Manchester United drew level on points with their local rivals, City, on Boxing Day, as they recorded their second consecutive 5-0 win.  This time the victims were Wigan, who can feel hard done by as they were reduced to 10 men before half-time when their striker, Conor Sammon, was adjudged to have elbowed Michael Carrick in the face – instant replays suggested a booking would have more than sufficed and the red card has since been rescinded by the FA.  The visitors were already a goal down by that point, but a subsequent hat-trick by Dimitar Berbatov and another from Valencia gave United another convincing victory.  Meanwhile, City dropped two points as they were held to a goalless draw in their game at West Bromwich Albion.  Despite Mancini’s side having 62% of the possession and having 18 attempts on goal, they were unable to find a breakthrough and left the Midlands with their lead over United having been reduced down to just goal difference.

In the chasing pack, Chelsea were held to a draw in their game against Fulham, while Arsenal were also able to only pick up a solitary match in their home match with Wolves – the visitors survived a barrage of attacks from the Gunners and managed to gain a share in the spoils despite playing the final 15 minutes with 10 men after Milijas was sent off for a foul on Arteta.  The other team from North London, Tottenham, picked up all three points away to Norwich, who were unable to deal with the pace and skill of Gareth Bale – the Welsh winger scored both of the goals in a 2-0 victory for Spurs.  Tottenham now have 38 points through 17 games, which would have put them top at this stage last season but they still trail the Manchester clubs by 7 points, albeit with the game in hand against Everton still to be played.

Liverpool were held to a draw at home to bottom-of-the table Blackburn, and the games between Stoke and Aston Villa; Swansea and QPR; and Sunderland and Everton also ended up with honours even.  Newcastle returned to winning ways in their game away at Bolton, leaving Owen Coyle’s men deep in the relegation zone, already 4 points away from safety.

There are 20 games spread out over the next 6 days, with every Premiership team facing 2 games in that span of time – this is really a time where teams can make up ground on their rivals, or slip out of contention/further into danger at either end of the table.  It also gives me a chance to improve my overall scores in my weekly predictions – or at the same time I could fall even further away from averaging .500…

Predictions

Last week, 5-5; Season 66-83 

Friday December 30th, 2011

Liverpool vs Newcastle – Home win

Saturday December 31st, 2011

Manchester United vs Blackburn – Home win

Arsenal vs QPR – Home win

Bolton vs Wolves – Draw

Chelsea vs Aston Villa – Home win

Norwich vs Fulham – Away win

Stoke vs Wigan – Draw

Swansea vs Tottenham – Away win

Sunday January 1st, 2012

West Brom vs Everton – Home win

Sunderland vs Manchester City – Away win

Monday January 2nd, 2012

Aston Villa vs Swansea – Draw

Blackburn vs Stoke – Away win

QPR vs Norwich – Draw

Wolves vs Chelsea – Away win

Fulham vs Arsenal – Home win

Tuesday January 3rd, 2012

Tottenham vs West Brom – Home win

Wigan vs Sunderland – Away win

Manchester City vs Liverpool – Home win

Wednesday January 4th, 2012

Everton vs Bolton – Home win

Newcastle vs Manchester United – Away win

With the Premiership fixtures coming and going faster than the frontrunners in the GOP Presidential Nominee race, time for a quick recap of the midweek games and a preview of the matches scheduled for the two days after Christmas.

On Tuesday, Bolton ensured that their Lancashire rivals, Blackburn Rovers, would be consigned to the bottom of the Premier League on Christmas Day, as they won 2-1 at Ewood Park – a game in which the home crowd spent much of the time calling for the sacking of their team’s manager, Steve Kean, rather than trying to get behind their players.  That same evening, Wolves and Norwich played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at Molineux, a result which kept the home team just above the relegation zone.

The next night, it was business as usual for both Manchesters City and United – who won 3-0 at home to Stoke and 5-0 at Fulham respectively.  Arsenal maintained their impressive run of form with 2-1 win away to Aston Villa, thanks to a late strike by Benayoun; Everton kept Swansea winless in England by beating them 1-0 at Goodison Park; Newcastle’s injury-plagued defence helped West Brom earn a 3-2 away win against United; Sunderland won by the same margin against Queens Park Rangers in South-West London; and Wigan held Liverpool to a 0-0 draw at the DW Stadium.  Before the game, the Liverpool players saw fit to wear t-shirts in support of their striker, Luis Suarez, who has been found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United’s Patrice Evra and is facing an eight game suspension – not exactly the worthiest of causes.

