Premier League Week 6 Predictions

Saturday
The Merseyside derby highlights the action for week 6 in the Premier League. Liverpool enters Goodison Park coming off last weekend's disappointing show against Stoke. Everton have looked like a different team than the one that grabbed fifth place last year. This match could be just the thing to light a fire under David Moyes' squad.

Elsewhere, the rest of the big four have relatively safe games they should take care of. A couple of marquee matchups are being held on Sunday, with Spurs visiting Pompey, and Man City walks into the JJB to face Wigan, fresh off being knocked out of the Carling Cup.

My predictions hit a little snag last week.
Prediction tally so far: 15 out of 29 (52%), with 4 exact.
Last week: 4 out of 10, with 0 exact.

Everton v Liverpool
Everton probably hoped for more than seven points from their first five, but after losing home games with Blackburn and Pompey, and playing all three promoted sides tight with two wins and a tie, it doesn't look all that bad for the Toffees. They have failed to look impressive in each of their matches, despite solid play from Mikel Arteta and the reappearence of Tim Cahill.

Cahill, who has two scores in two games for the Blues, will be a tough cover for the Liverpool defense. Look for Rafa to start both Alonso and Mascher to try and control the ball and keep it away from the Aussie international and Arteta.

The Reds will be looking to fire up Fernando Torres and Robbie Keane for this one. Neither player has really gotten off yet. El Nino has been hampered by injury, much like early last year, and Keano has just looked clueless. Rafa can be grateful for one thing, with no real legitimate strikers in reserve, he has no choice but to run the pair out for every game. If Keane continues to struggle into November, we may see a return to the 4-2-2-1-1 set up of last year, with Torres up top and Gerrard just behind.

For Saturday's match, I would like to see the lineup go something like this to start:

GK- Reina
RB- Skrtel CB- Carragher LB- Aurelio
LCM- Mascherano RCM- Alonso
RW- Kuyt LW- Riera
CAM- Gerrard
RS- Keane LS- Torres

Then a shot of Ryan Babel for Riera in the second half, followed by an injection of perhaps Benayoun for Kuyt late on. Babel and Benayoun rarely have 90 minutes of great football, and are better appropriated in the second half when needed for a spark.

This will be a physical game, where both squads will put it to each other. Everton always comes out and tries to out-physical the usually talent superior Reds. It is a heated rivalry and sometimes this tact can throw Liverpool off their game. David Moyes has tried to set this up by coming out saying he expects Liverpool to come hard with the physical play. He is merely setting up his own squad's gameplan.

Good mind games, I guess, a little too cheap and Sir-guson like for me though.

Everton 0-2 Liverpool

Aston Villa v Sunderland
The Villans are still looking strong heading into this match at Villa Park. Retaining Gareth Barry has provided them with a solid midfield, and allows Ashley Young to run free on the left side.

The Black Cats are usually good at the Stadium of Light, but have yet to really prove themselves away from home in the Prem. I do expect them to improve each week under Roy Keane, with a new squad and different style from last season. If not, he will start to feel the heat.
Aston Villa 2-1 Sunderland

Manchester United v Bolton
The Red Devils have yet to put together a great game. Once they do, look out. This could be the week, as Ronaldo has a few games and some fitness under his belt, and Berba, Rooney, and Tevez are getting to know each other up front. Not to mention they return to the comforts of Old Trafford.

Bolton did shock Man Utd. last season, in a 1-0 game. Expect them not to take them by surprise this time.
Man Utd 3-0 Bolton

Middlesbrough v West Brom
Gareth Southgate's squad had a rough go of it against Sunderland last week, but they are an improved team who will not take the newly promoted West Brom lightly.

West Brom look the least likely of the promoted clubs to stay up.
Middlesbrough 2-1 West Brom

Newcastle v Blackburn
Newcastle will parade out new manager Greg Kinnear on Saturday at St. James' Park. He was great in "As Good As It Gets". Really it is Joe Kinnear who gets the call, with a monthly contract. That sounds about right. Terry Venables turned down the Toon because he apparently has some dignity. Nice.

