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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 4.... Round 3.... Rounds 1 & 2.... 2009-10 Season

Something To Crow About

An early season basement battle sees Portsmouth vs. Bolton at Fratton Park.  A late transfer deadline day flurry by Pompey manager Paul Hart could see a new look team to face Bolton. Tal Ben-Haim, Mike Williamson and Hassan Yebda were signed from Manchester City, Watford and Benfica respectively and are added to the squad; out, Nico Kranjcar, Jamie Ashdown and David Nugent. Portsmouth have failed to pick up points in their first four games and are desperate to kick-start their season.

Bolton manager Gary Megson added to his side’s attacking options with the deadline day loan signing of Iva Klasinic from Nantes. The Trotters had been struggling for goals, but were then unlucky to lose out to Liverpool by the odd goal in five in their last outing. Like their hosts, they have no points but from 3 games so far and will also be looking for a win to restore confidence.

Magic predicts: Portsmouth 1 - Bolton Wanderers 1

 

Blackburn Rovers vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers at Ewood Park.  A first Premier League meeting between 2 founder members of the football league in 6 seasons. Blackburn have started badly with just 1 point from 3 games. Stephen Warnock has left for Aston Villa and with Michel Salgado and Pascal Chimbonda added to the squad.  With a defeat followed by a draw in their opening two home league games, Sam Allardyce will be looking for a win against a newly promoted Wolves side.

Wolves have made a promising start to life back in the Premier League. They narrowly lost to Manchester City in their last away game and if they can match that level of performance going forward then Mick McCarthy will be confident his side can survive in the Premier League this season.

Magic predicts: Blackburn Rovers 1 - Wolverhampton Wanderers 0

 

Wigan Athletic vs. West Ham United at the DW Stadium.  Roberto Martinez’s side has slumped to 3 league defeats and a Carling Cup exit following the opening day victory at Aston Villa. Wigan were somewhat unfortunate  losing  at Everton to a Leighton Baines injury time penalty, in a game in which they were worth a point, but these are the harsh realities of the Premier League and Martinez will need to pick up his side quickly, otherwise Wigan could be destined for another relegation scrap.

Money is apparently tight at Upton Park and Gianfranco Zola added to his attacking options by signing Alessandro Diamanti for GBP 6m as well as Portuguese defender Manuel Da Costa from Fiorentina in a move that saw Savio Nsereko move in the opposite direction. The books were balanced with the sale of Welsh International James Collins to Aston Villa. The Hammers have had a mixed start to the campaign so far and will be looking to add  totheir opening day victory at Molineux, which could lift them into the top half of the table.

Magic predicts: Wigan Athletic 0 - West Ham United 1

 

Liverpool vs. Burnley at Anfield. Liverpool have been far from convincing this season with 2 defeats in 4 games played so far. Last time out Rafa’s boys were fortunate to comeback from behind to a 10-man Bolton side for a 3-2 victory.  This is a must win game for Liverpool, who will need to be wary of a Burnley side that already has the scalps of Manchester United and Everton this season.

Burnley were soundly beaten at Chelsea a fortnight ago and face another daunting away-day challenge against Lancashire neighbours Liverpool. Owen Coyle won’t be too disheartened though, as his side has managed a creditable 6 points in their opening four fixtures so far when most pundits expected them to be without a point at this stage.

Magic predicts: Liverpool 2 - Burnley 0  The Banker of the round

 

Stoke City vs. Chelsea at The Britannia Stadium.  Chelsea were one of just four clubs to win at the Britannia Stadium last season as Stoke have started the new campaign where they left off in making the Britannia a fortress for visiting teams to break, with maximum points in 2 games so far.  Tony Pulis’ side lies in a lofty 6^th position and will no doubt be intent on providing the league leader a stern test.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side is in fine form as they made it four wins in four matches when they crushed Burnley last time out. Nicolas Anelka’s blossoming striking partnership with Didier Drogba should be a concern for Chelsea’s title rivals as it produced another goal and assist in that game. Chelsea are in irrepressible form and should be able to withstand the Stoke challenge

Magic predicts: Stoke City 0 - Chelsea 2

 

