Sky Sports

Friday, October 16, 2009

Matchday 9

Aston Villa - Chelsea 2-1
The round opener will feature the leaders, on the road at Villa, a game that in rencent years delivered a good amount of entertainment and goals. After a shabby start Villa recovered and will try, again, to break into the top four, albeit stiffer competition this year (i.e. Manchester City and Tottenham). The Blues will really need to work hard for a point here.
Verdict 1-1



Arsenal - Birmingham City 3-1
There is no easier way to make some extra money than betting on an (another) emphatic Arsenal success. The Gunners will win these type of games with ease, but they still have to deliver against the big boys if their title challenge is to be taken serious.

Verdict 3-0


Everton - Wolverhampton 1-1
The Toffies are slowly getting back on track after an horendous start but will find it quite difficult in front of a team that is travelling anywhere knowing that they have nothing to lose in the away games.
Verdict 2-1


Machester Utd. - Bolton 2-1
The Red Devils cannot afford another slip up at Old Trafford and will try to settle the game early, probably in the first 25-30 minutes. Despite conceding in the first half hour Bolton will play cautiously, to avoid an embarassing defeat.
Verdict 3-0

Portsmouth - Tottenham 1-2
Redknapp boys will travel South facing the gaffer's former club and will have a though task in front a team buoyed recently by their first win of the season. A game that can deliver plenty of goals given the Spurs attacking prowess combined with a flawed defense.
Verdict 2-3

Stoke - West Ham 2-1
The Hammers are laying flat at the bottom of the table with only five points from eight games, despite playing better than many other teams above them. Altough Brittania have a reputation of a though place to get points, I can see the londoners getting away with a point from this game.
Verdict 1-1

Sunderland - Liverpool 1-0
The Reds will not feature their crown jewels - Gerrard and Torres - travelling up North, and Benitez have plently of reasons to worry, but in the end the likes of Kuyt and Benayoun will be enough to emerge victorius over a Sunderland side that is alternating honorable performances with mediocre ones.
Verdic 0-2

Blackburn - Burnley 3-2
Burnley is flying high these days but they are no real threat when away, and Big Sam knows that these are exacly the type of games he needs to win in order to keep the Rovers safe and away from the relegation zone.
Verdict 3-1

Wigan - Manchester City 1-1
A good chance for Wigan to slain another (young) dragon and for Martinez to prove his mangerial qualities. The Citizens fans will get a reality check in the coming month, when their title dreams will sharply turn into a decent Europa League spot.

Verdict 1-1 Perfect Score!

Fulham - Hull 2-0
A typical Monday night game, dull, played on a soaked pitch, with no real chances, but genuine personal mistakes. Lacking talent, ambition and ingenuity Hull will go crashing down as early as March of next year.
Verdict 2-0 Perfect Score!