The Wednesday Predict is back and ready to give you Great Dane Football Blogs predictions for the weekends Premier League matches!
Chelsea v Everton
Stamford Bridge
22-02-2014 @ 12.45 UK
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech; Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Azpilicueta; Ramires, Matic; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Eto'o.
Injuries: Tomas Kalas (Leg), Marco van Ginkel (Knee). Doubts: None. Bans: None.
Everton (4-2-3-1): Howard; Coleman, Jagielka, Distin, Baines; Barry, McCarthy; McGeady, Barkley, Pienaar; Mirallas.
Injuries: Antolin Alcaraz (Muscle), Darron Gibson (Knee), Arouna Koné (Knee), Romelu Lukaku (Ankle), Bryan Oviedo (Broken leg). Doubts: None. Bans: None.
Chelsea have taken the lead of the Premier League and needs three points against Everton to keep distance to Arsenal and Manchester City. Meanwhile, Everton finds themselves out of top five with five points up to Tottenham. Manchester United is coming from the back why the Toffees needs a win as much as Chelsea does. The Pensioners have won the last three meetings and are favorites on Stamford Bridge with an almost injury free squad. Lukaku is not available against Chelsea as a part of the loan deal, why Mirallas will move up front for Everton.
West Bromwich v Fulham
The Hawthorns
22-02-2014 @ 15.00 UK
West Bromwich (4-4-2): Foster; Jones, McAuley, Dawson, Ridgewell; Berahino, Yacob, Morrison, Brunt; Thievy, Anichebe.
Injuries: Nicolas Anelka (Leg), Jonas Olsson (Knock), Goran Popov (Neck), Stéphane Sessegnon (Groin). Doubts: Billy Jones (Knee). Bans: None.
Fulham (4-4-1-1): Stekelenburg; Riether, Heitinga, Burn, Riise; Tunnicliffe, Kvist, Sidwell, Richardson; Holtby; Bent.
Injuries: Fernando Amorebieta (Knock), Matthew Briggs (Hernia). Doubts: Maarten Stekelenburg (Eye). Bans: None.
West Bromwich can find themselves in the relegation zone if they fail to get three points against a struggling Fulham at The Hawthorns. This will be the first match for Felix Magath as new Fulham manager after René Meulensteen was sacked last week. The controversial German probably won't change much towards the match, but hope that the 'new manager syndrome' will help the players towards three points. The Cottagers played well against Liverpool last week, but ended up losing in the very last minutes, and are hoping to comeback against West Bromwich.
Cardiff v Hull
Cardiff City Stadium
22-02-2014 @ 15.00 UK
Cardiff City (4-4-2): Marshall; Théophile-Catherine, Caulker, Turner, John; Noone, Medel, Mutch, Zaha; Jones, Campbell.
Injuries: None. Doubts: Mark Hudson (Hamstring), Gary Medel (Muscle), Jordon Mutch (Hamstring). Bans: Graig Bellamy.
Hull City (4-4-2): McGregor; Elmohamady, Davies, Bruce, Figueroa; Boyd, Huddlestone, Livermore, Meyler; Jelavic, Long.
Injuries: James Chester (Hamstring), Joe Dudgeon (Knee), Paul McShane (Ankle). Doubts: Liam Rosenior (Hamstring). Bans: None.
The first meeting in the Premier League between the two promoted clubs ended in a 1-1 draw at KC Stadium. Now they meet at Cardiff City Stadium in a match of much importance for Cardiff as they find themselves in the relegation battle. Hull, on the other hand, have played well this season and are mid-table with 27 points. Both sides only have won win for their last five matches, and this one could be a very tight and evenly played. Hull will not risk losing points against a lower bottom team while Cardiff have to get forward, but as both teams struggle to keep the clean sheet this can end in a draw.
Arsenal v Sunderland
Emirates Stadium
22-02-2014 @ 15.00 UK
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Szczesny; Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs; Wilshere, Arteta; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Oxil, Cazorla; Giroud.
