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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 28.... Round 27.... FA Cup 5th Round.... Round 26.... Round 25.... Round 24

Black Cats Strike Lucky?

Arsenal vs. Burnley at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal have roared back into title contention following 3 straight victories after their title aspirations had looked in tatters with defeats against Manchester United and Chelsea. Leaders Chelsea have lost 2 games in their last 3 matches and the Gunners can go level on points with Chelsea with a victory today, as Chelsea have no league game due to their FA Cup fixture. Arsenal will be without Aaron Ramsay until next season as the youngster suffered a broken leg in the 3-1 victory at Stoke. Arsenal though have plenty of cover and will start favourites to beat the Clarets.

Burnley are 19^th in the Premier League and last weekend suffered a disappointing defeat to bottom club Portsmouth. Burnley’s fate this season won’t be decided in matches against top clubs like Arsenal but in their remaining fixtures against other struggling sides. Brian Laws would be no doubt be happy if Burnley could secure a point against Arsenal as they did in their home fixture against the Gunners. Burnley‘s record on the road makes depressing reading for Claret fans with the solitary point earned at Manchester City still being their only success in 14 matches.

Magic predicts: Arsenal 3 - Burnley 0      Banker

 

West Ham United vs. Bolton Wanderers at Upton Park. Fortunes have been looking up for the Hammers as they have won their last 2 home games against teams who are similarly struggling in the Premier League basement. This is another similar 6 point game. There can be no resting on laurels for Gianfranco Zola as West Ham’s next 2 games are away to Chelsea and Arsenal so a victory ahead of those fixtures would give a cushion they most likely will need if results go with the form book, otherwise the Hammers could very easily find themselves back in the drop zone.

Bolton like West ham had a morale boosting victory against similarly relegation threatened Wolves last Saturday, a win that lifted them 4 places in the table. Another victory would push Owen Coyle’s side closer to mid-table safety but without doubt avoiding defeat would be the main concern with the win being a bonus. Should Bolton win, they will complete the double over West Ham this season, following their 3-1 success at the Reebok Stadium in December.

Magic predicts: West Ham United 1 - Bolton Wanderers 1

 

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Manchester United at Molineux. In the corresponding fixture at Old Trafford Mick McCarthy rested players ahead of an important relegation clash his side faced against Burnley 3 days later. This time around Wolves do face Burnley in 7 days time but more likely Mick McCarthy will pick his strongest side to face the Champions. Wolves lie in 17^th place, 1 place above the relegation zone on goal difference, and face some testing fixtures up to Easter. Wolves were unlucky to lose out to Bolton last Saturday, a result that may prove significant at the end of the season.

Manchester United were out of league action last Saturday as they pulled their fixture against West Ham forward to last Wednesday and comfortably took all 3 points. With Chelsea losing last Saturday, Manchester United remained just 1 point behind Chelsea but with a superior goal difference and will this week be looking to regain the lead in the title race with Chelsea being out of league action due to their FA Cup commitments. With the first silverware of the season secured in last Sunday’s Carling Cup final victory over Aston Villa , Manchester United will travel to Molineux confident they can leave with 3 points.

Magic predicts: Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 - Manchester United 2

 

Everton vs. Hull City at Goodison Park. Everton lost at Hull in November when they were in the middle of a bad run with an injury ravaged team. This time around they take on the Tigers having defeated Chelsea and Manchester United in their last 2 home league games and most of their squad back to full fitness. David Moyes’ side will be looking to complete their end to the season with a flourish and will be out to avenge their November defeat.

Hull find themselves back in the bottom 3 although they were out of league action last week. Bolton’s win against Wolves meant that Hull slipped 1 place to 18^th. This will be Hull’s 3^rd consecutive game on the road having lost what could prove to be vital relegation clashes at West Ham and Blackburn. The good news for Hull is that the influential midfielder Jimmy Bullard could return from injury and make an appearance in the game. Phil Brown would no doubt settle from a point after 2 disappointing results.

Magic predicts: Everton 2 - Hull City 0

 

Wigan Athletic vs. Liverpool at the DW stadium. Wigan are without a win in their last 7 games and Roberto Martinez’s side continue the slide down the league. They were unlucky to lose to a controversial penalty at Birmingham last Saturday and face a difficult game against a Liverpool side pushing for the Champions League qualifying spot. With Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard back to fitness and both on the score sheet against Blackburn last week, Wigan’s win-less streak looks set to continue.

Magic predicts: Wigan Athletic 0 - Liverpool 2

 

Sunderland vs. Bolton Wanderers at the Stadium of Light. A re-arranged game that was originally postponed due to the January weather conditions, sees Sunderland without a win in 14 games and just a point ahead of the Trotters in the Premier League table. This is a relegation 6 pointer and a win for either side would give a welcome cushion from the relegation places going into the last 10 games of the season.

The season started so brightly for Sunderland with an opening day victory at the Reebok Stadium and how Steve Bruce would welcome a similar result today. The Black Cats leading scorer Darren Bent is without a goal in open play in the last 7 games and how he would also like a repeat of the opening day when he scored the only goal to open his Sunderland account.

Bolton got the result they needed against Wolves last Saturday and with scores involving other relegation threatened team going in their favour, Bolton have a chance to move out of the relegation zone to mid table safety with another win. The Bolton camp was also boosted by the news that Gary Cahill may be fit to play again within a month. Bolton haven’t won away from home since September and Owen Coyle hasn’t savoured an away Premier League victory as manager of either Burnley or Bolton this season. Will Sunderland end their miserable 14 game sequence or will Owen Coyle end his away day nightmares? ….. maybe neither, if the game is drawn .

Magic predicts: Sunderland 1 - Bolton Wanderers 0

 

A quick repeat of Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-finalsees Portsmouth take on Birmingham City at Fratton Park. If the FA Cup tie was settled on Saturday this fixture will be a meaningless game as Portsmouth, being effectively relegated after receiving a 9 point penalty due to entering administration, and Birmingham, already reaching the 40 point safety mark to ensure Premier League football next season, would be unlikely to have the inclination to serve up a footballing feast. Pompey will face a player exodus next season unless a new owner steps in to buy the club and the remaining games of the season are potentially a shop window for their players to impress and find contracts with new clubs.

Magic predicts: Portsmouth 1 - Birmingham City 0 

 

Burnley vs. Stoke City at Turf Moor.  Burnley have to take full advantage in their remaining home games given their inability to pick up points on the road and after a difficult game at Arsenal on Saturday and the anticipation that Burnley will still be in the bottom 3 leading up to this game, Brian Laws team is badly in need of a win.  They face a Stoke side that comes into the game after a draining FA Cup quarter-final against Chelsea and also without their key central defender Ryan Shawcross who is suspended. The timing of the game could be to Burnley’s advantage.

Magic predicts: Burnley 1 - Stoke City 0