So I have decided that each week I will be
doing predictions for the Premier League game over the weekend. Let’s see how
I do!
Swansea v West Ham
Saturday K.O. 12:45pm Live on Sky Sports
Swansea and Michael Laudrap surprised
everyone with the 5-0 thrashing they handed out to QPR last weekend whilst the
Hammers got their season up and running with a 1-0 win at home to Aston Villa.
This game sees West Ham’s first visit to the Liberty Stadium and I don’t think
it will be a happy one. The Welsh club will be oozing with confidence after
their opening result and in front of their home fans will be keen to put on a
good show. West Ham have bought well with Matthew Jarvis signing this
afternoon, but they haven’t had time to gel as a team yet. With Michu up from I
think Swansea will edge this game and make it two wins from two.
Swansea
2-0 West Ham United
Aston Villa v Everton
Saturday K.O. 3pm
Aston Villa look set to endure a long hard
season in my opinion. With Darren Bent they have firepower but with nothing to put the bullet in the gun I think they are going to struggle. Marouane Fellaini was totally unplayable against Manchester United and the Toffees seem
determined this year to start well, something they have consistently struggled
to do in seasons past. This fixture has away win written all over it and will
see the pressure on Paul Lambert increase at this early stage of the season.
Aston
Villa 0-1 Everton
Manchester United v Fulham
Saturday K.O. 3pm
Fulham victories at Old Trafford are such a
rare event the South London club actually released a DVD of their last one! This time around will be no different.
Despite Fulham’s fantastic start to the season with their new look squad, a
United squad angry at losing to Everton will be too much for them. I expect to
see Robin Van Persie start his first game for the Red Devils and for the
Dutchman and Rooney to create havoc; expect a lot of chat about how dangerous
these two will be this season after the game.
Manchester
United 3-1 Fulham
Norwich City v Queens Park Rangers
Saturday K.O. 3pm
Funny how things pan out isn’t it? Both of
these sides lost their opening game 5-0 and both will be looking to kick start
their season at the second time of asking. Norwich are at home and I think this
will give them the edge in what will be a high scoring game. Neither posses
very good defensive lines and the game will be won on who takes their chances.
Expect Grant Holt to grab his first goal of the season and I fancy a QPR player
to see red at some point.
Norwich City 3-2 QPR
Southampton v Wigan Athletic
Saturday K.O. 3pm
A real acid test for the Saints this. After
last weeks thrilling game with Manchester City, this game will go a long way to
providing a glimpse of how Southampton will fair this season. These two wont be
far away from each other all season in the league table and this game is a real
chance for either side to grab three points. Southampton are still buzzing from
being back in the top flight and with this being their first home game of the
season I think they will be the victors. Wigan wont go down without a fight
however, they know that a good start can see them finish the season comfortably
for once, but Mr Ricky Lambert will be the difference.
Southampton
2-1 Wigan Athletic
Sunderland v Reading
Saturday K.O. 3pm
A contender for last slot on MOTD I think,
both sides will be careful not to lose this one as they look to consolidate
opening day draws. Reading have a lot to prove with most predicting them for
the drop but they gave a fantastic account of themselves at Stamford Bridge on
Wednesday evening and can take a lot of confidence from that. Manager McDermott
said he didn’t know how to play for a draw; unless he finds that out quickly
the Championship beckons. Sunderland have just welcomed Steven Fletcher into
their ranks and he will be looking to make a good start to his Black Cat
career. With Reading keeper Adam Federici looking deciedley dodgy in their
first two games I think Flethcer will have something to celebrate; however
Reading are playing without fear and I expect them to come away with a point.
Sunderland
1-1 Reading
Tottenham Hotspur v West Bromwich Albion
Saturday K.O. 3pm
A big test for AVB this. After WBA's superb
victory over Liverpool they will be going into this game with their heads held
high. Spurs lost at Newcastle but the score could have easily been reversed had
the North London side taken more of their opportunities. A lot of White Hart
Lane eyes will be on AVB in his first home game and anything other than a win
will hear Harry Redknapp’s name being sung in some quarters. Spurs will win the
game, but it wont be as a easy as they would like.
Tottenham
Hotspur 2-1 WBA
Chelsea v Newcastle United
Saturday K.O. 5:30pm Live on ESPN
Last season Newcastle came to the Bridge
and won 2-0 courtesy of two wonder goals from Papiss Cisse. This time the Toon
Army might not have quite so much to shout about. Newcastle did well to beat
Spurs last weekend with Demba Ba finding the back of the net with a fabulous
finish. Chelsea have won both of their fixtures thus far and in Eden Hazard
have uncovered a real game changer. If Torres, Mata and Hazard are all on form
then Newcastle will be in real trouble. I think they will be and it will be 9
points from 9 for Di Matteo’s men.
Chelsea
2-0 Newcastle United
Stoke City v Arsenal
Sunday K.O. 1:30pm Live on Sky Sports
The Stoke faithful always enjoy the visit
of Wenger’s men to the Britannia and dishing out their well known battling
style of football. However, I think Arsenal are very well-equipped to deal with
the aerial assault that so many times has been their downfall. Arsenal fans
will learn a lot about their new signings Cazorla, Podolski and Giroud as they
experience how tough this league can be, how they react could either make
or break their career. Stoke started with a disappointing draw at Reading and I
think they are there for the taking. I expect (and hope) Arsenal can snatch a
much needed win here to kick start their season.
Stoke
City 1-2 Arsenal
Liverpool v Manchester City
Sunday K.O. 4:00pm Live on Sky Sports
This Super Sunday could see things go from
bad to worse on Merseyside for new manger Brendan Rogers. If City come and play
the Reds off the park, which is a strong possibility, then Rogers will find
himself under a big, bright spotlight. Even without Aguero, City will be too
strong with Joe Allen being swallowed by the force that is Yaya Toure and
Carlos Tevez proving too much for Skertel and Carragher.
Liverpool
0-2 Manchester City
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