Injuries: Diaby (Knee), Kim Källström (Back), Aaron Ramsey (Knock), Thomas Vermaelen (Calf), Theo Walcott (Knee). Doubts: Santiago Cazorla (Illness). Bans: None.
Sunderland (4-1-4-1): Mannone; Bardsley, Vergini, O'Shea, Alonso; Bridcutt; Johnson, Colback, Ki, Borini; Altidore.
Injuries: Steven Fletcher (Achilles), Keiren Westwood (Shoulder). Doubts: Carlos Cuéllar (Hip). Bans: Wes Brown.
Not only did Arsenal lose 1-5 against Liverpool last round - they also lost important points in the battle for the trophy. Sunderland is the next opponent at Emirates, and they come with confidence after winning against Southampton in the FA Cup last weekend. That said, Arsenal have won the five of the last 10 meetings between the two sides, but will have a midweek match against Bayern Munich affecting the team. Arsenal are favorites but can have some fatigue issues that Sunderland can take advantage of.
West Ham v Southampton
Upton Park
22-02-2014 @ 15.00 UK
West Ham (4-2-3-1): Adrián; Demel, Collins, Tomkins, McCartney; Noble, Taylor; Jarvis, Nolan, Downing; Cole.
Injuries: Ravel Morrison (Groin), Joey O'Brien (Shoulder). Doubts: Ricardo Vaz Te (Lack of match fitness). Bans: Andy Carroll.
Southampton (4-4-1-1): Boruc; Chambers, Fonte, Yoshida, Shaw; Lallana, Wanyama, Schneiderlin, Rodriguez; Davis; Lambert.
Injuries: Dejan Lovren (Ankle), Gastón Ramírez (Ankle). Doubts: None. Bans: None.
West Ham have found their form with three consecutive wins and are unbeaten in four before meeting Southampton at Upton Park. The Saints started the season in great form, but have since fallen back and are currently 8th in the table. However, they are unbeaten in eight matches and favorites for the win at Upton Park on Saturday. The Hammers are without Andy Carroll who is serving a ban why Carlton Cole is expected to start for West Ham.
Manchester City v Stoke City
Etihad Stadium
22-02-2014 @ 15.00 UK
Manchester City (4-4-2): Hart; Zabaleta, Demichelis, Kompany, Kolarov; Navas, Touré, Milner, Silva; Dzeko, Negredo.
Injuries: Sergio Aguero (Hamstring), Fernandinho (Muscle), Matija Nastasic (Knee). Doubts: None. Bans: None.
Stoke City (4-2-3-1): Begovic; Cameron, Shawcross, Wilson, Pieters; Adam, Whelan; Odemwingie, Walters, Assaidi; Crouch.
Injuries: Robert Huth (Knee). Doubts: None. Bans: None.
Despite a minor dive in their impressive form, Manchester City are still the favorites for the Premier League trophy this year. The sky blue takes on Stoke City on Etihad Stadium in a match where The Potters can run into a massive loss. However, Manchester City played against Barcelona last night, and that might affect the players fatigue before the Stoke meeting. Stoke, who are almost injury free, will play a defensive match and try to keep every man behind the ball. I therefore, expect Manchester City to dominate the match, and get a two or three goals win.
Crystal Palace v Manchester United
Selhurst Park
22-02-2014 @ 17.30 UK
Crystal Palace (4-4-1-1): Speroni; Ward, Dann, Delaney, Ledley; Puncheon, Dikgacoi, Jedinak, Bolasie; Ince; Chamakh.
Injuries: None. Doubts: None. Bans: None.
Manchester United (4-4-1-1): De Gea; Rafael, Smalling, Vidic, Evra; Valencia, Carrick, Fletcher, Mata; Rooney; van Persie.
Injuries: Jonny Evans (Calf), Nani (Hamstring). Doubts: Phil Jones (Hip). Bans: None.
