Squarefootball’s Premier League quiz: Week 21

Welcome back to the toughest weekly football quiz in the world. A new year is around the corner but I’ve got a funny feeling that your luck in this quiz will not be improving any time soon. I’d love you to prove me wrong. Unfortunately I don’t think you will – well not unless you look at the answers sheet first!

Let’s not waste any more time. Here is question one.

1. West Bromwich Albion v Manchester United: Only two players have scored for West Brom against Manchester United at the Hawthorns in the Premier League. Can you name the pair? Was it A – Jason Koumas and Nathan Ellington? B – Kevin Campbell and Robert Earnshaw or C – Zoltan Gera and Jonathan Greening?

2. Liverpool v Bolton Wanderers: The Wanderers may be one of the Premier League’s top scorers this season but they haven’t scored in their previous six visits to Anfield. Who was the last Bolton player to score against Liverpool in the Premier League? Was it A – Henrik Pedersen? B – Kevin Nolan or C – Jay-Jay Okocha?

3. Manchester City v Blackpool: The Seasiders haven’t left the blue half of Manchester with maximum since May 4, 1963. Can you tell me who top of the pops in the UK singles chart? Was it A – Cliff Richards and the Shadows with Summer Holiday? B – The Beatles with From Me To You or C – Gerry and the Pacemakers with I Like It?

4. Stoke City v Everton: It’s almost 28 years to the day since Stoke last beat Everton on home soil. Who was the Stoke manager who guided them to that 1-0 win in 1982? Was it A – Alan A’Court? B – Alan Durban or C – Richie Barker?

5. Sunderland v Blackburn Rovers: Which Sunderland player was an ever-present for the Black Cats last season? Was it A – Craig Gordon? B – Phil Bardsley or C – Darren Bent?

6. Tottenham Hotspur v Fulham: The Cottagers have an awful record at the Lane. They have lost six of their past nine meetings in north London and you have to go back to August 2003 for their last win. But who scored Fulham’s last goal at White Hart Lane? Was it A – Barry Hayles? B – Clint Dempsey or C – Bobby Zamora?

7. West Ham United v Wolverhampton Wanderers: Both West Ham and Wolves have been captained by two icons of the English game in Bobby Moore and Billy Wright respectively. Between them they represented their country more than 200 times, but who, Moore or Wright, scored the most goals for their country?

8. Birmingham City v Arsenal: The Blues have only beaten the Arsenal once in the Premier League era. That happened in an action-packed game at St Andrews in May 2005. Walter Pandiani put the hosts ahead with 10 minutes to go before Dennis Bergkamp equalised with minutes remaining. But the Blues went up the other end, scored and took all three points, but who was the hero that day for Birmingham? Was it A – Darren Carter, B – Matthew Upson or C – Emile Heskey?

9. Chelsea v Aston Villa: Villa return to the scene of their biggest defeat of last season this weekend. Chelsea put seven past the Villains in March as they stormed to the Premier League title. But who scored Villa’s only goal of the game? Was it A – James Milner, B – John Carew or C – Ashley Young?

10. Wigan Athletic v Newcastle United: Wigan has not been a happy hunting ground for Newcastle over the years. The Mags have never won there in the league. In fact their only win at Wigan came in the FA Cup in January 1954. Who was the British Prime Minister at this time? Was it A – Winston Churchill? B – Clement Atlee or C – Antony Eden?

 

To see how you got on please click here

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

Squarefootball’s Premier League Quiz: Week 21 – The Answers

So how did you get on?

1. West Bromwich Albion v Manchester United: The correct pair we were looking for Jason Koumas and Nathan Ellington.

 2. Liverpool v Bolton Wanderers: The last Bolton player to score at Anfield was Henrik Pedersen.

3. Manchester City v Blackpool: The Beatles were top of the pops the last time Blackpool beat Manchester City in Manchester.

4. Stoke City v Everton: The last Stoke manager to record a home win over the Toffees was former Shrewsbury Town boss Alan Durban.

5. Sunderland v Blackburn Rovers: Sunderland’s only ever-present player last season was striker Darren Bent.

6. Tottenham Hotspur v Fulham: The last player to score for Fulham against Spurs at White Hart Lane was Clint Dempsey in a 5-1 thrashing on Boxing Day in 2007.

7. West Ham United v Wolverhampton Wanderers: Billy Wright won three fewer international caps than Bobby Moore but the former Wolves ace scored three times for his country, one more than the World Cup winning captain.

8. Birmingham City v Arsenal: Birmimgham’s hero in May 2005 against the Gunners is current Aston Villa marksman Emile Heskey.

9. Chelsea v Aston Villa: Villa’s goalscorer in the 7-1 mauling at the Bridge last season was John Carew.

10. Wigan Athletic v Newcastle United: The Prime Minister of Britain the last, and only, time Newcastle have left Wigan with a win was Sir Winston Churchill in his second spell as leader.

 

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

West Ham United v Wolverhampton Wanderers: Survival’s in sight for the league’s basement boys

This is arguably the game of the weekend. The basement boys lock horns at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday with both teams desperately seeking survival. West Ham have done their chances no harm at all with a win and two draws but Mick McCarthy’s side surprise win at Anfield has put them in the box seat.

Nobody, not even Gary Neville, would have predicted Wolves would beat Liverpool at Anfield. After all, Wolves hadn’t won there for 27 years and were still seeking their first away win of the season, but Stephen Ward ripped up the form guide to put the under-fire Roy Hodgson right back into the firing line. McCarthy couldn’t hide his delight at the final whistle and that image will only be surpassed if they manage to beat the Hammers and climb a step closer to survival.

To be fair, despite their lowly positions, both West Ham United and Wolves have played some good stuff this season. The Hammers historically play football the traditional way and Wolves, who were labelled dirty by some sections of the media, have surprised a number of pundits by getting the ball down and passing it about. The visitors have earned more plaudits than points for their transformation but two wins from three suggests that maybe they have found the right balance.

The Hammers did their chances of becoming only the second side in Premier League history to beat the drop having been bottom on Christmas Day the power of good by beating fellow strugglers Fulham on Boxing Day. They also avoided defeat against a resurgent Everton side in midweek to give themselves a fighting chance of ending the weekend outside of the bottom three.

Wolves will enter the game full of confidence. Not only have they just beaten the European giants Liverpool in their own backyard but they will remember what they did to the Irons just last season. The Molineux men tore Gianfranco Zola’s Hammers apart in clinical style to leave the capital with maximum points and their rival’s survival hopes in tatters. Fortunately the Hammers survived, but can they emerge unscathed this time when the Wolves come calling?

 

West Ham United v Wolverhampton Wanderers; Kick Off 3pm January 1 2011

Prediction Panel

Arsenal	Don McMahon	1	V	1
Aston Villa	Lynette Ranson	0	V	0
Birmingham	Steve Coulter	1	V	1
Blackburn	Terry Kennedy	1	V	0
Blackpool	Phil Trow	2	V	1
Bolton	Dave Blackburn	2	V	2
Chelsea	Joe Tyler	1	V	1
Everton	Chris Goodwin	2	V	2
Fulham	Russell Goldman	0	V	1
Liverpool	Mark Williams	0	V	0
Man City	Callum Rothwell	1	V	1
Man Utd	Peter Lee	1	V	1
Newcastle	Michael Stout	2	V	1
Stoke City	Philip Eccleston	1	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	2
OUR EXPERTS
Editor	Antony Melvin	1	V	1
Writer	Colin Illingworth	3	V	2
Writer	Hugh Larkin	2	V	1
Writer	Paul Grech	0	V	0
Pompey fan	Dan Taylor	3	V	1
Boro fan	Sue Gardener	0	V	0
Pompey fan	Peter Rendle	1	V	0
West Ham fan	Matthew Beeby	3	V	1

Panel Verdict

The Panel thinks it will be honours shared at the Boleyn.

Home: 10; Draw: 16; Away: 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!

Tottenham Hotspur v Fulham: Cottagers hope to avoid New Year spanking

Spurs have taken maximum points from their festive fixtures and you’d have to be a diehard Fulham fan to bet against them making it nine out of nine on New Year’s Day. The visitors have won at White Hart Lane only twice since the end of the Second World War – the last win came in 2003 – and have only scored there once in their past six league clashes. It has home win written all over it but Mark Hughes will be buoyed by his team’s display at Stoke in midweek.

Fulham were expected to leave the Britannia empty-handed on Tuesday but they sprung a huge shock by beating the Potters 2-0. That was enough to lift the Cottagers out of the bottom three and buy the under-fire Welshman some crucial time. Unfortunately Wigan’s point against the Arsenal in midweek saw them drop back in and they couldn’t have faced a worse fixture for the start of 2011 than Spurs as Harry Redknapp’s men are on fire just now.

Tottenham have lost only once at home all season while Fulham seek to record back-to-back away wins for the first time in 20 months. This should be comfortable for the hosts. The Panel certainly thinks it will.

Tottenham Hotspur v Fulham; Kick Off 3pm January 1 2011

Prediction Panel

Arsenal	Don McMahon	1	V	0
Aston Villa	Lynette Ranson	0	V	0
Birmingham	Steve Coulter	2	V	0
Blackburn	Terry Kennedy	2	V	0
Blackpool	Phil Trow	2	V	1
Bolton	Dave Blackburn	2	V	0
Chelsea	Joe Tyler	2	V	0
Everton	Chris Goodwin	1	V	0
Fulham	Russell Goldman	2	V	0
Liverpool	Mark Williams	2	V	0
Man City	Callum Rothwell	1	V	0
Man Utd	Peter Lee	2	V	0
Newcastle	Michael Stout	0	V	0
Stoke City	Philip Eccleston	3	V	1
Sunderland	Tony Ratton	3	V	0
Tottenham	Dave Nash	0	V	0
West Brom	Andy Wakeman	3	V	0
West Ham	Nigel Telfer	2	V	0
Wigan	Alan Moore	2	V	1
Wolves	Chris Cox	2	V	0
OUR EXPERTS
Editor	Antony Melvin	2	V	0
Writer	Colin Illingworth	3	V	1
Writer	Hugh Larkin	2	V	0
Writer	Paul Grech	0	V	0
Pompey fan	Dan Taylor	2	V	0
Boro fan	Sue Gardener	2	V	1
Pompey fan	Peter Rendle	3	V	0
West Ham fan	Matthew Beeby	2	V	0

 

Panel Verdict

Spurs are strongly tipped for all three points here.

Home: 24; Draw: 4; Away: 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!

Sunderland v Blackburn Rovers: Rovers target winning feeling again

The Black Cats lost their first home game of the season in midweek as Ian Holloway’s rollercoaster season with Blackpool continued, but can Steve Kean’s Blackburn Rovers make it two defeats on the trot for Steve Bruce’s side?

Rovers enter the game buoyed by their midweek win at the Hawthorns and will be looking to put a run of results together to steer well clear of the relegation zone, but Sunderland will be desperate to get back to winning ways after that shock result against Blackpool.

The Black Cats are unbeaten in their past five league clashes with Blackburn, but victory for the visitors could see them climb above the Wearside club into seventh place and justify the Venky’s decision to axe Sam Allardyce. Unfortunately for Blackburn, the majority of the Panel thinks they will be chicken feed to Sunderland.

Sunderland v Blackburn Rovers; Kick Off 3pm January 1 2011

Prediction Panel

Arsenal	Don McMahon	1	V	0
Aston Villa	Lynette Ranson	0	V	0
Birmingham	Steve Coulter	1	V	0
Blackburn	Terry Kennedy	1	V	1
Blackpool	Phil Trow	2	V	1
Bolton	Dave Blackburn	1	V	0
Chelsea	Joe Tyler	2	V	0
Everton	Chris Goodwin	1	V	1
Fulham	Russell Goldman	1	V	0
Liverpool	Mark Williams	1	V	0
Man City	Callum Rothwell	1	V	0
Man Utd	Peter Lee	1	V	0
Newcastle	Michael Stout	2	V	0
Stoke City	Philip Eccleston	2	V	0
Sunderland	Tony Ratton	3	V	1
Tottenham	Dave Nash	0	V	0
West Brom	Andy Wakeman	2	V	1
West Ham	Nigel Telfer	2	V	2
Wigan	Alan Moore	2	V	0
Wolves	Chris Cox	2	V	0
OUR EXPERTS
Editor	Antony Melvin	2	V	1
Writer	Colin Illingworth	2	V	1
Writer	Hugh Larkin	2	V	0
Writer	Paul Grech	0	V	0
Pompey fan	Dan Taylor	1	V	1
Boro fan	Sue Gardener	2	V	0
Pompey fan	Peter Rendle	2	V	0
West Ham fan	Matthew Beeby	2	V	1

Panel Verdict

The Panel is going for a home win.

Home: 21; Draw: 7; Away: 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!

Stoke City v Everton: More pain in store for the passionate Potters?

The Potters have lost their last two league matches at the Britannia Stadium and you’d have to fancy Everton to inflict a hat-trick of defeats on the Potters this weekend. Blackpool and Fulham have stunned the passionate fans from the Potteries in recent weeks and they will not be looking forward to welcoming the Toffees to Staffordshire, as they have an excellent record against them.

David Moyes’s men are unbeaten in their past four league outings and haven’t lost at Stoke for 28 years. That will be music to the ears of the Scotsman as he aims to climb the table and guide the Toffees back into contention for Europe. They were superb against Manchester City and deserved more than a point against West Ham United, but they will really fancy their chances of extending their fine run of form at Stoke.

Tony Pulis left Goodison Park feeling slightly aggrieved this season after Tuncay had a late “goal” chalked off for a “push” and the Welshman will be hoping the big decisions go his way in 2011. The Potters are currently two points ahead of their opponents and victory for the hosts could see them climb up to seventh. However, a win for the visitors will see them leapfrog Stoke and start the New Year on a high.

Who will start 2011 with a win under their belts? The Panel thinks it is too close to call.

Stoke City v Everton; Kick Off 3pm January 1 2011

Prediction Panel

Arsenal	Don McMahon	0	V	1
Aston Villa	Lynette Ranson	0	V	0
Birmingham	Steve Coulter	0	V	0
Blackburn	Terry Kennedy	2	V	1
Blackpool	Phil Trow	2	V	1
Bolton	Dave Blackburn	2	V	0
Chelsea	Joe Tyler	1	V	3
Everton	Chris Goodwin	2	V	2
Fulham	Russell Goldman	2	V	1
Liverpool	Mark Williams	1	V	1
Man City	Callum Rothwell	1	V	2
Man Utd	Peter Lee	1	V	1
Newcastle	Michael Stout	0	V	0
Stoke City	Philip Eccleston	3	V	1
Sunderland	Tony Ratton	1	V	2
Tottenham	Dave Nash	0	V	0
West Brom	Andy Wakeman	2	V	1
West Ham	Nigel Telfer	2	V	1
Wigan	Alan Moore	0	V	0
Wolves	Chris Cox	1	V	1
OUR EXPERTS
Editor	Antony Melvin	1	V	1
Writer	Colin Illingworth	1	V	2
Writer	Hugh Larkin	1	V	0
Writer	Paul Grech	0	V	0
Pompey fan	Dan Taylor	3	V	2
Boro fan	Sue Gardener	1	V	2
Pompey fan	Peter Rendle	1	V	1
West Ham fan	Matthew Beeby	1	V	1

Panel Verdict

The Panel believes honours will be even at the Britannia.

Home: 9; Draw: 13; Away: 6.

* 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 v Blackpool: Seasiders look to rock Mancini’s men

Manchester City signalled their title ambitions on Tuesday by thrashing Aston Villa at home 4-0. It was made even more impressive by the fact that Roberto Mancini achieved such a result without starting with three of his main men, Carlos Tevez, James Milner and Gareth Barry. However, can they keep the pressure on their city rivals at the top with victory over 2010’s biggest surprise package, Blackpool?

The Seasiders rocked Steve Bruce’s Sunderland to the core in midweek with a battling 2-0 win. On paper it looked like a home banker. Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City themselves had all failed to win at the Stadium of Light this season so it looked like the Tangerines had no chance. . . wrong! A brace by DJ Campbell ensured that Ian Holloway’s brave attacking ethos paid dividends and puts them in a great position to retain their Premier League status. But can they go to Eastlands and beat the billionaires? To be fair, it doesn’t look good.

Blackpool’s last win on the blue half of Manchester came in 1963. In fact, that was the last time the Seasiders beat the Citizens in the league full stop! City edged past Blackpool at Bloomfield Road earlier in the season thanks to a moment of magic from David Silva but Mancini will have been impressed with Blackpool’s endeavour.

Liverpool, Newcastle United, Stoke City, Wigan and Sunderland have all lost at home to Blackpool. Could Manchester City be about to join that list? The Panel doesn’t think so – but that will suit Ian Holloway down to the ground!

Manchester City v Blackpool; Kick Off 3pm January 1 2011

Prediction Panel

Arsenal	Don McMahon	2	V	1
Aston Villa	Lynette Ranson	0	V	0
Birmingham	Steve Coulter	3	V	2
Blackburn	Terry Kennedy	2	V	0
Blackpool	Phil Trow	2	V	1
Bolton	Dave Blackburn	3	V	1
Chelsea	Joe Tyler	2	V	0
Everton	Chris Goodwin	1	V	0
Fulham	Russell Goldman	2	V	1
Liverpool	Mark Williams	2	V	0
Man City	Callum Rothwell	2	V	0
Man Utd	Peter Lee	2	V	0
Newcastle	Michael Stout	2	V	2
Stoke City	Philip Eccleston	2	V	0
Sunderland	Tony Ratton	2	V	0
Tottenham	Dave Nash	0	V	0
West Brom	Andy Wakeman	2	V	0
West Ham	Nigel Telfer	2	V	1
Wigan	Alan Moore	3	V	0
Wolves	Chris Cox	3	V	1
OUR EXPERTS
Editor	Antony Melvin	2	V	1
Writer	Colin Illingworth	3	V	1
Writer	Hugh Larkin	3	V	1
Writer	Paul Grech	0	V	0
Pompey fan	Dan Taylor	3	V	1
Boro fan	Sue Gardener	3	V	0
Pompey fan	Peter Rendle	3	V	1
West Ham fan	Matthew Beeby	3	V	0

 

Panel Verdict

The Panel is going for a home win.

