EPL Predictions & Team News 2/3 Feb 2013


We’ve made February already, and the title race already appears to have turned into a damp squib with City dropping points in London midweek. Since those fixtures have been and gone, we’ve had the end of the transfer window which was largely forgettable apart from Odemwingie-gate and QPR lining themselves up with a ridiculous wage bill for Championship football next season. Even the Darth Vader of the transfer deadline day Spurs Chairman Daniel Levy failed to use his dark arts and produce a deal at the last minute! Maybe AVB needs to learn some Jedi mind tricks from ‘Arry.


Feb 2 2013 @MrJonPace

QPR v Norwich – Saturday 2 February 2013 – 1245 KO

Shepherds Bush was certainly a more excitable place during transfer deadline day than it has been during most of this season, and they have broken their transfer record twice in a month to try and buy-off relegation. Losing the influential Ryan Nelson to MLS could still prove to be the most expensive bit of business Uncle Tony Fernandes did all month. Norwich may look back at the window with some regret after trying and failing to add a top class striker to their books and instead went in at the last minute for Leeds’ Becchio.

Premier League Team News: The QPR announcer may have the hardest job on Saturday with loads of new faces available including Samba, Jenas and Townsend, luckily for him though Korean signing Yun Suk-Young won’t be rushed into the fray.  Hoilett is also back for The Rs but Nelson and Faurlin have now departed and Mackie is ill.  Becchio is available to start after signing from Leeds in a swap deal with Steve Morison, and Steven Whittaker is fit to play again
Premier League Betting Prediction: 2-1
Dream Team Star Man: Adel Taarabt

Arsenal v Stoke – Saturday 2 February 2013 – 1500 KO

I’d like to start off by comparing The Gunners with Paul McCartney.  10 years ago they were an unstoppable force of England, known throughout the world for their talent, however now they seem to be stuck in a rut not knowing exactly what they should be doing and producing only glimmers of their past talent. However all is not lost for them yet and they could still go on a decent run and pip Spurs to 4th place which I guess would be akin to McCartney’s release of the Frog Chorus.

Anyway this fixture is always a cracker not so much for the football played but for how much Tony Pulis can annoy Arsene Wenger!

Premier League Team News:  New signing Nacho Monreal could get to dip into EPL action straight away with Gibbs out for 6 weeks.  Vermaelen is a doubt with an ankle problem but Arteta should return.  Gervinho is still at AC of N.  Stoke have no new problems ahead of this fixture
Premier League Betting Prediction: 3-1
Dream Team Star Man: Jack Wilshere

Everton v Aston Villa – Saturday 2 February 2013 – 1500 KO

What can really be said about Villa at the moment, they now are sitting 19th in the EPL and have picked up only two points in the last seven games, however there does seem to be a glimmer of light in that they do seem to be able to put together some decent stuff at times.  They battered Newcastle in the second half in midweek and did the same thing against The Baggies only a couple of weeks ago.  If they can just get someone to take responsibility at the back from set-pieces they could be mid-table.

Everton had a quiet transfer window and missed out on signing the midfielder Fer, who is nicknamed ‘The Bouncer’ however they have kept hold of the crown jewels in Fellaini.

Premier League Team News: Out of form Jelavic may be kept on the bench again by boss David Moyes, who still has Hibbert and Coleman out injured.  Darron Gibson may also be given a starting spot after making his comeback in midweek from a long injury break.  Villa are set to include new signing Sylla and Dawkins in their squad  and influential defender Dunne could return.
Premier League Betting Prediction: 1-1
Dream Team Star Man: Leon Osman

Newcastle v Chelsea – Saturday 2 February 2013 – 1500 KO

The French Foreign Legion came up trumps in midweek for Newcastle with a morale boosting win against Villa, Alan Pardew will be looking to kick on against a desperately out of sorts Chelsea who conceded late against Reading on Wednesday.

Premier League Team News:  The Newcastle squad is now nearly at full fitness and they should only be missing Ben Arfa and Tiote this weekend. Chelsea will be looking to experience to see them through this game with Cech and Terry returning to the starting XI.  Mata should also be in the team after beating a knock.
Premier League Betting Prediction: 1-2
Dream Team Star Man: Frank Lampard

Reading v Sunderland – Saturday 2 February 2013 – 1500 KO

Amazingly Reading now sit outside the bottom three for the first time in living memory largely due to the goal scoring exploits of super sub Adam Le Fondre.  But 3 wins in 5 is a good return for any team in a relegation battle.  If the goals dry up for Le Fondre though who will score?

Sunderland also come into this game in similar form and the sides look pretty evenly matched.

Premier League Team News: The Royals’ Noel Hunt is rated at no more than 50/50 to play in this fixture whilst Brian McDermott has the decision whether to play Le Fondre from the start.  The Black Cats will throw Danny Graham straight into their starting line-up  however Cattermole has had a relapse of his knee problem and will sit this one out.
Premier League Betting Prediction: 1-1
Dream Team Star Man: Danny Graham

West Ham v Swansea –Saturday 2 February 2013 – 1500 KO


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