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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 17.... Round 16.... Round 15.... Round 14.... Round 13.... Round 12

A Mancunian Turnabout?

Portsmouth vs. Liverpool at Fratton Park. Avram Grant locks horns again with Rafa Benitez previously the 2 managers were challenging for honours on the domestic as well as European front but Grant has Premiership survival as his focus , whilst Rafa Benitez is trying to salvage what has been a miserable season so far. Pompey, it seems, are stranded at the foot of the table and after defeat at Chelsea in mid-week are 5 points adrift of safety and December fixture list that would appear could result in more misery. They will go into the game with nothing to lose and if they can show the same spirit as they did at The Stadium of Light a week ago they could make life difficult for Liverpool.

Liverpool beat Wigan in mid-week and still have designs on a top 4 finish this season. However with Aston Villa and Arsenal coming back to form, The Reds can’t afford to drop any points against Portsmouth. It will be a tricky fixture but one which they will win.

Magic predicts: Portsmouth 0 - Liverpool 2

 

Aston Villa vs. Stoke City at Villa Park.  Villa will be going all out for a 4^th consecutive win and a run that has seen them rise to 3^rd place in the table.  Martin O’Neill will still have aspirations of a title challenge. James Milner and Emile Heskey were on target in Villa’s latest victory at Sunderland and a win would take them closer to leaders Chelsea and Manchester United.

Stoke fought back for a home draw against Wigan on Saturday and will make life difficult for Villa with their combative style of play and a decent defensive record. Up front James Beattie may make a return to the starting 11, after his alleged spat with Stoke boss Tony Pulis.

Magic predicts: Aston Villa 2 - Stoke City 0

 

Blackburn Rovers vs Tottenham Hotpur at Ewood Park.  Spurs bounced back after a poor 3 game run that saw them take just 2 points when they become only the 2^nd team this season to beat Manchester City . The poor run had seen Spurs slip out of the top 4 and Harry Redknapp will be hoping the mid-week win will spark a turnaround.

Blackburn lost in mid-week at in-form Birmingham and scored their only goal in their last 5 league games. Goals then have been at a premium for Rovers unlike Tootenham who recently put 9 goals past Wigan.

Magic predicts: Blackburn Rovers 0 - Tottenham Hotspur 0

 

Fulham vs. Manchester United at Craven Cottage. In the correspondingfixture last year Fulham caused a major upset by inflicting a 2-0 defeat on the Champions. Roy Hodgson’s side have slowly started to re-capture their form of last season and with Manchester United having injury woes in defence Fulham will by eyeing their chance of another upset.

Manchester United bounced back after their 1^st home defeat of the season against Aston Villa to comprehensively beat Wolves on Tuesday night. Sir Alex Ferguson will be mindful of last season’s defeat at Fulham but this time around United are playing catch up to Chelsea and can ill-afford to drop points against the Cottagers.

Magic predicts: Fulham 1 - Manchester United 1

 

Manchester City vs. Sunderland at The City of Manchester Stadium. Manchester City’s title hopes have faded as they have now drawn 7 of their last 8 games. In their last home game though they did upset Chelsea and will be looking for a win against Sunderland, who have struggled in recent weeks. Sunderland, despite their slump, where they have recorded just 1 win in 8 games, Darren Bent has continued to score goals and will be Sunderland’s main threat.

Magic predicts: Manchester City 2 - Sunderland 0

 

Arsenal vs Hull City at the Emirates Stadium.  Arsene Wenger will not forget a disappointing defeat to Hull last season after leading in that game. Arsenal will be out for revenge but also seeking a win as they continue to press their Champions League challenge. A great result last weekend saw Arsenal beat Liverpool and move to 3^rd place in the table. They need to win again today to step up their ttile challenge.

Hull manager Phil Brown has seen his side lose just 1 in their last 6 games but Hull have a difficult festive period in which they play the top 3 sides and every point will count. Hull are just outside the relegation zone and could be plunged back in if their next games yield the expected points.

Magic predicts: Arsenal 3 - Hull City 0 Banker

 

A basement battle Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Burnley. Wolves  boss Mick McCarthy rested his players for the mid-week visit to Manchester United figuring even his best side couldn’t compete and saving his best players for this crucial 6 pointer. Both of these sides were promoted from the Championship last term and although Burnley made a bright start to life in the Premier League, they have started to slide down the table and look set to be involved in the relegation battle. Wolves have improved of late and will be going out for all 3 points in this game. It’s sure to be a fiercely contested game.

Magic predicts: Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 - Burnley 1

 

Everton vs. Birmingham City at Goodison Park. A bright showing for Everton at Chelsea last Saturday where they earned an unexpected point. The Toffees remain just one point above the relegation zone and will be looking for their first win in 6 games. Birmingham on the other hand will be going out for a 6^th consecutive win, in a run that has seen them rise to the lofty heights of 7^th in the league. Lee Bowyer has been in inspired form in that run scoring winning goals on 3 occasions. All runs have to end  sometime.

Magic predicts: Everton 1 - Birmingham City 0

 

West Ham United vs. Chelsea at Upton Park.  West Ham slumped to defeat at Bolton on Tuesday and no lie in 19^th place in the table. The club is reportedly up for sale and until a buyer is found there will be very little money available in the January transfer window for Gianfranco Zola to bolster his squad. A defeat against Chelsea could leave the Hammers bottom of the table.

Chelsea scraped a win at home to Portsmouth on Wednesday and retained their place at the top of the Premier league. They have not been on the best of form in their last 2 games and will be looking to return to their best. A lot of old acquaintances will be renewed in this game. Steve Clark, Gianfranco Zola, Scott Parker, Frank Lampard and Joe Cole are up against their former clubs.

Both teams need the 3 points for very different reasons.

Magic predicts: West Ham United 0 - Chelsea 2

 

The Monday night clash features a Lancashire derby, Wigan Athletic vs. Bolton Wanderers at the DW Stadium. Wigan went down at Liverpool in mid-week but Bolton recorded a vital victory against West Ham to lift themselves out of the relegation zone. Both sides look set to be in the relegation mix this season so this is an important game for both sides. Bolton with 4 points from their last 2 games will be confident of coming away with a result. Wigan with just 1 point in their last 2 games are just 2 points ahead of Bolton in the league standings.

Magic predicts: Wigan Athletic 1 - Bolton Wanderers 2