Predictions 8th March 2014

Just the five matches this week, with clubs involved in the FA Cup quarter finals, so some ‘light’ reading!

West Brom vs. Manchester United

There was a major upset in the reverse fixture when The Baggies picked up three points at Old Trafford, but a lot has changed since then, including the manager.

Like I said last week, Pepe Mel hasn’t come in and changed the club in the way West Brom will have hoped, and is still winless six games into his tenure at the West Midlands outfit. But he has had a considerable period to try and get his team together having not played for two weeks.

Since that draw with Fulham, Nicholas Anelka has been banned for his quenelle gesture back at the end of December, and Chris Brunt and James Morrison have both picked up knocks on international duty that could rule them out.

Similarly, United too have had an unusually quiet week and a half on the pitch, and haven’t played since the 2-0 loss at Olympiakos. A 0-0 draw with Arsenal, and a 2-0 win at Crystal Palace seemed to be the up-turn United were waiting for, but that bought them back down into the misery of this season, for which Moyes has written an open letter to the fans…

Perhaps unfortunately for both sides, there will be comparisons drawn with this fixture last season that ended 5-5, and marked the end of Sir Alex’s era at the club. Hopefully the game will be lively enough to draw away from those comparisons, but I personally cannot see it.

Prediction: West Brom 0-1 Manchester United.

Cardiff vs. Fulham

19^th versus 20^th. I think this is billed as a warm up fixture for next season’s Championship encounter as I can’t see either side beating the drop because they have quite simply been woeful.

Although they have picked up two draws in their last four, Fulham haven’t won in the league since New Year’s Day. Cardiff also have just one league win this calendar year, at the start of February.

Unfortunately both clubs have gone the wrong way about managers, particularly Cardiff who shouldn’t have sacked Malky Mackay in the first place, but to bring in guys who have either no Premier League experience or are still learning the trade is risky, and isn’t paying off.

Both need a win so hopefully this will be an open game, but with a combined 47 league goals this season, who knows what to expect?

Prediction: Cardiff 2-2 Fulham.

Crystal Palace vs. Southampton

It’s been a fantastic week for Luke Shaw, making his England debut, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he joins Ashley Cole in the 100 club which for a left back is pretty good going. Adam Lallana didn’t do too badly either by coming on, impressing, and setting up Daniel Sturridge for the winner.

Their form is a contrast to the club’s though; Mauricio Pochettino hasn’t won in three matches, and the team have conceded six goals in their last two outings. Perhaps it is good for them they are playing the league’s joint lowest scorers?

I’ll say again as I always have, Tony Pulis is a great guy and really honest, and he supported that by publically shaming his players fordiving after the United game, the only time I think that’s acceptable.

He’s done a great job stabilising the club and they genuinely should stay up, there are definitely worse teams in the division, and they will do their best to rough and tumble Southampton up.

That is what I think has been a secret to their success; their ability to mix rough with stylish, so you attack them with one, they’ll combat it and beat you with the other. I expect them to do that at Selhurst Park too.

Prediction: Palace 1-2 Southampton.

Norwich vs. Stoke

If it isn’t Cardiff and Fulham, this will be the boring game of the weekend.

Norwich will go above Stoke with a win, while The Potters will put the pressure on the teams around them should they pick up the points. Everyone else will be hoping for a draw.

Charlie Adam received a 3-match ban for his ‘stamp’ on Olivier Giroud in last weekend’s 1-0 win over Arsenal, while Peter Odemwingie and Marko Arnautovic are doubts, and Oussama Assaidi still out. Oh.

It won’t be pretty from Stoke if that’s the team news; maybe Hughes will give Wilson Palacios a run out, or even John Guidetti a decent chance following his goal for Sweden U-21s this week.

Norwich beat us at The Brit earlier this season which is no mean feat, and Stoke haven’t won back to back games since August, which is also the last away game we won. Read all the stats you want, and they say Norwich will win…

I have to agree.

Prediction: Norwich 1-0 Stoke.

Chelsea vs. Tottenham

Finally, what should be a good game this weekend! And simply put I think Jose will do what he does best and grind out a win that will put his side seven points clear at the top (or not as he continues to maintain).

Eden Hazard should be ok despite going off midweek for Belgium with an ankle problem, so Blues fans will be hoping to see him and Andre Schurrle continue what looked to be a promising partnership.

Spurs ‘won ugly’ according to Tim Sherwood after they beat Cardiff 1-0, but they have just lacked that killer, cutting edge that was disguised by Gareth Bale last season, and I can’t see them getting anything against Chelsea.

Prediction: Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham.