The Low in Confidence Review of the Weekend

Hi there. Having enjoyed the Boxing Day games so thoroughly that you probably wished that they never ended, we will attempt to review the games and the moments that defined them...

First off, we take the trip to St. Andrews where in-form Birmingham City played host to league leaders, Chelsea.

The game pitch two teams on opposite ends of the confidence scale (if there’s actually anything like that). And the team that supposedly was low in confidence ran the game and should really have gotten from the game than they got. But for the heroics of on-loan goalkeeper, Joe Hart, it could have been worse for the home side. They too can point to the disallowed and say they should have gotten more.

On the subject of Joe Hart, we hear Alex McLeish will try and take advantage of the management change at Eastlands and make his loan deal permanent. He really is pushing to be in South Africa. And if he keeps this level up, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be there

Carlo Ancelloti must now be scratching his head as to why a team that started so well can buy a win at the moment. He won’t want to take a look at last season review though... Since Scolari’s bad patch started at this time and anti-climaxed in his sacking in February... Dangerous times indeed.

From the St. Andrews, we scampered of to Anfield where Liverpool welcomed (that’s just formality) Wolverhampton Wanderers. Rafa Benitez must have been hoping that Mick McCarthy will pull off the Old Trafford stunt... Well he didn’t. Meaning, he considers a game against Liverpool at Anfield winnable, while a game against a defenceless Manchester United at Old Trafford isn’t. Strange.

Well, the boys who never walk alone got the job done, albeit controversially. Needing to play against ten men to break them down, they got help from the referee (even though they also aided the referee in making his own decision) and they did the rest. They’ll play their fourth game of the season (their season only started after the Arsenal defeat) against Villa in midweek...

On the subject of Aston Villa, they arrived at The Emirates second on the form table (two teams from Birmingham top of the form table?), having never lost on that stadium... It was all about to change...

They huffed and puffed for about quarter of an hour and fizzled out. At times this season, Ashley Young has looked like a player who won’t get into THAT Derby County side... but he is a very good crosser of the ball.

While Arsenal were looking for a way to hit the back of the net (literally), Cesc Fabregas was warming up to come on and make the difference... And on he did come. The difference he did make... Arsenal couldn’t score from a direct free-kick for over a year, and they score two in what? Three games?

Based on statistics alone, Cesc Fabregas is the best and most influential midfielder this season. The first of his two goals was a free-kick (Gabby, if you are not interested in jumping, get out of the wall) and the second was a brilliant turn of pace...

He doesn’t look like he will be at The Emirates for much longer... Oh, and he aggravated his injury. Worth it? ...We’ll see.

Finally, to the Kingston Communications Stadium (can’t they change the name?). Where Wayne Rooney somehow mistook himself for Santa Claus and gifted Hull City a goal out of the blue. Fortunately for him, he created two more for his team. In all, he created all four goals... Players won’t want to beat that.

Nothing much can be said about that game except that Wayne Rooney really is the driving force behind Manchester United (we all knew that right?) and that Hull city will get relegated if Jimmy Bullard doesn’t manage to shake off his knee problems... And that the league is really at its lowest.

The richest club in the world, Manchester City, kicked off the reign of their new manager, Roberto Mancini with a home victory over Stoke City aided by a Kung fu like goal from Carlos Tevez... Form player... Enough said.

Looking at the table, Chelsea still lead Manchester United by two points and Arsenal are only two points behind Manchester United, with a game in hand...

Well, it’s too early to stick my neck out, but I’d say the title will either go to Manchester (the red part) or London (the Islington area) simply because if the Blues from London couldn’t capitalise on the turmoil in their rivals (in the form of injuries) and pull away, then...  

The Mistletoe and Whine Predictions of the Weekend

After a weekend where a team won a game and still had the manager fired, a team went to a ground and got utterly shafted for the second season running, and a team refused to actually run away with the title, we simply stepped into a week where Gary ‘I’m the new Peter Kenyon’ Cook much himself look like a liar (in the fast and furious world of football, looking like a liar among numerous liars is indeed a very hard job) and all managers defending Sparky like he was a saint... It had to be the spirit of Christmas. Right?

