nash

3

V

0

West Brom

Andy Wakeman

1

V

0

West Ham

Nigel Telfer

4

V

0

Wigan

Alan Moore

2

V

2

Wolves

Chris Cox

5

V

0

OUR EXPERTS

Editor

Antony Melvin

4

V

1

Writer

Colin Illingworth

6

V

0

Writer

Hugh Larkin

2

V

0

Writer

Paul Grech

4

V

0

Pompey fan

Dan Taylor

5

V

1

Boro fan

Sue Gardener

3

V

1

Pompey fan

Peter Rendle

3

V

0

West Ham fan

Matthew Beeby

4

V

0

Panel Verdict

The Panel believes Spurs are going to give Wigan another drubbing.

Home: 27; Away: 0; Draw: 1.

* 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!

Posted by Colin Illingworth at 11:04 AM in Colin Illingworth, PP10, Predictions, Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur, Wigan Athletic | | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Blackpool v Fulham: Tangerines have eyes set on victory

Did Blackpool lose to Arsenal last weekend? I can’t remember. And you what, you can bet your life that none of the Blackpool players can either as manager Ian Holloway looks to grab his second Premier League win of the season.

The Gunners took the 10-men Tangerines apart at the Emirates but Ollie will not allow them to dwell on that defeat. It was Arsenal at the Emirates. How many teams leave north London with their tails in between their legs? Blackpool aren’t the first and they won’t be the last to get a hiding at the Emirates so the gaffer will be keen to put that result to bed and move on from it.

This weekend they bring Premier League football to Blackpool for the first time and Bloomfield Road will be full to the rafters to welcome Mark Hughes’s Europa League finalists Fulham.

The Cottagers have made a decent start to the season but they are still searching for their first league win of the new campaign. Their away form is not the greatest, but the travelling fans will expect them to have too much skill and experience for the newly promoted side.

However, Fulham could well suffer the same fate as Wigan on the opening day as the Tangerines will be desperate to get their home campaign off to a winning start. Unfortunately for them, only a handful of pundits see them recording a second top flight win.

Blackpool v Fulham; Kick off 3pm 28 Aug 2010

Prediction Panel

Arsenal

Don McMahon

1

V

2

Aston Villa

Lynette Ranson

1

V

0

Birmingham

Steve Coulter

1

V

1

Blackburn

Terry Kennedy

2

V

2

Blackpool

Phil Trow

2

V

1

Bolton

Dave Blackburn

0

V

0

Chelsea

Joe Tyler

1

V

2

Everton

Chris Goodwin

0

V

3

Fulham

Russell Goldman

0

V

2

Liverpool

Mark Williams

1

V

0

Man City

Callum Rothwell

1

V

2

Man Utd

Peter Lee

1

V

1

Newcastle

Michael Stout

1

V

1

Stoke City

Philip Eccleston

1

V

1

Sunderland

Tony Ratton

1

V

3

Tottenham

Dave Nash

1

V

1

West Brom

Andy Wakeman

1

V

2

West Ham

Nigel Telfer

1

V

2

Wigan

Alan Moore

2

V

3

Wolves

Chris Cox

1

V

2

OUR EXPERTS

Editor

Antony Melvin

1

V

1

Writer

Colin Illingworth

2

V

1

Writer

Hugh Larkin

1

V

1

Writer

Paul Grech

0

V

1

Pompey fan

Dan Taylor

1

V

1

Boro fan

Sue Gardener

2

V

2

Pompey fan

Peter Rendle

0

V

1

West Ham fan

Matthew Beeby

2

V

3

Panel Verdict

The Panel believes Fulham will be too strong for the hosts.

Home: 4; Away: 13; Draw: 11.

* 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!

Posted by Colin Illingworth at 11:02 AM in Blackpool, Colin Illingworth, Fulham, PP10, Predictions, Premier League | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Blackburn Rovers v Arsenal: Gunners are ready for the fight

Sam Allardyce has never made life easy for Arsenal and this weekend will be no different as the Rovers aim to bounce back from their 2-1 defeat at Birmingham. However, they will be taking on an Arsenal side full of confidence after their 6-0 drubbing of newly promoted Blackpool.

