Premier League Predictions – Tottenham, Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United to win, Aston Villa and Chelsea to draw
The weekend sees relatively easy home ties for both title contenders (with Arsenal counting themselves out of the race and Chelsea being counted out by Fergie, and seriously, do you think Villa will take the title?) – Manchester United entertain Blackburn at Old Trafford and Liverpool play hosts to Manchester City at Anfield.
Don’t get me wrong – City are no pushovers, a squad with that much individual talent simply can’t be taken for granted, but if you account for Liverpool’s ability to grind out wins this season and Manchester City’s infuriating tendency to concede goals from silly mistakes,
Barring slip-ups, we should see United and Liverpool go into their Champions League 2nd stage ties with wins under their belts. Arsenal are certain to join them in a winning mood after a relatively simple home game against Sunderland, and so should Chelsea, despite all that’s being made out of Scolari’s departure and Villa’s form this season.
Let’s get the praise out first – Martin O’Neill and the whole Aston Villa squad have done quite well to push up not only into the Champions League spots but also go past Chelsea into 3rd place. They’re only 2 points ahead and have 13 games to go, and MON will be the first one to admit that all the progress made this season will come to nought if they don’t maintain this form till the end, but they’ve given themselves a great chance and that’s great in itself.
But the Aston Villa squad lacks the quality to overpower Chelsea in a one-off game. Yes, they have Young, and yes, Chelsea have a new manager (not to mention that they’ve scored only 4 and conceded 6 goals in the last 5 matches), but they are good enough to resist and eventually break Villa down.
The Chelsea – Villa game will be the closest of the traditional top 4 games this weekend but despite expectations from some quarters, Chelsea are quite capable of handling Villa.
Of course, if they lose this, they go 5 points behind the Villans and could get sucked into a battle for 4th place with Arsenal. Fun times.
For previews plus predictions for the full list of weekend games, see below.
Premier League Weekend Predictions:
Arsenal v Sunderland – Arsenal to win
Hull v Tottenham – Tottenham to win
Newcastle v Everton – Everton to win
Liverpool v Manchester City – Liverpool to win
Fulham v West Brom – Fulham to win
Stoke v Portsmouth – Draw
Middlesbrough v Wigan – Middlesbrough
Manchester United v Blackburn – Manchester United to win
Bolton v West Ham – Draw
Aston Villa v Chelsea – Draw
Topics: Arsenal, Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Chelsea, English Premier League, Everton, Fulham, Hull City, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Middlesbrough, Newcastle United, Portsmouth, Stoke City, Sunderland, Tottenham, West Brom, West Ham, Wigan
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I must say I fancy Chelsea to win. I’ve a sneaking suspicion that Chelsea and Arsenal will finish the season strongly.
As for Liverpool v City, you have to say Liverpool, but this is the type of game they have been drawing all season.
Disagree on the ‘both title contenders’ comment though Ahmed. There’s only 1 really, but I know you have to be seen to be politically correct!
February 20th, 2009 @ 11:41i think that arsenal and chelski will finish above a.villa.
February 20th, 2009 @ 11:491st – Man U
2nd – Chelsea
3rd – Liverpool
4th – Arsenal
5th – Everton
6th – A.Villa
Man U will win the FA, Carling and PL but will defeat l’pool in the final of CL in a penalty shoot-out with EVDS being MAn U’s hero!!
I agree that Man Utd are almost certs to win, they are just too good for Blackburn to get anything out of the game. Benitez might be right when he said that Liverpool will now have to win 100% of their remainding games to have any chance of winning the league.
I think Aston Villa and Chelsea are equally matched, and I wouldn’t be surprised at the draw. However, I think there will be lots of goals in the match, as Hiddink is apparently getting Chelsea to play higher up the pitch and also a more attacking style, which should suit Villa’s counter attacking style well.
February 20th, 2009 @ 14:51I think that Chelsea will have some fresh air with his new manager. That was the thing they need to overcome their crisis; A new manager. Chelsea will win easily 2-0 with Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba scoring. Man U will win, they are the strongest team at the moment. Looserpool, however will draw 1-1 against Robinho`s side.
Chelsea are willing to take at least a trophy. I think they have great chances to take FA. EPL will be second for them and they will be knocked down at semis in Champions League.
Barsa team is the fav to take it. The only team capable to avoid that is Man U.
February 20th, 2009 @ 17:55Typical top 4 plastic fan comments !!
Chelsea havent beaten Villa at Villa Park for 10 years.
We also beat them 2 – 0 at villa park last year.
It will be alot more equal that you think.
And who is that Plum ‘Redalltheway’ who has put us in 6th ? *nob Head
February 20th, 2009 @ 19:11@villarobin – yea, will be very equal, agreed.
@BD – They were leading at one point, and I don’t think they’ll blow it as badly as you’re thinking they will. Everyone drops points in the last 3 months of the league, if the same thing as last year happens, it should be close, but still a United win, of course.
February 20th, 2009 @ 21:22I think that Chelsea showed there true colours yesterday but still dont think that they will win the league!!!
February 22nd, 2009 @ 11:36I’m a Liverpool fan – United are slowing right down – of course they are still favourites but after that weekend there, Liverpool are way back into this race. All you that doubted us, watch as we lift the trophy!!! lol.
But seriously, I don’t fancy Chelsea at all any more, and anyone below that are well and truly out. It’s a United vs Liverpool race and it’s on.
Any Villa fans??? =D =D =D
*cough* 5-0 *cough* I predict Villa – 6th after that shocking show.
March 23rd, 2009 @ 15:27