YTM Prediction Week 37

Another week has passed. It was a fairly low-scoring week in YTM last time around, with only three players getting 10 points... the maximum for the week!

Things are obviously getting a bit tight towards the end of the season, and with Watford already fallen by the wayside, all eyes will be on the battle for survival... and the title race of course!

Saturday

Chelsea v Bolton
The first of the early kick-offs in the race for the Premiership title. Chelsea's record against Bolton at Stamford Bridge is impressive, and they should have no problem in overturning the Trotters. However, the early kick-off, the game in midweek and half an eye on Tuesday's game with Liverpool... Chelsea will need to have their wits about them to keep in touch with Man United.
Dave's YTM Prediction: Home Win

Everton v Man United
The Premiership leaders travel to Goodison Park to play one of the teams that they don't like playing... Man United seem to have the more difficult run-in out of themselves and Chelsea. Everton are on good form, and are pushing for a UEFA Cup place, so this will be no picnic for Rooney and co. However, I think their strength will see them through.
Dave's YTM Prediction: Away Win

Blackburn v Charlton
Charlton have flown 6,000 of their fans to Ewood Park for this game, in an attempt to essentially make it a home game for the Addicks. Whether this will work is another story, as Blackburn are on top form at the moment, and no-one would like to play them. Pardew will have to get his tactics spot on against Hughes' men. Should be a good game, and a draw, which isn't really good enough for Charlton.
Dave's YTM Prediction: Draw

Man City v Aston Villa
Joey Barton was in the news today, saying that Man City need to start buying 'winners' and not 'also rans' in an attempt to push the Citizens up the table. City have a good youth system, and are producing some real talent in Micah Richards, Danny Sturridge, Ismael Miller, and Stephen Ireland to name only a few. Villa seem to be waiting for the season to end to see what O'Neill can do in the transfer window. City could easily take the three in this one.
Dave's YTM Prediction: Home Win

Middlesbrough v Tottenham
Gareth Southgate was buoyed this week by the news that Jonny Woodgate was staying for another 4 years. Woodgate is a class centre back, and that signing may lead to more top-drawer signings for the Teesiders. As for the game this weekend, Tottenham threw away a lead against Arsenal, and will be sure not to make the same mistake happen again. Boro's constant threat of Viduka and Yakubu will make this interesting, but Spurs should prevail.
Dave's YTM Prediction: Away Win

Portsmouth v Liverpool
Pompey announced new stadium plans this week, and are looking forward to a new era on the docks! Hopefully the team keep their heads on the game against Liverpool! The Reds will want a confident performance ahead of Tuesday's clash with Chelsea. Liverpool's defence do not give anything away, and it will take another moment of brilliance from Taylor and co. to get anything out of this game.
Dave's YTM Prediction: Away Win

Sheff Utd v Watford
Watford are playing for pride now. The Blades are playing to stay in the division, and they will see this game as three points they cannot afford to throw away. Watford's Marlon King is back in the starting line-up, and he could perform well enough to get a move back into the Premiership, if he so wished... Blades should take this, but it will be a dogfight.
Dave's YTM Prediction: Home Win

Wigan v West Ham
Massive, MASSIVE game! West Ham need to win to keep their hopes of avoiding relegation alive. They may have lost £5.5 million this week, but a points deduction could have been a lot worse. The fact that this burden has been lifted may push them on to perform in this game. Wigan are not a side to be take lightly, and have the ability to score a few goals. I see a draw on the horizon... useless for the Hammers.
Dave's YTM Prediction: Draw

Sunday

Arsenal v Fulham
The Gunners entertain the Cottagers at the Emirates on Sunday in a match that should be quite entertaining. Lawrie Sanchez wants his team to start scoring some goals from midfield, and they will not be looking to sit back, as defeat would drag them further towards the dropzone. I have been asked if I want a season ticket for next season at the Cottage... I might... if they stay up... They should stay up... if they win this game... which they won't. Work that one out!
Dave's YTM Prediction: Home Win

Monday

Reading v Newcastle
Hopefully... Michael Owen should be back for this game! There is no doubt about it... Michael Owen is a class act and a devastating finisher. Newcastle would be higher in the league if he had have been fit all season, and England would possible be on top of the EURO Qualifying table. I hope Owen gets a goal on Monday, just to emphasize the fact that he is back! Reading will probably get one too though... those Royal party-poopers!
Dave's YTM Prediction: Draw

That's all the fixtures for this weekend. Leeds prepare for arguably the biggest game in their history against Ipswich on Saturday, and I, like thousands of other, am praying for three points!

