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Cape Town - Each round of the 2009/10 English Premiership season, a panel of self-proclaimed Sport24 soothsayers have a crack at predicting the week’s results.
Compiled by Chief Writer Rob Houwing (2008/09 runner-up), with regular predictions also from Managing Editor Garrin Lambley (the defending champion), Content producer Raymond Kilfoil, Commercial Manager David Brooke and former Bafana Bafana and AmaZulu striker George Dearnaley, you’ll seldom find us singing from the same song-sheet.
Occasionally we invite a celebrity guest tipster to have a crack at a round of matches; watch this space …
This week’s fixtures:
BIRMINGHAM v WEST HAM
Saturday, 17:00
The Brummies are on a fine run and have broken into the top 10 on the table. This is not the worst opportunity, then, for them to make further gains, especially as the Hammers were blitzed at home by Manchester United and are only one place off the drop zone. Some weird sentiment in favour of a visiting upset, but I’m not among that lobby.
Rob: Birmingham 2 West Ham 0
Garrin: 1-2
Raymond: 0-1
David: 1-1
George: 2-0
Last season: Not applicable
BOLTON v MANCHESTER CITY
Saturday, 17:00
It would be typical of City to follow up a fantastic triumph over Chelsea with an anti-climatic draw at Bolton, wouldn’t it? So that’s the route I’ve gone, with the Trotters desperate for points as they are mired in the bottom three. Bolton won last season … but the rest of the tipsters hardly see lightning striking twice.
Rob: Bolton 2 Manchester City 2
Garrin: 0-2
Raymond: 1-3
David: 0-4
George: 1-2
Last season: 2-0
BURNLEY v FULHAM
Saturday, 17:00
Burnley have had a rough time of it on the road of late, including defeat at basement club Portsmouth. But their home remains a relative fortress and I feel they can sneak this one. Again, though, I sing from a rather different song-sheet than the rest of the gang!
Rob: Burnley 2 Fulham 1
Garrin: 1-1
Raymond: 0-2
David: 0-2
George: 0-2
Last season: Not applicable
CHELSEA v EVERTON
Saturday, 17:00
I still insist the Toffees are a better side than their table position (15th as we speak) suggests. They were wonderfully committed in keeping Spurs at bay in a fiery encounter last Sunday, and will scrap keenly at the London home of the leaders. Reality, though, suggests a Chelsea win, and I have it by a narrower margin than everyone else.
Rob: Chelsea 2 Everton 1
Garrin: 2-0
Raymond: 3-0
David: 2-0
George: 2-0
Last season: 0-0
HULL v BLACKBURN
Saturday, 17:00
Hull went through a resilient spell fairly recently, but then crashed to earth again at Villa Park last weekend. They’re far from off the relegation hook and improving Blackburn can snatch this one – George agrees with me. They won the corresponding fixture last winter.
Rob: Hull 0 Blackburn 1
Garrin: 1-1
Raymond: 1-1
David: 1-0
George: 1-2
Last season: 1-2
MANCHESTER UNITED v ASTON VILLA
Saturday, 19:30
A tricky one on paper, certainly. But the Red Devils have strongly resurrected their title credentials of late and are hardly struggling to find the net. So I’m tipping a bit of a romp against Villa, although all the others are lustily singing a 2-1 chorus. Nemanja Vidic is scheduled to return to an injury-struck United defence, and that’s reassuring for them.
Rob: Manchester United 3 Aston Villa 0
Garrin: 2-1
Raymond: 2-1
David: 2-1
George: 2-1
Last season: 3-2
STOKE v WIGAN
Saturday, 14:45
This is likely to be a no-frills, well-matched affair, with both teams coming off defeats last weekend – though the Potters succumbing 2-0 at Arsenal was no huge disgrace. Majority sentiment favours a draw, although Dave and George are violently at odds. I’m not sure who I fancy in that arm-wrestle …
Rob: Stoke 1 Wigan 1
Garrin: 1-1
Raymond: 1-1
David: 0-1
George: 3-2
Last season: 2-0
SUNDERLAND v PORTSMOUTH
Saturday, 17:00
The Black Cats have looked pretty dismal and disjointed in recent weeks, and come off away losses to Wigan and Fulham after their encouraging humbling of the Gunners at the Stadium of Light. Finally being back home again will make a difference, but I think Pompey (victorious against Burnley) are capable of bagging a much-needed point. Garrin, Ray and George see a home win, though.
