Premiership Predictions - 26th December  

Each week, I will endeavor to post predictions for the Premiership. Sometimes these can be a bit hit and miss, so hopefully I won't be too embarassed  by getting them all wrong.

Stoke City 0 - 2 Man Utd

United may be tired from their Japanese escapade, but they're still far too good for a Stoke side who gave Sam Allerdyce a dream start against a previously mis-firing Blackburn last time out. Don't necessarily expect a rout, because United will probably still be a bit jet-lagged, but they still wont have many problems.

Chelsea 3 - 0 West Brom

Another no-brainer really, 10-man Chelsea may have been held by Everton, but even without John Terry, 11-man Chelsea are far too good for the Brummies. The only question is, how much will they win by?

Portsmouth 2 - 1 West Ham

A tough game to call. Usually, this would be fairly simple, but Pompey have been inconsistant lately, and West Ham unlucky to lose to Villa, after holding Chelsea. I still believe that Fortress Fratton Park will be a deciding factor, with West Ham struggling to score lately.

Spurs 1 - 1 Fulham

Another tough match to call really. Spurs have had a massive revival under Harry Redknapp, but have lost momentum lately, and look in danger of slipping back into the relegation zone, with none of their strikers on form. They welcome back Jenas after the defeat to Newcastle however, so should be better. Fulham meanwhile are doing excellently of late, but were reliant on a Gomes blunder last time these two teams met, and this match being at White Hart Lane will tip the balance. I might have predicted a Spurs victory, but I don't want to curse my team, so a draw it is.

Liverpool 2 - 1 Bolton

Liverpool could have been well clear at the top of the table by now, if they hadn't failed to win at home in the league since they comprehensively beat West Brom at the beginning of November, one win in five (against a Blackburn side at the nadir of their form) is not champion material, and yet they are still top of the table, and they will be determined the turn their form around against a resurgent Bolton, for whom Johan Elmander has been a revelation.

Man City 2 - 1 Hull City

City are a club in crisis? Well, maybe, but in comparison to their early-season form, Hull have dropped off the pace significantly lately, and were thrashed by Sunderland last time out. This prediction is based on the belief that Robinho will be fit, since he thrives at Eastlands, where the dodgy defence is less of a problem for Hughes' side.

Middlesborough 0 - 0 Everton

Quite possibly the least-anticipated game of the day, I predict a dull draw. Everton's injury crisis is so bad that they played with a single striker - TIM CAHILL - upfront against Spurs, although they did win. Their defence is solid again after early-season wobbles, as demonstrated against Chelsea last week, and Boro only occasionally show the skill needed to break it down. Two inconsistant clubs though, so if they both play to their potential, it could be a lot different.

Sunderland 2 - 2 Blackburn

Two teams in the middle of a resurgance. Sunderland have looked a different club since the sacking of Roy Keane, and the hilariously named Ricky Sbragia seems to have got them ticking again. In Kenwyne Jones and Djibril Cisse they have a potentially explosive forward partnership, and they really fulfilled their potential against Hull. Blackburn enjoyed an easy win over Stoke, thanks to some truly woeful defending, but that kind of confidence is what they need, and Big Sam will have but the fear of god into them, with the transfer window looming, and his eye no doubt looming over the likes of Keith Alexander and Danny Simpson, neither of whom are Premiership quality.

Wigan 1 - 2 Newcastle

With Wigan flying high and Newcastle in free-fall, no one would have betted on this result until a few weeks ago. Amr Zaki's injury really stalled Wigan's progress, and since his return he's failed to re-find his form, while Newcastle are fighting much harder under the man's manager, Joe Kinnear. Even Vinnie Jones was intimidated by Old Joe at Wimbledon. It'll probably be scrappy and uncomfortable, but I can see the Magpies sneaking it like they did against Spurs last week.

Aston Villa 2 - 1 Arsenal

Were Arsenal in crisis or weren't they? Everyone thought so, but big recent victories and a new captain may have changed minds. But they'll miss Fabregas, leaving Gael Clichy the likely captain for the next four months, and Adebayor will be suspended after his red card for a couple of stamps on Alvaro Arbeloa, leaving Arsenal bereft of almost any physicality. Villa aren't a team that will exploit that weakness as much as most, but expect Barry to boss the midfield, and with Ashley Young and Agbonlahor on great scoring form, Villa should prevail. It would be somewhat ironic to predict anything else after my first blog post, anyway.