Back to the Premiership after the fun of the Carling Cup Final and FA Cup Replays. Arsenal's season seems to be coming off the rails, out of both domestic cups and trailing at the halfway stage against PSV in Europe... Is this weekend such a good time to be playing high-flying Reading??
Here are my summations of the matches this weekend...
Saturday
Arsenal vs Reading
Arsene Wenger is still bitter about the linesman at the cup final. I think he ought to be worried about Steve Coppell's men coming to the Emirates and causing a major upset... something they are quite capable of doing. Generally speaking, Arsenal either comfortably win, or struggle to a draw at the Emirates. I think this one will be unlike their meeting earlier in the season, and a point each being a fair result.
Dave's YTM Prediction: Draw
Fulham vs Aston Villa
Fulham performed admirably against Man United last weekend, and Chris Coleman will be looking for a performance at that level against Villa on Saturday. Whether he gets that is another thing. However, given Villa's poor form, and the potential of Fulham's frontline, I am going to have to backs the Cottagers.
Dave's YTM Prediction: Home Win
Liverpool vs Man United
No doubt the most intriguing match of the weekend. Man U seem to be indestructible at the moment, and they will need their wits about them at Anfield. Liverpool have been playing very well of late, and their victory in Barcelona was no accident! I reckon that this will be a good match that may be settled by one or two moments of magic. A draw should be a fair result.
Dave's YTM Prediction: Draw
Man City vs Wigan
Man City haven't won a game in the Premiership since mid-January, and Wigan only last weekend recorded a good win against Newcastle. This should be a tightly-contested match, and I can't really see a match-winner in either side.
Dave's YTM Prediction: Draw
Newcastle vs Middlesbrough
A North-East derby is always worth a watch in my opinion! Newcastle are showing signs of pushing for Europe, and Roeder has sounded the rallying call ahead of this match. Let's hope it does the trick, not just for him, but for the 50,000 Geordies who deserve a much better football club.
Dave's YTM Prediction: Home Win
Portsmouth vs Chelsea
Chelsea need to win to keep up with Man United. Pompey have only won one game in the Premiership in 2007. I don't think they will be able to cope with Chelsea's power up front. The absence of John Terry makes this fixture interesting, but Chelsea should prevail.
Dave's YTM Prediction: Away Win
Sheffield United vs Everton
In their last three away games, Everton have won two and drawn a Merseyside derby. David Moyes seems to be able to get his tactics spot on when the Toffees are on their travels. Sheffield United will have to fight hard to stop Everton picking up another 3 points here.
Dave's YTM Prediction: Away Win
Watford vs Charlton
Another relegation 6-pointer! Basically this one will come down to who wants to stay in the Premiership more, and I think that Pardew is the man to save a team from the depths this season. Plus, I don't think Aidy Boothroyd ever thought they would stay up, as he keeps talking about his '5-year plan', or whatever it was. Personally, I think he looks more like the manager of a Hi-Fi store than a Premiership outfit...
Dave's YTM Prediction: Away Win
Sunday
Bolton vs Blackburn
This should be a nice, pleasant Lancashire Derby with hearts and flowers a-plenty... I expect some horrible tackles, players spitting on each other and basically the type of football that you would rather not see on TV. Fair play to Bolton for being so high in the league, but I could never contemplate supporting anyone who plays football so negatively.
Dave's YTM Prediction: Draw
West Ham vs Tottenham
Spurs have won their last three games and are obvious favourites for this game, as West Ham look like they don't want to stay up! Berbatov is looking like the signing of the season, and the Hammers defence will have their work cut out stopping him from putting another nail in their coffin.
Dave's YTM Prediction: Away Win
So there are the predictions for this weekend. Good luck to all of your teams, unless you are a Sheff Weds, Burnley, Luton, QPR, Barnsley, Hull or Southend Fan!
Cheers,
Dave @ YTM HQ
Friday, March 02, 2007
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