EPL Soccer @ Today.com

Aston Villa 0-0 Fulham my prediction 1-1
Fulham recorded their 2nd consecutive scoreless tie in a dull, lifeless affair at Villa Park.
Middlesbrough 0-0 Newcastle my prediction 2-1 Newcastle
Before the game it was announced that Joe Kinnear would stay on as Toon boss until the end of the season. He was almost rewarded with a win, Martins coming the closest with a shot that rebounded off the crossbar.
Stoke 1-1 Hull my prediction 2-2
It looked for the longest time that Hull would record a nice away win, going ahead in the 45th through a Marlon King goal, but Stoke hit the tying goal in the 75th minute, Fuller calmly slotting home a spot kick.
Sunderland 1-4 Bolton my prediction 1-0 Bolton
Sunderland got off to a dream start, going ahead in the 11th minute through Cisse, but it was all downhill from there. Taylor, Cahill and an Elmander double giving Bolton a very comfortable victory.
Wigan 2-1 West Brom my prediction 2-0 Wigan
West Broms horrible season continued with an away loss to Wigan. The visitors took an early second half lead through Ishmael Miller, but eventually cracked under the pressure with Camara tying it up in the 61st before Emerson Boyce hit the winner with 3 minutes remaining.
Man City 0-1 Man Utd my prediction 3-2 Utd.
A Wayne Roooney tap in was enough to give Utd the points in the Manchester derby, but it came at a cost when Rondaldo was sent off for a second bookable offence, meaning he will miss their next game.
Portsmouth 3-2 Blackburn my prediction 2-1 Portsmouth
Pompey surrendered a 2 goal lead for the 2nd time in 4days, only this time they managed to hit a winner. Crouch and Defoe had staked them to the lead before Derbyshire and Tungay tied it up with goals in a 5 minute spell. Sean Davis restored the lead and secured the points in the 79th.
Tottenham 0-1 Everton my prediction 1-0 Spurs
The Liverpool side recorded a very impressive away win at in form Spurs courtesy of a Steven Pienaar strike in the 51st minute.
Chelsea 1-2  Arsenal
The Gunners served notice that they are not out of the title race with a stunning win against the league leaders. Chelsea took the lead through a Djourou own goal, but a double by Robin Van Persie in a 3 minute second half spell won it for Arsenal.

Aston Villa v Fulham
A clash of two teams in pretty decent form at the moment, although Villa have suffered from something of a lack of consistency this season. A tight one that I see as a tie….1-1
Middlesborough v Newcastle
It’s derby day at The Riverside as these 2 old enemies come together. Newcastle have been showing some real signs of life under Joe Kinnear and should continue their run of form here….2-1 Newcastle.
Stoke v Hull
Two teams going in opposite directions here. Hull have fallen of dramatically since their amazing start to the season and Stoke Have points from 4 of their last 5 games, honors even though I believe…..2-2.
Sunderland v Bolton
The home side have lost 4 of their last 5 games whereas Bolton have begun to pick up some steam with 3 wins out of their last 4….1-0 Bolton
Wigan v West Brom
Even this early in the season it looks as though West Brom will be dropping back down after only 1 season in the EPL, more misery to come….2-0 Wigan
Man City v Man Utd
The Manchester derby is always good for some high drama and this has the makings of a high scoring cracker. Give the edge to Utd….3-2
Portsmouth v Blackburn
Two teams here struggling to find some form, but I have to believe that Portsmouth will have taken some heart from their gutsy performance against AC Milan midweek….2-1 Portsmouth
Tottenham v Everton
This has all the makings of a great match. Spurs are in fine form at the moment and will look to continue their rise from the bottom of the table. A tough task at hand against Everton, but the edge to the home side…..2-1 Spurs
Chelsea v Arsenal
Chelsea will be looking to bounce back after their poor performance last week against an Arsenal side that goes from being great one week to mediocre the next. Chelsea are very tough at home and should pick up the points…..3-1 Chelsea
Liverpool v West Ham
Liverpool are also looking to bounce back after a sub-par performance last week and will again be without Torres for 2-3 weeks through injury. Still enough fire power to down the Hammers….2-0 Liverpool

Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool all booked their passage into the next round of the Champions League, but Chelsea will have to wait one more week to try and advance from a very tight Group A.
Utd and Villareal tied 0-0 in an uninspired display from both teams. No surprise given that a tie would see them both advance. Arsenal knocked off Dynamo Kiev thanks to a late strike from Nicklas Bendtner.
Chelsea tied 1-1 with Bordeaux in France, going a goal ahead through the red hot Nicolas Anelka before surrendering a late equalizer and seeing Frank Lampard sent off in the 88th, meaning he will miss the final game of the group stage. Liverpool saw off Marseille 1-0 at Anfield thank to a Steven Gerrard goal in the 23rd minute.

