Gabriel's Weekend Predictions: 1st February

Premier League

The key Premier League game comes on Monday night, as Man City look to continue their 100% home record against  fellow title-contenders Chelsea. There is a north-east derby as Sunderland look to continue their revival under Poyet at Newcastle, while Cardiff desperately need their first league win under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at home to Norwich.

Newcastle vs. Sunderland

Yohan Cabaye

Newcastle have picked up a reasonable four points from their away trips to West Ham and Norwich. Their problem now is that they have let go of Yohan Cabaye, and might have to wait until the summer to sign a good midfield player. No sensible club is going to let a high quality midfielder go at this stage in the January window, no matter what the price. Gus Poyet has worked a miracle at Sunderland, taking them out of the relegation zone for the first time with a win on Wednesday. They are picking up some great results at the moment, and particularly Adam Johnson looks on a rich vein of form. Sunderland can pick up a point from the Tyne-Wear derby. 1-1.

West Ham vs. Swansea

Mark Noble

This match will present as big contrast in playing styles as we’ll see this season. West Ham had just one shot on target and 28% possession at Chelsea, they to defend deep and frustrate them, managing to pick up a point. Swansea, by contrast, have the highest average possession % in the Premier League. They won their last match 2-0 against Fulham, which put them five points clear of the relegation places. Swansea have had an extra day to prepare, whereas West Ham will have to recover quickly from a tough match against Chelsea. You can bet Swansea will have more of the ball, and they might make that count. 1-2.

Cardiff vs. Norwich

Kenwyne Jones

This is a massive game for Cardiff, after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has lost his first three league games in charge. They have brought in Kenwyne Jones from Stoke as part of a swap deal with Peter Odemwingie. That might give them some experience up front, which could be key, with just seventeen goals scored so far. Norwich have added experience themselves, but to the defence, with Joseph Yobo coming in. They have kept two consecutive clean sheets at home, which suggests they are improving at the back. A point would do nicely for Norwich, but Cardiff have not won in the league since mid-December, and are in desperate need of three. 1-1.

Everton vs. Aston Villa

Gabriel Agbonlahor

Both teams come into the game after a surprising result in their local derby. Everton lost 4-0 to Liverpool on Wednesday and that will be a big blow in their top four aspirations. They looked disorganized defensively and, on this occasion, Roberto Martinez’s preference for attacking fullbacks cost them, because there was so much space in behind. Aston Villa could take advantage of that strategy too, as Lambert’s side always look to play on the counter attack, although they will be without the pace of Gabriel Agbonlahor. Their 4-3 win over Birmingham rivals West Brom provided an end-to-end classic, and Villa did well to come back into the game after going two goals behind early on. Everton have only lost once at home this season, but they may drop two points here. 2-2.

Fulham vs. Southampton

Dimitar Berbatov

Fulham have not taken any points since their win over West Ham on New Years’ Day, and now they have lost Dimitar Berbatov on loan to Monaco. You would think their next few home games are going to be vital, but the following five at Craven Cottage are all against top half opponents, which makes Meulensteen’s job hard. Southampton battled to a draw against Arsenal on Tuesday, and possibly could have won the game at the end. It does not seem as though the issue with Pablo Osvaldo and Jose Fonte has affected the team, as Osvaldo has been left out, and looks likely to leave for Juventus. Fulham however, are stuck in a worrying cycle of defeats. With Man United away next week, the games are not going to get any easier. 1-2.

Nabil Bentaleb

Hull vs. Tottenham

Hull will play this match with a reserve goalkeeper. After Allan McGregor’s red card against Crystal Palace, Eldin Jakupovic has been recalled from Leyton Orient to cover for his suspension. Although they have won both cup games, the Tigers have not taken any points since their 6-0 victory over Fulham before New Year. Tottenham lost their first league game under Tim Sherwood, with a 5-1 home defeat to Manchester City. Sherwood’s gung-ho mentality cost them in that game. They played without a proper holding midfielder, both Dembele and Bentaleb like to break forward, and that is never a good idea when faced with the City’s attacking quality. However, against a team like Hull they can afford to be more ambitious going forward. 1-2.

Stoke vs. Man Utd

John Guidetti

Like Hull, Stoke are on a bit of a slump, having taken just one point from six games since Christmas Day. Mark Hughes seems to refuse to field Man City loanee John Guidetti, yet they are clearly in need of goals, failing to score for the eleventh time this season at Crystal Palace. The arrival of Juan Mata looks to have boosted Man United, he seemed to have a great game in a free midfield role. His quality brought the best out of United’s other players too, and could help them move towards the top four. 0-2.

