Blackpool: How much is Charlie Adam worth?

Blackpool’s inspirational playmaker Charlie Adam has been the subject of intense transfer speculation over the past month. He has handed in a written transfer request while bids from Aston Villa and Liverpool have been mocked in public by Ian Holloway. But with only hours remaining before the transfer window slams shut for another six months, how much would you accept for Adam to leave Bloomfield Road?

Charlie Adam has been a revelation for the Seasiders. He may not be blessed with blistering pace but his brain is as sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel. He can see a pass three or four moves ahead and he has the ability to turn that vision into a reality. He’s strong and can hold up the ball up well but his main attributes are that he can bring team-mates into the game and dictate play. For £500,000, Blackpool have shown you don’t need to spend millions to acquire quality.

At 25, Adam still has time to get better. He will never be able to outrun a defender but his quick feet and close control will baffle them and allow him time to pick a pass or bury a strike past the keeper. His team-mates believe he can play at a higher level. So does his manager. Holloway has said he does not want to stand in the Scot’s way, but he does not want him to leave on the cheap. His valuation of the player is in double figures, more than double what Liverpool and Aston Villa are prepared to pay for him.

Nobody at Blackpool wants to stop Adam’s career from progressing. He has helped them realise their dreams of playing in the top flight and competing with the best the Premier League has to offer. But, Adam is so important to them that they don’t want him to leave only to slip down the table and leave the top flight after such a brilliant season so far.

So, if you were in Ian Holloway’s boots right now, with the transfer window clock ticking away, how much would it take for you to let Adam leave? How important is Adam to your squad? Do you have a ready-made replacement for Adam at Bloomfield Road? Would you rather Adam stayed until the summer then left in order for Holloway to find a suitable replacement?

Whatever your view I’d love to hear from you.

Liverpool: How much would it take to let Torres leave Anfield?

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres shocked the football world at the weekend by handing in a written transfer request as Chelsea’s pursuit of the Spanish World Cup winner intensified. The Anfield giants turned down his request to leave but, with the January transfer window set to close by the end of the day, anything can still happen.

El Nino has been a huge hit at Anfield since joining from Atletico Madrid in 2007. His goal ratio is phenomenal and his skill level is superb. On his day Torres is simply unplayable. Unfortunately a run of injuries and loss of form have hampered his Liverpool career but the fans have stuck by him and they thought the return of King Kenny had reinvigorated the striker’s hunger. However, it looks like Torres may have been playing for a move away.

Torres’ decision to hand in a written transfer request has not gone down well with the fans at all, especially as the club had just announced the signing of Luis Suarez from Ajax. The Kopites were excited about having two top class strikers at the club for the all-important run-in, and indeed for the future. That has all been destroyed by the Spaniard’s decision to quit. Regardless of how great he has been for Liverpool, a section of the fans believe that there is no way back for the hitman after this. If the management team and the American owners think the same then it all boils down to how much they can get for him.

Chelsea are reported to have had a bid for Torres in the region of £35 million turned down, but it’s believed that Roman Abramovich is not going to go away. Talk in the morning’s papers claim he may come back in with a deal possibly worth £60 million in order to freshen up the Blues. Other papers claim that Liverpool are holding out for at least £50 million while it’s also reported that the Reds may accept a cash plus player deal with former striker Nicolas Anelka returning or young Daniel Sturridge making up the deal.

Straight cash at this moment in the transfer window will be useless to Kenny Dalglish, but it would put him in an excellent position in the summer, if he is still in charge, to rebuild the team. The addition of Nicolas Anelka would soften the blow of Torres leaving. He knows Anfield well and the fans never truly wanted to see him leave the last time. Daniel Sturridge is an interesting one though. He always looks bright and is full of adventure when he comes on. He is definitely going to have a great future in the game, but his attitude could be a bit of a problem.

Despite committing his future to Liverpool until 2013, Torres’ actions this weekend have surely ended his love affair with the fans. However, will the club sanction a move before the transfer window closes or make him wait until the summer when possibly Manchester City and Barcelona could join Chelsea in a bidding war?

With just hours remaining before the transfer window slams shut, what would you do? What do you think is a fair price for the 26-year-old? Would you be prepared to accept cash only or would you welcome the return of Nicolas Anelka or the dynamic England Under-21 star Daniel Sturridge in exchange?

Whatever your view, I’d love to hear from you.

Premier League Predictions Table: Red Devils get the better of Blackpool on and off the pitch

Manchester United came back from two down in midweek to beat Blackpool in the Premier League and United fan Peter Lee has got one over his Seaside counterpart by regaining top spot in the Squarefootball Premier League Predictions League.

Blackpool’s Phil Trow and United’s Peter Lee have been jostling for supremacy over the past few months and United have clinched the initiative as we head into the final straight. Mr Lee scored eight points this week, all from correct results, while Phil could only muster five, also from correct results.

However, the big winners this week in the league were Bolton Wanderers’ Dave Blackburn and West Bromwich Albion’s Andy Wakeman. Bolton fan Dave paid his respects to the late great Nat Lofthouse by pulling in 14 points to climb up to third in the table. His impressive haul came from predicting Arsenal would beat Wigan 3-0, Fulham would be two goals to the good over Stoke and that West Brom would go down 2-0 to Blackburn Rovers. The rest of his points came from tipping Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Blackpool and Liverpool to win.

West Brom’s Andy Wakeman hasn’t had a lot to smile about recently but his 13 point haul has seen him climb to eighth and just 14 points off the summit. He was one of only three pundits to correctly predict Liverpool would beat Fulham 1-0 and also got maximum points from Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Wigan and Sunderland’s 2-1 away win at Bloomfield Road. His other points came from predicting wins for Liverpool at Wolves, a Manchester United double against Birmingham and Blackpool and Chelsea’s win at Bolton.

Aston Villa look to have turned the corner on the pitch following Darren Bent’s record move to Villa Park and Villa fan Lynette Ranson did her best to continue that form off the park by recording 10 points to move away from the drop zone.

Sue Gardener, our Middlesbrough expert, remains at the foot of the table despite pulling in a decent score of seven, but she is now just one point off fellow struggler Nigel Telfer, our West Ham fan. But slipping back into the danger zone is the champions Chelsea. Joe Tyler managed just three points last week and is now only six points ahead of Boro.

Special mentions this week must go to Squarefootball’s West Ham pundit Matthew Beeby, who caused quite a stir last with his prediction that Liverpool would beat Wolves 3-0 at Molineux. Young Matthew was mocked by a number of Wolves fans for that prediction but the Hammer had the last laugh. He was the only pundit brave enough to go for that scoreline.

Sue Gardener, Arsenal’s Don McMahon and Manchester City’s Callum Rothwell all tipped Villa to beat Wigan 2-1 and Portsmouth fan Dan Taylor was the only pundit to predict Everton would draw at home with the Hammers 2-2.

Despite slipping from the top, Phil Trow is still number one when it comes to predicting correct scores. He has 29 to his name, three more than Red Devil Peter Lee and Gooner Don McMahon.

The race for the correct results title remains closely fought with Bolton’s Dave Blackburn at the top with 87, closely followed by Manchester United’s Peter Lee and Villa’s Lynette Ranson on 86, and Sunderland’s Tony Ratton and Squarefootball’s Hugh Larkin on 85.

Here are the scores from the final week of fixtures of 2010:

	Player	Correct scores	Correct results	Points
BOLTON	Dave Blackburn	3	5	14
WEST BROM	Andy Wakeman	3	4	13
MAN CITY	Callum Rothwell	1	8	11
SQF EXP WHAM	Matthew Beeby	2	5	11
ASTON VILLA	Lynette Ranson	2	4	10
BLACKBURN	Terry Kennedy	1	7	10
SQF ACE POMPEY	Dan Taylor	1	7	10
ARSENAL	Don McMahon	1	6	9
LIVERPOOL	Mark Williams	2	3	9
MAN UTD	Peter Lee	0	8	8
WOLVES	Chris Cox	1	5	8
SQF ACE POMPEY	Peter Rendle	1	5	8
BIRMINGHAM	Steve Coulter	1	4	7
FULHAM	Russell Goldman	1	4	7
NEWCASTLE	Michael Stout	0	7	7
SQF EXP BORO	Sue Gardener	1	4	7
SPURS	Dave Nash	1	3	6
STOKE CITY	Philip Eccleston	0	6	6
WEST HAM	Nigel Telfer	1	3	6
SQF EDITOR	Antony Melvin	0	6	6
BLACKPOOL	Phil Trow	0	5	5
SUNDERLAND	Tony Ratton	0	5	5
SQF WRITER	Colin Illingworth	0	4	4
SQF WRITER	Hugh Larkin	0	4	4
CHELSEA	Joe Tyler	0	3	3
EVERTON	Chris Goodwin	0	3	3
WIGAN	Alan Moore	0	2	2
SQF WRITER	Paul Grech	0	2	2

 

(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	26	86	164
↓	BLACKPOOL	Phil Trow	29	74	161
↑	BOLTON	Dave Blackburn	23	87	156
↔	MAN CITY	Callum Rothwell	23	83	152
↑	NEWCASTLE	Michael Stout	24	80	152
↓	SUNDERLAND	Tony Ratton	22	85	151
↑	SQF EDITOR	Antony Melvin	24	78	150
↑	WEST BROM	Andy Wakeman	24	78	150
↓	WIGAN	Alan Moore	24	76	150
↑	ARSENAL	Don McMahon	26	71	149
↑	BLACKBURN	Terry Kennedy	23	77	146
↓	SQF WRITER	Colin Illingworth	24	74	146
↓	STOKE CITY	Philip Eccleston	21	81	144
↑	SQF EXP WHAM	Matthew Beeby	20	81	141
↑	EVERTON	Chris Goodwin	22	73	139
↑	LIVERPOOL	Mark Williams	20	77	137
↓	SQF WRITER	Paul Grech	24	63	135
↓	SQF ACE POMPEY	Dan Taylor	22	69	135
↑	WOLVES	Chris Cox	22	68	134
↓	SQF WRITER	Hugh Larkin	16	85	133
↑	FULHAM	Russell Goldman	20	70	130
↑	ASTON VILLA	Lynette Ranson	14	86	128
↓	SPURS	Dave Nash	21	64	127
↔	SQF ACE POMPEY	Peter Rendle	17	76	127
↓	BIRMINGHAM	Steve Coulter	17	74	125
↓	CHELSEA	Joe Tyler	19	66	123
↔	WEST HAM	Nigel Telfer	16	70	118
↔	SQF EXP BORO	Sue Gardener	16	69	117

 

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

An updated league table will be published every Wednesday.

 

 

Liverpool v Fulham: Dalglish looks to build on the positives

Liverpool face Fulham, two sides that were both managed by Roy Hodgson in 2010 and both in the bottom half.  Both have had encouraging results recently and the home side are looking looking to build on a much needed win against Wolves - the first under Kenny Dalglish's latest tenure.

Against Wolves Liverpool looked like an incisive, attacking football team almost for the first time since Rafa Benitez took the club to within a whisker of the league title.  Meireles is looking like an inspirational midfielder and when he can operate alongside Gerrard and Torres then Liverpool will have a lot of goals in them.  For the moment though Liverpool's new way of attacking - with Maxi, Kuyt and Meireles bombing forward whenever possible to support Torres - is a distinct improvement and a goal or two tonight will be expected.

Fulham's improved form in recent weeks has everything to do with the return from injury of key players, even if there are questions to be answered as to whether Danny Murphy and Damien Duff are on the wane.  With Andrew Johnson getting a goal (regardless of the rather fortunate goalkeeping assist) perhaps Fulham should get away from danger sooner rather than later; but as traditionally poor travellers any result tonight will be a bonus.

Liverpool v Fulham; Kick Off 8pm January 26 2011

Prediction Panel

Arsenal	Don McMahon	2	V	1
Aston Villa	Lynette Ranson	1	V	0
Birmingham	Steve Coulter	1	V	1
Blackburn	Terry Kennedy	1	V	1
Blackpool	Phil Trow	2	V	1
Bolton	Dave Blackburn	2	V	0
Chelsea	Joe Tyler	1	V	1
Everton	Chris Goodwin	1	V	1
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	0
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	1	V	0
West Ham	Nigel Telfer	2	V	0
Wigan	Alan Moore	TBC	V	TBC
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	1
Writer	Paul Grech	0	V	0
Pompey fan	Dan Taylor	2	V	0
Boro fan	Sue Gardener	2	V	2
Pompey fan	Peter Rendle	2	V	0
West Ham fan	Matthew Beeby	2	V	0

Panel Verdict

Liverpool are expected to send the Cottagers back down the M6 empty handed.

Home: 21; 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!

Wigan Athletic v Aston Villa: Fighting different battles now

Wigan Athletic and Aston Villa are both in the relegation shake-up as things stand, but the massive purchase of Darren Bent by Villa suggests that the west Midlands side won't stay down amongst the dead men for too long.

Wigan's inconsistency over the last 18 months means that they rarely get back-to-back results - meaning that they can often climb out of the relegation zone, but unless everyone else stalls they quickly get sucked back down.   As things stand Fulham and Aston Villa look like they are upwardly mobile so unless Blackpool plummet it could well be three from five to go down.  If Wigan can hold on to N'Zogbia and Rodallega this month then they will have a fighting chance - but the worst home record in the division has to be improved and quickly.

Villa's win over title hopefuls Manchester City, means that a win here will push them between Everton and Liverpool - which feels much more like business as usual than sitting between Birmingham and West Brom at the nasty end of the table.  The purchase of Bent, as long as he stays fit, and the resurgence of Ashley Young will guarantee that Villa will finish in the top half of the table - and further cement Gerard Houllier's position.  There must be a number of Premier League bosses wishing they had an owner like Randy Lerner.

Wigan Athletic v Aston Villa; Kick Off 7.45pm January 25 2011

Prediction Panel

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

Panel Verdict

The Panel is split right down the middle on this one.

Home: 6; Draw: 14; 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!

Blackpool v Manchester United: Seasiders look to trade more goals

Blackpool meet Manchester United in a fixture rearranged due to the big freeze - and I'm not talking about Andy Gray's reception when he gets home to the <insert derogatory term for a woman here>.

