English Premiership Gameweek 19: 26 December, 27 December 2009

Birmingham City vs. Chelsea
A lot of pundits reckon that Chelsea will have “just enough” to win this one. Birmingham at home are a tough proposition. They’re the form team of the Premier League at the moment. Indeed Chelsea have problems of their own. No Michael Essien, Nicolas Anleka or Deco. But it’s Didier Drogba, John Obi Mikel and Salomon Kalou’s last match for the current log leaders for a month as they head off to Afcon duty. Don’t underestimate what this game means to (especially) Drogba.
Prediction: 1-2
Saturday 26 December 2009

Kickoff: 14:45 / TV: 14:05 – 16:45 (SuperSport 3 Live HD)

Fulham vs. Tottenham Hotspur
What a game! These teams are closely matched on paper. And Fulham are great at home. They shocked Manchester United last weekend. Everyone’s predicting a draw and that would probably be the safe bet. Spurs have a knack of coming from behind to level matters – they’ve done so a few times this season. Same with Fulham. Both teams will try to outplay each other, but I think Fulham will edge this. If you fancy a flutter on the goal scorer markets, Bobby Zamora to score anytime is an obvious bet.
Prediction: 3-2 (the safe bet: 2-2)
Saturday 26 December 2009
Kickoff: 15:00 / TV: 14:45 – 16:55 (SuperSport 7 Live)

West Ham United vs. Portsmouth
Another cracker! West Ham and Portsmouth are playing better than their league table positions suggest. But anything can happen here. West Ham are the bookies favourites, but Portsmouth have taken seven points from a possible 12 since Avram Grant took over. West Ham’s turning point could have been the draw against Chelsea. The fair result will be a draw. And both sides have somewhat leaky backlines, especially if they’re going to be attacking – which they will be.
Prediction: 3-3
Saturday 26 December 2009
Kickoff: 15:00 / TV: 14:45 – 17:00 (SuperSport 5 Live)

Burnley vs. Bolton Wanderers
Burnley are another form home team. They really struggle on the road. They’ll be going into this derby encounter looking for three points. That will suit Gary Megson’s Bolton as they’ll need Burnley to attack in order to have a chance of catching them on the counter. Bolton also need three points to bolster their hopes of survival. This has draw written all over it, but stranger things can happen.
Prediction: 1-1
Saturday 26 December 2009
Kickoff: 16:00 / TV: 17:00 – 19:00 (SuperSport 5)

Manchester City vs. Stoke City
The match of Boxing Day, some will have you believe, simply because we’ll get to see if Roberto Mancini has what it takes to manage in the Premier League. Stoke aren’t the kindest opponents to debut against. They are physical. City have holes all over their back four – already conceding 27 goals this season. Stoke will scare the hosts, but Manchester City will get their three points.
Prediction: 2-1
Saturday 26 December 2009
Kickoff: 17:00 / TV: 16:45 – 19:00 (SuperSport 3 Live)

Sunderland vs. Everton
Sunderland were very unlucky to not get a point against Manchester City last weekend. But, of course, some City players were playing for Mark Hughes – they knew what was coming. Everton were frustrated against Birmingham City last Sunday. They have to start winning. A stalemate seems likely, but I personally fancy the Black Cats.
Prediction: 2-1
Saturday 26 December 2009
Kickoff: 17:00 / TV: 16:55 – 19:00 (SuperSport 7 Live)

Wigan Athletic vs. Blackburn Rovers
Which Wigan side will turn up? Another Lancashire derby, and Blackburn face the leakiest defence in the Premier League – 38 goals in 17 matches. Blackburn aren’t finding the net as often as they want. The bookies expect Wigan to take this, and so do I – but I wouldn’t bet on it!
Prediction: 2-1
Saturday 26 December 2009
Kickoff: 17:00 / TV: 19:00 – 21:00 (SuperSport 7)

Liverpool vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers
I said this midweek on twitter, and I’ll say it again: “If Liverpool cannot beat Wolves at Anfield on Boxing Day, then they’ll finish in the bottom-half”. I stick by that, and Rafa Benitez’s Liverpool has no other option but to win this game – especially if he harbours dreams of finishing in the top four. It’s hard to figure out what Mick McCarthy has up his sleeve. Will he send his side out to play for a draw, to attack or will he rest some players (again)? Liverpool at 1/4 are way too short to back. I might fancy Wolves at around 11/1 – just in case of an upset.
Prediction: 1-0
Saturday 26 December 2009
Kickoff: 19:30 / TV: 19:00 – 21:55 (SuperSport 3 Live HD)

Arsenal vs. Aston Villa
Undoubtedly the game of the weekend… Title challengers, who have up till recently been lurking in the shadows, Arsenal take on Aston Villa who are comfortable within the top four. Arsenal have a game in hand which makes Manchester United’s stumble of late all the more important. If Villa’s season continues as it has been, and there’s no slump after the New Year, the gap between the current top four and the challengers should prove too big for Spurs, Man City and even Liverpool. Villa have already shocked all of the other traditional “big” sides this season. Villa will wait and try to score on the counter. Will they shock Arsenal? I fancy a draw, but I might have a punt on Villa – simply because there’s value. Arsenal are too short at 7/10.
Prediction: 1-1
Sunday 27 December 2009
Kickoff: 15:30 / TV: 15:00 – 17:30 (SuperSport 3 Live HD)

Hull City vs. Manchester United
Does Phil Brown honestly think his chargers are going to win this? It’s a game Manchester United have got to win, and they’re good at grinding out these kind of results (Even with major problems in defence). Hull might get lucky and score, but Man United will outscore them. The Red Devils were diabolical against Fulham last week, and you can bet they’ll want to respond well to Sir Alex’s hairdryer treatment.
Prediction: 1-3
Sunday 27 December 2009
Kickoff: 18:00 / TV: 17:30 – 20:30 (SuperSport 3 Live HD)

*All times Central African Time.