Dave Pundit's Predictions 17/10/09

Hi, I'm Dave Pundit. Many people were hoping that Argentina wouldn't make it to the World Cup finals next year. Personally I like all the big name teams to be there so once they've qualified who cares if piddly little South American teams like Argentina join the party?

Aston Villa v Chelsea
Chelsea haven't had many stern tests yet this season but this could be one of them. Luckily they have John Terry, who has never met a test that could out stern him. He's got more stern than the QE2. Does that even make sense? Who cares? It's John Terry, people. John Terry.
Verdict 0-2

Arsenal v Birmingham
The last time these two met Martin Taylor lunged in clumsily on Eduardo and broke his leg. Effectively ending Arsenal's challenge for the title. It might be a little early in the season for Birmingham to do it again, but let's hope they give it go.
Verdict 1-2

Everton v Wolves
Everton have been missing the English steel of Jagielka at the back but even without him they should be able to easily see off Wolves. Mick McCarthy may be a good old Irish boy but all his blarney, riverdancing and Guinness won't help him in the Premier League. Wolves need a manager with a bit of Northern grit.
Verdict 2-0

Man Utd v Bolton
The Bolton fans aren't keen on Gary Megson. His brand of football is dull, workmanlike and uninspiring. What's not to like? However even Megson's men will struggle against Man Utd, they're not just the champions because they won the league you know, the also have great players. Let's just hope the ref can keep up with them.
Verdict 2-1

Portsmouth v Tottenham
Harry Redknapp will get a lot of stick on his return to Fratton Park but I think that's unfair. He bought in a lot of great players and still made a profit. Seriously I've seen his house, it's huge. He must've made a packet off all those players he brought in.
Verdict 1-3

Stoke v West Ham
Back when I was younger Stoke v West Ham was always a display of beautiful football. But only one of these teams has stuck to the sort of football the purists like to see. Whereas West Ham have let some short-arse foreigner ruin them.
Verdict 1-0

Sunderland v Liverpool
It's far too early to write Liverpool off. They may have lost three games but they've got a couple of genuine world class match winners in their team. Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher. With those two in the team anything is possible. Even with makeweights like Torres.
Verdict 0-2

Blackburn v Burnley
Now this is what football is all about, a passionate Northern derby day. This will be like a clash of the titans, only bigger. It'll be more like two gods going up against each other. It'll be end to end, violent, ugly football. A true, true classic.
Verdict 0-0

Wigan v Man City
This could be a tough game for City. They've had a lot of players away in far-flung places this week so tiredness could be a factor. This is why you shouldn't have all the "world class" foreigners in your squad. You wouldn't have caught the likes of Michael Ball, Darius Vassell and Paul Dickov swanning off on international duty would you?
Verdict 1-1

Fulham v Hull City
Hull need a few good results on the trot if they want to have any hope of staying up. But they'll struggle here against Fulham's English spine of Andy Johnson, Danny Murphy and Brede Hangeland. Wait, Hangeland isn't English. I can't believe I'd make such a stupid mistake, that's never happened before.
Verdict 1-1