Friday 18 October 2013

Barclays Predictions League 5

Newcastle v Liverpool (Saturday, 12:45pm)

Newcastle fans will not want reminding of what happened the last time Liverpool came to Tyneside other than they will be determined to make sure it doesn't happen again.

The bright side of things, however, is the previous two visits of the Reds Newcastle did run out 3-1 and 2-0 winners respectively so that could be a sign of encouragement.

Newcastle fans should be reasonably pleased with their start to the season and they currently sit 11th in the league table.

Liverpool sit second in the league and could go top for a couple of hours if they avoid defeat. Brendan Rodgers' side I think will be in for a tough match.

Alan Pardew has won two of three at home against Liverpool but he will have to be aware of the partnership between England goalscorer Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez.

But, at the same time, the visitors will need to be aware of the threat Loic Remy is likely to provide.

Score: 1-1
Arsenal v Norwich

Even Arsenal fans were probably not expecting the start their team has made this season, sitting top of the league, allbeit on goal difference.

I think everyone associated with the Gunners will be cheering on Newcastle in the early kick-off at St James' Park but they, as well as I, expect them to beat Norwich.

Last season the home team won and the season before Arsenal took four points off Norwich.

Chris Hughton's team were very unlucky I feel to lose to Chelsea two weeks ago as they more than matched them and probably deserved a draw but they are only in the bottom three on goal difference.

I honestly think they will be fine as they have more than enough players to keep them up but I don't obviously see them getting anything on Saturday.

Score: 3-1
Chelsea v Cardiff

Chelsea were rather fortuitous in their 3-1 win at Carrow Road as they were played off the park in stages of that game.

But they won it which is what matters for them. Broken record moment may occur here but I still feel Jose Mourinho's team have enough quality to win the Premier League title.

The factor with him being here will give Chelsea a lift and I found it hilarious how he criticised their start to the season before the Fulham home game yet they were top by the end of that day.

Cardiff have gone through a transitional period since their home defeat to Newcastle, with their head of recruitment leaving the club but that all seems to be settled now.

Malky Mackay's side left it rather too late against the Toon even though they played well in the second-half.

Chelsea win here though, very unlikely to be otherwise.

Score: 2-0
Everton v Hull

Both teams have made an excellent start this year, Everton currently sitting in seventh while Hull sit in eighth.

Everton fans must still be pinching themselves as to how they have managed to sign Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea.

He has been one of the steals of the season and there is no reason why he cannot top his goals scored last season, which was 17 for West Brom.

Speaking of loan strikers, Danny Graham has had rather opposite fortunes as he has not found the back of the net since January 2013.

Steve Bruce may hope this is the game that record breaks. Hull have goals in the team and they can match anyone when on their best day.

Everton should win this one but it may not be an easy ride for Roberto Martinez's team.

Score: 2-1
Man Utd v Southampton

Manchester United were rather lucky in their 2-1 win at Sunderland as they were played off the park in the first-half but to give them credit they picked it up in the second-half.

David Moyes really has to thank Adnan Januzaj for his two well taken goals. Utd fans will hope that win will help kick-off their push for the top four.

I think if you offered a majority of the fans a top four finish and a cup win they may take it all of a sudden. As I have said before, having one manager for over two decades and then having to change to the style of another manager does take time.

I still think they will finish in the top four but they do need to strengthen in January.

Southampton, on the other hand, have started brilliantly and will take confidence from the way they only lost to the Red Devils by the odd goal last year and give them a run for their money in both matches.

Knowing how the Saints like to play, they should give the Premier League champions a good go.

Score: 2-1
Stoke v West Brom

Mark Hughes enjoyed his return to West London didn't he? It must have hurt after conceding in the final 10 minutes of the match but Stoke could win this one.

West Brom themselves have picked up a bit of form as of late, they beat Sunderland, beat Man Utd and drew with Arsenal so they won't be short on confidence themselves.

Being at the Britannia, I expect Stoke to pick up at least a point if not all three. But they need to look more threatening in front of goal, as they have failed to score in three out of the last four matches.

West Brom will provide a threat and Steve Clarke deserves credit for the way his team have responded in the last three matches to get them into a respectable position in the table.

Score: 2-1
Swansea v Sunderland

Life as a Sunderland fan is never boring is it? All that has happened is Gus Poyet taking over the reigns on Wearside.

I thought he did very well at Brighton as he got them from League One to the Championship and almost to the Premier League before they lost to Crystal Palace in the semi-final play-offs.

And something Black Cats fans must not forget but also must not take for granted - he has had a very good recent record against Newcastle, twice knocking them out of the FA Cup.

The whole Phil Bardsley debate has gone overboard I think. Mocking the club's opening day defeat was easily a step too far but as far as the whole casino issue goes he should be able to do whatever he wants with HIS money.

However, Poyet has decided to give him a chance. I think he could be forgiven if he apologised and scored the winner against Newcastle.

But they have Swansea to face first. I don't personally see anything other than a Swansea win as Laudrup has them playing good football but I think it will be a tight game.

Score: 1-0
West Ham v Man City (Saturday, 5:30pm)

I have been slightly disappointed by West Ham's start to the season but their 3-0 win at Tottenham last time out was a fantastic result.

Although this fixture doesn't get any easier for Sam Allardyce at least it is at Upton Park where they usually do well against the big teams. Last time here they drew 0-0 with City even though Kevin Nolan scored what looked like a legitimate goal which was ruled out for offside.

Manuel Pellegrini has a lot of talent at his disposal and although West Ham's recent home record is not particularly great they have only lost three times at home in 2013.

I feel a draw is on the cards. Man City have not won away from home in the league this season but West Ham are usually tough to break down.

Score: 1-1
Aston Villa v Tottenham (Saturday, 4:00pm)

I predict 4-0 Tottenham! Seriously, I expect this tie to be a lot closer this time. Aston Villa have took seven points out of a possible nine over the last three league games.

Paul Lambert could be in two minds about facing Andre Villas-Boas. On the one hand, Tottenham will be down from their shock 3-0 defeat at the hands of West Ham but they could be determined to bounce back from that.

Jamie Carragher said that Tottenham would struggle to reach the top four this season and even though I predicted them to finish fifth, they are only three points behind Arsenal in first and only one point off the top four.

Yet another draw for me.

Score: 1-1
Crystal Palace v Fulham (Monday, 8:00pm)



Apart from the victory over Sunderland, Palace have lost every single game in the top flight this season.

I would want them to stay up but I do not feel they have the quality, as stated before.

They do, however, have enough in them to beat Fulham in my opinion who are not great away from home I must say.

Despite beating Stoke, Fulham do not have much confidence at the moment and do not usually look like scoring goals which is a big worry for them. They should be ok but I just see Ian Holloway triumphing over Martin Jol.

Score: 2-1

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