After a brief flirtation with regular Premier League action, we return to FA Cup duties once again this weekend and fortunately for our Predict360 guys, there were no ‘giant killings’ so everyone is still in contention.
Following last week’s league fixtures, there has been a bit of movement in the Predict360 table. As in the Premier League, the Manchester clubs are leading the way, and following United’s draw at Tottenham and City’s victory over Fulham, Moe and Darren are now tied at the top. Furthermore, the draw at White Hart Lane has earned Simon his first three points of the season and sees him jump into mid-table.
A correct prediction this week could make a huge amount of difference, but with the FA Cup famous for throwing up surprises, can someone break free from the pack? All will be revealed on Sunday…
CURRENT LEAGUE TABLE (after 18 rounds)
Man United (Moe) – 16pts
Man City (Darren) – 16
Liverpool (Obaydah) – 15
Tottenham (Simon) – 11
Chelsea (Shivam) - 13
Everton (Mark) – 12
Arsenal (Ted) – 10
TED TOTSIDIS - @TedTots (Arsenal)
What happened last week? We dropped a further two points away to Chelsea last weekend and effectively only showed up for one half of football, which is typical of Arsenal these days. The fact that we're unable to beat teams above, coupled with our inconsistencies in matches, is destroying our season and I think that even Wenger has started to see it now too, even though he remains adamant that he won't spend unnecessarily this transfer window. In Wenger we trust, I guess...
Mid-week saw us play some amazing football in a 10min spell where we scored four goals, but it wasn't without some drama early on. For starters, we're still conceding soft goals from set plays and still making things hard for ourselves by not being clinical enough to kill off games early. No real complaints though as I simply enjoyed watching us play cohesively again and get the entire forward line in on the goal scoring action.
Prediction this week: This weekend we're up against Brighton & Hove Albion and I really don't know what to make of this fixture. I've seen us throw matches like this out the window time and time again over the last few years, especially with confidence high off the back of a huge win. It has the markings of an FA Cup tragedy stamped all over it and I just hope the team Arsene sends out today understands the impact that a loss will have on the club. On the flip side, if we score early, we should run away with this one very comfortably and into the fifth round, proper. Brighton & Hove Albion 0-3 Arsenal
SHIVAM MANGHNANI - @ShivamLM (Chelsea)
What happened last week? Another week another Chelsea controversy! But at least we beat Arsenal in our league match - which I did predict - and thankfully we didn’t capitulate completely in the second half. I do wonder what Benitez says at halftime but against Swansea his true colours were shown. He was, and is, tactically inept and his ability (or inability) to change the game from the bench is horrendous.
This week: Against Brentford it should be somewhat easier and the atmosphere should be great. An unusual West London derby and the way Chelsea have performed against fellow West London sides this season it wouldn’t surprise me if they beat us.
However I just think we will have enough to see it through, with Fernando Torres likely to start and if he can’t score against League One opposition (or look like a proper striker) then we have a few days left in the window to sell him. It would be nice to see some youngsters get a run out as the lack of depth on the Chelsea bench has really been shown over the last couple of weeks, which is staggering considering the outlay on new players during the summer.
In addition, we will be without Eden Hazard for at least the next three games. But against the Bees it shouldn’t be too much of a problem, hopefully considering it is away from home. Brentford 1-4 Chelsea
MARK SCHUMANN - @MarkSchuey (Everton)
What happened last week: A bore 0-0 draw away to Southampton was not what I expected. Everton played appallingly in the first half - the worst I have seen all season and we should have been one or two goals down. We improved in the second half and had some golden opportunities to win it but for some fine saves from the Southampton keeper and Jelavic getting jelly legs from 6 yards out. All in all, a big fail, both for Everton and my prediction.
This Week: Today we face Bolton away in the FA Cup; a difficult one to predict. Everton should win, but with two 0-0 draws in a row in the Premier League and the threat of a cup upset, I would be happy to walk away with a draw here and get them back to Goodison Park. Bolton are mid table in the Championship, but on cup day that means nothing. With the home crowd advantage, I can see this being a draw. Bolton 1-1 Everton
OBAYDAH AL-NAMER - @LFCArabia (Liverpool)
What happened last week: Against Norwich last week, Liverpool produced a great team performance and absolutely thrashed the visiting Canaries. They produced some wonderful goals (Jordan Henderson, what a strike) and moved the ball around very impressively. This performance should put Liverpool on a high both for the upcoming FA Cup weekend but also when we take on Arsenal in the league in midweek.
This week: I’m expecting a much changed team to face Oldham tomorrow so don’t be surprised to see Brendan Rodgers resting the likes of Steven Gerrard, Luis Suarez, and Daniel Agger. Oldham are struggling this season and a rotten spell of seven defeats in eight games has dragged them into a League One relegation dogfight.
Rodgers will ensure the team he puts out don’t underestimate their opponents as Oldham did eliminate Nottingham Forest away from home in the third round to earn this tie. But having said that, I don’t see them causing us a huge amount of problems. Oldham 0-3 Liverpool
DARREN BALL - @AbuDhabiDaz (Man City)
What happened last week: If Dzeko had shown any qualities in his finishing last week against Fulham, my prediction of 4-0 might have been a reality. With a break from the Premier League this weekend, City travel to the potteries to face the rough and long throw merchants of Stoke.
This week: City claimed their first trophy in 34 years by beating Stoke in the very same competition only a couple of years ago. However today we are without the big man Yaya Toure. Nasri is suffering from a virus and may be a doubt but the iron man of the league Pablo Zabaleta is fit and ready to go.
City may opt for more arial power today and possibly bring in Garcia, Dzeko and Balotelli to combat the Stoke style of play. Playing stoke at the Britannia is never going to be easy for any team Di today I predict a close game. Stoke City 1-2 Manchester City
MOHAMMED ANABTAWI - @MoeAnabtawi (Manchester United)
What happened last week: It is always disappointing and a little frustrating to draw a match when the opposition strikes in injury time and that is precisely what happened last weekend at Tottenham. Looking back, it was a great game of football and probably the right result, but had United left White Hart Lane with all three points it would have been a huge result both for our title ambitions and as a warning to our rivals.
This week: United host Fulham and it is the return of Berbatov to Old Trafford that is claiming many of the headlines ahead of this fourth round tie. I for one, hope he gets a warm welcome. I am one of those United fans who liked Dimitar and I wish him all the best with Fulham with the exception of tonight & next Saturday! Keeping in mind we play Southampton on Wednesday night then Fulham again on Saturday evening, the squad will be rotated. Our depth in squad gives me comfort that we will be able to come out with 3 wins over the coming week. Manchester United 2 -1 Fulham
SIMON THURSTON - @SimonPThurston (Tottenham)
Simon is unavailable to provide a detailed preview of Tottenham’s clash with Leeds United, but has sent us his prediction. Leeds 0-2 Tottenham
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Read more... http://www.chelseamashup.com/2013/01/26/predict360-spurs-back-in-contention-as-man-utd-city-lead/
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