Rob: Sunderland 1 Portsmouth 1
Garrin: 2-1
Raymond: 2-1
David: 1-1
George: 2-1
Last season: 1-2
TOTTENHAM v WOLVES
Saturday, 17:00
Scoring goals is not a massive Spurs problem; conceding them is a bit more of a headache at times. But can you see relatively impotent, 18th-placed Wolves bagging a few at White Hart Lane? No! Tottenham have a clear run for the win from our panel; it’s only the margin where we differ.
Rob: Tottenham 2 Wolves 0
Garrin: 2-1
Raymond: 4-1
David: 3-0
George: 3-0
Last season: Not applicable
LIVERPOOL v ARSENAL
Sunday, 17:00
That 4-4 rollercoaster late last season – a Monday night, if I remember correctly – is still fairly vividly on my mind. There’s much at stake for both teams here, with the Gunners anxious to keep within sight of the leaders and Rafa Benitez’s reign certainly beginning to unravel at Anfield. Most of us predict more heartbreak for the Kop, although Ray gives ‘Pool fans hope.
Rob: Liverpool 1 Arsenal 2
Garrin: 1-1
Raymond: 2-1
David: 1-3
George: 1-3
Last season: 4-4
*ADDITIONAL, ABBREVIATED TIPS FOR MIDWEEK MATCHES:
BIRMINGHAM v BLACKBURN
Tuesday, 22:00
Rob: Birmingham 0 Blackburn 0
Garrin: 1-2
Raymond: 1-1
David: 2-1
George: 2-1
Last season: Not applicable
BOLTON v WEST HAM
Tuesday, 22:00
Rob: Bolton 1 West Ham 0
Garrin: 1-1
Raymond: 1-1
David: 0-1
George: 2-0
Last season: 2-1
MANCHESTER UNITED v WOLVES
Tuesday, 22:00
Rob: Manchester United 2 Wolves 0
Garrin: 3-0
Raymond: 4-0
David: 4-1
George: 3-0
Last season: Not applicable
SUNDERLAND v ASTON VILLA
Tuesday, 21:45
Rob: Sunderland 0 Aston Villa 2
Garrin: 1-1
Raymond: 1-1
David: 1-1
George: 1-1
Last season: 1-2
BURNLEY v ARSENAL
Wednesday, 21:45
Rob: Burnley 1 Arsenal 2
Garrin: 1-2
Raymond: 0-2
David: 0-4
George: 1-3
Last season: Not applicable
CHELSEA v PORTSMOUTH
Wednesday, 21:45
Rob: Chelsea 2 Portsmouth 0
Garrin: 2-0
Raymond: 4-0
David: 5-0
George: 4-0
Last season:
LIVERPOOL v WIGAN
Wednesday, 22:00
Rob: Liverpool 3 Wigan 1
Garrin: 2-0
Raymond: 3-1
David: 3-1
George: 2-1
Last season: 3-2
TOTTENHAM v MANCHESTER CITY
Wednesday, 22:00
Rob: Tottenham 1 Manchester City 1
Garrin: 1-1
Raymond: 2-1
David: 2-3
George: 2-2
Last season: 2-1
*LEADERBOARD (three points for wholly correct score-line, one for right result):
111 Rob (8 points last week) and David (8)
106 George (12)
93 Garrin (8)
88 Ray (5)
Verdict: What does being on dreaded “Nelson” mean? That joint-leaders Dave and yours truly are destined for a spectacular fall? We’re putting on brave faces and confidently anticipating extending our lead instead, cashing in on this bumper round. (In fact, my plan is to click into power fifth and leave Dave spluttering in the dust.) George topped the pops for the last round, earning a strong 12-point haul, and probably fancies his own chances of an advance up the ladder in the next few days. Garrin and Ray continue to deceive us with their apparent slumber …
Compiled by Chief Writer Rob Houwing (2008/09 runner-up), with regular predictions also from Managing Editor Garrin Lambley (the defending champion), Content producer Raymond Kilfoil, Commercial Manager David Brooke and former Bafana Bafana and AmaZulu striker George Dearnaley, you’ll seldom find us singing from the same song-sheet.
