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EPL Predictions: Round 26
With an important round of fixtures coming up in the English Premier League, Goal.com's Atishay Agarwal gives us his predictions on the outcome of each one of them...
20-Feb-2009 5:19:28 PM
Last Round:
Correct Results: 5
Perfect Scores: 3
Aston Villa vs Chelsea
So consistent have Aston Villa been this season, that a Chelsea win this weekend would almost considered an upset. Villa are unbeaten in 14 games, and did extremely well in the last round of fixtures to get past a resilient Blackburn side under Sam Allardyce. The game represents a new beginning for Chelsea after Scolari, and will be a true test of character for the players, and for new boss Guus Hiddink. Make no mistake about it, Chelsea are well-involved in the race for fourth spot, and Villa are strong at home. However, I'll pick Chelsea for this game, as I think the players will really be up for the game, to prove a point to Hiddink.
Prediction: 1-2
Arsenal vs Sunderland
How a game can change the outlook of a team. Arsenal were down in the dumps, not scoring goals, and the fans were despondent, but one game and an Eduardo brace later, the Gunners are brimming with positivity. The dampener will be Eduardo's absence due to a hamstring strain, but Andrey Arshavin will finally make his debut for the club. Sunderland have recovered well under Sbragia, and are in 11th spot, but I think the home side will turn up for this one, and win comfortably.
Prediction: 3-1
Bolton Wanderers vs West Ham United
Bolton come into the game after a 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Everton, but will gain some confidence out of the fact that they won their last game at the Reebok, even if it was against Tottenham. West Ham are playing very well at the moment, and have a fantastic team in the form of Zola and Steve Clarke guiding them. West Ham are definitely the better side, and play the better football, but Bolton are not easy to play at home, which means I'm sitting on the fence for this one.
Prediction: 1-1
Stoke City vs Portsmouth
It's quite fascinating how the mere arrival or departure of a manager can lift a football side. Tony Adams' had won one game in his last 10 attempts as manager, but as soon as he left, the same players pulled off a win against Manchester City. However, what may have helped them was that they played City, who are unfathomably inconsistent. Stoke are horrible away from home, but are strong on their own turf, and I expect them to win this game.
Prediction: 2-1
Middlesbrough vs Wigan Athletic
Boro haven't won a league game since early November, and have spiraled down the league table, where they occupy 19th spot. Manager Gareth Southgate has been trusted admirably by his bosses, but even he knows it's time his team delivered. Steve Bruce, on the other hand, has done an amazing job with Wigan, although he would have been disappointed with the 0-0 draw with Fulham two weeks back. Logic says Wigan, but I get a gut feeling it will be Middlesbrough.
Prediction: 1-0
Manchester United vs Blackburn Rovers
Arsene Wenger described United as "Untouchables" on current form, and not many would disagree. A victory over Fulham in midweek means that their lead at the top has stretched to five points, and with Rooney back, they can only get stronger. Blackburn have been tough opponents under Allardyce, but a visit to Old Trafford, where United are unbeaten in the league, will prove too tough to get anything out of.
Prediction: 2-0
Fulham vs West Bromwich Albion
The Cottagers were totally outclassed by Man United in midweek, and might be reeling from that defeat, but luckily enough, they're up against West Brom at home, who were beaten at home by a manager-less Newcastle side two weeks back, and cannot seem to get out of bottom spot, forget the relegation zone. Fulham as always, have been strong at home this season, so I expect nothing but a win for them, in what should be an entertaining match.
Prediction: 3-2
Liverpool vs Manchester City
Liverpool, for the first time in so many years, look to be genuine title contenders, and are finding means to win even when they're not playing at their best, which is the hallmark of a champion side. I really don't know what to say about Manchester City, they're just too inconsistent for comfort. Despite having some wonderful creative players, they've been exposed at the back many times, and they will be this time around as well. But don't count them out, they're more than capable of scoring themselves, and will run Liverpool close.
Prediction: 2-1
Newcastle United vs Everton
Everton have performed admirably this season, especially in the new year, and have only lost to Manchester United and Aston Villa since December. They will be coming into the game with a lot of confidence too, as they got past an otherwise rampaging Aston Villa side 3-1 in the FA Cup. Newcastle did win away at West Brom last time out, but in all fairness, that was West Brom, and might not gain anything out of this fixture.
Predictions: 0-1
Hull City vs Tottenham Hotspur
Both these sides drew 0-0 in the last round against higher-placed opposition, but the lower-placed Spurs will be more desperate to win after a missed opportunity against Arsenal in the North London derby. Harry Redknapp's side are just two points away from the relegation zone, and still haven't found the consistency they should have with the group of players that they possess. Hull wont be easy to beat, and I'll go for a draw.
