Dave Pundit's Predictions 21/01/12

Hi, I'm Dave Pundit. The transfer window is really hotting up now, with rumours flying and players swapping clubs like they're Top Trump cards. It really is an exciting time of the year unless of course, like me, you remember a time when there was no transfer window and see this time as some kind of foreign abomination. Hopefully we can see some foreigners shipped out during January.

Norwich v Chelsea
Gary Cahill has signed for Chelsea and I think that's a great move for him. He can learn from the master himself, John Terry. There's no doubt Cahill is a raw talent, he has pace, mobility and technical prowess and hopefully under the tutelage of the Englishman's Englishman he'll be able to lose all those and rely on grit and reputation alone. Carrow Road is a difficult place to go, the crowd often become the 12th man for Norwich and when you combine that with the 12 fingers and toes that they all have it gives them quite an advantage, but if anyone can cope Terry-Cahill can.
Verdict: 1-2

Everton v Blackburn
Both teams could really do with a win here, Everton are in a run of indifferent form and are looking distinctly average, Blackburn have looked a little better than average recently but that still only makes them poor. So they'll both have to go for it here. Let's hope it lives up to everyone's expectations.
Verdict: 0-0

Fulham v Newcastle
Newcastle proved they are ready to make the step up to the big time last week, if a 1-0 win over QPR where they barely had a shot on target other than the goal doesn't show that I don't know what does. Alan Pardew is a British manager with pedigree he's managed sleeping giants Southampton, Charlton and West Ham whereas Martin Jol has never managed a big club. Pardew's class will show through here.
Verdict: 0-2

QPR v Wigan
Mark Hughes will want to bring some fresh ideas to QPR and after getting his first win under his belt in the FA Cup this week he'll want his players to literally kick on against Wigan, Wigan are one of those teams that have to be playing well to win and I don't think there's any place for that in the Premier League. If I wanted to see teams play well I'd move to Spain.
Verdict: 1-0

Stoke v West Brom
There's no issues about Stoke playing well. They wouldn't know how if they tried, which they don't. They play a game based on brute strength, attrition and rugby style punts up the park. If that's not what football's about then my name's not Dave Pundit. Which it is. It's on my birth certificate right next to father unknown.
Verdict: 1-0

Sunderland v Swansea
The sooner Scotland breaks away from Britain the better, then we can get rid of Wales too. England should be England as far as I'm concerned and all the other countries in Britain are just moochers that are good for nothing. Let's hope that fine upstanding Brit Martin O'Neill can see off these Welshies for good.
Verdict: 2-1

Wolves v Aston Villa
I love a good derby game and I can't see this being anything other than a good derby game. Two mid-to-low table teams kicking lumps out of each other in the middle of the park while both goalies stand idle, thinking of their half time fag. Just like the good old days. It's always tough going up against your bitterest rivals and unless you count West Brom and Birmingham then there are no bitterer when it comes to the Midlands. And let's face it, who counts West Brom and Birmingham?
Verdict: 0-0

Bolton v Liverpool
Gone are the glory days for Bolton. It's all been downhill since Gary Megson left. Liverpool will have one eye on the Carling Cup but even with one eye on that they could beat Bolton with one eye closed and both hands tied behind their back. And knowing the FA that's probably exactly how they'd like to see Liverpool play, it's a conspiracy I tell you. What possible other reason could there be for Liverpool's lack of trophies recently?
Verdict: 0-3

Man City v Tottenham
When Mancini started waving that imaginary card at the ref I lost all respect for him, that's just not the way we do things in England, if you want a player sent off then you ask your most English player to have a word with the ref, and if that doesn't work then the whole team should surround him and shout abuse in his face until he relents. Waving a card around is just unsportsmanlike. Luckily everything Harry Redknapp does is above board and without reproach so I'm going to plump for Tottenham here.
Verdict: 1-2

Arsenal v Man Utd
Arsenal will be seeking revenge for their 8-2 drubbing at Old Trafford earlier in the season but they'll be lucky if they escape this game with a point. If they can't even cope with Swansea how will they fare when they come up against Man Utd? It speaks volumes that Arsenal are relying on a has-been like Henry to keep them going. Man Utd have the quality of players like Ferdinand and Scholes to call on here and they'll walk this one. That said I can't see this being another 10 goal thriller!
Verdict: 4-6