Home: 24; Draw: 4; Away: 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!

West Bromwich Albion v Manchester United: Fergie aims to end away day blues

Manchester United enter 2011 as Premier League leaders and favourites for the title, but they visit the Hawthorns this weekend still looking for only their second away win of the campaign. In a season that has produced so many shocks and surprises, the fact that United are top of the table and still the only unbeaten team in the country is right up there as they haven’t even kicked into second gear yet.

Sir Alex Ferguson was livid at the final whistle against Birmingham City in midweek after he saw his troops throw away another two points. Victory on Tuesday would have seen United bring in the New Year two points clear of their city rivals with two games in hand. Fergie has been infuriated with their away performances this season, but will the Red Devils finally get it right this weekend with victory over the Baggies?

Historically you have to go with the away side. United haven’t lost a league game at the Hawthorns for 26 years, put five past them last time out in the Midlands and traditionally always raise their game after Christmas. However, this is the same Albion side that came back from two goals down at Old Trafford to leave the Theatre of Dreams in dreamland and who have taken the top flight by storm.

West Brom are one of the most attractive sides to watch in the country and Roberto Di Matteo insists his players go out to attack the opposition and entertain the paying public. That philosophy has won over a number of neutrals but it has done nothing for their points tally in recent games. You have to go back to the beginning of December for the last time they claimed their win bonus against a lethargic Newcastle United side. Can the Baggies bounce back and deliver Manchester United an early New Year hangover?

West Bromwich Albion v Manchester United; Kick Off 12.45pm January 1 2011

Prediction Panel

Arsenal	Don McMahon	0	V	3
Aston Villa	Lynette Ranson	0	V	0
Birmingham	Steve Coulter	0	V	2
Blackburn	Terry Kennedy	1	V	2
Blackpool	Phil Trow	1	V	2
Bolton	Dave Blackburn	1	V	3
Chelsea	Joe Tyler	1	V	1
Everton	Chris Goodwin	0	V	2
Fulham	Russell Goldman	2	V	1
Liverpool	Mark Williams	1	V	1
Man City	Callum Rothwell	1	V	1
Man Utd	Peter Lee	0	V	2
Newcastle	Michael Stout	0	V	2
Stoke City	Philip Eccleston	2	V	2
Sunderland	Tony Ratton	1	V	2
Tottenham	Dave Nash	0	V	0
West Brom	Andy Wakeman	0	V	1
West Ham	Nigel Telfer	0	V	2
Wigan	Alan Moore	0	V	2
Wolves	Chris Cox	0	V	2
OUR EXPERTS
Editor	Antony Melvin	1	V	3
Writer	Colin Illingworth	2	V	2
Writer	Hugh Larkin	1	V	2
Writer	Paul Grech	0	V	0
Pompey fan	Dan Taylor	1	V	2
Boro fan	Sue Gardener	2	V	1
Pompey fan	Peter Rendle	0	V	4
West Ham fan	Matthew Beeby	0	V	2

 

Panel Verdict

The Panel is going for an away win.

Home: 2; Draw: 8; Away: 18.

* 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 v Bolton Wanderers: Will it be a happy start to 2011 for Hodgson?

Liverpool’s shock defeat to struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers in midweek capped off a dreadful year for the Reds, but can they start the New Year with a return to winning ways against high-flying Bolton Wanderers? Under-fire Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson will certainly be hoping so as he clings on to his job at Anfield by a thread.

Not even Gary Neville would have tipped Liverpool to lose at home to Wolves. After all Mick McCarthy’s men hadn’t won on Merseyside for 27 years. But Stephen Ward ripped up the form book to lift the visitors off the foot of the table and put Hodgson right back in the firing line.

Liverpool fans will certainly not be looking forward to greeting Owen Coyle’s attacking Bolton side to Anfield this weekend, that’s for sure. The hosts start the weekend just three points off the drop zone and have only won twice since beating the champions Chelsea back almost two months ago, while Bolton are seven points clear of their hosts and are playing some of the best football in the league.

On current form you’d have to back the Wanderers to leave Anfield with maximum points, but there are some positives for Liverpool fans. Bolton have lost their past three away games in the league without finding the back of the net once, haven’t scored at Anfield in their past six visits and haven’t won there for seven years.

Hodgson will demand a positive reaction from his troops on Saturday but the visitors are more than equipped to hit the Reds on the break. They too have something to feel aggrieved about having lost to Chelsea in midweek and would love to pile more pressure on the European giants. Despite their midweek defeat, the majority of the Panel believes this will go Liverpool’s way.

Liverpool v Bolton Wanderers; Kick Off 3pm January 1 2011

Prediction Panel

Arsenal	Don McMahon	1	V	1
Aston Villa	Lynette Ranson	0	V	0
Birmingham	Steve Coulter	1	V	1
Blackburn	Terry Kennedy	2	V	0
Blackpool	Phil Trow	2	V	1
Bolton	Dave Blackburn	2	V	0
Chelsea	Joe Tyler	2	V	1
Everton	Chris Goodwin	2	V	0
Fulham	Russell Goldman	2	V	1
Liverpool	Mark Williams	2	V	0
Man City	Callum Rothwell	2	V	0
Man Utd	Peter Lee	1	V	0
Newcastle	Michael Stout	1	V	1
Stoke City	Philip Eccleston	1	V	1
Sunderland	Tony Ratton	2	V	0
Tottenham	Dave Nash	0	V	0
West Brom	Andy Wakeman	1	V	2
West Ham	Nigel Telfer	1	V	1
Wigan	Alan Moore	1	V	0
Wolves	Chris Cox	2	V	1
OUR EXPERTS
Editor	Antony Melvin	2	V	1
Writer	Colin Illingworth	2	V	1
Writer	Hugh Larkin	1	V	1
Writer	Paul Grech	0	V	0
Pompey fan	Dan Taylor	1	V	1
Boro fan	Sue Gardener	1	V	1
Pompey fan	Peter Rendle	1	V	0
West Ham fan	Matthew Beeby	0	V	1

Panel Verdict

The Panel is going for a home win.

Home: 15; Draw: 11; Away: 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!

Roy Hodgson seems the closest manager to the exit

As yesterday's match proved every time that Liverpool's season appears to be about to improve - they still find new ways to disappoint.  A home defeat against the bottom club is about as bad as it gets and there is little doubt that the fans who were divided about Hodgson's appointment are now united against his continued employment.  The relegation zone remains just three points away, whereas the top four are a seemingly unreachable 12 points distant.  Even matching last season's 7th place - which saw the removal of Rafa Benitez - will not be straightforward.  And matching last season's 63 point total will require an equally improbably good run of 12 or 13 wins from the last 20 games of the season. 

Only results can save Hodgson unless the new owners show a zen-like patience and stick by their man.  Even then it will require a massive recovery in the new year if Hodgson is to get a second season.  New owners are rarely overly patient.

The managers most likely to be sacked are usually ones at clubs with lofty aspirations or in relegation trouble; I suppose you could bracket the owners of Blackburn and Newcastle of having lofty pretensions - even if there is little recent form to back that up.

At Villa, Gerard Houllier has gained a couple of fewer points than Hodgson - but at least he can point to the sale of his best player in the summer and a late appointment that meant he could make no transfer reinforcements bar an uncertain gamble on ageing free-agent Robert Pires.  Alex McCleish at Birmingham is also under pressure even if the promised transfer war chest has proved rather smaller than earlier reported.  Carlo Ancelotti may yet be cut if results don't improve at Chelsea.  Beating Bolton will offer some respite though.

There are so many teams in the relegation shake-up - everyone from eighth (Blackpool) to twentieth (West Ham) could go down given that there are only eight points separating the 13 teams; so a panic relegation sacking is not certain even if Avram Grant at West Ham is almost permanently only a couple of bad results away from moving on.

With the season half over and Liverpool just three points above the relegation zone there must be doubts over his continued stay at Anfield - especially with Rafa Benitez back on the Wirral and available for work.  A tricky game against high-flying Bolton on Saturday could be Hodgson's last in charge if it again ends in defeat. 

Sack Race Odds (Paddy Power)

15/8 R Hodgson

11/4 A Grant

5/1 G Houllier

11/2 C Ancelotti

13/2 M Hughes

10/1 M McCarthy

25/1 BAR

 

Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers: Hodgson and McCarthy desperate for a boost

For different reasons Roy Hodgson and Mick McCarthy are under extreme pressure this Christmas - both need a result.

For Hodgson there is the shadow of Rafa Benitez who is back on the Wirral after being sacked by Inter and with Liverpool in mid-table and under new-ish owners no manager is necessarily safe.  A win would be a big boost given the congestion in the table - and it would move Liverpool above Blackpool on goal difference into eighth.  But Liverpool's form is so patchy that nothing is guaranteed.

McCarthy's Wolves are bottom and with a couple of managers already sacked he must feel that unless Wolves can win one of the next three games they will become detached at the bottom.  On their day, and at home, Wolves are a match for anyone - but away from home they are generally inept, with just one point and five goals all season.

Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers; Kick Off 8pm December 29 2010

Prediction Panel

Arsenal	Don McMahon	2	V	1
Aston Villa	Lynette Ranson	TBC	V	TBC
Birmingham	Steve Coulter	1	V	0
Blackburn	Terry Kennedy	TBC	V	TBC
Blackpool	Phil Trow	2	V	1
Bolton	Dave Blackburn	2	V	0
Chelsea	Joe Tyler	0	V	1
Everton	Chris Goodwin	1	V	0
Fulham	Russell Goldman	1	V	0
Liverpool	Mark Williams	3	V	0
Man City	Callum Rothwell	2	V	0
Man Utd	Peter Lee	2	V	0
Newcastle	Michael Stout	TBC	V	TBC
Stoke City	Philip Eccleston	2	V	1
Sunderland	Tony Ratton	2	V	0
Tottenham	Dave Nash	0	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	1	V	1
OUR EXPERTS
Editor	Antony Melvin	2	V	1
Writer	Colin Illingworth	2	V	1
Writer	Hugh Larkin	2	V	0
Writer	Paul Grech	TBC	V	TBC
Pompey fan	Dan Taylor	1	V	0
Boro fan	Sue Gardener	1	V	0
Pompey fan	Peter Rendle	2	V	0
West Ham fan	Matthew Beeby	3	V	0

Panel Verdict

The Panel is going for a home win.

Home: 21; Draw: 2; Away: 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!

 

Wigan Athletic v Arsenal: Should be a few goals from midfield

Despite winning their last game, Wigan are again in the relegation zone but will hope to catch Arsenal still celebrating their win over Chelsea.

With all the relegation threatened clubs picking up wins in December Wigan will be hoping to again escape the relegation zone in what is proving an impossibly difficult to call scrap at the bottom.  Things are so tight that a win would move Wigan alongside eleventh placed Everton on 22 points.  Wigan are in good form in December, unbeaten in three games with Tom Cleverley starting to make an impression in a midfield playmaker role - three goals in the last five games, he got the winner at Wolves and the equaliser against Stoke; can he do his parent club a favour against Arsenal?  

Arsenal will feel that the win against Chelsea could be a psychological turning point in a season that was again threatening to be derailed by nervous performances in the big games.  A win will push Arsenal joint top, at the half-way mark, with the Manchester clubs - with Chelsea languishing a distance off the pace.  Arsenal have won five of the last six games and if Walcott and Fabregas are back to full fitness then they could form the most potent midfield axis in the country alongside Samir Nasri.

Wigan Athletic v Arsenal; Kick Off 7.45pm December 29 2010

Prediction Panel

Arsenal	Don McMahon	0	V	3
Aston Villa	Lynette Ranson	TBC	V	TBC
Birmingham	Steve Coulter	1	V	3
Blackburn	Terry Kennedy	TBC	V	TBC
Blackpool	Phil Trow	0	V	2
Bolton	Dave Blackburn	1	V	2
Chelsea	Joe Tyler	1	V	1
Everton	Chris Goodwin	1	V	3
Fulham	Russell Goldman	1	V	2
Liverpool	Mark Williams	0	V	0
Man City	Callum Rothwell	1	V	2
Man Utd	Peter Lee	0	V	2
Newcastle	Michael Stout	TBC	V	TBC
Stoke City	Philip Eccleston	1	V	3
Sunderland	Tony Ratton	1	V	3
Tottenham	Dave Nash	0	V	0
West Brom	Andy Wakeman	1	V	3
West Ham	Nigel Telfer	1	V	3
Wigan	Alan Moore	1	V	2
Wolves	Chris Cox	0	V	3
OUR EXPERTS
Editor	Antony Melvin	0	V	2
Writer	Colin Illingworth	1	V	3
Writer	Hugh Larkin	1	V	3
Writer	Paul Grech	TBC	V	TBC
Pompey fan	Dan Taylor	1	V	2
Boro fan	Sue Gardener	2	V	4
Pompey fan	Peter Rendle	0	V	2
West Ham fan	Matthew Beeby	1	V	4

 

Panel Verdict

The Panel is going for an away win.

Home: 0; Draw: 3; Away: 21.

* 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!

Premier League Predictions Table: Great Christmas for Manchester United

On the pitch Sir Alex Ferguson’s men did the business against Sunderland to remain top of the table and United fan Peter Lee followed suit in the predictions panel to take a four point lead from his nearest challenger, Blackpool’s Phil Trow.

Peter picked up seven points from the Boxing Day fixtures by predicting two scores on the button – United’s 2-0 win over Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur’s 2-1 victory at Villa – and correctly predicting that Bolton Wanderers would beat West Bromwich Albion. The score wasn’t the best of the weekend but it was enough to extend his lead at the top as Blackpool Phil only managed to predict three results correctly.

The biggest hitter of the week was actually Wigan’s Alan Moore who, considering two games were cancelled, pulled in an impressive 11 points, including three maximum returns. Alan was the only pundit to correctly tip Stoke to win at Blackburn 2-0. He also had Bolton down to beat West Brom 2-0 and for Spurs to beat the Villa. His other points came from tipping Manchester United and Arsenal to win their respective games. The Wigan fan would have gained even more points if he had more faith in Roberto Martinez’s side as he predicted Wigan would lose at Wolves. Tut tut!

Roberto Di Matteo hasn’t given the West Brom fans much to get excited about this December but Baggies fan Andy Wakeman did his hopes of entering the title race no harm at all with a healthy return of nine. He was closely followed in the weekly rundown by Stoke City’s Philip Eccleston and our very own West Ham fan Matthew Beeby with eight points each. Matthew deserves a special mention for being the only pundit to tip the Hammers to beat Fulham 3-1.

Talking of West Ham, it’s been a good Christmas so far for Avram Grant and the boys. They are unbeaten in three – following yesterday’s draw with Everton – have recorded their first away win of the season and are off the foot of the table. It’s also been good news for basement boy and Hammers diehard Nigel Telfer. He has given himself a lifeline at the foot of the table by reeling in seven points to now go level on points with Fulham. Capital rivals Chelsea are also within touching distance of the Irons.

Now I hate blowing my own trumpet but I must flag up that, although the Panel did strongly fancy Arsenal to beat Chelsea on Monday night, I was the only pundit to correctly predict a 3-1 win for the Gunners. It was my only correct score of the week but what a prediction! A few more of them and I’ll be challenging for the title . . . well, maybe next season!

Despite falling to second place, Blackpool’s Phil Trow remains on top in the correct scores table with 64 and Aston Villa’s Lynette Ranson is still the one to beat in the correct results section with 69 to her name. Will we have new leaders as we enter 2011? Come back later this week when I will have updated the results from the midweek festivities.

 

Here are the scores from this week:

	Player	Correct scores	Correct results	Points
WIGAN	Alan Moore	3	2	11
WEST BROM	Andy Wakeman	2	3	9
STOKE CITY	Philip Eccleston	2	2	8
SQF EXP WHAM	Matthew Beeby	1	5	8
LIVERPOOL	Mark Williams	2	1	7
MAN UTD	Peter Lee	2	1	7
WEST HAM	Nigel Telfer	1	4	7
SQF ACE POMPEY	Dan Taylor	1	4	7
SQF ACE POMPEY	Peter Rendle	1	4	7
ARSENAL	Don McMahon	1	3	6
SQF WRITER	Colin Illingworth	1	3	6
BLACKBURN	Terry Kennedy	1	2	5
EVERTON	Chris Goodwin	1	2	5
MAN CITY	Callum Rothwell	1	2	5
SQF EDITOR	Antony Melvin	1	2	5
SQF WRITER	Hugh Larkin	1	2	5
ASTON VILLA	Lynette Ranson	0	4	4
CHELSEA	Joe Tyler	1	1	4
SUNDERLAND	Tony Ratton	0	4	4
BOLTON	Dave Blackburn	0	3	3
BLACKPOOL	Phil Trow	0	3	3
FULHAM	Russell Goldman	0	3	3
WOLVES	Chris Cox	0	3	3
SQF EXP BORO	Sue Gardener	0	3	3
BIRMINGHAM	Steve Coulter	0	2	2
NEWCASTLE	Michael Stout	0	2	2
SPURS	Dave Nash	0	0	0
SQF WRITER	Paul Grech	0	0	0

 

(The Panellists get three points for each correct score and one point for each correct result they predict)

Here is how the overall table currently stands.

