Next Weekend's Fixtures: Predictions...

Saturday

Arsenal vs Sheffield Utd
The Gunners had a massive morale-boosting victory against Man United last Sunday, and they will be looking to build on that against a Sheffield side still trying to find their feet in the top division. Rob Hulse is a proven threat to any defence, but Toure and company should be able to produce another clean sheet. Both Adebayor and Rosicky scored their first goals for the club last week, and they will be hoping to push forward and become regular scorers for the North London boys, starting against the Blades.
YTM Prediction: Home Win

Aston Villa vs Charlton
Two managers at new clubs are on show at Villa Park this weekend. Martin O’Neill must be content with the start Villa have had to the season, and will be looking to push on with a victory against the Addicks. Charlton boss Iain Dowie will be looking to find some stability in his starting line-up, and goals from the pairing of Jimmy Hasselbaink and Darren Bent. Villa’s defence will be the key factor in this game, and watch out for new-signing Stilian Petrov stealing the points from midfield.
YTM Prediction: Home Win

Fulham vs Chelsea
The South-West London derby is upon us again, and Fulham will be looking for a repeat of their 1-0 victory last season. However, Chelsea are certainly no pushovers, and the loss of Jimmy Bullard is a massive blow for the Cottagers’ chances. I have been to a couple of games at the Cottage this season, and the atmosphere will certainly act as a 12th man for Fulham, but I fully expect Chelsea to be too strong, especially down the wings, where Robben and Wright-Phillips could have field days against the likes of Rosenior and Queudrue.
YTM Prediction: Away Win

Liverpool vs Tottenham
Both these massive clubs have had shaky starts to their seasons, and will be looking at this game as another opportunity to kick-start their push for a Champions League place. Liverpool battled well against Chelsea last week, with new signing Dirk Kuyt hitting the post with a thunderous effort. Tottenham on the other hand were booed off the pitch at White Hart Lane after a boring goalless draw against Fulham. Rafa Benitez is claiming that it is only a matter of time before his strikers start banging the goals in, and Kuyt and Bellamy do seem to be communicating well. Expect the unexpected from Benitez in terms of line-up and another hard day at the office for Martin Jol.
YTM Prediction: Home Win

Man City vs West Ham
The buzz following the arrival of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano has died out at Upton Park, as the West Ham fans have realised that the arrival of the Argentinean duo has, in the short term, done more harm than good to the team. Boss Alan Pardew is unsure as to what his best eleven are, and the feeling of expectation has been replaced by a flat uncertainty. Stuart Pearce is beginning to feel the heat at Eastlands, as his City side have not got off to a great start this term, and Pearce’s signings are not proving to be worth the money they cost. He needs his team to dig in deep and get some positive results, or he may be the first managerial casualty of the Premiership this season. With two teams who can play brilliantly well and astonishingly bad, it certainly is fence-sitting time at YTM HQ!
YTM Prediction: Score Draw

Middlesbrough vs Blackburn
There is only one name buzzing around the Riverside at the moment, and that name is Jonathon Woodgate. His first two performances for the club have been no less than perfect. He is proving to Real Madrid and the world that he is truly a world-class defender, who has single-handedly solidified a shaky Boro backline. On the other hand, Blackburn’s new defender Andre Ooijer is having the season from hell. Own goals and conceded penalties have made September an unpleasant month in the Ooijer hotel room (I assume he hasn’t got a house yet…). However, I feel that eventually, when he gets to grips with the pace of the English game, he will prove to be a smart signing by Hughes. Hopefully this will not be too late! Expect Woodgate to once again shine, and Yakubu to do the business at the other end in a close, and not very pretty affair.
YTM Prediction: Home Win

Reading vs Man United
Reading have made a good start to the Premiership campaign, and will be looking forward to lining up against the likes of Rooney and Ronaldo. Boss Steve Coppell will know that these are not the games they have to win to stay up, and that anything from games against the top teams would be a bonus. Reading will go out, and play to their strengths, utilising the influential pair of Sidwell and Seol as much as possible. However, Man United will be seething after Arsenal’s smash and grab last Sunday, and Reading must prepare to face a furious backlash. I fancy Reading to be the one promoted team that survives this season, but I do not expect them to get anything from the wounded beast of Old Trafford.
YTM Prediction: Away Win

Wigan vs Watford
Last weekend Wigan were saved by two goals from Defender Paul Scharner, and snatched a draw against Everton at Goodison. Watford met their match in Villa ‘keeper Thomas Sorensen, and played out a goalless draw. A point each last week, and both teams will be looking to build on indifferent starts to the season this weekend with a crucial victory. Scharner again is the key man for Wigan, as his aerial ability makes him a good defender and a formidable presence in the opponent’s area. For Watford, Marlon King is yet to set the Premiership alight, and last season looks like it was a flash in the pan. However, given the right ammunition from superb prospect Ashley Young, and we could see a goal on Saturday for King.
YTM Prediction: Score Draw

Sunday

Newcastle vs Everton
Everton have had an excellent start to the Premiership season, thanks in no small part to the goal-scoring talents of Andy Johnson. His five goals in five games makes him the current top scorer in the league, and he will be looking to stay there for the whole season. Newcastle recorded a very confident 2-0 victory away to West Ham last Sunday, with new boys Damien Duff and Obafemi Martins getting on the scoresheet. There is every chance that a partnership could flourish between these two, as Duff has the creativity and flair, whereas Martins has the strength and pure pace. Whether they will get the chance to show their stuff this Sunday remains to be seen, as Everton’s defensive pairing of Yobo and Lescott are no pushovers. My money is on Johnson to open up the Newcastle defence, with the help of the mercurial Tim Cahill. However, I never write the Toon army off, and I’m going for a draw.
YTM Prediction: Score Draw

Monday

Portsmouth vs Bolton
The highly publicised transfer ‘bungs’ saga has pointed fingers at both managers on show at Fratton Park on Monday night. They will be looking to put that to one side and concentrate on what could be a vital game in front of the cameras. Portsmouth have yet to concede a goal in the Premiership this season, and Bolton defence is looking more solid than ever, thanks to influential players such as Gary Speed and Ivan Campo. Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp will be looking for another victory to regain top spot in the league, whereas Sam Allardyce will be hoping to keep a clean sheet against tricky opposition. I predict that Monday night will be a defending showcase, which unfortunately doesn’t make for good television.
YTM Prediction: Goalless Draw

Any thoughts about these predictions? Think that Fulham will turn over Chelsea, or Reading will get something against Man Utd? Post your opinions here and then mock me on Monday morning!

YTM HQ