Occasionally we invite a celebrity guest tipster to have a crack at a round of matches; watch this space …
This week’s fixtures:
BIRMINGHAM v WEST HAM
Saturday, 17:00
The Brummies are on a fine run and have broken into the top 10 on the table. This is not the worst opportunity, then, for them to make further gains, especially as the Hammers were blitzed at home by Manchester United and are only one place off the drop zone. Some weird sentiment in favour of a visiting upset, but I’m not among that lobby.
Rob: Birmingham 2 West Ham 0
Garrin: 1-2
Raymond: 0-1
David: 1-1
George: 2-0
Last season: Not applicable
BOLTON v MANCHESTER CITY
Saturday, 17:00
It would be typical of City to follow up a fantastic triumph over Chelsea with an anti-climatic draw at Bolton, wouldn’t it? So that’s the route I’ve gone, with the Trotters desperate for points as they are mired in the bottom three. Bolton won last season … but the rest of the tipsters hardly see lightning striking twice.
Rob: Bolton 2 Manchester City 2
Garrin: 0-2
Raymond: 1-3
David: 0-4
George: 1-2
Last season: 2-0
BURNLEY v FULHAM
Saturday, 17:00
Burnley have had a rough time of it on the road of late, including defeat at basement club Portsmouth. But their home remains a relative fortress and I feel they can sneak this one. Again, though, I sing from a rather different song-sheet than the rest of the gang!
Rob: Burnley 2 Fulham 1
Garrin: 1-1
Raymond: 0-2
David: 0-2
George: 0-2
Last season: Not applicable
CHELSEA v EVERTON
Saturday, 17:00
I still insist the Toffees are a better side than their table position (15th as we speak) suggests. They were wonderfully committed in keeping Spurs at bay in a fiery encounter last Sunday, and will scrap keenly at the London home of the leaders. Reality, though, suggests a Chelsea win, and I have it by a narrower margin than everyone else.
Rob: Chelsea 2 Everton 1
Garrin: 2-0
Raymond: 3-0
David: 2-0
George: 2-0
Last season: 0-0
HULL v BLACKBURN
Saturday, 17:00
Hull went through a resilient spell fairly recently, but then crashed to earth again at Villa Park last weekend. They’re far from off the relegation hook and improving Blackburn can snatch this one – George agrees with me. They won the corresponding fixture last winter.
Rob: Hull 0 Blackburn 1
Garrin: 1-1
Raymond: 1-1
David: 1-0
George: 1-2
Last season: 1-2
MANCHESTER UNITED v ASTON VILLA
Saturday, 19:30
A tricky one on paper, certainly. But the Red Devils have strongly resurrected their title credentials of late and are hardly struggling to find the net. So I’m tipping a bit of a romp against Villa, although all the others are lustily singing a 2-1 chorus. Nemanja Vidic is scheduled to return to an injury-struck United defence, and that’s reassuring for them.
Rob: Manchester United 3 Aston Villa 0
Garrin: 2-1
Raymond: 2-1
David: 2-1
George: 2-1
Last season: 3-2
STOKE v WIGAN
Saturday, 14:45
This is likely to be a no-frills, well-matched affair, with both teams coming off defeats last weekend – though the Potters succumbing 2-0 at Arsenal was no huge disgrace. Majority sentiment favours a draw, although Dave and George are violently at odds. I’m not sure who I fancy in that arm-wrestle …
Rob: Stoke 1 Wigan 1
Garrin: 1-1
Raymond: 1-1
David: 0-1
George: 3-2
Last season: 2-0
SUNDERLAND v PORTSMOUTH
Saturday, 17:00
The Black Cats have looked pretty dismal and disjointed in recent weeks, and come off away losses to Wigan and Fulham after their encouraging humbling of the Gunners at the Stadium of Light. Finally being back home again will make a difference, but I think Pompey (victorious against Burnley) are capable of bagging a much-needed point. Garrin, Ray and George see a home win, though.