	TEAM	Player	Crrct scores	Crrct results	Pts
↑	MAN UTD	Peter Lee	23	62	131
↓	BLACKPOOL	Phil Trow	24	55	127
↔	NEWCASTLE	Michael Stout	21	58	121
↔	SUNDERLAND	Tony Ratton	19	64	121
↑	WIGAN	Alan Moore	21	58	121
↑	STOKE CITY	Philip Eccleston	20	59	119
↔	MAN CITY	Callum Rothwell	18	63	117
↓	BOLTON	Dave Blackburn	17	65	116
↑	SQF EDITOR	Antony Melvin	19	58	115
↓	SQF WRITER	Paul Grech	21	51	114
↓	WEST BROM	Andy Wakeman	18	58	112
↓	SPURS	Dave Nash	18	54	109
↑	ARSENAL	Don McMahon	19	51	108
↓	BLACKBURN	Terry Kennedy	18	54	108
↓	SQF WRITER	Hugh Larkin	14	66	108
↓	SQF WRITER	Colin Illingworth	17	57	108
↑	SQF EXP WHAM	Matthew Beeby	16	61	107
↓	EVERTON	Chris Goodwin	15	60	105
↑	SQF ACE POMPEY	Dan Taylor	19	46	103
↓	ASTON VILLA	Lynette Ranson	11	69	102
↔	LIVERPOOL	Mark Williams	14	60	102
↑	SQF ACE POMPEY	Peter Rendle	15	55	100
↓	BIRMINGHAM	Steve Coulter	14	56	98
↓	WOLVES	Chris Cox	16	50	98
↑	CHELSEA	Joe Tyler	15	49	94
↓	SQF EXP BORO	Sue Gardener	14	52	94
↔	FULHAM	Russell Goldman	13	51	90
↔	WEST HAM	Nigel Telfer	12	54	90

 

Predictions and previews for all of this weekend’s games will be available to view on Squarefootball from 6pm GMT on Friday.

An updated league table will be published every Wednesday.

Chelsea v Bolton Wanderers: If Coyle wins this could he replace Ancelotti?

Fifth plays sixth as Chelsea face Bolton in a crisis after hitting relegation form for a couple of months to throw away their advantage at the top of the table.

Chelsea start this game from fifth place - and the pressure is building on Carlo Ancelotti - but they can move back into the top four with a win.  

There is little doubt that Ancelotti is unlikely to keep his position if results don't change - if Chelsea pick up six points from the next eight games they will be yielding fewer points per game than Blackpool have managed to date - but there is equally little doubt that little has changed since the barnstorming start to the season, and it will only take a small spark and Chelsea will be flying again.  Will the spark come early enough for Ancelotti?  

Bolton are flying high on the back of good football and an excellent team spirit - Owen Coyle's painful departure from Burnley has been proved to be a good career move.  Interestingly would Chelsea consider someone like Coyle if Ancelotti is sacked?  His standing does suggest that the bigger clubs could consider him.  A win for Bolton would push them to within a point of Champions' League qualification.  Stranger things have happened.

Chelsea v Bolton Wanderers; Kick Off 7.45pm December 29 2010

Prediction Panel

Arsenal	Don McMahon	2	V	0
Aston Villa	Lynette Ranson	TBC	V	TBC
Birmingham	Steve Coulter	2	V	0
Blackburn	Terry Kennedy	TBC	V	TBC
Blackpool	Phil Trow	2	V	1
Bolton	Dave Blackburn	2	V	0
Chelsea	Joe Tyler	3	V	0
Everton	Chris Goodwin	2	V	0
Fulham	Russell Goldman	1	V	2
Liverpool	Mark Williams	1	V	0
Man City	Callum Rothwell	2	V	0
Man Utd	Peter Lee	3	V	0
Newcastle	Michael Stout	TBC	V	TBC
Stoke City	Philip Eccleston	1	V	0
Sunderland	Tony Ratton	1	V	2
Tottenham	Dave Nash	0	V	0
West Brom	Andy Wakeman	2	V	0
West Ham	Nigel Telfer	1	V	1
Wigan	Alan Moore	2	V	0
Wolves	Chris Cox	3	V	0
OUR EXPERTS
Editor	Antony Melvin	2	V	0
Writer	Colin Illingworth	2	V	1
Writer	Hugh Larkin	2	V	0
Writer	Paul Grech	TBC	V	TBC
Pompey fan	Dan Taylor	1	V	1
Boro fan	Sue Gardener	3	V	1
Pompey fan	Peter Rendle	3	V	0
West Ham fan	Matthew Beeby	2	V	0

Panel Verdict

The panel are expecting a Chelsea win.

Home: 19; Draw: 3; Away: 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!

Birmingham City v Manchester United: Second season syndrome?

Birmingham will rely on their good home form to get them out of trouble, but not many expect them to break Manchester United's unbeaten run today.

A home defeat against the league leaders could plunge Birmingham into the relegation zone if Fulham or West Ham get a win earlier in the day - a definite case of second season syndrome after last season's comfortable mid-table finish.  Ben Foster has been excelling recently and will be keen to deny his last club who never really gave him an extended run - his 23 games being spread over 5 seasons and punctuated by extended loan deals.

Manchester United should be quite fresh after losing a couple of games to the weather in December, with the Boxing Day game against Sunderland hardly a contest.  Berbatov has scored enough goals to suggest that he will get 20 league goals for the season (I'm not convinced he'll get 25) - and when Rooney starts chipping in United will be difficult to resist.  Rooney will inevitably start scoring a clutch of goals soon - will it start today?

Birmingham City v Manchester United; Kick Off 8pm December 28 2010

Prediction Panel

Arsenal	Don McMahon	2	V	2
Aston Villa	Lynette Ranson	TBC	V	TBC
Birmingham	Steve Coulter	0	V	0
Blackburn	Terry Kennedy	TBC	V	TBC
Blackpool	Phil Trow	1	V	2
Bolton	Dave Blackburn	0	V	2
Chelsea	Joe Tyler	0	V	2
Everton	Chris Goodwin	0	V	3
Fulham	Russell Goldman	2	V	1
Liverpool	Mark Williams	0	V	0
Man City	Callum Rothwell	0	V	2
Man Utd	Peter Lee	1	V	2
Newcastle	Michael Stout	TBC	V	TBC
Stoke City	Philip Eccleston	1	V	0
Sunderland	Tony Ratton	1	V	2
Tottenham	Dave Nash	0	V	0
West Brom	Andy Wakeman	0	V	2
West Ham	Nigel Telfer	1	V	1
Wigan	Alan Moore	1	V	1
Wolves	Chris Cox	0	V	2
OUR EXPERTS
Editor	Antony Melvin	1	V	2
Writer	Colin Illingworth	1	V	1
Writer	Hugh Larkin	0	V	2
Writer	Paul Grech	TBC	V	TBC
Pompey fan	Dan Taylor	0	V	0
Boro fan	Sue Gardener	1	V	4
Pompey fan	Peter Rendle	0	V	3
West Ham fan	Matthew Beeby	0	V	2

Panel Verdict

The Panel is going for an away win.

Home: 2; Draw: 8; Away: 14.

* 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 v Everton: Hammers eye safety against improving Everton

West Ham's recent win may be enough to keep Avram Grant in place for January - a time when Everton will surely want to improve their strike force.  

One swallow does not make a summer - and one winter win does not save a struggling side from the drop.  But West Ham must be buoyed by four points from two away games - and will hope to drag Everton back into the relegation scrap with another win.  With Carlton Cole getting his match sharpness back the Hammers are starting to score goals and get results - 12 goals in total in the last six games (four for Cole) has dragged West Ham close to safety; another six games with similar results and Grant may even get a second season. 

Everton are on a good run of form, with last Monday's win at Manchester City a sign that this team is capable of much more than a season of mid-season struggle.  Arteta returns after suspension, Pienaar, Jagielka and Heitinga are expected to be fit - so as long as the mis-firing strike force comes good Everton can make a traditionally late sure for the top six.  Why a team able to call on strikers like Saha, Yakubu, Anichebe and Beckford is struggling is a mystery - possibly one that Moyes will look to solve in the transfer window.

West Ham United v Everton; Kick Off 5.30pm December 28 2010

Prediction Panel

Arsenal	Don McMahon	0	V	2
Aston Villa	Lynette Ranson	TBC	V	TBC
Birmingham	Steve Coulter	1	V	0
Blackburn	Terry Kennedy	TBC	V	TBC
Blackpool	Phil Trow	1	V	1
Bolton	Dave Blackburn	0	V	0
Chelsea	Joe Tyler	1	V	0
Everton	Chris Goodwin	0	V	1
Fulham	Russell Goldman	1	V	2
Liverpool	Mark Williams	0	V	0
Man City	Callum Rothwell	1	V	1
Man Utd	Peter Lee	1	V	1
Newcastle	Michael Stout	TBC	V	TBC
Stoke City	Philip Eccleston	1	V	1
Sunderland	Tony Ratton	1	V	3
Tottenham	Dave Nash	0	V	0
West Brom	Andy Wakeman	1	V	2
West Ham	Nigel Telfer	2	V	1
Wigan	Alan Moore	0	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	2	V	1
Writer	Paul Grech	TBC	V	TBC
Pompey fan	Dan Taylor	1	V	1
Boro fan	Sue Gardener	1	V	3
Pompey fan	Peter Rendle	2	V	0
West Ham fan	Matthew Beeby	2	V	0

 

Panel Verdict

It's too close to call.

Home: 6; Draw: 9; Away: 9.

* 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 v Newcastle United: Unlikely to end goal-less

A big game between two entertaining sides gives Spurs a chance to move above Chelsea into the Champions' League places; Alan Pardew will be looking for another good performance after a solid start to his tenure.  

Tottenham are unbeaten in the last nine games - including beating Arsenal, Inter and Liverpool and drawing with Chelsea; there are few games that now phase them.  Spurs haven't kept a clean sheet since the opening game of the season - that profligacy must be worrying.  

Newcastle have shipped eight goals in their last two away games - and 13 in their last five all told, so the form of Andy Carroll seems essential to keep Newcastle competitive.  This seems unlikely to end goal-less. 

 

Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United; Kick Off 3pm December 28 2010

Prediction Panel

Arsenal	Don McMahon	1	V	1
Aston Villa	Lynette Ranson	TBC	V	TBC
Birmingham	Steve Coulter	2	V	0
Blackburn	Terry Kennedy	TBC	V	TBC
Blackpool	Phil Trow	2	V	1
Bolton	Dave Blackburn	3	V	1
Chelsea	Joe Tyler	3	V	1
Everton	Chris Goodwin	2	V	1
Fulham	Russell Goldman	3	V	0
Liverpool	Mark Williams	3	V	1
Man City	Callum Rothwell	2	V	0
Man Utd	Peter Lee	2	V	1
Newcastle	Michael Stout	TBC	V	TBC
Stoke City	Philip Eccleston	3	V	1
Sunderland	Tony Ratton	2	V	1
Tottenham	Dave Nash	0	V	0
West Brom	Andy Wakeman	1	V	1
West Ham	Nigel Telfer	1	V	1
Wigan	Alan Moore	4	V	2
Wolves	Chris Cox	3	V	0
OUR EXPERTS
Editor	Antony Melvin	2	V	1
Writer	Colin Illingworth	3	V	1
Writer	Hugh Larkin	2	V	2
Writer	Paul Grech	TBC	V	TBC
Pompey fan	Dan Taylor	3	V	1
Boro fan	Sue Gardener	2	V	2
Pompey fan	Peter Rendle	2	V	1
West Ham fan	Matthew Beeby	2	V	2

Panel Verdict

The Panel is going for a home win.

Home: 17; Draw: 7; Away: 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!

Sunderland v Blackpool: Will Blackpool be fresher after postponements?

Sunderland and Blackpool are both exceeding expectations this season, with Sunderland only four points shy of Champions' League qualification and Blackpool well clear of danger.

Sunderland will not be the only club looking at the patchy form of Spurs, Liverpool and Chelsea and wondering if there may be a Champions' League slot available - even if the Europa League is a far simpler achievement from here.  Injuries are dogging the Sunderland squad, but the fighting spirit displayed at Old Trafford suggests that Sunderland may not have peaked yet.

Although there will be a fixture pile-up later, Blackpool's limited resources may get a short-term boost from some game cancellations - allowing niggles to clear up and a break for the players.  If Ian Holloway can gee his side up then they will have a solid chance against a depleted Sunderland.

 

Sunderland v Blackpool; Kick Off 3pm December 28 2010

Prediction Panel

Arsenal	Don McMahon	2	V	1
Aston Villa	Lynette Ranson	TBC	V	TBC
Birmingham	Steve Coulter	1	V	1
Blackburn	Terry Kennedy	TBC	V	TBC
Blackpool	Phil Trow	1	V	1
Bolton	Dave Blackburn	1	V	0
Chelsea	Joe Tyler	1	V	0
Everton	Chris Goodwin	1	V	0
Fulham	Russell Goldman	2	V	1
Liverpool	Mark Williams	1	V	2
Man City	Callum Rothwell	0	V	0
Man Utd	Peter Lee	1	V	1
Newcastle	Michael Stout	TBC	V	TBC
Stoke City	Philip Eccleston	2	V	1
Sunderland	Tony Ratton	2	V	1
Tottenham	Dave Nash	0	V	0
West Brom	Andy Wakeman	1	V	1
West Ham	Nigel Telfer	1	V	2
Wigan	Alan Moore	2	V	2
Wolves	Chris Cox	2	V	2
OUR EXPERTS
Editor	Antony Melvin	2	V	1
Writer	Colin Illingworth	2	V	1
Writer	Hugh Larkin	3	V	0
Writer	Paul Grech	TBC	V	TBC
Pompey fan	Dan Taylor	1	V	0
Boro fan	Sue Gardener	4	V	1
Pompey fan	Peter Rendle	2	V	1
West Ham fan	Matthew Beeby	2	V	1

 

Panel Verdict

hg.

Home: 14; Draw: 8; Away: 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!

Squarefootball’s Premier League quiz: Week 20

Welcome back to the toughest weekly football quiz in the world. I’ve compiled 10 more questions for you to answer relating to the midweek festive fixtures. You need to know more than football to get full marks in this quiz with questions covering topics such as politics, history and music. Are you the brainiest football fan out there? Prove it!

So let’s not waste any more time. Here is question one.

1. Birmingham City v Manchester United: The Blues last beat Manchester United in November 1978 and what a win it was. They beat the Red Devils 5-1! But who was the manager of Manchester United that day? Was it A – Dave Sexton, B – Tommy Docherty or C – Ron Atkinson?

2. Manchester City v Aston Villa: The Villains have lost on their past three visits to Eastlands. However, in April 2007 Villa beat the Citizens 2-0. Can you name the scorers? Was it A – Maloney and Barry, B – Maloney and Carew or C – Carew and Milner?

3. Stoke City v Fulham: Who finished higher in the Premier League last season, Stoke City or Fulham?

4. Sunderland v Blackpool: Ian Holloway’s men travel to the north east looking for their first win at Sunderland since thrashing them 4-1 in February 1958. Who was the Prime Minister of Britain at that time? Was it A – Anthony Eden, B – Harold MacMillan or C – Alexander Douglas-Home?

5. Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United: Spurs paid a British record transfer fee of £2 million to Newcastle in 1988 for the services of Paul Gascoigne. However that record lasted only six weeks, who broke it? Was it A – Tony Cottee, B – Chris Waddle or C – Ian Rush?

6. West Bromwich Albion v Blackburn Rovers: The FA Cup third round is just around the corner but who has won the most FA Cups, West Bromwich Albion or Blackburn Rovers?

7. West Ham United v Everton: The Hammers haven’t beaten the Toffees at Upton Park since April 2007. The score that day was 1-0, but who scored? Was it A – Carlos Tevez, B – Matthew Etherington or C – Bobby Zamora?

8. Chelsea v Bolton Wanderers: The Wanderers sensationally beat the champions at the Bridge 2-1 back in December 2003. Only five players who featured that day remain at their respective clubs. Can you name them?

9. Liverpool v Wolves: It’s been almost 27 years since Wolves last triumphed at Anfield. That momentous occasion came on January 14, 1984, but who was top of the UK singles chart? Was it A – Paul McCartney with Pipes of Peace, B – Frankie Goes To Hollywood with Relax or Nena and 99 Red Balloons?

10. Wigan Athletic v Arsenal: Who is the only player to have scored a hat-trick in this fixture? Is it A – Thomas Vermaelen, B – Hugo Rodallega or C – Thierry Henry?

To see how you got on please click here

 

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

Squarefootball’s Premier League Quiz: Week 20 – The Answers

So how did you get on?

1. Birmingham City v Manchester United: The manager we were looking for was Dave Sexton.

2. Manchester City v Aston Villa: The pairing we were after was Shaun Maloney and John Carew.

3. Stoke City v Fulham: Despite Fulham’s heroics in Europe they finished just 12^th in the table, one point behind the Potters.

4.  Sunderland v Blackpool: The Prime Minister of Britain the last time Blackpool won on Wearside was Harold MacMillan.

 5. Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United: Everton paid West Ham United £2.2 million for the services of striker Tony Cottee.

