BPL Predictions 01/10 --- 01/11

I suppose my gift of foresight wasn't quite as accurate last round as I thought. However, I saw well enough into the future to kick the asses of my two compatriots. Anyway, this week my picks are spot on. Go ahead and put your life savings down. What you are about to read is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Ka-Zaam!!!!!!!!!!!!

Arsenal 4 Bolton 1
At the Emirates, the Gunners finally get a big, breakthrough win that they not only need, but deserve also. It seems that RvP is confident again following a pair of goals in the FA Cup. Plus, as painful as the loss of Fabregas is, Arsenal still have players (albeit obviously less talented players) that can occupy the midfield, deliver timely passes, and even conjure up brief moments of brilliance.

Against a Bolton team that is known to defend well and play for set pieces and counters, Arsenal will apply pressure early and often in order to have a plethora of chances to unlock the Wanderers defense. Surprisingly for Gunners fans and soccer lovers throughout the world, “a cross in by Bolton” will be heard a hundred times. However, I believe Arsenal will get caught once again defending poorly and give up a goal during the run of play.

Fulham 2 Blackburn 1
Blackburn surprised in their first match under Big Sam. Their last 3 fixtures? A 3-0 win versus Stoke, a 0-0 draw at awful Sunderland, and a 2-2 draw at an inconsistent Man City. Those might be the worst 5 points earned in one stretch by any team all season. Plus, I wonder if there are any distractions in the locker room though with the potential sale of Santa Cruz. The guy wants out, and the “lads” probably don’t appreciate that too much. But hell, can you blame a rat for abandoning a sinking ship?

Fulham tied one on two weeks ago and went to work against Middlesborough. They also drew 0-0 with Spurs and 2-2 with Chelsea last week. In each of their last 5 matches, these two teams have fairly similar records, but I believe Fulham to be the stronger team by far. I’m glad to see that Fulham is faring better this season, but I’m not sold yet on whether they can close out games like they failed to do last term. Now? I’m still not 100% sold, but I am reaching for my wallet.

Everton 2 Hull City 0
While Everton is one of the most boring teams in all of the BPL, Hull City may be one of the most interestingly unpredictable teams. They had a dream start, but soon faded. They had a reawakening, which included a draw with Liverpool. Now they are on a 3-match skid losing big both to Sunderland and Man City and a 1-0 loss to Villa. In those 3 losses they have conceded 10 goals and scored 2. Ouch.

Everton have not conceded a goal in their last 4 matches, including bouts with Chelsea and Man City who can both put up some numbers. However, they only put up 4 of their own. Pretty *bleeping* ridiculous. Oh, what’s that? No cursing? What did I say before? No one is reading this… it’s about Everton.

Portsmouth 0 Manchester City 2
Portsmouth’s defense is just good enough to keep this from being a blowout. A series of recent changes will prove detrimental to this team for this game, and eventually to their season. The Jermaine Defoe soap opera with Spurs is sure to be a glaring problem within the Pompey walls. Diarra’s loss will hurt significantly, and whether Tony Adams will still have a job after January is another issue to be considered.

Man City will control the pace and rhythm of this game against their scattered opponent. It is likely Hughes and crew will put up bigger numbers, but their consistency is questionable and I think a 2-0 win is fitting.

Manchester United 0 Chelsea 2
This game is expected to be an insanely crazy, up-and-down, lots of action, fun game to watch. I think it will most definitely offer some interesting side stories, possibly even the infamous “penalty/no penalty” dialogue. In the end, Chelsea will score early and late. Before the Blues' second goal, ManU will be slithering this way and that trying their darndest to score, and this will lead to a pseudo-exciting finish where people are shooting from everywhere and the announcers are breathing heavily trying to keep up. Chelsea will score again to seal victory away from home. I hate Chelsea.