Blackpool have sailed through the first half of the season, but in the second half of the season fewer teams will underestimate them and more will be able to exploit their attractive, open style.  But that said there are more than enough poor sides in the division for Blackpool to derive the 10 or 11 points the club needs to avoid the relegation zone.  The Seasiders have scored and conceded in all of their home matches this season, and must hope that Charlie Adam remains undistracted.

Manchester United hit their straps against Birmingham and will look to kick on tonight - United will move five points clear at the top with a win.  Arsenal remain the most likely challengers for the title, but Chelsea can't be ruled out if last night's win represents a real recovery.  Given the number of goals traded at Bloomfield Road this season it seems inconceivable that the league's top scorers will fail to register tonight, but United have drawn so many games away from home a win can't be taken for granted.  Wayne Rooney should make his 300th appearance for United tonight and he is due a goal.

Blackpool v Manchester United; Kick Off 7.30pm January 25 2011

Prediction Panel

Arsenal	Don McMahon	0	V	1
Aston Villa	Lynette Ranson	0	V	2
Birmingham	Steve Coulter	2	V	1
Blackburn	Terry Kennedy	1	V	2
Blackpool	Phil Trow	2	V	2
Bolton	Dave Blackburn	1	V	3
Chelsea	Joe Tyler	0	V	0
Everton	Chris Goodwin	1	V	1
Fulham	Russell Goldman	2	V	1
Liverpool	Mark Williams	2	V	1
Man City	Callum Rothwell	1	V	1
Man Utd	Peter Lee	0	V	2
Newcastle	Michael Stout	1	V	2
Stoke City	Philip Eccleston	1	V	2
Sunderland	Tony Ratton	1	V	3
Tottenham	Dave Nash	1	V	2
West Brom	Andy Wakeman	1	V	2
West Ham	Nigel Telfer	1	V	1
Wigan	Alan Moore	TBC	V	TBC
Wolves	Chris Cox	0	V	2
OUR EXPERTS
Editor	Antony Melvin	1	V	2
Writer	Colin Illingworth	2	V	1
Writer	Hugh Larkin	1	V	1
Writer	Paul Grech	0	V	0
Pompey fan	Dan Taylor	1	V	2
Boro fan	Sue Gardener	1	V	5
Pompey fan	Peter Rendle	0	V	2
West Ham fan	Matthew Beeby	1	V	2

Panel Verdict

Manchester United are tipped to extend their unbeaten record at the seaside.

Home: 4; Draw: 7; Away: 16.

* 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 Chelsea: Will it be a Blue night in store for the Wanderers?

The champions Chelsea have endured one of their worst periods for many a year and are in danger of losing their place in the top four. However, Saturday’s results certainly went in the Blues’ favour and, with two games in hand on Manchester City, Chelsea could pile the pressure on those challenging for the title with victory here tonight.

Unfortunately Chelsea’s away form is hardly inspiring. They have lost their last two journeys away from the Bridge – to Arsenal and Wolves – and you have to go back to October for their last away win in any competition, which was against Blackburn. To make matters worse, Bolton’s home record is superb. The Wanderers have lost just once at home all season – against Liverpool – and Owen Coyle is challenging his players to qualify for Europe through the league.

However, Bolton will not be looking forward to hosting the champions as their record at the Reebok against Chelsea is as draining as anything Susan Boyle has come out with. The champions have won their past seven visits on the trot and Bolton haven’t even breached the Chelsea defence since 2002. That might change this evening with the attacking threat of Elmander, Davies and Holden, but Carlo Ancelotti will be expecting his side to record back to back league wins for the first time since October. The Panel certainly does.

Bolton Wanderers v Chelsea; Kick Off 8pm January 24 2011

Prediction Panel

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

Panel Verdict

Chelsea are expected to continue their revival.

Home: 1; Draw: 7; Away: 19.

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

Blackburn Rovers v West Bromwich Albion: Rovers aim to send the Baggies packing

West Bromwich Albion have lost their last five away league and cup games on the bounce . . . hardly the best preparation for a trip to Ewood Park where they haven’t won in 20 years! However, Roberto Di Matteo’s men are capable of springing some huge results on their travels – just ask Arsenal and Everton – but Steve Kean’s Rovers will be confident of seeing off the Black Country club this afternoon.

Blackburn Rovers have lost just one of their past seven league and cup games at home and recently beat West Brom 3-1 at the Hawthorns. A win today will send them up to the dizzy heights of seventh in the league.

Ewood Park certainly doesn’t hold any great memories for the Baggies. Besides their lack of success there, the last time they visited the Rovers they were relegated under Tony Mowbray. A few days later the gaffer left for Glasgow Celtic. I bet he regrets that decision now!

If West Brom can win this afternoon they will climb up the table and go level on points with their hosts. Can they do it though? The Panel is split on where the points will go.

 

Blackburn Rovers v West Bromwich Albion; Kick Off 4pm January 23 2011

Prediction Panel

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

Panel Verdict

This is the hardest game of the weekend to choose from.

Home: 8; Draw: 10; 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!

Aston Villa v Manchester City: Can Bent dent City’s title charge?

Any doubts about Gerard Houllier’s position at Villa Park were blown out of the water this week by the board’s decision to sanction an £18 million club record move for Darren Bent. The Villains have struggled in front of goal in recent weeks so what better way to solve that problem than snapping up one of the most prolific marksman in England.

Bent is due to make his debut for Villa this weekend against title-chasing Manchester City and you’d have to fancy him to get his Villa career off to a flying start. He’s scored on his debut for both Charlton and Sunderland and is 2/1 with SkyBet to replicate that feat.

Standing in Bent’s way though is a Manchester City side which, according to Mario Balotelli, boasts the best three strikers in the game. They have scored 10 times in their past three outings in the league and cup and put four past Villa over the Christmas period at Eastlands. However, defensively they need to up their game, having conceded seven since holding Arsenal at the Emirates.

City haven’t lost in the league since going down 2-1 at home to Everton in December but they haven’t won at Villa since 2006. The arrival of Bent will have given the relegation threatened side a huge lift but can the former Spurs hitman dent City’s title hopes? The majority of the Panel can’t see it.

Aston Villa v Manchester City; Kick Off 5.30pm January 22 2011

Prediction Panel

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

Panel Verdict

The visitors are tipped to keep their title charge on track and ruin Darren Bent’s debut.

Home: 2; Draw: 9; 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!

Squarefootball’s Premier League quiz: Week 24

Welcome to the toughest weekly football quiz on the net. If you know your Arsenals from your Elmanders and your friends call you statto then this will be a breeze for you. However, if you are a Johnny-come-lately I doubt you’ll even get one answer on target. Even the most knowledgeable football fan will struggle to get more than half marks here. If you want to prove me wrong then feel free to carry on.

Your challenge starts here. All the best!

1. Wolverhampton Wanderers v Liverpool: The Reds haven’t won at Molineux since 1979. King Kenny was in the squad that day but didn’t score in the 1-0 win, can you tell me who did? Was it A – Graeme Souness, B – Alan Hansen or C – Phil Neal?

2. Arsenal v Wigan Athletic: Wigan haven’t scored at the Emirates for almost four years. Can you tell me who scored their last goal at Arsenal? Was it A – Denny Landzaat, B – Lee McCulloch or C – Emile Heskey? 

3. Blackpool v Sunderland: This will be Sunderland’s first visit to Blackpool since October 17, 1987. The Black Cats won that game 2-0, but who was top of the UK singles chart? Was it A – Rick Astley with Never Gonna Give You Up, B – Marrs with Pump Up The Volume or C – The Bee Gees with You Win Again? 

4. Everton v West Ham United: The Hammers haven’t won at Goodison Park since December 2005. They won that game 2-1. David Weir scored an own goal for the visitors but who scored their winner? Was it A – Bobby Zamora, B – Dean Ashton or C – Marlon Harewood?

5. Fulham v Stoke City: The Potters won their first game at Craven Cottage in 19 years last season. They won 1-0. Who scored? Was it A – Ricardo Fuller, B – Matthew Etherington or C – Dean Whitehead?

6. Manchester United v Birmingham City: The Blues haven’t scored at Old Trafford since 1981 and you have to go back to January 1978 for their last win there. But who led the Blues to that famous 2-1 win? Was it A – Jim Smith, B – Willie Bell or C – Sir Alf Ramsey?

7. Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur: Spurs haven’t won at St James’ Park in the league since winning 1-0 in August 2004. Who scored for the visitors? Was it A – Jermain Defoe, Freddie Kanoute or C – Thimothee Atouba?

8. Aston Villa v Manchester City: There has only been one goalless draw between these two sides at Villa Park in the Premier League. That was on February 2, 1994. Who was the top of the UK’s singles chart? Was it A – Beats International and Dub Be Good To Me, B – Sinead O’Connor with Nothing Compares To You or C – Snap with The Power?

9. Blackburn Rovers v West Bromwich Albion: The Baggies haven’t won at Ewood Park since February 16, 1991. Who was in charge of the visitors that day? Was it A – Bobby Gould, B – Ossie Ardilles or C – Brian Talbot?

10. Bolton Wanderers v Chelsea: Bolton haven’t scored against Chelsea in their past seven meetings at the Reebok. However, they did beat the Blues on their first Premier League meeting in 1996, 2-1. John McGinlay cancelled out an early John Spencer strike, but who scored the winner for the home side? Was it A – Alan Thompson, B – Nathan Blake or C – Sasa Curcic?

 

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 24 – The Answers

So how did you get on?

1. Wolverhampton Wanderers v Liverpool: The last Liverpool player to score a winner at Molienux was Alan Hansen. 

2. Arsenal v Wigan Athletic: The last Wigan player to score at the Emirates was Denny Landzaat.

3. Blackpool v Sunderland: The Bee Gees were top of the pops in Britain the last time Sunderland visited Bloomfield Road.

4. Everton v West Ham United: Bobby Zamora was the Hammers’ hero in December 2005.

5. Fulham v Stoke City: Matthew Etherington scored the winner for the Potters last season.

6. Manchester United v Birmingham City: World Cup winning coach Sir Alf Ramsey was the last Birmingham boss to win at Old Trafford.

7. Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur: Thimothee Atouba was the player we were looking for.

8. Aston Villa v Manchester City: Sinead O’Connor was top of the pops the only time these two drew a blank in the Premier League.

9. Blackburn Rovers v West Bromwich Albion: The last West Brom manager to win at Ewood Park was Bobby Gould.

10. Bolton Wanderers v Chelsea: Sasa Curcic was the Bolton hero the first time these two sides met at the Reebok in the Premier League.

 

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

Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur: Can Harry leave the north east with maximum points?

Newcastle United bounced back from their FA Cup embarrassment at the hands of Stevenage to salvage a point against Sunderland last weekend but their chances of beating high-flying Tottenham this weekend look slim.

Not one of our Panel has gone for a Newcastle win – not even our Newcastle fan Michael Stout – but is that because the Mags will be without star striker Andy Carroll or the fact that Tottenham, with Bale, Van der Vaart and co, are by far the better team?

Spurs head to St James’ Park as the clear favourites for the win but history is not on their side. Their last league win on Tyneside came in 2004 – one of just three Spurs victories at Newcastle in the Premier League – although they did knock the Mags out of the Carling Cup on their visit in 2008.

This will be Newcastle’s first home game since thrashing West Ham 5-0. Can they send another side from the capital home with their tails between their legs? The Panel doesn’t think so.

Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur; Kick off 3pm January 22 2011

Prediction Panel

Arsenal	Don McMahon	1	V	2
Aston Villa	Lynette Ranson	1	V	3
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	0	V	4
Everton	Chris Goodwin	0	V	1
Fulham	Russell Goldman	1	V	1
Liverpool	Mark Williams	TBC	V	TBC
Man City	Callum Rothwell	1	V	2
Man Utd	Peter Lee	2	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	2
West Brom	Andy Wakeman	1	V	2
West Ham	Nigel Telfer	1	V	3
Wigan	Alan Moore	TBC	V	TBC
Wolves	Chris Cox	0	V	1
OUR EXPERTS
Editor	Antony Melvin	1	V	2
Writer	Colin Illingworth	1	V	2
Writer	Hugh Larkin	1	V	2
Writer	Paul Grech	TBC	V	TBC
Pompey fan	Dan Taylor	2	V	3
Boro fan	Sue Gardener	1	V	3
Pompey fan	Peter Rendle	0	V	1
West Ham fan	Matthew Beeby	3	V	3

Panel Verdict

Spurs are tipped to beat the Geordies.

Home: 0; Draw: 7; 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!

Manchester United v Birmingham City: Will Big Eck get the better of Fergie?

Manchester United left White Hart Lane with their unbeaten record intact and only the most passionate Blues fan can see that run ending this weekend. It’s been 33 years since Birmingham City last won at Old Trafford – I wasn’t even born then – and I’d be amazed if Big Eck gets the better of his master, especially as they haven’t even scored at United for 30 years!

Lee Bowyer’s late effort against the leaders over the festive period denied Fergie’s men only their second away win of the season (they claimed that a few days later at West Brom) but there should be no problem for the Red Devils at home. Only West Bromwich Albion have taken points away from Old Trafford this season and Birmingham have only won once on their travels in the league.

However, the Blues have made life difficult for United over the years. Only one goal has split the two teams in the past two seasons but McLeish’s plans have been rocked by the news that defender Scott Dann will miss the rest of the season through injury.

Unsurprisingly the Panel is going for a home win.

Manchester United v Birmingham City; Kick Off 3pm January 22 2011

Prediction Panel

Arsenal	Don McMahon	1	V	0
Aston Villa	Lynette Ranson	2	V	2
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	2	V	2
Everton	Chris Goodwin	2	V	1
Fulham	Russell Goldman	3	V	1
Liverpool	Mark Williams	TBC	V	TBC
Man City	Callum Rothwell	1	V	0
Man Utd	Peter Lee	2	V	0
Newcastle	Michael Stout	1	V	0
Stoke City	Philip Eccleston	3	V	1
Sunderland	Tony Ratton	3	V	1
Tottenham	Dave Nash	2	V	0
West Brom	Andy Wakeman	3	V	1
West Ham	Nigel Telfer	1	V	0
Wigan	Alan Moore	TBC	V	TBC
Wolves	Chris Cox	2	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	2	V	0
Boro fan	Sue Gardener	2	V	1
Pompey fan	Peter Rendle	3	V	0
West Ham fan	Matthew Beeby	1	V	0

Panel Verdict

Looks like a home banker.

