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'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

EVERTON v MANCHESTER CITY
Saturday, 14:45

The Toffees have just started to lose their lustre a little in recent weeks after a commendably lengthy period in the upper regions of the table – and the 0-3 home FA Cup outcome at the hands of Wigan saw them booed off by some disgruntled fans. What a perfect opportunity, then, for redemption: the visit of defending champions City! Everton won the Goodison meeting 1-0 last season, and earned a spirited 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium in the first-round encounter of 2012/13, so there’s a recent history of solidity against these foes. I reckon they might pick up a point, further denting the champs’ seriously fading title retention hopes.   

Rob: Everton 1 Manchester City 1  
Garrin: 1-1
Dominic: 1-0
Herman: 1-1
Last season: 1-0

THE GRUDGE MATCH

SWANSEA v ARSENAL
Saturday, 17:00


The Gunners are desperately trying to keep in touch with the contenders for Champions League places for next season, and the recent loss at arch-rivals Tottenham will only have made the mounting anti-Wenger lobby at the Emirates Stadium more militant. A big problem with this visit to Wales is that Arsenal have a dodgy recent record against these opponents: they crashed 0-2 at home earlier in this campaign, and Swansea also pinched the equivalent fixture 3-2 when the Gunners last visited in 2011/12. Motivated by thoughts of revenge, maybe the Londoners will set things right ... that’s my gut feel.

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

THE DESPERATE DUEL

MANCHESTER UNITED v READING
Saturday, 19:30


Chill, Red Devils supporters ... you’re obviously exempt from the “desperate” billing, given your team’s seemingly unstoppable charge toward the title. The label is all to do with visitors Reading, who come to Old Trafford (daunting task at the best of times) very deep in relegation trouble and on a run of particularly bad form. Losing at home to fellow-battlers Aston Villa last weekend was a damaging six-point swing, in many respects, and before that had come a further three defeats on the trot. Reading will be necessarily gritty (as they were in only losing 4-3 in the home clash), which is why I don’t anticipate an avalanche – comfortable enough three point for Fergie’s boys, however! 

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

THE OTHERS

ASTON VILLA v QPR
Saturday, 17:00


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

SOUTHAMPTON v LIVERPOOL
Saturday, 17:00


Rob: Southampton 0 Liverpool 2
Garrin: 1-2
Dominic: 1-2
Herman: 1-2
Last season: Not applicable 
 
STOKE v WEST BROM
Saturday, 17:00


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

SUNDERLAND v NORWICH
Sunday, 15:30


Rob: Sunderland 0 Norwich 0
Garrin: 2-1
Dominic: 1-0
Herman: 0-1
Last season: 3-0

TOTTENHAM v FULHAM
Sunday, 17:00


Rob: Tottenham 1 Fulham 0
Garrin: 2-0
Dominic: 2-0
Herman: 2-1
Last season: 2-0 
 
CHELSEA v WEST HAM
Sunday, 18:00


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

WIGAN v NEWCASTLE
Sunday, 18:00


Rob: Wigan 0 Newcastle 0
Garrin: 1-1
Dominic: 1-1
Herman: 1-2
Last season: 4-0

*LEADERBOARD

225 - Dominic (6 points in last round)
212 - Garrin (4)
211 - Herman (3)
197 - Rob (3)
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