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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 6.... Round 5.... Round 4.... Round 3.... Rounds 1 & 2

The Bell Lifts Monday Blues?

The early Saturday game sees Portsmouth take on Everton at Fratton Park. Paul Hart’s job at Pompey is called into question as his side slumped to a sixth consecutive defeat at Aston Villa last week to leave Portsmouth pointless for the season so far. Cash has been promised by new owner Sulaiman Al Fahim in the January transfer window but it is increasingly looking like it may be a case of too little too late.

Everton thumped a struggling Blackburn last week 3-0 to lift themselves out of the bottom 3. The Toffees could move into the top half of the table if they can beat Portsmouth. Lucas Neill has been signed for defensive cover following Phil Neville’s long term absence whilst Ayegbeni Yakubu has also recovered from his cruciate injury and gives Everton extra attacking options. Everton will be looking to put a poor start to the season well behind them.

Magic predicts: Portsmouth 0 - Everton 1        

 

Blackburn Rovers vs. Aston Villa at Ewood Park. Blackburn slip into the relegation zone and Sam Allardyce will be looking for an inspired performance and repeat of their last home showing against Wolves that gave Rovers their first victory of the season.

Aston Villa are in great form with 4 wins out of their last 4 games. Gabriel Agbonlahor was again on target for his 3rd goal in 3 matches as Martin O’Neill’s side moved up to 4^th place in the table on the heels of leaders Chelsea and Manchester United. O’Neill knows that nothing less than 3 points are needed against struggling sides like Blackburn if Villa are to break into the “big 4”. Last season Villa completed a league double over Rovers and will be favourites to take the points in this encounter.

Magic predicts: Blackburn Rovers 0 vs. Aston Villa 1

 

Tottenham Hotspur vs Burnley at White Hart Lane. Go back 40 years and these 2 sides were at their heights. Both sides vying for the league title, Burnley won it in 1960 and Tottenham won it for the last time a year later. The 2 sides also met in the 1962 FA Cup final that was won by Spurs.  The 2 sides meet for the first time in a top division clash for 33 years. Spurs after winning their first 4 games of the season have been well beaten in their last 2 matches to Premier League title contenders Manchester United and Chelsea. Harry Redknapp will be demanding much improvement from his troops.

Burnley, against everyone’s expectation, have started the season brightly, they have won all their home games, the latest being a comfortable 3-1 victory against Sunderland but have failed to pick up a point on the road. Tottenham then will be favourites to take the points and with their attacking options and home advantage should have too much for Owen Coyle’s Clarets.

Magic predicts: Tottenham Hotspur 2 - Burnley 0

 

Birmingham City vs. Bolton Wanderers at St Andrews Stadium. Birmingham recorded their first away victory of the season at Hull last Saturday. Alex McLeish’s side haven’t scored more than a single goal in any of their 6 Premier League games so far and lack of goals do look to be a problem for them this season. Bolton are also a side that are struggling; Gary Megson continues to be unpopular with Bolton supporters with a section of the crowd barracking him during last week’s disappointing home draw with Stoke. A low scoring game then looks to be on the cards.

Magic predicts: Birmingham City 0 - Bolton Wanderers 0

 

Wigan Athletic vs. Chelsea at the DW Stadium. Wigan have failed to beat Chelsea in the Premier league and have just taken 1 point from Chelsea in all matches since they were promoted. Roberto Martinez’s side has struggled in recent weeks and were well beaten by Arsenal last Saturday.

It’s been 6 wins in 6 games for Carlo Ancelotti’s side. Didier Drogba has been in irrepressible form this season and clearly back enjoying his football. There were concerns that he may miss a game after sustaining a calf injury against Tottenham, but that turned out to be a false alarm, no doubt much to the disappointment of Wigan defenders, who are going to have to try and mark him. Chelsea overall are a team full of confidence and they should have too much in the locker for this Wigan.

Magic predicts: Wigan Athletic 0 - Chelsea 3

 

Stoke City vs. Manchester United at the Britannia Stadium. Stoke have made a bright start to their second season in the Premier League but a lack of concentration has cost Tony Pulis’ side in their last 2 matches , with late goals conceded costing them 3 points. After a disappointing first season Dave Kitson, Stoke’s then record signing from Reading, has scored twice this season, following a barren opening campaign and Stoke supporters will be hoping that his new found scoring touch will continue for the visit of the champions.

Sir Alex Ferguson thought his United side could have beaten City by 7 goals in last Sunday’s derby game but had to settle for a late, late Michael Owen goal to steal the points to win by the odd goal in 7. The usually reliable United defence committed too many errors in that game and Sir Alex will no doubt be looking for improvement.

Magic predicts: Stoke City 0 - Manchester United 2  

 

Liverpool vs. Hull City at Anfield. Last season Hull visited Anfield and left with a point after a pulsating 2-2 in which Hull were leading 2-0. This was a result that was to cost Liverpool dear in their pursuit of the title last season and Rafa Benitez will no doubt reminding his team that this is a must win game this time around. Fernando Torres was on form last week and will prove a handful for a weak Hull defence.

Hull already look to be a side doomed to struggle this season. Club captain Michael Turner’s departure to Sunderland just before the transfer window shut was a massive loss and Hull have slipped to 19^th place in the table in recent weeks with just 1 win in 6 matches. It all looks very ominous for the Tigers.

Magic predicts: Liverpool 3 - Hull City 0   Banker

 

The late Saturday game features Fulham vs. Arsenal at Craven Cottage. Last season Fulham surprised Arsenal and ran out 1-0 winners in a game that Arsenal dominated for long periods. Norwegian Breda Hangeland made the difference with a goal and a sterling defensive display. Fulham have still not found their form of last season, maybe in part to the distraction of European competition.

Arsenal come into the game needing 3 points as defeats to both Manchester clubs have left them 9 points adrift of Premiership leaders Chelsea, albeit with a game in hand. Arsenal thrashed a poor Wigan side last Saturday and will be seeking revenge for an unlikely defeat last term.

Magic predicts: Fulham 0 - Arsenal 2 

 

The only Sunday game this week at the Stadium of Light sees Sunderland take on Wolverhampton Wanderers. Sunderland boss, Steve Bruce, will be looking for his side to bounce back from last week’s defeat at Burnley in a game that saw Darren Bent score his fifth goal of the season. Sunderland have an even record winning 3 and losing 3 of their first 6 games and lie 8^th in the table. Wolves lie 4 places behind Sunderland in 12^th spot and come into the game on the back of a home victory against Fulham.

Mick McCarthy returns to the club he once managed and will be looking for a victory that would see his side move ahead of Sunderland in the league standings.

Magic predicts: Sunderland 1 - Wolverhampton Wanderers 1

 

The final game of round 7 is the Monday night fixture between Manchester City and West Ham United at The City of Manchester Stadium. City go into the game after their first loss of the season in the pulsating derby match at Old Trafford last Sunday. They make the short journey back home across the city looking to return to winning ways. They will still be without their leading goalscorer, Emmanuel Adebayor, who will be missing as part of the 3 match ban following is reckless challenge on Robin Van Persie but Craig Bellamy is in tremendous form and will be looking to get on the scoresheet against one of his former clubs.

West Ham have slumped to 2 defeats in their last 2 league games as well as a Carling Cup exit at Bolton in midweek. Their visit to Eastlands will be their toughest test of the season so far.

Magic predicts: Manchester City 2 - West Ham United 1