In UEFA Cup action Manchester City scored an impressive 2-0 away victory at Schalke with goals form Ireland and Mwaruwari. Spurs also had a nice away win, 1-0 over Nijmegen courtesy of a strike from Jamie O’Hara.
If you had asked Portsmouth fans if they’d settle for a 2-2 tie with AC Milan before the game, they would have most likely been very pleased, but the way the score came about will leave them feeling gutted. Pompey were 6 minutes away from a historic victory, seemingly crusing with a 2-0 lead before Ronaldhino and Inzaghi broke their hearts in the closing minutes.

Chelsea 0-0 Newcastle my prediction 3-0 Chelsea
Chelsea will come away from this game wondering why they didn’t collect maximum points. A collection of close calls and great goalkeeping were enough to keep them off the scoresheet.
Liverpool 0-0 Fulham my prediction 2-1 Liverpool
Fulham travelled to Anfield with the sole intention of shutting down the home side and coming away with a tie. Liverpool lacked creativity thanks in large part to the absence of their leader Steven Gerrard through injury.
Man City 3-0 Arsenal my prediction 2-1 Arsenal
These are 2 teams that must be completely frustrating for fans to watch. Both struggle with consistency looking great one week and laying an egg the next. It was City’s turn to look good cruising to a comfortable win courtesy of goals from Ireland, Robinho, and Sturridge.
Middlesborough 1-3 Bolton my prediction 1-1
The visitors came flying out of the gate and were 2 up inside the first 10 minutes, Davies and Taylor doing the damage. Boro pulled one back in the 77th minute through Pogatetz but 1 minute later the 2 goal cushion was restored by Johan Elmander.
Portsmouth 2-2 Hull my prediction 2-0 Hull
A pulsating affair that went back and forth and probably ended with a fair result. Peter Crouch opened the scoring for pompey, Turner tied thing up in the secong half only for Glen Johnson to restore the lead 10 minutes later. Pompey looked to have done enough until Pamarot turned the ball into his own net in the 88th.
Stoke 1-0 West Brom my prediction 2-0 Stoke
A game that looked headed for a goalless tie until Sidibe popped up in the 84th minute to bag the winner. It’s looking more and more like WBA will be making the drop, even this early in the season.
Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd my prediction 3-2 Utd
A surprisingly dull game with few clear cut chances falling to either side. The best chance of the game fell at the feet of Wayne Rooney who somehow blazed his shot over from 5 yard out, one that will have kept him awake last night I’m sure.
Tottenham 1-0 Blackburn my prediction 3-0 Tottenham
Spurs lifted themselves out of the relegation zone with this win and they will be delighted to see big money signing Roman Pavlyuchenko pay big dividends with yet another game winning goal in the 9th minute.
Sunderland 0-1 West Ham my prediction 1-0 Sunderland
A huge victory and 3 much needed points for the Hammers who came away with the game courtesy of a Behrami goal in the 20th minute.
Everton 0-1 Wigan my prediction 2-0 Everton
A weekend of surprise results was wrapped up with this one. A second half strike from Henri Camara was enough to give Wigan the win at a usually tough Goodison Park

