Share

'Expert' UK footy picks

Cape Town - Each round of the 2010/11 English Premiership season, a panel of Sport24 tipsters have a crack at predicting the results – do it yourself, if you like, and see how your scoreboard compares with ours in the report-back a week later.

Three precious points are given for an entirely correct score-line, and one for right result.

Compiled by Rob Houwing (the champion last season but a Newcastle supporter for his sins), the others are colleagues Garrin Lambley (very Everton-partial), David Brooke (Manchester United) and Dominic Valentine (Liverpool).

We occasionally invite guest tipsters; last week we give a maiden opportunity to new Sport24 staffer HERMAN MOSTERT, who favours Chelsea, to show whether he could handle the searing heat in the Footy Tips kitchen ... and he scored a fair-to-middling six points for his trouble.


THE PRIME ATTRACTION


WEST HAM v MANCHESTER UNITED
Saturday, 13:45


Of course there is a bit of a danger of the log-leading Red Devils having their minds already tuned to a certain little Champions League rendezvous with Chelsea just a few days up the drag! But Fergie is too shrewd an old fox to allow crazy doses of complacency as his charges square up to the endangered Hammers in London. The hosts are out of the drop zone at present, but only by a whisker, and will fight tooth and nail for something out of this fixture. Still, United’s superior quality ought to prevail ... and have a look below at last season’s walloping. Nobody tips even a point for the bubble-blowers.

Rob: West Ham 0 Manchester United 2
Garrin: 1-2
David: 0-2
Dominic: 1-3
Last season: 0-4

THE GRUDGE MATCH

ARSENAL v BLACKBURN
Saturday, 18:30


Look at our tips for this one and you will see that most of the sages fancy the Gunners to come out recharged after the Premiership hiatus, and still believing that they can leapfrog arch-rivals Man United to the title after squandering so many other silverware opportunities. This gets “grudge” billing because Blackburn are one of those earthy teams who traditionally try to muscle Arsenal out of their elegant stride – often to the chagrin of Mr Wenger. There’s some extra motivation for the visitors to spoil the Emirates Stadium party, too, because last season they were thumped 6-2 (Cesc Fabregas tore ‘em apart) in this visit.

Rob: Arsenal 3 Blackburn 0
Garrin: 2-0
David: 3-0
Dominic: 3-0
Last season: 6-2

THE DESPERATE DUEL

BIRMINGHAM v BOLTON
Saturday, 16:00


It’s a worrying time at St Andrews, with Birmingham boasting the League Cup in their cabinet ... but this joy tempered so much by their now-ominous Premiership placing. They have slipped to second-bottom (not helped by a 2-1 loss at co-strugglers Wigan last time out), although a whole flotilla of clubs remain locked in the “drop” battle. Also not helping is their modern track record against visitors Bolton: they were beaten 2-1 in each of last season’s meetings. Three of us fancy a share of the spoils this time, however.

Rob: Birmingham 1 Bolton 1
Garrin: 1-1
David: 2-1
Dominic: 1-1
Last season: 1-2

THE OTHERS

EVERTON v ASTON VILLA
Saturday, 16:00


Rob: Everton 1 Aston Villa 1 
Garrin: 2-1
David: 2-1
Dominic: 1-0
Last season: 1-1

NEWCASTLE v WOLVES
Saturday, 17:00


Rob: Newcastle 2 Wolves 0
Garrin: 1-1
David: 2-2
Dominic: 2-1
Last season: Not applicable

STOKE v CHELSEA
Saturday, 16:00


Rob: Stoke 0 Chelsea 1
Garrin: 0-2
David: 0-2
Dominic: 1-2
Last season: 1-2

WEST BROM v LIVERPOOL
Saturday, 16:00


Rob: West Brom 1 Liverpool 1
Garrin: 1-2
David: 0-1
Dominic: 1-2
Last season: Not applicable

WIGAN v TOTTENHAM
Saturday, 16:00


Rob: Wigan 1 Tottenham 1
Garrin: 0-2
David: 0-2
Dominic: 1-2
Last season: 0-3

FULHAM v BLACKPOOL
Sunday, 14:30


Rob: Fulham 2 Blackpool 1
Garrin: 1-1
David: 1-0
Dominic: 1-0
Last season: Not applicable

MANCHESTER CITY v SUNDERLAND
Sunday, 17:00


Rob: Manchester City 3 Sunderland 1
Garrin: 2-1
David: 2-1
Dominic: 2-1
Last season: 4-3


LEADERBOARD

This season is turning into a slow-burning, temperament-testing grind for the esteemed panel: we keep all earning moderate tallies but with nobody leaping out with a sudden, dramatic bumper haul. I reckon this is my weekend for it, of course. I’ve been making up a measly point here and there on long-time leader Dom, and am highly irritated by the phenomenon. It’s time to strike hard. Or will Dave or even Garrin suddenly catch fire? The answer is blowing in the nippy English spring wind ...

216 Dominic (7 points in last round)
210 Rob (8)
191 David (5)
174 Garrin (5)
 
We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1473 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2251 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE