Aston Villa Vs Norwich
Aston Villa were beaten by a late Chris Baird goal at Fulham last weekend and left West London with no points for their troubles. That defeat left them just 1 place above the relegation zone with a points tally of 5 points from 8 games played. Villa must improve if they are to avoid the relegation dog fight they found themselves in last year. Norwich produced the surprise result of the weekend beating Arsenal at Carrow Road which moved them out of the drop zone. Reliable front man Grant Holt scored the only goal of the match and The Canaries were able to hold on for an unlikely win against The Gunners.
Prediction 0-0
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Arsenal Vs QPR
Arsenal were stunned by Norwich in their last fixture and lost to a solitary Grant Holt strike. Arsene Wenger will demand an immediate response from his players when QPR visit The Emirates on Saturday afternoon. The Gunners are already 10 points behind league leaders Chelsea and cannot afford to lose any further ground. Several clubs will be challenging for Top 4 finishes this season and Arsenal are currently languishing in 9th. Queens Park Rangers were unfortunate not to take all 3 points when Everton visited Loftus Road on Super Sunday. The dismissal of Steven Pienaar seemed to give QPR the opportunity to register their first win of the campaign. I cannot see them getting 3 points on Saturday.
Prediction 3-1
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Reading Vs Fulham
Reading lost their last game at Anfield and they currently sit 19th in the table. The Royals must improve their home form if they are to avoid the drop this season. They have a run of fixtures against other clubs who may be involved in the relegation battle so it is time for Reading to find some positive form. Fulham continued their positive start to the season with a late winner against Aston Villa at Craven Cottage. 13 points from 8 matches played is a very encouraging tally which Fulham fans will be delighted with. Martin Jol has done an excellent job at Fulham which has largely gone unnoticed thus far.
Prediction 1-1
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Stoke Vs Sunderland
Despite taking an early lead at Old Trafford, Stoke were defeated 4-2 by Manchester United. Stoke were undone by the attacking threat of United and will need to keep things tighter at the back when Sunderland visit The Britannia. The Black Cats were involved in the Tyne and Wear Derby and were able to snatch a point from arch rivals Newcastle with a late equaliser at The Stadium of Light. With Stoke in 13th and Sunderland in 14th position, one of these clubs could propel themselves into the top half with a victory on Saturday afternoon. Due to their terrific support at The Britannia, I am going for a Stoke victory here.
Prediction 2-1
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Wigan Vs West Ham
Wigan were unable to pull back a 2 goal deficit against Swansea in their last fixture and lost 2-1. This result left them sitting 16th in the League and they could ease some anxiety at The DW Stadium with a win over West Ham who visit on Saturday. The Hammers recorded an emphatic 4-1 win over Southampton to move themselves into 7th place with an impressive haul of 14 points – Level with Spurs at this early stage. West Ham beat QPR on the road and will fancy their chances of securing another victory away from Upton Park. Wigan fans will be hoping to record their second win of the season.
Prediction 2-2
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Manchester City Vs Swansea
Manchester City were hugely grateful to Edin Dzeko after the Bosnian scored two late goals to beat West Brom at The Hawthorns on Saturday evening. With 80 minutes on the clock, City were losing 1-0 and down to 10 men thanks to Milner’s dismissal. Dzeko fired them to an unlikely win and they are just 4 points off Chelsea at the top as a result. Swansea were able to keep Wigan at bay and sit in the top half of the table following their 3 points. Michu continues to find the net and City defenders must keep a close eye on him to shut him out at The Etihad. I cannot see Swansea getting anything from this match.
Prediction 3-1
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Everton Vs Liverpool
Super Sunday kicks off with one of the biggest Derby games in football. Everton take on arch rivals Liverpool at Goodison Park and start the game 6 points ahead of their neighbours. Everton will be without the services of two key players in suspended Steven Pienaar and injured Marouane Fellaini. Liverpool have won 2 of their last 3 games and will be hoping to capitalise on the absence of Everton’s creative duo. Brendan Rodgers’ team seem to have improved in the last few weeks and this will be a test of their credentials as a top 4 team. I think this game will end in a draw which will keep Everton in touch with the leading pack.
Prediction 1-1
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Newcastle Vs West Brom
Newcastle did extremely well to keep Sunderland at bay and almost won their last game despite playing with 10 men for well over an hour. As a result of his red card at The Stadium of Light, Tiote will miss this match due to suspension. The attacking trio of Ba, Cisse and Ben Arfa have had a baron few weeks and will be looking to find their rhythm when West Brom visit St James’ Park on Sunday. West Brom were cruelly beaten by a last minute winner from Dzeko and will need to be more ruthless if they are to maintain their impressive start to the season. I expect Newcastle to win this game by a narrow margin.
Prediction 2-1
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Southampton Vs Tottenham
Southampton left East London with their tails between their legs following a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of West Ham. With a single victory in their opening 8 matches, Southampton must start picking up points to ease fears of relegation among their fans and players alike. Tottenham were unfortunate to come up against Juan Mata at his best at White Hart Lane on Saturday. AVB will have been desperately disappointed to lose after leading 2-1 in the second half. Bale and Dembele should be available for selection again and this gives Spurs far more threat in the attacking area of the pitch.
Prediction 1-2
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Chelsea Vs Manchester United
Without doubt, the game of the weekend takes place at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon. League leaders Chelsea face Manchester United in a crunch fixture which every football fan will be relishing. Chelsea are riding high on confidence after beating London rivals Spurs 4-2 at White Hart Lane on Saturday despite the absence of suspended Skipper John Terry. Juan Mata and Eden Hazard seem to be on the same wavelength and this will terrify the United defence which has looked far from rock solid in recent weeks. United have attacking threat of their own with Robin Van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck all on form against Stoke. All 3 got on the scoresheet against Stoke and will hope to do the same in West London. Anything can happen when these two meet but I am expecting a home win.
Prediction 2-0
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