6. West Bromwich Albion v Blackburn Rovers: The Baggies have five FA Cups to their name, but Blackburn Rovers have six. Their last success came in 1928.

7. West Ham United v Everton: The West Ham hero back in April 2007 against the Toffees was Bobby Zamora.

8. Chelsea v Bolton Wanderers: The players we are looking for are Chelsea’s John Terry and Frank Lampard and Bolton’s Jussi Jaaskelainen, Kevin Davies and Ricardo Gardner.

9. Liverpool v Wolves: Former Beatle Paul McCartney was top of the pops in Britain with his hit Pipes of Peace the last time Wolves won at Anfield.

10. Wigan Athletic v Arsenal: Arsenal legend Thierry Henry netted a hat-trick against the Latics at the Emirates in 2006 to secure their place in the top four.

 

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

Will Chelsea chop Ancelotti if they lose to Bolton on Wednesday?

When Carlo Ancelotti became manager at Chelsea 18 months ago his record seemed to suggest that he would be a success at Chelsea.  And Chelsea thrillingly and immediately surged to the title scoring over a hundred league goals in the process.  But with the Ray Wilkins sacking and an over-reliance on ageing stars Chelsea have collapsed in recent weeks hitting relegation form in November and December and now threatening to slide out of the top four following defeat at Arsenal.

Roman Abramovich has form in chopping managers in mid-season - will Ancelotti be next?

Since Roman Abramovich arrived in 2003 Ancelotti is only the second manager to get a second full season in charge.  Claudio Ranieri was sacked after finishing second to Arsenal's invincibles a year after Abramovich arrived; Jose Mourinho won the title in his first two seasons, but with simmering tension concerning transfers Chelsea finished second in his final full season.  Mourinho stumbled through a few weeks before he was inevitably replaced by the recently appointed Director of Football - Avram Grant.  Grant finished second in the league and Champions' League and was sacked.  The experienced ex-Brazil manager, Felipe Scolari was brought in to add some flair but was sacked just past mid-way through the next season and with Chelsea threatening to finish outside the top four, Guus Hiddink came in to steady the ship and lead Chelsea to a respectable third.  Ancelotti's appointment saw an immediate return with a league and cup double.

So in the past seven seasons under Abramovich Chelsea have finished 2-1-1-2-2-3-1 and in the process burned through six managers.  It is hard to see why any club would look at a seven year stretch that contained three titles and continual top three finishes as anything other than a glorious time - but it seems that this is not always enough.  Under Phil Scolari as soon as Chelsea looked like they might finish outside the top four he was axed, and Chelsea are again not far from that position.

If Tottenham beat Newcastle on Tuesday, Chelsea will face Bolton at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday in fifth place - with Bolton, almost unthinkably, ready to move above Chelsea as the season reaches half-way.  With Manchester United starting to get clear at the top will this be a scenario where Abramovich will move for his seventh manager?  

Stoke City v Fulham: Potters look to expose frail Fulham

Stoke start the game in eighth after a series of good results; whereas Fulham have slumped to eighteenth

Stoke enter this game on the back of four wins and two draws in the last seven games, scoring 13 goals in that time - so Stoke will expect another couple of goals in this game.  Matthew Etherington is a doubt and his set pieces and goal threat have been instrumental in Stoke's rise.  In the the last five Stoke games Etherington has scored three goals, and Robert Huth has also bagged three goals in November and December - benefiting from excellent free-kick delivery from Etherington.  If the winger is absent Stoke will need to find inspiration elsewhere.

 Fulham have managed to win just two games this season, a total exceeded by every other top flight club.  Obviously this is relegation form, even if the exceptionally high number of draws is keeping Fulham competitive.  In mitigation the early season injuries to Bobby Zamora, Andrew Johnson and Damien Duff have pushed too much responsibility onto Clint Dempsey.  So the return of Duff and Johnson, with Zamora being a few weeks away seems likely to improve Fulham's goalscoring record from below a goal a game.  Once the key forwards are restored to match fitness there should be enough quality in the squad to win games like this - but is this game too soon for Duff and Johnson?

Stoke City v Fulham; Kick Off 3pm December 28 2010

Prediction Panel

Arsenal	Don McMahon	0	V	1
Aston Villa	Lynette Ranson	TBC	V	TBC
Birmingham	Steve Coulter	1	V	0
Blackburn	Terry Kennedy	TBC	V	TBC
Blackpool	Phil Trow	2	V	1
Bolton	Dave Blackburn	2	V	0
Chelsea	Joe Tyler	2	V	0
Everton	Chris Goodwin	2	V	2
Fulham	Russell Goldman	1	V	2
Liverpool	Mark Williams	1	V	0
Man City	Callum Rothwell	2	V	0
Man Utd	Peter Lee	2	V	0
Newcastle	Michael Stout	TBC	V	TBC
Stoke City	Philip Eccleston	2	V	0
Sunderland	Tony Ratton	2	V	1
Tottenham	Dave Nash	0	V	0
West Brom	Andy Wakeman	2	V	0
West Ham	Nigel Telfer	2	V	1
Wigan	Alan Moore	2	V	1
Wolves	Chris Cox	2	V	1
OUR EXPERTS
Editor	Antony Melvin	2	V	0
Writer	Colin Illingworth	2	V	0
Writer	Hugh Larkin	2	V	0
Writer	Paul Grech	TBC	V	TBC
Pompey fan	Dan Taylor	2	V	1
Boro fan	Sue Gardener	0	V	0
Pompey fan	Peter Rendle	1	V	0
West Ham fan	Matthew Beeby	2	V	0

Panel Verdict

The Panel is going for a home win.

Home: 19; Draw: 3; Away: 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!

Manchester City v Aston Villa: City eye top spot against vapid Villa

There is little doubt that Manchester City will outspend Aston Villa in the January transfer window, but equally, there is no debate as to which side really needs a boost.

Manchester City kick-off five hours before league leaders Manchester United and a win can put City top and put pressure on them before their tricky game at Birmingham - City can still hope to top the table at new year.  The hard fought win at Newcastle perhaps points to a steelier City side that can get results in difficult games.  But can City banish the suspicion that in games where they are expected to make the running - like this one - that Mancini can be too conservative?  A safety first policy seems unlikely to win the title, so will we see City play with more attackers than defensive midfielders in this one?  

Gerard Houllier is in danger of lasting little longer at Villa than Rafa Benitez has at Inter; this was a club used to finishing about sixth - and with little alteration, the squad has drifted all-too-easily to somewhere closer to sixteenth.  I'm unsure what the question could have possibly been if the answer was Robert Pires and Houllier needs a result if he is going to justify spending anything in January.

Manchester City v Aston Villa; Kick Off 3pm December 28 2010

Prediction Panel

Arsenal	Don McMahon	1	V	1
Aston Villa	Lynette Ranson	TBC	V	TBC
Birmingham	Steve Coulter	2	V	0
Blackburn	Terry Kennedy	TBC	V	TBC
Blackpool	Phil Trow	2	V	1
Bolton	Dave Blackburn	2	V	0
Chelsea	Joe Tyler	2	V	1
Everton	Chris Goodwin	2	V	0
Fulham	Russell Goldman	2	V	1
Liverpool	Mark Williams	2	V	0
Man City	Callum Rothwell	1	V	0
Man Utd	Peter Lee	2	V	0
Newcastle	Michael Stout	TBC	V	TBC
Stoke City	Philip Eccleston	2	V	0
Sunderland	Tony Ratton	2	V	0
Tottenham	Dave Nash	0	V	0
West Brom	Andy Wakeman	2	V	0
West Ham	Nigel Telfer	2	V	1
Wigan	Alan Moore	2	V	0
Wolves	Chris Cox	2	V	0
OUR EXPERTS
Editor	Antony Melvin	2	V	0
Writer	Colin Illingworth	2	V	1
Writer	Hugh Larkin	1	V	0
Writer	Paul Grech	TBC	V	TBC
Pompey fan	Dan Taylor	2	V	0
Boro fan	Sue Gardener	1	V	2
Pompey fan	Peter Rendle	2	V	0
West Ham fan	Matthew Beeby	3	V	1

Panel Verdict

The Panel is going for a home win.

Home: 21; Draw: 2; Away: 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!

West Bromwich Albion v Blackburn Rovers: Heading in opposite directions?

West Brom and Blackburn have the same number of points and goal difference as we approach half-time in the season - but there is little doubt which team most pundits expect will be left behind by March.

West Brom will start this game as the favourites and will miss the suspended Chris Brunt, although that will not be a massive drawback if Peter Odemwingie finds the shooting boots that he so clearly lost beneath some Boxing Day turkey.  West Brom will see that eighth placed Stoke are only two points better off - and this match could be a springboard to a top half finish.

There were plenty of Blackburn fans happy to see the back of Sam Allardyce - but with players like Samba ready to leave, team spirit has taken a hit.  Is now a good time to take on a rookie manager from within?  Steve Kean deserves sympathy, even if he is not asking for any after being given his big chance - but he may find that the loan market is not as open in these circumstances to a Blackburn side that has dumped Allardyce.  Not sure how likely a Blackburn away win is going to be until the team settle down to the new regime, at the moment the whole club seems to have lost a little edge. 

Everton v Birmingham City; Kick Off 3pm December 28 2010

Prediction Panel

Arsenal	Don McMahon	1	V	2
Aston Villa	Lynette Ranson	TBC	V	TBC
Birmingham	Steve Coulter	0	V	0
Blackburn	Terry Kennedy	TBC	V	TBC
Blackpool	Phil Trow	2	V	1
Bolton	Dave Blackburn	2	V	1
Chelsea	Joe Tyler	2	V	2
Everton	Chris Goodwin	0	V	0
Fulham	Russell Goldman	0	V	1
Liverpool	Mark Williams	2	V	0
Man City	Callum Rothwell	1	V	0
Man Utd	Peter Lee	2	V	0
Newcastle	Michael Stout	TBC	V	TBC
Stoke City	Philip Eccleston	2	V	0
Sunderland	Tony Ratton	1	V	0
Tottenham	Dave Nash	0	V	0
West Brom	Andy Wakeman	2	V	0
West Ham	Nigel Telfer	1	V	1
Wigan	Alan Moore	2	V	0
Wolves	Chris Cox	1	V	0
OUR EXPERTS
Editor	Antony Melvin	2	V	1
Writer	Colin Illingworth	2	V	0
Writer	Hugh Larkin	2	V	0
Writer	Paul Grech	TBC	V	TBC
Pompey fan	Dan Taylor	2	V	0
Boro fan	Sue Gardener	3	V	2
Pompey fan	Peter Rendle	1	V	1
West Ham fan	Matthew Beeby	2	V	0

Panel Verdict

The Panel is going for a home win.

Home: 16; Draw: 6; Away: 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!

Arsenal v Chelsea: Can the Gunners finally beat one of the big boys?

It's the game everyone has been waiting for this Christmas. Title challengers Arsenal and Chelsea lock horns at the Emirates with the Gunners looking to end their barren run against the top sides while Chelsea are desperate to get back to winning ways. But who will be the ones celebrating come the final whistle?

Going by recent meetings it has to be Chelsea. The Blues haven't lost in their past four clashes, scoring 11 in the process. And despite their awful run of form recently, with Lampard and Essien back to fitness, you'd have to fancy the visitors for all three points here.

However, Arsenal are a strange side to call at the moment. They are trying to pass the ball around as usual but at home they are looking increasingly suspect. West Brom, Newcastle and Spurs have all left the Emirates with maximum points already this season and Chelsea will not be intimidated about heading across the capital.

The Blues haven't won in the league since beating neighbours Fulham almost seven weeks ago. Since then they have lost to Sunderland and Birmingham City and drawn with Newcastle, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur. It's not exactly championship winning form but, before the weekend's action, they are only three points off United.

Arsenal's credentials as serious title contenders are being doubted. Victory here though would silence all the critics and put Carlo Ancelotti in real trouble. And surprisingly most of the pundits believe the Gunners will get something out of the mis-firing Blues.

Arsenal v Chelsea; Kick Off 8pm December 27 2010

Prediction Panel

Arsenal	Don McMahon	2	V	1
Aston Villa	Lynette Ranson	2	V	1
Birmingham	Steve Coulter	0	V	2
Blackburn	Terry Kennedy	1	V	1
Blackpool	Phil Trow	2	V	1
Bolton	Dave Blackburn	1	V	0
Chelsea	Joe Tyler	0	V	1
Everton	Chris Goodwin	2	V	0
Fulham	Russell Goldman	2	V	1
Liverpool	Mark Williams	2	V	0
Man City	Callum Rothwell	2	V	2
Man Utd	Peter Lee	1	V	2
Newcastle	Michael Stout	2	V	1
Stoke City	Philip Eccleston	2	V	2
Sunderland	Tony Ratton	2	V	1
Tottenham	Dave Nash	0	V	0
West Brom	Andy Wakeman	1	V	0
West Ham	Nigel Telfer	1	V	1
Wigan	Alan Moore	3	V	2
Wolves	Chris Cox	2	V	2
OUR EXPERTS
Editor	Antony Melvin	1	V	1
Writer	Colin Illingworth	3	V	1
Writer	Hugh Larkin	0	V	1
Writer	Paul Grech	TBC	V	TBC
Pompey fan	Dan Taylor	2	V	3
Boro fan	Sue Gardener	3	V	2
Pompey fan	Peter Rendle	0	V	2
West Ham fan	Matthew Beeby	1	V	0

Panel Verdict

Arsenal are being tipped to end their barren run against the champions.

Home: 14; Draw: 7; Away: 6.

* 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!

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Wigan Athletic: Safety’s in sight for both sides

All Wolves and Wigan fans want for Christmas is to escape the bottom three. On Boxing Day Mick McCarthy and Roberto Martinez have the perfect opportunity to realise those wishes and leave the other in deep trouble.

Wolves enter the game one point behind the visitors but will start the game as slight favourites. They have won their past two league matches at Molineux and Mick McCarthy will be telling his players to go for the throats of their fellow strugglers. Sunderland and Birmingham have both fallen to defeat at Molineux but Wigan won’t be running scared as they have only lost to Wolves once in the past decade.

The Latics have drawn their past two outings in the Premier League but they haven’t won a league game since beating West Brom six weeks ago. Martinez will be looking to end that run of results before the year is out.

Games between the two sides have been few and far between down the years but Wolves have only triumphed against them at Molineux once, way back in 1988. Can they rewrite history this Christmas to give their survival hopes a huge boost? The Panel certainly thinks so.

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Wigan Athletic; Kick Off 3pm December 26 2010

Prediction Panel

Arsenal	Don McMahon	1	V	0
Aston Villa	Lynette Ranson	TBC	V	TBC
Birmingham	Steve Coulter	0	V	0
Blackburn	Terry Kennedy	1	V	0
Blackpool	Phil Trow	2	V	1
Bolton	Dave Blackburn	2	V	1
Chelsea	Joe Tyler	3	V	0
Everton	Chris Goodwin	1	V	0
Fulham	Russell Goldman	1	V	1
Liverpool	Mark Williams	1	V	0
Man City	Callum Rothwell	2	V	0
Man Utd	Peter Lee	2	V	1
Newcastle	Michael Stout	1	V	0
Stoke City	Philip Eccleston	1	V	1
Sunderland	Tony Ratton	1	V	0
Tottenham	Dave Nash	0	V	0
West Brom	Andy Wakeman	1	V	2
West Ham	Nigel Telfer	0	V	1
Wigan	Alan Moore	1	V	0
Wolves	Chris Cox	2	V	1
OUR EXPERTS
Editor	Antony Melvin	2	V	1
Writer	Colin Illingworth	3	V	1
Writer	Hugh Larkin	2	V	1
Writer	Paul Grech	TBC	V	TBC
Pompey fan	Dan Taylor	1	V	0
Boro fan	Sue Gardener	0	V	0
Pompey fan	Peter Rendle	0	V	0
West Ham fan	Matthew Beeby	2	V	2

Panel Verdict

The Panel is going for a home win.

Home: 17; Draw: 7; Away: 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!

Newcastle United v Manchester City: Pardew targets Mancini’s turkeys

Roberto Mancini blew the perfect opportunity to lead the Premier League table on Monday night but at least the Carlos Tevez situation has been sorted out . . . for now. But can they bounce back from their Everton disaster to beat a resurgent Newcastle side?

Alan Pardew couldn’t have asked for a better start to life at St James’ Park than beating Liverpool 3-1 and he will be looking for a repeat performance here against the Citizens. But Newcastle have been infuriatingly frustrating this season. One week they put Villa to the sword then they lose to Blackpool at home. There’s just no pattern to their displays at all although I’m sure Pardew will be keen to rectify that.

Manchester City haven’t lost at St James’ in their past three visits and haven’t lost on their travels for almost two months. They will go into the game as favourites but their display at Eastlands on Monday hasn’t convinced many of the pundits that they can push for the title.

Newcastle United v Manchester City; Kick Off 3pm December 26 2010

Prediction Panel

Arsenal	Don McMahon	0	V	1
Aston Villa	Lynette Ranson	TBC	V	TBC
Birmingham	Steve Coulter	1	V	1
Blackburn	Terry Kennedy	1	V	2
Blackpool	Phil Trow	1	V	1
Bolton	Dave Blackburn	1	V	1
Chelsea	Joe Tyler	0	V	0
Everton	Chris Goodwin	2	V	1
Fulham	Russell Goldman	2	V	1
Liverpool	Mark Williams	1	V	1
Man City	Callum Rothwell	1	V	3
Man Utd	Peter Lee	1	V	1
Newcastle	Michael Stout	1	V	1
Stoke City	Philip Eccleston	2	V	2
Sunderland	Tony Ratton	1	V	1
Tottenham	Dave Nash	0	V	0
West Brom	Andy Wakeman	1	V	2
West Ham	Nigel Telfer	1	V	1
Wigan	Alan Moore	2	V	2
Wolves	Chris Cox	2	V	1
OUR EXPERTS
Editor	Antony Melvin	0	V	0
Writer	Colin Illingworth	2	V	3
Writer	Hugh Larkin	1	V	2
Writer	Paul Grech	TBC	V	TBC
Pompey fan	Dan Taylor	2	V	2
Boro fan	Sue Gardener	1	V	2
Pompey fan	Peter Rendle	1	V	2
West Ham fan	Matthew Beeby	1	V	1

Panel Verdict

The Panel is going for a draw.