In similar news, John Terry found out he was going to face criminal charges over his alleged racist abuse of Anton Ferdinand in Chelsea’s match with QPR in October – his teammates did not wear t-shirts in support of their captain, but he did put in a fantastic defensive performance in his side’s 1-1 draw away at Tottenham.  Spurs had dominated the opening exchanges in that game and were deservedly 1-0 ahead after Bale’s great work on the left-wing set up Adebayor for the opening goal – but their defence went to sleep for Sturridge’s equaliser and the second half was dominated by the away team.  Both teams had excellent chances to win it – Ramires had a free header six yards out for Chelsea, but (thankfully) directed it wide of Friedel’s goal – and in the end the draw ensured Tottenham are London’s top club at Christmas for the first time since the city was called Londinium and being sacked by Queen Boudica and the Iceni.

On Monday, neighbours Chelsea and Fulham meet at Stamford Bridge; Bolton host Newcastle; Liverpool will try to add to Steve Kean’s woes as they take on Blackburn at Anfield; Manchester United have an easy home fixture against Wigan; Manchester City travel to West Brom; Stoke play Aston Villa; and Sunderland take on Everton at the Stadium of Light.  The Tuesday games see all three promoted sides in action: Swansea and QPR meet in Wales; while Norwich host Tottenham in what promises to be an entertaining fixture, with both teams always looking for goals.  Also on that day, Arsenal will continue their push for a top four spot when they take on Wolves at the Emirates – the Gunners are now just a single point behind Chelsea in the race for a Champions League place next year.

Predictions

Last week, 2-8; Season, 61-78 – Oh dear…

MONDAY

Chelsea vs Fulham – Draw

Bolton vs Newcastle – Home win

Liverpool vs Blackburn – Home win

Manchester United vs Wigan – Home win

Sunderland vs Everton – Draw

West Brom vs Manchester City – Away win

Stoke vs Aston Villa – Home win

TUESDAY

Arsenal vs Wolves – Home win

Swansea vs QPR – Draw

Norwich vs Tottenham – Away win

It’s the most wonderful time of the football year – over the Christmas and New Year period, there are so many fixtures that the games comes thick and fast for fans.  This is great for the spectator – there are matches scheduled for December 20th, 21st, 22nd, 26th, 27th, 30th, 31st; January 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th – then FA Cup Third Round weekend is upon us (AKA the best two days in the English football year).  All the clichés come out for the festive season: the title can be lost, but not won, during the deluge of fixtures; the team that was bottom on Christmas Day has only avoided relegation once in the Premier League era – West Bromwich Albion in the 2004/5 season.  That latter statistic gives added significance to tonight’s game between Bolton and Blackburn, since the loser will find themselves anchored in 20th place when Santa Claus makes his rounds.

At the weekend, Manchester City bounced back from their defeat to Chelsea to overcome a previously rejuvenated Arsenal side – although the Gunners losing by just a single goal marked an improvement from their last trip to that city,when United beat them 8-2.  Last minute goals earned West Brom a win away at Blackburn and Wigan a draw at home to Chelsea; Everton also scored late on to share the points with Norwich in their game at Goodison Park; and Newcastle and Swansea played out a goalless draw in the North-East.  Tottenham earned a routine home win over Sunderland; Fulham beat Bolton 2-0 at Craven Cottage, and Manchester United and Liverpool both matched that scoreline in their away victories over QPR and Aston Villa respectively.

Predictions

Last week, 3-7; season 59-70

Tuesday

Wolves vs Norwich – The last time these two sides met in the league at Molineux, it ended up 3-3 – but that was back 2008/9 and in the Championship.  Norwich are yet to keep a clean sheet in the league this season, but they have also only failed to score in two games – so goals can be expected.  Wolves, who narrowly escaped relegation last year, sit precariously just above the bottom three and have lost their last two matches – they need to start picking up points and their next fixture is away to Arsenal, making this game all the more vital for them to return to winning ways. Prediction – Home win

Blackburn vs Bolton – The Lancashire derby that will, as mentioned above, determine who will be bottom of the Premier League on Christmas Day.  With managers Steve Kean and Owen Coyle both at risk of losing their jobs before the calendar hits 2012, both sides will be eager to get one over on their local rivals.  The combined record of these two teams: Played 32; Won  5; Drawn 4; Lost 23 – is there any chance both teams could lose this one?  Prediction – Draw (Bolton’s first of the season)