Home: 23; Draw: 2; 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!

Fulham v Stoke City: Hughes hopes to ease his relegation fears

Have Fulham finally turned the corner under Mark Hughes? After their Boxing Day defeat at home to West Ham, Fulham were staring relegation straight in the face. However, since then Hughes’ men have lost once in the league and cup. They remain in trouble – only one point off the drop zone – but they are scoring goals and keeping clean sheets, which is a recipe for success.

This weekend they welcome Stoke City to the Cottage and there has been a bit of needle between the two sides this season. The Potters knocked Fulham out of the Carling Cup this season but the game was overshadowed by a nasty tackle on Fulham forward Moussa Dembele. Fulham got their own back in the league game over the festive period with two absolute crackers from Chris Baird separating the two sides. But can the Potters deny Fulham recording the double over them?

Stoke won their first game on Fulham soil last season 1-0 – their first win in west London since 1991 -  but they have lost six on their travels this season. Fulham go into the game unbeaten in three and the majority of the Panel thinks it will stay that way.

Fulham v Stoke City; Kick Off 3pm January 22 2011

Prediction Panel

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

Panel Verdict

The Panel thinks the best Stoke can hope for is a draw.

Home: 8; Draw: 13; 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!

Everton v West Ham United: Grant targets win ahead of Carling Cup semi

Last Saturday it looked as though as though Avram Grant was about to thrown on the managerial scrapheap. Six days on and the West Ham board have publicly placed their faith in the former Portsmouth and Chelsea boss. How much that has to do with Martin O’Neill’s decision not to accept the job remains to be seen, but the Hammers must keep on picking up points in the league if they are to retain their Premier League status.

West Ham were awful last weekend against Arsenal but, considering everything that was going on around the club that day, it was to be expected. However, there must be a marked improvement on the pitch at Goodison Park this weekend.

Scott Parker is expected to return to the starting XI after missing the Arsenal defeat and his influence and drive will be invaluable as the Hammers aim to lift themselves off the foot of the table.

Everton go into the weekend buoyed by their second half display against Liverpool and will be looking to put further distance between themselves and the bottom three. They are just four points off the drop zone but haven’t lost to West Ham at Goodison Park since 2005. David Moyes will treat the Hammers with the utmost respect but he will see this as a home win.

West Ham have picked up just seven points on their travels this season but with the Carling Cup semi-final second leg coming up in midweek against Birmingham City, victory on Merseyside would do their confidence the power of good. It could also be enough to propel them out of the bottom three and to within three points of their hosts.

Unfortunately for the Hammers the majority of the Panel is going for a home win.

Everton v West Ham United; Kick Off 3pm January 22 2011

Prediction Panel

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

Panel Verdict

The Toffees are expected to see off the Hammers.

Home: 15; Draw: 5; 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!

Blackpool v Sunderland: Can the Black Cats cope without Bent’s goals?

It’s been a bad week for Steve Bruce. First Darren Bent shocked the club by handing in a written transfer request and he was off to Aston Villa before you could even blink. And Bruce’s bad luck continued with the news that Danny Welbeck will be out of action for up to eight weeks with injury. But can Bruce’s boys dig in and show their resolve to get a result at the seaside?

The former Wigan boss is fuming with Aston Villa, Gerard Houllier and Darren Bent over their behaviour in the £18 million transfer, but he must put that behind him now and move on for the benefit of the club, players and supporters. They are in prime position to clinch a European place this season and they can’t let Bent’s departure – who hasn’t played well recently anyway – derail their season.

Blackpool though are the team of the season for me. They play without fear and their best form of defence is attack. They have created so many special moments this season and have already completed the double over Liverpool. This weekend they aim to add Sunderland to that list for the first time since 1958.

The Tangerines have lost just one of their past five home games and, given everything that has happened at the Stadium of Light this week, they will enter the game as slight favourites – and the Panel strongly agrees with that.

Blackpool v Sunderland; Kick Off 3pm January 22 2011

Prediction Panel

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

Panel Verdict

The Panel believe a draw is the best the Black Cats will get from Bloomfield Road.

Home: 11; Draw: 12; 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 Wigan Athletic: Can Wigan dent Arsenal’s title hopes again?

The Gunners are riding high on all fronts and their chances of ending their trophy drought look good but they must not overlook the threat of Wigan Athletic. Arsene have already been embarrassed by West Bromwich Albion and Newcastle United at home this season and Wigan will head south with nothing to fear.

The Latics have performed better on the road this season than in front of their home fans, but they have never won at Arsenal. However, they have always been a thorn in Wenger’s side and they head to the Emirates on the back of a four-game away unbeaten run. Could Wigan become the fourth team to win at the Emirates this season?

Arsenal made light work of Leeds United in the FA Cup in midweek but the current form of Andrei Arshavin must be a real concern for Arsene Wenger. I don’t know if it’s the cold weather – ironic considering he’s Russian – that is affecting him or if he’s carrying a slight knock, but he has not been his usual self for a number of games now. He has only scored twice since the end of September, one coming against Wigan in the 2-2 draw at the DW, and some of his attempts on goal against Leeds were absolutely atrocious.

The Gunners start the game as red-hot favourites and the Panel strongly agrees.

Arsenal v Wigan Athletic; Kick Off 3pm January 22 2011

Prediction Panel

Arsenal	Don McMahon	3	V	1
Aston Villa	Lynette Ranson	3	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	3	V	2
Everton	Chris Goodwin	4	V	0
Fulham	Russell Goldman	2	V	0
Liverpool	Mark Williams	TBC	V	TBC
Man City	Callum Rothwell	2	V	0
Man Utd	Peter Lee	2	V	0
Newcastle	Michael Stout	2	V	0
Stoke City	Philip Eccleston	2	V	0
Sunderland	Tony Ratton	3	V	1
Tottenham	Dave Nash	2	V	0
West Brom	Andy Wakeman	3	V	0
West Ham	Nigel Telfer	3	V	0
Wigan	Alan Moore	TBC	V	TBC
Wolves	Chris Cox	3	V	0
OUR EXPERTS
Editor	Antony Melvin	2	V	0
Writer	Colin Illingworth	3	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	2	V	0
Pompey fan	Peter Rendle	3	V	0
West Ham fan	Matthew Beeby	2	V	0

Panel Verdict

It should be a home banker for the Gunners.

Home: 24; Draw: 0; 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!

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Liverpool: Will Kenny’s wait for a win end at Molineux?

King Kenny travels to Wolves this weekend still searching for his first win as Liverpool manager. If he were to achieve that in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off it would be some achievement, as the Reds haven’t won at Molineux since 1979.

Dalglish actually played in that game and everyone at Liverpool wishes they could have the great man on the pitch to galvanise the underperforming Reds.

There has been a visible improvement from Liverpool since Kenny took over from Roy Hodgson and they are all pulling together, but three games in and the man who wants the job on a full-time basis is still waiting to pick up three points.

Wolves will not do Liverpool any favours at all. Not only are they battling for their lives at the foot of the table, they are playing some great football and putting the ball in to the back of the net. They have scored 11 times in their past four league and cup games and their 5-0 demolition of Doncaster in the Cup will have sent their confidence levels sky high.

Liverpool have drawn their past three meetings at Molineux but Mick McCarthy’s men will fancy their chances of beating the Anfield giants this time, having already disposed of Manchester City and Chelsea at home this season.

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Liverpool; Kick Off 12:45pm January 22 2011

Prediction Panel

Arsenal	Don McMahon	2	V	3
Aston Villa	Lynette Ranson	2	V	1
Birmingham	Steve Coulter	2	V	1
Blackburn	Terry Kennedy	1	V	1
Blackpool	Phil Trow	1	V	2
Bolton	Dave Blackburn	1	V	2
Chelsea	Joe Tyler	1	V	0
Everton	Chris Goodwin	1	V	1
Fulham	Russell Goldman	0	V	1
Liverpool	Mark Williams	TBC	V	TBC
Man City	Callum Rothwell	0	V	1
Man Utd	Peter Lee	0	V	1
Newcastle	Michael Stout	1	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	0	V	1
West Ham	Nigel Telfer	1	V	0
Wigan	Alan Moore	TBC	V	TBC
Wolves	Chris Cox	2	V	1
OUR EXPERTS
Editor	Antony Melvin	0	V	0
Writer	Colin Illingworth	2	V	1
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	0	V	3

Panel Verdict

Liverpool are tipped to end their Molineux hell with a win.

Home: 8; Draw: 6; Away: 11.

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

Sunderland: Who will replace Bent at the Stadium of Light?

Darren Bent’s move from Sunderland to Aston Villa went through quicker than last night’s curry. The sensational move has brought the transfer window in England to life and there are bound to be more big money moves made before the end of the month, especially at the Stadium of Light.

Black Cats manager Steve Bruce is facing up to life without his main marksman, but with £18 million in the kitty – although it remains to be seen how much he will be given to spend – the former Wigan and Birmingham City boss is in a great position to tempt players to Wearside. The question is though, who will fill Bent’s boots at the Stadium of Light?

The bookies already have a list of contenders and topping the list is another former Spurs striker Roman Pavlyuchenko at 3/1. The 29-year-old Russian international may have struggled to command a regular starting place at White Hart Lane but he is a huge hit with the fans in north London. Strong, technically sound and smart in front of goal, the former Spartak Moscow man knows how to score goals. His major problem is his lack of English. However, that shouldn’t be a problem when he heads up to Newcastle quay side for a night out!

At Spartak, Pavlyuchenko was a goal machine, scoring 89 times in 141 appearances. Unfortunately he has failed to replicate those heights in England, but he has become accustomed to the game here and is a vital member of Spurs’ squad. With Robbie Keane expected to leave the Lane this January I can’t imagine Harry would let Pavlyuchenko go as well.

Talking of Robbie Keane, the Republic of Ireland international is second favourite to end up at the Stadium of Light at 7/2. He has fallen down the pecking order at Tottenham and has a host of Premier League clubs looking to give him a regular game. Could Sunderland’s Irish contingent swing it in their favour? Keane is just two Premier League goals away from breaking in to the league’s top 10 goalscorers of the past 20 years and he will feel that he still has a lot to give the game. Quick, talented and creative, Keane needs to be playing regularly at this stage of his career. Could he do a job at Sunderland alongside Gyan and Welbeck? Of course he could, but his wages could be a major snagging point.

Next up is Bolton’s Johan Elmander. The Swedish international is out of contract in the summer and has yet to decide on his future. He struggled to cope with the demands of the Premier League initially but is now thriving under Owen Coyle’s way of life. At 29, the same age as Pavlyuchenko and Keane, this could be his last big pay day. Strong as an ox and with two quick feet, Elmander may not be a like-for-like replacement for Bent, but his all-round play would certainly benefit the whole team.

One name that has cropped up which would surely put the cat amongst the pigeons on Wearside is former Newcastle United striker Michael Owen. Alex Ferguson’s gamble on the former Liverpool and England striker has failed to come off with Owen’s career continuing to be blighted by injuries. He may not have the lightening pace that he once possessed, but when fit Owen still knows how to score. The question is though would Bruce be willing to take such a risk on an injury-prone Owen?

Owen is priced at 9/1, the same odds as Wigan’s Hugo Rodallega – who would surely be a much better fit for the Black Cats than Owen. The Columbian striker has emerged as a potential target for a number of Premier League clubs but let’s not forget that it was Bruce who brought him to England in the first place. That special relationship could be key in any move to take him north.

Other names in the frame include Cardiff’s Jay Bothroyd at 10/1, Kevin Doyle of Wolves at 12/1, Arsenal’s Carlos Vela and Nicklas Bendtner are 14/1, Peter Crouch is 16/1 and Gabby Agbonlahor is 22/1 to make the switch from Villa to Sunderland. More far-fetching options include Carlton Cole from West Ham or Manchester City’s Emmanuel Adebayor at 25/1, Kenwyne Jones is 33/1 for a sensational return to Wearside from Stoke and Newcastle United’s prime asset Andy Carroll is priced at 40/1 to leave the Mags for the Black Cats.

Steve Bruce has a number of transfer targets open to him, but who will he sign to replace Darren Bent’s goals? I’m sure that question will be answered within the next fortnight.

Calling all Sunderland fans. Who would you like to see replace Bent at the Stadium of Light? Whatever your view, I’d love to hear from you.

 

Can Darren Bent end season as league’s top scorer?

Darren Bent’s decision to leave European hopefuls Sunderland for relegation threatened Aston Villa has shocked the football world, but the former Spurs striker insists his decision to leave the Stadium of Light is purely a football reason. Many cynics may not agree – preferring to look at his huge increase in his weekly wage – but nobody can tell me that, in today’s market, Bent is not worth £18 million.

Bent is lightening quick and knows the Premier League inside out but, more importantly for Villa, he’s an out and out goalscorer. Put the ball in to the box and whether it’s with his left foot, right foot or his head, more often than not Bent will hit the target – and with Villa in deep trouble at the foot of the table that is exactly what they need to steer them clear of danger.

The former Ipswich and Charlton man has scored goals wherever he has been. At Portman Road he notched 55 times in 141 appearances for the Tractor Boys. That form won him a £2.5 million move to Charlton Athletic where his prowess in front of goal continued. He scored 37 times for the Addicks in 79 appearances, a feat which earned him a big money move to Tottenham Hotspur. Although his time at White Hart Lane may not have been viewed as a success, he managed to score an impressive 25 goals in 79 games.

The 26-year-old really upped his game at Sunderland though following a £10 million move from Spurs. Bent hit 36 goals in 63 appearances for the Black Cats and was in the process of becoming a legend on Wearside, but his form had nosedived in recent weeks and only managed two goals since the start of December. However, a fresh challenge at Villa is sure to kick-start his form in front of goal.

Bent has eight Premier League goals to his name this season, six fewer than the current top marksman of Carlos Tevez and Dimitar Berbatov, but with the likes of Ashley Young, Stewart Downing and Mark Albrighton supplying the ammunition, Bent is likely to be in double figures in next to no time. But can he end the season as the league’s top goalscorer?