It’s Christmas!

Actually, by the time you’ll be reading this, it would have been Boxing Day. So enjoy the gifts...

English Premier League Roundup

Birmingham City vs. Chelsea: The home side are exceeding expectations and there is genuine optimism at St. Andrews. And there’s going to be money to spend in January, meaning they will be looking to push on for European qualification. They are the form team in the premier league and will want to keep it going against the league leaders who have been in indifferent form recently...

Chelsea have injury problems in attack with Drogba, Kalou and Anelka out but will still put out a decent side capable of doing damage...

...Home win. Cue Ancelloti saying he doesn’t know why they lost.

Liverpool vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers: Having lost to the team at the bottom of the table last weekend and being lucky to finish with nine outfield players (to be fair, Torres should have seen a second yellow for that elbow). Liverpool will want to put their poor performance behind them. But not having Javier Mascherano available will be a huge blow...

Wolves have won three of their last four. The only defeat being that game at Old Trafford. Wolves’ fans will be hoping the manager doesn’t see this as an unwinnable game and rest players. Indeed, if he gives it a go, they could earn a decent result at Anfield and plunge Liverpool deeper into the mire...

...Draw.

Arsenal vs. Aston Villa: both teams battled it out for fourth last season. And we know how that finished. Arsenal have a few problems up front (and they’d be devastated to learn that Robie Van Persie is out for the season) but have won three games since THAT game against Chelsea. They should be up for this following their demolition of Hull City and will want to put some space between Villa and themselves...

In Ashley Young, Stuart Downing and James Milner, Villa have three of the best crossers in the league (though the latter has stepped into central midfield). Meaning? Arsenal will have to deal with a lot of good crosses come Sunday. They are indeed the second best team in terms of recent form, only behind Birmingham City and will fancy a win to go ahead of Arsenal on the table (and complete a set of wins against the big four). On recent form, they look capable, but this game looks set to end in a...

...Draw

Hull City vs. Manchester United: After the recent sacking of Mark Hughes, Phil Brown will know that but for Liverpool’s poor form, more attention would have been on him (he was very close to the brink some weeks back until Jimmy Bullard came to the rescue). Now, he’s gone a fair few games without a win and the pressure may just be building, again. They do not have serious injury problems but for them, having Jimmy Bullard out is a serious issue...

The Champions meanwhile, have an unheard of injury crisis, missing eight senior defenders at some point recently. At Craven Cottage, they lined up in a 3-5-2 formation with Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick and Ritchie De Laet in defence. That’s two midfielders and a rookie in defence. No team will survive that. There’s word that they’ll rush their Brazilian twins into action against Hull, which will be a gamble in itself. But for the defence and the absence of Edwin van der Sar, they have no problems...

...Away win.

Do enjoy the weekend’s games and the celebrations. Meet you on the other side of the games.

The 100% sure predictions of the week

Well, well, well, Christmas is just some five days away. What a year of football it has been... Let’s not get ahead of ourselves here; we are not doing the review of 2009.

So we go to the business of the day, wait a minute, a certain Mr. David Joseph Beckham got a gift from Santa yesterday. An early gift I should add.

Maybe Mr. Arsene Wenger will get a package from Santa allowing him to play games on days he chooses...

The English Premier League Roundup

Portsmouth vs. Liverpool: Here both teams will surely desperately want a victory, for differing reasons if I might add. Following the hugely encouraging game against Chelsea in midweek, Portsmouth will feel they can get the business done. But seeing as Liverpool in midweek, and they just started a new season, they will be equally confident. They can count on Fernando Torres in this game and he could make all the difference...

...Draw.

Fulham vs. Manchester United: At the end of this fixture last season, United had last back to back games, that’s a rarity, and allowed Liverpool back in contention. The game produced a surprising result considering Roy Hodgson’s pre match comments. This season, United will want to correct that, and considering the recent losses to Liverpool, Chelsea and Villa, if they lose this, then they’d have lost three games in nine. Not ideal.

Fulham though, are a decent side and at home have only conceded five times which is no mean feat. But they may just be a tad affected by the trip to continental Europe in midweek...

...Away win.

Arsenal vs. Hull City: The gunners dropped a couple of points in midweek and they only have themselves to blame considering the level of their performance or lack of it. Having said that, they will be seeking to get back to winning ways and at the Emirates, don’t bet against that happening.

Hull are missing their best player in Jimmy Bullard, and it will tell. Simply put, they will not resist the firepower of Arsene ‘he moans like a drain’ Wenger’s gunners...

...Home win.

West Ham United vs. Chelsea: Chelsea got back to winning ways, in unconvincing fashion, in midweek and will most likely keep the habit. The player who was conspicuous by his absence, Didier Drogba, will be back to lead the line and there’s no telling what he can do.

In Zola, West Ham have a likeable manager, but that doesn’t win you games- certainly when majority of your players never seem to leave the medical room- and they find themselves in a mire.

This being a derby- whit both Frank Lampard and Joe Cole visiting their old club- it looks interesting. That doesn’t mean it will be...

...Away win (Lampard will probably get a deflected goal in)

The Spanish League Roundup

Xerez vs. Barcelona: for this game, my crystal ball tells me the away side, the team that does no wrong picked up all three points scoring two goals. And from the crystal ball, I see that of all my predictions, this is 100% correct. So if you are the betting type, go get loans, steal, sell your houses, e. t. c and stake on Barcelona winning this game because they will... Oh wait a minute...

To some other games that we can’t for sure predict 100% (because we are not match fixers), up at Seville, Sevilla will be looking to continue in their winning streak (last week was the first) by taking out Getafe who quite frankly, play dour football and are unpredictable. But I don’t expect the unpredictability to stretch into a win at the Sanchez Pizjuan. Sevilla should reap the full bounty in this one.

At the club where Raul is captain but doesn’t seem to be getting much game time, the Bernabeu will be playing host to Real Zaragoza, who don’t to have anything real about them but the fact that they are in real trouble, and nothing less is expected of the players, by Madridistas, but a win. And a win... they will get.

And the last game we will consider in the country of Ham this weekend is at La Coruña, where the hosts will welcome Valencia (who lost their last league game against Madrid). Considering Deportivo’s good start without strikers (it has to be said), it is going to be a hell of a game for the Mestalla men. If you ask me, any team that has got David Villa has got a chance, and they do have Mata also. When the dour play of the hosts meets the swift counter-attacking style of the visitors, a draw is almost inevitable.  

The Spanking (Proving your worth) Predictions of Midweek

Manchester United vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers: Following the debacle that was the game on Saturday, they’d like to get back on the trail of success by taking out Wolves and doing it with a few goals to boot. And with Mick McCarthy expecting a pummelling, he will most likely set out his side in a defensive formation. If that is the case, expect a one sided game.

But with the lesson from last weekend learnt, never always say the big guns will take the day. But...

...Home win (no buts). 

Burnley vs. Arsenal: The home side started the season better than expected, winning home games against the defending champions and some other decent sides... But the wheels seem to have come off for the Clarets, lately, with them gradually sliding down the table. They’d be looking to stop the rot as soon as possible to avoid ‘doing a Hull’.

Arsenal seem to be back on track after the Chelsea thrashing and as I’ve continuously pointed out, they seem like flat track bullies. They play the ball on the deck which will do some damage.

There seems to be only one outcome at Turf Moor...

...Away win.

Chelsea vs. Portsmouth: The Blues seem to be on a bad run since the defeat at Blackburn in the Carling cup. They’d be well advised to hit top form very quickly because they won’t have many weekends like the last. They do look a side capable of pulling out of the mire and going on a long run though.

Avram Grant returning to the club he took to within moments of history. He will still be wondering what could have been had John Terry not slipped while doing a very simple thing (kicking a ball). But that’s history now, he’ll be gunning for the three points to continue Portsmouth’s mini run of two games without defeat. But I do not think they have the firepower...

...Home win (but stranger things have happened)

Liverpool vs. Wigan Athletic: After continuing their superb run of form that has yielded just three wins in fifteen games, Liverpool will hope they put behind the Arsenal (none)performance and get some points on the board. Who doesn’t like to win the first game of a new season?... but I do recall the manager talking about a new season about three times already...

