Share

'Expert' UK footy tips

Cape Town - Each round of the 2012/13 English Premiership season, a panel of Sport24 staff and occasional guest tipsters have a crack at predicting the results - do it yourself, if you like, and see how you compare afterwards.

Compiled by Rob Houwing (Newcastle-partial), the others are Garrin Lambley (Everton, and last season’s winner), Dominic Valentine (Liverpool) and Herman Mostert (Chelsea).

Three points are awarded for an entirely correct scoreline, and one for right result.

THE PRIME ATTRACTION

ARSENAL v LIVERPOOL
Wednesday, 21:45


Well, this battle between rather fickle, once-were-mighties comes at a good time in terms of its possible entertainment value: the Gunners come off a 5-1 London derby thumping of West Ham in a re-arranged midweek fixture, while the Anfielders got a 5-0 victory over wobbling Norwich just a few days earlier. This game is important because even though title aspirations for both ceased to be realistic a few weeks ago, there are still European slots to push for and the sides currently lie in sixth (Arsenal) and seventh respectively. Inconsistent they may be – infuriatingly so for their fans – but each team is also well capable of a charm offensive, making this a tough pick. I’m fancying Arsene Wenger, who also appears to have sorted out the problems he’s had with the zip on that strange sleeping-bag concoction he wears on chilly evenings, to be the happier boss after this one ...  

Rob: Arsenal 2 Liverpool 0 
Garrin: 1-1
Dominic: 1-1
Herman: 2-1
Last season: 0-2

THE GRUDGE MATCH

FULHAM v WEST HAM
Wednesday, 22:00


This gets my nod for grudge game not just because it pits all-London rivals against each other: it is also based around the Hammers blowing bubbles rather too handsomely for Fulham’s liking the last time they met – the home team, then riding a bit higher and more assertively than they are now, earned a decisive 3-0 outcome. The strikes came via Messrs Nolan, Reid and Taylor, and all in the first half. Fulham have also been in a slipping mode more recently, but a hunch tells me they will earn revenge. Only Garrin, of the panel, feels differently.

Rob: Fulham 2 West Ham 0
Garrin: 1-1
Dominic: 1-0
Herman: 1-0
Last season: Not applicable

THE DESPERATE DUEL

ASTON VILLA v NEWCASTLE
Tuesday, 21:45


Don’t accuse me of voting with my heart: even with my diehard Toon partiality, I’m the only one here tipping the Villa win in a potentially grim, high-stakes scrap between the two sides immediately above the three relegation positions. Frankly, for the entire season I have not yet seen one genuinely compelling performance from Newcastle, and my “concerns” for their Premiership status have turned to a deeper-rooted fear. Not even the addition of a bewildering array of Frenchmen in the past few days is enough yet to convince me they’ll stabilise to a notable degree! It was 1-1 at Villa Park last season and that’s what three of the tipsters root for again. Me? I’ll just be delighted to be surprised ...  

Rob: Aston Villa 1 Newcastle 0
Garrin: 1-1
Dominic: 1-1
Herman: 1-1
Last season: 1-1

THE OTHERS

QPR v MANCHESTER CITY
Tuesday, 21:45


Rob: QPR 0 Manchester City 2
Garrin: 0-2
Dominic: 1-2
Herman: 1-2
Last season: 2-3

STOKE v WIGAN
Tuesday, 21:45


Rob: Stoke 0 Wigan 0
Garrin: 2-1
Dominic: 1-0
Herman: 1-1
Last season: 2-2    
 
SUNDERLAND v SWANSEA
Tuesday, 21:45


Rob: Sunderland 2 Swansea 1 
Garrin: 1-1
Dominic: 1-0
Herman: 2-1
Last season: 2-0

EVERTON v WEST BROM
Wednesday, 21:45


Rob: Everton 1 West Brom 0
Garrin: 2-1
Dominic: 2-0
Herman: 1-0
Last season: 2-0   

NORWICH v TOTTENHAM
Wednesday, 21:45


Rob: Norwich 1 Tottenham 1
Garrin: 1-2
Dominic: 0-2
Herman: 1-2
Last season: 0-2

MANCHESTER UNITED v SOUTHAMPTON
Wednesday, 22:00


Rob: Manchester United 2 Southampton 0
Garrin: 2-0
Dominic: 3-0
Herman: 3-0
Last season: Not applicable

READING v CHELSEA
Wednesday, 22:00


Rob: Reading 0 Chelsea 3
Garrin: 1-2
Dominic: 1-2
Herman: 1-2
Last season: Not applicable

*LEADERBOARD

184 - Dominic (12 points in last round)
177 - Herman (15)
174 - Garrin (11)
164 - Rob (8)
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!
26% - 1223 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
30% - 1419 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2151 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