Technology Partner


Community Partners

High Fives From Magic Mike

Welcome to "High Fives" the personal column of our ace Director of Football "Magic Mike".

Magic Mike's football credentials are first class. Last season he handily beat the Beeb’s expert tipster “Lawro” who never got a look in after Magic took an early lead at the start of the 2008/09 season.

A good number of our players were rescued by Magic’s tips in our Five Lives scheme which automatically gives you his tips, up to five times during the season, should you forget to enter them yourself. Magic Mike's canny inside knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of players and teams, combined with a passion for getting it right, is what you need to make an impact in this game. It also means you're going to have to be at your best to outdo him.

The Management - Score Five

And now, once again, over to Magic Mike...

See what Mike had to say in the olden days - visit his 2008/09 season archives.

previous predictions -

Round 9.... Round 8.... Round 7.... Round 6.... Round 5.... Round 4

Blues make it a Rovers'  Return

The early Saturday fixture features Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Aston Villa at Molineux. Wolves earned a priceless point at Everton last Saturday but Mick McCarthy would have been disappointed that his side didn’t hold on for a victory as they succumbed to a late Everton equalizer. A difficult sequence of games is coming up for Wolves who are still languishing at the wrong end of the table.

Aston Villa took their second “big 4” scalp of the season when they overturned Chelsea with 2 set-piece plays to stun the league leaders. This victory added to their away victory at Liverpool and leaves Villa just 3 points adrift of 3^rd place Tottenham with a game in hand. Martin O’ Neill’s side will be looking for 3 points as they aim for a Champions League slot for next season.

Magic predicts: Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 - Aston Villa 1

 

Birmingham City vs. Sunderland at St Andrews Stadium.  The Blues went down battling at the Emirates last Saturday but with Carsen Yeung takeover of the club complete and the promise of an STG 80m cash injection to improve the squad then Birmangham supporters can look forward to a brighter future. For now the focus need to be on improving their league position, 17^th place at the moment and just goal difference separating them from the drop zone.

Sunderland under Steve Bruce this season have been transformed from perennial strugglers into a side that could challenge for a European slot. Darren Bent maintained his excellent scoring record with a beach-ball assisted winner that took Liverpool by surprise last Saturday. That victory took Sunderland above Liverpool into 7^th place in the league and confidence is running high on Weirside.

Steve Bruce returns to his old haunting ground and would like to put one over on his former employers. A tight game can be expected.

Magic predicts: Birmingham 0 - Sunderland 1

 

Burnley vs. Wigan Athletic at Turf Moor.  Roberto Martinez’s side were well worth a point against Manchester City last Sunday and have proved on their day than can be a match for anyone. Wigan have showed some inconsistency this season and Burnley boss Owen Coyle will be hoping that his side can continue their fine start at home. Burnley are the only promoted side ever to have won their opening 4 home league matches in the Premier League. Burnley’s horrible away form continued though, last Sunday, with a 5^th consecutive defeat to Blackburn, although The Clarets can be encouraged that they scored their first goals away from home in that game. They will need to start picking up point saway from home because their 100% home record will surely be impossible to maintain.

Magic predicts: Burnley 1 - Wigan Athletic 1  

 

Hull City vs. Portsmouth at the Kingston Communications Stadium.  A basement battle between 2 sides that are currently occupying relegation places. Hull were very disappointing at Fulham last Monday and Phil Brown will be looking for much improvement, a performance to match their last home game against Wigan. This is a game that neither side can afford to lose, more so for Portsmouth, who after their first win of the season, lost at home to Spurs last week. With 9 games played and only 3 points on the board. Portsmouth will need to start a sequence of very good results if they are going to avoid the drop. This is a 6 pointer even at this stage of the season so a competitive game can be expected.

Magic predicts: Hull City 1 vs. Portsmouth 1

 

Tottenham Hotspur vs. Stoke City at White Hart Lane. Tottenham kept up their challenge for a Champions League spot when they became the latest team to beat Portsmouth at Fratton Park. Jermain Defoe scored in the game but a rash challenge that earned him a straight red card means he will be missing today. His goal menace will be sorely missed but Harry Redknapp does have an abundance of attacking options that should cause concern for Tony Pulis’s side.