Wigan are the most inconsistent side in the division... Wait a minute, if everyone agrees they are inconsistent, and they always prove it, then it’s fair to say that they are consistently inconsistent. (What was that?). Something tells me Chris Kirkland will suddenly become agile in this game and make some saves (playing against his old club)... Or

...Home win (and a declaration of ‘a new season has finally begun’ and ‘this is indeed our year’)

The Customer is sh*t Review of the Day

After such an eventful weekend where there was only one home victory in The Best league in the World™, coupled with a handful of results that even the best wizards couldn’t have predicted, and we had for ourselves a wonderful weekend.

I’m not least, sorry for not posting on here the predictions for the last round of games, no thanks to my internet service provider that conveniently cut me off for no reason (only to reconnect me), I’ll try to do the roundup of the weekend’s games  coupled with my predictions for the mid-week’s premier league games.

English Roundup

Chelsea vs. Everton: What a game! Swinging from the absurd to the sublime, then to the hilarious and back... in a matter of minutes. Wonderful. The Blues have now conceded 11 goals from set pieces this season (they’ve conceded 13 all season).Petr Cech has received a lot of unfair flak this season and that has continued into this week. But it has to be said, he was largely blameless in the debacle at the bridge.

Manchester United vs. Aston villa: What manager will need to win a game at home, against a team they always seem to get the better of, and deploy just one striker upfront?... That could be the blunder of the season in my view. So much for Wayne Rooney being a very honest and hard working player. I shudder at the thought of cheats. Hmmm.

Gabriel Agbonlahor IS a big game player. FACT.

Liverpool vs. Arsenal: have Liverpool become the new City?... Only getting motivated when the no hopers from across town are on the pitch, or better still the scum from down the road.

What a first half performance. And what a second half ‘performance’.

Andrei Arshavin LOVES Anfield.

Spanish Roundup

Over to sunny Iberia(the larger of the two parts) we go then, where table toppers and the embodiment of all that is good AND holy, Barcelona (who does Henry play for  again?) defeated rivals Espanyol with help from Xavi who went down in the box for fear of being touched by an Espanyol player and got a penalty. What’s the world turning into. And it seems Zlatan Ibrahimovic hasn’t imbibed the holy culture after he gave an opponent the elbow.

Down at the Mestalla- where they now sell tickets for a chance to shake the hand of David Villa to raise funds (not verified)- Valencia took on the real Madrid (You know which) and came out having fallen behind in the title race. What a day it was for Gonzalo Higuain who got a brace, he’s already in double figures  for the season.

Meanwhile, Sevilla just did enough to stay on the tails of the top two. And that’s just about all there was there.

The Nouveau Riche versus the Antérieur Riche Weekend Predictions

This week, along with the usual stuff on the English Premier league, we will also look into the La Liga BBVA, it is going to be a regular feature from now on, as some of the world’s best flair players do their thing. We will simply take a look at Serie A this week because of the derby. Enjoy.

Arsenal vs. Stoke City: After a run of three domestic defeats without scoring a goal, they’d be looking to finally score a goal and end the bad run. They do have the ammunition to do it, but do they have the mental fortitude?

Stoke aren’t exactly easy meat, they do give the bigger sides a run for their money; just ask Spurs and Chelsea to a lesser extent.

I fancy there’ll be a couple of goals in this.

...Home win.

Blackburn Rovers vs. Liverpool: After their Carling cup exploits- for those who don’t know, they took out Chelsea- they’d be on a high and will look to claim another major scalp in a league. They have one of the best home records in the league and in David Dunn, they have a man bang on form.

Liverpool though will be coming from their victory, albeit an undeserved one, in the Scouse derby. With a few of their injury issues resolving, they could have good game.

...Draw.

West Ham United vs. Manchester United: Losing Carlton Cole is bad enough, and then having Rob Green out will be a huge blow. As some clubs go about blaming injuries for on-field problems, West Ham just get on with things. And now, they have Carlton Cole out for the rest of the year. The likes of Zavon Hines can fill in though.

