Premier League Predictions: Match Week 21 – Part 3
We will begin our predictions in part three with the late kick-off on Saturday; Arsenal travel to St. Andrews to take on a Birmingham side who continue their good run of form at home against all big sides.
Birmingham City v Arsenal
Arsene Wenger was spot on when he said his side lacks leadership at the back. Arsenal have conceded at least a goal in each of their last seven Premier League games and this is their longest run without a clean sheet for over six years.
Birmingham, on the other hand, seem to be at their best when playing at home against a top opposition. They will be buoyed by their recent 1-1 draw against Manchester United and manager Alex McLeish will be telling his players to do more of the same against
the Gunners.
Birmingham need to get a couple of good results under their belt. They lay one place above the relegation zone, level on points with 18th place Fulham with a game in hand.
Birmingham’s problem has been too many draws, they have drawn 4 of their last 6 but they certainly won’t mind making it 5 in 7 after Saturday’s game.
Wenger was criticised for making far too many changes for their draw in midweek but we expect most of their star players to return to the starting line up such as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Robin-van-Persie-c31380.
It will be tough for Arsenal against Birmingham and considering Birmingham’s record in similar matches, we expect this one to end in a stalemate.
Prediction: 1-1
Chelsea v Aston Villa
Aston Villa come to Stamford Bridge only a point of safety. If anyone of you saw their display against Manchester City in midweek, you would agree that it was simply woeful to say the least.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gerard-c14664 Houllier is slowly trying to turn things around but he needs the support of his players, which by the look of things, isn’t there. Villa players hardly disputed the goal against Manchester City, which replays showed was never a goal – the ball had
not crossed the line. There seems to be a lack of fight amongst Villa players.
Chelsea finally returned to winning ways against Bolton. It was a hard fought win but Chelsea will happily take a similar result on Sunday. They played some neat football and the return of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 side.
Malouda scored his first goal since October and it will fill him with much needed confidence. It’s a must win game for Chelsea if they want to keep their title hopes alive, which we believe they will manage to do.
Prediction: 2-0
Wigan Athletic v Newcastle United
Wigan keep on surprising everyone and come up with a result when they really need to. Their draw against Arsenal was another sign of their unpredictability. This draw took them out of the relegation zone and the Latics are unbeaten in their last 4 outings.
Although, they will be without http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gary-Caldwell-c14440 from injury has certainly helped Latics in their recent run and if they can keep their momentum
going, they can hand Alan Pardew his third defeat on the trot.
Newcastle United will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing Christmas period where they suffered two defeats. Alan Pardew knows that another defeat and the fans will be on his back.
Andy Carroll is a major doubt for this game and this could prove decisive for Newcastle. He has been their main man this season by a mile and it will be interesting to see how Newcastle will play without him.
The absence of Carroll will certainly lift the Wigan players but Newcastle are no run overs and it will still be a tightly contested game, with plenty of action.
Prediction: 2-2
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