Saturday, May 14, 2011

Premier League Predictions

Premier League

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

I really do feel sorry for Arsene Wenger and everyone at Arsenal. It is only a few weeks ago that this looked like being the best season in the club’s history. Now they’ve won nothing and after defeats at Bolton and Stoke, they are fighting it out with Manchester City for third place.

Aston Villa have somehow survived this season, but with only two wins in their last nine games, they are hardly in great form.

Although it is a risky business predicting Arsenal to win anything, I think they might take the points here.

Arsenal vs Aston Villa prediction: 2-0

Birmingham vs Fulham

Birmingham are really struggling. They are stumbling and stuttering towards the end of the season hoping and praying that there are three teams who fail to collect more points than them. They are three points clear of the drop zone with two games to play, but they have just one point from the last four games, a 1-1 draw at home to fellow strugglers Wolves.

Fulham have turned their season around to look like a top half team, but will be keen to wipe the memories of their 5-2 drubbing at home to Liverpool last time out.

It means more to Birmingham, but Fulham are much better. Tough one to call. Neither side will be too disappointed with a point.

Birmingham vs Fulham prediction: 1-1

Chelsea vs Newcastle

It is likely that by the time this one is played, Chelsea will already know that their title has been ripped from their grasp by Manchester United. That could mean that Chelsea play without passion or it could mean that they play without pressure and turn it on.

Newcastle have done OK this season, but I would imagine their players are just looking forward to a fortnight in Magaluf with the lads or a fortnight in Florida with the family.

Chelsea vs Newcastle prediction: 2-0

Liverpool vs Tottenham

So King Kenny has signed a new three year deal to stay at Liverpool. It was the only sensible decision after the minor miracle he has performed since January. Liverpool are very much the form team and nobody would want to play them at the moment. In particular, if you had lost the chance of Champions League qualification and your season had fallen apart a little bit, you wouldn’t want to play them.

Liverpool vs Tottenham prediction: 2-0

Wigan vs West Ham

This is probably the biggest game of the weekend. The bottom two play against each other knowing, particularly in West Ham’s case, that defeat will mean almost certain relegation out of the Premier League.

Both teams will see this game as a chance to pick up the three points that would give them a fighting chance of survival.

West Ham are without a win in eight whilst Wigan have won just twice in that time. It is a tough one to call but I’m afraid West Ham will be condemned to the drop and Wigan will live to fight another day.

Wigan vs West Ham prediction: 1-0