Time for us to put our necks, and a bit of cash, on the line and pick the results for this weekend's Premier League action.
I took a small tumble from the top of
JOE's Premier League prediction game in association with BullorBear almost two weeks ago but at the halfway stage, I'm VERY confident I can catch the lads ahead of me and pocket the dough. And to help the rest of you out, here's who I'm picking this week.
Newcastle v Liverpool
A game that hasn't been a 0-0 since Kevin Keegan was a teenager, I suspect that there will be goals galore at St James' Park in the early kick-off. Sadly for the lads on the terraces with their tops off, I reckon most of the goals will be fired in by the visitors, with Suarez and Sturridge in superb form.
JOE verdict: Away win
Arsenal v Norwich
Will Arsenal have lost the momentum they had built up before the international break? That is a slight concern but with Mesut Ozil declared fit and with Norwich only scoring once away from home all season, I think this is a home win banker.
JOE verdict: Home win
Chelsea v Cardiff
Like everyone else, I still don't know what to make of Chelsea but even without playing well, they sit in third. As Ireland and Sweden learned this week, Andre Schurrle is a class act and in sensational goal-scoring form and with things in Cardiff a little unsettled at the minute, this has to be a day for the Blues, and not the Reds who used to be Blues, if you know what I mean.
JOE verdict: Home win
Everton v Hull
I was close enough to Roberto Martinez on Tuesday night in the Aviva Stadium to see just how unhappy he was when Darron Gibson's knee popped, probably ending his season. The loss of Gibson is a blow in the long term for the Toffees, but James McCarthy and Gareth Barry can certainly cope with Hull, who are a very different, and less effective, side away from home.
JOE verdict: Home win
Man United v Southampton
Fourth-placed Southampton face ninth-placed Manchester United at Old Trafford so can the plucky underdog pull off an upset at home? We joke, we joke United fans but this is a serious test for David Moyes' side as the Saints have been superb this season and I reckon they are more than capable of nicking a point here.
JOE verdict: Draw
Stoke v West Brom
Not a game to get the pulses racing but it might be better than it looks. Stoke have lost three on the bounce so Mark Hughes will surely be pushing for a win while West Brom are unbeaten in their last three away from home. A score draw looks likely to me.
JOE verdict: Draw
Swansea v Sunderland
The Gustavo Poyet era begins at the Liberty Stadium against a Swansea side that have lost two of their last three at home. A gentle start then for the Uruguayan and we while I don't think Sunderland will get the win, they will escape with a point.
JOE verdict: Draw
West Ham v Man City
After his tactical masterstroke against Spurs, we reckon Sam Allardyce will be in flying form heading into this game with another fancy overseas manager. But I reckon Manuel Pellegrini will have his homework done and he will shut down the influential Ravel Morrison, especially if Vincent Kompany is passed fit.
JOE verdict: Away win
Aston Villa v Tottenham
After licking his wounds, and celebrating his 36th birthday, I reckon AVB will be in the mood to get Spurs back on track after that hammering by the Hammers. Villa are strangely better away than at home so I reckon this one will be a comfortable away win for the Londoners.
JOE verdict: Away win
Crystal Palace v Fulham
Now this is what I call a Monday Night game! It is a London derby, so it might have a bit of spice and both teams need a win, though Palace's need is far greater. Anything could happen in this one but I reckon with a two-week break, Ian Holloway will have his lads primed so I'll go for the home side.
JOE verdict: Home win
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You go up against your mates to take down the pot and all the bragging rights that go with it!
Your friends, your game, your league!
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