Premier League Predictions Week 5

The Barclays Premier League Preview 17^th and 18^th September

The Premier League returns this weekend after Champions league and Europa League matches were played in the midweek. Finally I can watch some proper football this weekend and I cannot wait!

There are some mouth-watering clashes this weekend and being a traditionalist, I am really happy to see six games being played on a Saturday.

The league is setting up quite nicely already, with the top teams leading the way, and the main contenders for the drop sitting at the bottom of the league, but what might be surprising to some, is the way Stoke City have started this campaign, not only on the domestic front but also in Europe with an excellent draw away against Dynamo Kiev and they were unlucky not to take away full points. I for one am not surprised in the slightest as I believe Tony Pulis has invested very well in his squad with the signings of Cameron Jerome, Peter Crouch and Wilson Palacios to name a few.

This Sunday the Potters take on Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, and I expect Stoke to continue their impressive form and come away with at least a draw. My only reservation is the fact that they played in Europe and might be slightly tired from their travels but having said that Pulis has rotated his squad quite cutely.

On the other hand, Steve Bruce is under pressure to get a result with papers suggesting that he may be on borrowed time in regards to being Sunderland’s manager. He has not had the start that anyone at the club would have expected and with heavy investment in his squad he should be achieving more. He has signed experienced footballers who know what is needed to play in the league but they just haven’t clicked. The North-East outfit really haven’t looked the same club since selling Darren Bent to Aston Villa and this week loaned out Assamoah Gyan to a team that is unpronounceable, Al-Ain.

Arun predicts Sunderland 1-2 Stoke City

Aston Villa vs. Newcastle is the next game on the agenda. This game intrigues me as I expected both teams to be near the drop yet they have proved me wrong and are still unbeaten after games. Aston Villa looked was like a sinking ship at times last season, so when Alex McLeish took the reigns over from Gerard Houllier, I thought the ship would truly sink down to the Championship this year. However Mcleish has installed some confidence into the Midlands outfit which is a positive sign because a league without a big West Midlands club in it wouldn’t be the same.

Newcastle have also surprised me because they have let Kevin Nolan go to West Ham and have also released Joey Barton to QPR. I still think they are a striker short for this season and they will heavily rely on Shola Ameobi and Leon Best to provide the goals but both are hardly prolific in front of goal.

For me someone 0 has to go, and you might be interested to know that Villa have beaten Newcastle on their last four meetings at Villa Park, so I am going to stick with past form.

Arun predicts Aston Villa 3-1 Newcastle United

Blackburn Rovers vs. Arsenal is the early kick off on Saturday and this encounter brings a clash of two managers under severe pressure from their respective fans. Arsenal would have felt elated after their transfer day deadline moves but in midweek they looked poor in the Champions League, but they need time to gel. Arsene Wenger is old enough, and let’s be realistic; ugly enough to know that he needs a convincing win after a lacklustre performance against Dortmund and a scrape past new boys Swansea.

Blackburn on the other hand look tired already, and we are only four games in. Personally speaking, I think Steve Keen has bitten off more than he can chew by taking on the Rovers job. He jumped from coach to manager without any experience and sometimes that can be a major mistake. He may have thought it was a piece of cake after he masterminded a league win over Liverpool last season, when the Reds were under Roy Hodgson, but saying that, I reckon the Indian cricket team could have beaten Liverpool last season!!

I don’t predict a rout but I do expect an away win and I think Keen’s days are numbered.

Arun predicts Blackburn 0-2 Arsenal.

Bolton vs. Norwich

This game really does touch me where it tickles. Bolton need to bounce back after the drumming they received from Man Utd and Norwich City need some points on the table after only securing two draws in their first four league games back in the big time. I hope Liverpool old boy, who is a young boy, David N’Gog is given a chance because he can be a top finisher.

This will be the third time the two sides meet in the Premier League and I expect a home win. I think Norwich will struggle in this game and predict a home win.

Arun predicts Bolton 4-1 Norwich

Everton vs. Wigan. Two teams that need reinvestment, but when will it come, who knows. It is public knowledge that the small club on Merseyside are looking for major investors to improve the squad but nobody has come in with a firm offer.

Wigan are struggling and will continue to struggle this year in my opinion and are destined for the drop. These are the type of fixtures that only fans of the respective clubs will follow, neutrals won’t get excited by the fixture and I am one of those neutrals.

Arun predicts Everton 2-1 Wigan

Swansea against West Brom is another one of those fixtures that doesn’t exactly give you butterflies in the stomach. Brendan Rodgers’ side are still looking for their first goal in the top flight and tomorrows clash should, and I say should, provide the home fans with something to celebrate.

However do I see them winning, no. I believe West Brom have got good striking options with Odemwingie and Long in good form.

It will be a big clash to boost one of the sides up the table but I don’t see anything special in either team to separate them.

Arun predicts Swansea 2-2 West Brom

Wolves take on Neil Warnock’s QPR at Molineux on Saturday, and this clash entices me because both managers really annoy the hell out of me. They are both so boring and whine like little babies when things don’t go in their favour. Warnock is known for talking nonsense and I don’t think anything will change in that respect. Because of my angst towards both of them, I hope it is a boring 0-0 but I don’t think that will be the case. Although QPR played very well against Newcastle in their last home game and probably deserved to win, playing away in this league is a different matter, and I don’t think they have manned up to the expectations of the league just yet.

Arun predicts Wolves 2-1 QPR

There are three more games left to predict and the first one comes from Craven Cottage, where Fulham take on mega rich Man City. Both have played in Europe this week and so both squads will probably be tired. However Man City have a far bigger and superior squad to Fulham’s and have had an extra days rest. But there is another however, Fulham are very good at home, and I have a gut feeling. In football, always go with your gut feeling, and I hope my gut is right… Even though I should be looking at the form side, on this occasion I will go for a home win, with the likes of Dempsey, Murphy and Riise, outclassing Tevez, Nasri and Aguero.

Arun predicts Fulham 2-1 Man City

Man Utd and Chelsea is a top of the table clash and one match this weekend I will be looking forward to. I also believe United’s 100% start to the season will come to an end too. Chelsea under Andre Villas Boas look a very good side, and their midfield look like they can overpower United’s midfield. I see the midfield being a key area, and I think Meireles can unlock the key to the Red Devil’s defence, and I see Anelka and Sturridge making a nuisance of themselves against the United defence. I don’t think Chelsea will win, but I don’t think United will either.

Arun predicts Man U 2-2 Chelsea

Finally we have Spurs vs. Liverpool at White Hart Lane. I will leave it down to you, the reader, and my devoted followers to predict the score…

Thank you, I am Arun Mahey and once again, please get in contact to argue or agree with me on what I have said. I really would love some interaction…

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