Bolton Vs Liverpool
At the time of writing it is already 1-0 to the Scousers at half time and I don't really see Bolton coming back into it.
Final Score 0-2.
Arsenal Vs Villa
I see this one as a draw. Although Arsenal will be full of confidence I think Villa will raise their game for such an important match
Final Score 1-1.
Blackburn Vs Sunderland
I think this will be another draw. Both teams are in awful form and goals seem hard to come by and this won't change today. It won't be a classic.
Final Score 0-0.
Fulham Vs Tottenham
Fulham have a good home record but Spurs are unbeatable with Harry Redknapp so I reckon they might just snatch it probably through a Darren Bent goal.
Final Score 0-1.
Man Utd Vs Stoke
Apart from Chelsea, Utd are the best team equipped to deal with the strength of Stoke. Last season they would have kept a clean sheet but I see Stoke sneaking won due to defensive frailties. Still a comfortable win for Utd though.
Final Score 4-1.
Newcastle Vs Wigan
Newcastle seem to be finding form st home whilst Wigan can't seem to get a point anywhere even though Zaki has been a revelation this season.
Final Score 2-1.
West Ham Vs Portsmouth
Two young new managers who are finding life pretty tough at the moment. The Hammers should have won but lost 3-1 last week whilst pompey won 2-1 even though they probably deserved to lose. Luck seems to with Adams at the moment then so he may sneak it.
Final Score 1-2.
West Brom Vs Chelsea
Only one outcome here. The Baggies can't score against anyone so they won't get any against Chelsea. Comfortable away win.
Final Score 0-3.
Everton Vs Middlesborough
A tough won to call as both teams got good results last week. Boro are playing well without the luck while Everton are getting results and Saha is starting to bang them in. I'll sit on the fence and say draw.
Final Score 2-2.
Hull Vs Man City
Both teams are in awful form, each losing their last three league games. City have the money and the players but Hull have been brilliant this season. Either could win it if things go their way but I'm backing Hull to heap more presure on Sparky.
Final Score 2-0.
Mark Lawrenson Predictions
Saturday, 15 November 2008
Summer Headlines
Successful Season for United
As I predicted in my last blog, Manchester United ended up winning the Premier League as well as the Champions League after a dramatic penalty shoot-out (after Chelsea's shoot-out loss against Burnley, they have now lost their last 5 shoot-outs). The result meant it was the most succesful season for any English Club since 1999 when Manchester United done one better by winning the Treble.
Zenit St Petersburg bag UEFA cup
Europe's second competition was won by the Russians after a 2-0 win against Rangers.
Pompey secure F.A Cup
Portsmouth Football Club reach Europe for the first time after beating Cardiff 1-0 at Wembley through a Kanu goal. The win gave the oldest cup competition to Pompey for the first time in 69 years.
Spain finally win a tournament again.
44 years after they last won a major international tournament, Spain finally shake off their nearly man tags by winning Euro 2008. The team were brilliant throughout starting with their 4-1 thrashing of eventul semi-finalists Russia. The only game they not win outright was a their penalty success against Italy after a 0-0 draw in the quater finals. They then went on to play Germany in the final winning 1-0 after a Fernando Torres goal.
As I predicted in my last blog, Manchester United ended up winning the Premier League as well as the Champions League after a dramatic penalty shoot-out (after Chelsea's shoot-out loss against Burnley, they have now lost their last 5 shoot-outs). The result meant it was the most succesful season for any English Club since 1999 when Manchester United done one better by winning the Treble.
Zenit St Petersburg bag UEFA cup
Europe's second competition was won by the Russians after a 2-0 win against Rangers.
Pompey secure F.A Cup
Portsmouth Football Club reach Europe for the first time after beating Cardiff 1-0 at Wembley through a Kanu goal. The win gave the oldest cup competition to Pompey for the first time in 69 years.
Spain finally win a tournament again.
44 years after they last won a major international tournament, Spain finally shake off their nearly man tags by winning Euro 2008. The team were brilliant throughout starting with their 4-1 thrashing of eventul semi-finalists Russia. The only game they not win outright was a their penalty success against Italy after a 0-0 draw in the quater finals. They then went on to play Germany in the final winning 1-0 after a Fernando Torres goal.
Wednesday, 12 November 2008
An Apology
For those of you read this blog, which isn't many to be fair (if any), I'm sorry about the wait between the last blog and this. Whilst I'd like to say I was doing work and being productive, I was just being a little lazy but I'm back now and (hopefully) better than ever. The updates will start soon with all the footballing matters that have occurred since my last correspondence.
Friday, 9 May 2008
As the Premier League season reaches its climax on Sunday there are still many issues to be sorted out. In fact the only things guaranteed are that Derby are relegated and that Liverpool and arsenal have the 3rd and 4th Champions League spots. Apart from that everything else is still to be sorted.
