Premier League predictions 22nd January

Right, I've been slacking on the predictions front recently so thought I'd give it a go again this weekend. Some cracking games are happening and I'm sure I'll get the scores completely wrong. Here we go then:


Wolves vs Liverpool

Maybe Liverpool fans' biggest gripe with Roy Hodgson was his astonishingly negative approach away from home that resulted in defeats to Everton, Stoke, Newcastle and Blackpool to name just a few. New boss Kenny Daglish will be hoping to change the Red's fortunes on the road and gain his first win since returning to the club. Wolves have already claimed a famous win at Anfield and will fancy their chances due to their fantastic recent record against the Premier League's big boys.

LFC have been much more positive under King Kenny and I expect the team to attack the home side. Wolves thrive on the counter attack though and the Reds will have to be wary at the back if they want to avoid more away day blues. I see this being a tight contest with Liverpool finally getting their first win under Dalglish.

Prediction - 2-0 to Liverpool

Arsenal vs Wigan

The Gooners may be one of the most unpredictable teams in the league at the moment but there is only one way I can see this game going. Home games against the lessers teams are where Arsene Wenger's side thrive and you wouldn't bet against them putting 3 or 4 past the Latics.

Roberto Martinez has been equally frustrated with his side's Jekyl and Hyde tendancies and with his team dogged by injuries to key players, the Wigan manager can't be too confident of a result at the Emirates.

The away side will put bodies behind the ball but with van Persie back and Walcott, Fabregas and Nasri in irresistable form I don't see anything but a comprehensive win for Arsenal.


Prediction - 3-0 to Arsenal.

Blackpool vs Sunderland


There's a danger that both sides could become distracted by the week's goings on with Sunderland still be reeling over the loss of star striker Darren Bent to Villa and Tangerines talisman Charlie Adam close to a move to Liverpool.

Blackpool have been labelled a 'breath of fresh air' this season due to their swashbuckling attacking football and you can be sure that Ian Holloway's team will be going gung-ho again when the Mackems visit. Striker DJ Campbell is in terrific form and will hope to find the net again. Meanwhile the pressure will be on Asamoah Gyan to fill the gap left by Darren Bent with manager Steve Bruce hoping that the Ghana international has what it takes to carry the teams goalscoring burden.

I think this will be a very open game and I expect goals. Blackpool will play with their usual determination but Bruce's team will be looking to show they can cope without Bent.


Prediction - 2-2 draw.

Everton vs West Ham

Could a team have a worse week of preparation than West Ham have just had? First Avram Grant was leaving and Martin O'Neill was taking over, then O'Neill decided he didn't want the job and the owners are forced to keep Grant and give him the least convincing vote of confidence in football history.

Everton will be hoping to take advantage of the chaos in a similar fashion to last week's visit to Anfield, where they came close to winning amid the hurrah over Kenny Dalglish's return. David Moyes' team haven't been at their best this season and have really struggled for goals. But Louis Saha is back and appears to be hitting a bit of form at the right time.

The Hammers will show fight and could be in with a chance if they defend well but I think ultimately Everton will be too strong.

Prediction - 2-1 to Everton.

Fulham vs Stoke

When Mark Hughes became the new manager at Craven Cottage during the summer I saw it as a shrewd appointment having been a big fan of the Welshman for a long time. He did great things at Blackburn and was unfairly removed by Man City but things just haven't happened for him at Fulham and they have quietly dropped into the relegation zone with just 4 wins all season.

Stoke however have shrugged off a poor start and shot up the table into 8th. Tony Pulis' side are one of the toughest teams to beat in the Premier League and always set up to frustrate on the road. But the additions of Pennant and Ethrington have given that extra bit of flair out wide and the Potters are now a real threat on the counter attack.

I think Hughes' woes will continue and Stoke will remain in contention for a European place.

Prediction - 1-0 to Stoke.

Man United vs Birmingham

If you believe everything that the media tell you then you'll know that Man United 'haven't played well all season'. But the fact is that United remain unbeaten this season and are sitting at the top of the Premier League table. Birmingham however remain perilously close to the relegation zone and are really struggling for goals. Alex McLeish will hope the loan signing of David Bentley will mean more chances for the likes of Zigic and Jerome.

This is probably the most predictable game of the weekend. These are the type of games that Sir Alex Ferguson always wins and his United side are always ruthlessly efficient at home. I predict a one-sided game with the home team in control from the very start and Wayne Rooney to score a much-neede goal.

Prediction - 3-0 to Man United.

Newcastle vs Tottenham

I can't really put my finger on where Newcastle stand under Alan Pardew. One week they'll be battering a team at home, the next they won't even put up a fight. The absence of Andy Carroll has obviously been a factor in the Toon Army's inconsistent recent form. Not only is he the team's main goalscorer, he is their out-ball, the man they look to when things are going against them. Leon Best is not in the same class, despite a great hattrick against West Ham recently.

Spurs continue to get stronger and have Modric, van der Vaart and Bale in fantastic form. Redknapp's team are fast becoming a real force and will attack Newcastle from the very start. I expect them to show why many view them as outsiders for the title.

Prediction - 3-1 to Spurs.

Aston Villa vs Man City

It's the battle of the big January signings at Villa Park as £24m Darren Bent takes on £27m Edin Dzeko. Both strikers will be hoping to live up to their price tags and score their first goals for their respective clubs. Villa signed Bent in controversial circumstances during the week and Gerard Houllier believes the former Sunderland man is exactly the player to drag his team away from the relegation zone.

Roberto Mancini's team have bigger ambitions though and will be hoping for another big away with to boost their title credentials. Carlos Tevez has been the main man for City this season and they have won everytime he has scored. With the Argentinian in scincilating form, I can't see past another goal and another win for the Manchester side.


Prediction - 2-1 to City.