Wednesday

Aston Villa vs Arsenal – The last time Villa beat Arsenal at home in the league, their scorers were Julian Joachim and Dion Dublin – a massive thirteen years ago.  Having won their previous three away games, the Gunners succumbed to a single goal defeat to Manchester City on Sunday.  They will be confident of getting back to winning ways as Aston Villa will be without their main striker, Darren Bent, due to a thigh strain and will also be without Emile Heskey.  Arsenal’s Dutch striker, Robin Van Persie, has scored 33 league goals this calendar year and has Shearer’s record of 36, set in 1995, in his sights. Prediction – Away win

Manchester City vs Stoke – A repeat of May’s F.A. Cup Final, this is a game between two in-form sides.  Mancini’s men have won all eight of their home games in the Premiership this season, while Stoke have beaten Wolves, Tottenham, Everton and Blackburn in their last four league matches.  Tony Pulis gives opposition managers something completely different to prepare for and I can see his side getting something out of this game. Prediction – Draw

Newcastle vs West Brom – When I heaped praise on the job Alan Pardew had done with Newcastle, it was inevitable that his side would suffer a prolonged slump.  A team that was unbeaten in their first eleven games, they have now failed to win any of the last five and have picked up just two points during that time.  United’s defence has been depleted by injuries and they will consider themselves lucky to be facing the third lowest scorers in the division in West Brom, who have managed just a goal per game in their 16 matches.   Roy Hodgson’s team picked up their third away win of the season against Blackburn on Saturday – but I do not think they will get anything at St. James’ Park. Prediction – Home win

Everton vs Swansea – Both sides picked up a point in their respective fixtures at the weekend and will be looking for a win to push themselves further away from the relegation zone.  Swansea are yet to win a game in England this season – all of their victories have come at home in Wales.  On their travels they have also leaked goals, 18 in 8 games – compared with just 2 allowed in 8 matches at the Liberty Stadium.  Everton are just four points above the bottom three and will hope to continue their record of never having lost to Swansea – though it has been nearly 30 years since the two clubs last met in a league game. Prediction – Draw

Fulham vs Manchester United – During his time at Spurs, Martin Jol never managed to lead us to a win over Manchester United, Arsenal or Chelsea.  Oftentimes a promising first-half would be undone by negative tactics after the break as he would try to defend a lead – something that played out again this season when his Fulham team lost their lead against Arsenal and could only manage a draw.  United have not won in any of their last three league games at Craven Cottage, but seem to be finding their form again since their Champions League exit.  Ferguson’s men are still unbeaten away and he has put pressure on them to overtake Manchester City during this Christmas period.  Alex Ferguson + Pressuring his Players = Success for Manchester United. Prediction – Away win

QPR vs Sunderland – Queens Park Rangers have only got one win at home all season – against their local rivals, Chelsea – while Sunderland have managed to pick up just five points in eight games away from the Stadium of Light.  The Black Cats will be a different proposition with Martin O’Neill in charge rather than Steve Bruce, but it will take him time to mold his squad to fit his vision – that opportunity will come in the January transfer window and for now, he has to make do with what he has.  With both sides having won just one of their last seven games, a draw seems a likely outcome. Prediction – Draw

Wigan vs Liverpool – Wigan have managed to push themselves off the bottom of the league having won 2, drawn 2 and lost 1 of their last five league games.  Having beaten West Brom the previous week, earning a point with a last-minute equaliser at home to Chelsea on Saturday must have felt like a victory to Roberto Martinez’s men.  Liverpool have been in good form of late and have pushed themselves up to be just three points behind fourth place Chelsea in the race for a Champions League berth next season.  Just like in their glory days of the 1980’s, Dalglish’s side is built around a solid defence – Liverpool have the meanest back line in the Premiership this season, having conceded just 13 goals in their 16 games thus far.  Prediction – Away win

Thursday

Tottenham vs Chelsea – If I proved anything with last week’s predictions, it’s that being a pessimist works for us Spurs fans.  When Tottenham beat Chelsea on November 5th, 2006 – it was the first league win over their London rivals since February 1990.  That match, which I consider to be the best game I have ever attended in person, opened the floodgates for Spurs and in the nine Premiership matches with Chelsea since then, they have won a massive…two.  If they were to prevail this time around, Tottenham would sit five points above the Blues in third, still with a game in hand.  However, without the speed on the wings of Bale and Lennon, both likely to miss out through injury, it will be difficult for Redknapp’s side to break down Chelsea’s defence – who might have the added bonus of being without John Terry who was injured in training.  Having said that, it would not be the first time the second-rate defender (and twentieth rate human-being) made a surprise come back after initially being doubtful for a game.  He is like the Ben Rothlisberger of English Football – both in his hero complex returns from injury and his likeability. Prediction – Away win – because I’m still a pessimist.