Chelsea v Newcastle
Top of the table Chelsea look to continue rolling with a home tie against Newcastle. Striker Nicolas Anelka is in red hot form at the moment and I don’t see the blues having any trouble here…..3-0 Chelsea
Liverpool v Fulham
A match-up between a couple of in form sides. Liverpool have 4 wins from their last five and Fulham are on a 4 game unbeaten skid with 3 wins in that time. Give the edge to the home side……2-1 Liverpool
Man City v Arsenal
Struggling City are desperate for points as they are mired in a skid that has sen them only pick up 1 point of a possible 12 in their last 4 games. Arsenal haven’t been much better and have struggled with consistency in the last month, but I still think they have the edge here….2-1 Arsenal
Middlesborough v Bolton
Boro come into this game unbeaten in their last 5 games whereas Bolton have been rather up and down. This has all the makings of a tight affair…..1-1
Portsmouth v Hull
EPL new boys Hull have come crashing back to Earth somewhat after their dream start to the season and Pompey have struggled to find form under newboss Tony Adams. Hull have the ability to find the net often and I think that will carry them here……2-0 Hull
Stoke v West Brom
A battle of the new boys here with the edge going to home side Stoke who have picked up a couple of good wins in recent weeks, including an impressive victory over Arsenal….2-0 Stoke
Aston Villa v Man Utd
This looks like being the game of the day on Saturday and both sides have struggled with their form lately. Utd need the points to stay in the championship race and that desperation may be enough….3-2 Utd.
Tottenham v Blackburn
Spurs will be looking to get back to winning ways after losing last week and struggling Blackburn may just be the perfect tonic….3-0 Tottenham
Sunderland v West Ham
A battle of teams desperate for points to try and escape the congested relegation area….1-0 Sunderland
Wigan v Everton
The Monday night game sees Everton, unbeaten in their last 5, travel to the JBL Stadium to face Wigan. I expect the Liverpool club to continue their unbeaten run….2-0 Everton

All the games for this weekend are now complete. Included in the round-up from now on will be my predictions from Friday so we can all see how well or poorly I made out.

Bolton 0-2 Liverpool my prediction 3-0 Liverpool
Liverpool cruised to a comfortable away victory thanks to goals from Kuyt and Gerrard on either side of half-time. All is not rosy for the Anfield club at the moment though, with the Boss Rafa Benitez, calling out star striker Fernando Torres for a lack of effort and production. Interested to see how this one will play out.
Arsenal 0-2 Aston Villa my prediction 2-1 Arsenal
The Gunners looked to have broken out of a mild slump last week with a win over Manchester United, but an own goal from Clichy and a second half strike from Agbonlahor will have restored the doubts.
Blackburn 1-2 Sunderland my prediction 1-1
Some much needed points for Roy Keanes men. Christopher Samba had put the home side in front on the stroke of half-time, but second half goals from Jones and Cisse put an end Sunderlands 3 game losing skid.
Fulham 2-1 Tottenham my prediction 3-1 Spurs
Spurs great run of form finally came to an end in this rousing London derby. Simon Davies and Andrew Johnson gave Fulham a 2 goal lead beofre a late Campbell strike gave the home side some last minute jitters.
Man Utd 5-0 Stoke my prediction 2-0 Utd
A good old-fashioned hammering from the Red Devils. Goals from Ronaldo (2), Berbatov Carrick and debutante Welbeck gave the Old Trafford boys a comfortable win.
Newcastle 2-2 Wigan my prediction 2-1 Newcastle
A rollercoaster ride of a game that ended with honors even. Wigan took an early lead through Ryan Taylor but their fortunes changed with The sending off of Emerson Boyce in the 54th. Owen and Martins looked to have sealed the points with late goals for Newcastle, but Titus Bramble popped up with the equalizer in the closing seconds.
West Ham 0-0 Portsmouth my predcition 1-0 Portsmouth
It looks like a long hard road ahead for new Hammers boss, Gianfranco Zola. A sloppy, uninspired performance from his side with the only positive aspect being that they picked up a point.
West Brom 0-3 Chelsea my prediction 4-0 Chelsea
The hottest striker in the league at the moment has to be Nicolas Anelka. He bnged home 2 more goals today and is in a rich vein of form. Bosingwa had the other goal for the London men.
Everton 1-1 Middlesborough my prediction 2-1 Everton
Everton stretched their unbeaten run to 5 courtesy of a second half Yakubu goal. Boro had taken an early lead through Gary O’Neill but were unable to hold off the Toffee’s.
Hull 2-2 Man City my prediction 3-3
An exciting Sunday afternoon affair that saw the home side take a first half lead through Daniel Cousin, only to find themselves a goal behind at the break thanks to a Stephen Ireland double. Hull continued tobattle in the second and were rewared on the hour mark with Geovanni hitting the equalizer.