James Beattie got off the mark for the season with a brace in Stoke’s comfortable 2-0 home defeat of West Ham last Saturday. Stoke face a tougher challenge against an in-form Spurs side this but rest assured that Stoke will compete fiercely for the points .

Magic predicts: Tottenham Hotspur 2 - Stoke City 1     

 

Chelsea vs. Blackburn at Stamford Bridge – Chelsea 2^nd defeat of the season at Aston Villa means the Blues are again playing catch up on Manchester United and Carlo Ancelotti will be looking for improvement at how the Chelsea defence deals with set-pieces as they went down to headed goals from corners at Villa Park. Up front Didier Drogba continues his magnificent start to the season and will be a threat for Blackburn’s defence.

Sam Allardyce will have noted Chelsea’s frailties from high balls into the box and his side contain players that could give Chelsea some problems in that department with the likes of Chris Samba, Ryan Nelson and Morten Gamst Pedersen. Franco Di Santo, on loan from Chelsea opened his account for Blackburn in their defeat of Burnley last Sunday and could make an appearance against his old team-mates.

Magic predicts Chelsea 2 - Blackburn Rovers 1           Banker        

 

The lunchtime Sunday fixture sees Bolton Wanderers take on Everton at The Reebok Stadium. Bolton are still without a home win this season and Gary Megson’s men will be determined to end this 4 game streak. Bolton were outplayed for much of the game against Manchester United last week with Jussi Jaaskelainen’s outstanding performance keeping Bolton in the game with a string of fine saves that very nearly saw Gary Cahill snatch a vital point at the death.  

Everton have drawn their last 2 games, both at home and David Moyes’ side are falling off the pace in their chase for a European slot for next season. Everton have completed a league double over Bolton for the last 2 season’s and will be going for their hat-trick this season.

Magic predicts: Bolton Wanderers 1 - Everton 0

 

An eagerly anticipated fixture in the football calendar, the meeting of red rivals Liverpool vs Manchester United at Anfield.  Liverpool completed a rare league double over United last term and go into the game badly in need of a victory following last week’s beach-ball defeat at Sunderland. Liverpool with 4 defeats already this season are in a disappointing 8^th place in the league and defeat would leave them 10 points adrift of the Champions with a quarter of the season played.

Manchester United have eked out results in their last 2 matches and although are not playing at their best, still top the Premier League table. Sir Alex Ferguson has Edwin Van Der Sar again available after injury and would love nothing more than to pile more pressure on Rafa Benitez’s side.

Magic predicts: Liverpool 0 vs. Manchester United 1

 

Manchester City vs. Fulham at The City of Manchester Stadium.  Manchester City with 2 away draws in their last 2 league games will be looking to take 3 points in this home fixture to keep in touch with Manchester United and Chelsea.  Martin Petrov rescued the point for City last Sunday at Wigan as City showed some character in coming back from behind. With Roque Santa Cruz available after injury, Mark Hughes has his full complement of strikers available against the Cottagers.

Fulham comfortably won their Monday night fixture against Hull to move out of the drop zone and will be looking to build on that victory. Fulham have beaten City in their last 2 Premier League meeting at the City of Manchester Stadium and will be looking for a third consecutive win.

Magic predicts: Manchester City 2 - Fulham 0

 

The last game in round 10, the London derby between West Ham United and Arsenal at Upton Park.West Ham haven’t won a home game all season and pressure is mounting on Gianfranco Zola to start picking up points. With Just 5 points on the board and in sitting in 19^th place in the table, it looks like being a long hard winter for Hammers’ supporters.

Arsenal maintained their average 3 goals per game when Birmingham became the latest side to find the Gunners too hot to handle last Saturday. Arsene Wenger has also got key players returning from injury now available and remains quietly confident that his side can make a serious challenge for the league title this season.

Magic predicts: West Ham United 0 - Arsenal 2