After beating Spurs in the Carling cup, they will be fielding a changed side for this game. With Wayne Rooney hitting goal scoring patch, nothing says he won’t hit the back of the net here. But they’d need others to chip in with their share of the goods, and they’ve got Dimitar Berbatov back.

...Away win.

Manchester City vs. Chelsea: City have finally registered a win! When last did they win? I can’t remember... Alright, to the game we go then. This tie last season saw Robinho make his debut against the side that had chased him all summer. Now, what’s riding on this? A lot. But for a start,  all Mancunians whether of Red or Blue persuasion will want city to triumph, for obvious reasons.

Chelsea have been blistering this season, although they have gotten the some things their way against their direct rivals. Didier Drogba is the hottest striker in the league right now and I’d be foolish to bet against him having a say in this game- a goal or an assist.

...Draw

Away from the Blighty we go.

In Spain, Sevilla will be looking to close the gap on leaders Barcelona- albeit temporarily- as they take on Valladolid (for whom Manucho promised to score forty goals this season). They were looking to take advantage of the el classico by beating Malaga, and boy did they come unstuck. They should take victory in this game though.

Over at Madrid, they will try and get over THAT defeat by thrashing Almeria to close the gap on Barcelona (the Camp Nou club have played a game more). Having got Ronaldo back, they could well achieve it – the thrashing, I mean- or they could just win an uninspiring game. Simply put, Almeria can only take to pictures of hot girls wearing the new Madrid undies back home.

To La Coruňa we head where Deportivo will try and produce a snooze feast to bore the Barça players then go on to win when they are asleep. Pep’s dream team may not fall for that though. But Depor with no striker-Riki is no striker- will look to defend and then snatch a victory from somewhere. I don’t expect either side to be beaten after this game.

In Bilbao, they local do not care if a bill has been passed to allow the Spanish team play in Basque land or Catalonia, they just won’t welcome the team to the Basque region. This place is a difficult venue to play in and so it will prove for Valencia who conceded a late equaliser at home to throw two points away last week. Something tells me that the terrific Juan Mata and David Villa (who’s the best striker in the world, in my opinion) will run riot, but knowing Athletic, they’ll simply pump the balls over to Llorente. And that approach is not really appreciated in Spain. I can’t run away from this game ending in a draw.

Just a look at Serie A where the ‘Derby of Italy’ is taking place between Juventus and Internazionale. My only advice to football fans who watch that game is that they should do so with as big a bowl of cakes as Maniche probably takes because it is going to be an uninspiring and ‘tactical’ game that will inevitably end in an Inter victory.

The Revenge seeking predictions of the weekend

Portsmouth vs. Manchester United: before this week, I would have gone for a straightforward three goal thrashing. But after the events of this week and Avram Grant taking over at Fratton Park, expect the new manager effect to show in Portsmouth’s play (not like they were playing badly, anyway) and this is the second time Grant will be facing United in his first game in charge after a takeover – remember Chelsea?

... For united, after losing such a long and proud record at midweek, they’d be looking to go back to winning ways.

Don’t rule out an upset but this isn’t really the game to stake on...

... Away win

Everton vs. Liverpool: Two teams on a bad run, two rivals, two teams in an injury crisis (though Liverpool’s seems like child’s play compared to Everton’s) and two teams that may share a ground in the future... It’s always feisty and fiery when they meet and if you are the betting type, run over to the bookies to stake on at least one sending off in this game.

Both teams can’t buy a win at the moment and they’d both like to end the bad run against their rival, a crunching game in the making... And it’s about time Rafa gave Alberto a start. Don’t you think?

... Draw

Arsenal vs. Chelsea: Chelsea are on a stroll right now and are getting some results they don’t deserve (mark of champions?). Since losing to Villa, they’ve scored 25 against the 2 conceded in all competitions. This will be a tough test though, considering that all the games against top four opposition and pretenders that they’ve won have been at home (losing to Villa away) and it is a London derby...

