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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 30.... Round 29.... FA Cup 6th Round.... Round 28.... Round 27.... FA Cup 5th Round

Gold's Clarets sink Golds

 

Aston Villa vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers at Villa Park. Villa lost ground last week with a draw at Stoke but a good away result in mid-week saw Villa move to just 3 points behind 4^th placed Tottenham with a game in hand. Villa took revenge on Wigan for an opening day of the season defeat at Villa Park and James Milner pressed his England claims by scoring the winning goal in that game.

Wolves gave their survival hopes a boost when they travelled to Burnley and came away with all 3 points to open up a 3 point gap on 18^th place. It was a tremendous result for Mick McCarthy’s men and gives them real hope that they can avoid the drop. Wolves though do have a difficult run in and the team in Claret they face this week will be a different proposition from the one they defeated last Saturday.

Magic predicts: Aston Villa 2 - Wolverhampton Wanderers 0

 

Everton vs. Bolton Wanderers at Goodison Park. Everton let a 2 goal lead slip last week at Birmingham and this week return to Goodison where they will be looking for revenge after an earlier season defeat at the Reebok Stadium. David Moyes still had eyes on a 4^th place finish just 3 games ago but after the defeat at Spurs 2 weeks ago it looks as though the best the Toffees can achieve is 8^th place.

With 3 victories in their last 4 games Bolton have emerged from the relegation dogfight and look to be just 2 victories away from booking their place in the Premier League for next season. Manager Owen Coyle’s decision to switch ship in January from Burnley looks to have been the right decision as his former club, Burnley, look destined for a swift return to the Championship. Bolton will go into the game with confidence after an easy 4 goal demolition of Wigan last Saturday. Johan Elmander scored in that game and Bolton’s most expensive signing will be looking to continue his partnership with Kevin Davies and to re-pay the club’s investment in him.

Magic predicts: Everton 2 - Bolton Wanderers 1

 

Portsmouth vs. Hull City at Fratton Park. 20^th place plays 19^th in this basement battle. Portsmouth fight for survival has all but ended and they just wait for their fate to be sealed when eventually their 9 point deduction for falling into administration is confirmed. The players though have everything to play for as they have between now and the end of the season to showcase their talents and the hope of a move in the summer. Pompey also await a date with either Tottenham or Fulham in the FA Cup semi-final.

The Tigers released Phil Brown from his duties following last Saturday’s home defeat to Arsenal. Brown had been Hull’s most successful manager in taking Hull to the top flight for the first time in their history. His era at the club has now ended and it is rumoured that Ian Dowie could be taking over before the weekend. Jimmy Bullard is back to fitness and his form between now and the end of the season will be key if the Tigers are to survive a second season but they do look to be an endangered species.

Magic predicts: Portsmouth 1 - Hull City 2

 

Stoke City vs. Tottenham Hotspur at the Britannia Stadium. Stoke continue to make life difficult for the teams they play. Last week Aston Villa were held to a goal-less draw and Spurs another team chasing Champions League qualification make the journey to the Potteries. Spurs have an FA Cup quarter-final replay against Fulham next week on their minds but Harry Redknapp’s side are currently in pole position of the 4 teams chasing the Champions League prize and will want his side to continue their good recent form with a result at Stoke.

Magic predicts: Stoke City 1 -Tottenham Hotspur 1

 

Sunderland vs. Birmingham City at the Stadium of Light.  A 4^th consecutive home game for the Black Cats, a sequence in which Steve Bruce’s side ended their 14 game win-less streak in the 2^nd game of this run with a 4-0 thrashing of Bolton. Sunderland also played out a 1-1 draw with Manchester City last Sunday and they look to be back to their early season form. Darren Bent scored a hat-trick in the win against Bolton and he will be looking to further press his claims for a place in the England squad.

Birmingham have started to stutter in recent weeks after a fine run catapulted them to 8^th place in the table. They disappointingly exited the FA Cup with defeat to Portsmouth, only to win a league game there 4 days later. Last Saturday the Blues came back from behind against Everton to earn a draw.

Magic predicts: Sunderland 1 - Birmingham City 0

 

Wigan Athletic vs. Burnley at the DW Stadium. Another 6 point relegation slugfest. Wigan looked to have eased relegation fears with a 1 -0 victory over Liverpool a fortnight ago but the unpredictable Latics succumbed to defeats at Bolton and at home to Aston Villa and need a result from this game to avoid sliding back into the heart of the relegation dogfight. A win for Wigan would see them move 7points clear of their visitors and with only 7 games to go it would take a miracle for Burnley to make up that deficit.

Brian Laws has already seen his side lose out in 3 relegation 6 pointers since his appointment and he knows his side are running out of opportunities to claw their way out of the drop zone. A disappointing home defeat to Wolves last Saturday leaves the Clarets in a perilous state and they badly need 3 points from their short visit across Lancashire.

Magic predicts: Wigan Athletic 0 - Burnley 2  

 

Arsenal vs. West Ham United at The Emirates Stadium. Arsenal maintained the pressure on Manchester United and Chelsea but left it late before securing a 2-1 away victory at Hull. Nicklas Bendtner was once again on the mark for Arsenal and his form since his return to the side has been crucial to the Gunners in recent weeks. Cesc Fabregas missed the Hull game with a hamstring injury and Arsene Wenger will be hoping his playmaker will be fit to return against a West Ham side that is battling to survive. The Hammers are in the middle of a difficult sequence of fixtures and are without a win in their last 3 games. The form of teams below them has meant that the Hammers are still outside the drop zone but Gianfranco Zola knows his team will need to start picking up points very soon. The Hammers have already lost to twice this season to the Gunners in the league and the FA Cup and their chances of an upset look slim.

