Mondays Soccer Predictions
The Premiership
Aston Villa – Swansea 1.91 – 5.05
Home win will be my call. I like to think that the Villa win against Chelsea was just the kind of tonic they needed to change their season for the better. One or two of us have expected much better from Villa, but maybe coach McLeish has relied too much on their defensive display. Anyway, they already played a strong home game last time around vs Arsenal, despite their 1-2 loss and now 3-1 away to Chelsea. D Bent came on with some fifteen minutes to go. Likely starter tomorrow. A Hutton was back from his suspension, but he never came off the bench. S Petrov is an injury doubt.
Swansea are 0-3-6 away from home. Their last away games were at Newcastle (0-0) and Everton(0-1) and they very rarely threatened their opponents. S Caulker, D Graham, Rangel and L Britton could all get recalls tomorrow. Home winner.
Blackburn – Stoke 2.60 – 3.00
It was an amazing win for this young Blackburn side at Old Trafford. A player called Morris entered the game in the second half. I have never heard his name before and that is almost unbelievable at this stage of the season. It is no secret that the United coach Ferguson felt sympathy for the Blackburn coach, but I do not think that he wanted to help Kean this way. G Givet will be back tomorrow and it also looks like M Olsson, D Dunn and J Hoilett will be back in contention for the home side. A stronger Blackburn tomorrow!
Stoke have won a third of their away fixtures this season and that is better than usual. I was not overly impressed by their performance against Wigan the other day (2-2) and I will give Blackburn my vote in this game. A Wilkinson could once again be replaced by Shotton in the Stoke defence. The big Blackburn man in defence, Chris Samba, is in danger of being overworked tomorrow, because it will be Samba against the Stoke long balls. Blackburn to win.
Q P R – Norwich 2.15 – 3.73
Whatever the QPR coach Warnock is saying his side are winless in seven league games. Crisis? A mini crisis! Their first choice keeper P Kenny could be back for this match. Their leading striker Helguson was on the bench against Arsenal but he could be starting tomorrow?
Their poor home form must be a concern (1-4-4) and while I gave QPR so much credit after their unlucky home loss against M City there has been no home win since that match. Norwich are also 1-4-4, but that is away from home and that is alright. Their big front man G Holt could start tomorrow. 1X game.
Wolves – Chelsea 7.50 – 1.57
Frimpong has joined Wolves on loan and he will be in contention for this game. Milijas is once again suspended. Wolves have played two away games in a row. Both ended in draws and that is positive for Wolves. They were really poor in the first half at Bolton, but they improved vastly in the second half. Some, not so nice, words from their coach at half time, I should think.
The Chelsea season is slowly but effectively falling to pieces and there is no other way to describe their current situation. They have become this “oh so predictable side” again and their domination in games count for nothing. Coach Villas-Boas will make changes tomorrow, that is all I know. Chelsea are not backable at the moment, that much I can say about this fixture.
Fulham – Arsenal 4.50 – 2.00
I would not be surprised to see B Zamora and A Johnson leaving Fulham during the January window. No problems from my stand point. This new Fulham side including O Sa, Frei and B Ruiz is the future and they already have already made quite an impression. D Murphy was replaced in the second half at Norwich, but I do not think that he was injured. D Duff was back playing as a substitute.
Arsenal have lost their key defender Vermaelen to an injury and he will be missing for some time. He has played as a left back lately and Arsenal are at this stage without three left backs. Coquelin could play as left back again tomorrow. It will be tough for Arsenal and the draw looks most likely in this London derby.
The Championship
Doncaster – Barnsley 2.56 – 2.90
Backing Doncaster. Recent home wins against teams like Southampton and Leicester tell us that Doncaster are capable of playing some good football at their Keepmoat Stadium. Away from home they are struggling big time with 2-0-11 this far. They often run into problems on their travels. The other day they were 1-1 at Watford in the second half, but a Doncaster player was sent off and they ended up losing the match 1-4. Goulon will be suspended tomorrow and B Stock, back from his suspension, will replace him on their midfield, while defender H Beye will also be suspended and L Diatta will probably earn his first start in the Doncaster defence. New on loan signings Bamogo and Bagayoko could feature.
Barnsley will be without both their influential midfielders J Butterfield and D Drinkwater. Addison, playing from the start at home to Leeds, will also miss this match. Barnsley defeated Leeds again, they always do, and this they managed more or less without Butterfield. He withdrew in the first half. In my opinion the weakened Barnsley midfield will face major problems in this match. Doncaster to win.
Crystal Palace will play a home game against Leicester tomorrow. You tell me why there is 3.00 on the home win? Palace are ahead of Leicester in the league table and they are in better form. Leicester are winless in five games. Their last two were home fixtures, vs. Ipswich and Portsmouth, and both ended in draws. Hugely disappointing. Anyway, the home win is over priced.