Saturdays late match takes place at Selhurst Park where Crystal Palace meets Manchester United. The Red Devils won the last meeting 2-0 at Old Trafford and are favorites this time again. However, United have had problems in this season, and could well lose points at Selhurst Park as the Eagles are unbeaten in four consecutive home matches. There has been a pattern in United's play this year with them scoring the first goal and then go into a defensive play style; this can be a problem against Crystal Palace as they will come with all they have.
Newcastle United v Aston Villa
St James Park
23-02-2014 @ 13.30 UK
Newcastle United (4-2-3-1): Krul; Debuchy, Taylor, Williamson, Santon; Anita, Sissoko; Gouffran, de Jong, Ameobi; Remy.
Injuries: Fabricio Collocini (Knee), Ryan Taylor (Knee), Tioté (Hamstring). Doubts: Gabriel Obertan (Knee). Bans: None.
Aston Villa (4-4-2): Guzan; Bacuna, Baker, Vlaar, Bertrand; Albrighton, Westwood, Delph, Weimann; Benteke, Agbonlahor.
Injuries: Libor Kozák (Broken leg), Charles N'Zogbia (Achilles), Jores Okore (Knee). Doubts: Chris Herd (Hamstring). Bans: None.
Given Newcastle's history against Aston Villa with five consecutive matches without defeat, they are the favorites at St James on Sunday. However,
Aston Villa needs a win just as much as Newcastle does, with only four points down to the relegation zone. De Jong is ready for his just fourth match for Newcastle and will be on the hunt for his first goal with Newcastle not scoring in their last four matches. I expect Newcastle to go into this match and win against an, at the moment, weak Aston Villa side.
Liverpool v Swansea
Anfield Road
23-2-2014 @ 13.30 UK
Liverpool (4-3-3): Mignolet; Flanagan, Skrtel, Touré, Cissokho; Coutinho, Gerrard, Henderson; Sterling, Suárez, Sturridge.
Injuries: Sebastián Coates (Knee), Enrique (Knee), Lucas (Knee), Mamadou Sakho (Hamstring). Doubts: Jordan Henderson (Wrist), Glen Johnson (Knock). Bans: None.
Swansea City (4-2-3-1): Vorm; Rangel, Williams, Chico, Davies; Britton, Cañas; Dyer, Hernández, Routledge; Bony.
Injuries: Garry Monk (Knee). Doubts: Michu (Ankle), Jonjo Shelvey (Hamstring). Bans: None.
Unbeaten in seven Premier League matches, Liverpool takes on Swansea at Anfield Road, trying to keep the streak going. There should be a great chance of keeping the streak alive as Swansea haven't won in seven consecutive away matches, and are facing a big task against a well playing Liverpool side. So far Garry Monk have won one match, lost one and played a draw since taking over from Michael Laudrup, and the chances are that he can add another loss. Despite having an almost injury free squad, the task seems impossible for Swansea.
Norwich City v Tottenham Hotspur
Carrow Road
23-02-2014 @ 16.00 UK
Norwich City (4-2-3-1): Ruddy; Martin, Yobo, Bassong, Olsson; Johnson, Tettey; Snodgrass, Fer, Redmond; Hooper.
Injuries: Elliott Bennett (Knee), Jonás Gutiérrez (Calf), Jonathan Hawson (Back), Ryan Bennett (Thigh), Michael Turner (Hamstring). Bans: None.
Tottenham Hotspur (4-1-4-1): Lloris; Walker, Kaboul, Vertonghen, Rose; Capoue; Dembélé, Paulinho, Bentaleb, Lennon; Adebayor.
Injuries: Vlad Chiriches (Back), Erik Lamela (Thigh), Sandro (Calf). Doubts: Gylfi Sigurdsson (Thigh). Bans: None.
The Canaries are more or less a part of the relegation battle this season, and meeting Tottenham Sunday night probably won't help on the situation. Tottenham, currently 5th in the Premier League, are unbeaten in seven away matches and have managed to get Adebayor back in form. The striker can cause the Norwich defends serious problems with his physics, and I expect him to score at least one goal. Tottenham should have no troubles winning this match.