As 2010 comes to an end the predictions this year have been more successful than last as I end the year on an accumulated profit of £26.50 having started it £11 in deficit!
Last week definitely helped with eight out of nine correct predictions, the tenth having been beaten by the weather when Newcastle Falcons rugby match with Leeds Carnegie was postponed. The only incorrect prediction was Newcastle's football team losing to Manchester City who start 2011 in joint first place in the Barclays Premier League with their local rivals!
My final predictions for 2010 actually relate to fixtures that will take place on the first weekend of 2011 and follow the same sports as last week - premier league football and rugby, ashes cricket and NFL.
The first half of the football season has been intriguing with potentially five teams still in with a shout at the league title, led by the two from Manchester with the other three challengers coming from London. What is probably no surprise is that it is the same five teams challenging this time round that finished at the top of the league in the 2009/10 season. The battle to avoid relegation is more intriguing as potentially any of the bottom 13 teams could be involved.
This week my predictions involve 2 of the top 5 clubs, a relegation six pointer and the challenge for Europa league spots. Manchester United who top the table going into the new year travel to West Bromwich Albion and I'm predicting an away win, Sunderland host Blackburn with both teams currently in the top half of table and I'm forecasting a home win in this fixture, there is a relegation battle at West Ham who host Wolves and I'm going for a home win here and finally Arsenal who currently sit third in the league travel to Birmingham where I'm predicting a draw.
In Rugby Union's Aviva Premiership there should be a full schedule of matches for the first time in a few weeks. At the top Northampton have been the form team but any of the top half dozen teams could win the league. The relegation issue seems more cut and dried with Leeds having lost all their games so far this season but they are not yet adrift and a couple of wins could change their season. This week I have chosen three fixtures to make predictions for. At the Madjewski stadium London Irish host Bath, both teams well short of form and wins recently and therefore I'm going for a home win, Saracens travel to Sale who have made some significant changes this week with Anglesea taking over coaching responsibility and Cueto as captain, but I don't think it will affect the result as I'm expecting an away win by Saracens featuring Gavin Henson's first start since 2009. Finally, Leicester travel to Exeter who have not lost at home and have been a revelation this season but even with that record I'm predicting a win for the East Midlanders.
The regular season of the NFL reaches it's conclusion this weekend with play-off places still up for grabs. I am predicting wins for the New England Patriots hosting the Miami Dolphins and the Philadelphia Eagles who host the Dallas Cowboys.
Finally, having retained the Ashes the final test of the current series starts in Sydney on Monday with England looking to ensure at least a draw so that they win the series. With the turmoil that the Australia cricket team have been suffering I'm confident that England can do the business and win again thereby securing the series 3 - 1.
In summary the predictions are as follows:
Barclays Premier League
Manchester United to win at West Brom at 4/7
Sunderland to beat Blackburn at 10/11
West Ham to beat Wolves at 13/12
Birmingham to draw with Arsenal at 29/10
Aviva Premiership Rugby
London Irish to defeat Bath at 8/11
Saracens to win at Sale at 4/7
Leicester to triumph at Exeter at 2/5
NFL
Patriots to beat the Dolphins at 8/15
Eagles to beat the Cowboys at 9/11
Ashes Cricket
England to win fifth test at 6/4
Friday, 31 December 2010
Friday, 24 December 2010
Christmas Weekend Predictions
Firstly, I'd like to wish all my readers a very Merry Christmas.
Apologies for no predictions last weekend but the weather forecast suggested that not much sport was going to happen and this was borne out. The previous week resulted in a 50% success ratio and a small profit of 50p on the week and an overall profit of £17.
This week's predictions encompass Barclays Premier League football, Aviva Premiership Rugby, NFL football and of course the 4th Test of the Ashes cricket which starts on Boxing Day in Melbourne.
All the premier league matches involve at least one team from the higher echelons of the league. High-flying Bolton host West Brom and I'm predicting a home win, Manchester City who eschewed the chance to be top of the league at Christmas for 80 years on Monday travel to Newcastle where I'm forecasting a draw. Spurs in their first game since learning their last 16 opponents in the Champions League travel to Aston Villa and I'm predicting an away win and finally the big game sees Arsenal host Chelsea who have been on a poor run which I see continuing with them losing in North London.