Home: 3; Draw: 15; Away: 8.

* 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 v Sunderland: No good will at Old Trafford for old boy Bruce

Manchester United fans had the best early Christmas present ever on Monday night when they watched their City rivals blow their big chance of leading the Premier League title race. Now they have the chance to extend their lead as they host Sunderland, but Steve Bruce’s men will be no pushovers.

The Black Cats have sustained their European aspirations so far, thanks largely in part to their impressive home form, and will head to the Theatre of Dreams with nothing to fear. They should have recorded their first win at Old Trafford in more than 40 years last season but for a late Anton Ferdinand own goal which ensured the points were shared and Fergie’s blushes were spared.

United remain the only unbeaten team in England and start the game as favourites but Steve Bruce will be hoping to build on last season’s display. Unfortunately it will be a huge ask, especially as they have only won once away from home all season - but then that was against the champions at Stamford Bridge!

Unsurprisingly the majority of the Panel can only see one winner here, despite United failing to find top gear so far this season.

Manchester United v Sunderland; Kick Off 3pm December 26 2010

Prediction Panel

Arsenal	Don McMahon	1	V	1
Aston Villa	Lynette Ranson	TBC	V	TBC
Birmingham	Steve Coulter	2	V	1
Blackburn	Terry Kennedy	2	V	0
Blackpool	Phil Trow	2	V	1
Bolton	Dave Blackburn	3	V	0
Chelsea	Joe Tyler	2	V	0
Everton	Chris Goodwin	2	V	0
Fulham	Russell Goldman	2	V	1
Liverpool	Mark Williams	2	V	0
Man City	Callum Rothwell	0	V	0
Man Utd	Peter Lee	2	V	0
Newcastle	Michael Stout	1	V	1
Stoke City	Philip Eccleston	3	V	1
Sunderland	Tony Ratton	3	V	1
Tottenham	Dave Nash	0	V	0
West Brom	Andy Wakeman	2	V	0
West Ham	Nigel Telfer	3	V	1
Wigan	Alan Moore	4	V	1
Wolves	Chris Cox	3	V	0
OUR EXPERTS
Editor	Antony Melvin	2	V	1
Writer	Colin Illingworth	1	V	1
Writer	Hugh Larkin	3	V	1
Writer	Paul Grech	TBC	V	TBC
Pompey fan	Dan Taylor	3	V	1
Boro fan	Sue Gardener	1	V	1
Pompey fan	Peter Rendle	3	V	1
West Ham fan	Matthew Beeby	3	V	1

 

Panel Verdict

It should be an easy day at the office for the leaders.

Home: 20; Draw: 6; Away: 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!

Blackburn Rovers v Stoke City: Pulis targets Ewood Park success

The Potters haven’t won at Ewood Park for 26 years but they won’t get a better chance of rewriting history than today. New Blackburn Rovers owners the Venkys have given caretaker manager Steve Kean the manager’s job until the end of the season, Christopher Samba is far from happy with Big Sam’s sacking and Tony Pulis will love to test the hosts’ resolve.

Despite all the off-the-field activities at Ewood Park, Rovers will go into the game full of confidence – and so they should. Only Arsenal and Chelsea have left Lancashire with maximum points this season and you have to go back to 1986 for the last time Stoke triumphed there.

Stoke lost to Blackpool on their last outing but they have taken 11 points from a possible 18 and will head to Ewood with nothing to fear. Blackburn drew with bottom place West Ham United last weekend, ending a run of three straight home wins. The Potters will be hoping to go one better than the Hammers and end their hosts’ unbeaten home record.

Blackburn go into the game one point ahead of their visitors but both sides have designs on a top half finish. Who will be closer to their goal come the final whistle? The Panel is split.

Blackburn Rovers v Stoke City; Kick Off 3pm December 262010

Prediction Panel

Arsenal	Don McMahon	1	V	0
Aston Villa	Lynette Ranson	TBC	V	TBC
Birmingham	Steve Coulter	1	V	1
Blackburn	Terry Kennedy	2	V	1
Blackpool	Phil Trow	1	V	1
Bolton	Dave Blackburn	0	V	0
Chelsea	Joe Tyler	0	V	1
Everton	Chris Goodwin	1	V	0
Fulham	Russell Goldman	1	V	0
Liverpool	Mark Williams	1	V	0
Man City	Callum Rothwell	0	V	1
Man Utd	Peter Lee	1	V	1
Newcastle	Michael Stout	1	V	0
Stoke City	Philip Eccleston	1	V	3
Sunderland	Tony Ratton	1	V	2
Tottenham	Dave Nash	0	V	0
West Brom	Andy Wakeman	1	V	0
West Ham	Nigel Telfer	0	V	1
Wigan	Alan Moore	0	V	2
Wolves	Chris Cox	1	V	1
OUR EXPERTS
Editor	Antony Melvin	2	V	1
Writer	Colin Illingworth	2	V	2
Writer	Hugh Larkin	0	V	0
Writer	Paul Grech	TBC	V	TBC
Pompey fan	Dan Taylor	1	V	3
Boro fan	Sue Gardener	2	V	0
Pompey fan	Peter Rendle	2	V	1
West Ham fan	Matthew Beeby	1	V	2

Panel Verdict

It’s too close to call.

Home: 10; Draw: 8; Away: 8.

* 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 v West Ham United: More than capital pride at stake at the Cottage

We’re just days away from heralding a new year but could we be entering 2011 with Avram Grant on the managerial scrapheap? The Hammers’ boss has reportedly been given three games to win a game and save his job. He failed his first challenge at Ewood Park last weekend by only managing a draw at managerless Blackburn. How will he fair on Boxing Day against fellow capital strugglers Fulham.

Mark Hughes made a decent start to the campaign, going seven games undefeated. But since Spurs and West Brom took maximum points off them in October they’ve taken just seven points from a possible 24 and have slipped ever closer to trouble. They start the festive period outside the drop zone only due to their superior goal difference. Defeat to the Hammers though could see Sparky’s side in the bottom three.

West Ham lost 3-2 at the Cottage last season. It was their first defeat there in the Premier League and Grant will be hoping his side can get back to winning ways. Unfortunately they haven’t won on their travels in the league since beating Wolves on the opening day of last season!

Fulham haven’t won at home since sending Wigan back up the M6 with a 2-0 defeat in October but they will fancy their chances of creating a six-point gap between themselves and the Hammers.

Fulham v West Ham United; Kick Off 12pm December 26 2010

Prediction Panel

Arsenal	Don McMahon	2	V	1
Aston Villa	Lynette Ranson	TBC	V	TBC
Birmingham	Steve Coulter	1	V	0
Blackburn	Terry Kennedy	2	V	1
Blackpool	Phil Trow	1	V	1
Bolton	Dave Blackburn	2	V	0
Chelsea	Joe Tyler	1	V	0
Everton	Chris Goodwin	0	V	0
Fulham	Russell Goldman	2	V	0
Liverpool	Mark Williams	1	V	0
Man City	Callum Rothwell	0	V	1
Man Utd	Peter Lee	2	V	1
Newcastle	Michael Stout	1	V	1
Stoke City	Philip Eccleston	1	V	0
Sunderland	Tony Ratton	1	V	1
Tottenham	Dave Nash	0	V	0
West Brom	Andy Wakeman	1	V	0
West Ham	Nigel Telfer	1	V	2
Wigan	Alan Moore	0	V	0
Wolves	Chris Cox	2	V	1
OUR EXPERTS
Editor	Antony Melvin	1	V	1
Writer	Colin Illingworth	1	V	2
Writer	Hugh Larkin	1	V	1
Writer	Paul Grech	TBC	V	TBC
Pompey fan	Dan Taylor	2	V	1
Boro fan	Sue Gardener	2	V	1
Pompey fan	Peter Rendle	1	V	1
West Ham fan	Matthew Beeby	1	V	3

Panel Verdict

The Panel is going for a home win.

Home: 13; Draw: 9; Away: 4.

* 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!

Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur: Spurs strive to stuff Houllier’s men

This time last season Aston Villa were battling it out for a top four place. This season they will be lucky to avoid being in the bottom three when Big Ben brings in 2011.

Gerard Houllier loosened the noose around his neck last time out by beating Midlands rivals West Bromwich Albion and on Boxing Day he will be hoping to rip it off with the visit of high flying Tottenham Hotspur. The Villains have lost just twice to Spurs at Villa Park in the Premier League but they have only won twice at home since the end of August. This could be the turning point in Villa’s season.

This will be Tottenham’s first outing since drawing with Chelsea at the Lane a fortnight ago and Harry Redknapp will be keen to keep the pressure on the top four with a win here. Unfortunately they have managed just one win in their past four away games and, despite Villa’s lowly league position, Houllier’s men will give Spurs a thorough inspection.

This game always promises goals and with Rafael Van der Vaart expected to return to the first team we could well be served a Christmas classic. However, despite Villa’s dominance in this fixture down the years, Spurs are strong favourites for all three points.

Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur; Kick Off 5.30pm December 26 2010

Prediction Panel

Arsenal	Don McMahon	1	V	2
Aston Villa	Lynette Ranson	TBC	V	TBC
Birmingham	Steve Coulter	1	V	1
Blackburn	Terry Kennedy	2	V	2
Blackpool	Phil Trow	1	V	1
Bolton	Dave Blackburn	1	V	1
Chelsea	Joe Tyler	1	V	1
Everton	Chris Goodwin	1	V	3
Fulham	Russell Goldman	1	V	0
Liverpool	Mark Williams	1	V	1
Man City	Callum Rothwell	1	V	0
Man Utd	Peter Lee	1	V	2
Newcastle	Michael Stout	2	V	2
Stoke City	Philip Eccleston	1	V	2
Sunderland	Tony Ratton	1	V	2
Tottenham	Dave Nash	0	V	0
West Brom	Andy Wakeman	1	V	2
West Ham	Nigel Telfer	1	V	2
Wigan	Alan Moore	1	V	2
Wolves	Chris Cox	0	V	2
OUR EXPERTS
Editor	Antony Melvin	1	V	2
Writer	Colin Illingworth	1	V	1
Writer	Hugh Larkin	1	V	2
Writer	Paul Grech	TBC	V	TBC
Pompey fan	Dan Taylor	2	V	3
Boro fan	Sue Gardener	2	V	4
Pompey fan	Peter Rendle	0	V	2
West Ham fan	Matthew Beeby	0	V	2

 

Panel Verdict

The Panel is going for an away win.

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

* 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 v Birmingham City: Blue affair in store for Big Eck at Goodison

The Toffees smashed Birmingham’s year-long unbeaten home record in October and David Moyes will be looking to pour more misery on Alex McLeish’s men by recording their first double over the Blues in 24 years.

Everton spoiled Manchester City’s party on Monday night by denying the billionaires the chance to top the table and the Toffees will be keen to build on that impressive display with victory over Birmingham. A win for the Goodison Park side could see them leapfrog their city rivals Liverpool. What a Christmas that would be!

Birmingham head to Merseyside on the back of a 1-0 defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers and the Blues are still looking for their first away win of the season. They managed to knock Everton out of the FA Cup at Goodison Park last season but you have to go back to 1957 for the last time they won in the league at Everton.

Victory for the visitors will see them go level on points with Everton. A win for the hosts though will see them climb to mid-table. The Panel can only see one winner.

 

Everton v Birmingham City; Kick Off 3pm December 26 2010

Prediction Panel

Arsenal	Don McMahon	1	V	2
Aston Villa	Lynette Ranson	TBC	V	TBC
Birmingham	Steve Coulter	2	V	0
Blackburn	Terry Kennedy	2	V	1
Blackpool	Phil Trow	2	V	1
Bolton	Dave Blackburn	0	V	0
Chelsea	Joe Tyler	2	V	0
Everton	Chris Goodwin	2	V	0
Fulham	Russell Goldman	2	V	1
Liverpool	Mark Williams	1	V	0
Man City	Callum Rothwell	2	V	0
Man Utd	Peter Lee	1	V	0
Newcastle	Michael Stout	2	V	0
Stoke City	Philip Eccleston	1	V	1
Sunderland	Tony Ratton	2	V	1
Tottenham	Dave Nash	0	V	0
West Brom	Andy Wakeman	1	V	0
West Ham	Nigel Telfer	1	V	1
Wigan	Alan Moore	1	V	1
Wolves	Chris Cox	2	V	0
OUR EXPERTS
Editor	Antony Melvin	2	V	0
Writer	Colin Illingworth	3	V	1
Writer	Hugh Larkin	1	V	0
Writer	Paul Grech	TBC	V	TBC
Pompey fan	Dan Taylor	1	V	1
Boro fan	Sue Gardener	3	V	2
Pompey fan	Peter Rendle	1	V	0
West Ham fan	Matthew Beeby	2	V	0

Panel Verdict

Everton are strong favourites to give Birmingham the Boxing Day blues.

Home: 19; Draw: 6; Away: 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!

Bolton Wanderers v West Bromwich Albion: Cracker of a game in store at the Reebok

Two of the best football teams in the Premier League lock horns at the Reebok this Christmas and it should prove to be a cracker. Both Bolton and West Brom love to play football the traditional way and they should serve up a feast of football for the fans.

The Wanderers missed out on a chance to boost their European hopes last weekend against Sunderland and, but for the heroics of Craig Gordon, they could have left Wearside with a share of the spoils. However, they will be glad to be back home where they have only lost once this season – against Liverpool.

West Brom were brought crashing back down to earth last weekend at Villa following two impressive wins over Everton and Newcastle United and Roberto Di Matteo will be hoping for a return to winning ways. They’ve managed just two wins on their travels all season and haven’t won at the Reebok in a decade.

A win for the visitors will see them close the gap on Bolton to a point. Victory for the Wanderers though could see them rise to fifth in the table.

Bolton Wanderers v West Bromwich Albion; Kick Off 3pm December 26 2010

Prediction Panel

Arsenal	Don McMahon	3	V	1
Aston Villa	Lynette Ranson	TBC	V	TBC
Birmingham	Steve Coulter	2	V	1
Blackburn	Terry Kennedy	2	V	1
Blackpool	Phil Trow	2	V	1
Bolton	Dave Blackburn	2	V	1
Chelsea	Joe Tyler	1	V	2
Everton	Chris Goodwin	1	V	1
Fulham	Russell Goldman	2	V	1
Liverpool	Mark Williams	2	V	0
Man City	Callum Rothwell	0	V	1
Man Utd	Peter Lee	1	V	0
Newcastle	Michael Stout	3	V	1
Stoke City	Philip Eccleston	2	V	0
Sunderland	Tony Ratton	1	V	1
Tottenham	Dave Nash	0	V	0
West Brom	Andy Wakeman	1	V	1
West Ham	Nigel Telfer	1	V	1
Wigan	Alan Moore	2	V	0
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	TBC	V	TBC
Pompey fan	Dan Taylor	2	V	0
Boro fan	Sue Gardener	3	V	3
Pompey fan	Peter Rendle	2	V	0
West Ham fan	Matthew Beeby	3	V	2

Panel Verdict

Bolton are expected to make light work of the Baggies.

Home: 17; Draw: 7; Away: 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!

Blackpool v Liverpool: Can Hodgson avoid Tangerine double whammy?

If at the start of the season I had offered any Blackpool fan the chance to enter Christmas level on points with Liverpool they would have snapped my hand off. The fact that the Seasiders have a game in hand on their Boxing Day visitors and have already taken maximum points from Anfield this season just indicates how good a job Ian Holloway has done at Bloomfield Road.

Every single Blackpool fans’ wish has seemingly come true, but can they achieve one more by achieving the double over Liverpool for the first time since 1947? Possibly.

The Tangerines are unbeaten at home in their past three outings while Liverpool’s only away win of the season came in the dying minutes at Bolton in October. That should give Holloway’s men a real boost of confidence ahead of welcoming Torres and co to the seaside – providing the game does actually beat the big freeze.

Roy Hodgson, who watched his side lose 3-1 to Newcastle United in his last outing, will be hoping for a positive response from his players. A win for either side will see them climb closer to the European places.

Blackpool v Liverpool; Kick Off 3pm December 26 2010

Prediction Panel

Arsenal	Don McMahon	0	V	2
Aston Villa	Lynette Ranson	TBC	V	TBC
Birmingham	Steve Coulter	0	V	2
Blackburn	Terry Kennedy	1	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	2	V	1
Liverpool	Mark Williams	1	V	0
Man City	Callum Rothwell	1	V	1
Man Utd	Peter Lee	1	V	2
Newcastle	Michael Stout	1	V	2
Stoke City	Philip Eccleston	1	V	2
Sunderland	Tony Ratton	2	V	2
Tottenham	Dave Nash	0	V	0
West Brom	Andy Wakeman	1	V	0
West Ham	Nigel Telfer	0	V	2
Wigan	Alan Moore	1	V	4
Wolves	Chris Cox	0	V	2
OUR EXPERTS
Editor	Antony Melvin	0	V	1
Writer	Colin Illingworth	2	V	1
Writer	Hugh Larkin	1	V	2
Writer	Paul Grech	TBC	V	TBC
Pompey fan	Dan Taylor	1	V	0
Boro fan	Sue Gardener	1	V	3
Pompey fan	Peter Rendle	0	V	2
West Ham fan	Matthew Beeby	1	V	0

 

Panel Verdict

The visitors are tipped to get something out of the game.

