English Premiership Correct Score Predictions : Week One 15/8/09

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

Everybody breathe a sigh of relief – the new Premiership football season is nearly upon us.  Chelsea and Hull will raise the leagues illustrious curtain on Saturday lunchtime; the winner having the chance to, albeit briefly, top the league in front of a worldwide TV audience. This season, the Blues and the Tigers will be joined by Wolverhampton, Birmingham and Burnley; all competing for the biggest prize in English football. But whilst the Midlands will be awash with top-flight football, the North East of England will find itself under-represented in 2009/10, with Newcastle and Middlesbrough enduring life in the Championship alongside fellow relegationees West Brom.

Manchester United again start the season as favourites to retain their Premiership crown, with Liverpool and Chelsea looking the most likely contenders to steal their title. Aston Villa and Everton will hope for another shaky season from the decimated Arsenal, whilst Manchester City attempt to crack the dominance of the big four with their new found wealth. At the wrong end of the league, the newly promoted teams will look to emulate Hull and Stoke, and stay in Englands top division, at the expense of established sides such as Bolton and Portsmouth.

Saturday, 15 August 2009

Aston Villa vs. Wigan

Aston Villa will begin another season hoping that they can cling on to the shirt-tails of the big four; one of several clubs hoping to muscle in on the Champions League places. They face a Wigan side at Villa Park who, under new boss Roberto Martinez, have lost key player Antonio Valencia. O’Neill himself has strengthed the Villa squad, with, amongst others, former Leeds starlet Fabian Delph and ex-Newcastle defender Habib Beye. Verdict: 2-1

Blackburn vs. Man City

Big spending Manchester City are they club that everybody has been talking about this summer. How will their assembled cast of high profile signings fare when they meet local rivals Blackburn at Ewood Park? Mark Hughes will be hoping for a positive performance, as he currently stands as the bookies favourite for first managerial casualty of the campaign. His chances will be greatly improved if new signings Tevez, Adebayor and former Blackburn old-boy Santa Cruz can gel. Verdict: 1-3

Bolton vs. Sunderland

Two teams which finished in the wrong half of the table last season look for a better return this year. Sunderland, under new manager Steve Bruce, look most likely to achieve that goal with a number of useful signings, including £10million Darren Bent. Verdict: 1-1

Chelsea vs. Hull

New manager Carlo Ancelotti will be aiming for a bright start, in an effort to beat last years third placed finish. Hull themselves will be hoping for a return to the form which they enjoyed at the beginning of last year; form which disappeared leaving them close to relegation. Neither team has strengthened considerably, but Chelsea will buoyed by the fact that John Terry remains on their team-sheet. Verdict: 3-0.

Everton vs. Arsenal

Arsenal find themselves in a transitional period, in real danger of slipping out of the so-called ‘big four’. The departures of Adebayor and Toure to Manchester City have weakened a side which had already struggled to keep pace with Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea. Teams such as Aston Villa and Manchester City will hope to capitalise. Everton have become consistent performers under David Moyes, but may struggle to match last seasons 5th place finish after a fairly quiet summer. Verdict: 0-0.

Portsmouth vs. Fulham

Portsmouth have lost several key players during the tranfer window, and look set for a turbulent season under new boss Paul Hart. Fulham meanwhile finished last season impressively under the stewardship of Roy Hodgson; form which appears to have followed through into Europe League qualification matches. Verdict: 0-2.

Stoke vs. Burnley

New boys Burnley travel to the Britannia Stadium to face a Stoke side who made the leap from Championship to Premiership the year before. Burnley have stuttered in pre-season, and may find the transition to the top flight tough with a mostly unchanged side. Verdict: 1-0.

Wolverhampton vs. West Ham

Gianfranco Zola’s Hammers will look to exert their Premier League experience over a Wolves side promoted as Championship champions. West Ham made steady progress last year, and fans will be hoping for more of the same. Verdict: 0-1.

Sunday, 16 August 2009

Man Utd vs. Birmingham  

United begin the defence of their Premiership crown at Old Trafford, against a newly promoted Birmingham side who have struggled for form in pre-season. United look to banish the belief amongst many fans that they will find life hard without the talismanic Christiano Ronaldo, and will hope that former Liverpool favourite Michael Owen can roll back the years. They have a number of injury concerns, but should still prove too strong for the Blues. Verdict: 2-0.

Tottenham vs. Liverpool

Last seasons runners up Liverpool have a tricky start to the campaign, Aloso-less and away at White Hart Lane. Former Kop idol Robbie Keane will once more attempt to thwart his former team mates, their ranks bolstered by the purchase of England star Glen Johnson from Portsmouth and Alberto Aquilani from Roma. Verdict: 1-2.