Winning in midweek, though showing profligacy, to erase the memory of the loss at the weekend. If you ask me, I’d say Arsine should tweak his formation a bit because Eduardo doesn’t seem like he can be the spearhead in a 4-3-3. They’ve lost their 3 games to top half opposition this season (the spurs game was a derby at the Emirates). They’d be looking to get one over their neighbours and close the gap on Chelsea

... Home win

The Raping reviews of the weekend

What a wonderful (?) weekend just passed by. Some results for some teams to be proud of while some teams showed that they are utter cack and will be in the relegation quagmire for a long while yet.


Let’s take a look at some of the things that transpired over the weekend...

Liverpool vs. Manchester City: What can be taken from this game? That Rafa’s zonal marking isn’t working, Manchester City can’t keep a lead to save their lives. And above all, the race for fourth is going to be as uninspiring as watching Big Sam’s Blackburn take on Big Sam’s Bolton...

For Manchester City to do very much this season, Stephen Ireland has to be an integral member of the midfield.

...We expected a draw, we got one.

Chelsea vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers: Flat track bullying wins you championships. Nothing else to say about this game... Though to be fair, Chelsea have seen off United, Liverpool and Spurs at the Bridge.

Michael Essien is a colossus. He and Chelsea’s other African stars will be sorely missed in the new year... Oh wait; they have a deep enough squad. They may not be really affected as people may think.

...We expected a home win, we got that.

Sunderland vs. Arsenal: Arsenal missed Robin van Persie and a certain cutting edge. While Sunderland welcomed back Lorik Cana to the side... They got a battling victory and will no doubt be delighted after having defeated Liverpool and held United at Old Trafford.

Arsenals have to respond well to this defeat because they have a derby up next against the league leaders. Good luck on that one.

...We predicted an Arsenal victory with a Darren bent goal... you know how that turned out (these Arsenal guys are really unreliable.)

Manchester United vs. Everton: The Reds did indeed banish the demons of Stamford Bridge against Everton. But it has to be said that Everton didn’t play to win which is a bit sad. Their dismal run of no victories for seventeen (seventeen?) years at Old Trafford continues.

Darren Fletcher scored a cracker of a goal and a well placed goal from Michael Carrick. Valencia is improving but I still don’t think he should be at a top club.

As for Everton, they could really do with some of their better players getting fit ahead of the ever fiery Merseyside derby.

...Home win. Top marks. What else could you ask for?

The weekend can’t be reviewed without mentioning the likes of Wigan, Jermaine Defoe, David Dunn, e.t.c.

Looking forward to next week already (after the champions league games, admittedly).

The Cheating Predictions of The Week

Thank goodness! We are back to the bread and butter of club football. After the uneventful world cup play-off games, we are ‘apppy to get some club football, ... Oh wait, how did France qualify?

So we go into the business of today and look forward to some games in ‘The Best League in The World™’. And if anything ‘usually unusual’ happens- like Henry fully controlling the ball twice ‘unknowingly’-, we would take full responsibility  for you losing wads of cash- unlike Henry who isn’t the referee(not like the referee asked him to handball).

Liverpool vs. Manchester City: At the start of this season, I tipped city to upstage Liverpool in the battle for fourth. They started the season very well, in fact like title contenders, but have gone off the boil a bit with five draws in five games. Liverpool? Well You know how it’s been. Beating United after a run a defeats, then losing to Fulham... and everyone knows how they picked up a point at home to Birmingham(these French guys, again).

The hosts will be welcoming their captain back from injury and with city’s frailty at the back, Liverpool will look to capitalise.

With Rafa Benitez under some considerable pressure and same with Mark Hughes,we are on to some game.

...Draw.

Chelsea vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers: This game is going to be rubbish. Why?... Because there is going to be only one outcome- a rape (shoutouts to Alan pardew).

Chelsea have some injuries to worry about but they should handle this game pretty well.

...Home win.

Sunderland vs. Arsenal: Sunderland started well but have gone down a few notches ever since.

As for arsenal, they have been fantastic of recent and like I said about them two weeks ago, they look like flat track bullies. They will be missing Robin van Persie for some time and they’ll need others to step up to the plate, like Eduardo.