Sunderland vs. Hull City at the Stadium of Light. A North East coast battle which is the closest to a derby game that Sunderland fans will experience this season following last season’s relegation of Middlesbrough and Newcastle.  Both sides, with two defeats in four matches, have had a mixed start to the campaign but Steve Bruce will be hoping his deadline day transfer swoop in taking Michael Turner from the Tigers will give added steel to the Sunderland back line. Paul McShane made the move in the opposite direction to strengthen Hull’s defensive options with Ibrahima Sonko also joining on loan from Stoke to fill the gap left by Turner’s departure. Sunderland‘s striking pair Kenwyne Jones and Darren Bent will be sure to test Hull’s new look defensive line-up

Magic predicts: Sunderland 2 - Hull City 0

 

Manchester City vs. Arsenal at the City of Manchester Stadium.  The first of the London/Manchester top of the table clashes in an eagerly anticipated game that sees “City new boys” Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor renew acquaintances with their old Arsenal colleagues. Both players will be eager to put one over on their old club and maintain City’s 100% start. In the corresponding fixture last season, City surprised Arsenal with a 3-0 victory. This time around City will be shorter odds to repeat the same feat following the GBP120m in acquisitions.

Arsenal make a swift return to Manchester following their defeat at Old Trafford a fortnight ago. A little unlucky in that game, Arsene Wenger’s boys will be hoping to make amends and get a result to maintain their pursuit of league leaders Chelsea and to draw level on points with City. It promises to be an open game, with both sides having plenty of offensive players in their ranks.  

Magic predicts: Manchester City 1 - Arsenal 1

 

The late Saturday kick-off features Tottenham Hotspur vs. Manchester United at White Hart Lane. With a perfect start to the season, hopes are high amongst Spurs supporters that they may not only aim for a top 4 finish but also that their side could mount a serious title challenge. Unfortunately Luka Modric will be missing from action for the next 2 months following a broken leg he sustained in the match against Birmingham. Harry Redknapp was quick to try to fill this gap in his squad, before the transfer deadline closed when he added Modric’s compatriot, Niko Kranjcar, from Portsmouth to his attacking midfield options. Spurs took the “top 4 scalp” of Liverpool on the opening day of the season and will be looking to repeat that performance.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United have still not hit 4^th gear in the season so far. A defeat to Burnley and a battling 2-1 comeback victory over Arsenal suggest that Cristiano Ronaldo’s presence could be sorely missed this term.  Owen Hargreaves should return to full fitness for United very soon and will provide a boost but with United trailing today’s visitors and league leaders Chelsea by 3 points in the table, United will be anxious to not lose further ground in the early stages of the season.

Magic predicts: Tottenham Hotspur 2 - Manchester United 1

 

The first Sunday fixture sees the re-acquaintance of rivalries in the Birmingham City vs. Aston Villa derby match at the St Andrews Stadium. Birmingham come into the game short on goals but will be looking to put one over on their more illustrious neighbours.  The Blues have made a reasonable start to life back in the Premier league and have looked solid defensively but goals might prove to be a problem as the season unfolds.

Aston Villa have bounced back after an opening day surprise defeat to Wigan with two victories to restore belief that this Villa side can go surpass last season’s 6^th placed finish. Martin O’Neill looks to have finally resolved his defensive problems with the transfer deadline captures of James Collins from West Ham and Manchester City’s captain Richard Dunne, who was surplus to requirements at Eastlands. O’Neill will be looking for his side to match their last away performance at Anfield.

Magic predicts: Birmingham City 0 - Aston Villa 2

 

The last game in the round sees Fulham take on Everton at Craven Cottage.  Roy Hodgson will be looking for a vast improvement in performance following his side’s 2-0 defeat at Aston Villa in a game where Fulham very rarely threatened. Fulham added striker David Elm from Swedish outfit Kalmar to their squad before the transfer deadline and they are still looking for their first points at home this term.

David Moyes will have been pleased his side got their first points of the season against Wigan last time out to lift themselves off the foot of the table. With the Jolean Lescott transfer saga now settled and replacements, Dutch international Johnny Heitinga signed from Athletico Madrid and Sylvain Distin from Portsmouth, Everton now will be looking to get their season back on track.

Magic predicts: Fulham 1 - Everton 1