Villa’s record signing is guaranteed to start under Gerard Houllier and with games coming up against the likes of Manchester City, Wigan, Fulham, Blackpool and Blackburn, not forgetting a trip to Old Trafford where Villa have played well at in recent seasons, Bent is sure to find himself in amongst the goals.

Victor Chandler was offering odds of 33/1 last night, while at Stan James you could have got 28/1. Bent to finish as the league's top marksman may well be worth a punt.

Premier League Predictions Table: Brave Wolves the big winners in the Panel

Wolverhampton Wanderers were brave losers at Eastlands on Saturday but Molineux foot soldier Chris Cox was the big winner in this week’s Premier League Predictions Panel. The one-time leader and current prediction title holder recorded the top score of 13, alongside our editor Antony Melvin, to claw his way back up the table.

Chris managed to correctly predict Blackpool would beat King Kenny’s men 2-1 in midweek, Chelsea would see off Blackburn by two goals to nil and that Sunderland would share the honours 1-1 in the Wear-Tyne derby to pick up nine points. He added another four to his tally by also predicting Stoke would get the better of Bolton, Wigan and Fulham would draw, Arsenal would beat West Ham and that Spurs would hold the leaders Manchester United at White Hart Lane.

Chris’s prediction haul was matched by Squarefootball editor Antony Melvin, who gained maximum points for Chelsea beating Blackburn 2-0, Arsenal’s 3-0 win at Upton Park and Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Everton. He ensured he remained the top pundit from Squarefootball by picking up four more points at Manchester City, Wigan, Birmingham City and Tottenham.

In what was a high scoring week for the pundits, Sunderland’s Tony Ratton and myself pulled in 12 points, closely followed by Fulham’s Russell Goldman, Liverpool’s Mark Williams, Newcastle’s Michael Stout and our West Ham fan Matthew Beeby on 11. Tony had double reason to celebrate his side’s point against the Mags on Sunday as he climbed to third in the table and is now only eight points behind the leaders, Blackpool and Manchester United.

The Red Devils kept their unbeaten run going against Spurs and United fan Peter Lee also had another reason to get the bubbly out as he regained parity with leader Phil Trow on 156 points. Peter edged the weekend’s results with two correct scores and four right results, three points better than his main rival for the title.

At the foot of the table, West Ham’s Nigel Telfer put his club’s managerial woes behind him to pull in six points. That may be an average score but it was enough to see him off the foot of the table at the expense of our Middlesbrough fan Sue Gardener, who could only manage to predict four correct results. However, after a recent revival, the week’s worst performer was Chelsea fan Joe Tyler who picked up just three points.

The majority of the Panel went for an Arsenal win at West Ham United but I must give special praise to West Brom fan Andy Wakeman, our editor Antony Melvin and Arsenal supporter Don McMahon who correctly tipped the Gunners for a 3-0 win.

I must also highlight the four pundits who correctly tipped Blackpool to beat Liverpool 2-1 in the rescheduled midweek fixture. Take a bow Chris Cox, Everton’s Chris Goodwin, Fulham’s Russell Goldman and myself. In fact it was a good week for me as I predicted Wigan to draw 1-1 with Fulham and I was the only pundit to tip the Baggies would beat Blackpool 3-2. And it was a bittersweet moment for Bolton fan Dave Blackburn as he was the only pundit who predicted the Wanderers would go down 2-0 at the Britannia Stadium.

Blackpool remain top in the overall league and in the correct scores section with 29, three ahead of Manchester United’s Peter Lee, but Arsenal’s Don McMahon is making a late surge for the crown. He is now just four correct scores from joining Phil at the top.

In the correct results league, Aston Villa’s Lynette Ranson and Bolton’s Dave Blackburn retain their joint supremacy at the top on 82 points, but Squarefootball’s Hugh Larkin remains just one point behind and Sunderland’s Tony Ratton is also chasing down the leaders on 80 points.

The standard in the Premier League may have slipped this season but no-one can label it boring or predictable. With a number of midweek fixtures coming up, the Premier League Prediction Panel could well look very different in a week’s time.

Here are the scores from the final week of fixtures of 2010:

	Player	Correct scores	Correct results	Points
WOLVES	Chris Cox	3	4	13
SQF EDITOR	Antony Melvin	3	4	13
SUNDERLAND	Tony Ratton	2	6	12
SQF WRITER	Colin Illingworth	3	3	12
FULHAM	Russell Goldman	2	5	11
LIVERPOOL	Mark Williams	3	2	11
NEWCASTLE	Michael Stout	2	5	11
SQF EXP WHAM	Matthew Beeby	2	5	11
BOLTON	Dave Blackburn	2	4	10
EVERTON	Chris Goodwin	2	4	10
MAN UTD	Peter Lee	2	4	10
ARSENAL	Don McMahon	2	3	9
BLACKBURN	Terry Kennedy	1	6	9
ASTON VILLA	Lynette Ranson	1	4	7
BLACKPOOL	Phil Trow	1	4	7
MAN CITY	Callum Rothwell	1	4	7
SPURS	Dave Nash	1	4	7
WEST BROM	Andy Wakeman	1	4	7
WIGAN	Alan Moore	1	4	7
SQF WRITER	Paul Grech	1	4	7
SQF WRITER	Hugh Larkin	1	4	7
STOKE CITY	Philip Eccleston	0	6	6
WEST HAM	Nigel Telfer	1	3	6
SQF ACE POMPEY	Peter Rendle	1	3	6
BIRMINGHAM	Steve Coulter	0	5	5
SQF EXP BORO	Sue Gardener	0	4	4
SQF ACE POMPEY	Dan Taylor	0	4	4
CHELSEA	Joe Tyler	0	3	3

 

(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	29	69	156
↔	MAN UTD	Peter Lee	26	78	156
↑	SUNDERLAND	Tony Ratton	22	80	148
↑	NEWCASTLE	Michael Stout	24	73	145
↓	WIGAN	Alan Moore	24	74	145
↑	SQF EDITOR	Antony Melvin	24	72	145
↑	BOLTON	Dave Blackburn	20	82	142
↑	SQF WRITER	Colin Illingworth	24	70	142
↓	MAN CITY	Callum Rothwell	22	75	141
↑	ARSENAL	Don McMahon	25	65	140
↔	STOKE CITY	Philip Eccleston	21	75	138
↓	WEST BROM	Andy Wakeman	21	74	137
↓	BLACKBURN	Terry Kennedy	22	70	136
↑	EVERTON	Chris Goodwin	22	70	134
↓	SQF WRITER	Hugh Larkin	16	81	129
↑	SQF EXP WHAM	Matthew Beeby	18	76	129
↓	LIVERPOOL	Mark Williams	18	74	128
↑	WOLVES	Chris Cox	21	63	127
↓	SQF WRITER	Paul Grech	23	58	127
↓	SQF ACE POMPEY	Dan Taylor	21	62	125
↑	FULHAM	Russell Goldman	19	66	123
↓	SPURS	Dave Nash	20	61	121
↓	BIRMINGHAM	Steve Coulter	16	72	120
↓	CHELSEA	Joe Tyler	19	63	119
↓	SQF ACE POMPEY	Peter Rendle	16	71	119
↔	ASTON VILLA	Lynette Ranson	12	82	118
↔	WEST HAM	Nigel Telfer	15	68	113
↔	SQF EXP BORO	Sue Gardener	15	65	110

 

 

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

An updated league table will be published every Wednesday.

Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United: Fergie faces biggest test of the season so far

Tottenham Hotspur face Manchester United with the London side playing catch-up with wins for the three other teams that started the weekend with title hopes all winning.

Its a decade since Spurs last beat United, but this Tottenham team keeps getting stronger - and arguably has the best first eleven plus bench in the division.  But the Champions' League games cost Tottenham too many league points earlier in the season and a top four finish will be difficult enough - never mind a title challenge.  Spurs can beat anyone at home or away with this team and they do tend to do better in the harder games.

This could be Ryan Giggs's 600th league game for United, during a career when he has won 11 league titles, 2 European Cups, 4 FA Cups and 4 League Cups (plus a fair number of Intercontinental, Super Cup, World Club Cup and Community Shield prizes) - Giggs has won more trophies than any other British player and more than all but three or four clubs.  But at United the present title race is all consuming and with Manchester City moving ahead of United this game is critical.  United can afford a draw considering their games in hand - but the likes of Giggs have never been happy with anything less than a win.

Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United; Kick Off 4.10pm January 16 2011

Prediction Panel

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

Panel Verdict

Tottenham are tipped to bring United’s unbeaten run to an end, but only just.

Home: 10; Draw: 9; 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!

Liverpool v Everton: Can Moyes ruin Kenny’s Anfield return?

The third of the day's derby matches is the all Merseyside game, with Kenny Dalglish looking for the first positive result of his second coming against an Everton side that is alongside Liverpool in the table.  Both teams start the game much too close to the relegation zone for comfort - and far too far away from the top four for Champions' League football next season.

Liverpool's fans have been buoyed by the return of Dalglish but there is little evidence yet that a team devoid of confidence has responded to the new manager.  The white heat of a derby match could be the ideal game for Liverpool, allowing their players to get wrapped up in the occasion and ignore noises off.  Gerrard is a big miss for Liverpool - especially with Torres so off colour.

Everton have a lamentable record at Anfield under David Moyes with no wins in the last eight visits.  And with Tim Cahill at the Asia Cup - football has a shaky grip on geography if Israel is in Europe and Australia is in Asia - Everton's main goal threat has been removed.  At least Saha has rediscovered his shooting boots in recent weeks.

Liverpool v Everton; Kick Off 4.05pm January 16 2011

Prediction Panel

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

Panel Verdict

The Panel thinks it will be honours even for the Merseyside giants.

Home: 7; Draw: 14; 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!

Sunderland v Newcastle United: Black Cats seek revenge

After winning the reverse fixture 5-1 Newcastle were quick to dispense with their manager - only time will tell on that decision. Sunderland are now coming out of their injury crisis and a win today will improve their hold on a top six place.

Sunderland v Newcastle United; Kick Off 12pm January 16 2011

Prediction Panel

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

Panel Verdict

Sunderland are tipped to avenge their St James’ Park massacre.

Home: 13; Draw: 10; Away: 3.

* 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 Aston Villa: Relegation fears grow

Birmingham and Aston Villa start this game down amongst the bottom group of teams that all seem to be picking up points in recent games.  Draws are quite common in derby games - especially ones where a point does not really help anyone.

Birmingham City v Aston Villa; Kick Off 12pm January 16 2011

Prediction Panel

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

Panel Verdict

The Blues just shade it with the Panel.

Home: 12; Draw: 11; Away: 3.

* 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, Fulham, West Ham or Newcastle: Where will Robbie Keane end up?

On Friday night it was reported that Tottenham Hotspur and Birmingham City had agreed a fee for out-of-favour striker Robbie Keane. The price tag is thought to be about £6 million and all the Irish marksman has to do is agree personal terms. However, the former Wolves and Inter Milan star is a man in demand and has a few other options up his sleeves.

West Ham United, who are waiting for Martin O’Neill to take over from Avram Grant, and Fulham are both reportedly in the chase for Keane’s signature and even Newcastle United are in with a shout of landing the hitman. So where will Keane be playing his football come February?

Robbie Keane has been a great servant to Spurs and was a huge hit with the fans. His creativity, enthusiasm, leadership and love for the game made it easy for the fans to worship him. Then he shocked the football world by moving to his boyhood club Liverpool for about £20 million in 2008. However, his dream move turned out to be a nightmare and six months later returned home to White Hart Lane with his tail between his legs, but he hasn’t been the same player since.

Since joining the club from Leeds United in 2002, Keane has scored 92 times in the Premier League, but after rejoining the club from Liverpool he has fallen down the pecking order at Spurs and is yet to register a goal this season in the top flight.  Keane still has a passion for the game and, at 29, has plenty to offer. But this is a crucial decision in his career.  He’s left before and failed to make an impression – mainly because he was a pawn in Rafael Benitez’s politics at Anfield – so he needs to ask himself where his best chance of success will be.

Will it be at Birmingham?

The biggest problem Birmingham have faced since returning to the Premier League is goals. They are the top flight’s second lowest scorers and have scored just nine in front of their home fans this season (before the Birmingham derby). They are crying out for someone who can put the ball in the back of the net and Keane certainly fits the bill. The Blues create chances and with the creativity of Hleb and the height of Zigic, not to mention the recent addition of David Bentley, Keane could transform their season. He’s also played at Coventry and Wolves so he knows the Midlands well and Birmingham of course has a huge Irish contingent. Unfortunately, some reports claim that Keane is unwilling to leave the capital again so watch this space.

So will he end up at West Ham?

The Hammers have been in the bottom three for the majority of the season and it’s widely believed that Avram Grant faces the chop within days. Martin O’Neill is expected to replace the former Chelsea manager in the dugout at Upton Park and his presence could be enough to lure Keane to the East End. West Ham have a plethora of strikers on their books but injuries, suspensions and a lack of form have affected them badly. The arrival of Keane, and his bubbly personality, could be the spark the Hammers need to lift them out of the drop zone. However, is Keane prepared to join them and risk playing in the Championship next season?

What about Fulham then?

Mark Hughes missed out on the chance of teaming up with Roque Santa Cruz again and has been public with his admiration for Keane. Fulham are dicing with death near the foot of the table and with star striker Bobby Zamora still missing through injury Keane could well shoot the Cottagers up the table. With fellow countryman Damian Duff on the right and the creativity of Clint Dempsey alongside him, Fulham and Keane could well be a marriage made in heaven.

Then there’s Newcastle United.

Harry Redknapp is reportedly a huge fan of Newcastle striker Andy Carroll and Keane could well feature in a swap deal for the future England number nine. Alan Pardew will not want Carroll to leave St James’ Park but if he did the former West Ham chief would want somebody in to replace him. Keane may not have age on his side, like Carroll, but he knows where the goals are and would be a huge hit on Tyneside if he rediscovered his scoring boots.

Birmingham City are currently in the driving seat but with Fulham, West Ham and Newcastle still in the mix, Keane has one massive decision to make. If I were in his boots I’d be tempted to stay in the capital and take on the challenge of transforming West Ham’s fortunes. But who do you think Keane should sign for? Whatever your view I’d love to hear from you.