Magic predicts: Arsenal 3 - West Ham United 1  Banker

 

The big game of the weekend sees Manchester United take on Liverpool at Old Trafford. Liverpool defeated United at Anfield earlier in the season and completed the league double over their bitter rivals last season but on the silverware front it’s United that come out on top. Wayne Rooney is in the form of his life at the moment and Sir Alex Ferguson has his strongest defensive pairing of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand both fit and available. United will be out for revenge after suffering 3 consecutive defeats to Rafa Benitez’s men.

It will be another barren season for Liverpool but they are still hoping they can salvage their season by claiming the Champions League qualifying spot. At the same time they will be out to dent United’s surge towards a 4^th successive Premier League title. Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard are both back to form and fitness and will be hoping they can repeat the 4-1 success Liverpool enjoyed at Old Trafford last season.

Magic predicts: Manchester United 1 - Liverpool 0

 

Fulham vs. Manchester City at Craven Cottage. Fulham have an FA Cup quarter-final replay date with Tottenham next Wednesday and Roy Hodgson’s men may have more of an eye on that game. The Cottagers are already sitting in a comfortable mid-table position and at best an 8^th place finish in the Premier league. Their Europa Cup exploits against Juventus may leave some tired legs to face City.

Roberto Mancini’s team are still involved in a 4-way battle for the Champions League qualifying spot and with nothing else to play for this season anything less than 4^th place would be seen as failure  for Mancini and could spell the end of his short reign in charge of the club. City will be looking for 3 points to maintain their challenge.

Magic predicts: Fulham 0 - Manchester City 2

 

Blackburn Rovers vs. Chelsea at Ewood Park. Blackburn are already assured of safety but will be out to take a prized scalp and upset Chelsea’s title challenge. Rovers were well beaten at Stamford Bridge earlier in the campaign but will be a different proposition in front of their home fans.

Chelsea crashed out of the Champions League in the week leaving The Blues’ chase for honours this season down to 2 fronts. Carlo Ancelotti‘s side need to put the disappointment of the loss to Inter Milan behind them and focus on their main prize for this season, the Premier League title. They trail Manchester United by 2 points but have a game in hand and on paper at least they an easier game than United this week and will be hoping to close the gap on the league leaders. 

Magic predicts: Blackburn Rovers 0 - Chelsea 1

 

The mid-week rearranged fixtures begin with the Tuesday night clash of West Ham United vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers at Upton Park. In the corresponding clash on the opening day of the season West Ham gave Wolves a rude awakening to life in the Premiership by taking all 3 points and how they need a similar result today as we enter the business end of the season. Both teams are locked on 27 points just above the relegation places and a win for either side would be a massive step to safety. Wolves earned a great away victory at Burnley last Saturday and Mick McCarthy will be demanding the same effort and commitment in a game that could have a significant bearing on Wolves’ fate come the end of the season.

Magic predicts: West Ham United 1 - Wolverhampton Wanderers 0

 

Manchester City vs. Everton at the City of Manchester Stadium. City will be out for revenge after suffering a 2-0 defeat to Everton at Goodison Park, one of only 4 league defeats this season. City are unbeaten at home and will be confident they can take all 3 points from the game. Joleon Lescott should start for City against his old club.

Everton will be aiming for a league double over City and aiming to finish the season on a high. Although the Toffees have nothing else to play for this season you can be sure David Moyes’ side will give 100%.

Magic predicts: Manchester City 2 - Everton 0

 

Aston Villa vs. Sunderland at Villa Park.  Another catch up game for Villa and they will be trying to make it count as close in on Tottenham and Manchester City in the race for 4^th spot. Last season Villa ran out of steam but this season Martin O’ Neill’s squad looks to have the stamina to go all the way. James Milner has been in impressive form for Villa and must surely be pushing for a place in the England squad.

Sunderland recently come through a poor run but still their away record is miserable with just 1 away win and 3 draws to show for their season’s efforts so far. Steve Bruce will be looking for some improvement on that record before the end of the campaign. Kenwyne Jones suffered an injury that was thought could keep him sidelined but the good news for Sunderland is that the injury wasn’t as bad as first thought and he may be fit to partner Darren Bent in Sunderland’s attack.

Magic predicts: Aston Villa 1 - Sunderland 1

 

Portsmouth vs. Chelsea at Fratton Park. Avram Grant takes on his former club and will be plotting to upset Chelsea’s title challenge. Portsmouth will be playing Championship football next season and Grant will most likely leave the club but in games like this, Pompey can still influence the destination of the Premier League title.

On paper this should be an easy 3 points for Chelsea but Carlo Ancelotti’s men would be foolish to underestimate Portsmouth. Chelsea will need to put the disappointment of the Champions League exit behind them and take full advantage of this, the game in hand they have over title rivals Manchester United.

Magic predicts: Portsmouth 0 - Chelsea 1

 

Blackburn Rovers vs. Birmingham City at Ewood Park.  Both teams are managed by former rugged central defenders and that sets the mood for the game. I expect a tight game low scoring game although with both teams safe in a mid-table position perhaps I might be wrong and we are served up with a goal-fest. Blackburn have been in good form at home this season with just 2 defeats. Birmingham as a newly promoted side have performed above expectation this season and lie in 8^th place in the Premier League.

Magic expects: Blackburn Rovers 0 - Birmingham City 0