Rob: Sunderland 1 Portsmouth 1
Garrin: 2-1
Raymond: 2-1
David: 1-1
George: 2-1
Last season: 1-2
TOTTENHAM v WOLVES
Saturday, 17:00
Scoring goals is not a massive Spurs problem; conceding them is a bit more of a headache at times. But can you see relatively impotent, 18th-placed Wolves bagging a few at White Hart Lane? No! Tottenham have a clear run for the win from our panel; it’s only the margin where we differ.
Rob: Tottenham 2 Wolves 0
Garrin: 2-1
Raymond: 4-1
David: 3-0
George: 3-0
Last season: Not applicable
LIVERPOOL v ARSENAL
Sunday, 17:00
That 4-4 rollercoaster late last season – a Monday night, if I remember correctly – is still fairly vividly on my mind. There’s much at stake for both teams here, with the Gunners anxious to keep within sight of the leaders and Rafa Benitez’s reign certainly beginning to unravel at Anfield. Most of us predict more heartbreak for the Kop, although Ray gives ‘Pool fans hope.
Rob: Liverpool 1 Arsenal 2
Garrin: 1-1
Raymond: 2-1
David: 1-3
George: 1-3
Last season: 4-4
*ADDITIONAL, ABBREVIATED TIPS FOR MIDWEEK MATCHES:
BIRMINGHAM v BLACKBURN
Tuesday, 22:00
Rob: Birmingham 0 Blackburn 0
Garrin: 1-2
Raymond: 1-1
David: 2-1
George: 2-1
Last season: Not applicable
BOLTON v WEST HAM
Tuesday, 22:00
Rob: Bolton 1 West Ham 0
Garrin: 1-1
Raymond: 1-1
David: 0-1
George: 2-0
Last season: 2-1
MANCHESTER UNITED v WOLVES
Tuesday, 22:00
Rob: Manchester United 2 Wolves 0
Garrin: 3-0
Raymond: 4-0
David: 4-1
George: 3-0
Last season: Not applicable
SUNDERLAND v ASTON VILLA
Tuesday, 21:45
Rob: Sunderland 0 Aston Villa 2
Garrin: 1-1
Raymond: 1-1
David: 1-1
George: 1-1
Last season: 1-2
BURNLEY v ARSENAL
Wednesday, 21:45
Rob: Burnley 1 Arsenal 2
Garrin: 1-2
Raymond: 0-2
David: 0-4
George: 1-3
Last season: Not applicable
CHELSEA v PORTSMOUTH
Wednesday, 21:45
Rob: Chelsea 2 Portsmouth 0
Garrin: 2-0
Raymond: 4-0
David: 5-0
George: 4-0
Last season:
LIVERPOOL v WIGAN
Wednesday, 22:00
Rob: Liverpool 3 Wigan 1
Garrin: 2-0
Raymond: 3-1
David: 3-1
George: 2-1
Last season: 3-2
TOTTENHAM v MANCHESTER CITY
Wednesday, 22:00
Rob: Tottenham 1 Manchester City 1
Garrin: 1-1
Raymond: 2-1
David: 2-3
George: 2-2
Last season: 2-1
*LEADERBOARD (three points for wholly correct score-line, one for right result):
111 Rob (8 points last week) and David (8)
106 George (12)
93 Garrin (8)
88 Ray (5)
Verdict: What does being on dreaded “Nelson” mean? That joint-leaders Dave and yours truly are destined for a spectacular fall? We’re putting on brave faces and confidently anticipating extending our lead instead, cashing in on this bumper round. (In fact, my plan is to click into power fifth and leave Dave spluttering in the dust.) George topped the pops for the last round, earning a strong 12-point haul, and probably fancies his own chances of an advance up the ladder in the next few days. Garrin and Ray continue to deceive us with their apparent slumber …