The league title could be on its way to either Chelsea or Man Utd, with Utd favourites because of their far superior goal difference. This season is only the 4th time in Premiership history that the title is still to be sorted out on the final day. It is also the first time in 40 years that two teams have been on level points going into the last game. According to my predictions earlier, Utd should win the league by beating Wigan at the JJB. However, any slip ups will pretty much hand the title to Chelsea who are extremely unlikely not to beat Bolton.
The final European spot is also up for grabs as is the Intertoto spot. Everton only need a point against Newcastle to secure the UEFA cup next season. The Intertoto cup, on the other hand, is still up for grabs with Aston Villa, Blackburn and Portsmouth all able to claim it. Villa will start as clear favourites because they only need to win against West Ham to secure the place. If they were to draw, Blackburn would need to beat Birmingham to climb above them into 6th. Pompey can only get there if Villa lose and they beat Fulham.
The closest battle is to stay up. Only 1 point seperates Fulham, Reading and Birmingham. Fulham have the advantage because of their superior goal difference and they only need a win to secure survival. They should also be boosted by the fact that Pompey will be focused on their F.A. Cup preparations. Things aren't as simple for Reading who could go down even if they do win. They would need Fulham drop points. Birmingham have the hardest task, even though they are at home. They will be up against a Blackburn side who will need a win to have any chance of Europe. Even if they do win, they would require both Fulham and Birmingham to drop points.
With all the different permutations an exciting final day is guaranteed.
According to my predictions it will end up like this:
Champions: Man Utd
Uefa Cup: Everton
Intertoto Cup: Blackburn
Relegated: Birmingham and Reading
The league title could be on its way to either Chelsea or Man Utd, with Utd favourites because of their far superior goal difference. This season is only the 4th time in Premiership history that the title is still to be sorted out on the final day. It is also the first time in 40 years that two teams have been on level points going into the last game. According to my predictions earlier, Utd should win the league by beating Wigan at the JJB. However, any slip ups will pretty much hand the title to Chelsea who are extremely unlikely not to beat Bolton.
The final European spot is also up for grabs as is the Intertoto spot. Everton only need a point against Newcastle to secure the UEFA cup next season. The Intertoto cup, on the other hand, is still up for grabs with Aston Villa, Blackburn and Portsmouth all able to claim it. Villa will start as clear favourites because they only need to win against West Ham to secure the place. If they were to draw, Blackburn would need to beat Birmingham to climb above them into 6th. Pompey can only get there if Villa lose and they beat Fulham.
The closest battle is to stay up. Only 1 point seperates Fulham, Reading and Birmingham. Fulham have the advantage because of their superior goal difference and they only need a win to secure survival. They should also be boosted by the fact that Pompey will be focused on their F.A. Cup preparations. Things aren't as simple for Reading who could go down even if they do win. They would need Fulham drop points. Birmingham have the hardest task, even though they are at home. They will be up against a Blackburn side who will need a win to have any chance of Europe. Even if they do win, they would require both Fulham and Birmingham to drop points.
With all the different permutations an exciting final day is guaranteed.
According to my predictions it will end up like this:
Champions: Man Utd
Uefa Cup: Everton
Intertoto Cup: Blackburn
Relegated: Birmingham and Reading
Final Day Predictions
Birmingham Vs Blackburn
A tough one to call as both teams need a win. Birmingham to stay up and Blackburn to have a chance of the Intertoto cup.
Final Score 1-2.
Chelsea Vs Bolton
Unfortunately I just can't see Bolton getting anything out of this, especially as they are now safe.
Final Score 2-0.
Derby Vs Reading
Derby won't want to lose their last game and Reading can't score for love nor money. A bore draw.
Final Score 0-0.
Everton Vs Newcastle
Both teams will want to finish on a high and I fell they will cancel each other out.
Final Score 1-1.
Middlesborough Vs Man City
As there is so much much turmoil at City right now I really can't see them winning. Boro on the other hand appear to be on the up.
Final Score 2-1.
Portsmouth Vs Fulham
This one all depends on how much Pompey will be thinking about the cup final. I can see Fulham just about sneaking it .
Final Score 0-1.
Sunderland Vs Arsenal
Sunderland will want to end their season well but I think Arsenal will overpower them in the end.
Final Score 1-4.
Tottenham Vs Liverpool
An end of season game with neither club having anything to play for? Has to be a draw, hopefully with a few goals.
Final Score 2-2.
West Ham Vs Aston Villa
If Villa can concentrate amid the Barry speculation then they should win it. I don't know if they'll be able to do that though, so I'll go for a draw.
Final Score 1-1.
Wigan Vs Manchester United
They surely can't let the title slip from their grasp now, can they? I hope and think not. Utd to win.
Final Score 1-3.
Now compare me to Lawro and his predictions.
A tough one to call as both teams need a win. Birmingham to stay up and Blackburn to have a chance of the Intertoto cup.