Blackburn have a formidable home record and ended any faint hopes Arsene Wenger had of winning the Premier League last season with a 2-1 win in May. Goals by Dunn and Samba cancelled out Robin Van Persie’s early strike, but that was their first win over the Gunners in three years and the majority of the Panel believe normal order will be resumed this time.

Arsenal dished out a harsh lesson to the Seasiders last week but Wenger could well be taught something about his boys at Ewood Park. They will have to be up for the fight and be prepared to dig in when necessary if they are to leave Lancashire with maximum points.

Blackburn Rovers v Arsenal; Kick off 12.45pm 28 Aug 2010

Prediction Panel

Arsenal

Don McMahon

0

V

1

Aston Villa

Lynette Ranson

0

V

2

Birmingham

Steve Coulter

0

V

2

Blackburn

Terry Kennedy

1

V

1

Blackpool

Phil Trow

0

V

2

Bolton

Dave Blackburn

1

V

2

Chelsea

Joe Tyler

1

V

3

Everton

Chris Goodwin

0

V

2

Fulham

Russell Goldman

1

V

2

Liverpool

Mark Williams

1

V

2

Man City

Callum Rothwell

1

V

3

Man Ute

Peter Lee

0

V

2

Newcastle

Michael Stout

1

V

3

Stoke City

Philip Eccleston

1

V

3

Sunderland

Tony Ratton

2

V

2

Tottenham

Dave Nash

1

V

2

West Brom

Andy Wakeman

1

V

2

West Ham

Nigel Telfer

2

V

2

Wigan

Alan Moore

1

V

1

Wolves

Chris Cox

0

V

2

OUR EXPERTS

Editor

Antony Melvin

1

V

1

Writer

Colin Illingworth

1

V

3

Writer

Hugh Larkin

1

V

2

Writer

Paul Grech

1

V

1

Pompey fan

Dan Taylor

2

V

2

Boro fan

Sue Gardener

2

V

3

Pompey fan

Peter Rendle

0

V

2

West Ham fan

Matthew Beeby

1

V

1

Panel Verdict

The Panel believes the Gunners will leave Ewood Park with their title hopes unharmed.

Home: 0; Away: 21; Draw: 7.

* 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!

Posted by Colin Illingworth at 11:00 AM in Arsenal, Blackburn Rovers, Colin Illingworth, PP10, Predictions, Premier League | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Squarefootball’s Premier League quiz: Week Three

Some people think they know everything about football, well let’s see if they do. Here I have 10 questions which will separate the Spurs from the Young Boys. If you think you are clued up on the beautiful game then prove it.

1.   Blackburn Rovers v Arsenal: Who was the last player to be transferred between the two clubs?

2.   Blackpool v Fulham: Fulham thrashed Blackpool 4-0 in their last league meeting in March 1999. Can you name one of the scorers?

3.   Chelsea v Stoke City: Who scored Chelsea’s last-gasp winner at the Britannia Stadium to seal a 2-1 win?

4.   Liverpool v West Bromwich Albion: In 2003 Liverpool hit the Baggies for six at the Hawthorns. Michael Owen got four. Who got the other two?

5.   Tottenham Hotspur v Wigan Athletic: Spurs put nine past Wigan at White Hart Lane last season as they won 9-1. But who scored Wigan’s sole effort?

6.   Wolves V Newcastle United: Wolves knocked Newcastle out of the FA Cup 3-2 in 2003. Can you name any of the scorers that day?

7.   Manchester United v West Ham United: The Hammers beat Fergie’s men 1-0 on the final day of the 2006-07 season to stay up. Who scored?

8.   Bolton v Birmingham City: Who did Bolton pay Birmingham £5 million for in 2008?

9.   Sunderland v Manchester City: Who’s the last player to score a hat-trick in this fixture?

10.   Aston Villa v Everton: The Villains and the Toffees have featured in every Premier League campaign, but who has amassed the most points since the Premier League was formed?

