Bryce's EPL Predictions: April 8 & 9

Exciting races abound in the EPL these days, and this weekend's fixtures should be very telling as clubs in England's top flight head down the homestretch. Without further ado, let’s take a peek at this weekend’s games.

Tottenham v Manchester City
The early match pits two wobbling teams in need of a rebound in form to help their positions in the table. Man City enter their match at White Heart Lane reeling from poor play to the tune of no league wins for a month since the automatic three points otherwise known as “Sunderland at home.” Even Psycho is now being booed by the supporters, and one can only imagine what a dangerous proposition that is.

Tottenham haven’t been that bad of late, but the loss at Newcastle last weekend has left their fourth position in the table tenuous at best. A home win over a struggling side this late in the season is a must if Spurs are to play in the Champions League next season. Despite the persistent rumors of Jermaine Defoe’s departure, I think Martin Jol’s side will have their act together at home and claim all three points.

Charlton v Everton
When teams travel to the Valley these days, they are finding it increasingly difficult to leave with a victory. In fact, Charlton hasn’t lost at home since Boxing Day to a then still-Vieira-missing Arsenal team. Everton seem to have been brought back down to earth after their footballing lesson at Anfield three weeks ago, and I don’t see them taking more than a point here either.

Portsmouth v Blackburn
This fixture could be a classic, as both sides desperately need points to continue their momentum towards very different goals. Gaffer Harry Redknapp is at it again, and appears now to be guiding Portsmouth out of the relegation zone. Only months after being heavily criticized for his transfer window shopping bonanza, it now appears that ‘Appy ‘Arry knew what he was doing after all. How soon we forget. Pompey have won three on the bounce, albeit against far inferior opposition than the Rovers side traveling to the South Coast tomorrow.

Mark Hughes’ men come into Saturday’s match chasing a very different dream than their hosts. While Portsmouth are fearing Championship football, Champions League football is still very much a possibility for Blackburn, and the three points penciled in months ago ahead of this fixture must seem like wishful thinking now. One thing is for certain, the atmosphere will be electric, but I think Rovers have too much going for them to be stopped by even this resurgent Pompey side. Three points to Blackburn in a shootout.

Sunderland v Fulham
Anyone other than Sunderland or Fulham fans interested in this one? I suppose there might be Championship sides wanting to scout the Black Cats for next year. The only question is whether this match will finally answer this season’s burning question: Which will happen first, a win at home for Sunderland or a road victory for Fulham? I say the question still remains to be answered after tomorrow’s match.

Wigan v Birmingham
The final Saturday match pits Wigan and Birmingham in another must-win match for Steve Bruce’s side. Wigan are still in the mix for a spot in the UEFA Cup for next season, but Birmingham have been disappointing all season and are mounting a late push to avoid relegation. Wigan have trailed off as of late, and I just think the Blues have more to play for tomorrow night. I think it ends in a draw.

Aston Villa v West Brom
Derbies are never for the weak of heart, and this one should be no different. Both clubs come into this match hemorrhaging badly and desperate for points. Villa might have been embarrassed last week by the thrashing at Highbury, but that will be nothing compared to the mess they’ll find themselves in if they manage to get caught up in the relegation battle. They will certainly control their own fate with matches remaining against the Baggies, Birmingham, and Sunderland. Despite their obvious shortcomings, I think they help steer clear of further danger with a big victory over West Brom. And this season, I don’t Brian Robson’s side can muster another miracle. The ship continues to sink this week, this time resulting in a much needed win for Aston Villa.

Chelsea v West Ham
All week long the Blues have heard how the title is not yet theirs, and how they need to be watching over their shoulders for the storming Red Devils. They will certainly get the chance to quiet some critics with a much needed return to the Bridge against admittedly less than fearsome opponents. This is the easiest remaining fixture for the champions, and I think their former West Ham academy boys will lead them in what must be viewed as a statement game.

Alan Pardew’s side look poised to possibly reach European competition next season in their first season back in the Premiership, which would be quite an enviable accomplishment. The FA Cup is clearly the Hammers priority, as well it should be. I think they throw their best punches on Sunday, but I can’t see them delivering a knock-out blow to the champs. I see an entertaining game ending with a much needed victory for Jose Mourinho and company.

Liverpool v Bolton
This match looked like an absolute can’t miss just last month as jockeying for possible places in Europe seemed inevitable. However, Bolton have squandered their first game in hand on fourth place-holding Spurs and have looked anything but threatening in weeks, winning just two out of six league matches. And Liverpool seem locked into the third position in the table and can look ahead a bit to their FA Cup showdown with Chelsea in two weeks time. I think this all adds up to an uninspired draw.

Middlesbrough v Newcastle
Call it a Derby if you must. I’m still going to call it the least important match of the weekend.

Manchester United v Arsenal
Oh, are they playing this weekend? I had no idea.

Obviously, calling Man U "in form" is a huge understatement. Maybe it’s Malcom Glazer’s masterful handling of the club, maybe it’s the competition between Saha and van Nistelrooy, or maybe it’s got something to do with Tim Howards water bottle distribution, but this team looks unbeatable right now. The goals are flowing, and they’re coming through beautiful play and attacking football. Certainly playing in front of seemingly ever-increasing crowds at Old Trafford certainly doesn’t hurt either.

That being said, if any team could lay claim to being even hotter than the Red Devils right now, it would have to be the Gunners. While their fifth place standing in the table is far from awe-inspiring, Arsenal have just advanced for the first time in club history to the final four of the Champions League and have won four league matches in a row by an average margin of three goals. Three goals. The young faces brought in by Arsene Wenger all seem to be meshing at exactly the right time for their push for Champions League glory as well as qualification for next year’s tournament (to help patch their egos after being bounced by Villarreal in the semis, but that’s neither here nor there). Hopefully this fixture can avoid the ugly nature of its recent predecessors, and if so, I imagine we’re in for some beautiful football and a big win for the home side.


Bryce says: Tottenham 2, Man City 0
Charlton 1, Everton 1
Portsmouth 1, Blackburn 2
Sunderland 0, Fulham 0
Wigan 1, Birmingham 1
Aston Villa 2, West Brom 1
Chelsea 2, West Ham 1
Liverpool 1, Bolton 1
Middlesbrough 2, Newcastle 2
Manchester 3, Arsenal 2