EPL Soccer @ Today.com

Newcastle v Liverpool my prediction 2-1 Liverpool
Newcastle, who had been on a nice points streak, saw that come to an end on Friday against Wigan, and look to be in tough against the league leaders with Robbie Keane who seems to have found his scoring boots.
Arsenal v Porstmouth my prediction 3-1 Arsenal
The Gunners will still be seething after letting their 2 goal lead slip against Aston Villa and will look to take it out on Pompey, losers of their last three.
Bolton v Wigan my prediction 1-1
Wigan are one of the hottest teams in the league at the moment, unbeaten in their last 5 games (including 4 wins). Bolton have faltered somewhat, but are always a tough nut to crack at the Reebok. Looks like honors even here.
Everton v Sunderland my prediction 1-0 Everton
Everton are quietly going about their business and picking up wins, something they seem to do each season. Sunderland will look to impress new boss Rocky Sbragia, but will find it tough sledding at Goodison.
Fulham v Chelsea my predcition 2-0 Chelsea
Chelsea are going to be in for a tough time trying to break down a Fulham side that are making a habit of tying games. The blues should have enough firepower to get it done.
West Brom v Tottenham my prediction 1-0 Spurs
Tottenham have been struggling of late, thanks in large part to their deperate need for a quality striker. Playing WBA seems to be the cure for a lot of ills though, and Spurs should pick up all 3 points.
West Ham v Stoke my prediction 2-2
Both teams are coming off fine performances on Friday and this looks like it could be a pretty decent match. I expect a share of the spoils here.
Blackburn v Man City my prediction 3-1 City
Both teams have identical records over their last 5 games, but City have the scoring power to make the difference here. Robhino and Stephen Ireland are both in a rich vein of form and could capitalize on a porous Blackburn defence.
Man Utd v Middlesbrough my prediction 3-0 United
United return home to the Theater Of Dreams where they are quite simply invincible, and should make short work of a Boro side that haven’t seen a win in a number of weeks.

Stoke 0-1 Man. Utd.
United, fresh off their World Club Championship victory in Japan, returned to Premiership action and struggled to break down a dogged Stoke defence. The winning goal came with 7 minutes to play through Carlos Tevez, this after the home side had been reduced to 10 men with Andy Wilkinson red carded for a second
bookable offence.
Chelsea 2-0 West Brom
It may only be Friday, but this looked like a Sunday afternnon stroll in the park for the blues. Goals from Drogba and Lampard in the first half were enough to seal the deal.
Portsmouth 1-4 West Ham
An impressive, and much needed, win for the Hammers who looked to be in trouble after going behind to a Belhadj goal in the 8th minute. Strikes from Collison, Cole and a Craig Bellamy double reversed their fortunes.
Tottenham 0-0 Fulham
A dull affair in the London derby that only served to highlight Spurs desperate need for a striker.
Liverpool 3-0 Bolton
The Reds confirmed their status as Premiership leader with an impressive dismantling of visitors Bolton. Riera got the ball rolling in the 26th minute, and Robbie Keane added a double in the second half to complete the scoring.
Man City 5-1 Hull
There has been a lot of talk in the past week that City boss Mark Hughes may be the next EPL manager to feel the swing of the axe, but his charges dispelled that somewhat with a magnificent display. Caicedo (2), Robinho (2), and Ireland got the goals for City, with Fagan netting the consolation for Hull.
Middlesbrough 0-1 Everton
A 50th minute strike from Tim Cahill was enough to give the visitors a nice away win.
Sunderland 0-0 Blackburn
Sunderlands goal flurry (8 in their previous 2 games) was halted by a stubborn Blackburn side who have now picked up 4 points out of a possible 6 under new boss Sam Allardyce.
Wigan 2-1 Newcastle
A tough loss for the visiotrs who found themselves a goal down in the 29th through Taylor. Newcastle spurned some fine opportunities and their fate was sealed in the 73rd when Bassong was red carded for a foul inside the box, Zazi converting the ensuing penalty. The Magpies got a consolation from the spot, Guthrie converting, in the final minute of play.
Aston Villa 2-2 Arsenal
It may be time for the home side to change their name to Aston Thrilla. This was an instant classic that saw Villa twice denied by the woodwork beofre Arsenal stunned them either side of hal-time through goals by Denilson and Diaby. Villa never gave up and were rewarded by a Gareth Barry spot kick (his 50th goal for Villa) and a last gasp equalizer from Zat Knight.