For the answers click here

Scoring:

0-2: You should try rugby

3-4: Carling Cup winner

5-6: FA Cup winner

7-8: Champions League winner

9-10: Premier League winner

Posted by Colin Illingworth at 10:52 AM in Arsenal, Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Blackburn Rovers, Blackpool, Bolton Wanderers, Chelsea, Colin Illingworth, Everton, Fulham, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Premier League, Stoke City, Sunderland, Tottenham Hotspur, West Bromwich Albion, West Ham United, Wigan Athletic, Wolverhampton Wanderers | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Squarefootball’s Premier League Quiz: Week Three – The Answers

Well, how did you get on? We’d love to hear from you.

1.   Blackburn Rovers v Arsenal: David Bentley is the last player to have moved between the two sides.

2.   Blackpool v Fulham: You could have said: Barry Hayles, Geoff Horsfield, Steve Finnan or Kit Symons.

3.   Chelsea v Stoke City: Florent Malouda was Chelsea’s late hero at the Britannia.

4.   Liverpool v West Bromwich Albion: Milan Baros chipped in with two in the Reds’ emphatic 6-0 drubbing in 2003.

5.   Tottenham v Wigan Athletic: Paul Scharner was the Latics’ goalscorer.

6.   Wolves v Newcastle United: You could have had: Paul Ince, Mark Kennedy or George Ndah from Wolves or Jermaine Jenas and Alan Shearer from Newcastle.

7.   Manchester United v West Ham United: Carlos Tevez was the match winner we were looking for.

8.   Bolton v Birmingham: Bolton paid Birmingham £5 million for Fabrice Muamba.

9.   Sunderland v Manchester City: Paulo Wanchope was the last player to score a hat-trick in this fixture back in 2000.

10.   Aston Villa v Everton: Villa have amassed the most points, 1006 to Everton’s 925.

Scoring:

0-2: You should try rugby

3-4: Carling Cup winner

5-6: FA Cup winner

7-8: Champions League winner

9-10: Premier League winner

Posted by Colin Illingworth at 10:50 AM in Arsenal, Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Blackburn Rovers, Blackpool, Bolton Wanderers, Chelsea, Colin Illingworth, Everton, Fulham, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Premier League, Stoke City, Sunderland, Tottenham Hotspur, West Bromwich Albion, West Ham United, Wigan Athletic, Wolverhampton Wanderers | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Wednesday, 25 August 2010

Prediction Panel Table: Wolves topple the Toffees

Wolverhampton Wanderers attracted a bit of criticism for their performance at Goodison Park on Saturday but their representative in our Prediction Panel, and current champion, has toppled the Toffees following another brilliant week.

Chris Cox, the only pundit last week to predict that Chelsea would stuff their local rivals West Brom 6-0, hit the jackpot again this week by correctly predicting Birmingham City would beat Blackburn at home 2-1 and that Wolves would hold Everton to a 1-1 draw, along with four other correct results.

However, Chris wasn’t the only pundit to score 10 points this week, Squarefootball’s very own Paul Grech matched the Wolves fan by also predicting Wolves would hold Everton 1-1 and that newly promoted West Brom would beat Sunderland 1-0 at the Hawthorns, along with four other correct scores.

Everybody got a point from Chelsea’s demolition of Wigan but nobody expected them to record back-to-back 6-0 scorelines. I wonder if anyone will be brave enough to go for 6-0 this weekend when the Blues entertain Stoke City?

Arsenal were another team heavily backed this weekend but Marouane Chamakh’s late strike to make it six cost me and Stoke City’s Phil Eccleston maximum points, while Nani’s penalty miss proved costly not only for United’s title challenge but the majority of our pundits. Mr Eccleston was the third highest scorer this week, along with West Brom’s Andy Wakeman, with eight and has moved himself up to joint second in the overall standings.

Last week’s leader Everton’s Chris Goodwin had a poor weekend following his previous exploits by only managing four correct results.

Newcastle United’s unexpected 6-0 thrashing of Aston Villa and Manchester City’s one-sided affair with Liverpool also cost our panellists points. But after two weeks, only five of us have failed to record a correct score, which isn’t too shabby in my book.