Home: 6; Draw: 8; Away: 12.

* 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’s Premier League quiz: Week 19

Welcome back to the toughest weekly football quiz in the world. Last weekend’s football action was decimated by the weather. Hopefully the weather will be kind to all football fans this Boxing Day in order to give us the chance to escape the dreaded in-laws. I mean if I have to hear my mother-in-law bleat on about wanting grandkids one more time I’m going to go all Eric Cantona on her ass!

Fortunately there are some cracking games scheduled for the festive period to keep me entertained and to get you in the mood I’ve compiled 10 more brain crunchers for you to test yourself against.

So let’s not waste any more time. Here is question one.

1. Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur: Harry Redknapp’s men have triumphed only twice at Villa Park in the Premier League era but back in the 2002/03 season they completed their first double over the Villains. Both games that season ended 1-0 but can you name the scorers in those games? Was it A – Jamie Redknapp and Teddy Sheringham, B – Jamie Redknapp and Robbie Keane or C – Teddy Sheringham and Robbie Keane?

2. Blackburn Rovers v Stoke City: This is one for the veterans! The Potters are on course to complete their first double over Blackburn since 1965. Who was the manager of Stoke in 1965? Was it A – Tony Waddington, B – Frank Taylor or C – George Eastham?

3. Blackpool v Liverpool: Ian Holloway’s men stunned Liverpool at Anfield earlier in the season to leave Merseyside with all three points. On Boxing Day they can do the double over the Reds for the first time since 1947. However, who was the British Prime Minister in 1947? Was it A – Sir Winston Churchill, B – Clement Atlee or C – Neville Chamberlain?

4. Bolton Wanderers v West Bromwich Albion: Both Bolton and West Brom have earned plaudits for their style of play this season but what I want to know is simply, which club was formed first – Bolton Wanderers or West Bromwich Albion?

5. Everton v Birmingham: Alex McLeish’s men knocked Everton out of the FA Cup last season with a 2-1 win at Goodison Park. But when did they last beat the Toffees on Merseyside in the league? Was it A – 1997, B – 1977 or C – 1957?

6. Fulham v West Ham United: The Cottagers recorded their first home win over the Hammers in the Premier League last season. They held on to win 3-2 but who scored the last goal of the game? Was it A – Clint Dempsey, B – Carlton Cole or C – Guillermo Franco?

7. Manchester United v Sunderland: Sunderland came close to ending their dreadful record at Old Trafford last season before conceding an injury time equaliser. You have to go back to May 11, 1968 for the last time the Black Cats won at United. But who was, very aptly, top of the UK singles chart? Was it A – Cliff Richards with Congratulations, B – Louis Armstong’s What A Wonderful World or C – Manfred Mann with the Mighty Quinn?

8. Newcastle United v Manchester City: The Mags haven’t beaten the Citizens, home or away, since September 2005. That game at St James’ Park ended 1-0, but who scored? Was it A – Alan Shearer, B – Michael Owen or C – Charles N’Zgobia?

9. Wolverhampton Wanderers v Wigan Athletic: This will keep both sides happy. Who was the last team Wigan beat in the Premier League? Was it A – Aston Villa, B West Bromwich Albion or C – Birmingham City?

10. Arsenal v Chelsea: It’s been a while since Arsenal last beat rivals Chelsea. It’s also been some time since they actually scored past them. Can you tell us who the last Arsenal player was to score against Chelsea? Was it A – Robin Van Persie, B – William Gallas or C – Nicklas Bendtner?

 

To see how you got on please click here

 

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

Squarefootball’s Premier League Quiz: Week 19 – The Answers

So how did you get on?

1. Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur: The pairing we were looking for was Jamie Redknapp and Teddy Sheringham.

2. Blackburn Rovers v Stoke City: The Stoke manager we were looking for was the legendary Tony Waddington.

3. Blackpool v Liverpool: The Prime Minister of Britain in 1947 was Clement Atlee.

4. Bolton Wanderers v West Bromwich Albion: Bolton were formed in 1874, four years before the Albion.

5.   Everton v Birmingham: Birmingham’s last win on the blue half of Merseyside came in November 1957 2-0.

6. Fulham v West Ham United: The Hammers’ Guillermo Franco scored in the 90^th minute, but they were unable to find an equaliser.

7. Manchester United v Sunderland: Louis Armstrong was top of the UK hit parade on May 11, 1968 with What A Wonderful World.

8. Newcastle United v Manchester City: The scorer of Newcastle’s last winner against Manchester City was Michael Owen.

9. Wolverhampton Wanderers v Wigan Athletic: Of course the answer was the Baggies, who Wigan beat 1-0 more than a month ago.

10. Arsenal v Chelsea: The last Arsenal player to score against Chelsea was Nicklas Bendtner in a 4-1 defeat at the Emirates in May 2009.

 

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

Premier League Predictions Table: Red Devils storm back to join Blackpool at the top of the tower

Manchester United know what it takes to win silverware. You need to be resilient. You need to put pressure on your rivals, but most of all you need to know what you’re doing. No wonder United fan Peter Lee is the man every Panel member has to beat this season.

Last weekend Peter lost his place at the top of the leaderboard following an exceptional week by his nearest rival Blackpool fan Phil Trow. But in true United style, Peter bounced back and, despite a fixture list marred by the Arctic weather, has joined the Seasiders at the top of the table for Christmas.

Only three games survived the weather at the weekend but that was enough for Peter to pick up the three points needed to share top spot with Blackpool. Peter correctly predicted Sunderland would beat Bolton Wanderers 1-0 and he has a lot to thank Craig Gordon for after his world class save. That result was a popular one with the Panel. Four pundits got the score bang on and a further five got the outcome right.

Unfortunately Blackpool fan Phil was unable to add to his tally, but he wasn’t alone – twelve other pundits failed to hit the target. However, West Brom fan Andy Wakeman didn’t have any trouble hitting the back of the net, picking up six points with two correct scores – Sunderland’s 1-0 win over Bolton and Blackburn’s 1-1 draw with lowly West Ham – to soar up the table.

Closely behind Andy in the weekly results was Squarefootball editor Antony Melvin. He picked up four points thanks to correctly predicting Sunderland would beat the Trotters and that West Ham would draw 1-1 at Ewood Park.

Manchester City blew their chance of topping the Premier League table by losing to Everton and that cost the majority of the Panel points, so fair play to West Ham’s Nigel Telfer who was the only panellist to tip the Toffees for all three points. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough for Nigel to climb off the foot of the table and, just like his team, he faces a real battle to stay in the league.

Blackpool’s Phil Trow is still the man to beat in the correct scores chart with 24. He remains three ahead of Newcastle United’s Michael Stout and Squarefootball’s very own Paul Grech, who are both on 21.

Aston Villa’s Lynette Ranson remains at the top of the correct results chart but is still being closely stalked by challenger Hugh Larkin.

Hopefully the rest of the festive calendar will be free of disruption. . .

Here are the scores from this week:

	Player	Correct scores	Correct results	Points
WEST BROM	Andy Wakeman	2	0	6
SQF EDITOR	Antony Melvin	1	1	4
CHELSEA	Joe Tyler	1	0	3
MAN CITY	Callum Rothwell	1	0	3
MAN UTD	Peter Lee	1	0	3
STOKE CITY	Philip Eccleston	1	0	3
SQF EXP BORO	Sue Gardener	1	0	3
ASTON VILLA	Lynette Ranson	0	1	1
BLACKBURN	Terry Kennedy	0	1	1
EVERTON	Chris Goodwin	0	1	1
SPURS	Dave Nash	0	1	1
SUNDERLAND	Tony Ratton	0	1	1
WIGAN	Alan Moore	0	1	1
WEST HAM	Nigel Telfer	0	1	1
SQF WRITER	Hugh Larkin	0	1	1
SQF WRITER	Paul Grech	0	1	1
ARSENAL	Don McMahon	0	0	0
BIRMINGHAM	Steve Coulter	0	0	0
BLACKPOOL	Phil Trow	0	0	0
BOLTON	Dave Blackburn	0	0	0
FULHAM	Russell Goldman	0	0	0
LIVERPOOL	Mark Williams	0	0	0
NEWCASTLE	Michael Stout	0	0	0
WOLVES	Chris Cox	0	0	0
SQF WRITER	Colin Illingworth	0	0	0
SQF ACE POMPEY	Peter Rendle	0	0	0
SQF ACE POMPEY	Dan Taylor	0	0	0
SQF EXP WHAM	Matthew Beeby	0	0	0

 

(The Panellists get three points for each correct score and one point for each correct result they predict)

 

Here is how the overall table currently stands.

	TEAM	Player	Crrct scores	Crrct results	Pts
↔	BLACKPOOL	Phil Trow	24	52	124
↔	MAN UTD	Peter Lee	21	61	124
↔	NEWCASTLE	Michael Stout	21	56	119
↔	SUNDERLAND	Tony Ratton	19	60	117
↑	SQF WRITER	Paul Grech	21	51	114
↓	BOLTON	Dave Blackburn	17	62	113
↔	MAN CITY	Callum Rothwell	17	61	112
↑	STOKE CITY	Philip Eccleston	18	57	111
↓	WIGAN	Alan Moore	18	56	110
↑	SQF EDITOR	Antony Melvin	18	56	110
↓	SPURS	Dave Nash	18	54	109
↔	BLACKBURN	Terry Kennedy	17	52	103
↑	WEST BROM	Andy Wakeman	16	55	103
↑	SQF WRITER	Hugh Larkin	13	64	103
↓	SQF WRITER	Colin Illingworth	16	54	102
↓	ARSENAL	Don McMahon	18	48	101
↓	EVERTON	Chris Goodwin	14	58	100
↓	SQF EXP WHAM	Matthew Beeby	15	56	99
↓	ASTON VILLA	Lynette Ranson	11	65	98
↔	BIRMINGHAM	Steve Coulter	14	54	96
↔	SQF ACE POMPEY	Dan Taylor	18	42	96
↔	LIVERPOOL	Mark Williams	12	59	95
↔	WOLVES	Chris Cox	16	47	95
↔	SQF ACE POMPEY	Peter Rendle	14	51	93
↔	SQF EXP BORO	Sue Gardener	14	49	91
↔	CHELSEA	Joe Tyler	14	48	90
↔	FULHAM	Russell Goldman	13	48	87
↔	WEST HAM	Nigel Telfer	11	50	83

 

Predictions and previews for all of this weekend’s games will be available to view on Squarefootball from 6pm GMT on Friday.

An updated league table will be published every Wednesday.

Manchester City v Everton: City target Christmas number one

Talk about an early Christmas present. Thanks to the majority of the weekend’s games falling foul of the weather, Manchester City have the chance to top the Premier League on Christmas Day – something they haven’t achieved since 1929! Unfortunately for the fans, life at Eastlands is anything but easy for manager Roberto Mancini and his players following Carlos Tevez’s written transfer request. And looking to compound matters further for the Citizens is Everton.

David Moyes has left the City of Manchester stadium with maximum points on his past three visits and would love to derail the billionaires’ title hopes after the Joleon Lescott affair and his touchline bust-up with Mancini last season. However, on current form Everton should be so lucky. They have drawn five of their past seven league engagements, their last win came against Stoke almost two months ago and have managed just one win on the road all season.

The Toffees have spent the majority of the season in the bottom half of the table and start the night just two points off the drop zone. In contrast, Manchester City have been gradually been climbing the table and victory tonight will be the best Christmas present any City fan could have asked for.

Carlos Tevez is expected to be stripped off the captaincy but is due to feature against the Toffees and you can be assured that he won’t let the off-the-field problems cloud his judgement when he steps over the white line.

City’s last win over Everton at Eastlands came in 2007 thanks to a brace from Gerogios Samaras. Mancini won’t care who scores tonight as long as they pick up the three points and look down on their city rivals for Christmas.

Despite Everton’s recent history at Eastlands, the majority of the Panel is going for a home win.

Manchester City v Everton; Kick Off 8pm December 20 2010

Prediction Panel

Arsenal	Don McMahon	2	V	2
Aston Villa	Lynette Ranson	2	V	1
Birmingham	Steve Coulter	2	V	0
Blackburn	Terry Kennedy	2	V	0
Blackpool	Phil Trow	2	V	1
Bolton	Dave Blackburn	2	V	0
Chelsea	Joe Tyler	0	V	0
Everton	Chris Goodwin	0	V	0
Fulham	Russell Goldman	1	V	0
Liverpool	Mark Williams	2	V	0
Man City	Callum Rothwell	1	V	0
Man Utd	Peter Lee	2	V	0
Newcastle	Michael Stout	1	V	1
Stoke City	Philip Eccleston	3	V	1
Sunderland	Tony Ratton	3	V	1
Tottenham	Dave Nash	2	V	0
West Brom	Andy Wakeman	2	V	0
West Ham	Nigel Telfer	0	V	1
Wigan	Alan Moore	2	V	0
Wolves	Chris Cox	3	V	0
OUR EXPERTS
Editor	Antony Melvin	2	V	0
Writer	Colin Illingworth	2	V	1
Writer	Hugh Larkin	TBC	V	TBC
Writer	Paul Grech	TBC	V	TBC
Pompey fan	Dan Taylor	2	V	1
Boro fan	Sue Gardener	3	V	2
Pompey fan	Peter Rendle	2	V	0
West Ham fan	Matthew Beeby	2	V	1

Panel Verdict

The hosts are tipped to beat the Toffees.

Home: 21; Draw: 4; Away: 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!

Liverpool v Fulham: Hodgson hopes to stuff his former employers

Roy Hodgson hosts his former club Fulham today in what should be a home banker. Liverpool have won their past five games at Anfield while Fulham have never won on Liverpool soil. Mark Hughes has some afternoon ahead of him.

The Cottagers go into the game with three draws from their past six games but haven’t won a league fixture since beating Wigan 2-0 in October. Hodgson did mastermind two goalless draws at Anfield when he was in charge of Fulham although I’m sure he will be a bit more adventurous this time seeing as he is the home side.

A win for Liverpool could see them climb to seventh and to within six points of fourth place Chelsea. Fulham, who currently sit outside the drop zone on goal difference, are desperate to avoid being in the bottom three at Christmas. Victory for them, unlikely as it seems, could see them climb two places.

 

Liverpool v Fulham; Kick Off 5.30pm December 18 2010

Prediction Panel

Arsenal	Don McMahon	1	V	1
Aston Villa	Lynette Ranson	2	V	1
Birmingham	Steve Coulter	3	V	0
Blackburn	Terry Kennedy	2	V	0
Blackpool	Phil Trow	2	V	1
Bolton	Dave Blackburn	3	V	0
Chelsea	Joe Tyler	0	V	2
Everton	Chris Goodwin	0	V	0
Fulham	Russell Goldman	1	V	1
Liverpool	Mark Williams	2	V	0
Man City	Callum Rothwell	2	V	0
Man Utd	Peter Lee	2	V	1
Newcastle	Michael Stout	1	V	0
Stoke City	Philip Eccleston	2	V	0
Sunderland	Tony Ratton	1	V	0
Tottenham	Dave Nash	1	V	0
West Brom	Andy Wakeman	2	V	0
West Ham	Nigel Telfer	1	V	0
Wigan	Alan Moore	2	V	2
Wolves	Chris Cox	3	V	0
OUR EXPERTS
Editor	Antony Melvin	2	V	0
Writer	Colin Illingworth	1	V	0
Writer	Hugh Larkin	TBC	V	TBC
Writer	Paul Grech	TBC	V	TBC
Pompey fan	Dan Taylor	1	V	0
Boro fan	Sue Gardener	3	V	2
Pompey fan	Peter Rendle	2	V	0
West Ham fan	Matthew Beeby	2	V	0

Panel Verdict

Liverpool at home against Fulham can only be a home banker.

Home: 21; Draw: 4; Away: 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!

Blackburn Rovers v West Ham United: Grant hopes to stuff the chicken owners

Some Rovers fans cried fowl play this week following the sacking of Sam Allardyce, others though will have thought Christmas had come early. One thing’s for sure though, caretaker boss Steve Kean cannot afford to lose to bottom place strugglers West Ham this afternoon.

The Hammers are in desperate need of points and manager Avram Grant is close to following Big Sam on the managerial scrapheap. Some even claim that the former Bolton boss could replace him in the dugout at Upton Park! Quite how the purists in the East End will feel about that remains to be seen but Grant simply has to get some wins under his belt. He is under pressure to win at least one of the next three games. What a relief it would be for him and the fans if he could secure the points here.

Blackburn lost to their rivals Bolton last weekend, conceding a goal just 60 seconds after Biram Diouf had levelled with minutes remaining, but they are only five points from Tottenham in fifth. However, if you are a poultry owner you look the other way and see the drop zone just five points away.

West Ham, who are yet to win away from home this season, are undefeated on their past four visits to Ewood Park but Blackburn will not be fazed as they haven’t lost at home since Arsenal squeezed past them in August. This game, bar last season, traditionally produces a glut of goals but the Panel is split on where the points will be heading.