There won't be a full fixture list in the Aviva premiership rugby but I've chosen three games that should be played. At Wembley Saracens host Wasps which should see Gavin Henson's return to rugby for almost 2 years and I'm predicting a win for the Sarries. Newcastle host rock-bottom of the table Leeds and I can't see beyond a home win nor can I at Twickenham where Harlequins host the out of form London Irish team.
The play-off spots in the NFL are starting to fill-up now and my predictions this week are for teams who could go all the way to the Superbowl as I forecast the Colts to beat the Raiders and the Packers to defeat the Giants in what should both be close matches.
The final prediction is for the 4th Ashes test. Australia suddenly have the momentum after their big win in Perth last week but I'm staying patriotic and going for an England triumph in Melbourne in a match that could see the biggest ever audience for a Test match.
In summary the predictions are as follows:
Barclays Premier League
Bolton to beat West Brom at 11/10
Newcastle to draw with Manchester City at 12/5
Spurs to win at Aston Villa at 11/8
Arsenal to defeat Chelsea at 13/8
Aviva Premiership
Saracens to beat Wasps at 3/4
Newcastle to defeat Leeds at 1/3
Harlequins to beat London Irish at 13/10
NFL Football
Colts to beat the Raiders at 13/18
Packers to beat the Giants at 4/6
4th Ashes Test
England to beat Australia and retain the Ashes at 21/10
Apologies for no predictions last weekend but the weather forecast suggested that not much sport was going to happen and this was borne out. The previous week resulted in a 50% success ratio and a small profit of 50p on the week and an overall profit of £17.
This week's predictions encompass Barclays Premier League football, Aviva Premiership Rugby, NFL football and of course the 4th Test of the Ashes cricket which starts on Boxing Day in Melbourne.
All the premier league matches involve at least one team from the higher echelons of the league. High-flying Bolton host West Brom and I'm predicting a home win, Manchester City who eschewed the chance to be top of the league at Christmas for 80 years on Monday travel to Newcastle where I'm forecasting a draw. Spurs in their first game since learning their last 16 opponents in the Champions League travel to Aston Villa and I'm predicting an away win and finally the big game sees Arsenal host Chelsea who have been on a poor run which I see continuing with them losing in North London.
There won't be a full fixture list in the Aviva premiership rugby but I've chosen three games that should be played. At Wembley Saracens host Wasps which should see Gavin Henson's return to rugby for almost 2 years and I'm predicting a win for the Sarries. Newcastle host rock-bottom of the table Leeds and I can't see beyond a home win nor can I at Twickenham where Harlequins host the out of form London Irish team.
The play-off spots in the NFL are starting to fill-up now and my predictions this week are for teams who could go all the way to the Superbowl as I forecast the Colts to beat the Raiders and the Packers to defeat the Giants in what should both be close matches.
The final prediction is for the 4th Ashes test. Australia suddenly have the momentum after their big win in Perth last week but I'm staying patriotic and going for an England triumph in Melbourne in a match that could see the biggest ever audience for a Test match.
In summary the predictions are as follows:
Barclays Premier League
Bolton to beat West Brom at 11/10
Newcastle to draw with Manchester City at 12/5
Spurs to win at Aston Villa at 11/8
Arsenal to defeat Chelsea at 13/8
Aviva Premiership
Saracens to beat Wasps at 3/4
Newcastle to defeat Leeds at 1/3
Harlequins to beat London Irish at 13/10
NFL Football
Colts to beat the Raiders at 13/18
Packers to beat the Giants at 4/6
4th Ashes Test
England to beat Australia and retain the Ashes at 21/10
Friday, 10 December 2010
Big Guns Take on Each Other
Another distinctly average week on the prediction front last time round with only four correct forecasts resulting in a £4 loss and overall prediction profits down to £16.50. The disappointment was of course tempered by one of the correct predictions as England took a well-deserved 1 - 0 lead in the Ashes series in Australia.
This week the predictions cover Barclays Premier League Football, Heineken Cup European Rugby and NFL American Football.
In the premier league the top four teams from last season who all progressed through to the Champions League knockout stages this week take on each other. The league table is taking a familiar look with last season's top five all in the top five positions again and so this weekend becomes perhaps the most significant so far this season. On Sunday Spurs in fifth place host third place Chelsea and this is difficult to call as Chelsea are on their worst run in years and Spurs whilst playing attractive football don't keep clean sheets. My prediction therefore is a draw but one that should contain goals! On Monday Arsenal (league leaders) with the league's best away record travel to Old Trafford and Manchester United (second place) with the best home record. Again, I can't see beyond a draw.