And while Chelsea may be the only unbeaten team in the top flight, Joe Tyler, chairman of the Eastern Blues Supporters Club, is one of three pundits only being kept off the foot of the table by a point from Squarefootball’s very own Dan Talyor, who currently has six.

Here is the table from the second round of results.

TEAM

Player

Correct scores

Correct results

Points

WOLVES

Chris Cox

2

4

10

SQF WRITER

Paul Grech

2

4

10

STOKE CITY

Philip Eccleston

2

2

8

WEST BROM

Andy Wakeman

1

5

8

SQF WRITER

Colin Illingworth

1

3

6

BOLTON

Dave Blackburn

1

3

6

WIGAN

Alan Moore

1

3

6

BLACKBURN

Terry Kennedy

1

2

5

BLACKPOOL

Phil Trow

0

5

5

MAN UTD

Peter Lee

0

5

5

NEWCASTLE

Michael Stout

1

2

5

SPURS

Dave Nash

0

5

5

SQF EXP WHAM

Matthew Beeby

0

4

4

EVERTON

Chris Goodwin

0

4

4

FULHAM

Russell Goldman

0

4

4

LIVERPOOL

Mark Williams

0

4

4

MAN CITY

Callum Rothwell

0

4

4

SQF EDITOR

Antony Melvin

0

3

3

ARSENAL

Don McMahon

0

3

3

BIRMINGHAM

Steve Coulter

0

3

3

WEST HAM

Nigel Telfer

0

3

3

SQF WRITER

Hugh Larkin

0

2

2

SQF ACE POMPEY

Peter Rendle

0

2

2

SQF ACE POMPEY

Dan Taylor

0

2

2

SQF EXP BORO

Sue Gardener

0

2

2

ASTON VILLA

Lynette Ranson

0

2

2

CHELSEA

Joe Tyler

0

2

2

SUNDERLAND

Tony Ratton

0

2

2

Here is how the overall table currently stands.

TEAM

Player

Correct scores

Correct results

Points

WOLVES

Chris Cox

5

5

20

NEWCASTLE

Michael Stout

2

9

15

STOKE CITY

Philip Eccleston

3

6

15

WIGAN

Alan Moore

3

6

15

EVERTON

Chris Goodwin

2

9

15

SQF WRITER

Paul Grech

2

8

14

BIRMINGHAM

Steve Coulter

2

7

13

BLACKPOOL

Phil Trow

1

10

13

MAN UTD

Peter Lee

1

10

13

SQF WRITER

Colin Illingworth

2

6

12

BLACKBURN

Terry Kennedy

1

9

12

WEST HAM

Nigel Telfer

2

6

12

WEST BROM

Andy Wakeman

1

9

12

SQF WRITER

Hugh Larkin

1

8

11

SQF EDITOR

Antony Melvin

1

8

11

SPURS

Dave Nash

1

8

11

SQF ACE POMPEY

Peter Rendle

1

7

10

ASTON VILLA

Lynette Ranson

1

7

10

SUNDERLAND

Tony Ratton

1

7

10

ARSENAL

Don McMahon

1

6

9

BOLTON

Dave Blackburn

1

6

9

SQF EXP BORO

Sue Gardener

1

5

8

SQF EXP WHAM

Matthew Beeby

0

8

8

MAN CITY

Callum Rothwell

0

8

8

CHELSEA

Joe Tyler

1

4

7

FULHAM

Russell Goldman

0

7

7

LIVERPOOL

Mark Williams

0

7

7

SQF ACE POMPEY

Dan Taylor

0

6

6

 It's still early days but can any one catch Chris Cox? Roll on week three!

Posted by Colin Illingworth at 07:00 AM in Arsenal, Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Blackburn Rovers, Blackpool, Bolton Wanderers, Chelsea, Colin Illingworth, Everton, Fulham, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Premier League, Stoke City, Sunderland, Tottenham Hotspur, West Bromwich Albion, West Ham United, Wigan Athletic, Wolverhampton Wanderers | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Tuesday, 24 August 2010

Following the Chelsea model suggests a Manchester City title in 2011/12

As long as the owners of Manchester City continue to back their manager, the club will be champions fairly quickly as long as the manager is good enough. Ordinarily spending guarantees little, but spending when everyone else is saving looks a far more potent tactic.