Daniel Sturridge

West Brom vs. Liverpool

The team Man United will have to beat to get there, it seems, is Liverpool. The Reds came out with a 4-0 victory in the Merseyside Derby, and have won five of their six games since the turn of the year. Daniel Sturridge scored twice on Tuesday, taking him to an impressive total of sixteen goals already this season, and is benefitting from playing alongside Suarez. West Brom are yet another team struggling on a poor run of form. Defeat to Aston Villa, despite an early two-goal lead, means they are just three points above the drop zone. What’s more, three of their next four home games are Liverpool, Chelsea and Man United. It will be difficult for the Baggies to pick up points at this stage. 0-2.

Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace

Mikel Arteta

Crystal Palace’s revival under Tony Pulis has been remarkable, but this should be a comfortable win for Arsenal. It’s a game they will be expected to dominate possession, with Mikel Arteta instigating the attacks. Crystal Palace got a 1-0 win over Hull on Tuesday, but away from home they have not done so well, losing four of their last five. They have signed Tom Ince on loan from Blackpool, which will give them some pace going forward, and it’s a big opportunity for Ince to prove himself, after going off the boil in the Championship in recent weeks. Palace will try to stay organized and you would imagine they’ll play much like West Ham did at Chelsea the other night, but Arsenal should have the creativity to break them down. 2-0.

Man City vs. Chelsea

Jose Mourinho

Man City barely need to make any changes from the side which won 5-1 at Tottenham. Perhaps Aguero will be out due to injury, but Dzeko and Negredo have already proved they can form a great strike partnership. Chelsea dropped two points at home to West Ham in midweek. Jose Mourinho criticized Sam Allardyce for playing ‘19^th century football’, but that is perhaps a diversion tactic, to hide the fact that Chelsea failed to break them down. Manchester City have only failed to win two games since mid-November. Even without Aguero, and even against fellow title-contenders Chelsea, their 100% home record cannot be ignored. 2-1.

The Championship

The big game this weekend, is between QPR and Burnley. QPR look to cement their place in the top two, while Burnley will want to prove that their promotion ambitions are not over, after dropped points at home. There are two Yorkshire derbies, one between midtable sides Leeds and Huddersfield, and one relegation contenders clash, as Sheffield Wednesday host Barnsley. 

QPR vs. Burnley

Kieran Trippier

This is the first of three crucial games for QPR, against Derby, Reading, and Burnley on Saturday. You would think they would have the experience in their squad to handle the big game pressure, yet Harry Redknapp’s side have already lost to Leicester, Forest, and away to Burnley back in October. The Clarets have just dropped four points from two home games, and perhaps this could be the time that the lack of proven quality in their squad shows. Burnley have got this far by being able to defend deep for much of a game and then nick a goal through Ings or Vokes. QPR are likely to have a lot of the ball, and eventually their quality will come to the fore. 2-1.

Birmingham vs. Derby

Aaron Martin

Every time Birmingham play at home, the stat gets worse and worse - they have not won at St Andrews for four months now. It is difficult to see that changing on Saturday, as they play a Derby side who are the Championship’s away specialists, taking twenty-seven points from fourteen games on the road. Thanks to two goals in the final three minutes, the Rams completed a dramatic 3-2 win over Yeovil Town, in a game they had thirty-six shots. The fact that they kept going to the end is testament to the energy of Derby’s midfield, with Will Hughes and Craig Bryson providing an attacking threat. Derby might overload Birmingham in the centre, and in defence, Blues have had to act quickly to bring in centre-back Aaron Martin, after Kyle Bartley was recalled. Their back line will take time to settle, and Derby will take advantage. 1-3.

Blackburn vs. Blackpool

Jason Lowe

Blackpool suffered a 5-1 defeat at Reading on Tuesday, and it looks as though the Tangerine plummet is continuing, despite the change of manager. Thankfully for them, none of the bottom five teams won, so Barry Ferguson’s new side remain nine points clear of the drop, although they have played two games more than most. Surprisingly, Blackburn had the majority of possession in their 2-2 draw at Barnsley, despite the fact that they only tend to play with four in midfield, to Barnsley’s five. The Rovers have won half their games at Ewood Park this season, and if Blackpool’s current run of form is anything to go by, this will be another home victory. 2-0.

Bournemouth vs. Leicester

Marc Pugh

Bournemouth are starting to pick up some good results at home. Their FA Cup defeat to Liverpool was only one loss in their last six at Dean Court, and in their last match against Huddersfield, they picked up another three points towards midtable security. But this is the kind of away game that Leicester will prefer in the second half of the season, because the teams down the bottom will be fighting for their lives. With QPR playing Burnley in the early game, the Foxes can potentially go fourteen points clear of third place – albeit QPR and Burnley both have a game in hand on them. Leicester were passing the ball with Premier League quality at Birmingham, particularly in the first half, and they should cruise to the finish line now. 0-2.