Good luck to all your teams this weekend.

Cheers,

Dave @ YTM HQ

How to install and use our RSS feed!

Hopefully this will explain, if you don’t already know, how to install and use our RSS feed so that you can see our blog headlines on your desktop! It isn’t the easiest procedure in the world, but I managed to do it and I am nothing special when it comes to the intricacies of the internet!

- Firstly, you will need the install a ‘Feed Reader’. This is basically a program that will let you view the news items you wish to view on your desktop. The one that I use is called ‘NewsBliss’ and you can download and install it for FREE from Download.com here.

- After you have installed your reader, you need to work out how to add an ‘xml’ address to your reader. This sounds very technical, but it is in fact what these programs were made for, so it should be very straightforward! Once you know where to enter your xml feed, you can move on to the next step… getting our feed on your reader!

- On our blog, click on the ‘Subscribe to our Feed for Regular Updates!’ link, and you will be taken to the ‘Feedburner’ page for our blog.

- Then, RIGHT-CLICK on ‘View Feed XML’, which should be on the right hand side of the page. Select ‘Copy Shortcut’ and our xml feed address is saved on your clipboard.

- Then, you go back to your reader, and in the area where you need to enter an xml feed, right-click and select ‘Paste’. This should now read ‘http://feeds.feedburner.com/youthemanager?format=xml’.

- Select ‘OK’ or the equivalent on your reader, and then you should be able to read our blog postings on your PC desktop!

I really hope this helps. We are trying to make this blog as accessible as possible, and if you do have any feedback on what you want in the blog, or how helpful (or not!) this tutorial is, please leave a comment or email me at help@youthemanager.co.uk and I will reply in kind.

Happy Feed-Hunting!

Dave @ YTM HQ

YTM Predictions Week 36

We are coming to the season’s close, and the title race and relegation battles are very much alive!
Next season we will be looking to expand the blog even further, and we would love to hear about any improvements you think would benefit our mighty blog. Any suggestions? Leave your comments here or mail help@youthemanager.co.uk.

Anyway, here are my opinions on the weekend's games:

Saturday

Bolton v Reading
In the space of one week, Bolton have changed their target from battling with Arsenal for the 4th Champions League spot, to battling with Everton and the teams below for the UEFA Cup places. Sam Allardyce's team have improved yet again this season, and this will be another stern test of Reading's long-term Premiership credentials. This should be an entertaining draw.
Dave YTM Prediction: Draw

Charlton v Sheffield Utd
It's a massive game at the Valley on Saturday, and could well determine who stays up and who goes down. Alan Pardew seems to be dragging the Addicks in the right direction, but Warnock's men seem to be up for the fight. Should be a close one, but Charlton's class should eventually tell.
Dave YTM Prediction: Home Win

Fulham v Blackburn
Lawrie Sanchez needs to get the Fulham players re-motivated, or they could find themselves having derbies with Palace instead of Chelsea next season! Blackburn may be suffering from an FA Cup hangover, and Fulham should be able to get back to winning ways at the Cottage.
Dave YTM Prediction: Home Win

Liverpool v Wigan
Rafa Benitez says that Liverpool need one more win to guarantee Champions League football next season. I expect Liverpool to win this game against Wigan, but I think they won’t need their league position to get into the Champions League next season, as they will win it this term!
Dave YTM Prediction: Home Win

Man Utd v Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough are still unpredictable, but Man United are very predictable, in that they are in irresistible form at the moment, and any other prediction than a home win would be a foolish game...
Dave YTM Prediction: Home Win

