Week 12 Predictions 19/11/11
With an off week for the Premier League, I had such grand plans for an international article or a Birmingham related article to take advantage of the break. And then I started watching the international games. And then I started watching the F.A. Cup (sponsored by Budweiser, because nothing says the oldest competition in football like an American beer). And then I watched the final leg of the qualifiers, all the while forgetting I was supposed to write something about at least one of these rounds of games. I learned the lesson to do my writing before getting engrossed in an F.A Cup spanking between two non-league sides. I also learned that my bet on Turkey to win Euro 2012 was just a slight bit premature.
I broke my winless streak for predictions last time beating Luke 8-6. I was really happy with that performance until I got a message from my Dad telling me he had done his own predictions for fun and got a score of 9. So I am looking for a very big score this week.
Norwich 1-3 Arsenal
Actual Result: Norwich 1-2 Arsenal
Arsenal took care of West Brom fairly easily and I have a feeling they should be able to deal with Norwich in a similar manner. I don't trust Arsenal's defence to shut out Norwich who have scored plenty of goals so far. I reckon this could actually be the most entertaining game of the weekend.
Everton 1-0 Wolves
Actual Result: Everton 2-1 Wolves
This could be the least entertaining game of the weekend. Everton should really be winning this one. They will eventually move up the table and I would like to say that a defeat here would not be totally terrible for them but they need to be beating the sides who will be near the bottom come the end of the season, especially at home. Wolves may sneak a draw but it is hard to believe Everton will bottle a chance to get what would be only their second home win of the season.
Man City 2-1 Newcastle
Actual Result: Man City 3-1 Newcastle
All credit to Newcastle for going eleven games unbeaten but there is no way it will be twelve. I think they will give a great showing of themselves at the Etihad but I can't imagine Mancini's side not getting all three points.
Stoke 2-1 QPR
Actual Result: Stoke 2-3 QPR
I had a tough time coming to a decision over this game. I think the international break will have really helped Stoke. If this was on the back of a Europa League match, I would say QPR every time. But the break should mean Stoke are fresh and back to their best. Also I still haven't been too impressed by QPR.
Sunderland 2-0 Fulham
Actual Result: Sunderland 0-0 Fulham
Fulham haven't hit the ground running like I thought they would. Although neither have Sunderland, but their signings have made more of an impact so far so I think they will have the edge. With both sides only having won two games each, a victory for either of them would be a massive boost.
West Brom 1-1 Bolton
Actual Result: West Brom 2-1 Bolton
This will probably be another dire game. I couldn't choose which team would be more likely to win so I am sitting on the fence. Once again, a win will do a great deal of good for either.
Wigan 0-1 Blackburn
Actual Result: Wigan 3-3 Blackburn
The football on show may not be the best but the game means so much, even at this early stage. A defeat would mean getting left behind and showing such an ineptness in the inability to beat the only other team as bad as you. A draw wouldn't be helpful for either and again, the failure to beat an awful side will torture their thoughts. I have gone with Blackburn to sneak a win due to their better attackers. It is unlikely they will keep a clean sheet but it seems impossible that this game will have three or more goals.
Swansea 0-1 Man Utd
Actual Result: Swansea 0-1 Man Utd
I am still begging for United to give me a truly convincing performance. I honestly don't think it will come in Wales. I think Swansea will come very close to getting a point but United's quality should see them to the three points.
Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool
Actual Result: Chelsea 1-2 Liverpool
A Liverpool win would go a long way to changing the large amount of negative opinions I have of them. The problem is I just don't see it happening. Chelsea have been a bit poor lately but I think they will bring their A-game and give a great performance.
Tottenham 3-1 Aston Villa
Actual Result: Pending
If Villa win this, I will need to rethink my whole stance of "Spurs are awesome, Villa are awful". Luckily, Spurs are a very good side, definitely good enough to beat Villa.
For my guest this week, I planned on using FIFA12 to predict the scores. I decided to simulate all the games and watch how they unfolded. However, three games in and there had been only one goal from open play and lots of passing it backwards when a chance to shoot was on. So I abandoned this idea (for know) and asked the guest I had planned for next week to do it this week, my Dad. After unofficially beating me last week, let's see if Colin Friend can beat me when it really matters.
Norwich 1-1 Arsenal
Everton 2-1 Wolves
Man City 3-1 Newcastle
Stoke 1-0 QPR
Sunderland 2-0 Fulham
WBA 2-2 Bolton
Wigan 1-0 Blackburn
Swansea 0-0 Man Utd
Chelsea 1-1 Liverpool
Spurs 2-1 Aston Villa
Back to Euro 2012, I don't know what anyone else thinks but the lineup for this tournament looks the strongest ever. As much as I wanted the likes of Armenia and Estonia to grab a place at the finals, they just don't measure up to the other teams there. I can't quite believe there could be a group with Spain, Germany, Portugal and France. This is the first time that I am as excited for the Euro's as I am for the World Cup.
