English Premiership Correct Score Predictions: Week One Midweek 18/8/09

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

Tuesday, 18 August 2009

Arsenal OFF Bolton – Match postponed due to Arsenals Champions League qualifier against Celtic.

Fulham OFF Blackburn – Match postponed due to Fulham’s Europa League group match against Amkar Perm.

Sunderland v Chelsea – Chelsea began the Premiership season with a hard fought win at home to Hull. The Tigers looked to be leaving Stamford Bridge with a point until Didier Drogba’s strike in the 92nd minute. Carlo Ancelotti will hope for more attacking impetus from his side at Sunderland; level on three points after a decent win away at Bolton. The Black Cat’s new manager Steve Bruce had his faith in record signing Darren Bent repaid with a fifth minute goal at the Reebok Stadium, but the former Spurs striker will face a tougher test against the Chelsea defence. Verdict 0-2

West Ham OFF Aston Villa – Match postponed due to Aston Villas Europa League group match against Rapid Vienna.

Wigan v Wolverhampton – Roberto Martinez’s first game in charge of the Latics ended in an impressive 2-0 away win at Aston Villa. Goals from Jason Koumas and Hugo Rodallega were enough to take all three points home from Villa Park, in a game which they bossed from the outset. Wolves were left in no doubt about the size of the task they face if they intend staying in the Premier League for longer than a year, with a 2-0 home defeat against West Ham. Mick McCarthys men will need to step up a gear if they are to take home a share of the spoils from the JJB. Verdict 2-0.

Wednesday, 19 August 2009

Birmingham v Portsmouth – Birmingham returned to the top flight with a 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford. Their fans will take some heart from the scoreline and the performance, with the team more than holding their own in the Theatre of Dreams. Portsmouth were well beaten at home by a solid looking Fulham side, conceeding one goal without reply at Fratton Park. Their increasingly threadbare looking squad will need to win games such as this if they are to avoid a relegation battle at the end of the season. Verdict 1-1.

Burnley v Man Utd – The Clarets began their first top flight season in 33 years with a 2-0 defeat away to Stoke. Burnley conceded two first half set pieces, rarely troubling their hosts at the Potteries. Life will not get any easier with a home fixture against the Premiership Champions, fresh from a 1-0 win over Birmingham at Old Trafford. Manchester United did what was required from them in their first game, although they rarely outplayed their newly promoted opponents, missing the attacking threat of Ronaldo. Verdict 0-1.

Hull v Tottenham – Hull were unlucky to leave London at the weekend without a point. A solid defensive display was finally undone by Didier Drogba in injury time. The Tigers have cause for optimism on the basis of that display, and will hope for a swift return to winning ways. Spurs began their season with a narrow home win against Liverpool, and manager Harry Redknapp will take his team to Hull with a sense of confidence. Verdict 1-1.

Liverpool v Stoke – Liverpool started their title challenge in the worst possible way with defeat at White Hart Lane. They were unlucky to leave without a point, with referee Phil Dowd failing to award a cast iron penalty in the closing stages, but played below the standard that they are capable of. They will need to improve if they want to take all three points in this Anfield encounter, against a Stoke side who are more than capable of stealing a share of the points. Verdict 2-1.

Man City OFF Everton – Match postponed due to Evertons Europa League group match against Sigma Olomouc.

To see last weeks predictions, click here. There were six correct results, but zero correct scores.

For the midweek Championship fixtures and predictions, click here.