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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 12.... Round 11.... Round 10.... Round 9.... Round 8

A Tale of Two Cities

Liverpool vs. Manchester City at Anfield. – The early Saturday game and the intriguing clash on Merseyside between 2 sides that have been slipping out of title contention in recent weeks with a victory now badly needed by both clubs. At this stage of the season it would seem that a Champions League place is about the best either side will achieve. This will be deemed failure for Rafa Benitez, who was looking for his side to challenge for the title, but success for Mark Hughes, in his first full season with weight of Arab money behind him.

City have drawn their last 5 games.

Magic predicts: Liverpool 2 vs. Manchester City 2

Birmingham City vs. Fulham at St Andrews Stadium. Alex McLeish’s side have shown some improvement and were most unlucky to leave Anfield in their last match with just a point. The Blues have taken 4 points from home fixtures against Sunderland and Manchester City and will again be looking for home advantage to count as they try to move clear of the basement.

Fulham have had good results in recent weeks particularly against Manchester City and Liverpool. Roy Hodgson’s side visit the Midlands looking for a win that would keep them in the top half of the table. Bobby Zamora and Damien Duff have been in good form for the Cottagers and will be the main threat.

Magic predicts: Birmingham City 1 - Fulham 1

Burnley vs. Aston Villa at Turf Moor. A first away point of the season gave Burnley manager Owen Coyle some cheer. His side looked to have thrown away a 2 goal lead until substitute Kevin McDonald struck an equalizer with minutes remaining at Manchester City. At home, Burnley have an almost perfect record and will give high flying Villa a stern test.

Martin O’ Neill’s side hammered Bolton last time out with a 5 goal haul and an inspired performance from Norwegian giant John Carew. Villa will be looking to keep up their challenge for a Champions League place and will be looking to be only the 2nd team after Wigan to get a result at Turf Moor this season.

Magic predicts: Burnley 0 - Aston Villa 1

Chelsea vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge. A fine victory for Chelsea over title rivals Manchester United saw Chelsea move 5 points clear at the top of the table ahead of Arsenal. Another home game against strugglers Wolves is another ideal opportunity to consolidate their lead at the top.

Mick McCarthy’s Wolves side were outclassed by Arsenal last Saturday and the 4-1 margin could have been easily more. That result, and with Blackburn winning, saw Wolves slip into the bottom 3 and it’s likely that they will remain there after the visit to Stamford Bridge. Indeed Wolves have some key “6 pointers” as well as games against teams in the top 6 through to the the end of the year and it looks highly likely they will be in the bottom 3 at Christmas.

Magic predicts: Chelsea 3 - Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 Banker

Hull City vs. West Ham United at the Kingston Communications Stadium. Hull will be involved in a second successive relegation battle but a good result against Stoke a fortnight ago eases the pressure ahead of another 6 pointer today against fellow strugglers West Ham. Marco Geovanni will be available again after suspension and Hull will look forward to having a fit again Jimmy Bullard to bring the creative element to this Hull side.

West Ham have been ever improving with some good performances yet they still remain in the the relegation zone. A win against Champions League challengers, Aston Villa was tempered with a defeat against an injury hit Everton a fortnight ago. The Hammers then badly need a result today.

Magic predicts: Hull City 0 - West Ham United 2

Sunderland vs. Arsenal at the Stadium of Light. The Black Cats take on another of the “big 4” with an even record so far, having won lost and drawn against Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United. Steve Bruce’s side will be looking to add the scalp of Arsenal who have been in impressive form and moved ahead of Manchester United into 2nd place in the table. A blow for Arsenal is that Robin Van Persie looks set to be missing for at least a month having sustained ankle ligament damage whilst representing his country. Arsene Wenger though has plenty of young talent who will be anxious for a run in the side and to impress.

Magic predicts: Sunderland 1 - Arsenal 3

Manchester United vs. Everton at Old Trafford. The second Manchester/ Merseyside derby and another red vs. blue clash. United are now 5 points behind Chelsea having lost a fortnight ago at Stamford Bridge and need nothing less than a win. United have shown some uncharacteristic frailties in defence so far this season with questions being asked of whether Rio Ferdinand is past his best.

