Premier League Predictions: Match Week 19 – Part 1
Even though we have reached match week 19, most teams have actually played 17 games; thanks to the English weather.
However, we hope to see all ten matches take place this weekend, fingers crossed. We failed to see http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 take on Manchester United last Monday but things don’t get any easier for Carlo Ancelotti as his side travel to the Emirates to face Arsenal.
Another thrilling encounter would be 19th (http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Wolves-c40952) vs. 18th (Wigan); it already can be considered as a relegation six pointer.
However, we start our predictions for the Boxing Day matches with the London derby:
Fulham v West Ham United
This is supposed to be Avram Grant’s second of the three games ultimatum he has apparently been given. He needs to win one of their next two games in order to keep his job, especially after he drew with Blackburn last weekend.
No matter how you put it, but this does sound absurd; putting your already under fire manager under even more pressure. This will not be an easy game to win, as Fulham are a tough side to beat.
Fulham’s problem is that although they are tough to beat, they can’t win it either. They have drawn 10 of their 17 Premier League games, and this really is becoming a problem for Mark Hughes.
This match will see two of the most out of form teams go head to head. With West Ham gradually improving as a team, this game seems to have a draw written all over it.
Prediction: 1-1
Blackburn http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Rovers-c40385 v Stoke City
Steve Kean will take charge of the Blackburn team for the first time as a manager. We can say http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Good-Luck-c39444 to him, but it still does not make sense to sack your manager – who almost guarantees Premier League survival – and replace him with his first team coach.
Blackburn’s primary objective will be to stay up and with a couple of signings Kean might be able to achieve that. However, we are not sure what Kean will bring to this team, as this is his managerial debut.
Stoke is a good example for Blackburn to follow. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Tony-c35440 Pulis makes little adjustments to his side each season to make it competitive in this league.
They haven’t won in their last three games and a win at Ewood Park will be much welcomed. Meanwhile, Steven Kean will be looking to make a winning start to put off the doubters, right from the start.
It is highly likely that both sides will cancel each other out. This one will be far from a cracking encounter, in which both teams are more than likely to share the spoils.
Prediction: 1-1
Bolton Wanderers v West Brom
Bolton have played some really entertaining football this season and West Brom are not too far behind them.
The advantage Bolton have over fellow mid table teams is that they can switch between long ball tactics and ground play pretty easily. They have got the players to do so.
Bolton lie comfortably 7th in the table and 4 points ahead of 8th place Newcastle United. In http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Kevin-Davies-c20716, Owen Coyle has got one of the better strike partnerships in the league.
Meanwhile, West Brom will be hoping to continue with their decent form of late. They have picked up 2 wins from their last three and although a third is highly unlikely, they will happily settle for a draw in this one.
Bolton have been strong at home this season and even though we expect West Brom to play their attractive football, Bolton will be too strong for them, particularly at the Reebok Stadium.
Prediction: 2-1
To be continued in Part 2...
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