Whether Roberto Mancini is good enough in this division remains to be seen. Rafa Benitez was able to win titles in Spain but not England, Phil Scolari was a world beater outside England and so on - pedigree in other countries provides no guarantee. So a heavy defeat of a Liverpool team in transition (not necessarily decline) proves little in that respect. With so many players looking to force their way into the team it would be more surprising if City had played with less obvious verve.

But given economic realities, it is a case of when and not if City will be champions. Based on the Chelsea model from Roman Abramovich's takeover in 2003 then it seems reasonable to suggest that City will be expecting to move up a couple of places this season - before another change of manager yields the title in 2011/12.

When Roman Abramovich bought out Chelsea in 2003, he took over a team that had edged past Liverpool on the final day of the season to finish fourth under the Italian manager Claudio Ranieri. Much of the upsurge in Chelsea's fortunes over the previous decade had been debt financed and this was dealt with in the £140m purchase. Abramovich's largesse in the summer of 2003 ran to further transfer spending of about £120m on eight players. Damien Duff for a then club record £17 million, English youngsters Wayne Bridge, Joe Cole, and Glen Johnson, Argentine pair Juan Sebastián Verón (£15m even after a poor time in Manchester) and Hernán Crespo, Frenchman Claude Makélélé and Romanian star Adrian Mutu.

In many ways the Chelsea situation in 2003 can be equated to Manchester City in 2010. In both cases previous transfer debts were dealt with and that left a squad that looked like a solid top six team - but a further £120m or so transfer spending spree turned them into a team capable of being champions.

Many people have since equated the summer 2003 Chelsea situation to the summer of 2009 when Mark Hughes was manager at City, but given Chelsea's higher squad start point a more appropriate connection can be made to this year. In 2008/9 City finished in 10th place - so it would be inappropriate to compare a mid-table team to a top four team.

In Chelsea's case Ranieri took Chelsea into the Champions' League semi-final and into second place in the league in 2003/4. It was clear that he was going to be sacked even before the league season had finished - and it must have been hard on Ranieri knowing that his team was still improving when it was already at such a high base. Jose Mourinho arrived and spent another large chunk in making Chelsea the dominant domestic club for a couple of years and providing a high baseline that other have benefited from.

So in all probability the long Manchester City trophy drought is nearly over, with belts still being tightened domestically it must be an odds-on shot that City will be champions in the next three years. Although there is a possibility of the title this season, I suspect more strengthening from the higher ground of a Champions' League qualification next summer will deliver the title in 2012.

* Will City be champions this year or next year or will they fall short? Let us know!

Posted by Antony Melvin at 05:08 PM in Chelsea, Manchester City, Premier League | | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

Monday, 23 August 2010

West Ham Need New Recruits Quickly

West Ham finished five points above the drop zone last season but their survival owed more to the limitations of the three teams below them. Two wins in the last five matches halted a slide which saw them lose six on the spin in early Spring.

Despite developing quality young players like Mark Noble, Jack Collison, Zavon Hines and James Tomkins, the Hammers squad doesn't look like one suited to the Premier League. There have been some good signings like Matthew Upson and Carlton Cole in the past few seasons but all too often the acquisitions haven't been right for the English top flight.

 Many were brought in under previous regimes in hasty buys for over-inflated wages. Lucas Neill and Benni McCarthy are two examples of players who arrived at the club already past their best.

Some have been fairly disastrous- Freddie Lujngberg, Kieron Dyer, Diego Tristan and Luis Boa Morte come to mind- while others have just looked unsuited to English soccer. Gianfranco Zola brought in a lot of players who proved lightweight.

Guillermo Franco, Alessandro Diamanti, Ilan, Radoslav Kovac and Manuel Da Costa are all talented footballers but never looked as if they can make more than peripheral contributions.

Last season the Hammers looked like a team without confidence in their style of play. Unfortunately, some of the more consistent performers like Upson and Cole suffered a dip in form. As a result, the new owners, who took over toward the end of 2009/10, were prepared to listen to offers for every player other than Scott Parker.