Join me next week for the 13th weekend of the Premier League.
Ole1208
I broke my winless streak for predictions last time beating Luke 8-6. I was really happy with that performance until I got a message from my Dad telling me he had done his own predictions for fun and got a score of 9. So I am looking for a very big score this week.
Norwich 1-3 Arsenal
Actual Result: Norwich 1-2 Arsenal
Arsenal took care of West Brom fairly easily and I have a feeling they should be able to deal with Norwich in a similar manner. I don't trust Arsenal's defence to shut out Norwich who have scored plenty of goals so far. I reckon this could actually be the most entertaining game of the weekend.
Everton 1-0 Wolves
Actual Result: Everton 2-1 Wolves
This could be the least entertaining game of the weekend. Everton should really be winning this one. They will eventually move up the table and I would like to say that a defeat here would not be totally terrible for them but they need to be beating the sides who will be near the bottom come the end of the season, especially at home. Wolves may sneak a draw but it is hard to believe Everton will bottle a chance to get what would be only their second home win of the season.
Man City 2-1 Newcastle
Actual Result: Man City 3-1 Newcastle
All credit to Newcastle for going eleven games unbeaten but there is no way it will be twelve. I think they will give a great showing of themselves at the Etihad but I can't imagine Mancini's side not getting all three points.
Stoke 2-1 QPR
Actual Result: Stoke 2-3 QPR
I had a tough time coming to a decision over this game. I think the international break will have really helped Stoke. If this was on the back of a Europa League match, I would say QPR every time. But the break should mean Stoke are fresh and back to their best. Also I still haven't been too impressed by QPR.
Sunderland 2-0 Fulham
Actual Result: Sunderland 0-0 Fulham
Fulham haven't hit the ground running like I thought they would. Although neither have Sunderland, but their signings have made more of an impact so far so I think they will have the edge. With both sides only having won two games each, a victory for either of them would be a massive boost.
West Brom 1-1 Bolton
Actual Result: West Brom 2-1 Bolton
This will probably be another dire game. I couldn't choose which team would be more likely to win so I am sitting on the fence. Once again, a win will do a great deal of good for either.
Wigan 0-1 Blackburn
Actual Result: Wigan 3-3 Blackburn
The football on show may not be the best but the game means so much, even at this early stage. A defeat would mean getting left behind and showing such an ineptness in the inability to beat the only other team as bad as you. A draw wouldn't be helpful for either and again, the failure to beat an awful side will torture their thoughts. I have gone with Blackburn to sneak a win due to their better attackers. It is unlikely they will keep a clean sheet but it seems impossible that this game will have three or more goals.
Swansea 0-1 Man Utd
Actual Result: Swansea 0-1 Man Utd
I am still begging for United to give me a truly convincing performance. I honestly don't think it will come in Wales. I think Swansea will come very close to getting a point but United's quality should see them to the three points.
Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool
Actual Result: Chelsea 1-2 Liverpool
A Liverpool win would go a long way to changing the large amount of negative opinions I have of them. The problem is I just don't see it happening. Chelsea have been a bit poor lately but I think they will bring their A-game and give a great performance.
Tottenham 3-1 Aston Villa
Actual Result: Pending
If Villa win this, I will need to rethink my whole stance of "Spurs are awesome, Villa are awful". Luckily, Spurs are a very good side, definitely good enough to beat Villa.
For my guest this week, I planned on using FIFA12 to predict the scores. I decided to simulate all the games and watch how they unfolded. However, three games in and there had been only one goal from open play and lots of passing it backwards when a chance to shoot was on. So I abandoned this idea (for know) and asked the guest I had planned for next week to do it this week, my Dad. After unofficially beating me last week, let's see if Colin Friend can beat me when it really matters.
Norwich 1-1 Arsenal
Everton 2-1 Wolves
Man City 3-1 Newcastle
Stoke 1-0 QPR
Sunderland 2-0 Fulham
WBA 2-2 Bolton
Wigan 1-0 Blackburn
Swansea 0-0 Man Utd
Chelsea 1-1 Liverpool
Spurs 2-1 Aston Villa
Back to Euro 2012, I don't know what anyone else thinks but the lineup for this tournament looks the strongest ever. As much as I wanted the likes of Armenia and Estonia to grab a place at the finals, they just don't measure up to the other teams there. I can't quite believe there could be a group with Spain, Germany, Portugal and France. This is the first time that I am as excited for the Euro's as I am for the World Cup.
Join me next week for the 13th weekend of the Premier League.
Ole1208
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