Prediction: 2-2
Atishay Agarwal
Disagree with the predictions? Tell us yours through the comments section below!
| Match | Predicted Score | Actual Score |
| Man City-Middlesbrough | 1-0 | 1-0 |
| Blackburn-Aston Villa | 1-1 | 0-2 |
| Chelsea-Hull City | 3-0 | 0-0 |
| Everton-Bolton | 2-1 | 3-0 |
| Wigan-Fulham | 3-1 | 0-0 |
| West Brom-Newcastle | 2-1 | 2-3 |
| Sunderland-Stoke City | 2-0 | 2-0 |
| Portsmouth-Liverpool | 0-0 | 2-3 |
| Tottenham-Arsenal | 2-2 | 0-0 |
| West Ham-Man Utd | 0-1 | 0-1 |
Correct Results: 5
Perfect Scores: 3
Aston Villa vs Chelsea
So consistent have Aston Villa been this season, that a Chelsea win this weekend would almost considered an upset. Villa are unbeaten in 14 games, and did extremely well in the last round of fixtures to get past a resilient Blackburn side under Sam Allardyce. The game represents a new beginning for Chelsea after Scolari, and will be a true test of character for the players, and for new boss Guus Hiddink. Make no mistake about it, Chelsea are well-involved in the race for fourth spot, and Villa are strong at home. However, I'll pick Chelsea for this game, as I think the players will really be up for the game, to prove a point to Hiddink.
Prediction: 1-2
Arsenal vs Sunderland
How a game can change the outlook of a team. Arsenal were down in the dumps, not scoring goals, and the fans were despondent, but one game and an Eduardo brace later, the Gunners are brimming with positivity. The dampener will be Eduardo's absence due to a hamstring strain, but Andrey Arshavin will finally make his debut for the club. Sunderland have recovered well under Sbragia, and are in 11th spot, but I think the home side will turn up for this one, and win comfortably.
Prediction: 3-1
Bolton Wanderers vs West Ham United
Bolton come into the game after a 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Everton, but will gain some confidence out of the fact that they won their last game at the Reebok, even if it was against Tottenham. West Ham are playing very well at the moment, and have a fantastic team in the form of Zola and Steve Clarke guiding them. West Ham are definitely the better side, and play the better football, but Bolton are not easy to play at home, which means I'm sitting on the fence for this one.
Prediction: 1-1
Stoke City vs Portsmouth
It's quite fascinating how the mere arrival or departure of a manager can lift a football side. Tony Adams' had won one game in his last 10 attempts as manager, but as soon as he left, the same players pulled off a win against Manchester City. However, what may have helped them was that they played City, who are unfathomably inconsistent. Stoke are horrible away from home, but are strong on their own turf, and I expect them to win this game.
Prediction: 2-1
Middlesbrough vs Wigan Athletic
Boro haven't won a league game since early November, and have spiraled down the league table, where they occupy 19th spot. Manager Gareth Southgate has been trusted admirably by his bosses, but even he knows it's time his team delivered. Steve Bruce, on the other hand, has done an amazing job with Wigan, although he would have been disappointed with the 0-0 draw with Fulham two weeks back. Logic says Wigan, but I get a gut feeling it will be Middlesbrough.
Prediction: 1-0
Manchester United vs Blackburn Rovers
Arsene Wenger described United as "Untouchables" on current form, and not many would disagree. A victory over Fulham in midweek means that their lead at the top has stretched to five points, and with Rooney back, they can only get stronger. Blackburn have been tough opponents under Allardyce, but a visit to Old Trafford, where United are unbeaten in the league, will prove too tough to get anything out of.
Prediction: 2-0
Fulham vs West Bromwich Albion
The Cottagers were totally outclassed by Man United in midweek, and might be reeling from that defeat, but luckily enough, they're up against West Brom at home, who were beaten at home by a manager-less Newcastle side two weeks back, and cannot seem to get out of bottom spot, forget the relegation zone. Fulham as always, have been strong at home this season, so I expect nothing but a win for them, in what should be an entertaining match.
Prediction: 3-2
Liverpool vs Manchester City
Liverpool, for the first time in so many years, look to be genuine title contenders, and are finding means to win even when they're not playing at their best, which is the hallmark of a champion side. I really don't know what to say about Manchester City, they're just too inconsistent for comfort. Despite having some wonderful creative players, they've been exposed at the back many times, and they will be this time around as well. But don't count them out, they're more than capable of scoring themselves, and will run Liverpool close.
Prediction: 2-1
Newcastle United vs Everton
Everton have performed admirably this season, especially in the new year, and have only lost to Manchester United and Aston Villa since December. They will be coming into the game with a lot of confidence too, as they got past an otherwise rampaging Aston Villa side 3-1 in the FA Cup. Newcastle did win away at West Brom last time out, but in all fairness, that was West Brom, and might not gain anything out of this fixture.
Predictions: 0-1
Hull City vs Tottenham Hotspur
Both these sides drew 0-0 in the last round against higher-placed opposition, but the lower-placed Spurs will be more desperate to win after a missed opportunity against Arsenal in the North London derby. Harry Redknapp's side are just two points away from the relegation zone, and still haven't found the consistency they should have with the group of players that they possess. Hull wont be easy to beat, and I'll go for a draw.
Prediction: 2-2
Atishay Agarwal
Disagree with the predictions? Tell us yours through the comments section below!
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