The problems have continued into 2010/11 with two defeats already and six goals conceded.The additions to the squad have been underwhelming so far- Frederic Piquionne and Tal Ben-Haim are players that Avram Grant knows well but they aren't exactly star names and Winston Reid isn't the biggest name to come out of the World Cup.

The days of making a major splash in the transfer market disappeared with the effects of the credit crunch but an injection of fresh faces is called for urgently. Too many of the current squad appear to be worn down by an expectation of defeat.

The worst part of the two defeats so far has been the meek way the team surrendered. Aston Villa were upset by the loss of Martin O'Neill but still won easily. Even worse, Bolton's goals in their 3-1 win this weekend were all basic strikes,primarily created by route one football.

It doesn't help Hammers fans to see players who have left Upton Park performing at a high level. Bobby Zamora and John Pantsil were integral to Fulham's great efforts last season, James Collins was a solid presence at Aston Villa and Matthew Etherington offered terrific energy to Stoke's campaign.

There is still the core of decent side at the Boleyn Ground- especially among the home grown players- but Avram Grant needs to bring in a stiffening of recruits in the next week who can dispell the air of under-achievement at the club and put some of the missing energy back- otherwise the club are in for another nine month battle against the drop.

Posted by Hugh Larkin at 09:56 PM in Hugh Larkin, West Ham United | | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

Stats Point To Spurs And Liverpool Making Progress In Europe

It was a nasty shock for Tottenham to leave Switzerland with a deficit against a Young Boys team generally thought to be the weakest of the teams they could have drawn but the odds still favour qualification for the group stages of the Champions League for the North Londoners.

Teams facing a 3-2 deficit in European two-leg contests tend to go through in 57% of ties. So Spurs have the edge but that late goal from Roman Pavlyuchenko was vital- a 3-1 deficit would have only given Spurs a 30% chance of making progress.

Of course these statistics take no account of the relative standing of the sides or variables like pitch conditions (in this case, plastic). Generally speaking, Spurs would surely beat Young Boys on most occasions on their own park.

On the history of European ties, Liverpool have the tougher problem, though only slightly. 1-0 victors in home legs progress 55% of the time. Joe Cole's penalty miss made a massive difference to their Europa League encounter with Trabzonspor, because a two goal cushion would have put the Reds firmly in the driving seat; a 2-0 win means success 75% of the time.

Aston Villa fans probably need a tonic after their team's 6-0 drubbing at Newcastle. Their 1-1 result at Rapid Vienna means Villa have an 80% chance of gaining revenge for last year's elimination at the hands of the same side.

Manchester City should coast home against Timisoara after their single goal victory in Rumania and Celtic take the two goal lead to Utrecht which eluded Liverpool. The Hoops are big  favourites to go forward and Motherwell have a strong chance of making it two Scottish qualifiers for the Europa League group stages.

The Well came away with a 2-1 deficit from OB Odense, tipping the tie in their favour- 57% of sides in their position come out winners across the two legs.

It would take something miraculous for Dundee United to join them. The Tangerines conceded a single goal defeat at home to AEK Athens. A mere 6% of teams overturn that sort of deficit.

In theory,The New Saints are better placed to quailfy thanks their 3-0 loss in Bulgaria. 9% of teams have performed this type of comeback but surely CSKA Sofia will have a reasonably comfortable night in Wales.

Posted by Hugh Larkin at 05:03 PM in Champions League, Europa League, Hugh Larkin, Tottenham Hotspur | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Sunday, 22 August 2010

Wigan Athletic: Can Martinez turn it around?

Nineties pop act D:Ream famously sang that Things Can Only Get Better. Unfortunately it looks as though things are going to get a whole lot worse for Wigan Athletic before they show any signs of getting better.

Humbled by newly promoted Blackpool on the opening day, then hit for six by the champions Chelsea, the last team Roberto Martinez wants to face right now is Tottenham Hotspur. Harry Redknapp’s men spanked nine past the hapless Latics last November and on current form nobody would be surprised if Wigan fell to that scoreline again.