If you are one for flat track bullying then you should not miss this and the Chelsea game. But like he has done against Chelsea and Manchester United, expect Darren Bent to hit the back of the net.

...Away win.

Manchester United vs. Everton: After the seemingly unjust outcome of their visit to Stamford Bridge thirteen days ago, the Reds will be looking to get back on the victory trail. But they will have to do that in the midst of something of a defensive crisis. Having Dimitar Berbatov back from injury is going to be a huge boost.

For Everton, I figure they could put out a team of injured players and it will be as strong as any in the top five of the premier league. Now that’s a crisis. But they have not managed to win against United since 1992, they will be looking to reverse that trend.

...Home win.

The Table Topping predictions

Following this week of champions league football..., some incisive play from arsenal, points-dropping by Liverpool and some face-saving by Manchester united and others... We look forward to some of the more important games in the race for the championship...

Wolves vs. Arsenal: With Arsenal's midweek result, it seems that they've become very ruthless against the teams they should be beating(the sign of a championship winning team)... but they look like flat track bullies,though, having lost to both Manchester clubs this season... arsenal fans won't care a jot about that.
1-3 in favour of the away side.

Chelsea vs. Manchester United: With united's seeming frailty in defence combined with Didier Drogba's form(in case you don't know, 12 goals in 13 games, not to talk of assists), many think this will turn to a rout, well not me... Chelsea's diamond has been impressive till date but aside an off colour Liverpool, 'pundits' will say this is their first real test...
1-1. Eventful draw to say the least.

Liverpool vs. Birmingham City: After their recent travails, there's no better game to reverse their fortunes; against a team that plays negative football(even though that has changed in recent games) and who score very few goals... If Rafa risks Fernando Torres, then he'll most likely get a goal if he spends anything close to an hour on the pitch...

All in all, a hard fought 2-1 victory for the home side.

The Weekend Review...... in a few words

Following from this weekend's happenings in the league, it is imperative that I analyse(not reaally) how I performed last weekend.

Bolton Wanderers vs. Chelsea: I predicted a 2-1 win for the away side. little did I know that the 'ref' will come up with a red card to distort the game and make the scoreline a little bit emphatic.... Credit to chelsea though, they were ruthless....


Manchester United vs. Blackburn Rovers: I said they'd be goals in this perhaps I meant a 'few goals'... Did blackburn play to just avoid a pasting?... united did their job well in a way their manager says indicates their patience... Nice finish from Dimitar Berbatov, though he hasn't scored against 'top 4' opposition just yet. he's got another chance next week at Chelsea.... It's setting up really nicely

Arsenal vs. Spurs: what hasn't been said?... well, enough said. Large gulf in class(period).

Fulham vs. liverpool: I predicted a 2-2. They played out a 3-1 game, with victory going to the hosts... Perhaps Rafa's time is up?... they can't play without Gerrard?.. if yes, then they are in for more shit....

All in all, they weekend wasn't really that bad but the chasing pack to the 'top 4' aren't exactly lighting up the premier league....
Off we go in preparation for this weekend after the Champions League.

This week's big four games

Since this is the week Phil brown probably got the chop(no not that kind) and then escaped(what's with the tabloids), and the North London derby is taking place, I thought it wise to give a few lines of thoughts about the games.

Bolton vs. chelsea: With the carling cup game in midweek, the trotters won't want to go down laying low. and since it's at the Reebok, expect a much more closer game... and plenty of aerial bombardments. This game could go to the death but I see a Chelsea victory.
2-1 to the away side.

Manchester united vs. blackburn: Two sides that lost at the weekend, local rivalry(admittedly, not very much), could see an intense game coupled with the defensive problems the hosts have. I say there'll be goals in this. united won't want to lose twice in a row and would like to win to krrp the pressure on Chelsea...
2-1 to the to home side.

Arsenal vs. spurs: London derby, plenty of local rivalry, attacking philosophies, defensives frailties, U've got a match for the nuetrals. expect some hard tackling....
3-2 in favour of the home side.