Final Score 1-2.
Chelsea Vs Bolton
Unfortunately I just can't see Bolton getting anything out of this, especially as they are now safe.
Final Score 2-0.
Derby Vs Reading
Derby won't want to lose their last game and Reading can't score for love nor money. A bore draw.
Final Score 0-0.
Everton Vs Newcastle
Both teams will want to finish on a high and I fell they will cancel each other out.
Final Score 1-1.
Middlesborough Vs Man City
As there is so much much turmoil at City right now I really can't see them winning. Boro on the other hand appear to be on the up.
Final Score 2-1.
Portsmouth Vs Fulham
This one all depends on how much Pompey will be thinking about the cup final. I can see Fulham just about sneaking it .
Final Score 0-1.
Sunderland Vs Arsenal
Sunderland will want to end their season well but I think Arsenal will overpower them in the end.
Final Score 1-4.
Tottenham Vs Liverpool
An end of season game with neither club having anything to play for? Has to be a draw, hopefully with a few goals.
Final Score 2-2.
West Ham Vs Aston Villa
If Villa can concentrate amid the Barry speculation then they should win it. I don't know if they'll be able to do that though, so I'll go for a draw.
Final Score 1-1.
Wigan Vs Manchester United
They surely can't let the title slip from their grasp now, can they? I hope and think not. Utd to win.
Final Score 1-3.
Now compare me to Lawro and his predictions.
Rijkaard Off
Barcelona manager Frank Rikjarrd will leave his position at the end of the season, with former Barca captain Josep Guardiola replacing him. This comes after two trophyless seasons at the Nov Camp. In addition, the Spanish giants will have to qualify for next years Ch
ampions League after their 4-1 hammering against fierce rivals Real Madrid, leaves them unable to finish above 3rd place. (Real had already been crowned champions after winning against Osasuna on Sunday.)
In other news it looks as though Arsene Wenger will not be able to stop the mass exodus from Arsenal. After it was confirmed that Mathieu Flamini, it looks like other midfield star Alexander Hleb will join him. The news will come as a real blow to Wenger who claimed his main priority of the summer was to keep his young squad together. It looks like he may have failed to this and who knows will the Gonners will finish up next season.
Also, it appears that Rafa Benitez has put a £15m price tag on Peter Crouch. This seems a little silly considering he will only bid £10m for Gareth Barry. Both are about the same age but surely Barry is a lot more influential. I think Benitez is starting to lose it if he feels Crouch is worth more than Barry, but then I suppose the power goes to your head when working for one of the big four.
ampions League after their 4-1 hammering against fierce rivals Real Madrid, leaves them unable to finish above 3rd place. (Real had already been crowned champions after winning against Osasuna on Sunday.)The Dutchman was appointed in 2003 and went on the La Liga in 2005. In 2006, his Barca team claimed the league and Champions League double after his team beat Arsenal in the final.
In other news it looks as though Arsene Wenger will not be able to stop the mass exodus from Arsenal. After it was confirmed that Mathieu Flamini, it looks like other midfield star Alexander Hleb will join him. The news will come as a real blow to Wenger who claimed his main priority of the summer was to keep his young squad together. It looks like he may have failed to this and who knows will the Gonners will finish up next season.
Also, it appears that Rafa Benitez has put a £15m price tag on Peter Crouch. This seems a little silly considering he will only bid £10m for Gareth Barry. Both are about the same age but surely Barry is a lot more influential. I think Benitez is starting to lose it if he feels Crouch is worth more than Barry, but then I suppose the power goes to your head when working for one of the big four.
Thursday, 8 May 2008
Erikkson to Benfica?
It didn't Sven to long get a new job, did it? After last week being told he will be sacked at the end of the season, the former England manager looks like he is going to Benfica after reports suggest he has opened talks with the club. The saga around Man City is getting absolutely ridiculous and I'm not entirely sure what is going on. The fans want him to stay, he wants to stay but it looks like he is definitely going to be leaving. It is an absolute farce but what do expect from such a crazy owner? Big Phil Scolari looks likely to replace him and again I think it is the wrong solution (if he wants to go there of course). Will he be the right man? Only time will tell but I think not.
The other big news of the day is that Sunderland manager Roy Keane has started his summer clear-out as he releases four players. Striker Andy Cole and defenders Stephen Wright, Ian Harte and Stan Varga are the unlucky quartet. Other players could feel quite lucky they haven't joined them after Keane's furious out burst after Saturdays 2-0 loss to Bolton.
The other big news of the day is that Sunderland manager Roy Keane has started his summer clear-out as he releases four players. Striker Andy Cole and defenders Stephen Wright, Ian Harte and Stan Varga are the unlucky quartet. Other players could feel quite lucky they haven't joined them after Keane's furious out burst after Saturdays 2-0 loss to Bolton.
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