Squarefootball’s Premier League quiz: Week 23

After the FA Cup break it’s back to Premier League action and with that comes another instalment of Squarefootball’s Premier League quiz. This week we are focusing mainly on goal scorers so I’m expecting some maximum scores from my pupils. Do you think you have what it takes to ace this quiz? Well prove it.

Your challenge starts here. All the best!

1. Chelsea v Blackburn Rovers: Stamford Bridge has not been a happy hunting ground for Blackburn over the past few seasons. In fact, you have to go back to November 2005 for the last time they even scored in west London. That came in a 4-2 defeat, but can you name the Blackburn player who scored a brace that day? Was it A – Shefki Kuqi, B – Craig Bellamy or C – Robbie Savage? 

2. Manchester City v Wolverhampton Wanderers: City squeezed past Wolves last season at Eastlands in the league 1-0. But can you name the scorer? Was it A – Emmanuel Adebayor, B – Carlos Tevez or C – Steven Ireland?

3. Stoke City v Bolton Wanderers: The home side were stunned in this fixture last season by two late Bolton goals. The game ended 2-1 to the visitors, but who scored a brace for the Wanderers? Was it A - Kevin Davies, B – Johan Elmander or C – Matt Taylor?

4. West Bromwich Albion v Blackpool: The Seasiders have been fantastic on the road this season but when did they last beat West Brom at the Hawthorns? Was it A – 1964, B – 1969 or C – 1974?

5. Wigan Athletic v Fulham: The Latics have only managed to beat Fulham once on their own soil in the Premier League. That was 1-0 in October of their debut season. But can you remember the scorer? Was it A – Pascal Chimbonda, B – Leighton Baines or C – Jimmy Bullard?

6. West Ham United v Arsenal: Who was the only ever-present player for the Hammers last season? Was it A – Scott Parker, B – Julien Faubert or C – Rob Green?

7. Birmingham City v Aston Villa: The Blues have only once beaten their city rivals in the Premier League at St Andrews. That came in a 2-0 success back in March 2005. Emile Heskey grabbed one, but who sealed the win for the home side? Was it A – Julian Gray, B – Clinton Morrison or C – Walter Pandiani?

8. Sunderland v Newcastle United: Newcastle United’s Shola Ameobi loves playing against the Black Cats. He’s scored four times in the past three meetings alone, but who old is the marksman? Is he A – 27, B – 28 or C – 29?

9. Liverpool v Everton: It’s been more than a decade since Everton last triumphed at Anfield. That came in a 1-0 win back in September 1999, in what was an ill-tempered game. But who scored the Toffees’ winner? Was it A – Francis Jeffers, B – Nick Barmby or C – Kevin Campbell?

10. Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United: Former Manchester United ace David Beckham began training with Tottenham this week, but how many goals has Beckham scored against Spurs in his Premier League career? A – Four, B – Five or C – Six?

 

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 23 – The Answers

So how did you get on?

1. Chelsea v Blackburn Rovers: The last Blackburn player to score at the Bridge was Craig Bellamy.

2. Manchester City v Wolverhampton Wanderers: Emmanuel Adebayor was the City hero last season in this fixture.

3. Stoke City v Bolton Wanderers: Bolton owed Matt Taylor a hand for his late goals.

4. West Bromwich Albion v Blackpool: Ian Holloway will be hoping to lead Blackpool to their first win at the Hawthorns since beating them 3-1 in 1964.

5. Wigan Athletic v Fulham: The only player to have scored the winner for Wigan against Fulham at the DW Stadium in the Premier League is Pascal Chimbonda.

6. West Ham United v Arsenal: Rob Green didn’t miss one league match last season for the Hammers.

7. Birmingham City v Aston Villa: Julian Gray will never have to pay for a drink in the Blur half of the city for the rest of his life after his late goal sealed the points for Birmingham.

8. Sunderland v Newcastle United: Ameobi is 29.

9. Liverpool v Everton: Kevin Campbell was the last Everton player to score a winner against the Reds at Anfield.

10. Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United: The answer is six. He also scored against them in a 2-0 FA Cup win in 1997.

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 Arsenal: Grant seeks further reprieve from death row

Despite losing just one of his past seven league and cup games at West Ham, Avram Grant remains on death row. The former Chelsea and Portsmouth boss is under intense pressure at the Boleyn Ground and many fear that a sizeable defeat this weekend at home to title chasing Arsenal may spell the end of Grant’s time in the east end.

West Ham have struggled this season but there are signs that Grant is slowly turning things around. They are getting results, are just two points off safety and have only failed to score in one of their past eight outings. The Hammers also have one foot in the Carling Cup final, yet Grant’s future at the club is far from certain with Press reports claiming that Martin O’Neill and Sam Allardyce are waiting in the wings.

It’s hardly the best preparation for the visit of the Gunners but then Arsene Wenger is feeling the heat too. They have struggled recently against Championship opposition in the form of Leeds United and Ipswich Town and have looked far from their vintage best. They haven’t lost at Upton Park for four years but can they find their form and see off a resilient West Ham to keep the pressure on Manchester United at the top?

Avram Grant is the cup king and the Hammers have 16 more “finals” to overcome in order to retain their Premier League status. They will be fighting for their lives and making it difficult for the visitors, but the majority of the Panel see this as an away win.

West Ham United v Arsenal; Kick off 3pm January 15 2011

Prediction Panel

Arsenal	Don McMahon	0	V	3
Aston Villa	Lynette Ranson	2	V	2
Birmingham	Steve Coulter	1	V	2
Blackburn	Terry Kennedy	0	V	2
Blackpool	Phil Trow	1	V	2
Bolton	Dave Blackburn	1	V	2
Chelsea	Joe Tyler	0	V	2
Everton	Chris Goodwin	1	V	3
Fulham	Russell Goldman	0	V	1
Liverpool	Mark Williams	0	V	2
Man City	Callum Rothwell	1	V	1
Man Utd	Peter Lee	0	V	2
Newcastle	Michael Stout	1	V	2
Stoke City	Philip Eccleston	1	V	3
Sunderland	Tony Ratton	1	V	3
Tottenham	Dave Nash	0	V	1
West Brom	Andy Wakeman	0	V	3
West Ham	Nigel Telfer	1	V	1
Wigan	Alan Moore	TBC	V	TBC
Wolves	Chris Cox	0	V	4
OUR EXPERTS
Editor	Antony Melvin	0	V	3
Writer	Colin Illingworth	1	V	3
Writer	Hugh Larkin	TBC	V	TBC
Writer	Paul Grech	0	V	0
Pompey fan	Dan Taylor	1	V	1
Boro fan	Sue Gardener	1	V	5
Pompey fan	Peter Rendle	1	V	3
West Ham fan	Matthew Beeby	1	V	3

Panel Verdict

It looks like a guaranteed away win.

Home: 0; Draw: 6; Away: 20.

* Calling all West Ham fans. Avram Grant's position at the Boleyn is under intense scutiny with Martin O'Neill and Sam Allardyce reportedly waiting in the wings to replace the former Chelsea and Portsmouth boss, but who would you rather see you through to the end of the season; Grant, O'Neill or Allardyce and why? Whatever your views I'd love to hear from you.

Wigan Athletic v Fulham: Don’t expect a flood of goals at the DW

If you are hoping to see a feast of goals this weekend then you are advised not to attend Wigan v Fulham. Only once in the Premier League has this fixture produced more than two goals and I’d be amazed if that changed this weekend.

The Latics may have edged a five-goal thriller against Hull City last weekend in the FA Cup but Roberto Martinez’s men have failed to score more than two in the league all season. And it’s not much better from the visitors. The Cottagers hit Peterborough for six last weekend in the Cup, but they have only scored more than two in the league once – although that was recently against struggling West Brom.

Fulham have won two of their past three league outings – v West Brom and Stoke City – and travel north in buoyant mood. However, they are yet to record a win at Wigan in the top flight and Martinez will be hoping his side bounce back from their home defeat at the hands of Newcastle United.

I can see it being a closely contested game and the Panel is split right down the middle on this one.

Wigan Athletic v Fulham; Kick Off 3pm January 15 2011

Prediction Panel

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

Panel Verdict

The Panel is split.

Home: 8; Draw: 10; 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!

West Bromwich Albion v Blackpool: Baggies hope to squash the Tangerines

It has been a very bleak Christmas and new year period for Roberto Di Matteo’s men. Since beating Newcastle United at the start of December, and costing Chris Hughton his job, the Baggies have lost their past five games on the spin. They have slipped down the table and are just one point off the drop zone. West Brom are in dire need of some points and they could well come this weekend against everybody’s second favourite team, Blackpool.

The Tangerines are not huge fans of the Hawthorns. You have to go back to 1964 for their last triumph in the Black Country, but their away form this season under Ian Holloway has been exceptional. Only Chelsea and Arsenal have picked up more points than Blackpool on their travels and their midweek win over Liverpool will have only made them more confident.

West Brom should have taken something from the visit of Manchester United on New Year’s Day, but were soundly beaten by Fulham in their next game and were dumped out of the FA Cup by Reading last weekend. The Baggies need a result to kick-start their season. The Panel is edging slightly towards a home win.

Prediction Panel

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

Panel Verdict

The Baggies just shade it with the Panel.

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!

Manchester City v Wolverhampton Wanderers: Visitors target City double

Mick McCarthy’s men stunned the football world in October by beating the high-flying billionaires at Molineux. This weekend they aim to complete an unlikely double over the title chasers and spoil Edin Dzeko’s City debut in the process.

Wins over Liverpool and Chelsea over the festive period have seen Wolves climb out of the bottom three and Roberto Mancini will be wary of the threat posed by the Midlands side. In fact, City only have to look back to last season when they just managed to scrape past a battling Wolves at home 1-0 thanks to Emmanuel Adebayor.

City have lost at home just twice this season – v Arsenal and Everton – and will be confident of seeing off Wolves and keeping the pressure on the Red Devils at the top of the table. Mancini is expected to give his new £27 million marksman Dzeko his first taste of English football and the bookies expect it to be a winning one, but Wolves should not be taking lightly. Not that Big Mick will care. Being the underdog obviously suits him.

City are challenging for the title while Wolves are fighting to stay in the top flight. It looks like a certain home win, but the visitors are playing well and fighting for each other. They could just spring another shock in this year’s title race. Unfortunately, the majority of the Panel doesn’t see it like that.

Manchester City v Wolverhampton Wanderers; Kick Off 3pm January 15 2011

Prediction Panel

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

Panel Verdict

The Panel is going for a comfortable home win.

Home: 24; Draw: 2; 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 Bolton Wanderers: Coyle targets end to away day blues

Stoke City welcome Bolton Wanderers to the Britannia this weekend looking to go level on points with their visitors, and given the fact that the Wanderers haven’t won on their travels for two months you’d have to fancy Tony Pulis’ men to do just that. However, Bolton left the creative county with all three points last season and Owen Coyle will be keen to repeat that feat this weekend.

This will be the Potters’ first league outing since going down 2-1 at Old Trafford and Pulis will be hoping to bounce back with a win. Unfortunately Bolton have a decent record against the home side having only lost one of their previous nine meetings, home and away, so this is not a home banker by any stretch of the imagination.

The Britannia may not be the fortress it once was – they’ve already lost at home four times this season – but it still generates a great atmosphere and can be daunting for visiting teams. Bolton should rise above it but can they outplay a hard but fair Stoke side that will challenge for everything?

Bolton have high hopes of securing European football next season – they are only six points off the top four – but a win for Stoke would see them enter the mix for a Europa League slot. The majority of the Panel think this will end in a draw.

Stoke City v Bolton Wanderers; Kick Off 3pm January 15 2011

Prediction Panel

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

Panel Verdict

The Potters are tipped to make the most of home advantage.

Home: 10; Draw: 12; 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!

Chelsea v Blackburn Rovers: Will Rovers face Chelsea backlash?

Carlo Ancelotti’s men have recorded just six points from their past six games but, despite that dreadful record, Carlo Ancelotti’s men are red-hot favourites to see off Steve Kean’s Blackburn Rovers.

Chelsea will be on a high after putting seven past Championship strugglers Ipswich Town last weekend in the FA Cup and John Terry and co will be hoping they have put their bad spell behind them. The champions have looked distinctly average since Ray Wilkins left the club and have slipped out of the top four, but their convincing FA Cup display may just have put them back in the groove.

Blackburn away last season was a clear win for almost every home side. Chelsea put five past them last time out at the Bridge and Blackburn have only scored in one of their past six meetings in west London. However, under Steve Kean, the Rovers look much more of an attacking threat and will head to the Bridge desperate to record their first win there since 2003.

Rovers have already won three away from home this season – the same amount as last year – and are just seven points behind the champions in the table. A win for the visitors would be disastrous for Ancelotti’s hopes of retaining the Premier League title but the majority of the Panel are going for a return to winning ways for the home side.

Chelsea v Blackburn Rovers; Kick Off 3pm January 15 2011

Prediction Panel

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

Panel Verdict

It should be a home banker for the champions.

Home: 21; 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!

Blackpool v Liverpool: Can the Tangerines dethrone King Kenny?

King Kenny was unable to stop his beloved Liverpool from being dumped out of the FA Cup on his sensational return to management, but can he kick-start their European hopes tonight by seeing off the threat of Blackpool?

The Tangerines stunned the football world in October when they went to Anfield and turned over the European giants in their own backyard – a feat they hadn’t achieved in 43 years. Tonight they go in search of their first double over Liverpool since 1947 and on current form you’d find it hard to bet against them.

However, Liverpool fans have some hope now with Dalglish at the helm and instead of going to games waiting to pounce on any mistake by Hodgson’s players, all of their energy will be spent on getting behind the team – that can only be a good thing for everyone concerned at Anfield.

The Seasiders go into the clash level on points with Liverpool, having played a game less, but despite their heroics this season they have still only won twice in front of their home fans. Unfortunately Liverpool are no better on the road having won just once on their travels all season, but King Kenny will see this as an away win all day long.

This will be Blackpool’s first home game in weeks. The home fans have been deprived top flight action due to the big freeze and Ian Holloway will be keen to give them a result to warm the hearts following their FA Cup exit at the hands of Southampton. However, I’m sure Premier League survival is much higher up on the agenda with everyone concerned at Bloomfield Road. A point or better this evening will be the perfect tonic for their cup exit. Defeat for Liverpool though is simply unthinkable and they need to raise their game for the new gaffer.