Wigan finished last season with the worst away defence in the Premier League so you would have expected Martinez to have had a look at the problem over the summer, but by allowing Titus Bramble to leave for Sunderland the Spaniard has only made the problem worse. With 10 goals conceded in their opening two games, Wigan are not only odds on to have the worst defence overall but are now favourites for the drop.

Martinez’s style and tactics have long been questioned by a section of the Wigan fans and you have to wonder how the chairman Dave Whelan will react if they are on the end of another drubbing at Spurs. However, for the first 30 minutes or so against Chelsea they looked like the better team. McCarthy, N’Zogbia and Rodallega looked comfortable on the ball and were causing the visitors problems. Then Malouda pounced on a loose ball in the box and the game turned on its head. When Anelka scored twice just after the break you knew the game was over and it was a question of how many.

So how can a Premier League team defend so badly? It wasn’t that long ago that Chris Kirkland was being talked about as an England international. Gohuri, Figueroa and Alcaraz all play for their national team yet they are being made to look like schoolboys. Individually and collectively Wigan are making far too many mistakes and Martinez must get back to basics if hopes to shine some light on the Wigan fans.

On their day Wigan can turn anyone over. Last season Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool all left the DW with their tails between their legs. Then they go and get stuffed by teams like Portsmouth, Bolton and Blackpool! Martinez must find some sort of consistency in order to push the Latics on.

Looking at their fixture list, you have to wonder where their first win will come from. After Tottenham they entertain Steve Bruce’s Sunderland and free-spending Manchester City before travelling to Birmingham and hosting Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Of course Sunderland aren’t the greatest on their travels and there’s the edge of welcoming back their former manager and Bramble back to the DW, but Darren Bent must be looking at Wigan thinking he could get his first hat-trick of the season. Manchester City have their eyes on finishing in the top four at least so they will go out all guns blazing but they were held to a draw by Wigan last year, not forgetting that Sunderland felt the backlash of Wigan’s 9-1 defeat at Spurs. Birmingham do not lose games at St Andrews while Wolves look a much stronger outfit than last season.

So where does that leave Martinez? Dave Whelan has come out and said the Spaniard’s job is safe, but for how long? He has ploughed millions into his club and to see them being torn apart must be killing him inside.

Some people will argue that losing six to the free-scoring champions isn’t that bad. They may also point to the fact that losing to Blackpool was a freak result. That almost everything the Seasiders hit on the opening day went in. However, the table doesn’t lie and the fact that Wigan are rock bottom of the table, have failed to score and have a minus 10 goal difference already should be a major concern for everyone connected at the club.

And it’s not as if this sort of scoreline is a rare occurrence for Wigan. They have conceded four or more an astonishing 10 times under the stewardship of Martinez. Something simply has to give. Either the former Swansea boss tightens up at the back or he will soon be thrown on the managerial scrapheap.

· Calling all Wigan fans. How do you assess the start of the new season? Do you think Wigan have been truly awful or have they simply been unlucky? What do you think should happen to Roberto Martinez? Has he done enough to convince you that he can turn things around? What do you think the score will be at White Hart Lane? Whatever your views I’d love to hear from you.

Posted by Colin Illingworth at 10:51 AM in Colin Illingworth, Premier League, Wigan Athletic | | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

Friday, 20 August 2010

Manchester City v Liverpool: City require Hart’s heroics

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina literally handed Arsenal a share of the points last weekend but he will be determined to keep City out when Hodgson’s Reds visit Eastlands this Monday.

The Anfield giants looked like getting the season off to a winning start before Reina’s blunder and the battling display from the 10 men will give Hodgson confidence going into this clash.

Manchester City have the heroics of Joe Hart to thank for their point at White Hart Lane and the young England international will need to be at his best again as City have only managed three wins over their rivals in the Premier League.

Both sides have ideas of breaking into the top four this season and this will go same way to determining who will realise their ambition. There’s not a lot of love for a Liverpool away win but history definitely points that way.

