English Premiership Correct Score Predictions: Week Five

Note: These matches have now been played. For this weeks predictions, click here.

Saturday, 19 September 2009

Arsenal v Wigan – Arsenal will be looking to bounce back from two defeats in a row – at the hands of both Manchester teams. Losing 4-2 at Manchester City was painful enough for the Gunners, but the manner of the defeat, and the conduct of old boy Adebayor, will have them fired up for a clash with a Wigan side who begin the match level on six points. Wigan, fresh from a home victory over West Ham, will have the benefit of a weeks rest, before facing an Arsenal side with midweek Champions League commitments. Verdict 2-0.

Aston Villa v Portsmouth – Aston Villa moved into sixth place with victory over local rivals Birmingham. After a shock opening day defeat, Villa have now won three on the bounce in the league. Portsmouth, by comparison, have lost all five of their matches this season, and sit bottom of the Premier League, without a point. Villa will see this match as another three points to add to a decent starting tally, and judging by both teams form, it is hard to make a case for anything else. Verdict 2-0.

Bolton v Stoke – Bolton finally got off the mark in their last match, beating fellow strugglers Portsmouth 3-2. After losing their first three games, they will be hoping to get out of the relegation zone with a result against Stoke. The Potters have made a creditable start to the season, sitting eighth in the table. That placing could have been higher, were it not for an injury time goal denying them a share of the spoils in their last match against Chelsea. Stoke were good value for at least a point, but will need to erase memories of that defeat before travelling to the Reebok. Verdict 1-1.

Burnley v Sunderland – New boys Burnley have had an up and down start to the season, beating Manchester United before conceding three against Chelsea, and four against Liverpool. With such a leaky defence, manager Owen Coyle will be doubly worried about a front line which is looking goal shy. Sunderland currently sit seventh in the league, after a thrilling home victory over Hull. Darren bent scored his fourth goal in five games in that 4-1 victory, giving manager Steve Bruce no such worries about his strikers. Verdict 0-1.

Hull v Birmingham – Hull sit just above the relegation zone on four points, with a negative goal difference that matches that of bottom placed Portsmouth. Heavy defeats have been a feature of their campaign, with Phil Brown admitting ‘reckless errors’ are costing his team dear. Newly promoted Birmingham only have one more point than the Tigers, but they will be the happier team, the games that they have lost having been by the narrowest of margins. A match against Hull may be the chance for their strikers to get on the scoresheet. Verdict 1-1.

West Ham v Liverpool – Liverpool have finally found their form from last season, demolishing Burnley in a dazzling, four star display. Seven goals in their last two matches have seen them rise to fifth place, with nothing short of a victory required if they are to keep their title hopes alive. West Ham have the advantage of a week to prepare for this match, although on the evidence of their last two games, that is unlikely to be enough. Verdict 0-2.

Sunday, 20 September 2009

Chelsea v Tottenham – Chelsea continue to hold their 100% winning record, although it was severely tested in their last match at Stoke. Tottenham suffered their first defeat of the new season to ten man Manchester United, giving up their joint grasp on the top spot. This all London clash promises to be a feisty affair, with both teams, and their fans, eager to notch up another win. Verdict 2-1.

Everton v Blackburn – The two teams have endured poor starts to the new season, and have registered just three and four points respectively. Everton fans thought that they had finally turned the corner when they registered their first points of the season with a win over Wigan, but it proved to be a false dawn, with the next match resulting in a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Fulham. Blackburn are now undefeated in two, having drawn against West Ham before beating Wolves. Neither could be considered scalps of merit, and it only serves to mask just how badly Sam Allardyce’s team have been playing. Verdict 2-1.

Man Utd v Man City – The Manchester derby has always been an interesting fixture, but this year it becomes a truly mouth-watering clash. Both teams sit on twelve points in the early season table, although City have played one game less, winning all four of their fixtures. United ended Tottenham’s unbeaten start to the season in their last match, and will be looking to do the same to fierce rivals City. This game, however, comes after a tricky away fixture at Besiktas, against a City side who are currently scoring for fun. Verdict 1-2.

Wolverhampton v Fulham – Fulham moved onto six points with victory over Everton at the weekend, and will be confident of adding to that tally with a match over newly promoted Wolves. Wolves conceded three at the weekend against a poor Blackburn side, and will need to raise their game if they are to avoid a swift return to the Championship. Verdict 0-1.