YTM Predictions Week 17

We have a few guest speakers for this weekend's predictions. Tom and Matt will give us their opinions on a couple of the games. Really this is just an excuse for some office bragging rights!
Should be a good weekend of Premiership football, ending with the London derby on Sunday. Well, here goes...

Saturday

Blackburn vs Newcastle
Matt: "History shows that these 2 teams are fairly evenly matched. Newcastle's star is in the ascendancy following the news that there were no further injuries after the midweek win against Reading. Blackburn's form is patchy and haven't beaten the Magpies at home since October 2002."
YTM Predictions:
Dave: 2-1
Matt: 1-2
Tom: 1-1

Bolton vs West Ham
Bolton are looking to steady the ship after a few shaky performances in recent weeks. The news that the talismanic Ivan Campo may be on his way back to Spain in January will not help matters! West Ham are in a relegation dogfight, and will be looking to get something from this game, after a terrible performance midweek against Wigan.
YTM Predictions:
Dave: 2-0
Matt: 1-0
Tom: 1-1

Liverpool vs Fulham
If Liverpool win this match, it will be 50 league wins in Rafa Benitez' 94 games in charge. That record would be better than both Ferguson and Wenger! Craig Bellamy looked in good shape last weekend against Wigan, and he may be the difference between Liverpool and a Fulham side who are very stubborn away from home.
YTM Predictions:
Dave: 2-1
Matt: 3-0
Tom: 2-0

Man Utd vs Man City
Matt: "It could be an important weekend in determining whether the Red Devils can wrest the Premiership title out of west London. City have an unlikely hoodoo over United and past results have been unpredictable. However United will attack with the same unfettered verve that destroyed Benfica in midweek and City will be pulverised."
YTM Predictions:
Dave: 2-1
Matt: 5-0
Tom: 3-1

Middlesbrough vs Wigan
Wigan have a very respectable away record so far this season, with away victories at Fulham, Bolton, and most recently, West Ham. Their counter-attacking play is paying dividends on their travels, and Middlesbrough will need to be wary of this. However, Boro's concentration may be disturbed by Gareth Southgate's battles to remain a Premiership manager, and Wigan will steal some points in this one.
YTM Predictions:
Dave: 0-1
Matt: 0-0
Tom: 1-1

Portsmouth vs Everton
Pompey boss Harry Redknapp will be looking to return to winning ways after their 2-2 draw with Villa. Although the game was great for the neutrals, it did both teams no favours in the race for positioning before the Christmas fixture list. Everton have had a disappointing season so far, and the absence of Tim Cahill is very noticeable. All three of us expect goals in this one!
YTM Predictions:
Dave: 1-1
Matt: 2-2
Tom: 2-1

Tottenham vs Charlton
New Charlton boss Les Reed has admitted that his Charlton team are in a fight to avoid relegation. This fight does not end tomorrow, but nonetheless Reed will be hoping to get a point against London rivals Spurs. Tottenham have had a fairly average start to the season, and will need to go on a run of good results to reach the heady heights of last season. However, the absence of Robbie Keane through injury is likely to make the score closer than it should be.
YTM Predictions:
Dave: 1-0
Matt: 3-0
Tom: 2-0

Watford vs Reading
Tom: "If the Royals had won at Newcastle in mid-week (and they were leading at one point) they would have gone third in the table. A truly fantastic effort and Steve Coppell deserves massive credit for keeping faith with his Championship winning squad and keeping his feet on the ground. Watford on the other hand look out of their depth and losing to Sheffield United was a big blow. Expect the excellent Kevin Doyle to continue his hot streak of four goals in five games."
YTM Predictions:
Dave: 1-1
Matt: 1-2
Tom: 1-2

Sunday

Chelsea vs Arsenal
All the boys in the office feel that this game will be a closely fought affair, with only the odd-goal in it. Chelsea are the obvious favourites, but Arsenal will look to stifle them in midfield, with Adebayor the 'lone ranger' up-front. No doubt Ashley Cole will get a torrential amount of abuse from the travelling Gunners, but I believe he will rise to it, and be one of the best players on the pitch.
YTM Predictions:
Dave: 2-1
Matt: 1-1
Tom: 1-0

Monday

Sheff Utd vs Aston Villa
Tom: "Neil Warnock has his men fired up for survival and it would appear that Martin O'Neil's extended honeymoon period is grinding to a halt. Bramall Lane is a tough place to visit at the best of times and after three draws and a loss in the last four games the timing is all wrong for the Villains. The Blades will win lots of second balls, run all day and score from a set-piece."
YTM Predictions:
Dave: 0-0
Matt: 1-1
Tom: 2-1

And that's your lot guys! Thanks to Matt and Tom for lend us some of their wisdom...

Good luck to all your teams this weekend.

Cheers

Dave @ YTM HQ