Blackpool v Liverpool; Kick Off 8pm January 12 2011

Prediction Panel

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

Panel Verdict

It could be a great night for King Kenny and Liverpool.

Home: 5; Draw: 9; Away: 13.

* 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!

Burnley: Who will be the next Burnley manager?

It was no shock to see Brian Laws axed as Burnley boss. The former Sheffield Wednesday manager was on a hiding to nothing in trying to replace Owen Coyle. The biggest shock was that he managed to last so long in the job!

The Clarets’ 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Scunthorpe was the final straw for the Burnley board following a mixed bag of results. Now the search is on for a manager who can inspire Burnley back to the Premier League and entertain the fans at the same time. They managed it in 2007 with the inspired appointment of Owen Coyle, but is there a new God out there?

Burnley are currently just four points outside the play-off places and the new manager will have to hit the ground running in order to achieve the club’s main quest . . . a return to the top flight. A number of managers have already been linked with the vacant manager’s job, which is understandable given the challenge and rewards on offer. But who is the right man for the job?

I’m going to give my assessment on the runners and riders for the vacant position but, most importantly, I want to hear who you want in the dugout at Turf Moor.

Paul Lambert

The current Norwich City manager is high up on Barry Kilby’s wish list but the Canaries have, understandably, denied the Clarets permission to talk to him. The former Motherwell, Celtic and Borrusia Dortmund midfielder has made a huge name for himself in England and is destined to manage at the highest level. Whether that will be with Norwich, who are currently second in the Championship, or Burnley remains to be seen, but for now the smart money is on him remaining at Carrow Road.

Malky Mackay

Currently doing a marvellous job at Vicarage Road, Mackay has seen his odds on becoming the new Burnley manager slashed in the past few hours. The former Celtic and Norwich defender is riding high in the Championship with the Hornets and his side have averaged three goals a game since December. Despite being a defender by trade, Malky sets his teams out to attack the opposition and play without fear – a policy the Burnley fans would love to see back at Turf Moor. The big Scotsman will have to ask himself where he thinks the best chance of managing in the Premier League is. In my mind it would be with the Clarets.

Paulo Sousa

The former Swansea City boss didn’t last long at the Walkers Stadium but he will be desperate to rebuild his reputation. A class act of the pitch as a player, Sousa wants his teams to express themselves. He narrowly missed out on promotion with the Swans but a lack of goals has dogged his time in England. But with the likes of Eagles, Elliot and Iwelumo in the squad that may not be such a problem. However, the chairman may not want to take the risk of appointing another manager who struggled in the Championship.

Eddie Howe

Howe has been winning all kinds of acclaim for his efforts at Bournemouth and it appears that he will be leaving Dean Court sooner rather than later, with Crystal Palace and Charlton Athletic keeping tabs on him. He led the Cherries to League One and is currently occupying the second automatic promotion place alongside Brighton this season. Another manager who likes to play attractive football, Howe looks to have a great future ahead of him in the game, but I simply can’t see him uprooting his family to move north to Burnley.

Gary Megson

After appointing Brian Laws, this surely would be the death of Barry Kilby at Burnley. One of the most unpopular figures in football, you can count fans of Megson on one hand! Some Bolton fans believe that should torture terrorists by making them watch Bolton games from the Megson era it was that bad. However, let’s give Megson some credit. He kept Bolton in the Premier League against all the odds and knows what it takes to grind out results. But that is not what Burnley fans want. This appointment would go down faster than the Titanic.

Derek McInnes

Owen Coyle joined Burnley from St Johnstone in 2007 and took the Clarets on an unbelievable adventure. Barry Kilby could do a lot worse than trying to repeat that feat by raiding the Saints for the impressive Derek McInnes. The young Scotsman has the Perth side playing some of the most attractive football north of the border after leading them to promotion to the SPL in 2009. He was linked with the Burnley job last season before Laws was appointed. Will Kilby learn from his past mistakes?

Other names in the frame include Steve Clarke, Chris Hughton, Adrian Heath and even Gordon Strachan. But who would you like to see in the dugout at Turf Moor? Whatever your view I’d love to hear from you.

Charlton Athletic: Who will be the next Charlton manager?

The start of 2011 has been a terrible time for football managers. Roy Keane, Steve Coppell, Brian Laws and Roy Hodgson are just a few to have lost their jobs already this year and another club looking for a new manager is Charlton Athletic. The Addicks gave Phil Parkinson the boot after recording just one win in nine league and cup outings. Now the search is on for his replacement.

Despite their recent awful run of form, the Addicks remain within touching distance of securing automatic promotion to the Championship. This vacant post represents a real challenge for the next manager. Everyone at Charlton wants a return to the Premier League, failure to win promotion this season is simply unthinkable. No wonder the chairman Michael Slater is taking his time in making an appointment.

But who will be the next Charlton manager? Here is my assessment of the early runners and riders in the quest to succeed Parkinson in the hot seat, but - most importantly - who would you like to see in the dugout?

Dennis Wise

Wise seems to be like the football equivalent of Marmite, you either love him or hate him. Chelsea fans won’t hear a bad word against him following his successful spell at the Bridge as a player. The same can’t be said for Newcastle fans, who blame Wise and the Cockney mafia responsible for the club’s relegation two seasons ago. Wise is the current bookies’ favourite for the vacant post and has created a lot of debate among the fans. His role in Newcastle’s demise is still fresh in most fans’ minds but let’s not forget about the wonderful job he was doing at Leeds United before he was lured to the north east. Wise has played at the highest level, is an enthusiastic character and is a born winner. This could be the perfect job for him to re-establish himself as a manager.

Glenn Hoddle

The former England manager has been out of the game for four years now and appears to be enjoying life with his academy in Spain, but the lure of managing a club like Charlton and the challenge of getting them back into the big time might be too hard for him to hard turn. His successful periods at Swindon and Chelsea led him to the national job, but he was forced to quit in 1999 after making some ill-advised comments on the disabled. He went on to manage Southampton, Spurs and Wolves but he never really managed to replicate his early promise in the dugout. After a long break away from the cut-throat nature of the English game though maybe he is ready, fresh and rejuvenated, for another spell in the manager’s seat.

Gus Poyet

The current Brighton & Hove Albion boss is riding high in League One and looks on course to be managing in the Championship next season, but could that be with Charlton and not Brighton? The former Chelsea man is gaining a glowing reputation among the football world for his style of play and the Addicks would love to see that at the Valley. He is destined to manage at a higher level but would he be prepared to leave having recently signed a new four-year deal at the Withdean stadium? I don’t think so.

Eddie Howe

Another promising young manager who has been winning all kinds of acclaim for his efforts at Bournemouth is Eddie Howe. Despite having a transfer embargo imposed on him last season he led the Cherries to League One and is currently occupying the second automatic promotion place alongside Brighton. A popular figure at Dean Court, Howe is also being tipped with the vacant job at Crystal Palace. It appears that Bournemouth won’t be able to hold on to him for much longer but where will his next step be? Could it be to Charlton?

Alan Curbishley

Could the former Charlton great make a sensational return to his spiritual home? Curbishley enjoyed unrivalled success at the Valley during his 15-year reign but he has been out of the game since leaving West Ham United more than two years ago although he is linked with seemingly every manager’s job going. Curbs left after a section of the Charlton support felt they could do better than mid-table mediocrity every year – how must they be feeling now watching their side against the likes of Yeovil and Walsall. Once tipped as a future England manager, would Curbishley be willing to go back to life in League One? It’s unlikely but you never know in this game.

Gary Waddock

The former QPR and Millwall midfielder is making a real name for himself in League Two with Wycombe Wanderers and is among the bookies’ favourites for a move to the Valley. The 48-year-old led Aldershot Town into league football before getting the Wycombe job and is currently looking good for another promotion. He’s an ambitious man, but is he ready to walk out on the Chairboys’ promotion push?

Other names in the frame include Chris Hughton, Darren Ferguson, Chris Coleman and even Gareth Southgate. But who would you like to see in the dugout at the Valley? Whatever your view I’d love to hear from you.

Premier League sack race: Hodgson tipped to be next for the boot

What an awful start to the new year it has been for some Premier League managers. Chelsea’s Carlo Ancelotti has found life tough without Ray Wilkins, Avram Grant was brought back down to earth with an almighty thud against Newcastle United and Gerard Houllier is already under intense pressure at Aston Villa, but it looks as though Roy Hodgson is living on borrowed time at Liverpool.

The former Fulham manager could do no wrong at the Cottage and he was a resounding favourite for the Liverpool job once Rafael Benitez walked away. However, life at Anfield has been far from a bed of roses. Hodgson has struggled on Merseyside. Boardroom battles, injuries to key players and a loss of form and confidence by others has affected his plans badly. Not to mention the lack of strength in depth at the club, Hodgson will no doubt be wishing he remained at Fulham – so will plenty of Liverpool fans!

According to some reports this morning Hodgson has already said his goodbyes to the players and is waiting for the inevitable to happen, but they have a huge FA Cup game against Manchester United to plan for, not to mention the Merseyside derby the weekend after. Surely the new American owners wouldn’t wield the axe before then?

Hodgson is 1/3 on with Sky Bet to be the next manager to be axed in the Premier League. He is closely followed by West Ham United chief Avram Grant. The Hammers were having a good festive period and even moved up to the lofty position of 15^th before Newcastle United put five past them and other results went against them to send them crashing back down to the foot of the table. Grant, who was given three games to save his job before Christmas, now reportedly has two cup games to prove he deserves to stay at the Boleyn Ground.

David Gold and David Sullivan consistently reiterate that they always back their managers but they know that relegation is unthinkable for the Irons. And with Sam Allardyce waiting in the wings they want to see an upturn in fortunes from their manager. With a league fixture list of Arsenal, Everton and Blackpool coming up, West Ham need to up their game significantly if they are to retain their Premier League status. But maybe a Carling Cup final appearance will buy Grant some valuable time.

Next on the hit list is Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti. Two months ago it looked as though Chelsea were going to win the league at a canter. Then Ray Wilkins was dramatically axed and the wheels have fallen off in spectacular fashion. One win in nine is simply relegation form. The Blues are currently outside the top four and are in real danger of missing out on Champions League football. That would be devastating for Roman Abramovich and something that he would move heaven and earth for to avoid. He’s axed managers for less than this before, but will he remain loyal to Ancelotti after the Italian brought home the double last season?

But Ancelotti and Grant aren’t the only foreigners at risk of the chop. Aston Villa’s Gerard Houllier is under real pressure at the Villains despite only being in the job for a matter of months. Villa were tipped to challenge for the top four this season, but that was before Martin O’Neill sensationally walked out on the club before the big kick-off. Caretaker manager Kevin MacDonald was doing a fine job before Randy Lerner opted for a more experienced name in Houllier. The appointment wasn’t a hit with the fans and his exploits on his return to Anfield made more fans angry with the Frenchman. The fact that they now sit in the bottom three means that Randy Lerner has a huge decision to make.

Other names in the frame for the sack include Birmingham’s Alex McLeish and Fulham’s Mark Hughes. McLeish was one of the biggest stars of last season but the lack of goals at St Andrews is hitting the club hard. Mark Hughes is also living in fear of the axe after a tricky start to his life at the Cottage. Victory against West Brom saw them exit the bottom three and lift the clouds of doom away from west London, but they are only one bad result away.

The only person who will be happy looking at this article will be Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini. The Italian was odds on for the boot earlier in the season following a goalless draw at home against Birmingham City, but the Citizens are currently second in the table, just two points behind the leaders, and looking strong to finally break into the top four. He has drifted out to 33/1 and looks certain to see the rest of the season out at Eastlands.

The latest odds according to Sky Bet

Hodgson 1/3

Grant 4/6

Ancelotti 11/2

Houllier 9/1

Kean 16/1

Hughes 16/1

Martinez 20/1

McCarthy 20/1

McLeish 25/1

Moyes 25/1

Pardew 33/1

Mancini 33/1

 

 

 

 

At Anfield he can’t do anything right.

 

 

Paul Jewell

The former Wigan Athletic boss is the red-hot favourite among the bookies and there’s no doubt that he has the skills to turn Ipswich around. However, that was also said at the time he took over at Derby County and that was an unmitigated disaster for all concerned. Jewell deserves great credit for taking unfancied Wigan into the Premier League and keeping them there against all the odds. Unfortunately he opted to quit after one season in the top flight. Jewell has been out of the game for more than two years. Will he be ready for the demands of Championship football again?

George Burley

The former Ipswich boss was recently given the chop by struggling Crystal Palace but could he be about to return home to Portman Road? The Scotsman was in charge the last time the Tractor Boys were in the Premier League and even took them into Europe. However his eight-year spell in East Anglia came to an end in 2002 following relegation from the top flight and a difficult start to the new campaign. The former Scotland and Southampton boss has endured a tough couple of years but could Marcus Evans go for the sentimental appointment?

Chris Hughton

The former Newcastle United manager was shown the door by Mike Ashley despite guiding them back to the Premier League in spectacular fashion and more than holding his own in the top flight. Well, Newcastle’s loss could well be Ipswich’s gain. Hughton’s calm and considered approach to the game has won him an army of admirers in the game and his style of play would suit Ipswich down to the ground. The 52-year-old has vital experience of the Championship and knows how to gel a team of egos together for the better of the team. The former Spurs and West Ham defender could well be a good outside bet for the job.

 Chris Coleman

Sacked by Coventry at the end of last season, Coleman would relish the opportunity to get back into the game with a club like Ipswich Town. The Welshman defied the critics during his time at the Cottage by not only keeping them up but even challenging for Europe. He was axed in 2007 and has since gone on to work in La Liga with Real Sociedad and in the Championship with Coventry. Coleman played the game at the highest level before a car crash cut his career prematurely in 2001. However, the former Blackburn and Fulham defender has so much to offer the game. Whether he’d be quite right appointment for Ipswich in their current predicament though is questionable.

