Premier League Predictions - Wednesday 28th November 2012

Prediction Review from yesterday - Bet 3 Won 2 Lost 1 = + 1
(+1 for every correct prediction; -1 for every incorrect prediction)

Wed 28th November:

Chelsea vrs Fulham:

It should be another tense atmosphere at Stamford Bridge with supporters vowing to continue their protest against the appointment of Benitez. Evidence from last weekend's game against City is that Chelsea are taking a more cautious approach to games. Fulham have not been playing well away from home and I can only see one winner here and they wear blue. I reckon it will be tight to begin with but Chelsea to win by a low score.

Prediction : Chelsea win
Actual: 0-0       (-1)
Everton vrs Arsenal:

Both these teams are not firing on all cylinders at present. Everton have lost their way recently after an excellent start. Fellaini should make a return today and he will be a big bonus against a fragile Arsenal team. Moyes and Everton supporters will be hoping Everton are not doing in reverse what they have done in previous years i.e start badly and finish the season strongly. I am going for Everton to pick up a win here tonight. Goodison park is a tough place to go and I don't think Arsenal will be up to the fight on a cold winter evening on the North West against a physical Everton side.

Prediction: Everton win
Actual - 1-1     (-1) Nearly got it right as Everton were the better team and deserved to win.
Southampton vrs Norwich:

I really am impressed with Southampton at the moment. They are suddenly playing with loads of energy and I really like a lot of their players especially Putcheon, Clyne and the youngster Cork in midfield. Put that with the talent we know of Lalana, Rodriquez and Lambert and you have a good side in good form. Norwich have done very well to grind out some good results recently but I think they have exerted a lot physically to achieve that and I think they won't be able to match the pace of the Saints game.

Prediction: Southampton win
Actual: 1-1  (-1)
Stoke vrs Newcastle: 

I watched the Potter's victory at the weekend and they didn't show anything we didn't know before. Tough to beat incessant in their aerial attacks. Newcastle are in trouble at present. They seem to be very stale. It must be due to their Europa League campaign. They had to start the season early and games have been coming thick and fast for them. They will need some creativity to break through the Stoke defense and with Cabaye and Arfa injured I don't think they have enough to do that. Guttierez also is no central midfielder. This will be a low scoring game.

Prediction- Under 2.5 goals
Actual: Over 2.5 goals (-1) I was  torn between the under 2.5 and a Stoke win. All was going well for me until Stoke scored 2 late goals.

Swansea vrs West Brom:

West Brom have been the surprise package this year. I still don't know how they have done it. They have a team of very solid and consistent performers. Brunt, Long and Morrison had proven themselves last year and the club have bought well to bring in players have equal quality that have fit right into the team. Everyone is raving about defensive midfielder Yacob.
Swansea have also quietly impressed me and the next five games I feel will be vital in determining if they are going to kick on and challenge for a European position or if they will just have mid table mediocrity to play for. On paper they have some very exciting players but I feel the new signings are still adjusting to the Premier League. When they click they are as good as any team in the league offensively. It is their defense that I am not too convinced by. Injuries and new signings have meant that they have not been as solid as last year. I think it will be a good open game but ultimately a draw.

Prediction - Draw
Actual - 3-1  (-1) The selection of Dyer, Routledge and Pablo together in support of Michu took everyone by surprise including it seems West Brom.

Tottenham Vrs Liverpool:

If I was a Spurs player I would be frightened every day going to work. Frightened because of what Villa Boas might ask us to do for the next game. He seems to have discovered in his youth the "Magic book of Tactics" but has not yet mastered how to interpret it. I am going for a home win purely on the return to form of Bale who single-handedly won the last game for Spurs at the weekend. Otherwise their is very little between the teams.

Prediction - Spurs win
Actual - 2-1 (+1)  Spot on here as it was the Bale show, especially in the first half. Tottenham looked very nervous though when Liverpool got at them in the second half.
Man Utd - West Ham:

All of  United's games have gone the same way recenly (bar the Norwich game) - fall behind then come back to win. However United see fit to do it this time their can only be one outcome.

Prediction - Man Utd. win
Actual - 1-0 (+1) As expected really
Wigan vrs Man City:

Wigan are like a box of chocolates at the moment when you go to see them you just don't know what you are going to get. They started the weekend poorly but managed to come back to win 3-2 which was another example of their Jeckyll and Hyde performances. When they play well though they look really good. Di Santos and Kone particularly stand out. I think this is the kind of game that they will raise their game to - or at least that they should raise their game to. Man City have just been going through the motions picking up points but I think they could be in for a surprise tonight in a game that they will be expected to win. The logical thing therefore is to say a draw but I am going to stick my head out and say a Wigan win!

Prediction - Wigan win
Actual: 0-2  (-1) For 69 minutes I was looking good but Wigan did not take any of their numerous chances and then City were always going to make them pay which of course they did.

Score from last week  +1
Total this week  -4
New Total  -3