Fulham vs. liverpool: Five defeats in six games, that's definitely not title winning form. But for the victory over united the odds on benitez being sacked would have been higher.... Expect a nervy game, with some attacking play from both sides. If Torres hits the pitch, expect him to hit the back of the net. Liverpool have found it very good at craven cottage recently, but....
2-2 is the most likely result.

So there we go, I expect it to be as you were at the top after this weekend's matches. enjoy your weekend

The predicted standings of teams that finished 4th- 8th last season

Tottenham hotspurs:
Significant achievement(s) last season: Carling Cup final.
Every summer, we here that the coming season will be Spurs’ season. It’s always gone pear shaped. They look good most pre-seasons (they won all pre-season games last summer.) But if they manage to stay mid-table after two months, then they can kick on. But seeing that Harry Redknapp’s already complaining about a lack of defenders early on, who knows?
They look a good prospect for a Europa league berth and perhaps with the luck of the draw could snatch one of the two cups.
Given that they do like playing attacking football. They’ll score a lot of goals. Players like Luka Modric and Aaron Lennon will come into their own. Wilson Palacios is a solid player and will be all so important. Their fans have reason to be expectant.
Prediction: League Finish; 6th, success in one of the cup competitions... And of course Harry Redknapp speaking of a barebones squad.

Fulham:
Significant achievement(s) last season: 7th in the premier league.
Small club, modest finances, vocal owner, small squad and of course an astute manager.
Last season was a pleasant change from the constant relegation battles they got themselves involved in for years and they played decent stuff with a settled first eleven. Mark Schwarzer was an inspired signing albeit on a free transfer.
However, this season they.ve not been very busy in the transfer market. They will do well to hold on to Brad Hangeland with all they’ve got. With the Europa league to play for, they’ll have to set their priorities so as not to stretch their thin squad. Perhaps giving up the cup a good league finish. But with a manager like Roy Hodgson, they could surprise not a few this season, yet again.
Prediction: League Finish; 10th

Aston Villa:
Significant achievement(s) last season: 6th in the premier league
What is there to say about this team? Good English nucleus, very good manager, exciting play at times and not forgetting Ashley Young.
Last season was a good one only tailing off at the end. It has to be said that the first half was phenomenal for the boys from the midlands. They did provide good entertainment though.
This season seems like it’s going to be more difficult due to Manchester City but I think they’ll get to Europe again. They’ve brought in Downing who is average in my opinion, he may just prove an astute signing and Febian Delph who’s a decent prospect.
All in all, I think fans should be optimistic.
Prediction: League finish; 8th

Everton:
The club smacks of astuteness, good management, patience, e.t.c. Only problem is, they don’t seem to have as much financial resources as the clubs around them at the top. They’ve been consistent in qualifying for Europe over some seasons, even breaking the top four in the 04/05 season. If any team can repeat it, it’s got to be them. This season, they don’t seem to have lost a lot, so I tip them to make Europe, again. For large parts of last season, they had no fit strikers, which should change since they’ve got Manchester City’s Jo on a season long loan deal. They’ve got a more than decent attacking midfield. The sticking point could be defensive midfield. But they’ve got young Jack Rodwell who could turn out to be real class.
They do look a solid and compact team. They do have to rectify their usually bad starts to the season though.
Expect Marouane Fellaini to push on from last season and Jack Rodwell to come up in leaps and bounds.
With a manager like David Moyes, you can expect a solid season.
Prediction: League finish; 7th

Arsenal:
Even though they haven’t won any kind of silverware for quite a while, there’s still optimism, however minute, that the team can spring a surprise or two.
They do play passing football which is quite good on the eye but without much end product. They are usually accused of not playing dirty when it matters.
Many think that the cost of their new stadium is hampering them in the transfer market but only the manager can answer that. They lost Emmanuel Adebayor, who, despite being detested by the fans had very good statistics and Kolo Toure and brought in Thomas Vermaelen.
Not withstanding though, they do have a very good attack consisting of the likes of Robin Van Persie, Andrey Arshavin, Samir Nasri and even Nicklas Bendtner. They seem too young in some departments still.
Expect a good champions league showing.
Prediction: League finish; 3rd, champions league quarter finals...
And Rosicky spending more time on the treatment table than on the pitch.