This means that Manchester City in fourth place can make further progress and no doubt will be thrilled to be travelling to bottom of the table West Ham where an away win is my prediction. Most of the rest of the games involve local teams in the North West or Midlands and one of these sees Everton host Wigan where I'm predicting a home win. My final prediction is at Newcastle, under new manager Alan Pardew, who host Liverpool. Like many neutrals I like Newcastle but have been less than impressed by the way they have treated Chris Hughton and in a sense would not be bothered to see them lose this weekend, but having said that it is not really the new manager's fault he has been offered the job and so based on recent form will predict a draw between these two famous clubs.
After the Autumn Internationals and one week of Premiership rugby the Heineken Cup returns this weekend with some intriguing fixtures that could go a long way to defining the final tables. Though away wins in this tournament are rare, this week I am going for three away wins which has the potential to make me look rather foolish - some would say no change there then!! My predictions are for Leicester to win in Perpignan, the Ospreys to win at Munster (who are pretty much invincible in Limerick) and Wasps to triumph at the Dragons.
In the same vein I am also predicting away wins in a couple of this week's NFL matches as the New York Giants visit the Minnesota Vikings and in Chicago where the visitors are the New England Patriots.
An intriguing weekend of sport is in prospect and in summary the predictions are:
Barclays Premier League Football
Everton to beat Wigan at 1/2
Manchester City to win at West Ham at Evens
Newcastle to draw with Liverpool at 12/5
Spurs to draw with Chelsea at 5/2
Manchester United to draw with Arsenal at 13/5
Heineken Cup Rugby
Leicester to win in Perpignan at 23/17
Ospreys to win at Munster at 7/2
Wasps to win at the Dragons at 8/15
NFL American Football
Giants to win at the Vikings at 4/6
Patriots to win at the Bears at 8/13
This week the predictions cover Barclays Premier League Football, Heineken Cup European Rugby and NFL American Football.
In the premier league the top four teams from last season who all progressed through to the Champions League knockout stages this week take on each other. The league table is taking a familiar look with last season's top five all in the top five positions again and so this weekend becomes perhaps the most significant so far this season. On Sunday Spurs in fifth place host third place Chelsea and this is difficult to call as Chelsea are on their worst run in years and Spurs whilst playing attractive football don't keep clean sheets. My prediction therefore is a draw but one that should contain goals! On Monday Arsenal (league leaders) with the league's best away record travel to Old Trafford and Manchester United (second place) with the best home record. Again, I can't see beyond a draw.
This means that Manchester City in fourth place can make further progress and no doubt will be thrilled to be travelling to bottom of the table West Ham where an away win is my prediction. Most of the rest of the games involve local teams in the North West or Midlands and one of these sees Everton host Wigan where I'm predicting a home win. My final prediction is at Newcastle, under new manager Alan Pardew, who host Liverpool. Like many neutrals I like Newcastle but have been less than impressed by the way they have treated Chris Hughton and in a sense would not be bothered to see them lose this weekend, but having said that it is not really the new manager's fault he has been offered the job and so based on recent form will predict a draw between these two famous clubs.
After the Autumn Internationals and one week of Premiership rugby the Heineken Cup returns this weekend with some intriguing fixtures that could go a long way to defining the final tables. Though away wins in this tournament are rare, this week I am going for three away wins which has the potential to make me look rather foolish - some would say no change there then!! My predictions are for Leicester to win in Perpignan, the Ospreys to win at Munster (who are pretty much invincible in Limerick) and Wasps to triumph at the Dragons.
In the same vein I am also predicting away wins in a couple of this week's NFL matches as the New York Giants visit the Minnesota Vikings and in Chicago where the visitors are the New England Patriots.
