EPL Predictions & Team News 09/10 Mar 2013


Since I last wrote my previews a lot has happened in the wonderful world of football! Alex Ferguson ran down the stairs faster than any pensioner ever has after Nani was rightly or wrongly sent off, Roy Keane morphed into Jimmy Hill and tried to start an argument for arguments sake, and Tottenham put one toe into next seasons Champions League on the way to beating rivals Arsenal in a derby match that was high on energy.


Mar 9 2013 @MrJonPace

Anyway, it’s an shortened EPL fixture list this week due to it also being FA Cup quarter-finals, but we still have a shoot-out between two potential Player of The Year contenders and a proper relegation six pointer.

Norwich v Southampton – Saturday 9 March 2013 – 1500KO

No, this is not the relegation six pointer I mentioned earlier, and credit should go to both these two clubs that neither are in the bottom three as it stands. Southampton come into this game after back to back defeats and will be looking over their shoulders, if they fail to get anything from this they could get sucked back into the mix.

Norwich leaked four again against champions elect Manchester united at Old Trafford last week, but are a different team at home.

Premier League Team News: It is as you were for Norwich who have no new injury worries but Kamara is pushing for a start. Saints skipper Adam Lallana is a doubt for The Saints who will also give a late fitness test to Danny Fox.
Premier League Betting Prediction: 2-1
Dream Team Star Man: Kei Kamara

QPR v Sunderland – Saturday 9 March 2013 – 1500KO

Back to back wins for the first time this season are a must for QPR and this is a chance for them to achieve it. ‘Arry has set his side a target of 37 points to stay up this season, and from here on in they will have to match Arsenal’s form to hit that mark. Although that isn’t sparkling it is going to be difficult for a side who have only scored eight at home all season. Sunderland are another who could get drawn back into the relegation if their form doesn’t pick up after going five matches without a win.

Premier League Team News: Julio Cesar will be assessed before kick off after being injured during a game for the second time this season, Zamora is also a doubt. Danny Rose is expected to return to the Black Cats starting XI after a hamstring injury, whilst Connor Wickham will return from his loan spell after this fixture.
Premier League Betting Prediction: 1-0
Dream Team Star Man: Jamie Mackie

Reading v Aston Villa – Saturday 9 March 2013 – 1500KO

How tense is this one going to be? After a new year’s turnaround in fortune, Reading seem to have slipped back into a rut, but what better time to get out of it than to play a Villa side that haven’t won away in nearly 3 months. If Villa can defend set pieces this weekend with any level of competency, I can see them taking the match with the attacking movement of Weimann and Benteke. By the way is it only me who starts doing impressions of Jimmy Nail in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet after reading that name? Why Aye Man!!!

Premier League Team News: The Royals have a few problems and will field third choice keeper Stuart Taylor with Federici and Alex McCarthy crocked. Jimmy Kebe is also a big doubt. Villa will be missing Fabian Delph, who had been enjoying a recent run in the side after picking up 10 bookings for the season whilst Darren Bent is still injured. Better news for Paul Lambert is that Ron Vlaar should be fit after missing the last two games.

Premier League Betting Prediction: 0-1
Dream Team Star Man: Andreas Weimann

West Bromwich Albion v Swansea – Saturday 9 March – 1500KO

West Brom are the only side in the EPL for whom an Englishman has yet to score this season, and unless Liam Ridgewell nods home from a corner you really can’t see this changing this weekend! The Swans will be buoyed that boss Laudrup has signed on the dotted line for another year.

Both these sides like to play on the counter attack, so either one may have to take the initiative otherwise this may be a little dull.

Premier League Team News: The Baggies have Brunt, Lukaku and Popov back for this fixture after missing out of the Chelsea fixture for a variety of reasons. Swansea will be missing Agustien through injury and Chico will still be out for some time with a longstanding problem.

Premier League Betting Prediction: 1-1
Dream Team Star Man: Wayne Routledge

Newcastle v Stoke – Sunday 10 March – 1500KO

Newcastle’s home form should see them through against a Stoke side who have been poor recently, and have only won once on the road this season. I think a bit of credit should go to Alan Pardew for his bold moves in the transfer market in January, he seems to have incorporated a lot of new players into his side quickly and they had an impressive result midweek in the Europa whilst traveling to Russia.


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