Manchester City v Liverpool; Kick off 8pm 23 Aug 2010

Prediction Panel

Arsenal

Don McMahon

1

V

1

Aston Villa

Lynette Ranson

2

V

2

Birmingham

Steve Coulter

1

V

1

Blackburn

Terry Kennedy

1

V

1

Blackpool

Phil Trow

2

V

1

Bolton

Dave Blackburn

0

V

0

Chelsea

Joe Tyler

1

V

1

Everton

Chris Goodwin

3

V

1

Fulham

Russell Goldman

2

V

1

Liverpool

Mark Williams

1

V

2

Man City

Callum Rothwell

2

V

0

Man Utd

Peter Lee

2

V

1

Newcastle

Michael Stout

2

V

2

Stoke City

Philip Eccleston

2

V

2

Sunderland

Tony Ratton

2

V

2

Tottenham

Dave Nash

2

V

0

West Brom

Andy Wakeman

2

V

0

West Ham

Nigel Telfer

1

V

1

Wigan

Alan Moore

2

V

2

Wolves

Chris Cox

2

V

1

OUR EXPERTS

Editor

Antony Melvin

1

V

1

Writer

Colin Illingworth

1

V

2

Writer

Hugh Larkin

2

V

2

Writer

Paul Grech

2

V

2

Pompey fan

Dan Taylor

TBC

V

TBC

Boro fan

Sue Gardener

TBC

V

TBC

Pompey fan

Peter Rendle

1

V

1

West Ham fan

Matthew Beeby

2

V

1

Panel Verdict

The Panel believes City are the favourites for all three points.

Home: 9; Away: 2; Draw: 15. TBC 2.

* 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!

Posted by Colin Illingworth at 12:05 PM in Colin Illingworth, Liverpool, Manchester City, PP10, Predictions | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Fulham v Manchester United: Cottagers seek hat-trick over the Red Devils

Manchester United have failed to win at the Cottage in their past two visits although something tells me Paul Scholes and Sir Alex Ferguson won’t let that become three in a row this weekend.

The Red Devils have really started the season on fire. They made Chelsea look ordinary in the Community Shield and sent Newcastle United back up the A1 with their tails between their legs. Scholes looks as fresh as a 20-year-old, Dimitar Berbatov seems to be enjoying his football while, more worryingly for Fulham and Mark Hughes, Wayne Rooney will end his scoring drought sooner rather than later.

Mark Hughes has the massive challenge of filling Roy Hodgson’s boots and he’d love nothing more than getting one over his former boss. Fulham left the Reebok with a point on the opening day and the home fans would love to see Hughes’s side beat United for a third season on the trot.

Unfortunately the majority of the Panel feel this has away win written all over it.

Fulham v Manchester United; Kick off 4pm 22 Aug 2010

Prediction Panel

Arsenal

Don McMahon

2

V

3

Aston Villa

Lynette Ranson

1

V

3

Birmingham

Steve Coulter

0

V

3

Blackburn

Terry Kennedy

1

V

2

Blackpool

Phil Trow

0

V

3

Bolton

Dave Blackburn

1

V

3

Chelsea

Joe Tyler

1

V

2

Everton

Chris Goodwin

1

V

2

Fulham

Russell Goldman

2

V

1

Liverpool

Mark Williams

1

V

1

Man City

Callum Rothwell

0

V

2

Man Utd

Peter Lee

0

V

2

Newcastle

Michael Stout

0

V

1

Stoke City

Philip Eccleston

2

V

2

Sunderland

Tony Ratton

1

V

2

Tottenham

Dave Nash

1

V

2

West Brom

Andy Wakeman

1

V

2

West Ham

Nigel Telfer

1

V

2

Wigan

Alan Moore

1

V

3

Wolves

Chris Cox

0

V

2

OUR EXPERTS

Editor

Antony Melvin

1

V

2

Writer

Colin Illingworth

1

V

3

Writer

Hugh Larkin

0

V

2

Writer

Paul Grech

0

V

2

Pompey fan

Dan Taylor

TBC

V

TBC

Boro fan

Sue Gardener

TBC

V

TBC

Pompey fan

Peter Rendle

1

V

3

West Ham fan

Matthew Beeby

1

V

3

Don't forget you can still enter our fantasy league. Register your details at fantasy.premierleague.com and enter the code 148305-43452

Panel Verdict