As a Tottenham fan, you get used to the beats of the season – the hope, the promise, the fall, the frustration.  Each year, conversations between supporters take on a variance of the following:

Preseason

Optimist: “You know, this year we really have a squad to compete – I’m not saying we’ll win the league, but we could be up there and maybe win a trophy” 

Pessimist: “We didn’t invest enough in the squad/not bringing through enough young players/should have sold players/should not have sold players…we’ll be lucky to be in the top half”

Note – just like Tyler Durden, the optimist and the pessimist may well be the same person, such is the internal conflict created by being a Spurs fan.

After a few good results:

Optimist: “We can really push on from here – look at our next four games, that should be 12 points”

Pessimist: “Soon as we lose one game this will all come crashing down”

After a defeat that ends an unbeaten run (Note, this has been this week)

Optimist: “Well at least the pressure is off now and we can focus on winning games” (Yes, I realise this makes no sense, just believe me – I have had this conversation many times.

Pessimist: “That’s it now, we’re going to lose next week too – why are we playing Van der Vaart over Harry Kane?  He’s rubbish”

When Spurs inevitably lose the next game

Optimist: No such thing as an optimistic Tottenham fan at this point

Pessimist: “I knew it – sack the manager, get rid of the players, bring on next season”.

After last week’s loss to Stoke – one where Tottenham’s lacklustre performance in the first 45 minutes was ignored due to some bad refereeing decisions in the second half – this week sees Sunderland visit the Lane.  If this game was being played a month ago, Spurs would be heavy favourites to pick up a win, but since then the Black Cats have sacked Steve Bruce and appointed Martin O’Neill as manager – a savvy tactician who will have his team well prepared for this game.  With a match against a rejuvenated Chelsea side coming up in the week, Redknapp needs to ensure that his side get back to winning ways – but that would not be the Tottenham way.  A 1-0 defeat, followed by a good performance but loss to Chelsea, are the inevitable outcomes of the next two games (yes, I’m the pessimistic Spurs fan).

Manchester City also saw their unbeaten run come to an end last week, as they suffered their first loss of the season, away to Chelsea.  Their neighbours, United, closed the gap at the top of the league to just two points with a 4-1 demolition of Wolves.  Arsenal continued their impressive run of form with a home win over Everton; Bolton’s woes show no sign of abating as a loss against Aston Villa at the Reebok Stadium sent to the bottom of the table, replacing Wigan who earned a win at West Brom; Liverpool had a routine 1-0 win over QPR at Anfield; Sunderland came from behind to beat Blackburn in Martin O’Neill’s first game in charge; and Norwich took advantage of Newcastle’s injury problems by putting four past them at Carrow Road. 

This weekend’s biggest fixture sees Manchester City take on their feeder club (just kidding, Arsenal fans, just kidding) as Nasri, Clichy, Toure and Van Perise face their former employers.  Oops, sorry, the Dutchman is still at Arsenal, so will be taking on his future paymasters (not kidding, Arsenal fans, not kidding…).  Elsewhere, Wigan try to keep the score down against Chelsea, who last season beat them 6-0 at the JJB DW Stadium; QPR play host to Manchester United, in a game that reminds those of us with ridiculously long sporting memories of an encounter at Old Trafford on New Year’s Day in 1992, which the visitors won 4-1; and Liverpool travel to Birmingham to play Aston Villa. 

Predictions

Last week, 4-6; season 56-63

Blackburn vs West Brom – Home win

Everton vs Norwich – Draw

Fulham vs Bolton – Home win

Newcastle vs Swansea – Away win

Wolves vs Stoke – Home win

Wigan vs Chelsea – Away win

QPR vs Manchester United – Away win

Aston Villa vs Liverpool – Draw

Tottenham vs Sunderland – Draw

Manchester City vs Arsenal – Away win (see Arsenal fans, I can be nice sometimes)