Spurs v Arsenal
I really want Spurs to win this game! Not because I don't like the Gunners, because I really like their style of football. Tottenham need to take some big scalps, and then they will be able to start to climb into the top echelon of English football. I want Spurs to win for the good of British football! Don't think they will though...
Dave YTM Prediction: Draw

Watford v Man City
Man City boss Stuart Pearce seems to have the weight of relegation lifted from his shoulders, but he will still be asking his players to give 100% to the bitter end of the season. Whether his players will respond is another matter. Watford are fighting a losing battle, but fighting they are, and Marlon King's return could see a Watford victory.
Dave YTM Prediction: Home Win

West Ham v Everton
West Ham are in terrible form. Everton are playing very well at the moment, with AJ and Arteta a constant threat. The Hammers' back line will have to be on top form if they are to get anything out of this game.
Dave YTM Prediction: Draw

Sunday

Aston Villa v Pompey
Villa's season seems to have got a kick-start at a strange time, and their win away at Boro made sure that they were safe. Pompey still have an outside chance of Europe, and will try their best to get something out of this game.
Dave YTM Prediction: Draw

Newcastle v Chelsea
Michael Owen will NOT be playing in this game, and with that goes any chance of Newcastle pulling off a shock result. Chelsea will be determined to keep the gap to three points between themselves and Man United and I expect another 'professional' performance from the boys in blue.
Dave YTM Prediction: Away Win

There you have it my friends. Thanks for reading and good luck to all of your teams this weekend.

Cheers,

Dave @ YTM HQ

YTM Predictions Week 34

Hi Readers!

Here are my thoughts on what promises to be an exciting Easter weekend of football.

Good Friday

Everton v Fulham
I would love to say that Fulham will get something here, but Everton have looked very good in recent weeks, and should pick up the three points here with AJ grabbing a goal or two.
YTM Prediction - Home Win

Man City v Charlton
This is a key game before any of the other relegation battlers play on Saturday, and the team who wins would take a giant leap to safety. Emile Mpenza looks like a lively forward, and it would not surprise me if he bagged another. Never write off a team that includes Darren Bent though!
YTM Prediction - Draw

Saturday

Arsenal v West Ham
West Ham beat the Gunners in the game at Upton Park earlier in the season. The Gunners have had a good break as they were not in the Champions League Quarter Finals, and they should prove to be too strong at the Emirates.
YTM Prediction - Home Win

Blackburn v Villa
Villa don't concede many goals, and they will have to be wary of the potential ability of McCarthy and Pedersen. I think that this one will be an entertaining draw, so no Clean Sheets to be had here!
YTM Prediction - Draw

Chelsea v Spurs
Match of the weekend by far. Spurs will be looking for payback after their exit in the FA Cup, but Chelsea need to keep up with Man United. Should be a fairly open game, and I expect Chelsea to keep up their good form with a win, and Drogba grabbing another goal against Spurs.
YTM Prediction - Home Win

Middlesbrough v Watford
Middlesbrough were awful against West Ham, and they will need to raise their game to get three points against Watford. Aidy Boothroyd men are still fighting, and they may scrape a draw at the Riverside.
YTM Prediction - Draw

Pompey v Man Utd
Pompey are on poor form, and Man United will not turn the heat down, as they look to get three points and hope that Spurs take something from Chelsea.
YTM Prediction - Away Win

Reading v Liverpool
Liverpool's performance in Eindhoven was the most professional showing in European football a long time! Reading will have to be on top form if they are to get anything from this game. My money is on Crouch... It is always on Crouch!
YTM Prediction - Away Win

Sheff Utd v Newcastle
Newcastle had a very disappointing result at home to Man City last weekend, and they will be looking to get three points against the Blades, who have been very blunt of late. However, Warnock's men will be fighting, and they could surprise the Geordie Boys.
YTM Prediction - Home Win

Wigan v Bolton
I can't see this being the match of the weekend somehow. This Lancashire derby will have a lot of grit and determination, but not goals...
YTM Prediction - Draw

That's your lot guys, have a Happy Easter!

Dave @ YTM HQ