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 21.... FA Cup 3rd Round.... Round 20.... Round 19.... Round 18.... Round 17

Trotters Recoyled

Stoke City vs. Liverpool at the Britannia Stadium.  Stoke will be looking to avenge the 4-0 thrashing they received at the hands of Liverpool earlier in the season. Stoke got back to winning ways with their first win in 7 games when they defeated Fulham in what was a surprisingly high-scoring game. Stoke have been struggling for goals this season with just 18 in 20 games.

It's been disaster in the FA Cup as Liverpool like Manchester United crashed out at the 3rd round stage and Rafa Benitez faces mounting pressure to step down. Its now been almost 3 weeks since Liverpool saw any league action but Rafa would be a happy man if Liverpool can carry on where they left off in the Premier League competition. A late Fernando Torres strike gave Liverpool a valuable win to keep them in contention for a Champions League place at Aston Villa and another win is surely needed as Liverpool are 5 points adrift of that coveted 4^th spot.

Magic predicts: Stoke City 0 - Liverpool 1

 

Chelsea vs. Sunderland at Stamford Bridge Chelsea won for only the second time in their last 6 league games with a come-back victory over Fulham 3 weeks ago. Carlo Ancelotti will be without his playing contingent who are involved in the African Nations competition and this period could be their most testing time of the remaining season. Chelsea approach this game with a 2 point lead over Manchester United and if they retain their pole position at the end of January they would be favourites to regain their title they last won 4 years ago.

It’s been 8 matches since Sunderland last won a league game and the Black Cats could yet get sucked into the relegation scrap if they don’t have a turnaround in results soon. It’s not as though Sunderland are playing badly, their last 7 games have yielded 3 draws and 3 defeats by the odd goal.  Steve Bruce’s boys will be expected to lose this game but with the same spirit they showed at Manchester City a few weeks ago and a bit more luck, they may just give Chelsea a run for their money.

Magic predicts: Chelsea 1 - Sunderland 0  

 

Manchester United at Old Trafford.  Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will be looking for a vast improvement in his side’s performance since their unexpected exit of the FA Cup to 1^st division Leeds. No doubt his squad have been given the infamous hairdryer treatment and things could be looking ominous for Burnley. The United players will not only be looking to salvage some pride but also exact some revenge for their surprising 1-0 defeat at Turf Moor earlier in the season.

Burnley caused one of the biggest upsets when they defeated Manchester United in the early season to register their first points in the Premier League. This will be the first game Burnley have played since their inspirational manager, Owen Coyle , left to takeover at neighbours Bolton. Although Brian Laws has now been installed as manager and the players have issued a rallying cry,  Burnley will surely be fighting for their lives come May as their form has dropped off considerably since the early season and they are without a win in 10 games. 

Magic predicts: Manchester United 3 - Burnley 0

 

Portsmouth vs Birmingham City at Fratton Park. Portsmouth were disappointingly held to a draw by Championship side Coventry in their last home game in the FA Cup but bounced back to win the replay.  With financial uncertainty and a ban on transfers until outstanding transfer payments are cleared, the future looks bleak for Avram Grant’s side. There could still be an exodus of players during the January transfer window and if that is the case it would surely spell the end of Pompey’s stay in the Premier League.

Birmingham remain the form team in the Premier League, their unbeaten run stretches back 12 games and is the best unbeaten record in the league so far this season. Alex McLeish’s side were unlucky to only take 1 point from their last home game against Manchester United and will confident of extending their unbeaten run at bottom club Portsmouth, although they will be aware that Portsmouth are still a capable side as was proved when they surprised Liverpool just before Christmas.

Magic predicts: Portsmouth 0 - Birmingham City 1

 

Tottenham vs. Hull City at White Hart Lane. Tottenham tamed the Tigers at the KC stadium earlier in the season when a Jermain Defoe hat-trick helped Spurs cruise to a 5-1 victory.  Harry Redknapp’s side will need to register their first double of the season in order to maintain their Champions League challenge. Spurs are just 1 point adrift of 4th place Manchester City but will need to beat Premier League struggling sides if they are to break into the top 4 come the end of the season.

Hull crashed out of the FA Cup against Wigan but were encouraged by a fight back from 2 down to earn a point at the Reebok stadium in their last Premier League away game. Phil Brown’s side did manage to win at White Hart Lane last season and a repeat of that victory could see Hull move out of the relegation zone.

