Weekend Previews And Predictions - GW 5

We're starting a weekly feature where one of the mods will take up the responsibility of giving an insight into the coming gameweek with predictions for each game.

Gameweek 5 previews and preditions

Sunderland v Middlesbrough
Having had a mixed bag of a start to the new season, The Black Cats would want to put their home record straight having lost two of the first two. Boro's start to the season has been impressive. Southgate won the manager of the month in August while his team seems to be a balanced unit in all fronts, especially going forward with the likes of Tuncay, Alfonso Alves, Mido, Downing and Aliadiere all in great nick. Tuncay is out with injury which means Mido will start up front along with Alves.
prediction: a hugely entertaining game with plenty of goals , 3-2 to home side

Blackburn v Fulham
Paul Ince has found life difficult in Premiership after an impressive opening game at Goodison Park. Having shipped in the maximum number of goals by any side(which makes me wonder more about their decision to sell Friedel and replace him with Paul Robinson) and with no victories in two matches at home, he is under pressure to get a good result against Fulham, who have started well considering they were tipped to be in relegation dog fight this season. Fulham have a great manager in Roy Hodgson and I can see them easily negotiating relegation and sitting mid table come next May.
prediciton: a tight game , 1-0 to the home side

Liverpool v Stoke City
They say its champions stuff to win when not playing well. Liverpool having done exactly the same so far, apart from their last game against Man Utd where they thoroughly deserved their victory, will hope for an easy outing against one of the relegation scrape bound Stoke City. One to watch in this one is Rory Delap with his deadly throw ins which almost turned the game around last week against Everton. Torres should be fit to feature in this game and I can see him getting on the score sheet.
prediction: easy victory for the home side, 2-0

West Ham v Newcastle
Newcastle made a dream start to the season earning a 1-1 draw against champions Man Utd at Old Trafford on the opening day. It has been a steep decline for them ever since. With off the field uncertainty, the club are in a real mess. West Ham have installed Zola as their new first team coach following the resignation of Alan Curbishley while Kevin Keegan has not yet been replaced. With Ashton out for three weeks, Carlton Cole will have the pressure of scoring goals on his shoulders. Newcastle lost to Hull City at St James' Park last week and a better performance seems far from being on the cards here.
prediction: 2-0 victory for the home side

Bolton v Arsenal
Bolton were tipped to be in a relegation fight at the start of the season and their start to the season fails to suggest differently. Having to entertain Arsenal at this point would be the last thing on their wish list. With 7 goals in last 2 league games, Arsenal are in impressive form scoring four at Ewood Park last weekend thanks to some sloppy defending by the home team. Bolton could make life tough for themselves with a similar defensive display but Arsenal having played on Wednesday in CL would not be as fresh and this is where Bolton have a slight ray of hope.
prediciton: a 3-1 away victory with a typical arsenal display

West Brom v Aston Villa
Baggies finally got their first victory in their return to top flight last weekend in a game that could have yet again slipped from their hands. West brom were favourites for survival among the promoted clubs at the start of the season but their current form does not suggest the same. Martin O'Niel has assembled a great squad at Villa with an exciting attack and an astute defense. Gabby and Young are lightning quick on the flanks and in Carew they have a potent goalscorer and an effective target man. Although Carew is doubtful to start the game, I still fancy Villa to nick this one.
prediciton: away victory with a 1-2 scoreline

Hull City v Everton
Hull are off to a flier and are currently sitting at 5th in the table. 40 points are enough to avoid relegation going by previous few seasons and they have already amassed almost 20% of them. Everton have started badly for their standard having lost two home games to Blackburn and Portsmouth but the return of Cahill, with whom they seem to do much better than without, is a boost and with Yakubu and Arteta in fine form, they could easily come out victorious from this one.
prediction: a close match with a 3-1 away victory

Man City v Portsmouth
City might have the financial muscle bigger than Chelsea now but it will take some time to build a team that could challenge the big boys. Mark Hughes would like to be there or there abouts to challenge for the top four until January when he can further strengthen the squad to have a real go for it, although I doubt if any big names would arrive at Eastlands in January. Pompey have come back well after losing the first two games of the season to Chelsea and Man United. Defoe is in deadly form and could well be a good bet for the golden boot if he continues in similar fashion. Diarra is certainly a big team material playing superbly at the heart of Pompey midfield.
prediction: good entertainment is guaranteed, a 2-1 home win

Tottenham v Wigan
Having had the worst start to the season in years, Spurs are under immense pressure and Ramos already in hot waters. With all the talent at his disposal, Ramos has failed to find the right mix and Spurs the right form. Midweek victory might lift the spirits at WHL and the team could finally get going but Wigan are no whipping boys having had a good start to the season. Zaki is in sublime goal scoring form and with Valencia and Palacios in their ranks, Wigan can be a real pain in the neck for any team.
prediction: a scrappy home victory, 3-2

Chelsea v Man Utd
Game of the weekend by all means and probably the game of the season. Chelsea boast a 6 point lead against their title rivals with just 4 games into the season, though Untited have a game in hand. A victory for the home side could take the difference to 9 points which could arguably be decisive in the long run. The game could mark the return of Ronaldo and Drogba, both could have a telling effect in the final result though both not fully fit yet. Vidic's suspension means either Evans or Brown would have to partner Rio Ferdinand in the heart of United defense while the right back position being taken by Brown or Phil Neville accordingly. While Chelsea will have Terry available after his red card was rescinded by the FA. Scholari plays in a system where the full backs have the freedom to go forward while the defensive midfielder and the two center backs make up a defensive three. Sir Alex would be looking to exploit the hole created behind the full backs and they have pacey forwards to do just the same. Rooney and Ronaldo might take up the flanks with Berba(if fit) and Tevez up front. Man United might get outplayed in the midfield and this is where I see the home side winning the game.
prediction: a tight game with plenty of chances for both sides: 2-1 to the home side


Have a great weekend ahead!

Rahul