I'm back again with more inaccurate predictions! It is the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster in 1958 which claimed the lives of 23 people, including 8 Manchester Utd players. Highlights of this weekend include Man United vs Man City, and Chelsea vs Liverpool.

Fixtures & Predictions

ASTON VILLA 2 NEWCASTLE UNITED 0 @ VILLA PARK
High-flying Aston Villa face off against struggling Newcastle in this weekend's early kick-off. Villa suffered a blip last weekend, going down 1-2 in a shock defeat to second-from-bottom Fulham. Newcastle meanwhile continue to struggle to impress, with their cause not being helped by a goal drought and low confidence levels. Their goal drought and winless streak is set to continue against the Villans, who will want to recover from last weekend's setback and push on for an European spot.

BOLTON WANDERERS 1 PORTSMOUTH 1 @ REEBOK STADIUM
Bolton are solid defensively at home, but having sold Nicolas Anelka to Chelsea, the Trotters are now struggling for goals. Portsmouth have one of the best away records in the league this season, but with key African players not yet back from the African Cup of Nations, they won't be able to score too much. Expect a low-scoring draw to ensue.

DERBY COUNTY 1 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2 @ PRIDE PARK
The Premier League's basement team are up against a revitalised Spurs side. The reverse fixture earlier this season saw Spurs race to a 3-0 lead inside 19 minutes en route to a crushing 4-0 victory over the Rams. Such a scoreline is not expected at Pride Park where Derby have recently put on more-than-decent performances, but individual errors have cost themselves dear. Derby are expected to give Spurs a run for their money, but the away team's class and confidence shall prevail.

EVERTON 2 READING 0 @ GOODISON PARK
Everton will look to bounce back from two consecutive goalless draws with a victory over the struggling Royals in their clash at Goodison Park. Reading have lost six straight matches and now sit only a few points above the dropzone. They will need to rectify the situation fast before they are sucked deeper in the relegation dogfight. However, they will not have it easy against the Toffees as Everton are perched nicely in a Champions League qualification spot and will want to stay there with a win. Expect Reading's defence (that has conceded a joint-worst 52 goals this season) to fall apart yet again.

MIDDLESBROUGH 1 FULHAM 1 @ THE RIVERSIDE STADIUM
Boro are a more-than-decent side at home, but today they play hosts to Fulham, who received a huge confidence boost with a unexpected 2-1 victory over Aston Villa. Bullard played a vital role in that victory and will be expected to spearhead his side's attack against Boro in this fixture. Expect the struggling Cottagers to continue their run and grab a vital point here.

SUNDERLAND 2 WIGAN ATHLETIC 1 @ STADIUM OF LIGHT
Sunderland have had a decent run at home, with recent victories over Bolton, Portsmouth and Birmingham raising their hopes of avoiding the relegation trapdoor. Fellow relegation battlers Wigan managed a 3-0 victory here in a FA Cup tie last month, but Black Cats manager Roy Keane will be demanding that his side avoid a repeat of that drubbing. Infront of their home faithful, the Black Cats may just edge this, provided they get an early goal.

WEST HAM UNITED 1 BIRMINGHAM CITY 1 @ UPTON PARK
Erratic West Ham seem to play well against high-flying sides and struggle against weaker opposition. That may inspire Birmingham and provide them hope of at least getting a point from Upton Park. If West Ham do not get an early goal, their home faithful may turn against them, which may work in Birmingham's favour. The visitors will be hoping that their defence can at least hold on till half-time.

DERBY DAY
MANCHESTER UNITED 3 MANCHESTER CITY 1 @ OLD TRAFFORD
The stars conspired for this fixture to be the closest match to the 50th anniversary of the Munich aircrash. Both sides will wear special jerseys for this fixture, with United wearing a replica of the jersey that the famous 'Busby Babes' used to wear in the 1950s. The Red Devils will want revenge following an undeserved 0-1 defeat to City in reverse Manchester derby earlier this season. Then, United dominated the match but lost thanks to a deflected goal, one of City's two goal attempts on target. It will be an emotional day for the Old Trafford faithful as they remember the Busby Babes, and a minute's silence will be observed as a mark of respect. After that, sparks will fly on the pitch as United will seek to regain top spot from Arsenal. Rooney and Evra are both suspended for the Red Devils, but with Cristiano Ronaldo in flying form, a victory for the hosts will be expected.

CHELSEA 1 LIVERPOOL 0 @ STAMFORD BRIDGE
In the reverse fixture at Anfield earlier this season, a lucky penalty for Chelsea earned them an undeserved 1-1 draw against the Reds. Since then, Liverpool's fortunes have floundered as a backroom power struggle has seen them fall out of contention for Premier League glory. Topscorer Fernando Torres will sit out for Liverpool, after picking up an injury while on international duty with Spain. This means that Peter Crouch will be in contention for a rare start for the Reds. Chelsea have managed to ekk out unimpressive victories despite an injury crisis, and up against a struggling Liverpool side trying to regain confidence, they should stretch their unbeaten home record to 76 games.

ARSENAL 2 BLACKBURN ROVERS 1 @ EMIRATES STADIUM
The Gunners regained top spot last weekend following Manchester United's 1-1 draw with Spurs. Up against an erratic but difficult-to-beat Blackburn side at home, they should be able to squeeze out a victory to stay top-of-the-table.

Joel at 2/09/2008 01:50:00 PM :: link

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