Magic predicts: Tottenham Hotspur 3 - Hull City 1    Banker 

 

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Wigan Athletic at Molineux.  With both sides on 19 points and just 1 point above the relegation places, this game could have a big impact on deciding the fates of both sides when points are tallied at the end of May. Mick McCarthy’s men have done well against struggling teams on their patch in December , having taken maximum points from games against Bolton and Burnley.  A win for either side today would ease a lot of relegation pressure.

Magic predicts: Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 - Wigan Athletic 2

 

Everton vs Manchester City at Goodison Park.  David Moyes’ side looks to be getting back to their best form of last season with a return to fitness of many of their playing staff. Everton were unlucky not to hold on for a win against Arsenal at the Emirates last Saturday, an injury time Tomas Rosicky equalizer denying them 3 points. Club Captain Phil Neville is fit after injury as well as young striker James Vaughn and with Phil Jagielka looking to get back to full fitness within the next month; Everton could still yet make a challenge for a Europa Cup place.

Manchester City continue with their perfect record under Roberto Mancini. A 4-1 demolition of Blackburn on Monday night moved City up to 4th and a Champions League spot. Carlos Tevez scored his 10th, 11th and 12th goals of the campaign in that game. City are the form of the top 6 sides and with only 2 defeats all season, if they can convert more draws to wins in the second half of the season they could yet be in contention for the title they last won 42 years ago.

Magic predicts: Everton 1 - Manchester City 2

 

Aston Villa vs. West Ham United at Villa Park. Aston Villa’s recent defeats to Arsenal and Liverpool has seen them slip out of the top 4 and Martin O’ Neil’s side really need a win against relegation threatened West Ham to maintain their pursuit of a Champions League finish. Villa lost disappointingly at Upton Park earlier in the season and will be out for revenge.

Gianfranco Zola‘s side is struggling at the bottom end of the table. They are still without their main striker, Carlton Cole and with money seemingly tight, they will have to navigate a way to safety by reshuffling their existing resources. A repeat of the win at  Villa Park would be a massive boost but they will be up against a more determined Villa side this time around.

Magic predicts: Aston Villa 3 - West Ham United 1  

 

Blackburn Rovers vs Fulham at Ewood Park. Blackburn were the only relegation threatened team in action with only 3 of the 10 scheduled matches taking place in the last round of matches. Rovers have now played more games than any other side in and around the drop zone but are just 3 points clear of the relegation places. Sam Allardyce’s side crashed to a 3-0 defeat at Craven Cottage in November and he has cited the reasons for his side's current woes to be a lack of goals; not surprisingly when midfielder, David Dunn is Blackburn’s leading scorer with 5 goals whilst main strikers Jason Roberts and Benni McCarthy have managed just 4 between them. Blackburn face teams in a similar position to themselves in the coming weeks so this will be a crucial period in determining their fate this season.

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson is looking to cover the potential loss of leading scorer Bobby Zamora with a transfer window loan signing of Stefano Okaka from Roma. Zamora suffered a shoulder injury against Stoke and could be missing for a while. Fulham are currently in a comfortable mid-table position and still involved in the Europa League competiton as well as progressing to the FA Cup 4^th round. They will be looking to improve their league standing as they aim to challenge for qualification to next year’s Europa Cup competition.

Magic predicts: Blackburn Rovers 1 - Fulham 1

 

Bolton Wanderers vs. Arsenal at the Reebok Stadium. This will be Owen Coyle’s first game in charge and Bolton supporters will be hoping he can get off to a winning start and repeat the result he achieved for Burnley against Arsenal in last season’s Carling Cup competition. A win would lift Bolton out of the relegation zone as well as leave them with games in hand on teams  around them at the bottom end of the table.

Arsene Wenger will have been disappointed with his side’s draw against Everton; but in the end he was thankful for a point when Arsenal scored an injury time equalizer. The Gunners will arrive at the Reebok in good spirits, knowing that this has been a good ground for them in recent years since Sam Allardyce left Bolton.  Cesc Fabregas’ return from a hamstring injury will be a welcome boost for an Arsenal side that seem to lack penetration when he‘s not in the side. Arsene Wenger will be aware of an early Bolton threat with the players inspired by the arrival of a new manager. The Bolton players and spectators will treat this game like a cup tie and it should make for an entertaining game.

Magic predicts: Bolton Wanderers 1 - Arsenal 1