We did well last week scoring a 6/10 meaning we are just -1 for the season. Another good weekend and we should be back in + figures.
Live in game updates:
At half time we are 4/7 which we would take now at full time if it was offered us. Still some twists and turns to come I feel.
Final Score: A good day in terms of the predictions 5/7 +3 for the day giving us a +2 for the season. Lets hope tomorrow we can continue the trend.
Arsenal vrs West Brom:
Both sets of fans have had cause for worry in the last few weeks. Arsenal have just taken 6 points from the last 6 games contributing towards their worst points tally for this time of the year in the Wenger era. West Brom have had a reality check to their new found high position in the league with back to back defeats. Both teams will be looking to get back to winning ways this weekend. The Baggies have already exceeded their own expectations and there should be no pressure on them preventing them from going for a win here. That could fall into Arsenal's hands as they should be really up for this game after the criticism they and their manager have taken recently. The truth is they can't not afford not to.
Prediction: Arsenal win
A controversial penalty puts Arsenal 1-0 up. Was there conatct on Cazorla? It looks like there wasn't. Arsenal have been on top but have not killed the game off. Could they regret that in te 2nd half?
Actual -Arsenal win (2-0) +1
This was more a case of West Brom being very poor than Arsenal doing anything different but they will be happy to get 3 points. The penalty was a big decision and will no doubt dominate discussions on the game.
Aston Villa vrs Stoke:
This game does not shout goals. Both teams have found scoring goals hard to come by and they have also been mean in giving away goals. Stoke have been doing very well recently winning 4 of their last 5 games although 3 of those have been at home. They will be confident going into the game but Pulis has a rigid way of playing that means that Stoke don't usually play better or worse in any game.
Villa have been picking up points since playing the 2 Manchester teams recently. 2 draws and a win over Reading have seen them ticking over. Lambert has been brave since taking over in putting together a new young team from the same squad that he inherited from McLeish. It was always going to be a phase of transition and avoiding relegation will be a success for the club this year. Lambert can then slowly start bringing in his own players so it will be interesting to see if they wil bel active in the transfer window.
In this game I think both teams will be conservative and both will be happy with a draw.
Prediction: Draw & Under 2.5 goals
This game is going as we had predicted, so far. A draw and a shortage of goals.
Actual: Draw (0-0) and Under 2.5 (+2)
This game went to script. No surprises here.
Southampton vrs Reading:
My tip last week that Southampton would be overawed by their trip to Anfield was confirmed by Lallana's comments after the game. At home this weekend they should be a different proposition. Anyone who has read previous posts (tumbleweed and the sound of wind blowing) will know that I like the Saints. They have some really exciting young and commited players who I enjoy watching. Something else that could influence this game is that Southampton don't play again for two weeks while Reading must play again in 3 days on 11th December against another relegation struggler Sundeland. Nigel Adkins will be demanding 100% effort knowing that they have 2 weeks to recover.
When I look at the Reading team there is not one player whose name sticks out as me as a game changer. They are certainties for relegation in my book as I don't see them getting anything from this game.
Prediction: Southampton win
There have been chances for both teams to be ahead in this game but it is still all square. It has been an open game and I still expect there to be goals in the 2nd half. And Southampton duly oblige. It is their live wire Putcheon who puts the Saints 1-0 up.
Actual: Southampton win (1-0) (+1)
This game could have gone either way and Southampton will feel relieved that it went their way.
Sunderland vrs Chelsea:
This is a very interesting game. On paper it is a no brainer - relegation candidates against the European Champions, 17th vrs 3rd in the league. However, these are troubled times behind the scenes for Chelsea. They have stumbled from one nightmare PR event to another and there appointment of Benitez as interim manager is not conducive to stability. It is obvious to all that Chelsea want Guardiolla but why would he want them? By all accounts the ex Barcelona coach is not someone motivated purely by money but that remains to be seen. Whatever will happen in the future the whole thing stinks now. Chelsea will be looking for a win before they head off for the World Club Championship.
