Dave Pundit's Predictions 28/02/09

Hi, I'm Dave Pundit. When I was a boy kicking a can around in the street I never thought one day I'd play for Liverpool. And I didn't I played for them on six different days which is much better than just one. And when I was playing professional football I never thought I'd become a pundit, I always figured I'd own a bar or something. Or sell insurance. But here I am, punditing away. It just goes to show you, you can't predict anything in life. But enough about me, on with this week's predictions.

Everton v West Brom
Arteta's injury could be a blessing in disguise for Everton. Now they can blood some young British talent. In fact they don't even have to be that talented, as long as they're British. Let's face it in the current financial climate playing the youngsters is the only way forward. West Brom look like they're in trouble and I think that's because they didn't splash the cash enough in January. It's the only way to stop them slipping backwards.
Verdict 2-0

Arsenal v Fulham
Arsenal have had three 0-0 draws in the last three games. Has Wenger finally learnt how to play the game the English way? If they can put there foreign tendencies behind them again this could be an absolutely cracking game against a thoroughly English Fulham side.
Verdict 0-0

Chelsea v Wigan
If Chelsea have a good finish to the season it will all be down to one man: John Terry. John Terry is so English they should erect a hundred foot column in Trafalgar Square with a statue of him on top. It would become a shrine to all things English people would come from far and wide to bow down and kiss it. I for one would pay good money to kiss Terry's column.
Verdict 2-0

Middlesbrough v Liverpool
Middlesbrough have been in a terrible slump recently and they will literally have to play their hearts out to get out of it. They need to pick up points from the teams around them at the bottom of the league. Sadly for them Liverpool are literally at the very top of the table in second place.
Verdict 0-2

Hull v Blackburn
Hull are another team in freefall whereas Blackburn have been revitalised under Big Sam. He knows what a team in a relegation battle needs to do because he's been there many times before. His experience of relegation dogfights prove that he is one of the top managers in the league. Hull, I'm afraid, will struggle in this game, especially if they make the mistake of trying to play football. Big Sam wont stand for that.
Verdict 0-1

West Ham v Man City
Man City showed they are a team on the up with a draw against Liverpool and they owe it all to good English lads like Bellamy and Ireland. It also helps that they've got an English manager too. West Ham of course have a pint-sized Italian, an Italian managing a team in England. I never thought I'd see the day.
Verdict 1-2

Bolton v Newcastle
Now this is more like it. A real English battle. Newcastle will miss Kevin Nolan, I'm sure his reckless, two footed lunge had many people close to tears. I know I was. It really took me back to when football was a real man's game. Hopefully we'll have more of the same in this game.
Verdict 0-0

Aston Villa v Stoke
Villa are now out of all competitions except the league which means they can concentrate on the main task of keeping Arsenal's foreign legion out of the top four. Villa deserve a place at the top table in football. They're an English club through and through. Arsenal's board could learn a thing or two from Villa's chairman. I doubt he even knows what a foreigner is.
Verdict 2-0

Man Utd v Tottenham
The Carling Cup Final. A truly glorious event. It's not quite the FA Cup but that just shows how great English football is; we have two great cup competitions. I wish it had been called the Carling Cup in my day. I always put a bit of extra effort in when there's alcohol at stake. I think Man Utd this will be a tight, close fought encounter that could well go to penalties. And then it's just a lottery who wins. But it'll definitely be Man Utd who are victors. With their strong English spine how could they fail to win a penalty shoot out? Then again, of course, Spurs have a strong British spine of Woodgate, Jenas and Keane. This is too close to call.
Verdict 1-1 (Man Utd to win on penalties)