Doncaster vs. Middlesbrough

Paul Dickov

Doncaster are enjoying a resurgence, with 3-0 home wins over Wigan and Charlton sandwiching a point at Blackpool in the last two weeks. They dominated against Charlton with 67% possession, and their opponents did not even manage a shot on target. Paul Dickov deserves credit for getting these results after a woeful run of form recently, and the board deserve credit for standing by him. Middlesbrough kept a remarkable sixth clean sheet since mid-December, although they could not find a winner against Wigan. A problem for them now, is that key defender Rhys Williams will be out for the remainder of the season, after an Achilles’ injury. A point apiece at the Keepmoat. 1-1.

Ipswich vs. Bolton

David McGoldrick

Ipswich got a decent point away to Leeds on Tuesday. The Tractor Boys remain just four points off the play-off places, although they have won just one of their last eight, including the cup games against Preston. David McGoldrick scored for the first time in the league since his brace at Doncaster on Boxing Day, which is important for Ipswich, because they have been reliant on his goals at times this season. Bolton went down to a third consecutive defeat at QPR, and these are worrying times for the Trotters, who are just four points above the drop zone. 2-1.

Leeds vs. Huddersfield

James Vaughan

A West Yorkshire derby between two sides who are sitting slap bang midtable. Leeds ended a run of five consecutive defeats with a draw against Ipswich, but they have still not won since mid-December. In that match, Ross McCormack netted for the first time this year from the penalty spot, but he still might struggle in open play without the support of Matt Smith. Huddersfield have lost their last three after a 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth, and need Nahki Wells to follow up on his first goals for the club, because Vaughan has only scored once since early October. These are two teams in poor form, and a draw is the most likely outcome. 1-1.

Millwall vs. Reading

Adam Le Fondre

Ian Holloway has got off to a mixed start as manager of Millwall, with one defeat, one win and one draw, as the Lions are still in relegation trouble. DJ Campbell was a controversial loan choice given his alleged involvement in match fixing scandals, but he scored a late equalizer on his debut. Adam Le Fondre netted his second hat-trick in ten days during Reading’s 5-1 win over Blackpool. The striking thing about that result, was that their opponents actually had most of the ball, but could only get two shots on target, which suggests Reading were well organized and able to break quickly. If Holloway chooses to attack Reading, his side could pay for it at the back. 1-3.

Sheff Wed vs. Barnsley

Benik Afobe

Another Yorkshire derby, only this one has a lot more significance, as both teams are looking to avoid the drop. Sheffield Wednesday are looking the more likely at the moment. They are unbeaten in six games, having picked up good away points against Burnley and Millwall. The positive for them is that goals are coming in different areas, with Chris Maguire and Caolan Lavery scoring in recent weeks, while the arrival of Benik Afobe can replace Connor Wickham. They are not relying on one star man. Barnsley have shown signs of life recently, and have not been beaten in the league since the turn of the year. Loanee Nick Proschwitz scored on his debut in the draw with Blackburn, while the loan signing of Jack Hunt from Palace will be of benefit, because they have struggled for fullbacks this season. 1-0.

Wigan vs. Charlton

Dale Stephens

What are Charlton doing? They look as though they are going to sell two of their best players, Yann Kermorgant and Dale Stephens, and bring in a whole host of players from Standard Liege, who new chairman Roland Duchatelet also owns. It does not take a genius to guess that this was probably not a decision made by Chris Powell, as Duchatelet is notorious for interfering with the playing side. This does not bode well for Charlton’s relegation battle, and on Saturday they play a Wigan side who have only lost one game since the arrival of Uwe Rosler. They drew 0-0 at Middlesbrough, but the Latics could do with a striker, because their highest scoring out-and-out forward is Marc-Antoine Fortune, and he has only netted three times. Still, this game, against an unsettled Charlton side, will be no problem. 2-0.

Nottm Forest vs. Yeovil

Rafik Djebbour

Surrendering a 2-0 lead at Derby, and conceding two late goals to lose 3-2, will be a massive kick in the teeth for Yeovil. It will be a massive achievement if they can recover from that to stay up, but it would be sensible to say that at six points, the gap could be too wide. Nottingham Forest will have had to play their match, against Watford, two days later than Yeovil, but they have a lot of quality in their team. Billy Davies finally got his target of a striker in the January window, and Rafik Djebbour could be a good signing. The Algerian has scored thirty-nine goals in fifty-six games for Olympiakos, and his goals could be key, because Forest have struggled to keep their forwards fit this season. 2-0.

Watford vs. Brighton

Daniel Tozser

Watford will have played Nottingham Forest on Thursday night, and will have had three days to prepare for this match, rather than Brighton’s five. They’ve signed midfielder Daniel Tozser on loan from Genoa, yet the Hornets already have seven players in the squad who are capable of playing in the centre, so that seems like a strange move. Brighton, meanwhile, kept their eighth away clean sheet of the season in a 0-0 draw at Burnley. Watford have brought a few new players in since Sannino took over and they will take time to settle, so Brighton might put in a typically organized, resolute away performance and pinch three points towards their play-off ambitions. 0-1.

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