This is shaping up to be the strangest title race in recent memory as the top 4 contenders continue to drop points left and right and none of them seeming able to pull away from the pack. We are entering the, always hectic Christmas period with a large slate of games on the schedule that may seperate the men from the boys.

Chelsea blew their chance to go top today and were actually lucky to escape with a point. Their cause was dealt a serious blow in the 35th minute when influential captain, John terry, was red carded for a vicious high tackle on Leon Osman. Everton looked to have snatched a winner in the second half, but Pienaar saw his goal ruled out.

Blackburn 3-0 Stoke
A dream start for new Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce with his new charges doing all the damage inside the first half hour. A McCarthy double and another from Jason Roberts snapped Rovers’ losing streak.
Bolton 2-1 Portsmouth
This one looked like being a disaster for Pompey as the home side were 2 up inside 3 minutes with goals from Taylor and Gardner. The visitors settled down after that and pulled one back through Peter Crouch, but were unable to complete the comeback.
Fulham 3-0 Middlesbrough
A comfortable win for the home side who got goals from Bullard, Murphy and Dempsey.
Hull 1-4 Sunderland
A second straight 4 goal game from Sunderland, but the scoreline is a little deceiving as 2 of those goals came in the dying moments of the game shortly after Hull had been reduced to 10 men. Malbranque, Zayatte (OG), Jones and Cisse scored for the visitors with veteran Nick Barmby hitting for the home side.
West Ham 0-1 Aston Villa
Villa continued their recent run of good form with an away victory over the Hammers. A Lucas Neill own goal was the difference in this one.
West Brom 2-1 Man City
A rare victory for the cellar dwellers, and one thats puts added pressure on embattled City boss Mark Hughes. Like Moore had given WBA the lead in the 64th before a Moore OG in the 85th looked to be enough for a share of the spoils, but Bednar had other ideas popping the winner in the waning seconds of the game.
Newcastle 2-1 Tottenham
Yet another crucial 3 points for the Magpies who opened the scoring through N’Zogbia. Modric tied it up with his first Premiership goal, but the home side got the last laugh with a Damien Duff goal in the final minute.
Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool
It was honors even in an ill-tempered game at the Emirates. Van Persie had given the Gunners the lead, but Robbie Keane levelled moment before half time. The second half saw Adebayor receive a disputed red card, but the vistors couldn’t take advantage with the extra man.

Middlesbrough 1-1 Arsenal my prediction 2-0 Arsenal
It was an old Arsenal favorite who came back to haunt the Gunners. Jeremie Aliadiere hit the tying goalfor Boro after Adebayor had given the visitors an early lead.
Aston Villa 4-2 Bolton my prediction 2-1 Villa
It was a rampant Villa that cruised to a comfortable victory over Bolton. Agbonlahor (2), Young and a Davies OG were the scorers for Villa, with Elmander and Davies netting for the visitors.
Liverpool 2-2 Hull my prediction 3-1 Liverpool
All the goals came in a blistering first half hour. Hull stormed out to an early 2-0 lead with goals from McShane and a Carragher OG before a Steven Gerrard double tied it up.
Man City 0-1 Everton my prediction 2-2
A game that looked destined for a scoreless ending before Tim Cahill popped up in the final minute to snatch victory for Everton.
Stoke 0-0 Fulham my prediction 1-1
No surprise scoreline here given that these 2 teams seem to have developed a real penchant for tied games.
Sunderland 4-0 West Brom my prediction 2-0 Sunderland
An impressive display by Sunderland against hapless West Brom. A Kenwyne Jones double as well as goals from reid and Cisse secured the 3 points.
Wigan 3-0 Blackburn my prediction 1-0 Wigan
A comfortable victory for Wigan that led to Rover firing boss Paul Ince, who has since been replaced by Sam Allardyce. Heskey, Valencia and Cattermole were the scorers.
Tottenham 0-0 Manchester Utd. my prediction 2-1 Utd
A way better game than the scoreline suggests. Great goalkeeping and a rather dubious disallowed Ronaldo goal kept honors even.
Portsmouth 0-3 Newcastle my prediction 2-2
An impressive away victory for the Magpies with Owen, Martins and Guthrie leading the way with the goals.
Chelsea 1-1 West Ham my prediction 3-1 Chelsea
Chelsea continue to flounder and found themselves a Craig Bellamy goal behind before being rescued once again by red hot striker, Nicolas Anelka.

