Pearls of Wisdom 3: Premier League Predictions

Fever Pitch's very own mystic-meg John Wisdom offers his prophetic insight into this weekend's Premier League matches. Think you could do better? Post  your predictions in the comments section below:

Arsenal 2 – 0 Fulham
Josh's prediction: 3-0

Arsenal have lost their last two games at the Emirates and will be hoping to end that run of bad home form today. The omens are good – they have never been beaten by Fulham in any competition before. Cesc Fabregas remains injured but the impressive Samir Nasri has managed to recover from a slight knee injury and will be starting today. Fulham are flirting with the relegation zone and have failed to win away from home since the opening game of last season against Portsmouth. They are closing in on their own record of 33 away games without a victory. It was this time last year that Mark Hughes was fired from Manchester City and if the results don’t begin to improve he may not last too long at Fulham. Arsenal will have too much for the Cottagers today.

Birmingham City 1 – 1 Tottenham Hotspur

Josh's prediction: 1-1

Birmingham will be running high on confidence after a win against Chelsea and a last minute victory against their rivals, only to be ruined by the post-game violence of some of their fans. St. Andrews is a hard place for any team to travel to and I fancy Tottenham to struggle today. Harry Redknapp finds himself in the middle of an injury crisis once more. Bentley, Keane, Huddlestone, Dos Santos, King, Woodgate, Kaboul, Jenas, O’Hara and Van der Vaart are all injured and unlikely to feature in this one. There has been a 90th minute goal in 5 of the last 6 meetings between these to clubs. However if it is a penalty to Tottenham, Defoe will probably not be taking it, having missed 5 of his last 6 from the spot. Part of me feels that the Blues might win this one, but it is a mark of Tottenham’s status that even with all these injuries it is hard to see them losing.

Blackburn Rovers 2 – 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Josh's prediction: 2-0

Possibly the hardest game to predict this weekend. Blackburn had been on a good run of three consecutive wins before they were humiliated at Old Trafford last weekend. Wolves managed to come from behind to beat Sunderland ending a run of four straight defeats. Wolves have lost their last six away games and are the only team that has failed to keep a clean sheet this season. Blackburn with the home advantage should edge this one, although I expect it to be very close.

Chelsea 3 - 0 Everton

Josh's prediction: 3-1

Essien’s return to the starting line up will be a massive boost for Chelsea with Lampard and Terry both expected to make it onto the bench at least. They have only managed to take 4 points from the last 15, which has seen Manchester United top the table. However I think that today Chelsea will win comfortably. Everton are without the suspended Arteta, who along with Cahill, is the most important component of the Everton team. They have only managed 3 league wins this season, with Moyes desperate to sign a striker in the January window to bolster his rather tame attacking options.

Manchester City 2 – 2 Bolton Wanderers

Josh's prediction: 2-2

Manchester City have failed to score in their last 3 home games and will be hoping that a comfortable midweek win over Salzburg and a Balotelli brace will spark a home victory. Bolton are still flying high with only Manchester United and Arsenal managing to beat them this season. A win for Bolton today would see them leapfrog city, a remarkable feat when you compare the two teams’ budgets. Manchester City are still too erratic for me and although they present glimpses of brilliance, they are still too reliant upon Tevez and not consistent enough generally. Bolton, under the guidance of Coyle, have been phenomenal this season and I expect this to be a tough encounter.

Wigan Athletic 0 – 2 Stoke City
Josh's prediction: 0-1

Stoke are unbeaten in their last 3 visits to Wigan and I expect it to stay that way. Wigan have only managed to score 11 goals this season and with Rodallega suspended and Moses injured it is difficult to see how they can threaten Stoke today. Dumped out of the Carling Cup things are not looking too hopeful at the DW Stadium. Stoke on the other hand have won 3 from their last 4 and victory today will continue to move them up the table.

Blackpool versus Manchester United has been postponed due to a frozen pitch.

West Bromwich Albion 1 – 2 Newcastle United

Josh's prediction: 2-2

Newcastle were last beaten in a league game against West Brom on Boxing Day 1984. The Magpies have only taken 2 points from their last available 12, however their away form this season has been good. Barton returns from suspension and Campbell and Taylor, who did a good job against Chelsea last week, remain at the back. West Brom won emphatically last weekend against Everton and will be hoping to start to string a few wins on the trot against what they will see as a very beatable Newcastle side. However they are slightly marred by injuries to Brunt, Miller, Morrison, Odemwingie, Scharner and Shorey. Mulumbu is also serving a suspension. West Brom’s defensive record is the second worst in the league and I think that although this will be close, Newcastle will edge it.

Sunderland 2 – 2 West Ham United 
Josh's prediction: 2-2

The call for West Ham to “Save their Season” may not have fallen on deaf ears. A win against Wigan last weekend, followed by a victory over the league leaders Manchester United in the Carling Cup, and suddenly things are looking much rosier at Upton Park. Jonathan Spector, the up-until-now average looking right-back was phenomenal in the centre of their midfield on Wednesday night, and might be rewarded with another start today. Sunderland have had their build up disrupted by the weather and several of their coaching staff have been snowed in, unable to make it to the training ground. They lost to West Ham in the Carling Cup at the Stadium of Light back in September, however this time I think that it will end all square.

Liverpool 2 – 0 Aston Villa

Josh's prediction: 2-0

Gerard Houllier’s return to Anfield will be an interesting fixture with both clubs looking to push on towards the upper echelons of the table. However Liverpool are chasing a fourth successive home win and I think that they will manage it. Villa are without Ashley Young, who so often has provided the creative spark for a side that are lacking slightly up front. Monday will see another win for the Reds.