Blackburn Rovers v West Ham United; Kick Off 3pm December 18 2010

Prediction Panel

Arsenal	Don McMahon	2	V	0
Aston Villa	Lynette Ranson	1	V	2
Birmingham	Steve Coulter	2	V	1
Blackburn	Terry Kennedy	2	V	0
Blackpool	Phil Trow	2	V	1
Bolton	Dave Blackburn	2	V	0
Chelsea	Joe Tyler	1	V	0
Everton	Chris Goodwin	0	V	1
Fulham	Russell Goldman	2	V	1
Liverpool	Mark Williams	2	V	0
Man City	Callum Rothwell	1	V	2
Man Utd	Peter Lee	1	V	0
Newcastle	Michael Stout	1	V	2
Stoke City	Philip Eccleston	1	V	1
Sunderland	Tony Ratton	1	V	1
Tottenham	Dave Nash	0	V	0
West Brom	Andy Wakeman	1	V	1
West Ham	Nigel Telfer	1	V	2
Wigan	Alan Moore	0	V	0
Wolves	Chris Cox	2	V	0
OUR EXPERTS
Editor	Antony Melvin	1	V	1
Writer	Colin Illingworth	1	V	2
Writer	Hugh Larkin	TBC	V	TBC
Writer	Paul Grech	TBC	V	TBC
Pompey fan	Dan Taylor	0	V	1
Boro fan	Sue Gardener	1	V	1
Pompey fan	Peter Rendle	1	V	2
West Ham fan	Matthew Beeby	0	V	2

Panel Verdict

This is too close to call.

Home: 10; Draw: 7; Away: 9.

* 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!

Birmingham City v Newcastle United: Can Pardew build on debut success?

Alan Pardew couldn’t have asked for a better debut as Newcastle boss. Given their terrible record against Liverpool only the most passionate Newcastle fan would have tipped the Mags to win but Andy Carroll and co defied the critics to send Roy Hodgson away from the north east empty-handed. But can they build on that result and win at St Andrews?

The past five league and cup clashes between the two in England’s second city have all ended in draws but the Geordies head south full of confidence, and so they should, as Birmingham’s last home league win against Newcastle came in 1977. Newcastle have also done well away from home this season with away wins at Arsenal and Everton already under their belts.

However, despite their lowly position, Birmingham City are no pushovers, particularly at home. Alex McLeish’s men will always give 100 per cent effort and play to the final whistle. Unfortunately, they just lack that little bit of quality in the attacking third. Their return of just five goals in their past six outings demonstrates that perfectly. In fact, since beating the champions Chelsea, Birmingham have picked up just two points from a possible nine.

The Blues lost to Midlands’ rivals Wolves last weekend and will be keen to pick themselves back up off the floor. A win today would see them close the gap on Newcastle to just one point, which would ensure the Bluenoses could enjoy their Christmas. However, Alan Pardew has a lot of people to win over in the north east and three points for him would give his Europa League aspirations the power of good. Unfortunately the majority of the Panel sees the points staying in Birmingham.

Birmingham City v Newcastle United; Kick Off 3pm December 18 2010

Prediction Panel

Arsenal	Don McMahon	1	V	0
Aston Villa	Lynette Ranson	1	V	0
Birmingham	Steve Coulter	2	V	0
Blackburn	Terry Kennedy	1	V	1
Blackpool	Phil Trow	2	V	1
Bolton	Dave Blackburn	2	V	1
Chelsea	Joe Tyler	0	V	2
Everton	Chris Goodwin	0	V	1
Fulham	Russell Goldman	2	V	1
Liverpool	Mark Williams	1	V	1
Man City	Callum Rothwell	1	V	1
Man Utd	Peter Lee	1	V	1
Newcastle	Michael Stout	1	V	1
Stoke City	Philip Eccleston	2	V	1
Sunderland	Tony Ratton	1	V	1
Tottenham	Dave Nash	1	V	0
West Brom	Andy Wakeman	1	V	0
West Ham	Nigel Telfer	1	V	0
Wigan	Alan Moore	1	V	2
Wolves	Chris Cox	0	V	1
OUR EXPERTS
Editor	Antony Melvin	2	V	1
Writer	Colin Illingworth	1	V	2
Writer	Hugh Larkin	TBC	V	TBC
Writer	Paul Grech	TBC	V	TBC
Pompey fan	Dan Taylor	1	V	0
Boro fan	Sue Gardener	2	V	3
Pompey fan	Peter Rendle	1	V	1
West Ham fan	Matthew Beeby	1	V	3

Panel Verdict

The Panel is edging slightly towards the Blues.

Home: 12; Draw: 8; Away: 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!

Wigan Athletic v Aston Villa: Houllier targets back-to-back victories

Aston Villa normally have no problem when it comes to playing at the DW Stadium. They’ve left Wigan with maximum points on the last three occasions but, if you listen to the media, this isn’t a happy Villa camp. Gerard Houllier hasn’t endeared himself to the players or the fans with his training methods, tactics and recent love-in with Liverpool at Anfield, but can he buy himself some time by beatning relegation-threatened Wigan?

Roberto Martinez’s men currently sit in the relegation zone but they are unbeaten in two and a win today would see them climb to within a point of Villa, who could easily be caught up in a scrap for survival.

Villa haven’t won away from Villa Park since beating Midlands rivals Wolves at Molineux in September, but last weekend’s win over fellow Midlanders West Brom will have given Houllier a boost. But can they make it back-to-back wins for the first time this season?

Wigan Athletic v Aston Villa; Kick Off 3pm December 18 2010

Prediction Panel

Arsenal	Don McMahon	1	V	3
Aston Villa	Lynette Ranson	0	V	2
Birmingham	Steve Coulter	1	V	1
Blackburn	Terry Kennedy	1	V	1
Blackpool	Phil Trow	1	V	2
Bolton	Dave Blackburn	1	V	0
Chelsea	Joe Tyler	0	V	1
Everton	Chris Goodwin	1	V	1
Fulham	Russell Goldman	1	V	1
Liverpool	Mark Williams	1	V	1
Man City	Callum Rothwell	0	V	2
Man Utd	Peter Lee	1	V	1
Newcastle	Michael Stout	0	V	1
Stoke City	Philip Eccleston	0	V	1
Sunderland	Tony Ratton	1	V	1
Tottenham	Dave Nash	0	V	1
West Brom	Andy Wakeman	1	V	1
West Ham	Nigel Telfer	2	V	1
Wigan	Alan Moore	1	V	0
Wolves	Chris Cox	1	V	1
OUR EXPERTS
Editor	Antony Melvin	0	V	2
Writer	Colin Illingworth	2	V	1
Writer	Hugh Larkin	TBC	V	TBC
Writer	Paul Grech	TBC	V	TBC
Pompey fan	Dan Taylor	3	V	2
Boro fan	Sue Gardener	2	V	0
Pompey fan	Peter Rendle	0	V	1
West Ham fan	Matthew Beeby	1	V	1

 

Panel Verdict

Villa should get something out of the game.

Home: 6; Draw: 10; Away: 10.

* 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’s Premier League quiz: Week 18

Welcome back to the toughest weekly football quiz in the world. Now there’s more chance of pulling the lovely Reese Witherspoon or finding the gorgeous Kelly Brook in your stocking this Christmas than there is of getting these all correct. But don’t let me put you off. I’d love you to prove me wrong, but leave Reese and Kelly alone . . . they’re mine!

So let’s start as we mean to go on with question number one.

1. Sunderland v Bolton: The Black Cats are unbeaten at home this season but Bolton thrashed them 4-1 two seasons. The Wanderers scored through Matt Taylor, Gary Cahill and a brace from Johan Elmander. But who put Sunderland one up within 10 minutes that day? Was it A – Dean Whitehead, B – Kenwyne Jones or C – Djibril Cisse?

2. Arsenal v Stoke City: The Potters haven’t won on Arsenal soil for 29 years. Richie Barker was the last Stoke boss to win at Arsenal in August 1981, but who has scored the most league goals so far this season, Arsenal’s Andrei Arshavin or Stoke’s Kenwyne Jones?

3. Birmingham City v Newcastle United: Newcastle United axed Chris Hughton following their last visit to the Midlands but St Andrews should be a happier destination for Alan Pardew as Newcastle haven’t lost there for 33 years. But who was the Birmingham manager on September 17, 1977, when the Blues sent the Mags back home after a 3-0 drubbing? Was it A – Sir Alf Ramsey, B – Willie Smith or C – Jim Smith?

4. Blackburn Rovers v West Ham United: Last season these sides produced two drab goalless draws. Before that this fixture had produced goals galore, but how many have been scored in all Premier League meetings? Is it A – 71, B – 81 or C 91?

5. Wigan Athletic v Aston Villa: The Villains club record signing is winger Ashley Young who cost them £9.5 million. However, who is Wigan’s record signing? Is it A – Titus Bramble, B – Charles N’Zogbia or C – Hugo Rodallega?

6. Liverpool v Fulham: Fulham have never beaten Liverpool at Anfield although Roy Hodgson did mastermind two goalless draws against the Reds. However it’s been five seasons since Fulham last scored at Anfield. It came in a 5-1 drubbing in March 2006. Who scored for the Cottagers? Was it A – Zat Knight, B – Ian Pearce or C – Collins John?

7. West Bromwich Albion v Wolverhampton Wanderers: Mick McCarthy’s men will be boosted by their 1-0 win over Birmingham City last weekend. However, they haven’t won at the home of their bitter rivals West Brom for 14 years. Worse than though they have only found the target on two of their past six visits. But who was the last Wolves player to score at the Hawthorns? Was it A – Nathan Blake, B – Colin Cameron or C – Mark Kennedy?

8. Blackpool v Tottenham Hotspur: Which team, Blackpool or Spurs, started last weekend’s Premier League fixtures with the most English players on the pitch?

9. Chelsea v Manchester United: Ray Wilkins famously played for both Chelsea and Manchester United, but who did he make most appearances for – Chelsea or Manchester United?

10. Manchester City v Everton: The Toffees have won on their past three visits to Eastlands without conceding a goal. The Citizens last win over their Merseyside rivals was 2-1 on New Year’s Day 2007. Who was City’s hero with a brace that day? Was it A – Georgios Samaras, B – Darius Vassell or C – Richard Dunne?

 

To see how you got on please click here

 

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

Squarefootball’s Premier League Quiz: Week 18 – The Answers

So how did you get on?

1. Sunderland v Bolton: Former Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse opened the scoring for Sunderland in their 4-1 drubbing by Bolton in 2008.

2. Arsenal v Stoke City: Andrei Arshavin has found the back of the net three times but Kenwyne Jones has been on target on four occasions.

3. Birmingham City v Newcastle United: The last Birmingham boss to mastermind a win over Newcastle United in the league was England World Cup winning manager Sir Alf Ramsey.

4. Blackburn Rovers v West Ham United: This fixture has produced 81 goals in the Premier League.

5.   Wigan Athletic v Aston Villa: The Latics paid Newcastle United £6 million for club record signing Charles N’Zogbia.

6. Liverpool v Fulham: The last Fulham player to score at Anfield was Dutch striker Collins John.

7. West Bromwich Albion v Wolverhampton Wanderers: The last Wolves player to score at the Hawthorns was Nathan Blake in a 1-1 draw in 2001.

8. Blackpool v Tottenham Hotspur: Harry Redknapp took to the field against the champions Chelsea with three English players (Dawson, Lennon and Defoe) but Ian Holloway started with four (Evatt, Varney, Taylor-Fletcher and DJ Campbell).

9. Chelsea v Manchester United: Butch Wilkins pulled on the famous blue Chelsea jersey 192 times in his career, but he represented Manchester United on 193 occasions. Source: Soccerbase.com

10. Manchester City v Everton: The City goalscorer we were looking for was Samaras.

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

Arsenal v Stoke City: Gunners tipped to dispose of the Potters

Are Arsenal serious title contenders or just pretenders? Arsene Wenger’s men looked distinctly average on Monday night against Manchester United as the Red Devils toppled the Gunners at the summit and questions have yet again been raised about their championship aspirations. Are they good enough? Do they have the mental strength necessary to beat the big boys? Is the squad strong enough? The biggest question though is can they bounce back from their Old Trafford defeat to beat Stoke City?

The Gunners have already lost three times at home this season and visiting sides are now more prepared to have a go at Arsenal than park the bus. Tony Pulis will have studied the tapes of West Brom’s and Newcastle’s wins at the Emirates closely and will have a gameplan on how to pile more misery on the beleaguered north London outfit.

The Potters lost their first game in six last weekend against Blackpool, but they fully deserved a share of the points. The Seasiders’ woodwork was rattled at least twice and on another day Pulis’s men could have easily picked up all three points. Stoke are never an easy team to play against and with Matthew Etherington and Jermaine Pennant bombing down the flanks and whipping in dangerous balls, they will be a real handful for the hosts.

Fortunately for Arsenal, history is on their side. The Potters haven’t won on Arsenal soil in the league for 29 years and despite the Gunners’ poor home form the majority of the Panel see this as a home win.

Arsenal v Stoke City; Kick Off 3pm December 18 2010

Prediction Panel

Arsenal	Don McMahon	2	V	0
Aston Villa	Lynette Ranson	2	V	0
Birmingham	Steve Coulter	2	V	0
Blackburn	Terry Kennedy	2	V	0
Blackpool	Phil Trow	2	V	1
Bolton	Dave Blackburn	3	V	0
Chelsea	Joe Tyler	0	V	1
Everton	Chris Goodwin	2	V	0
Fulham	Russell Goldman	3	V	0
Liverpool	Mark Williams	2	V	0
Man City	Callum Rothwell	3	V	0
Man Utd	Peter Lee	3	V	0
Newcastle	Michael Stout	2	V	1
Stoke City	Philip Eccleston	2	V	2
Sunderland	Tony Ratton	2	V	1
Tottenham	Dave Nash	2	V	0
West Brom	Andy Wakeman	2	V	0
West Ham	Nigel Telfer	2	V	0
Wigan	Alan Moore	3	V	1
Wolves	Chris Cox	2	V	1
OUR EXPERTS
Editor	Antony Melvin	2	V	1
Writer	Colin Illingworth	2	V	1
Writer	Hugh Larkin	TBC	V	TBC
Writer	Paul Grech	TBC	V	TBC
Pompey fan	Dan Taylor	2	V	1
Boro fan	Sue Gardener	3	V	1
Pompey fan	Peter Rendle	2	V	0
West Ham fan	Matthew Beeby	2	V	0

Panel Verdict

Arsenal are strongly tipped to bounce back to winning ways.

Home: 24; Draw: 1; Away: 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!

Sunderland v Bolton Wanderers: Christmas cracker in store on Wearside

Hands up who thought this would be a top eight clash at the start of the season. Not many, I’m sure, but let’s give Steve Bruce and Owen Coyle’s men credit. Both sides are well drilled, full of attacking endeavour and resilient. They fully deserve their place in the top half and European football is within their grasp. However, who will still be harbouring dreams of Europe at the final whistle here?

Sunderland, who start the weekend just two points behind their visitors, go into the game as slight favourites thanks mainly to their impressive home form. The Black Cats are undefeated at the Stadium of Light and only Manchester United have beaten them on their own patch throughout 2010. The Stadium of Light also holds bad memories for the Trotters following their 4-0 drubbing last season. But I wouldn’t write off Bolton just yet.

Owen Coyle has transformed Bolton’s reputation from a bunch of cloggers to cultured, entertaining footballers within a couple of months and are getting the results to go with it. They may have left Wearside with their tails between their legs last season, but it wasn’t that long ago that Bolton embarrassed Sunderland in front of their own fans, and with Davies, Elmander and Holden in sensational form they could easily do that again.

Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Stoke City and West Ham United have all failed to score at the Stadium of Light this season, while Bolton have scored in every away game bar one, so this could be a cracker.

Sunderland v Bolton Wanderers; Kick Off 12.30pm December 18 2010

Prediction Panel

Arsenal	Don McMahon	0	V	1
Aston Villa	Lynette Ranson	2	V	1
Birmingham	Steve Coulter	1	V	1
Blackburn	Terry Kennedy	2	V	1
Blackpool	Phil Trow	1	V	1
Bolton	Dave Blackburn	1	V	1
Chelsea	Joe Tyler	1	V	0
Everton	Chris Goodwin	2	V	1
Fulham	Russell Goldman	1	V	2
Liverpool	Mark Williams	0	V	1
Man City	Callum Rothwell	1	V	0
Man Utd	Peter Lee	1	V	0
Newcastle	Michael Stout	1	V	1
Stoke City	Philip Eccleston	1	V	1
Sunderland	Tony Ratton	2	V	1
Tottenham	Dave Nash	0	V	1
West Brom	Andy Wakeman	1	V	0
West Ham	Nigel Telfer	1	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	1	V	2
Writer	Hugh Larkin	TBC	V	TBC
Writer	Paul Grech	TBC	V	TBC
Pompey fan	Dan Taylor	2	V	2
Boro fan	Sue Gardener	1	V	2
Pompey fan	Peter Rendle	1	V	1
West Ham fan	Matthew Beeby	2	V	2

Panel Verdict

This is too close to call.

Home: 9; Draw: 11; Away: 6.

* 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!

Premier League Predictions Table: Blackpool topple Manchester United and West Ham United slump to the bottom

What a weekend it has been for Blackpool Football Club. On Saturday they beat Stoke City at the Britannia to boost their survival hopes. Today they stand proud at the top of the Premier League Predictions Table thanks to a fantastic performance by Tangerine fan Phil Trow.

