Predictions 1/19 - 1/20

What happened to 7:45am games? Also, what happened to SoccerTV.com? The loss of that site would be horrendous.

Fulham v Arsenal, 10am, FSC: Hopefully Arsenal will struggle to score after dominating as they did often last season and in the last match against Brum, while I do expect Hodgson to get Fulham playing more like a team. But with Arsenal’s ability and Fulham’s penchant for shipping late goals, I can’t fancy the underdogs for a result, even considering that we’ve had some surprising scorelines in London derbies between Fulham and both Arsenal and Chelsea in the past couple of seasons. Arsenal 2-1
Reading v Manchester Utd, 10am, Setanta: Have you seen United lately? I know Reading have been a “bogey” team for them before, but still. Sigh. United 3-1
Birmingham v Chelsea, 10am, Setanta Xtra: I like how we heard in the summer that Chelsea wasn’t going to spend like they’ve been prone to in the past anymore, and then they go and pay £24m for two players that won’t be nailed-on starters if everyone’s available (although Anelka has a chance to lay a claim while Drogba’s at the African Cup) in the first half of the January window. Ha. Chelsea 2-0
Blackburn v Middlesbrough, 10am: While I think Blackburn will win, it’s hard to criticize Boro after their draw against Liverpool last week (sigh), although Boro on the road is certainly a different prospect. And Blackburn also seems to be moving past that sticky spell they had in late November through December. Blackburn 1-0
Portsmouth v Derby, 10am: If Derby didn’t score at home against Wigan, Paul Jewell’s previous team, I don’t see them causing Portsmouth trouble at Fratton Park, despite Pompey’s stuttering form and the players lost to the African Cup of Nations. Portsmouth 2-0
Tottenham v Sunderland, 10am: Ramos is starting to make a difference at the club. Tottenham has looked better in all competitions over the past month, and is even showing some signs of defensive stability. Sunderland’s looked better than 18th place at times, but those times have been at the Stadium of Light. Only a superior goal difference (-18 v –24) separates their away record from Derby’s (0-2-9). Tottenham 3-0
Newcastle v Bolton, 12:15pm, FSC: The Keegan effect. I’m clueless as to how much of a long-term impact Keegan will have, as he’s been out of management for a while now, and it is Newcastle. But don’t think that St James’ Park won’t be rocking Saturday, and don’t think the players won’t respond. Newcastle 3-1
Wigan v Everton, 8:30am Sunday, Setanta:I’m surprised Wigan’s proving as tough an opposition as they have (the narrow defeat to Villa is their only loss in the last six); Bruce has done a very good job so far. But Everton’s only lost to Arsenal and United since the Liverpool match in mid-October, and as much as it hurts me to admit, I expect them to push for 5th and potentially (gulp) compete for a Champions League place. Everton 2-0
Manchester City v West Ham, 11am Sunday, FSC: You saw the template for this match in the last two FA Cup ties. It’ll be cagey, but City’s prowess at home will probably take the three points. City 1-0