'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

MANCHESTER CITY v LIVERPOOL
Sunday, 18:00

They’re still re-learning the art of winning matches consistently, but there can be no doubt that from time to time the Reds are able to produce near-champagne performances once more. But can they bring some of that “bubbly” to Eastlands, where champions City – still in the hunt for title retention – lie in wait? I believe it could be close, and a decent spectacle, but have to suspect the home side will grab all three points. They did so with some aplomb last season, strikes from Messrs Aguero, Y Toure and Milner making for a comfortable occasion for City. We should see sterner ‘Pool stuff this time ...

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

THE GRUDGE MATCH

FULHAM v MANCHESTER UNITED
Saturday, 19:30

Lower mid-table Fulham seem unlikely to deny the log-leading Red Devils another full house of points. But there is quite a lot on the line for the Londoners because they will wish, at the very least, to put up an altogether better showing than when they crashed 0-5 in the corresponding match last season. Five different names got on the sumptuous score-sheet for United, in a game where BBC Sport described the Craven Cottagers as “lifeless”. A single strike to win it this time would be enough to make Fergie pretty happy, I’m sure.

Rob: Fulham 0 Manchester United 1 
Garrin: 0-2
Dominic: 1-2
Herman: 1-2
Last season: 0-5

THE DESPERATE DUEL

WIGAN v SOUTHAMPTON
Saturday, 17:00

A straightforward enough choice for the “deadbeats” slot – these teams have been on the lower rungs of the table more or less since the outset of 2012/13. Mind you, the Saints are starting to stir and when this was penned (by personal necessity just ahead of the midweek round of games) had inched toward the relative safety of 15th. Isn’t this the time of year when ace escape artists Wigan begin to believe in survival, though? On those slightly dubious grounds, plus home advantage, I tip the Latics to nick it!

Rob: Wigan 1 Southampton 0
Garrin: 1-1
Dominic: 1-0
Herman: 1-1
Last season: Not applicable

THE OTHERS

QPR v NORWICH
Saturday, 14:45

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

ARSENAL v STOKE
Saturday, 17:00

Rob: Arsenal 3 Stoke 0
Garrin: 2-0
Dominic: 1-0
Herman: 2-1
Last season: 3-1     

EVERTON v ASTON VILLA
Saturday, 17:00

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

NEWCASTLE v CHELSEA
Saturday, 17:00

Rob: Newcastle 1 Chelsea 2
Garrin: 1-2
Dominic: 1-2
Herman: 1-2
Last season: 0-3   

READING v SUNDERLAND
Saturday, 17:00

Rob: Reading 1 Sunderland 1
Garrin: 1-1
Dominic: 1-2
Herman: 1-1
Last season: Not applicable

WEST HAM v SWANSEA
Saturday, 17:00

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

WEST BROM v TOTTENHAM
Sunday, 15:30

Rob: West Brom 1 Tottenham 1
Garrin: 1-2
Dominic: 1-2
Herman: 1-1
Last season: 1-3

*LEADERBOARD

188 - Dominic (4 points in last round)
181 - Herman (4)
180 - Garrin (6)
171 - Rob (7)