Sanford's Premiership Predictions

Liverpool vs. Chelsea

The Scousers have something to prove here, and I think they’ll do the business. Fortress Anfield will return. The doubts will grow at Chelsea as long as John Terry is on the bench. That you can have unlimited resources and not have adequate defensive cover is shocking. The price will be paid; a loss here for the Blues and they could be fighting with Liverpool and Arsenal for second.

2-1

Aston Villa vs. Watford

Martin O’Neill has plenty to worry about as his lads have slipped deep into the bottom half of the table. Deeper still is Watford, but they have a fraction of the talent that O’Neill has at his disposal. Yet they won’t go down with out at fight. Trouble is, that fight lacks goals. I don’t know from where they’ll come.

2-0

Fulham vs. Tottenham

Spurs don’t have the spine to get a point. They’re woeful away from home and I believe Chris Coleman has done an astute piece of business by bringing in Montella. The guy has a keen footballing brain and I like him to do well in the Premiership. Throw in Fulham’s healthy home form and I see a victory for the Cottagers.

3-0

Middlesboro vs. Bolton

Boro managed three past a pathetic Charlton last time out so how many will the get at the Riverside? I have no confidence in Southgate’s men – they lack any passion, never mind any panache. Quite simply, they are a bore and I can't pick them to get a point they don't deserve. Bolton have the goods to come and get all three.

0-1

Newcastle vs. West Ham

This is a tricky one, and I think it’ll be a draw. After their FA Cup roasting, Newcastle will spring back but I like Curbishly to begin to get things steady at West Ham as the second half of the season progresses.

2-2

Portsmouth vs. Charlton

A trip to the south coast is not what Alan Pardew needs at the moment. I can’t see anything but Championship football for Charlton in ‘07/08 and this match will be another three points lost heading towards February. ‘Arry’s fine work is well documented but still deserves plaudits. A place in Europe beckons.

3-0

Reading vs. Sheffield United

A home win, no doubt. United have impressed of late but Reading are the true promotion heroes of this campaign. They work hard for each other and have the talent to play in the top division, two things that don’t always go hand in hand. See Watford for proof.

2-0

Manchester City vs. Blackburn

Go back a few weeks and you would have seen Citeh on the skids and Blackburn bursting upward. Not so today. As they say, a few weeks in football are a long time. I can’t see Blackburn getting anything from this game. They only have one or two players performing as they should and their bad patch will continue.

3-1

Wigan vs. Everton

I’m not sure what’s going on at Everton but they can’t find any consistency. Even though Wigan are in freefall, they should still claim a point at the JJB.

1-1

Arsenal vs. Manchester United

The second of this weekend’s Super Clashes will probably provide more of the highlights. These two teams do not like each other, and the new blood on both sides will be made aware of that fact from the off. The last time Arsenal had any streak of note, Wayne Rooney took a dive and his side ended Arsenal’s unbeaten run at 49. This time it’s the far less impressive unbeaten streak at the Emirates, but you can be sure Sir Alex would love to get his name in the record books as the first manager to win at Arsenal’s new palatial estate. Henry and Ronaldo are both in form, so expect a pulsating fixture – these battles are never boring. And expect ManU to win. Because these are the types of matches they win.

1-2