Blackburn is coming into the Toon at the right time.
Newcastle 0-1 Blackburn

Fulham v West Ham
Fulham, while not an overly impressive squad, has yet to look bad in a match this year. They may end up on the bottom half, but they will not get run over by too many teams.

West Ham has received a blow with Dean Ashton needing surgery, yet another problem for the Hammers to deal with. They have played well despite the off the field distractions.
Fulham 1-1 West Ham

Stoke City v Chelsea
Stoke escaped from Liverpool with a 0-0 draw after being outshot 30-2, and getting away with Gerrard's disallowed goal. Don't expect the same to happen against Chelsea.

The Blues whipped Pompey 4-0 for the second time this year at mid-week. They look like the strongest squad, but last year will remind them that they need to make sure they lock up 3 points when they are heavy favorites.
Stoke 0-2 Chelsea

Arsenal v Hull City
Arsenal is firing on all cylinders. There even younger reserves are even lighting things up. Top of the league means little at this point in the season, but hopefully they have learned their lesson after a poor final quarter last year.

Hull have been the surprise team of the league this year, even Craig Fagan has played well. Okay, he's been descent. Dean Windass will meet with management, to discuss his future with the club, after seeing his opportunities limited this season. His departure will only hurt Hull's depth.
Arsenal 3-1 Hull

Sunday
Portsmouth v Tottenham Hotspur
Harry Rednapp's club has been pretty inconsistent early on this year. They've suffered two 4-0 blowouts at the hands of Chelsea and one 6-0 lashing against Man City. They have also had impressive wins over 'Boro and Everton, and hung with Man Utd in a 0-1 loss. Hard to know which club will show up. Peter Crouch is still looking to get his PL campaign off the ground.

Spurs come in to Fratton Park at the bottom of the league. They will want to ride their mid week win over sorry Newcastle, where Pavlyuchenko opened his Spurs account. Getting any points at Pompey will further the momentum into there next three PL matches with promoted clubs Stoke and Hull, and bottom dwellers Bolton, a string they hope will get them nearer mid-table.
Portsmouth 2-1 Tottenham

Wigan v Manchester City
I like Wigan because they can lock it up against a powerhouse team and keep it close, or open the game up and pump in the goals. That's a good sign for a team looking to make the jump to the top half.

Man City lost at mid-week after their 6-0 throttling of Pompey last weekend. That kind of inconsistency can be expected from a squad with new faces in the lineup, not to mention that they 8 of the players from the Portsmouth match didn't play. Still no excuse for the loss. Which City will show up for this match at the JJB?
Wigan 1-2 Man City

Top 5: Newcastle Managerial Candidates

The chance of Newcastle grabbing a new manager and righting the sinking Ashley ship in time to secure any type European qualification or even a top half finish, is about the same chance Johnny Depp has of NOT being in the next Tim Burton film.

Before I list the top 5, let me go over those wise souls who have ruled out a move to the troubled club.

-Gus Poyet. He doesn't want anything to do with this job, he's got his own Spurs debacle to deal with.

-Alan Shearer. The Toon legend may want the Newcastle job at some point, but he's smart enough to realize that this position is damaged goods right now. He's not going to take home the sad looking last girl at the bar tonight, when he can come back to same place another night and pull a model with brains.

-Kenny Daiglish. Hmmmm, how can I soil my great Liverpool reputation? How can I make everyone forget my great work at Anfield and for Blackburn Rovers? I know, I'll return to Newcastle. Yeah, it was so much fun the first time round, let's give it a go. I'll take over a broken club, and lead them to mediocrity and then have their high expectation having Toon Army rip me to shreds. Perfect. He was smart to rule it out.

Here's the top five highest qualified managers left (who haven't passed on, expressed disdain for, or died before they could accept, the Newcastle job), for the Tyneside club to hire.


5) David Moyes:
Moyes is pretty disgusted with the way things have gone down this summer in Everton. His team's motivation and form, coupled with the higher ups refusing to dig for transfer change, may be enough to push him out. But why would he go to the Toon for more of the same?

