Dave Pundit's Predictions 09/01/10

Hi, I'm Dave Pundit. A lot of games recently have been called off due to the adverse weather. I find this ridiculous. In my day our only concession to snow was to have yellow balls. But we were allowed to smoke more back then.

Arsenal v Everton
I bet Arsenal were glad that the game against Bolton was called off mid-week. The foreign legion at Arsenal wouldn't have been up for that. How would a Russian like Arshavin have coped in the freezing cold? Everton will have to take advantage of Arsenal's legendary inability to play when things are a little bit difficult for them.
Verdict 1-2

Birmingham v Man Utd
Birmingham have been very impressive recently. Grit, determination and a British manager. Man Utd also have grit, determination and a British manager so on paper it looks pretty even. But Man Utd will win it because they're Man Utd.
Verdict 0-2

Burnley v Stoke
Without Owen Coyle in charge Burnley might stop playing passing football and resort to being an old fashioned, ugly, dull side that are happy to have 10 men behind the ball at all times, just like Stoke. Marvellous.
Verdict 0-0

Fulham v Portsmouth
Portsmouth are in so much trouble it's almost not worth talking about them.
Verdict 2-0

Hull v Chelsea
Hull will keep fighting until the bitter end I'm sure and that is to their credit. Any team that doesn't give it their all in every game doesn't deserve to stay up. However they'll struggle against Chelsea who don't need the likes of Drogba, Essien or Kalou to be great. They've got John Terry. He provides strength in depth all on his own. If I was Hull I wouldn't even bother turning up.
Verdict 0-3

Sunderland v Bolton
Gary Megson has been very harshly done by in my opinion. Bolton have been thuggish, uninspiring, boring and dour. What more could you ask for? Sure, they haven't reached the heights of Sam Allardyce's reign but it would be hard for any manager to keep up that level of thuggish, uninspiring, boring and dour brilliance.
Verdict 1-0

Wigan v Aston Villa
What has happened to Wigan? Last season this sort of fixture would have been tough even for a team with an English core like Villa but this year it'll be a walk in the park. It would be easy to blame it all on Roberto Martinez. Easy and right.
Verdict 1-3

Liverpool v Tottenham
What a match this should be. The mighty Liverpool could really do their charge up the league the power of good here but it won't be easy against Spurs' British spine of Dawson, Jenas and Keane. Liverpool will just edge it but they could really do with a striker like Keane to help out Torres in my opinion.
Verdict 2-1

West Ham v Wolverhampton
Now if Mick McCarthy ever had an opportunity to play a weakened team this is it. The Hammers are a shadow of their former selves with Gianfranco Zola in charge who ironically is so short he probably doesn't even cast a shadow.
Verdict 0-1

Man City v Blackburn
Mancini has had a good start at City but this will be his first real challenge. Can he cope watching his team being literally murdered in front of his eyes? I doubt it. Foreign jessie.
Verdict 1-2