Premier League Table on 31st Dec 2010 - Part 2
In Part 2, we continue with our predictions. We will start off with Manchester City who are currently in 4th position:
MANCHESTER CITY
Stoke (A), Bolton (H), West Ham (A), Everton (H), Newcastle (A), Aston Villa (H)
On paper, Manchester City have the easiest list of fixtures. An impressive away win at Fulham last weekend has taken pressure of Roberto Mancini and if they continue to play their attacking style of football then they can find themselves in a really good
position at the turn of the year.
City’s massive squad will give them an added advantage over their rivals. Even though Stoke and Bolton have been in good form, City should expect to take maximum points from these two games. Even 4 points will not be considered bad, especially taking into
consideration the form both teams have been in.
Everton at home can prove to be a tough nut to crack but expect wins over Newcastle and Villa when City’s squad strength will prove too good for both the teams.
City will be happy with 4 wins and 2 draws but anything less will be considered a disappointment.
Manchester City – 39 pts
TOTTENHAM
Liverpool (H), Birmingham (A), Chelsea (H), Blackpool (A), Aston Villa (A), Newcastle (H)
It is certainly not an easy task to predict games of North London clubs at the moment. 2 wins, 2 draws and 2 defeats in their last 6 league games give you an idea of what can be expected of Tottenham.
Their extraordinary win over Arsenal will put them in great stead for the upcoming fixtures. It is good time to play Liverpool. They will be without their talismanic captain Steven Gerrard and a win is on the cards, considering Liverpool’s away form.
Birmingham seem to do well at home against big teams and a draw is the most likely result. Blackpool and Aston Villa away can prove tricky for Tottenham, who seem to take their step of the gas in such fixtures. 4 points and a home win against Newcastle will
be much welcomed.
However, it’s difficult to see Tottenham going through this period without slipping and 3 draws and 2 wins are the most likely outcome for them. 9 pts from 6 games might just end their ‘title challenge’ even before it has begun.
Tottenham – 31 pts
LIVERPOOL
Tottenham (A), Aston Villa (H), Newcastle (A), Fulham (H), Blackpool (A), Wolves (H)
Stats show that Liverpool are one of the most in-form teams in the league, with 4 wins, 1 draw and a defeat in their last 6 matches. However, anyone who has watched Liverpool play will tell you that they have been unbearable to watch more often than not.
Roy Hodgson’s away record is one that even Roberto Martinez will be ashamed of. With only 1 win on the road, it is highly unlikely that Liverpool can manage to take any points against Tottenham.
Apart from Tottenham, Liverpool can consider their next 5 fixtures as winnable, but someone needs to convey this message to Roy Hodgson. If Liverpool somehow play positive football, they can come away with wins in their 3 home games and the other 2 away
games. However, they will be without Steven Gerrard in their home game against Aston Villa and Gerard Houllier will fancy taking at least a point from his former employers.
Blackpool, who stunned Liverpool at Anfield, will surely have a go at Liverpool and might just manage a draw. 3 wins, 2 draws and a defeat looks more likely on current form. Any other Liverpool team and they would have fancied 5 if not 6 wins from these
fixtures.
Liverpool – 30 pts
Bolton Wanderers should be mentioned here as well, who currently sit in 5th position and on 22 points, above both Tottenham and Liverpool. Bolton have 3 winnable home fixtures. They host Blackpool,
Blackburn and then West Brom. None of these can be considered easy but Bolton are much capable of picking up 7 points from these 3 fixtures.
However, it will be difficult for them to pick up any points on their travels during the festive season. Taking anything from Manchester City, Sunderland and Chelsea will be a tough ask. So, we are expecting a halt to their wonderful run and 7 points from
6 games is what we expect. This will take them to 29 pts after 20 games.
Predicted Premier League Table on 31st Dec 2010:
Played
Won
Drawn
Lost
Points
1) Chelsea
20
12
4
4
40
2) Arsenal
20
12
4
4
40
3) Manchester City
20
11
6
3
39
4) Manchester United
20
9
10
1
37
5) Tottenham
20
8
7
5
31
6) Liverpool
20
8
6
6
30
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