And what about Sunderland? Well the stats are not good - losing 14 of the last 15 meetings and they have not beaten them at home for 12 years. This season they have won 1 of their last 9 and look relegation fodder at present. Steven Fletcher started his Sunderland career impressively but due to poor suuply that rich vein has dried up. Martin O'Neill is old school. A fan of the declining 4-4-2 formation. He is not the same motivator he was 10 years ago and it will be a close run thing this season if Sunderland are to stay up. Sunderland will make it difficult for Chelsea and try to frustrate them. If they can stop Chelsea from scoring in the first 30 minutes Chelsea might start to get frustrated. In that regard Chelsea will be happy to be playing away from their restless home support.
Prediction: Chelsea win
Chelsea take the lead and it is Torres who gets it! Following up his mid week brace with the opener here. Could this be the start of some form? Everyone at Chelsea will be hoping that it is.
Torres again! This time from a penalty 2-0. Looks like Benitez did know how to get the best out of him.
Mata makes it 3-0 at the start of the 2nd half and Chelsea can start thinking of World Club Football in Japan.
Oh Yeah Adam Johnson, now you come alive when you were losing. He scores to make the score 3-1. That could only serve to make Chelsea want to score more.
Actual: Chelsea win (3-1) (+1)
This could have been a banana skin for Chelsea but with Torres regaining some form of confidence today they were able to naviagate it safely. Benitez will be relieved and Abramovich will be able to sleep happy dreams tonight in his pram.
Swansea vrs Norwich:
This game matches two teams in form. Swansea are undefeated in 7, Norwich in 9. Norwich though are not so hot in their travels as they are yet to record an away win in the league scoring only 5 goals for their efforts. I feel Norwich are over performing at present while I feel there is more to come from Swansea. Going forward they are very dangerous and the four attackers of Routledge, Dyer, Hernandez and Michu are imroving as they play more together. Hernandez, however, is still out injured for this one. After 4 straight wins, if Norwich were ever to get an away win it would be sometime soon however I feel at home Swansea should edge this one.
Prediction: Swansea win
OOps! Norwich have been doing the early running and their pressure has paid off. Norwich 1-0 ahead- Only their 6th away goal this season.
This is why you shouldn't put money on football games. Norwich have now scored their 7th away goal of the season 2-0 to the Canaries.
Looks like Norwich are on their way to doubling their away goals tally for the season. They are now 3-0 ahead and the Swans are shellshocked.
My man Michu does it again (1-3) Swansea pull a goal back after 51 mins. Could they pull this one out of the fire?
They are making a good fist of it. It is now 3-2! The momentum is with the Swans now.
Swansea had a goal disallowed but in their efforts to get the equaliser they have been caught with a suckerpunch. 4-2 to Norwich.
Swansea still not giving up in what is the game of the day. Michu strikes again 4-3.
Actual: Norwich win (4-3) (-1)
I think everything that needs to be said has been said above. Credit to Norwich who keep bucking the trend.
Wigan vrs QPR:
Harry Redknapp did not get his big win last weekend and that will have deflated a little bit of his motivational powers . Wigan have only one of their last 5 league games and have conceded more goals at home than any other team in the Premier League (15). You never know what to expect with Wigan but recently they have started to set a trend of being poor. The problem for QPR is that they can't score goals with only 11 scored this season in the league. You never know what magic Harry can wield but if QPR are to start winning you would expect it to be at home. Wigan are weakened by injury and suspension but I think they will have just enough offensively to edge this one.
Prediction: Wigan win
Not looking good for Harry and QPR. 1-0 already. Are Wigan going to show their good side today?
QPR have been working really hard and their efforts have paid off 1-1. Thats the way it stands at half time. Will the managers settle for a draw now after both have drawn blood?
It defies logic but QPR have taken the lead against Wigan. Now do you appreciate how diificult this prediction game is?
Well, that is more like it. Wigan strike straight back 1-1. They will settle for a draw now, won't they?
Actual: Draw (2-2) -1
Finally they settle for a draw. I should have seen this coming really in hindsight. Not really what QPR need as they create the unwanted Premier League record of 16 games without a win from the start of the season.
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