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‘Expert’ UK soccer tips

Cape Town – Each round of the 2013/14 English Premiership season, a panel of Sport24 staff and occasional guest tipsters have a crack at predicting the results – do the exercise yourself, if you like, and see how you compare afterwards.

Compiled by Rob Houwing (Newcastle-partial), the others are Garrin Lambley (Everton), Dominic Valentine (Liverpool, and the defending champion), Herman Mostert (Chelsea) and newcomer Earl Haupt (another ‘Pool fan).

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

THE PRIME ATTRACTION
FULHAM v CHELSEA
Saturday, 17:00
 They say the beauty of the Premiership (and otherwise its qualities against top rival European leagues are sometimes thrown into question) is that the bottom side is often genuinely capable of knocking off the top dogs. Which, let’s face it, doesn’t happen as often in Spain or, er, Scotland. So do any of  our forecasters fall for that bait as Jose Mourinho’s table-topping charges head to very nearby Fulham, languishing at the very foot of the ladder? No, we’re too smart for that. A full house has the Blues grabbing three pretty routine points, and it is backed up by last season’s result at Craven Cottage, where it was a comprehensive 3-0 to the visitors.
Rob: Fulham 0 Chelsea 2  
Garrin: 0-2
Dominic: 0-2
Herman: 1-2
Earl: 1-2
Last season: 0-3             

THE GRUDGE MATCH
SOUTHAMPTON v LIVERPOOL
Saturday, 19:30
The Reds are right back in the hunt for the title after their rollercoaster 4-3 Anfield triumph over Swansea last Sunday, but there’s a needle element to this fixture because in recent times they haven’t exactly had everything their own way against these south coast foes. Saints shocked Merseyside (or at least half of it) earlier this season when Dejan Lovren headed in the lone goal for the visitors. There was also some misery for Liverpool when they visited Southampton last season, and were seen off 3-1. So there’s a mini-bogey to be broken, and all of the wise men see that happening – albeit by very tight margins in each instance.  
Rob: Southampton 1 Liverpool 2
Garrin: 1-2
Dominic: 1-2
Herman: 1-2
Earl: 2-3
Last season: 3-1              

THE DESPERATE DUEL
TOTTENHAM v CARDIFF
Sunday, 18:30
With the only team below them, Fulham, having that tough Chelsea nut to crack, Cardiff will be thinking: we have a bit of an opportunity to ensure greater daylight and also head a tad further “north” on the table. Unfortunately they may find that easier said than done, because Spurs away is hardly the easiest scenario for success – plus Tottenham will be smarting from that 1-0 loss at Norwich last weekend. The Welsh outfit also surrendered the first-round clash against the Londoners at home (0-1), so even a point here would be a very heartening result indeed. I am particularly sure it won’t happen ...
Rob: Tottenham 3 Cardiff 0
Garrin: 2-1
Dominic: 2-0
Herman: 2-0
Earl: 2-0
Last season: Not applicable          

THE OTHERS
EVERTON v WEST HAM
Saturday, 17:00
Rob: Everton 2 West Ham 0
Garrin: 2-0
Dominic: 1-0
Herman: 2-1
Earl: 2-1
Last season: 2-0          
HULL v NEWCASTLE
Saturday, 17:00
Rob: Hull 0 Newcastle 0
Garrin: 1-1
Dominic: 1-2
Herman: 1-1
Earl: 1-1
Last season: Not applicable    

STOKE v ARSENAL
Saturday, 17:00
Rob: Stoke 0 Arsenal 2
Garrin: 0-1
Dominic: 0-1
Herman: 1-2
Earl: 1-1
Last season: 0-0            
ASTON VILLA v NORWICH
Sunday, 18:30
Rob: Aston Villa 1 Norwich 0
Garrin: 1-1
Dominic: 2-1
Herman: 1-1
Earl: 2-1
Last season: 1-1          
SWANSEA v CRYSTAL PALACE
Sunday, 18:30
Rob: Swansea 1 Crystal Palace 0
Garrin: 2-1
Dominic: 2-1
Herman: 1-0
Earl: 2-0
Last season: Not applicable          
*LEADERBOARD
220 Garrin (7 points in last round)
218 Dominic (6)
205 Rob (11)
197 Herman (6)
179 Earl (8)
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