Alan Curbishley

 The former Charlton Athletic and West Ham United manager is linked with every vacant post going and you just feel that Curbishley and Ipswich would be a great partnership. Curbishley is a gentleman of the game and his achievements at Charlton are simply legendary. His last spell in management at West Ham though didn’t exactly go to plan. He returned to his former stomping ground but his negative style of play didn’t win over too many fans. They were extremely fortunate to have retained their Premier League status that season – thanks largely to Carlos Tevez – but left following a row over players being sold behind his back. Curbishley has vast experience of the game but does he really want to quit his media work for a return to the dugout?

Sam Allardyce

The former Blackburn Rovers manager was given the boot last month following the new owners’ acquisition of the club and Big Sam will be bored stiff without the game. Could that tempt him into a swift return to the game with Ipswich in the Championship? I doubt it. Allardyce is highly regarded in the FA and could potentially be a future England manager so I can’t see him dropping down a division, especially when Avram Grant remains in deep trouble at West Ham.

Gus Poyet

The current Brighton & Hove Albion boss is riding high in League One and looks on course to joining Ipswich, all being well and good, in the Championship come August. The former Chelsea man loves his sides to express themselves, get the ball down and attack the opposition. He is destined to manage at a higher level but would he be prepared to leave having recently signed a new four-year deal? I don’t think so.

Other names linked in the frame for the vacant manager’s job include Gordon Strachan, Glenn Hoddle, Gary Megson, Sean O’Driscoll and Darren Ferguson. But who would you like to see in the dugout for your big Carling Cup clash against Arsenal in midweek? Whatever your view, I’d love to hear from you.

Ipswich Town: Who will replace Keane at Portman Road?

The writing had been on the walls for a number of months but the Tractor Boys’ 1-0 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest on Monday was the straw that finally broke the camel’s back for Roy Keane at Portman Road. A superb player in his day, Keane has failed to switch his leadership qualities on the pitch to the dugout and after 20 terrible months in East Anglia the former Manchester United captain finds himself on the managerial scrapheap.

The majority of Ipswich fans are ecstatic by Keane’s exit, but the big question now is who will take over from the Irishman? Ipswich Town is a club steeped in history and many feel that they deserve to play at the highest level. However, you have to earn your right to play in the elite league and the Tractor Boys have simply not been good enough to do that over the past few seasons. But that is what the fans crave and that will be the quest for the new manager.

Unsurprisingly there have been a number of pundits throwing their hats into the ring and one name appears to be a clear winner with the bookmakers but who would you like to see in charge? Here I’m going to cast my opinion on some of the leading contenders and give you my view of who should be the next Ipswich boss.

Paul Jewell

The former Wigan Athletic boss is the red-hot favourite among the bookies and there’s no doubt that he has the skills to turn Ipswich around. However, that was also said at the time he took over at Derby County and that was an unmitigated disaster for all concerned. Jewell deserves great credit for taking unfancied Wigan into the Premier League and keeping them there against all the odds. Unfortunately he opted to quit after one season in the top flight. Jewell has been out of the game for more than two years. Will he be ready for the demands of Championship football again?

George Burley

The former Ipswich boss was recently given the chop by struggling Crystal Palace but could he be about to return home to Portman Road? The Scotsman was in charge the last time the Tractor Boys were in the Premier League and even took them into Europe. However his eight-year spell in East Anglia came to an end in 2002 following relegation from the top flight and a difficult start to the new campaign. The former Scotland and Southampton boss has endured a tough couple of years but could Marcus Evans go for the sentimental appointment?

Chris Hughton

The former Newcastle United manager was shown the door by Mike Ashley despite guiding them back to the Premier League in spectacular fashion and more than holding his own in the top flight. Well, Newcastle’s loss could well be Ipswich’s gain. Hughton’s calm and considered approach to the game has won him an army of admirers in the game and his style of play would suit Ipswich down to the ground. The 52-year-old has vital experience of the Championship and knows how to gel a team of egos together for the better of the team. The former Spurs and West Ham defender could well be a good outside bet for the job.

 Chris Coleman

Sacked by Coventry at the end of last season, Coleman would relish the opportunity to get back into the game with a club like Ipswich Town. The Welshman defied the critics during his time at the Cottage by not only keeping them up but even challenging for Europe. He was axed in 2007 and has since gone on to work in La Liga with Real Sociedad and in the Championship with Coventry. Coleman played the game at the highest level before a car crash cut his career prematurely in 2001. However, the former Blackburn and Fulham defender has so much to offer the game. Whether he’d be quite right appointment for Ipswich in their current predicament though is questionable.

Alan Curbishley

 The former Charlton Athletic and West Ham United manager is linked with every vacant post going and you just feel that Curbishley and Ipswich would be a great partnership. Curbishley is a gentleman of the game and his achievements at Charlton are simply legendary. His last spell in management at West Ham though didn’t exactly go to plan. He returned to his former stomping ground but his negative style of play didn’t win over too many fans. They were extremely fortunate to have retained their Premier League status that season – thanks largely to Carlos Tevez – but left following a row over players being sold behind his back. Curbishley has vast experience of the game but does he really want to quit his media work for a return to the dugout?

Sam Allardyce

The former Blackburn Rovers manager was given the boot last month following the new owners’ acquisition of the club and Big Sam will be bored stiff without the game. Could that tempt him into a swift return to the game with Ipswich in the Championship? I doubt it. Allardyce is highly regarded in the FA and could potentially be a future England manager so I can’t see him dropping down a division, especially when Avram Grant remains in deep trouble at West Ham.

Gus Poyet

The current Brighton & Hove Albion boss is riding high in League One and looks on course to joining Ipswich, all being well and good, in the Championship come August. The former Chelsea man loves his sides to express themselves, get the ball down and attack the opposition. He is destined to manage at a higher level but would he be prepared to leave having recently signed a new four-year deal? I don’t think so.

Other names linked in the frame for the vacant manager’s job include Gordon Strachan, Glenn Hoddle, Gary Megson, Sean O’Driscoll and Darren Ferguson. But who would you like to see in the dugout for your big Carling Cup clash against Arsenal in midweek? Whatever your view, I’d love to hear from you.

Premier League Predictions Table: Great week for Everton and Fulham on and off the pitch

It was the midweek which really turned the heat up on the league’s most under-fire managers. Chelsea and Liverpool continued their dreadful run of form, Alan Pardew saw his Newcastle side put five past his former outfit at St James’ Park while Gerard Houllier saw his troops slip into the bottom three after a home defeat by Sunderland. The pressure is definitely on in the Premier League and it’s the same in our predictions league!

Despite some shocking results from the midweek action the majority of the panel still came away with a decent number of points. Leading the way were Everton’s Chris Goodwin and Fulham’s Russell Goldman, who both celebrated huge results over Spurs and West Brom respectively. They claimed 10 points each thanks to three correct scores and one correct result. The pair both tipped Manchester United to beat Stoke City 2-1 and that Bolton Wanderers would draw 1-1 with Wigan Athletic. Chris got his extra three points from Arsenal’s goalless draw with Manchester City while Russell picked up maximum points by tipping Sunderland to beat Villa 1-0 – a scoreline that was only predicted by Russell and his west London neighbour, Chelsea’s Joe Tyler.

Talking of the Blues, Joe will no doubt be wondering what on earth is going on at Stamford Bridge at the moment but he will at least have something to cheer as his midweek haul was the second highest of the week. He pulled in nine points, along with his capital comrade Arsenal fan Don McMahon, to move even further away from the drop zone. His points came from tipping Fulham to win, Arsenal to draw and Everton to beat Spurs with the big points coming from Bolton’s 1-1 draw with Wigan and Villa’s defeat at home to Sunderland.

Arsenal’s Don McMahon, who is now in the top 10, got his haul from predicting Blackpool would lose at home to Birmingham, Fulham would beat the Baggies and that Newcastle would beat the Hammers. Surprisingly nobody tipped the Mags to win 5-0! Don’s big points came from United’s win over Stoke and Bolton’s draw.

There is no change at the top of the table with Blackpool’s Phil Trow still top, although he has extended his lead over Manchester United’s Peter Lee now to four points. Phil could only manage four points this week but the chasing pack failed to make any significant gains. Wigan fan Alan Moore was the biggest mover, climbing from fourth to third with his haul of six points. He is now 11 points from the summit.

However, there is a real battle going on at the foot of the table with West Ham’s Nigel Telfer showing more fight than Avram Grant’s side did at St James’ Park. He picked up six points, including one score bang on, to propel himself off the foot of the table and put Squarefootball’s very own Sue Gardener in grave danger of the drop. The Middlesbrough fan only managed four correct results and now has the weight of the league on her shoulders. But there’s only one point in it so watch this space.

Feeling the pressure like her manager Gerard Houllier is Aston Villa fan Lynette Ranson. Like the Villains, she has slipped into the bottom three – despite being the best pundit when it comes to predicting correct results.

West Brom fan Andy Wakeman deserves credit for being the only pundit to have tipped Birmingham to beat Blackpool 2-1. Also Wigan’s Alan Moore, Newcastle’s Michael Stout and Birmingham’s Steve Coulter correctly tipped Everton would beat Spurs 2-1- and what a game that was. But I believe I deserve the greatest credit of all this week for not only being the only pundit to tip Wolves to beat Chelsea but to correctly predict the 1-0 scoreline.

Blackpool remain top in the overall league and in the correct scores league with 28, four ahead of Peter Lee and five clear of Wigan’s Alan Moore and Arsenal’s Don McMahon.

It was a difficult week for Villa all round but Lynette Ranson is holding on to her position at the top of the correct results league, but has to share her place at the summit with Bolton’s Dave Blackburn. The pair are level on 78 with Squarefootball’s Hugh Larkin lurking closely behind on 77.

There is a break from Premier League action this week as the big boys enter the FA Cup so thankfully I can sit back and relax after a hectic festive period. However, don’t forget, the previews for next week fixtures will be back in seven days’ time.

Here are the scores from the final week of fixtures of 2010:

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

 

(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	28	65	149
↔	MAN UTD	Peter Lee	24	74	146
↑	WIGAN	Alan Moore	23	69	138
↓	MAN CITY	Callum Rothwell	21	71	134
↑	NEWCASTLE	Michael Stout	22	68	134
↓	SUNDERLAND	Tony Ratton	20	74	134
↔	BOLTON	Dave Blackburn	18	78	132
↔	STOKE CITY	Philip Eccleston	21	69	132
↔	SQF EDITOR	Antony Melvin	21	69	132
↑	ARSENAL	Don McMahon	23	62	131
↓	WEST BROM	Andy Wakeman	20	70	130
↑	SQF WRITER	Colin Illingworth	21	67	130
↓	BLACKBURN	Terry Kennedy	21	64	127
↑	EVERTON	Chris Goodwin	20	66	124
↓	SQF WRITER	Hugh Larkin	15	77	122
↓	SQF ACE POMPEY	Dan Taylor	21	58	121
↓	SQF WRITER	Paul Grech	22	54	120
↑	SQF EXP WHAM	Matthew Beeby	16	72	118
↓	LIVERPOOL	Mark Williams	15	72	117
↑	CHELSEA	Joe Tyler	19	60	116
↑	BIRMINGHAM	Steve Coulter	16	67	115
↓	SPURS	Dave Nash	19	57	114
↓	WOLVES	Chris Cox	18	60	114
↓	SQF ACE POMPEY	Peter Rendle	15	68	113
↑	FULHAM	Russell Goldman	17	61	112
↓	ASTON VILLA	Lynette Ranson	11	78	111
↑	WEST HAM	Nigel Telfer	14	65	107
↓	SQF EXP BORO	Sue Gardener	15	61	106

 

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

An updated league table will be published every Wednesday.

 

 

Everton v Tottenham Hotspur: Everton search for goals

Everton and Tottenham started the season as rivals for top six places - but whilst Spurs are now outside shots for the title and with a better than even chance of more Champions' League football, Everton are struggling to score goals or pull clear of the relegation zone.

Everton have failed to score in six league games and only once scored more than twice - in a 3-3 draw with Manchester United - which means that they are putting a lot of strain on a defence that knows that any goals conceded will be costly.  Quite why none of the main strikers - Saha, Beckford, Anichebe and Yakubu - have scored more than the two goals that Leighton Baines has scored is worrying.  Everton have 10 home league goals - only Birmingham have fewer - David Moyes desperately needs to buy some goals in the transfer window.

Tottenham are having a great season.  Currently fourth, a win here would move them a little closer to the top as Arsenal and Manchester City play each other.  Tottenham have won the last three games and are unbeaten since early November - unless the old inconsistencies re-emerge they will expect to extend that unbeaten run here.

Everton v Tottenham Hotpsur; Kick Off 8pm January 5 2011

Prediction Panel

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

Panel Verdict

The Panel is going for a draw.

Home: 6; Draw: 17; 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!

Bolton Wanderers v Wigan Athletic: One for the neutral

Bolton and Wigan have both played attractive football this season - although the Bolton style has had a touch more steel and, unsurprisingly, generated quite a few more points.  Two good footballing sides that often trade goals - should be a decent match.

After a couple of narrow and extremely unfortunate defeats, both predicated on tight offside calls, Bolton will be hoping to cement their challenge for a top six finish.  At Chelsea last week a Bolton win would have put them above the reigning champions - but as against Liverpool at the weekend - a marginal offside decision counted against them.  Only one home defeat all season suggests that Owen Coyle will not be expecting another one here.

Wigan are back in the relegation zone after wins for Fulham and Birmingham last night - but with just two points separating them with thirteenth placed Fulham there is no sense of panic yet.  Wigan went through December undefeated - so they will approach this Lancashire derby with some optimism.

Bolton Wanderers v Wigan Athletic; Kick Off 8pm January 5 2011

Prediction Panel

Arsenal	Don McMahon	1	V	1
Aston Villa	Lynette Ranson	2	V	0
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	1
Everton	Chris Goodwin	1	V	1
Fulham	Russell Goldman	1	V	1
Liverpool	Mark Williams	3	V	0
Man City	Callum Rothwell	0	V	0
Man Utd	Peter Lee	2	V	0
Newcastle	Michael Stout	3	V	0
Stoke City	Philip Eccleston	2	V	0
Sunderland	Tony Ratton	3	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	1	V	0
Wolves	Chris Cox	3	V	0
OUR EXPERTS
Editor	Antony Melvin	2	V	0
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	2	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: 20; Draw: 8; 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 Liverpool: Ambition and transfers

Blackburn Rovers face Liverpool with both teams in mid-table - but with Blackburn flirting with marquee purchases and Liverpool fans not backing their manager will they both remain there?