Everton have faced an injury crisis but the international break has bought them some time to get more of their squad back to full fitness and a much needed win against West Ham last time out eased pressure on the Toffees. Louis Saha maintained an impressive record against the Hammers with blistering drive that left Robert Green flat-footed for his 7th goal of the season and he will be out to show Sir Alex Ferguson what he is missing. Tim Howard also plays against his former club and wouild love nothing more than a clean sheet.

Magic predicts: Manchester United 2 - Everton 0

The Sunday games begin with the Lancashire derby Bolton Wanderers vs. Blackburn Roversat the Reebok Stadium. Bolton with 2 defeats in their last 2 games have slipped ominously close to the drop zone and have still failed to keep a clean sheet all season. With just 1 win at the Reebok Stadium , Gary Megson will be looking for a battling performance from his side as they take on fellow strugglers.

Sam Allardyce makes a return to the Reebok Stadium. His Blackburn side moved aead of Bolton in the table with a hard fought victory over Portsmouth in a game that saw Jason Roberts score a brace. Blackburn are without a point on their travels this season and no better place to improve on that record for Sam Allardyce. This is a 6 pointer and a tight game between these sides can be expected.

Magic predicts: Bolton Wanderers 2 - Blackburn Rovers 1

Tottenham Hotspur vs Wigan Athletic at White Hart Lane. Spurs will be looking to make it a second consecutive home victory and keep their pursuit of Champions League place for next season on track. Harry Redknapp’s team had to battle for a 2-1 victory against Sunderland last time out . Wilson Palacios could face if former club if he has recovered from injury and Tottenham skipper Robbie Keane will have to put the disappointment of a mid-week World Cup exit to France behind him .

Roberto Martinez’s Wigan side have blown hot and cold this season to date. They failed to hold onto to an early lead in their game against Fulham last time out and had to settle for a draw. On their day they are more than capable of giving Tottenham a game.

Magic predicts: Tottenham Hotspur 2 - Wigan Athletic 0

Stoke City vs. Portsmouth at the Britannia Stadium. A disappointing 2-1 defeat against Hull City last time out for Stoke after leading in that game means that Tony Pulis’s men are only 6 points clear of the relegation zone. A win against the Pompey who have just 7 points for the season o far would leave Stoke 12 points in front with a third of the season played. Stoke have had the worrying habit of conceding late goals and will be aiming to put that right and make it a first win in 3 games.

Every game is big game and a potential 6 pointer when you are bottom of the table. Paul Hart’s men have improved in recent weeks but are still 4 points adrift of 17th place. There are some difficult fixtures for Portsmouth in December and it’s wins rather than draws that are need right now.

Magic predicts: Stoke City 2 - Portsmouth 0

There are 2 rearranged mid-week games on Wednesday with Hull City taking on Everton at the K ingston Communications Stadium. Hull’s away form last season was what kept them in the Premier League and this season so far, up until Saturday’s game against West Ham, Hull have taken 10 points at home and just 1 point on their travels. Phil Brown will be looking at this game has another opportunity for his side to claw their way from the bottom of the table as it will be Hull’s 3rd consecutive home game but with a difficult looking fixture list in December , The Tigers will surely remain in the bottom 6 at best as we go into the second half of the season.

A relief for Everton Manager David Moyes was his side fine performance against West Ham 2 weeks ago, which left West Ham in the relegation zone. It was a welcome result for Everton who themselves badly need every point they can get in the face of injuries and a difficult fixture list in December.

Magic predicts: Hull City 1 -Everton 2

Fulham vs. Blackburn Rovers at Craven Cottage Blackburn completed a league double over Fulham last season and Roy Hodgson will be out for revenge in the first encounter between the team’s this season. Up until Saturday’s game at Birmingham, Fulham have been unbeaten in their last 5 league games and on the back of that form have pulled away from the bottom half of the table. The Cottagers participation in the Europa League has been a distraction but Fulham are starting to get back to their form of last season.

Blackburn have games against teams in a similar position to themselves and no wonder Sam Allardyce looks at this period up until the end of the year as key to Rovers season. Allardyce steered Blackburn to safety last season after taking over the reins from Paul Ince and will want easier ride to safety this time around. 6 points against Fulham last season made all the difference to Blackburn . With no points in 5 away games up until the visit to the Reebok on Saturday, can they find success at Craven Cottage like they did last season ?

Magic predicts: Fulham 1 - Blackburn Rovers 0