PREMIERSHIP PREVIEW 25-2-06
By Christopher Bean
February 25 2006
Hello Boro peeps and arch enemies. Its Chris “Just like a Rubix cube, the more you play with it the harder it gets” Bean with the Premiership preview, which is back after the FA cup shenanigans of last week.
It’s been a good week for the Boro with us progressing to the last eight and last sixteen of the FA cup and UEFA cup respectively.
Birmingham v Sunderland 3pm
First up this week is the Brum against the Scum. Steve Bruce’s men come into this match on the back of a victory against Stoke in the Cup but have been poor in the league as of late. In their last match they got thumped by West Ham 3-0. Sunderland are currently on a one match unbeaten streak after their miraculous draw against the southern Geordies. I fancy they can extend their unbeaten run and nab a draw at St Andrew's which will put them ahead of Sunderland Ladies by a point.
Prediction 1-1
Blackburn v Arsenal 3pm
Mark Hughes' Wales reserves have dipped in form in recent weeks, and when you are in the mire the last thing you want to do is face a team who has just beaten Real Madrid. As football is a kick in the proverbial’s sometimes and they are facing Arsenal, I have a feeling Blackburn are gonna get gobbled for brunch.
Prediction 2-0 Arsenal
Charlton v Aston Villa 3pm
Both sides are suffering from erratic form similar to Harry Callaghan’s taste in knitwear garments - simply unpredictable, so that’s why I am going to get splinters in my arse by sitting on the fence and plumping for a score draw. David O’Leary may moan about a sparrow flying too low and being in Milan Baros’ eye line and putting him off when he was through one on one.
Prediction 2-2
Chelsea v Portsmouth 3pm
It has not been a happy time for Mr Redknapp since he returned to Fratton Park and it won't be pleasant viewing for him when he travels to Norton Rec…. sorry I mean Stamford Bridge. Actually that’s an insult to Norton Rec which is a carpet compared to the mud bath in West London. Jose will want to see his team get a win before they travel over to Catalunya so a comfortable day for Roman’s Chelski.
Prediction Chelsea 3-0
Newcastle v Everton
Well Sky has made our viewing choice for Saturday evening simple by putting the jawdees on prime telly again. So Dancing on Ice will be on in the PRF household. I hope that David Seaman doesn’t win it by cheating and dropping his partner on her head and given a chance to compete in the semis. He has almost dropped her as many times as he dropped the ball when he played for Arsenal... Anyway back to the game, Newcastle have not got any strikers fit - did you say Ameobi was a striker? HAHAHAHA you joker! - and will be defending for the whole match so it will be a bore draw at St James' Park.
Prediction 0-0
Liverpool v Manchester City Sunday 12.15pm
Liverpool are playing brilliantly at the moment but can’t score for toffee and that has been costly for them for most of the season. The lads from Garlands, or whatever their shiny new stadium is called have been a tad inconsistent but they do play well against the bigger teams like the Boro so I am gonna go out on a limb here and tip a Manchester City victory. This should be a cracker of a game to watch with your Sunday (spit) roast.
Prediction Manchester City 1-0
Bolton v Fulham Sunday 1pm
This game is pretty much a foregone conclusion. The Reebok stadium is a fortress and Fulham are about as useful as a power-lifting midget with leprosy on their travels, so it has to be a victory for the next England manager’s team. And I am not on about Chris Coleman. Do you really think we would have a forigner as a manager?
Prediction 2-0 Bolton
West Brom v Middlesbrough Sunday 3pm
Forget the UEFA and the FA Cups for now. This is our biggest match of the season. If we win this it will give us sufficient breathing space away from the relegation zone and then we can concentrate on adding some silverware to our trophy cabinet. If we lose we are sucked back into contention for the drop, and the fans will be calling for McClaren’s ginger nut served with light balsamic vinaigrette. The Baggie's form has not been great recently and I am pretty confident we can go to the Hawthorns and nick a victory. As long as Kanu shoots like he did against us last season against us we will be fine.
Prediction Boro 1-0
SUPER BONUS MATCH PREVIEW
Manchester United v Wigan 3pm at the Millennium Stadium
The first European spot is up for grabs in the Carling Cup and it should be a fantastic tie. Wigan are massive underdogs but they have proved time and again this season they can mix it with the big boys. Manchester United however are looking for their first piece of silverware since 2003 and will be desperate to bring the three handled jug to the Nike Arena. I am hoping Wigan win as it would be nice to see Boro old boy Graham Kavanagh get a medal. The lad deserves it.
Prediction Wigan 2-1
Well that’s me done for another a week, I will now try and recover from Thursday night after drinking with all those crazy Germans, and Fid’s dangerously strong cocktails (curse you woman!). Until next week, pip pip!
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