Middlesbrough v Arsenal
Arsenal seem to be rounding back into form and back into the title race while Boro continue to struggle with only 1 win in their last 5….2-0 Arsenal
Aston Villa v Bolton
This looks to be a good one with both teams picking up lots of points recently. Give the edge to the home side….2-1 Villa
Liverpool v Hull
Liverpool look to maintain their title hopes with a win against struggling Hull who finally ended their losing streak last week. Reds too strong at home….3-1 Liverpool
Man City v Everton
Both sides have been struggling with consistency over the past few weeks and this game has a tie written all over it….2-2
Stoke v Fulham
Another game that looks like it could end with honors even as both of these teams have combined for 6 draws in the last 5 weeks….1-1
Sunderland v West Brom
Both teams are on the slide and desperate for points although West Brom seem to be fighting a losing battle at the moment. Sunderland can take heart in their performance against Man Utd last week….2-0 Sunderland
Wigan v Blackburn
A mere 6 points separates 11th place Wigan from second bottom Blackburn, but it may as well be 60 given Rovers recent form….1-0 Wigan
Tottenham v Man Utd
The game of the day between these 2 at White Hart Lane. Spurs continue to impress under new boss Harry Redknapp, and Utd look to maintain their challenge at the top….2-1 Utd.
Portsmouth v Newcastle
Another game between sides who seem to becoming pros at tying games, perhaps both lacking that killer instinct despite having 2 of the best strikers in the League in Owen and Crouch….2-2
Chelsea v West Ham
A battle of Londoners where Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka looks to continue his run of red hot goalscoring….3-1 Chelsea

A successful week for the 4 clubs taking part in Champions League play as they all qualify for the knockout stages. Chelsea knocked off CFR Napoca 2-1 with goals from Kalou and Drogba. Liverpool scored an impressive away win in Madrid, beating Atletico 3-1 with babel, Riera and Ngog getting the goals.

Wednesdays action saw Manchester Utd  play to a 2-2 tie at home to Aalborg with Tevez and Rooney the scorers. The only real blight on the proceedings was Arsenal falling to Porto in Portugal.

It’ll be interesting to see what the draw hold for all four.