Bolton v Liverpool
Liverpool came off of last weeks victory with Robbie Keane netting his first Premiership goals for the reds and Fernando Torres almost back to full fitness. This spells trouble for Bolton……3-0 Liverpool.
Arsenal v Aston Villa
The Gunners broke out of their mini slump last week with a big win over Manchester United and look to build on that with another win over inconsistent Villa……2-1 Arsenal
Blackburn v Sunderland
A match up of 2 teams headed in the wrong direction This one has a draw written all over it….1-1
Fulham v Tottenham
Spurs are the hottest team in the country at the moment and also have a striker in a rich vein of form with Darren bent hitting 5 in his last 2 games. Look for the good times to continue rolling in the London derby….3-1 Spurs.
Man Utd v Stoke
United can’t afford to drop too many more points if they want to stay in the title race and a home match against Premiership newcomers Stoke should be just the tonic they need….2-0 United.
Newcastle v Wigan
Another match involving two teams desperate for points, but I think the edge has to go with the home side…2-1 Newcastle.
West Ham v Portsmouth
The Hammers have only picked up 1 point from their last 5 games and are in desperate need of points. Pompey are still looking for their first win for new boss Tony Adams and today just may be the one…..1-0 Portsmouth.
WBA v Chelsea
Chelsea and in form striker Nicolas Anelka head to  The Hawthorns and look to lay another licking on one of the Premiership minnow….4-0 Chelsea
Everton v Middlesborough
The home side are coming off 3 straight wins and are very much in form with new signing Louis Saha paying big dividends with 3 goals in his last 2 games. Everton always do well at home and should win this one……2-1.
Hull v Man City
Both teams are on 3 game losing skids although Hull have had the tougher schedule in that stretch. City will look to Robinho for inspiration, the little Brazilian has been in scintillating form the past few weeks…goals aplenty here….3-3

Chelsea 1-1 Burnley (Burnley win 5-4 in a penalty shootout)
It took 120 minutes and penalties to sepearte these two, but in the end, Burnley wanted it more. Chelsea had a pretty strong side out and took a first half lead through Didier Drogba, but Burnley clawed their way back thanks to an Akinbiyi strike. The score remained deadlocked until the game was decided by spot kicks.
Sunderland 1-2 Blackburn
All the goals in this one came in a blistering 5 minute second half spell. Santa Cruz and a Bardsley OG put Rovers 2 up before Kenwyne Jones pulled one back, but Sunderland couldn’t overcome the 2 goal deficit.
Tottenham 4-2 Liverpool
If there is a hotter team in the country at the moment than Spurs I’d be very surprised. They tore Liverpool apart today (the second time they have beaten them in 10 days) thanks to doubles by Pavlyuchenko and Campbell. Liverpool got goals from Plessis and Hyppia.

The Carling Cup has become something of an outlet for the major clubs to rest their stars and try out younger up and coming players. It has become the norm to see the big guns crash out to the lesser lights, but we still have to follow the fortunes of the EPL teams, so here goes.

Arsenal 3-0 Wigan
Gunners boss, Arsene Wenger, has already stated that he will be running out young players for their Carling Cup run and, so far, so good. A double from Jay Simpson and another from Carlos Vela secured the win.
Stoke 2-0 Rotherham
A victory more comfortable than the scoreline suggests. Golas from Whelan and Pugh, either side of half-time, were enough to put them through.
Man Utd. 1-0 QPR
United actually fielded a fairly strong side, but had to rely on a 74th minute spot kick from Carlos Tevez to book their passage into the next round.

Blackburn 0-2 Chelsea
Chelsea leaped back to the top of the table thanks to a double strike from Nicolas Anelka at a rain soaked Ewood Park. Goals on either side of half time were enough to secure the points.
Aston Villa 1 -2 Middlesborough
Villa, who have been in great form as of late, will be disappointed to have tossed this one away  in the final minutes. Tuncay Sanli put the visitors in front in the first half, on,y for Steve Sidwell to tie it up 2 minutes later. Sanli hit the game winner in the 88th minute to secure the points.
Man City 1-2 Tottenham
Spurs continued their great run of form with a win at City Of Manchester Stadium in an ill-tempered affair that saw 3 red cards issued. Robinho had given City the lead, but a double from Darren Bent, his 5th in 2 games secured the points for Spurs.
Fulham 2-1 Newcastle
An important game for both teams who are languishing at the wrong end of the table. Goals from Andrew Johnson and Danny Murphy were enough for the win. Ameobi got the consoaltion for Newcastle.