4) Gerrard Houllier:
A long shot to take the job, but may be the best available. Houllier has led both Liverpool and Lyon in solid fashion, and would add some stability to a floundering franchise.

3) Frank Rijkaard:
The Dutchman is still seething from his exit at Barcelona, where he spent the last two years maligned and questioned, despite lasting longer there then anyone since Cruijff. Will likely wait for a more glamorous or profitable position to open up.

2) Dennis Wise:
Only because I would love to see the cacophony of taunts, horrible chants, and flying projectiles upon his first time gracing the bench at St. James' Park in front of the Toon Army. I don't see how Wise is such a terrible choice, he probably would have gotten Leeds promoted had he stayed, he knows the club, and he is the only person who will definitely take the job.

1) Chris Hughton:
If Ashley and Newcastle were smart, they would appoint Hughton as the official and not interim manager. Name him as the choice for the rest of the season and just ride it out. What are the chances that they hire a big name and he takes them places this season? More likely they will hire someone with a successful managing background, he will fail, and the position will be less desirable for any manager who is offered the position at year's end. Think about it, why would anyone take a job that a big name failed at? They will end up hiring someone like Hughton if a name manager fails.

My two cents on the situation. Anyway, right now, the Magpies are the team that everyone wants to play. They are like Derby County last season, only harder to feel sorry for.

Around the League: Liverpool Over Crewe

The Liverpool subs, backups, and pointless wingers (Jermaine Pennant, come on down!), were on display Tuesday night against Crewe in their 3rd Round Carling Cup match. Danish center back Daniel Agger grabbed the first goal for the Reds, and Lucas Leiva broke a 1-1 tie in the second half to secure a 2-1 win.

This victory did little to take the sting out of Saturday's performance against Stoke.

The Gerrard free kick was a goal. I've watched it maybe 100 times now, and I'm befuddled. I actually agree with Rafa about the early goal. Had it stood, the game would of been completely different. Stoke would of had to come forward after being down a goal, and Liverpool would have most likely put in another goal or four. Instead, the Potters played a fun little game of stay on your own side of the midfield line, attempting to deny the Reds of a clear chance. The result was a lot of good chances, some great goalkeeping by Sorenson, and a 0-0 draw at Anfield.

Having said that, there is no excuse for Liverpool to not have scored after out-shooting Stoke 30-2. This is what killed their title hopes last season, home draws against bottom half teams.

The draw makes Saturday's Merseyside derby all the more important. Everton has had a disappointing start to the season, and nothing will kick start their campaign better than a victory over their hated rivals at Goodison Park. Can't wait for this one.


Around the League
-Brighton and Hove Albion have ended Man City's Carling Cup bid, 5-3 in the shootout. The Abu Dhabi is reportedly regretting not having bought Brighton and Hove, saving them about $400 million. Now they must set their sights on the FA Cup, and pray to avoid Havant and Waterloo, thus dodging the curse of the double named teams.

-Sir-guson is fuming about Pogatetz's horror tackle in Tuesday's Carling win. He became even more enrage upon finding out the Pogatetz planned to bring John Terry along with him for the appeal.

-Dean Windass may be walking out on Hull. Supporters everywhere are readying their new chants.

-Frank Lampard scored two more times for Chelsea against Pompey in the Carling Cup. How does he expect me to keep telling everyone how useless he is, if he's gonna keep playing well? Shame on you Frank, who's gonna be my punching bag now? What's that, you have John Terry and Ashley Cole from your own squad. Thanks sir, don't worry, I'll be back, about 30 seconds after your next international match.

-Arsenal's young boys keep stepping up and pushing for some first team action. Carlos Vela and Jack Wilshere put on a clinic at mid-week, and Aaron Ramsey looks formidable in midfield as well. Will the constant injection of young talent finally push them over the hump to the top spot? Or are they always destined to be just a year or two away from recapturing the league?

Week 5: Ronny's Back

The headlines this week will be dominated by Chelsea-Man U at Stamford Bridge. I won't have time to review all the games, as I am concerning myself with a big move this weekend. I will make some quick predictions though.