Fulham 1-1 Man City my prediction 2-1 Fulham
A tense tight affair with honors even probably the fairest result. Mwaruwari opened the scoring for the visitors early on, but Jimmy Bullard tied it up on the half hour mark.
Arsenal 1-0 Wigan my prediction 1-0 Arsenal
A 16th minute strike from Adebayor was enough to give the Gunners the points and keep them in the title chase.
Blackburn 1-3 Liverpool my prediction 2-0 Liverpool
All the goals in this one came in the last 20 minutes as Liverpool finally broke down the stubborn Blackburn rearguard. Alonso, Benayoun and Gerrard did the damage with Santa Cruz getting the consolation for Blackburn.
Bolton 0-2 Chelsea my prediction 3-2 Chelsea
This one was over early as Deco and Anelka staked Chelsea to a 2 goal lead inside 20 minutes.
Hull 2-1 Middlesbrough my prediction 2-1 Hull
Another game where all the action came late on. Tucay put Boro ahead with 20 minutes to play, but a Ross Turnbull OG and a Marlon King penalty in the 87th gave the home side the win.
Newcastle 2-2 Stoke my prediction 2-2
The home side looked to be heading for a comfortable win thanks to a double from Michael Owen, but gritty Stoke plugged away and got a goal from Sidibe on the hour mark before Faye hit the equalizer at the death.
Man Utd. 1-0 Sunderland my prediction 4-1 Utd.
Utd huffed and puffed and finally blew the visitors down right on the final whistle courtesy of a rare Vidic goal.
West Brom 1-1 Portsmouth my prediction 3-1 Portsmouth
A rare point for the home side who actually had the lead thanks to a first half Greening strike before finally succumbing to a Peter Crouch goal in the 58th.
Everton 2-3 Aston Villa my prediction 1-1
A rollercoaster battle that swung back and forth before Villa took the spoils with a late Ashley Young strike. Young had scored earluer and Steve Sidwell scored the other for Villa. Everton got a double from Lescott.
West Ham 0-2 Tottenham my prediction 2-1 Tottenham
Spurs came out on top in the London derby, but left it late. Goals from King in the 68th and a last minute Jamie O’Hara strike doing the damage.

Fulham v Man City
City come to Craven Cottage to face a Fulham side unbeaten in it’s last 4 games. City have struggled with consistency all season and will be up against it here….2-1 Fulham
Arsenal v Wigan
Lets flip a coin and see which Arsenal side will play this week. The high flying team that has knocked off Chelsea and Man Utd in recent weeks or the sluggish squad that loses to the likes of Stoke. Wigan are unbeaten in 5 and will be a stern test……1-0 Arsenal
Blackburn v Liverpool
The home side have lost their last 4 games and look to struggle again against Liverpool who will have to do without the services of Fernando Torres who will be out till ‘09…….2-0 Liverpool
Bolton v Chelsea
This has the makings of a cracker with Bolton, the team who are probably showing the best form in the league at the moment hosting Chelsea. I expect lots of goals here and a tight one….3-2 Chelsea.
Hull v Middlesbrough
A battle of 2 teams heading in the wrong direction at the moment, but I’ll give the nod to Hull simply because they have the home field advantage….2-1 Hull.
Newcastle v Stoke
The home side are coming off 3 straight tied games and seem to be lacking a little bit of that killer instinct. Stoke, on the other hand, seem to be growing in confidence and are picking up some scalps along the way. Another tie here I believe….2-2
Man Utd v Sunderland
Utd at home against a side in total disarray with the departure of boss Roy Keane during the week. Seems like a slam dunk for the Red Devils….4-1 Utd.
West Brom v Portsmouth
Poor West Brom seem unable to do anything right at the moment and they are going against a Pompey side that seem to have found their scoring touch and who have gone unbeaten in their last 4….3-1 Portsmouth
Everton v Aston Villa
These two teams seem to cut from very similar cloth and will more than likely be in the running for a spot in Europe coming down the stretch. I think they will cancel each other out here….1-1.
West Ham v Tottenham
The Monday game the London derby between 2 old rivals. Spurs have cooled off in recent weeks and the hammers are struggling to find consistency…..2-1 Tottenham

This seems to be the Championship that no-one wants. All 4 of the major contender, Man Utd, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal have struggled with consistency and none of them seem able to pounce on the others mis-steps.
Todays result is the kind of game that has plagued Liverpool over the past few seasons, something that has kept them out of serious title contention in that time. All 4 teams will have to step up as the holiday season is almost here and that means a torturous schedule that has, over the years, seen many a title hope made or broken during that stretch.
It’ll be interesting to see if any of the big 4 can come up with a killer instinct and open up a lead at the top.