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.