An intriguing weekend of sport is in prospect and in summary the predictions are:
Barclays Premier League Football
Everton to beat Wigan at 1/2
Manchester City to win at West Ham at Evens
Newcastle to draw with Liverpool at 12/5
Spurs to draw with Chelsea at 5/2
Manchester United to draw with Arsenal at 13/5
Heineken Cup Rugby
Leicester to win in Perpignan at 23/17
Ospreys to win at Munster at 7/2
Wasps to win at the Dragons at 8/15
NFL American Football
Giants to win at the Vikings at 4/6
Patriots to win at the Bears at 8/13
Saturday, 4 December 2010
Back on Track Last Week and Predictions for this Weekend
After a a fairly dire few weeks on the prediction front I got back last week with six correct predictions and a profit of £2.50 taking overall profits up to £20.50.
I didn't see Australia's thrashing of France in the rugby or England looking rather tame against the Springboks. In the premier league Arsenal showed their inconsistency by beating Aston Villa when I predicted a draw and Chelsea showing their fragility by only getting a draw at Newcastle.
This week my predictions will include more premier league football, Aviva premiership rugby, the second Ashes test and American Football.
In the premier league most of the matches have survived the freezing conditions. Firstly, I have selected Tottenham to continue their winning run and win in Birmingham, Chelsea to win at home to Everton and Manchester City to draw with high-flying Bolton. On Monday Liverpool host Aston Villa and I am going for a home win in this game.
Rugby Union has lost a few games to the weather (including my own for the second successive week) but there are some tasty encounters still on with the highlight being second place London Irish hosting third place Leicester. I am going for a home win but it will be tight, as I suspect will be the game between Saracens who host Harlequins. Tomorrow, the season's surprise package Exeter visit Wasps and I'm going for a surprising away win in this game.
England have performed superbly since halfway through the first Ashes test in Brisbane last week and with them on top in the second test I am predicting they will go on to complete a victory in Adelaide.
My final set of predictions are in the NFL which is getting towards the sharp end of the season and the play-off contenders being identified. I am forecasting a win for Chicago in Detroit and the Indianapolis Colts who host Dallas.
In summary the predictions are as follows:
Barclays Premier League
Tottenham to win at Birmingham at 15/13
Chelsea to beat Everton at 2/5
Manchester City to draw with Bolton at 10/3
Liverpool to defeat Aston Villa at 8/13
Aviva Premier League Rugby Union
London Irish to beat Leicester at 4/5
Saracens to beat Harlequins at 4/11
Exeter to win at Wasps at 5/1
Second Ashes Test
England to beat Australia at 8/11
NFL American Football
Bears to win at the Lions at 10/21
Colts to beat the Cowboys at 4/9
I didn't see Australia's thrashing of France in the rugby or England looking rather tame against the Springboks. In the premier league Arsenal showed their inconsistency by beating Aston Villa when I predicted a draw and Chelsea showing their fragility by only getting a draw at Newcastle.
This week my predictions will include more premier league football, Aviva premiership rugby, the second Ashes test and American Football.
In the premier league most of the matches have survived the freezing conditions. Firstly, I have selected Tottenham to continue their winning run and win in Birmingham, Chelsea to win at home to Everton and Manchester City to draw with high-flying Bolton. On Monday Liverpool host Aston Villa and I am going for a home win in this game.
Rugby Union has lost a few games to the weather (including my own for the second successive week) but there are some tasty encounters still on with the highlight being second place London Irish hosting third place Leicester. I am going for a home win but it will be tight, as I suspect will be the game between Saracens who host Harlequins. Tomorrow, the season's surprise package Exeter visit Wasps and I'm going for a surprising away win in this game.
England have performed superbly since halfway through the first Ashes test in Brisbane last week and with them on top in the second test I am predicting they will go on to complete a victory in Adelaide.
My final set of predictions are in the NFL which is getting towards the sharp end of the season and the play-off contenders being identified. I am forecasting a win for Chicago in Detroit and the Indianapolis Colts who host Dallas.
In summary the predictions are as follows:
Barclays Premier League
Tottenham to win at Birmingham at 15/13
Chelsea to beat Everton at 2/5
Manchester City to draw with Bolton at 10/3
Liverpool to defeat Aston Villa at 8/13
Aviva Premier League Rugby Union
London Irish to beat Leicester at 4/5
Saracens to beat Harlequins at 4/11
Exeter to win at Wasps at 5/1
Second Ashes Test
England to beat Australia at 8/11
NFL American Football
Bears to win at the Lions at 10/21
Colts to beat the Cowboys at 4/9
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)