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 23.... FA Cup 4th Round.... Round 22A.... Round 22.... Round 21.... FA Cup 3rd Round

Gunners Shoot down Red Devils

Birmingham City vs.Tottenham Hotspur at St Andrews Stadium. Birmingham’s season is going from strength to strength with a fine away victory in he FA Cup last Saturday at Everton and unbeaten in the last in the league. Alex McLeish’s side have a chance to dent Spurs’ hopes of a Champions League place whilst they themselves are dark horse,s in what apparently seems to be a 5 horse race for 4^th place.

Tottenham got back to winning way with a comfortable 2-0 mid-week victory that consolidated 4^th spot. Harry Redknapp’s side have a difficult task today and Spurs’ old boy Stephen Carr will relish the opportunity to impress.

Magic predicts: Birmingham City 1 – Tottenham Hotspur 0

 

Fulham vs. Aston Villa at Craven Cottage. Fulham lost in mid-week but the good news was that Bobby Zamora made a speedier than expected recovery from a collar bone injury. The Cottagers have played 4 consecutive away games in the league and lost them all. Roy Hodgson will be hoping for a reversal of fortune and for his side to capture the sort of form they showed in their last winning league performance against Manchester United.

Aston Villa need a win to maintain the pressure on Spurs for a Champions League place. Villa are still battling for domestic honours on 3 fronts with a Carling Cup final against Manchester United to look forward to next month. Villa players have looked jaded in their last league outings and badly need a win.

Magic predicts: Fulham 1 - Aston Villa 1

 

Hull City vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Kingston Communications Stadium. Tigers against Wolves in what should be a Battle Royale on Humberside. This is a vital game for Phil Brown’s men. Sandwiched between fixtures against Manchester United and Chelsea Hull surely need to take something from this game. They are in 19^th place in the table and win would propel them over Wolves and out of the drop zone and a morale booster ahead of a tough game on Wednesday.

Wolves surprised in mid-week by taking a point off Liverpool a result that lifted them 1 place but out of the relegation zone. Mick McCarthy would probably settle for a point from this game but a win would open up a 4 point gap over Hull and that could prove to be significant. A defeat would see Wolves back in the drop zone.

Magic predicts: Hull City 2 - Wolverhampton Wanderers 0

 

Liverpool vs. Bolton Wanderers at Anfield. Liverpool are 3 points adrift of Tottenham in 4^th place in the table and they will be looking for a win against their struggling Bolton after a drab goal-less draw against Wolves in mid-week.

Bolton registered their first league win under Owen Coyle and against his old club Burnley to take 3 points and move out of the relegation zone. Bolton will be going into the game with confidence as they hope to avenge their early season home defeat to Liverpool.

Magic predicts: Liverpool 1 - Bolton Wanderers 0

 

West Ham United vs. Blackburn Rovers at Upton Park. The Hammers secured a useful mid-week point at Portsmouth and will be looking to take maximum points from a home fixture and distance themselves from the relegation places. Gianfranco Zola could still be in the market for new recruits before the transfer window slams shut on February 1^st.

A local derby win for Rovers over Wigan eased them into mid-table. The gap between teams is still very tight though and Sam Allardyce will be hoping his side can clinch a third successive league victory which would be Blackburn’s best run of form in the league this season.

The first meeting between the sides at Ewood Park ended goal-less, and this game also promises to be another battle as both teams try to retain Premier League status.

Magic predicts: West Ham United 1 - Blackburn Rovers 1

 

Wigan Athletic vs. Everton at the DW Stadium. Wigan’s continued inconsistency has meant that they still flirt with relegation despite some impressive performances. They have a difficult derby game against an Everton side that seems to be coming back into form. David Moyes’ side will still be hoping to claim a European place through their league finish which should ensure a competitive game. 

Magic predicts: Wigan Athletic 1 - Everton 2

 

Burnley vs. Chelsea at Turf Moor. Burnley slipped into the relegation zone for the first time this season and the storm clouds seem to be gathering over East Lancashire. Brian Laws took over from Owen Coyle but lost out to his predecessor in the important mid-week clash. It has been a baptism of fire for Laws as he now faces the Premier League leaders after facing Manchester United in his first game and with Chelsea starting as favourites Laws could be staring at 4 defeats in 4 including an FA Cup exit to Championship side Reading. Burnley need to return to their home form witnessed earlier in the season or improve on an away record that has so far yielded just 1 point if they are to survive.

