English Premiership Correct Score Predictions: Week 9 – 24/10/09

Saturday, 24 October 2009

Birmingham v Sunderland - Carson Yeung’s arrival failed to lift the Blues in their last fixture, as they suffered their third successive Premiership defeat. That last game left them hovering above the relegation zone, with just seven points from their opening nine games. The new board have promised funds for manager Alex McLeish, but Birmingham fans will be hoping that the £40 million kitty will not prove to be a case of too little, too late. Sunderland kept up their impressive run of form – albeit with the help of a beach-ball. A freak deflection, followed by a freak refereeing decision gifted Sunderland a 1-0 win over stuttering Liverpool, a result which allowed the Black Cats to leapfrog the Reds into seventh place. Verdict 1-2.

Burnley v Wigan - Burnley continue to be a team of two halves; unbeatable at home, yet woeful away. A 3-2 defeat at lowly Blackburn meant that that poor run of away form extended to five away defeats out of five. However, at home Burnley possess a 100% record, and they will look to extend that at the expense of a Wigan side who are equally poor on their travels. Wigan have beaten Chelsea and drawn against Manchester City at the newly renamed DW Stadium, yet lost their last away fixture at struggling Hull. Verdict 2-1.

Chelsea v Blackburn - Chelsea failed to reclaim top spot after a 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa, their second defeat in three matches. They will look to take advantage of the clash at Anfield with a home game against Blackburn. Rovers have managed to climb away from the relegation spots of late, with a 3-2 victory over Burnley taking them onto ten points. Despite their mid table standing, they are still just three points above the drop zone. Verdict 3-0.

Hull v Portsmouth - Two of the Premierships struggling sides meet at the KC Stadium, in a relegation six pointer. Defeat at home to Tottenham left Portsmouth rooted to the foot of the table, with just one win to their name. They will not get a better chance to double their points tally than this match against the Tigers, who themselves have just seven points after defeat at Fulham. Verdict 1-2.

Tottenham v Stoke - Harry Redknapp’s men retained third spot with a 2-1 victory over bottom placed Portsmouth. That win kept them within touching distance of leaders Manchester United, one of only two teams to have defeated Spurs this season. Stoke moved up to ninth with a 2-1 victory over West Ham, but they have so far failed to notch up a victory away from home, drawing three and losing one. Verdict 2-0.

Wolverhampton v Aston Villa – Wolves welcome their Midlands rivals back to Molineux, desperate to add to their tally of eight points from nine games. Wolves had looked to take all three points from Goodison Park in their last fixture, but were denied by a late equaliser, leaving them still within touching distance of the relegation places. Villa, by contrast, moved into sixth place with a hard earned victory over second placed Chelsea. Wins against two of the big four will have Villa fans hoping that this is the season for their team to crash the party. Verdict 1-2.

Sunday, 25 October 2009

Bolton v Everton - Bolton have looked an improved team in the last few weeks, beating Birmingham, drawing with high-flying Tottenham, and running Manchester United close at Old Trafford. The Trotters pressed hard for an equaliser, but failed, with that defeat leaving them on eight points. Everton left it late to save a point at home to Wolves, but that draw extended their unbeaten run to five games. Verdict 2-2.

Liverpool v Man Utd  – A bad start to the season has already turned this crunch fixture at Anfield into a title race six pointer. Victory for United would take them ten points clear of their fierce rivals, effectively spelling an end to their title ambitions. A win for the Reds on the other hand, would peg back United’s lead to just four points. Liverpool suffered their fourth defeat of the season, courtesy of Sunderland and a pitch invading beach ball. They will hope to have the missing duo of Torres and Gerrard back in the side for this clash. United continued to grind out the wins, taking top spot with a 2-1 win against Bolton. Verdict 2-1.

Man City v Fulham -Manchester City missed the chance to go third with a second successive 1-1 draw. After a good start, City have begun to drop points and a win against Fulham will be seen as vital if they are to keep pace with the leading pack. The Cottagers moved into twelfth with a well deserved win over struggling Hull, their third win of the season. Verdict 2-0.

West Ham v Arsenal – West Ham’s torrid start to the season continued with a 2-1 defeat away at Stoke. Zola’s men have managed just five points from their first eight games, and sit second from bottom. Arsenal moved into fourth with another goal filled match at the Emirates. The Gunners took all three points with a 3-1 victory, although they will need to do without the services of Theo Walcott for three to four weeks. Verdict 1-3.