Tuesdays Soccer Predictions
The Premiership
Tottenham – W B A 1.43 – 8.50
Not only did WBA lose to a late Everton goal, they also suffered new injuries. The important Chris Brunt is new on their injury list, joining the influential duo J Olsson and Mulumbu. Shane Long is also unfit and he is considered a major injury doubt for this game.
Tottenham could be forced to play without one of their prime assets, S Parker. He will have a late fitness test. Ledley King could be back. Too many WBA regulars will be missing and Tottenham will have their three points.
Wigan – Sunderland 2.63 – 2.80
As expected Wigan offered an improved display away to Stoke (2-2). Down to ten men they forced home an equaliser. They will be without their suspended defence G Caldwell tomorrow.
It was unbelievable that the make shift Sunderland defence could withstand all the Man City pressure. Already missing P Bardsley, K Richardson and T Bramble, Wes Brown was forced to withdraw from the City encounter in the first half. C Gardner, Colback and Kilgallon joined their only regular, O’Shea in the Sunderland defence. K Richardson could be back for this game. Will this new defensive unit hold tight again? Not likely. Advantage Wigan and they will get my vote.
Manchester City – Liverpool 1.80 – 5.00
The City goal machine has all of a sudden dried up. Instead of six very likely away points at WBA and Sunderland they only picked up one single point and no City goal scored. I cannot imagine that Balotelli would have missed all the clear cut chances that Dzeko wasted against Sunderland. I should think that we will see Balotelli, Aguero, Silva, Milner and M Richards playing from the start again in this match.
The City coach Mancini has a point. Liverpool, playing last Friday, will probably come in better shape for this match. When S Gerrard and D Kuyt were introduced in the second half against Newcastle, I thought for myself that Liverpool have some decent substitutes. L Suarez will be available again for this game. Cannot really say that I trust Man City at this very moment. The momentum has shifted lately.
Everton – Bolton 1.57 – 7.10
One of the most typical 0-0 fixtures that I have ever witnessed ended in a 1-0 home win for Everton. I do not think that the Everton goal keeper had to make one single save and the WBA keeper was not over worked either. However the positive Everton run continues.
Donovan, on loan from USA, could feature in this match, Rodwell was already back against WBA, but Fellaini will be missing again, maybe also Drenthe.
The Bolton coach changed his defence in a couple of positions against Wolves. Was the new look Bolton defence any better? I would not know. They faced Wolves, a side as goal shy as Everton. Everton winning by the odd goal, will be my call.
Newcastle – Manchester Utd 5.50 – 1.75
Tempting odds on the home win. Newcastle were not miles from getting a positive result away to Liverpool. They dominated the ball possession for long periods and Demba Ba was so close to scoring a second goal, equalising the Liverpool 2-1 lead.
W Rooney and R Giggs are expected back for Man United. They are missing as many as four central defenders and that is why Carrick has to play in defence. They need him on the midfield and we saw a strange looking United midfield against Blackburn. Anyway, with Giggs and Rooney available again, United will look better upfront, more intact tomorrow. Their defence continues to be a case for concern though. I may be wrong of course, but I look upon this match as a 50/50 game. Goals? Yes, both teams on the score sheet.
The Championship
Bristol City – Millwall 2.35 – 3.39
The home team will draw from the same squad that defeated Southampton last week. L Carey will once again step in for their captain L Fontaine. S Pearson will play on their midfield and what I know, their front man N Maynard is still very much a Bristol City player.
No D Henderson for Milwall. Makes it easier for me. Millwall lose a lot when their big target man is not playing. Backing Bristol City!