Chelsea impressed again in mid-week with a 3-0 victory over an in-form Birmingham side that were unbeaten in the previous 12 league games. Carlo Ancelloti’s side seem to be right back to form and that looks to be ominous for a Burley side low on confidence.

Magic predicts: Burnley 0 - Chelsea 1

 

Manchester City vs. Portsmouth at the City of Manchester Stadium. City supporters were very disappointed in mid-week to see a 1 goal lead in the Carling Cup first leg disappear as they lost out to rivals United for a place at Wembley. Roberto Mancini is targeting a top 4 finish and if that is going to happen, City have to win against bottom club Portsmouth.

Avram Grant’s side had a battling 1-1 draw against West Ham but if they are to survive another season in the Premier League they need to win the majority of their remaining home games between now and the end of the season. The transfer embargo has finally been lifted on Portsmouth but it may be too late for Grant to bring in new recruits. He looks to be facing a steep uphill battle for survival.

Magic predicts: Manchester City 3 - Portsmouth 1

 

Arsenal vs. Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners title aspirations could well be determined in this and their next 4 matches as they face teams in the top 6. A mid-week goalless draw against Aston Villa was a disappointing start but Arsenal now have to pick themselves up and go all out for a win against Champions, Manchester United. It’s a game that Arsenal can’t afford to lose. Cesc Fabregas has been the mainstay of Arsenal’s side this season and Arsenal will be looking for him to lead by example and secure 3 vital points that could ultimately be decisive in the title race.

Manchester United made it through to their second consecutive Carling Cup final and how sweet a victory for Manchester United over their city rivals in booking their cup final place. United now have to change focus to the primary goal of winning the league but they will face a severe test at the Emirates.

Magic predicts: Arsenal 1 -Manchester United 0

 

Sunderland vs.Stoke City at the Stadium of Light.  Sunderland are now in grave danger of slipping into the relegation dogfight when earlier in the season it all seemed so bright for Steve Bruce’s side. With Kenwyne Jones being a potential target for Liverpool and the Black Cats without a win in 9 league games and dumped out of the FA Cup by Portsmouth, the outlook isn’t looking good. All that though could be changed with a win

Stoke City had a tremendous result against Arsenal in the FA Cup last Sunday. Their direct brand of football troubled Arsenal from the off and they ran out comfortable winners in the end. Stoke are proving to be a difficult side to beat this season and we should be in for a combative game.

Magic predicts: Sunderland 1 - Stoke City 1

 

Hull City vs. Chelsea at the Kingston Communications Stadium. Another tough game for the Tigers against an in-form Chelsea side. Phil Brown though will want to take reference to the opening day of the season when Hull almost took an unlikely point at Stamford Bridge with Didier Drogba proving to be the difference between the 2 sides when he struck a late winner. If Hull can muster up a similar performance and with home support they might just gibe Chelsea a game.

Chelsea are still in the running for 3 trophies. They roared back to the top of the Premier League with a mid-week victory over Birmingham and will be expected to take maximum points from a team in 19^th place in the Premier League. Michael Ballack and Frank Lampard have been in fine form for Chelsea of late and  on current form Chelsea should have too much quality in their side.

Magic predicts: Hull City 0 - Chelsea 2  

 

Fulham vs Portsmouth at Craven Cottage. In another re-arranged game, sees the reversal of an opening day fixture. After recent away defeats the Cottagers will be  looking to pick up points at home and Roy Hodgson will be looking to take maximum points from a struggling Portsmouth side. On the opening day of the season a Bobby Zamora goal settled the game fortuitously for Fulham. Zamora has just returned to the Fulham side after injury and he will be looking to get back into scoring form after his 3 week klay-off.

Avram Grant’s Portsmouth need to start picking up wins as the season starts to run out. Although Portsmouth have been bottom of the league virtually all season the tightness at the bottom means that with a few wins they could climb free of the drop zone. However Pompey’s uncertain financial situation is still of concern and it remains to be seen whether they can hold on to their prime playing assets before the transfer window slams shut.

Magic predicts: Fulham 2 - Portsmouth 0