Tuesday 3 December 2013

Barclays Predictions League 9

Crystal Palace v West Ham (Tuesday, 8:00pm)

New boss Tony Pulis is a good choice for Crystal Palace especially as he has never been relegated as a manager. But he definitely has a job on his hands.

At Norwich they played ok after a win at Hull but they need to take their chances when they come along. The good news is that they play a team with a dreadful away record in Sam Allardyce's West Ham.

The Hammers outplayed Fulham in the second-half on Saturday which ultimately cost Martin Jol his job but it was a result they needed badly.

Before that game and this one, Allardyce said they would need to get at least four points. But I actually see the home side winning this one as it Pulis' first game at Selhurst Park.

Score: 2-1
Arsenal v Hull

I did think 3-0 flattered Arsenal in their victory at Cardiff but the day was about Aaron Ramsey returning to face his former club and, indeed, scoring twice.

Their start has been extraordinary, only losing against Aston Villa and Manchester United. Mesut Ozil has risen spirits at the Emirates but Arsene Wenger has really got a team together that is working for each other and winning football matches.

Hull were fantastic to beat Liverpool. Sure you can say Liverpool were poor but I hate to do that because it takes away what a good performance and result it was for Steve Bruce's side.

I obviously do not see them getting anything here but Hull fans should be pleased as they probably were not expecting to beat Liverpool.

Score: 3-1
Fulham v Tottenham

Well what an interesting couple of days it has been for Fulham, sacking Martin Jol and being replaced by Rene Meulensteen.

When he was brought in, initially as assistant to Jol, I got the impression that he was there as a ready-made replacement in case Fulham lost the next game or two and Jol is sacked.

It looks like I have been proved right on this case. This may not spell good for Andre Villas-Boas as Meulensteen will want a response from the players.

Being at Craven Cottage will make it even tougher for Tottenham but they played very well against Manchester United.

I still think Spurs will edge this, but as I keep saying, it should be a tight match.

Score: 1-2
Liverpool v Norwich

As good as Hull were, Brendan Rodgers will be disappointed at how poor his Liverpool team were, especially as they threw away at least a point at the KC Stadium.

But the Reds have scored five goals in their last two games against Chris Hughton's Canaries.

With Luis Suarez playing in the team, despite Daniel Sturridge's injury which rules him out for the next 6-8 weeks, I expect nothing but a home win.

Norwich have won two of their last three Premier League matches and will be more confident than they were a month or so ago.

But they have to do a lot better this time if they are to stand a chance of getting something out of this match.

Score: 3-0
Man Utd v Everton

Well David Moyes faces the club he left in the summer after 11 solid years in Merseyside. Maroune Fellani will be likely to face Roberto Martinez's Everton at Old Trafford.

I think Moyes has done pretty well in his first season in replacing Sir Alex Ferguson and, as I said at the start of the season, if he gets into the top four and wins a trophy then he will have had a decent job.

There was some controversy over Moyes' comments about Everton holding Fellani back by not initially selling him to Manchester United which I think is a bit disrespectful.

But emotions will have to be forgotten in the 90 minutes of football that will take place. Everton have made a slightly better start in the league than United. But slight is the operative word here.

Score: 2-1
Southampton v Aston Villa

I watched Southampton's match at Chelsea on Sunday and despite a very bright start for Mauricio Pochettino's men, they were simply outclassed in the second-half and ultimately lost.

I expect them to beat Paul Lambert's Villa though. Saints' home record is outstanding this season as they have only conceded two goals at St Marys' Stadium. But now that I have said that, Aston Villa will probably score.

Villa were held by Sunderland on Saturday but the worrying part for Lambert is they were outplayed by the Black Cats, especially at home.

They will probably be defending in this game for a point but I think Southampton will have too much for them.

Score: 2-1
Stoke v Cardiff

Beating Sunderland was a massive result for Mark Hughes but Stoke undone that by getting thrashed at Everton at the weekend.

What will annoy him and the fans is the lack of a fight they put up at Goodison Park. It doesn't matter how good the opposition is, you generally have to put up a fight otherwise you will be rolled over easily.

But they will see Cardiff at home as a good game to get back to winning ways. Malky Mackay's side were pressing Arsenal all the way and I don't think the scoreline told the accurate story in South Wales.

I think they will lose again here but they should be fine if they keep going the way they are.

Score: 2-0
Sunderland v Chelsea
 
Jose Mourinho may not like coming to the Stadium of Light given how Gus Poyet, who faces his old club, has done here with Sunderland.
 
Chelsea did not have any favours on their last visit to the north-east, losing 2-0 at Newcastle and will hope for better fortunes this time around.
 
After an absolutely terrible start on Sunday against Southampton, the Blues showed their class and turned on the style in the second-half to help themselves to three points.
 
But Sunderland will have confidence themselves heading into this game as they have proved they can beat big sides when they turn up.
 
They can also take heart of their performance on Saturday at Aston Villa where they were the better team and, if it were not for that horrible miss by Emanuele Giaccherini, they could have come back to Wearside with all three points.
 
Still, it is a clean sheet and a point on the road which could be crucial in the long run. After this game and Saturday's against Spurs, their home games, for the most part, should be that little bit easier. In games like those is where their Premier League fate will be decided.
 
Score: 0-2
 
Swansea v Newcastle
This will be a tricky test for Alan Pardew's in-form Newcastle but this is a good time to go to places like Swansea when you are full of confidence.
 
Beating Chelsea, Tottenham, Norwich and West Brom should give Pardew a Manager of the Month award.
 
Moussa Sissoko will hope for more goals like the screamer he scored on Saturday but the Magpies also have Loic Remy who has been their standout player this term.
 
Michael Laudrup's Swansea have not done too badly themselves and Man City just outclassed them on Sunday.
 
The home side did the double over the away team last season but I see this latest encounter ending all square.
 
Score: 1-1
West Brom v Man City

West Brom's decent run was brought to an end at Newcastle although in fairness it was a wonder strike from Moussa Sissoko that won it.

I really worried for Steve Clarke about losing Romelu Lukaku but they have coped really well with the acquisitions of Stephane Sessegnon and Victor Anchiebe.

And they actually didn't play badly although they could have defended better for Newcastle's first goal.

But if Manuel Pellegrini's away record with Manchester City is anything to go by they could get something out of this game as they have only won once away from home this season.

Their home record is just about keeping them in the title race but if they can start replicating that success on the road then they could be in touching distance of the Premier League again.

Score: 1-2

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