Weeked Tips; December 13th, 2008

Last Weeks Results (My Picks, Actual Results)

Fulham 1-1 Man City, Fulham 1-1 Man City

Arsenal 2-0 Wigan, Arsenal 1-0 Wigan

Blackburn 1-0 Liverpool, Blackburn 1-3 Liverpool

Bolton 0-2 Chelsea, Bolton 0-4 Chelsea

Hull 0-0 Middlesboro', Hull 2-1 Middlesboro'

Newcastle 2-0 Stoke, Newcastle 2-2 Stoke

Man Utd 2-0 Sunderland, Man Utd 1-0 Sunderland

West Brom 2-1 Pompey, West Brom 1-1 Pompey

Everton 1-1 Villa, Everton 2-3 Villa


4 correct picks and 1 perfect score. A few late goals around the country turned a good week into a decent one. Lets go again!

Saturday

Middlesboro vs Arsenal

Its sure to be an entertaining, open game at the Riverside as both teams will try to impose their attractive football upon the opposition.
Boro have been doing okay of late, they were very unlucky last week at Hull, whilst Arsenal's form has been patchy at best. This one is there for the taking, for whoever wants it most.
I think Arsenal will have too much quality here. Boro have injury concerns in defence and will most probably rush Huth and Riggot back into the fold. I expect Arsenal to capitalise.

Verdict: 1-3


Aston Villa vs Bolton

Bolton have always known how to get a point away from home. They are again resillient like when allardyce was at the helm and difficult to play.
If Villa seriously want to penetrate the top four they need to be winning fixtures like this. However without Carew in the starting line-up they may well struggle to break down the door.
I'm predicting a frustrating day for O'Neils men.

Verdict: 0-0


Liverpool vs Hull

Hull are relentless this season. They keep churning the results out when nobody expects them to. However Phil Brown's positive approach away from home will play right into Liverpool's hands.
The Reds have struggled against teams who play with eleven men behind the ball; The Tiger's attacking gameplan will be welcomed by Rafa and his men.

Verdict: 2-0


Man City vs Everton

Everton are seriously handicapped through injury at the moment, especially upfront. Its difficult to see where goals will come from?
However this will be close as Everton rarely give up points easily.
The game will be tight, played largely in midfield. I think City's prowess in attack will just edge it.

Verdict: 1-0


Stoke vs Fulham

Difficult one to predict this, both are enjoying fine form of late and are therefore both due a slip up!
Fulham are pretty much at full strength in comparison to Pulis' weakened squad which may have a bearing on things; especially so considering Rory Delap is expected to be abscent with an injured arm. Hardly suprising!
Stoke have been excellent at home this season whilst Fulham are notoriously poor away from The Cottage; I'm going for a reverse in fortunes here. Away win.

Verdict: 0-1

Sunderland vs West Brom

Sunderland are a better team than the table suggests and deserved a little more faith than ex-manager Roy Keane afforded them. I'm expecting The Black Cats to respond here.
I imagine confidence in The Baggies camp is low right now; they have failed to win numerous games they have dominated. Although the league is close this year, you get the feeling its just not going to be their season.
West Brom have also lost Ishmail Miller to a long term knee injury, and in losing him they have lost their only player who looks likely to score.

Verdict: 2-0


Wigan vs Blackburn

Paul Ince cannot afford to lose this match; and I dont think he will. Despite losing, Rovers showed signs of improvement against Liverpool last week. I expect an equally spirited performance from the Lancashire outfit this week.
Wigan are looking up the league as opposed to down this season, they have a good squad, a good manager and funds. They may even have a cheeky eye on a European place.
However they're going to come up against a difficult Balckburn team desperate for a result here. Away win.

Verdict: 1-2


Spurs vs Man Utd

The outcome of this game depends on the United starting eleven; the champions are sweating over the fitness of important players.
Fully fit, Ferguson and his team would stroll to victory here. Although Spurs have enjoyed two consecutive wins, Redknapp needs to strengthen in all departments if he wants to realistically challenge the likes of Manchester United.
All things considered I think The Red Devils will have enough to get the win here. Although it will be difficult without the likes of Rooney, Berbatov, Evra and Ferdinand, If, they dont make trip.

Verdict: 0-1

Pompey vs Newcastle

Intriguing one this. Both teams are are unbeaten in a few and playing reasonably well; something has got to give.
Newcastle travel poorly, they have won one away fixture in their last nineteen. However I think they will get a result here.
Portsmouth are short in midfield, both Diarra and Diop miss out. They are also leaking goals at home and in Owen and Martins, Newcastle have strikers who will punish sloppy defending. High scoring away win.

Verdict: 2-4

Chelsea vs West ham

What a bad time for The Hammers to face their arch rivals. Things seem to be going from bad to worse for Zola.
The Italian Icon's return to Stamford Bridge should have been the spectacle here, however there are more significant sub plots surrounding this fixture, such as West Ham's financial crisis.
The East Londoners were awful at home last week against Tottenham, there is no evidence to suggest it will be different here, whilst Chelsea recorded a good win in midweek.

Verdict: 2-0


*****Top Of The Class*****

Altough 4 of last weeks 5 top bets were realised, my treble was ruined by a late goal at St James Park. How exactly did Newcastle let that lead slip by the way!? Absolute sickner.

Anyone who backed Anelka to score against his old club with me will have been happy, it was a nap though wasnt it!? I fancy history to repeat itself at the staduim of light with Keiran Richardson scoring anytime against The Baggies. 5/1 with William Hill that one. Beautiful.

There are a couple of bankers on show this week. I fully expect Chelsea, Sunderland, Liverpool and Arsenal to pick up wins. That combination makes for a promising, potentially lucrative 4-fold.

I also Fully expect Blackburn to get something at the JJB, they really cannot afford to lose this game. They are an inviting 4/5 with Stan James. Massive that. Well worth including in anyone's accumalator.

Best of luck folks.