Phil reclaimed top spot from Manchester United fan Peter Lee after pulling in the second highest score of the week, 10 points. That haul was recorded thanks to three correct scores – Villa’s 2-1 win over West Brom, Bolton’s late 2-1 victory against rivals Blackburn Rovers and Tottenham’s 1-1 draw with the champions Chelsea – and one correct result – Fulham’s draw against Sunderland. Luck was definitely on Phil’s side as Bolton left it late to secure all three points against Blackburn and Didier Drogba should have converted from 12 yards, but he won’t be thinking about that as he looks at the three-point gap he has opened at the top today.

Last week’s leader Peter Lee scored six points, which included maximum points from Villa’s 2-1 victory over the Baggies, but it wasn’t enough to stop Blackpool from leapfrogging him in the table.

Our top pundit this weekend was actually Aston Villa fan Lynette Ranson who picked up 11 points. She was the only pundit to tip crisis club Newcastle to beat Liverpool. Not only that, she correctly predicted the 3-1 scoreline! She added another three points with her side’s win over the Albion – a popular prediction this weekend – and added another five by predicting Fulham would draw with Sunderland, Bolton would beat Blackburn, Wolves would send Birmingham home empty-handed, Spurs would deny Chelsea all three points and Manchester United would be too strong for Arsenal.

Below Manchester United though the table looks exactly the same as last week with Newcastle United and Sunderland keeping the pressure on the leaders, followed by Bolton Wanderers, Squarefootball’s Paul Grech, Manchester City and Wigan Athletic.

However it is really hotting up at the foot of the table with West Ham United fan Nigel Telfer mirroring his side by slipping to the bottom of the pile with a pathetic return of nothing. Fulham fan Russell Goldman climbed to second bottom with his tally of seven points and joins his west London rival Joe Tyler of Chelsea on 87 points. Who will be bottom at Christmas?

Arsenal fan Don McMahon, who propped up the table at the start of the season, continued his ascent up the league with nine points and our West Ham representative Matthew Beeby, who also struggled badly at the start, has found his feet and his eight-point haul has him moving in the right direction.

It was bad news though for Wolves fan Chris Cox. At one time Chris looked odds-on for the title. Now he is in free fall. Last week I mentioned that he should look on the bright side because he was still above Midlands rivals Aston Villa and West Brom. Well no more! Villa’s amazing return of 11 and Albion’s Andy Wakeman’s haul of six have allowed them to open up a two-point gap on Wolves. At least Mick McCarthy’s men won on the pitch to boost their survival hopes.

Special credit must be given to Manchester City's Callum Rothwell, Tottenham's Dave Nash and Squarefootball's Paul Grech for correctly predicting Wolves to beat Birmingham 1-0, even though the Molineux side had failed to keep a clean sheet all season. Also Sunderland's Tony Ratton and West Ham's Matthew Beeby managed to correct predict Manchester City would beat the Hammers 3-1 at the Boleyn Ground.

There was more good news for Blackpool’s Phil Trow as he extended his lead in the correct scores table by three and has now predicted 24 scores bang on the button over the season. His nearest challengers are Newcastle United’s Michael Stout and Squarefootball’s very own Paul Grech, both on 21.

Aston Villa’s Lynette Ranson regained her place at the top of the correct results chart thanks to her 11 points. She has now correctly predicted 64 results, one more than her nearest rival Squarefootball’s Hugh Larkin.

Here are the scores from this week:

	Player	Correct scores	Correct results	Points
ASTON VILLA	Lynette Ranson	2	5	11
BLACKPOOL	Phil Trow	3	1	10
ARSENAL	Don McMahon	2	3	9
NEWCASTLE	Michael Stout	2	3	9
SQF WRITER	Paul Grech	2	3	9
SPURS	Dave Nash	2	2	8
STOKE CITY	Philip Eccleston	1	5	8
SQF EXP WHAM	Matthew Beeby	2	2	8
SQF EDITOR	Antony Melvin	2	2	8
FULHAM	Russell Goldman	1	4	7
WIGAN	Alan Moore	2	1	7
MAN CITY	Callum Rothwell	2	1	7
MAN UTD	Peter Lee	1	3	6
SUNDERLAND	Tony Ratton	1	3	6
WEST BROM	Andy Wakeman	1	3	6
BLACKBURN	Terry Kennedy	1	2	5
BOLTON	Dave Blackburn	1	2	5
EVERTON	Chris Goodwin	1	2	5
LIVERPOOL	Mark Williams	1	2	5
SQF WRITER	Hugh Larkin	0	5	5
SQF EXP BORO	Sue Gardener	0	3	3
BIRMINGHAM	Steve Coulter	0	2	2
CHELSEA	Joe Tyler	0	2	2
WOLVES	Chris Cox	0	2	2
SQF WRITER	Colin Illingworth	0	2	2
SQF ACE POMPEY	Peter Rendle	0	2	2
SQF ACE POMPEY	Dan Taylor	0	1	1
WEST HAM	Nigel Telfer	0	0	0

 

(The Panellists get three points for each correct score and one point for each correct result they predict)

 

Here is how the overall table currently stands.

	TEAM	Player	Crrct scores	Crrct results	Pts
↑	BLACKPOOL	Phil Trow	24	52	124
↓	MAN UTD	Peter Lee	20	61	121
↔	NEWCASTLE	Michael Stout	21	56	119
↔	SUNDERLAND	Tony Ratton	19	59	116
↔	BOLTON	Dave Blackburn	17	62	113
↔	SQF WRITER	Paul Grech	21	50	113
↔	MAN CITY	Callum Rothwell	16	61	109
↔	WIGAN	Alan Moore	18	55	109
↔	STOKE CITY	Philip Eccleston	17	57	108
↑	SPURS	Dave Nash	18	53	107
↓	SQF EDITOR	Antony Melvin	17	55	106
↔	BLACKBURN	Terry Kennedy	17	51	102
↓	SQF WRITER	Colin Illingworth	16	54	102
↓	SQF WRITER	Hugh Larkin	13	63	102
↑	ARSENAL	Don McMahon	18	48	101
↑	EVERTON	Chris Goodwin	14	57	99
↑	SQF EXP WHAM	Matthew Beeby	15	56	99
↑	ASTON VILLA	Lynette Ranson	11	64	97
↑	WEST BROM	Andy Wakeman	14	55	97
↓	BIRMINGHAM	Steve Coulter	14	54	96
↓	SQF ACE POMPEY	Dan Taylor	18	42	96
↑	LIVERPOOL	Mark Williams	12	59	95
↓	WOLVES	Chris Cox	16	47	95
↓	SQF ACE POMPEY	Peter Rendle	14	51	93
↑	SQF EXP BORO	Sue Gardener	13	49	88
↔	CHELSEA	Joe Tyler	13	48	87
↑	FULHAM	Russell Goldman	13	48	87
↓	WEST HAM	Nigel Telfer	11	49	82

 

Predictions and previews for all of this weekend’s games will be available to view on Squarefootball from 6pm GMT on Friday.

An updated league table will be published every Wednesday.

Blackburn Rovers: Who will replace Big Sam at Ewood Park?

Christmas may be just around the corner but there is no season of goodwill when it comes to managers in the Premier League. Last Monday Chris Hughton was sensationally sacked as Newcastle United boss. Seven days later Hughton is joined on the managerial scrapheap by Blackburn Rovers Sam Allardyce. Despite losing three of their past five games, and the former Bolton boss reportedly threatening to quit if he wasn’t allowed to sign players like Robbie Keane and David Bentley from Spurs, I didn’t see this one coming.

Entertaining the fans may not be Big Sam’s main priority but he knows what it takes to win games, grind out results and keep teams up. Despite their recent 7-1 drubbing at Old Trafford, you could see that there were signs of progress of the club moving forward. Unfortunately for Allardyce, it looks as though the new owners want more than that. The fans may be shocked at Big Sam’s dismissal but, depending on the appointment of the next manager, good times could be just around the corner.

So just who will replace Allardyce in the dugout at Ewood Park? Here is a rundown of some of the main runners and riders and my assessment as to whether we will see them at the helm of the Rovers in the near future.

Martin Jol

The former Spurs boss left Dutch giants Ajax last week and everyone thought he was a shoe-in for the Newcastle job, but could Ewood Park be his next destination? The bookies certainly think so as he has been placed as the early favourite for the vacant post. Jol has vast experience of the English game and guided Spurs to back-to-back fifth place finishes. However, that wasn’t good enough for the Tottenham board who opted to replace him with Juande Ramos – which turned out to be arguably one of the worst football decisions ever!

The Dutchman loves to play entertaining football, which will be music to the ears of the Blackburn fans, has an eye for a player and can get that extra 20 per cent out of players. Jol is hugely respected in the game and could do a fabulous job at Blackburn.

Chris Hughton

The former Newcastle United boss guided the Mags back to the Premier League at the first time of asking and no-one, bar Mike Ashley, thought he should have been sacked. Hughton is a class act and, like Jol at Spurs, deserved more respect for his achievements from the owner. He may not be a big name but he can certainly mould a team of egos and individuals into a cohesive and productive unit.

Hughton probably never saw himself as a manager before being given the Newcastle job but he has proved to everyone, including himself, that he has a future in this profession. Will it be at Blackburn though? I’m not so sure.

Martin O’Neill

The former Celtic and Aston Villa manager walked out of Villa Park before the season got under way but the chance to transform the fortunes of the former Premier League champions could be one he simply can’t refuse. O’Neill has built many a team on limited resources – what he did with Leicester City was truly remarkable – but just think what he could achieve with some money to spend? Villa fans may have been pleased to see O’Neill leave in August, following some dodgy signings and unfavourable decisions in Europe, but look at their performances this season? I’m sure a good number of the Holt End would love him back now. The ex-Wycombe boss has been linked with many high-profile clubs over the years but could Blackburn be the club that tempts him back into the game?

Alan Curbishley

Linked with every managerial post that becomes available, the former Charlton Athletic and West Ham United boss is one of the frontrunners for the vacant post at Blackburn. His achievements at the Valley were amazing and I’m sure those Addicks fans who called for his head regret it every Saturday they watch them in League One. Curbishley knows what it takes to win games and keep teams in the top flight. However, that doesn’t fit in with the new owners’ vision of the future. They could have easily had mid-table security under Big Sam. I also doubt whether Curbishley would be willing to move up north.

Alan Shearer

The former Blackburn Rovers striker has made no secret of his desire to try his hand at management but surely the new owners won’t trust a relative novice with their investment, particularly at this crucial stage of the season. Shearer failed to steer his beloved Newcastle United away from the drop zone in his spell as caretaker manager and the general consensus is that he will have to work his way up and prove himself as a boss in order to manage in the Premier League. His goals shot the Rovers to the Premier League title in 1995 and he will always be fondly remembered for his role in that tile-winning team, but I would be shocked to see him installed as the new Blackburn boss.

Frank Rijkaard

If the board wants to make a statement of intent then this is certainly the appointment they must make. The former Champions League winning coach has been out of the game since Turkish giants Galatasary axed him in October and could be tempted to try his luck in the Premier League. Staying true to his Dutch roots, Rijkaard insists on free flowing attacking football and his name would attract the world’s best players to Lancashire. However, critics may say that even Sam Allardyce could have won trophies with the Barcelona squad that Rijkaard had and scrutinise his unsuccessful spell in Turkey and at Sparta Rotterdam.

Diego Maradona

The Hand of God will never be forgiven by the English public but the Argentine ace, arguably one of the greatest players in the world, has made no secret of his desire to manage in this country. Could this be his big breakthrough? The former Argentina manager, who won many admirers for his antics on the touchline during the World Cup in South Africa, was recently in the country to catch a game and he could well have been promoting himself to top flight chairmen. Despite his portly physique and lack of English, Maradona loves football, is an infectious character and could teach many of today’s stars a thing or two about playing. If you can’t learn from Maradona then there’s no hope for you. However, it would be a massive risk for Blackburn. Can they afford to go through with it?

Other names in the frame include Ottmar Hitzfeld, Ray Wilkins, Guus Hiddink, Sven-Goran Eriksson, Luiz Felipe Scolari, former Rovers and current Fulham chief Mark Hughes, Slaven Bilic, Gianfranco Zola and former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri. There’s going to be no shortage of top class managers being linked with the vacant post but who can fill the boots of Big Sam?

Calling all Blackburn fans. Who do you want to replace Allardyce in the dugout? What do you make of the decision to axe him? Is there anyone who you don't want anywhere near the club? Whatever your view I’d love to hear from you.

Manchester United v Arsenal: The phoney war ends here

Either Manchester United or Arsenal will top the table after this game, but with just one point separating the top four its clear that the phoney war that is masquerading as a title race will probably be exchanged for a mad dash later this month.

Most of the title contenders meet in December and so the shake-up should narrow the field for the new year - unless this contrary season somehow conspires to throw up a series of draws to keep everyone in a pack.

Both teams are sweating on the fitness of key players, with Fabregas and Ferdinand doubts - but these are standard mid-winter injury concerns and neither team can claim any kind of crisis.

United are unbeaten this season except for a League Cup debacle at West Ham and have an excellent recent record against the Gunners; with home advantage and a bit more rest following the Blackpool postponement United will start as slight favourites.  

For Arsenal Nasri is becoming a key player - and if Fabregas is fit will Nasri be pushed wider to compensate?  

This one is really too close to call, and our panel is very split on the result.  Despite the panel favouring United less than half are expecting Arsenal to lose.

Manchester United v Arsenal; Kick Off 8pm December 13 2010

Prediction Panel

Arsenal	Don McMahon	2	V	3
Aston Villa	Lynette Ranson	3	V	2
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	2	V	3
Fulham	Russell Goldman	3	V	2
Liverpool	Mark Williams	1	V	1
Man City	Callum Rothwell	0	V	2
Man Utd	Peter Lee	2	V	1
Newcastle	Michael Stout	2	V	1
Stoke City	Philip Eccleston	2	V	1
Sunderland	Tony Ratton	2	V	1
Tottenham	Dave Nash	1	V	0
West Brom	Andy Wakeman	2	V	1
West Ham	Nigel Telfer	1	V	1
Wigan	Alan Moore	TBC	V	TBC
Wolves	Chris Cox	1	V	1
OUR EXPERTS
Editor	Antony Melvin	2	V	2
Writer	Colin Illingworth	1	V	3
Writer	Hugh Larkin	2	V	0
Writer	Paul Grech	2	V	0
Pompey fan	Dan Taylor	2	V	1
Boro fan	Sue Gardener	1	V	3
Pompey fan	Peter Rendle	1	V	1
West Ham fan	Matthew Beeby	2	V	2

Panel Verdict

United are strongly fancied to keep their unbeaten run going.

Home: 13; Draw: 9; Away: 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!

City may be better off cutting Tevez loose now than risk derailing the season

Even before his latest fall-out with Manchester City, Carlos Tevez's time in English football had been fairly eventful.  A season at West Ham eventually cost the club £20m due to irregularities in his recruitment - but as his late season goals saved the club from relegation it was probably a fair bargain.  League titles and a Champions' League win during two seasons at Old Trafford cemented his reputation, but his peripatetic nature was clear.

Looking back a bit further, he tired of playing for Corinthians 18 months after signing for £14m in 2005 and in his time at Boca and Corinthians he won just about everything worth winning.
Tevez's career has been laden with club honours, transfer records and vast pay cheques.  But he clearly struggles to settle anywhere given that he has played between 25 and 75 league games - and no more - for five separate top flight clubs.  His first season seems to consist of finding fault with a club, and his second for finding the exit door.

This time around he appears resolute that his time in Manchester is over due to problems with 'executives' at the club - not the owner and not the manager.  This appears to be shorthand for Garry Cook or Brian Marwood, unless the stadium announcer gave him a really filthy look sometime last week.

His comments do not appear to leave much room for manoeuvre, but then again neither did Wayne Rooney's before an abrupt u-turn in November: 

"I hugely resent suggestions that I have been unduly influenced by others. I wanted to leave in the summer, but was convinced to return. Sadly, my feelings have not changed.  I am disappointed that the management should now see fit to try to portray the situation in another light.  My relationship with certain executives and individuals at the club has broken down and is now beyond repair. I do not wish to expand on this at this stage. They know, because I have told them."

Some managers would have you believe that they are powerless to stop players leaving, and neighbours Manchester United have had difficulties holding onto their devastating recent forward line of Cristiano Ronaldo, Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney as each in turn has had their heads turned.  

But the real question is whether City want to hold onto their talismanic striker - not whether they can.  With so much wealth the club could choose to hold onto Tevez and hold him to his contract until he is about 30 years old.  No doubt if City took this approach Tevez's 'advisers' will attempt to change football employment law, something that many agents consider to encroach on their god-given right to hoover up cash.  But given the years that the Bosman ruling took to get through the courts it is unlikely that Tevez would have much career left by the time a ruling could be made.  The Bosman ruling took five-and-a-half years to be concluded, which would be of no use for Tevez who is 27 in February and is under contract until 2014.

So City can probably hold Tevez to his contract and banish him to the reserves - but at what cost to the club.  The turmoil of banishing Tevez to the reserves would destabilize some players at the club - at a crucial time when a league title is there for taking.

If Tevez can't be talked round in the next couple of weeks then surely the better option would be to loan him back to an Argentinean club until the summer.  This worked to clear the air after Robinho went rogue, and would emphasise that no player is bigger than the club.  It might also finally persuade the City power brokers that flighty, temperamental forwards fluent in a southern European accent may not be a good match for City at the moment.

In six months time if Tevez really has had enough let him go back to south America on the proviso that City receive the entirety of his next transfer fee - cash that seems likely to be available when he next gets itchy feet in the 2012/13 season.