It seems almost certain that Blackburn Rovers won't sign Ronaldinho or Beckham as a marquee signing - although whether this would improve their league position is debateable.  The situation harks back a long time to when Rovers were able to sign the likes of Steve Archibald on loan from Barcelona - without obvious long term benefits.  The feeling persists that the new manager is an interim appointment - but given the interference from above who knows which other managers will fancy the job.

Liverpool's manager is in a position that also feels distinctly temporary.  But Hodgson's talk of doing business in the transfer window does at least sound as if it will be for footballing rather than publicity reasons.  The trouble with Liverpool is that the first team is pretty good - who would you pick ahead of Reina, Carragher, Gerrard or Torres? - but injuries to these players has left a lot of catching up to do and a lot of the other players have simply not played well.  I guess Hodgson would love to axe half the team - but where will he get the money to replace them?  Liverpool have the better team - but are they in the mood?

Blackburn Rovers v Liverpool; Kick Off 8pm January 5 2011

Prediction Panel

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

Panel Verdict

The Panel is going for a draw.

Home: 6; Draw: 13; 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!

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Chelsea: Bottom club desperate not to lose touch

Wolves will need a result to keep in touch with the relegation scrap and Chelsea just need to start winning consistently.

Wolves can't be happy that the two teams that shared the relegation zone with them after the weekend both won on Tuesday, pushing Wolves a couple of points adrift.  But the bottom eight are only covered by four points - so every win shifts teams up tremendously and every point matters.  If Chelsea slip into gear even a draw will be cheered to the echo by the home fans.

Chelsea simply need to win lots and lots of games now if they want to be champions.  I reckon that 16 wins from the remaining 18 games will produce an 83-85 point season, which should be enough for the title - but every failure to win now will be a minor disaster.  Even a Champions' League slot is not guaranteed as the big money at Manchester City seems likely to displace one of this season's London based Champions' League sides.

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Chelsea; Kick Off 7.45pm January 5 2011

Prediction Panel

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

Panel Verdict

hg.

Home: 0; Draw: 5; Away: 23.

* 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 West Ham United: Newcastle looking to hold off relegation fears

Newcastle start the game five points clear of West Ham - with both sides in decent form.

Newcastle sit between Liverpool and Blackpool in mid-table - alongside a struggling top side and an overachieving team.  Which sounds about right as Newcastle look to build on a reasonable start under Alan Pardew as he welcomes one of his former clubs.  Andy Carroll has bagged six goals in the last ten games, but as he missed out in the last two games he must be due another goal.

West Ham's Christmas has been superb, the family infighting has simply not happened and the manager has enjoyed a series of gift goals that the club were simply not receiving earlier in the season - the Hammers have been gifted decisive own goals in the last two games.  That West Ham are still in real relegations strife is indicative of the early season form and to maintain momentum a draw here could be priceless.

Newcastle United v West Ham United; Kick Off 7.45pm January 5 2011

Prediction Panel

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

 

Panel Verdict

The Panel is going for a home win.

Home: 20; 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!

Aston Villa v Sunderland: Houllier must be nervous

Aston Villa will be hopeful of a return to form after a point against the champions, but Sunderland's threadbare squad is no pushover.

Aston Villa's manager, Gerard Houllier, must be nervous after a run of games with just four points from eight games has left his team three points off the bottom of the division.  But the stoicism shown in the face of two Chelsea goals in the last ten minutes and the chances that the team are creating show that better times lie ahead.

Sunderland create so many chances that with a little more composure in front of goal they would be a real candidate for a top four finish.  As it is the Black Cats are just six points shy of Champions' League qualification and may well consider this game very winnable indeed.  Steve Bruce may yet get an honourable mention in the Manager of the Year stakes yet.

Aston Villa v Sunderland; Kick Off 7.45pm January 5 2011

Prediction Panel

Arsenal	Don McMahon	1	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	2	V	0
Chelsea	Joe Tyler	0	V	1
Everton	Chris Goodwin	2	V	0
Fulham	Russell Goldman	0	V	1
Liverpool	Mark Williams	1	V	1
Man City	Callum Rothwell	1	V	0
Man Utd	Peter Lee	2	V	0
Newcastle	Michael Stout	1	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	1	V	1
Wigan	Alan Moore	1	V	0
Wolves	Chris Cox	1	V	0
OUR EXPERTS
Editor	Antony Melvin	2	V	1
Writer	Colin Illingworth	1	V	2
Writer	Hugh Larkin	2	V	1
Writer	Paul Grech	0	V	0
Pompey fan	Dan Taylor	1	V	0
Boro fan	Sue Gardener	3	V	2
Pompey fan	Peter Rendle	1	V	1
West Ham fan	Matthew Beeby	1	V	0

Panel Verdict

The Panel is going for a home win.

Home: 14; Draw: 10; 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!

Arsenal v Manchester City: Title dreams stir

Second plays third, as Arsenal take on Manchester City, in a game that is more must-not-lose than must-win.

Arsenal players like Cesc Fabregas are starting to openly talk of silverware this season - with the League Cup being the obvious early target, but the league is also well within grasp.  Two points off the top at half way gives a team, that is capable of beating anyone on their day, real incentive to kick on.  This will be one of the toughest games remaining - but possibly better to get City whilst their strikers are scrapping on the training ground and before expensive new recruits arrive.

Once the Dzeko transfer is concluded City should have a striker to remove the over-reliance on Carlos Tevez and end a generation of failures to win trophies.  The current side has responded well to home defeat to Everton, with three straight wins, 3-1, 4-0 and 1-0 - even if only the Villa win was straight forward.  Neither side can afford to lose this game - but I think City will be happier with a draw.

Arsenal v Manchester City; Kick Off 8pm January 5 7.45pm 2011

Prediction Panel

Arsenal	Don McMahon	2	V	1
Aston Villa	Lynette Ranson	1	V	2
Birmingham	Steve Coulter	3	V	1
Blackburn	Terry Kennedy	2	V	1
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	2	V	1
Liverpool	Mark Williams	2	V	0
Man City	Callum Rothwell	1	V	0
Man Utd	Peter Lee	2	V	1
Newcastle	Michael Stout	2	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	2	V	1
Wigan	Alan Moore	2	V	2
Wolves	Chris Cox	2	V	1
OUR EXPERTS
Editor	Antony Melvin	2	V	1
Writer	Colin Illingworth	3	V	2
Writer	Hugh Larkin	2	V	2
Writer	Paul Grech	0	V	0
Pompey fan	Dan Taylor	1	V	1
Boro fan	Sue Gardener	2	V	2
Pompey fan	Peter Rendle	2	V	1
West Ham fan	Matthew Beeby	2	V	1

Panel Verdict

The Panel is edging in favour of the Gunners.

Home: 15; Draw: 10; Away: 3.

* 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: Tangerines regain their grip at the top

Blackpool may have lost at the weekend but Seasider Phil Trow was on top of the world with an excellent performance in the predictions panel. Phil netted a healthy 12 points and was on course to set a record of getting points from all 10 fixtures until Sunday’s results went against him. And it was double joy for the Blackpool fanatic as his impressive haul was enough to send him back to the top of the table in his battle with Manchester United’s Peter Lee.

Phil correctly predicted the scores in the West Brom v Manchester United and Liverpool v Bolton Wanderers games, and was also on the ball by picking the right results for Manchester City, Stoke City, Sunderland, Tottenham and West Ham. Only Chelsea and Wigan thwarted him from completing a clean sweep.

Last week’s leader Peter Lee could only manage to pick up six points, all coming from correct results, and is now two points off the summit, but I’m sure this battle will continue right to the final whistle.

Waiting in the wings to pounce on the frontrunners though is a pack of seven pundits. Just three points separate third place Manchester City fan Callum Rothwell and Squarefootball editor Antony Melvin in ninth, with Wigan Athletic, Sunderland, Newcastle United, Bolton and Stoke closely sandwiched in the middle. Manchester City are just 11 points off their city rivals and second place. A good week for either of these pundits and they could well muscle in on the title scene.

While Phil was by far the top pundit of the week, three other panellists reeled in 10 points to help their league position. Arsenal’s Don McMahon, who was propping up the table near the start of the campaign, is now closing in on a top 10 finish, Chelsea’s Joe Tyler put some clear distance between himself and the bottom three while Wolves fan and former leader Chris Cox also eased his relegation woes.

Squarefootball’s very own Middlesbrough pundit Sue Gardener deserves huge credit for possibly being the only pundit in the world to predict the Chelsea – Villa clash would end 3-3. It was her only maximum points of the week but her seven-point haul ensured she stayed off the bottom by just a point.

Propping up the table again is West Ham United fan Nigel Telfer. After starting 2011 off the bottom, young Nigel wasn’t able to build on that platform and has slipped back down. But it’s still tight down at the bottom with just one point separating Nigel, Sue and Fulham fan Russell Goldman.

Phil Trow extended his lead at the top of the correct scores chart. He now has 27 to his name, comfortably three ahead of his nearest rival Peter Lee. And Villa fan Lynette Ranson remains the one to beat in the correct results table with 76 to her name, although Bolton fan Dave Blackburn (75) and Squarefootball’s Hugh Larkin (74) are breathing down her neck.

 

Here are the scores from the final week of fixtures of 2010:

	Player	Correct scores	Correct results	Points
BLACKPOOL	Phil Trow	2	6	12
ARSENAL	Don McMahon	2	4	10
CHELSEA	Joe Tyler	2	4	10
WOLVES	Chris Cox	2	4	10
BLACKBURN	Terry Kennedy	1	6	9
BOLTON	Dave Blackburn	1	6	9
SQF WRITER	Hugh Larkin	1	6	9
EVERTON	Chris Goodwin	2	2	8
FULHAM	Russell Goldman	1	5	8
SUNDERLAND	Tony Ratton	1	5	8
SQF EDITOR	Antony Melvin	1	5	8
SQF WRITER	Colin Illingworth	1	5	8
SQF ACE POMPEY	Dan Taylor	1	5	8
MAN CITY	Callum Rothwell	1	4	7
WEST BROM	Andy Wakeman	0	7	7
SQF EXP BORO	Sue Gardener	1	4	7
SQF ACE POMPEY	Peter Rendle	0	7	7
ASTON VILLA	Lynette Ranson	0	6	6
MAN UTD	Peter Lee	0	6	6
WEST HAM	Nigel Telfer	0	6	6
SQF EXP WHAM	Matthew Beeby	0	6	6
BIRMINGHAM	Steve Coulter	0	5	5
WIGAN	Alan Moore	0	5	5
LIVERPOOL	Mark Williams	0	4	4
NEWCASTLE	Michael Stout	0	4	4
STOKE CITY	Philip Eccleston	0	4	4
SPURS	Dave Nash	0	1	1
SQF WRITER	Paul Grech	0	1	1

 

(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	27	64	145
↓	MAN UTD	Peter Lee	24	71	143
↑	MAN CITY	Callum Rothwell	21	69	132
↓	WIGAN	Alan Moore	22	66	132
↑	SUNDERLAND	Tony Ratton	20	71	131
↓	NEWCASTLE	Michael Stout	21	66	129
↑	BOLTON	Dave Blackburn	18	75	129
↓	STOKE CITY	Philip Eccleston	21	66	129
↓	SQF EDITOR	Antony Melvin	21	66	129
↑	BLACKBURN	Terry Kennedy	21	62	125
↓	WEST BROM	Andy Wakeman	19	67	124
↑	ARSENAL	Don McMahon	21	59	122
↔	SQF WRITER	Colin Illingworth	19	65	122
↑	SQF WRITER	Hugh Larkin	15	74	119
↑	SQF ACE POMPEY	Dan Taylor	21	54	117
↓	SQF WRITER	Paul Grech	21	53	116
↓	LIVERPOOL	Mark Williams	15	70	115
↔	SQF EXP WHAM	Matthew Beeby	16	69	115
↑	EVERTON	Chris Goodwin	17	65	114
↑	WOLVES	Chris Cox	18	57	111
↓	SPURS	Dave Nash	18	56	110
↑	SQF ACE POMPEY	Peter Rendle	15	65	110
↓	ASTON VILLA	Lynette Ranson	11	76	109
↓	BIRMINGHAM	Steve Coulter	15	64	109
↔	CHELSEA	Joe Tyler	17	57	107
↑	FULHAM	Russell Goldman	14	60	102
↔	SQF EXP BORO	Sue Gardener	15	57	102
↓	WEST HAM	Nigel Telfer	13	62	101

 

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.

 

Fulham v West Bromwich Albion: Relegation fears grow

Fulham and West Brom meet with both teams locked in a bottom eight that is separated by just four points.  

Fulham's strike force has been threadbare this season, with Zamora and Johnson big misses - and the creativity of Duff missing.  But the return of two of these players is starting to pay dividends with a win against Stoke and very nearly a point at Tottenham last time out.  Fulham will hope to be upwardly mobile soon.  

All those suggesting that West Brom's entertaining football would deliver them a solid mid-table finish will be reconsidering that view at the moment as results tonight and tomorrow could conspire to pitch the Baggies into the bottom three.  Very unlucky against Manchester United, the away team may hope for better luck with decisions tonight.

Fulham v West Bromwich Albion; Kick Off 8pm January 4 2011

Prediction Panel

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

Panel Verdict

The Panel is going for a draw.

Home: 10; Draw: 13; 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!

Manchester United v Stoke City: United eye the home straight

Manchester United will be short odds favourites against a Stoke side that rarely draws games.  

Top of the league and unbeaten in January, United are odds on favourites for this match and for a record breaking league title; part of the optimism is based around results achieved without, seemingly, playing well.  But United are starting to score more freely and if Rooney's goal from open play galvanizes him (if he plays at all, given rumours) United should start to accelerate now.

Stoke are looking better with each season under Tony Pulis even if the long throw threat has now largely evaporated - Pulis has coaxed even better performances out of his players.  It won't be long before expensively managed clubs start sniffing round his players - but a top six finish is a distinct possibility if he keeps his squad in place this month.

Manchester United v Stoke City; Kick Off 8pm January 4 2011

Prediction Panel

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

 

Panel Verdict

The Panel is going for a home win.

Home: 23; Draw: 5; 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!