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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 8.... Round 7.... Round 6.... Round 5.... Round 4.... Round 3

Toffees Chew Wolves

After  a week’s  break  for World Cup qualifiers and international  frendlies , Premier League action is back and the first  fixture of round 9 , the lunchtime  Saturday clash between  Aston Villa and Chelsea at Villa Park. Martin O’Neill’s men have taken only 1 point from their last 2 games and looking for a turnaround but will face a Chelsea side that are determined to keep one step ahead of Champions and title rivals Manchester United.  Chelsea bounced back from their first defeat of the season at Wigan to take 3 points against Liverpool a fortnight ago.  Chelsea completed a league double over Villa last season that included a hard fought 1-0 victory at Villa Park.

Magic predicts: Aston Villa 0 - Chelsea 1

 

Arsenal vs. Birmingham City at the Emirates Stadium.  Arsenal  were on the goal trail last time out with a 6 goal haul against Blackburn to maintain a healthy average of more than 3 goals a game in their opening 7 fixtures and the highest scoring team in the Premier League . Cesc Fabregas was outstanding in that game scoring 1 and having a hand in 4 of the other 5 goals. Birmingham are too close for comfort to the drop zone having lost to both Bolton and Burnley in their last 2 games and although Birmingham have conceded just 8 goals in 8 games their defence will be sternly tested against the in-form Gunners.

Magic predicts: Arsenal 2 - Birmingham City 0     Banker

 

Everton vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers at Goodison Park.  Everton have a second consecutive home game against Midlands’s opposition and David Moyes will be looking for a win this time out after his side were held to a 1-1 draw with Stoke in their last game. Louis Saha has netted 5 times already this season and has played mainly as lone striker in front of a 5 man midfield. With Aiyegbeni Yakubu being eased back to full fitness, David Moyes could now consider a 2 pronged attack.

Wolves became the first side but surely not the last, to lose to Portsmouth this season and Mick McCarthy’s side are now in 17^th place in the table having lost their last 2 matches. Wolves have a tough fixture sequence in this and their next 3 games and if results go with form, Wolves could be in the drop zone as December approaches.

Magic predicts: Everton 2 - Wolverhampton Wanderers 1

 

Manchester United vs. Bolton Wanderers at Old Trafford.  United lost the league leadership when they dropped 2 points against Sunderland at Old Trafford last time out and Sir Alex Ferguson will be demanding no further slip-ups against a Bolton side that are unbeaten in their last 4 league games.  The game is a local derby to give it an extra edge. Bolton have enjoyed some success against their more illustrious neighbours during their current 9 year spell in the Premier League having won at Old Trafford twice. The Red Devils did the league double over Bolton last season but 2 seasons ago a then bottom of the table Bolton side did upset the Champions with a 1-0 victory at the Reebok Stadium. 

Magic predicts: Manchester United 1 - Bolton Wanderers 0

 

Portsmouth vs. Tottenham Hotspur at Fratton Park.  Pompey will be buoyed by their first win and points for the season in defeating Wolves a fortnight ago and this clash will feature players who recently played for the opposition. After Harry Redknapp made the switch from Portsmouth he signed Jermain Defoe, Peter Crouch and Niko Kranjcar from his former employers whilst Kevin Prince-Boateng, Younes Kaboul and Jamie O’Hara have made the move in the opposite direction.    All these players will have a point to prove and it gives the game an extra edge.  Prior to their win against Wolves, Portsmouth had shown many signs of improvement that should ensure a competitive game. Tottenham’s cutting edge in attack could make the difference.

Magic predicts: Portsmouth 1 - Tottenham Hotspur 2

 

Stoke City vs. West Ham United at The Britannia Stadium. Both sides have slumped in recent weeks as Stoke are without a victory in their last 4 games  and West Ham have to go back to the opening day of the season for their only win of this Premier League campaign. Stoke can point to having  difficult fixtures as the reason for their recent dip in form having played Chelsea and Manchester United in their last 2 home games plus creditable draws being earned away at Bolton and Everton.

Pressure is mounting on Gianfranco Zola and the Hammers badly need a result with their next 4 matches being against teams in the top half of the table.  Carlton Cole’s form this season has been one of the few positives of the Hammers campaign so far and Hammers supporters will be hoping his good form continues and can inspire the side to their second win of the season.

Magic predicts:  Stoke City 0 - West Ham United 1 

 

Sunderland vs. Liverpool at The Stadium of Light. Sunderland gave Manchester United a mighty scare in their last game and should have really held out for a famous victory. It might have been a different story if Kieran Richardson had avoided a red card with 5 minutes to go with Sunderland leading 2-1. Sunderland then will have no fears about competing against a Liverpool side that, with 3 defeats already so far, have lost more games than in their entire 08/09 campaign. Liverpool’s latest defeat was in their last game against Chelsea and pressure will be Rafa Benitez’s boys to deliver 3 points to keep in touch with Chelsea and Manchester United.   Liverpool have had defensive problems this season and Sunderland’s new strike partnership Kenwyne Jones and Darren Bent will be a potent threat with 12 goals between them so far this season.

Magic predicts: Sunderland 1 - Liverpool 0

 

The first Sunday game this week features the Lancashire derby Blackburn vs. Burnley at Ewood Park.  These 2 sides have not met in a league game in England’s top division for over 40 years so fans on both sides have a lot to look forward to.

Blackburn held an early lead in their last outing at Arsenal until Cesc Fabregas turned on the style and consigned Sam Allardyce’s men to a heavy defeat. Blackburn will be looking for a performance and result in their last home game when they defeated Aston Villa. 

Burnley have made a better than expected start to the season, undefeated at home but beaten in every away game and without a goal scored.  I expect the sequence to continue.

Magic predicts: Blackburn Rovers 3 - Burnley 1

 

A second North West Sunday derby sees Wigan Athletic take on the Manchester City at the DW Stadium.  Roberto Martinez will be looking to inflict a second consecutive home win against the money men of the Premier League and bounce back after a disappointing 2-1 defeat at Hull. Wigan have shown some inconsistent form this season but do have some players in their side that can cause problems for any opposition.

Manchester City will be looking for 3 points and continue their impressive start to the campaign. Craig Bellamy has been in outstanding form and together with Emmanuel Adebayor with 4 goals are joint leading goalscorers for the club so far this season.  Wigan though have won 3 out of their last 4 home fixtures in previous seasons against City and will go into the game confident they can again upset the odds.

Magic predicts: Wigan Athletic 1 - Manchester City 2

 

Round 9 is completed with the Monday night fixture featuring Fulham vs. Hull City at Craven Cottage. Fulham find themselves languishing near the bottom of the table and have to go back to the opening day of the season for their only clean sheet. Last season Fulham’s unexpected run and European qualification was built on a solid defence.  Roy Hodgson will no doubt be looking for a second clean sheet and 3 points that will ease pressure on Fulham’s league position and allow them to enjoy their first European foray.

Last season Hull ended an abysmal run of form with a 1-0 victory at Craven Cottage against the run of play. That result proved to be pivotal in Hull’s eventual survival. Phil Brown’s men recorded only their 2^nd league victory last time out against Wigan and Phil Brown would be delighted if his side could match the result against Fulham of last season that would lift his side out of the drop zone.

Magic predicts: Fulham 2 - Hull City 0