English Premiership Gameweek 18: 19 December, 20 December, 21 December 2009

Portsmouth vs. Liverpool
What a game to get the weekend underway… Portsmouth, who are looking better under Avram Grant, face the under fire Reds. Rafa Benitez will write off Pompey at his peril. He has no option but to play a near-full strength side. The irony of course is that this wouldn’t have been the case at a similar point last season. Pundits are divided on the result in this match. Calvin (he of Gunners fame), reckons Portsmouth will win. I’m doggedly sticking to the Reds – even though I sometimes love to hate them. To illustrate my thinking, Wigan are a better team than Portsmouth, and Liverpool almost beat them 2-0 (if it weren’t for that late equaliser).
Prediction: 1-2 (Wouldn’t be surprised with a draw)

Saturday 19 December 2009
Kickoff: 14:45 / TV: 14:30 – 16:45 (SuperSport 3 Live HD)

Aston Villa vs. Stoke City
Villa have surprised many, but they were realistically always going to have a big chance to break into the top four. Stoke are blowing hot and cold, more cold than hot at the moment. You cannot not back Villa. Stoke will scrap for a draw, but I think Aston Villa will have enough to beat them.
Prediction: 1-0
Saturday 19 December 2009
Kickoff: 17:00 / TV: 19:00 – 20:55 (SuperSport 7)

Blackburn Rovers vs. Tottenham Hotspur
What a match. Blackburn are decent at home, but their problem is simple: they’re struggling to put the ball into the back of the net. Spurs seem to be back on track – a somewhat ridiculous statement to make after just one win – but they should cope with Blackburn’s physical approach.
Prediction: 1-2
Saturday 19 December 2009
Kickoff: 17:00 / TV: 16:55 – 19:00 (SuperSport 7 Live)

Fulham vs. Manchester United
Fulham will be riding high after qualifying for the last 32 in the Europa League. Its been up-and-down for Man United, they lost to Villa at home, then crushed the Wolves second team on Tuesday. Last season, Fulham managed a 2-0 win in the same fixture. I was leaning towards a draw (which is always possible), but United should just shade it.
Prediction: 0-1
Saturday 19 December 2009
Kickoff: 17:45 / TV: 16:45 – 19:00 (SuperSport 3 Live)

Manchester City vs. Sunderland
If this game was being played in the north-east, I’d have no qualms in backing Sunderland, but this is at home for Cit-eh – and you’d have to fancy them. Sunderland won’t be walkovers, but a lot will rest on Mark Hughes’s ability to get his players to actually play.
Prediction: 2-1 (Wouldn’t be surprised with a draw)
Saturday 19 December 2009
Kickoff: 17:00 / TV: 16:55 – 19:00 (SuperSport 5 Live)

Arsenal vs. Hull City
The war of words between Arsene Wenger and Phil Brown has started. With a little added input from Tony Pulis. They’re all arguing over the rationale behind Premier League’s fixtures. It’s an unnecessary sideshow, as Hull know they’re going to get beaten. You shouldn’t read too much into the draw at Burnley in midweek, the Clarets are a team that can defend for a draw. Hull… not so much. Arsenal for the win. But I wouldn’t back them at the short odds available.
Prediction: 2-0
Saturday 19 December 2009
Kickoff: 19:30 / TV: 19:00 – 21:30 (SuperSport 3 Live HD)

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Burnley
Does Mick McCarthy have a point? He’s vigorously defended his decision to rest 10 of his first-team players against Man Utd midweek. His reasoning: Wolves have a chance of winning this game, so why risk his best players? Burnley aren’t great away from home. In fact, they’re pretty poor. Wolves have to win. Mick knows this. His players know this.
Prediction: 2-1
Sunday 20 December 2009
Kickoff: 15:30 / TV: 15:05 – 17:30 (SuperSport 3 Live HD)

Everton vs. Birmingham City
Everton will be in with a chance. David Moyes rested the bulk of his team in the Europa League matchup on Thursday night. Birmingham are in form at the moment, with five straight wins – there’s no discounting that. Possibly the toughest game of the weekend to call. I’ll go for a draw.
Prediction: 1-1
Sunday 20 December 2009
Kickoff: 17:00 / TV: 16:55 – 19:00 (SuperSport 7 Live)

West Ham United vs. Chelsea
Poor West Ham. They’re scrapping and there’s a very real chance of them being relegated. Chelsea have been stuttering, but with their strength you have to back them to win. I’m undecided whether they can win to nil, but it’ll be worth your while having a flutter on the above 2.5 goals market.
Prediction: 1-3
Sunday 20 December 2009
Kickoff: 18:00 / TV: 17:30 – 19:55 (SuperSport 3 Live HD)

Wigan Athletic vs. Bolton Wanderers
These two teams are struggling – not tremendously, but based on paper, they shouldn’t be below the teams that they are. Both are inconsistent, but I think Wigan will target this home game as a three pointer.
Prediction: 2-1 (Wouldn’t be surprised with a draw)
Monday 21 December 2009
Kickoff: 22:00 / TV: 21:45 – 00:00 (SuperSport 3 Live HD)

*All times Central African Time.