Friday, 20 September 2013

2013/2014 Barclays Predictions League 2

Norwich v Aston Villa (Saturday, 12:45pm)


This is also significant for Paul Lambert who, of course, used to manage Norwich. Chris Hughton's team are usually tough to break down at Carrow Road and I see it ending all square.

But expect an open game.

Score: 1-1
Liverpool v Southampton

Even though Liverpool's 100% record was ended at Swansea on Monday night, they are still top of the pile and the fans must be so happy with their start to the season.

Daniel Sturridge in particular is in fine form although he did get a big slice of fortune thanks to Jonjo Shelvey. Nevertheless, he has scored in each of Liverpool's games this season.

But Southampton are a tough team to beat and I am sure Brendan Rodgers will not be underestimating Mauricio's Pochettino's men.

Southampton have a struggle of scoring goals at the moment and I do see them finding the back of the net, but conceding more at the back so home win for me here.

Score: 2-1

Newcastle v Hull

See what a couple good results makes for a team! People need to bear in mind that you get one or two wins and everything looks good again and Newcastle have proved this point.

After their goalless draw with West Ham people were giving them a hard time about scoring. Two wins later and there aren't as many critics for Alan Pardew's side.

Against Aston Villa in particular they were brilliant as they went for the win as the away team and got what they deserved.

As many have said previously, Hull can create chances but they cannot finish them off and goals along with wins keep you in the Premier League. I think in the long run Hull will be fine, but another away defeat should be on the cards for tomorrow.

Score: 2-1


West Brom v Sunderland

19th v 20th in the league! Relegation six pointer already? Of course not, it is still WAY too early in the season for that but these two do need their first win on the board.

West Brom only scored their first Premier League goal of the season last weekend to earn a somewhat fortunate point at Fulham. But that result, along the services of former Black Cat Stephane Sessegnon, could give the home fans confidence of receiving three points here.

However, I do not see Steve Clarke's side winning. Yes they are at home and yes Sunderland cannot keep a clean sheet to save their lives right now but at home they have been poor so far and the pressure of being at home with the expectation behind them could give Paolo Di Canio's team an advantage.

Sunderland should really have got a point last week against Arsenal but at the same time they started very slowly and even against the big teams you cannot do that because you give yourself a mountain to climb.

Referee Martin Atkinson's decision to somehow disallow Jozy Altidore's second-half goal arguably robbed them of a point and I think they could have got at least a draw had the goal stood.

What baffles me about most pundits is that they seem to think Sunderland under Martin O'Neill will get better results when the football was too defensive and the tactics were too negative yet under Di Canio when they are having a go at teams they get slated. I don't get that.

But they are bottom of the league and need a win themselves. Because Di Canio will get his players ready for the game, I them taking three points back to the Stadium of Light.

Score: 1-2
West Ham v Everton

Jussi Jaaskelainen produced a man-of-the-match performance last week to singlehandedly earn West Ham a point at Southampton. I am sure Sam Allardyce felt relieved and indebted to him when the game reached full-time.

The Hammers are usually a tight team and seem to hit the opposition on the break really well but they are especially difficult to play against at Upton Park.

Roberto Martinez finally celebrated his first win against Chelsea last Saturday and there could be an opportunity to get back-to-back wins.

But these two teams should be up in the top half this season and I they are likely to spent a majority of this game cancelling each other out.

Score: 1-1
Chelsea v Fulham (Saturday, 5:30pm)

Jose Mourinho said this week that the reason for Chelsea's 'poor' form is because 'he is trying to change the style of play'. Firstly, I do not consider Chelsea's start to the season poor. They are only three points off the top spot so anything could happen. Secondly, while they got a surprise loss against Basel, Bayern Munich lost against Arsenal in last season's knockout round so every team experiences this.

They are up against a Fulham side who have had an average start to the season and given that it is at Stamford Bridge a Chelsea win is what is expected.

Despite this, Fulham have took a point from this fixture for the past two visits to this ground. So Chelsea fans know how difficult they can be to play against.

Score: 2-0

Arsenal v Stoke (Sunday, 1:30pm)

While I thought Arsenal got a big stoke of luck in their win at Sunderland, they were brilliant in the first half particularly. Arsene Wenger pulled off a masterstroke in signing Mesut Ozil as he looked very lively and he will do well for them this year.

The fans seem to have put their opening day defeat to Aston Villa behind them and can look forward to the rest of the season.

Stoke themselves lost on the opening day and after two wins back-to-back they dominated Mark Hughes' former club Manchester City last week. That shows how far they have come in the last year.

Although I sound like a broken record, home win here but Stoke's season looks very optimistic at the moment.

Score: 3-1
Crystal Palace v Swansea (Sunday, 1:30pm)

Ian Holloway stated that Swansea's style of play influenced the way Crystal Palace play. Palace do play attacking football and they have had a go at the teams they have played against and no doubt they will do so here.

Swansea got their Europa League campaign off and running with a deserved 3-0 victory at Valencia allbeit the early red card may have helped.

Michael Laudrup has stability at Swansea. After defeats to Manchester United and Tottenham, they deservedly beat West Brom and impressively drew against Liverpool.

As for this match, yet another home win but only because Palace will be the much fresher side going into the game.

Score: 2-1
Cardiff v Tottenham (Sunday, 4:00pm)

Although this point has been emphasised many times, newly-promoted teams are always difficult to beat, especially if you are going to one of their grounds.

Manchester City found that out in August when Cardiff beat them 3-2 and Everton drew there so it is a hard place to go.


Tottenham have recovered well since the loss of Gareth Bale and responded with wins against Norwich and Tromso.

I see this one ending up as a draw as Cardiff will want to produce a good performance, similar to the performance against Man City.

Score: 2-2
Man City v Man Utd (Sunday, 4:00pm)

And so we move on to the game of the weekend, for neutrals anyway. Manuel Pellegrini v David Moyes. Manchester City v Manchester United.

People have really turned their attention to this game over the last couple of years and the games, including City's 6-1 thumping at Old Trafford in October 2011, have not disappointed.

Both teams have made ok starts to the season but I am surprised City are not nearer to top spot. They didn't demonstrate title qualities against Cardiff and Stoke; winning games when you aren't playing at your best.

As for David Moyes, I believe this game will be his biggest test yet. The good thing for Man Utd fans is that he has a personally good record against City but he has also failed to beat the top teams he has faced this year.

I back the home team to win what should be a tight, intense but also thrilling football match.

Score: 2-1

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