Prediction Tally to Date: 11 out of 19 (58%) correct, with 4 exact.

Last week: 6 out of 10, with 4 exact!

Saturday

Liverpool v Stoke
It's always a fun little game, waiting to see what lineup the ridiculous little Rafa will put out on the pitch. And by fun little game, I mean a gut wrenching, anxious wade out into the lake of expectation. Benitez should have Torres and Gerrard at his disposal with improving health, and this weekend looks as good as any to get Robbie Keane going. Stoke has been more game than people expected, but look for them to take a hit this week.

Liverpool 3 – 0 Stoke

Blackburn v Fulham
Blackburn has struggled since their first game, realizing life without one of the League's top keepers is no fun. Friedal is gone, but Roque Santa Cruz should be back after being taken out with an injury last weekend. I haven't given Fulham enough respect to pick them as yet. It may come back to bite me again this week.

Blackburn 1-1 Fulham

Bolton v Arsenal
Wenger has Arsenal playing at a high level with a finishing presence in the PL this year. But, a lackluster performance at home against Dynamo in the CL may dampen some of their momentum. Bolton will have to overachieve this year to stay in these types of games.

Bolton 0 – 2 Arsenal

Sunderland v Middlesbrough
The Black Cats were a good home squad last season under Roy Keane. Keane hasn't found the right combinations with their new talent up front, so they will be looking to get right against 'Boro. Middlesbrough has looked like a top half team, and Mido is playing up to his talent, which he hasn't done often in the past couple of seasons.

Sunderland 1– 1 Middlesbrough

West Ham v Newcastle
Here we have a battle of two clubs in disarray. While the Hammers have named a permanent replacement in Zola, the Magpies have yet to settle anything outside the fact the fans are decidedly pissed off at Ashley and company. I thought Newcastle could put it behind them and go out and play balls out last weekend. I was wrong. They have off the field turmoil and a slew of injuries to deal with, including Guitierrez, who after some impressive games, is now out for at least a couple of weeks.

West Ham 2 – 0 Newcastle

Sunday

Chelsea v Manchester United
As with many Liverpool-Chelsea matches, these affairs end up being closely contested battles in which neither team want to make a mistake, and as a result, they both play very tight. Unlike Liverpool-Chelsea, let's hope it is not 90 minutes plus of sloppy, boring football (a trend those two teams reversed in the CL last year). Ronaldo will be back and fired up against the Blues. Both teams have a lot to prove in this one. Man U could be a dangerous hole with a loss at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea 2-1 Man United

Manchester City v Portsmouth
Pompey has looked like a fifth place contender since dropping their first two against Chelsea and Man Utd. Man City is going to be a quality team, but I expect more inconsistency than anything else, early on this season.

Man City 2 – 3 Portsmouth

Tottenham v Wigan
Tottenham did get a win this week, but we will see if the PL is a different story. You've gotta like how Amr Zaki and Wigan have come out this year. They are the type of team that is easy to root for. I don't think I can go in fully for Spurs until I see them starting finishing against a Prem squad.

Tottenham 2 – 2 Wigan

Hull v Everton
Everton looked better last week, and David Moyes can only hope that is a sign of things to come. The Toffees looked like an uninspired, dreary squad from the preseason forward, but the injection of some new blood along with Aussie Tim Cahill should liven them up. Hull has been entertaining, whether it is winning in an offensive back and forth, or getting racked up by Wigan.

Hull 1 – 3 Everton

West Brom v Aston Villa
Ashley Young is more and more impressive each time he hits the pitch. I expect some big clubs to come calling this summer, making it nearly impossible for Villa to hold onto their star winger. For now, he and the Villa attack are rolling right along, and hopefully for Martin O'Neil, the loss of John Carew isn't too much of a hit. West Brom got a big win last week against a team in crisis, don't expect a repeat performance.

West Brom 0 – 2 Aston Villa

Gotta run, drop some comments on me this weekend. Aces.