Predictions for Week 7

Well, another week has passed and its time for me to get my prediction coat on! I’m still basking in my 6 correct predictions from last week. Granted 4 of those were fairly straight-forward, but the two score-draws have left me feeling all warm inside…
Anyway to this weekend’s games, and after the European exploits of midweek, the task of picking some winners is a very tricky one…

Saturday

Bolton vs Liverpool
Bolton have conceded only three goals so far this season in the league, and a shut-out on Saturday would mean a fifth successive clean sheet in the Premiership for Big Sam’s boys. Scoring however has been an issue, with Nicholas Anelka yet to find the net in the league. But form is temporary, and class is always present. Anelka will find his form soon enough, and the goals will come.
Liverpool have just had a very tiring battle with Galatasaray in their Champions League group, and no doubt Rafa will change his starting line-up for the umpteenth time in a row! Dirk Kuyt is beginning to find his feet, and I expect him to deliver the goods on Saturday, after Crouch’s spectacular heroics in midweek. An away win, but a narrow one.
Dave’s YTM Prediction: Away Win

Charlton vs Arsenal
Charlton boss Iain Dowie is having a tough time of it at the moment, and now probably wasn’t the best time for the visit of the Gunners, who are definitely firing on all cylinders. Charlton haven’t won in three successive Premiership games, but they have come up against the three form teams in the league in Chelsea, Pompey and Villa. Dowie will be looking for Hasselbaink and Darren Bent to propel his side up the table.
The Arsenal have slowly come to terms with the new pitch dimensions of the Emirates stadium, and this has meant that away victories are more important than ever, until they make their new home a fortress. Thierry Henry is back in goal-scoring form, with two in two, and confidence will be high enough for them to force their way past this Charlton side.
Dave’s YTM Prediction: Away Win

Chelsea vs Aston Villa
Chelsea find themselves on top of the Premiership, and after not playing that well in the first games of the season. The form of Didier Drogba must be pleasing for Mourinho, after paying £24 million and seeing little return last season. But the Portuguese mastermind kept faith, and has seen Drogba score some great goals this season so far.
Aston Villa are a new team under Martin O’Neill, with only the one new addition. O’Neill has solidified the defence, and given youngsters like Luke Moore and Gabriel Agbonlahor the chance to impress, which they have taken with both hands. However, I feel this Chelsea test has come too soon, and fully expect Chelsea to be top of the table on Monday morning.
Dave’s YTM Prediction: Home Win

Everton vs Man City
So far this season Everton are unbeaten, and are looking far from goal-shy at home, scoring seven in their past three games. Goodison Park is quickly becoming a very harrowing place for teams to visit, and the same can be said for the visit of City on Saturday.
Since Man City’s battling performance in their 1-0 victory over Arsenal, they seem to have lost track and are struggling for results. Three defeats in a row has put a concerted amount of pressure on Stuart Pearce, and I fear that will have increased by 5pm on Saturday. Andy Johnson and co. will prove too strong for a goal-leaking Man City.
Dave’s YTM Prediction: Home Win

Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough
Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock will be wondering how he can get a victory in the Premiership. Being a Leeds fan, I’m not exactly crying over Sheff U’s poor start to the season, but they do seem to be at least competing for points. Saturday’s match-up will be difficult, and Warnock will be looking to his key men, Phil Jagielka and Rob Hulse, in an attempt to start October with a win under his belt.
Middlesbrough’s defensive revival took a knock last weekend with a home defeat to Blackburn. They will be looking for a clean sheet this weekend, and the dominant Jonathan Woodgate will be the key to this. Boro drew their last two away matches in the league, and a safe bet would be for that to happen again.
Dave’s YTM Prediction: Goalless Draw

Sunday

Blackburn vs Wigan
Over the past week, Blackburn have started to look more and more like the defensively stifling team of last season, with an away victory at Boro and then a home victory in Europe. If Mark Hughes can steady his defence, he certainly has the striking options to hurt teams.
Wigan have been very indifferent this season, their last two games being prime examples. A gutsy away draw against a strong Everton side was followed by a distinctly deflating home draw against struggling Watford. Paul Jewell is quickly realising that the second season is always harder than the first, and I predict another difficult afternoon in this Lancashire derby.
Dave’s YTM Prediction: Home Win

Man United vs Newcastle
The mighty Red Devils have suffered a couple of setbacks in the past couple of weeks in the league. They lost their 100% record to Arsenal, and then couldn’t break down a solid Reading defence and had to settle for a draw. However, an assured performance and an away victory in Europe may have instilled United with a bit more confidence.
Newcastle will be feeling very much the same way. A draw last weekend against Everton was not a great result, but two goals from new-boy Obafemi Martins put them into the UEFA Cup group stages. They will be in high spirits going into this game, but I feel that Man United will have the extra yard on the day, and walk away with three points.
Dave’s YTM Prediction: Home Win

Tottenham vs Portsmouth
It is possible that both Ledley King and Dimitar Berbatov will be available for the visit of Pompey to White Hart Lane this Sunday. If they make it, then Spurs will feel that they have every chance of getting three points. King is by far the more important of the two, as without him the Tottenham rearguard looks less than assured.
Portsmouth’s great start to the season suffered a setback on Monday with a home defeat to a dogged Bolton side. They will be looking to get back on track. I expect that Harry Redknapp will look to involve Andy Cole in proceedings, and I would not bet against him scoring if he does. This will be a close game, with not a lot in it, and I’m on the fence.
Dave’s YTM Prediction: Score Draw

West Ham vs Reading
West Ham have had a very disappointing start to the season. September is a month that Alan Pardew will want to forget, and he will be looking to the first game of October, against his old club, as a chance to get a much needed victory. Tevez and Mascherano have unsettled the side, but they are class players, and they should settle in sooner rather than later.
Reading took a point and a lot of confidence from the Man United game, and will be looking to take advantage of the Hammers’ poor form at the moment. Kevin Doyle is the man of the moment for Reading, and he will be looking to add to his tally of three goals so far this season. I predict a tough test for the Hammers at home, and a fair point the reward for the tenacious Royals.
Dave’s YTM Prediction: Score Draw

Monday

Watford vs Fulham
Forget what Aidy Bothroyd is saying to the press… Watford need a win. If they don’t get it soon they will find themselves ‘doing a Sunderland’, and struggling all season long. They have talent in their ranks, with the likes of Ashley Young and Marlon King good enough to perform at this level. Home games against the likes of Fulham are the games they need to get results from to stay up.
Fulham have their injury problems, with both Jimmy Bullard and Boa Morte on the sidelines. Wayne Routledge has made a promising start to his Fulham career, and will be the main contributor to attacks on Monday night. I was lucky enough to go and see Fulham vs Chelsea last Saturday and the Cottagers are a good team. However, the absence of Boa and Bullard are massive. I expect a spectacle of good premiership football, with the result too close to call.
Dave’s YTM Prediction: Score Draw


Well, there you have it. If you have any comments about any of these guestimates please feel free. I think I may have a few winners in there!

Cheers and good luck to Leeds at the weekend!

Dave @ YTM Helpdesk