Premier League Predictions...Gameweek 4

LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 01: Robert Snodgrass of Norwich City is challenged by Gareth Bale of Tottenham Hotspur during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Norwich City at White Hart Lane on September 1, 2012 in London, England.

Oh boy…we missed it & missed it big time, yes I am talking about the Barclays Premier League, which is back this weekend after a two week hiatus due to the international schedule. We missed the action, the excitement, the drama, the unpredictability of the Premier League last weekend. Such is the competitive nature of the most watched & followed football league in the world. As the teams get back to business, its time for me to predict the winners & losers of the Barclays Premier League Gameweek Four.

Norwich City vs West Ham United

The weekend kicks off with Norwich City hosting West Ham United at Carrow Road. Norwich City will be looking to register their first three points of the season, surely not easy against a confident West Ham United, who look confident under Sam Allardyce with two wins in three games. Andy Carroll made an instant impact on his debut, but his day was ruined by a hamstring injury which could see him miss up to six weeks. Norwich will be looking at Anthony Pilkington & Robert Snodgrass to deliver the goods. This Promises to be an entertaining encounter.

Final Result: Norwich City 1-2 West Ham United

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 01: Park Ji Sung of Queens Park Rangers moves between Pablo Zabaleta and Vincent Kompany of Manchester City during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Queens Park Rangers at Etihad Stadium on September 1, 2012 in Manchester, England.

Stoke City vs Manchester City

Stoke City welcome champions Manchester City to the Britannia Stadium. Stoke City had a difficult start to the season with a point each from their three games. Tony Pulis will consider it points dropped against Reading & Wigan & a point gained against Arsenal. Manchester City have two wins & a draw but they have been made to work their socks off in all their games. Expect nothing different when they play against Stoke City. Mancini will not be happy with five goals conceded in three league games. Expect Tevez & Dzeko to start again with Balotelli on the bench. Yaya Toure will be key to City.

Final Result: Stoke City 0-2 Manchester City

MONACO – AUGUST 31: Juan Mata of Chelsea in action with Mario Suarez (L) and Falcao of Atletico Madrid during the UEFA Super Cup match between Chelsea and Atletico Madrid at Louis II Stadium on August 31, 2012 in Monaco, Monaco.

QPR vs Chelsea

QPR have a completely different set of players compared to last year. They are a lot more talented, but haven’t played enough together. Chelsea are on a high with nine points from three games, but as we all know, derby games are completely different & anything can happen. We could see a highly charged affair & I am sure QPR will give Chelsea a run for their money. This might end as a draw, or one could expect Chelsea to edge it out at Loftus Road.

Final Result: QPR 1-2 Chelsea or QPR 2-2 Chelsea

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 02: Rio Ferdinand of Manchester United celebrates the winning goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Manchestrer United

Manchester United vs Wigan

United have looked far from convincing in the three Premier League games so far this season. The star man Robin van Persie looks doubtful due to a thigh injury. This might hand Javier Hernandez his first start of the season. Antonio Valencia & Shinji Kagawa will again be the key players alongside Cleverley or Scholes, whoever starts alongwith Michael Carrick. Sir Alex certainly will be expecting United to put up a dominant performance against a spirited Wigan side. Wigan secured all three points when they played United last time at the DW Stadium, but repeating the same feat at Old Trafford is certainly no easy task.

Final Result: Manchester United 3-1 Wigan Athletic

LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 01: Damien Duff of Fulham

Fulham vs West Brom

Fulham will be looking to bounce back at home after a poor showing against the Hammers. Expect Bulgarian hit man Dimitar Berbatov to start the game & score against West Brom, have enjoyed a thrilling start to the season & are third in the league table with wins against Liverpool & Everton & a stolen point against Tottenham. Very difficult to call this one, but expect Fulham to secure three points.

Final Result: Fulham 2-1 West Brom

SWANSEA, WALES – SEPTEMBER 01: Ki Sung-Yueng of Swansea City and Stephane Sessegnon Sunderland in action during the Premier League match between Swansea City and Sunderland at Liberty Stadium on September 1, 2012 in Swansea, Wales.

Aston Villa vs Swansea

Aston Villa welcome Swansea City to Villa Park. Swansea are yet undefeated in the Premier League, and new signing Michu has certainly become a fan favourite. Expect wonderful football from Swansea, but Aston Villa do not have much to show with only a point in their first three games. It seems like their misery will continue for them at home.

Final Result: Aston Villa 1-2 Swansea City

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 02: Arsene Wenger the manager of Arsenal gives Thomas Vermaelen instructions during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield on September 2, 2012 in Liverpool, England.

Arsenal vs Southampton

Southampton must be wondering why has God been so unkind to them. They have played City and United and are all set to play Arsenal. A difficult start to the Premier League, but they have surely played enterprising football, almost getting a win against United. Wenger knows its not going to be easy & Southampton will come at them. A clean sheet again for Arsenal, maybe, but the Gunners should get all three points. Here’s hoping Olivier Giroud does not freeze again.

Final Result: Arsenal 3-2 Southampton

SWANSEA, WALES – SEPTEMBER 01: Steven Fletcher (L) and Louis Saha (R) of Sunderland during the Premier League match between Swansea City and Sunderland at Liberty Stadium on September 1, 2012 in Swansea, Wales.

Sunderland vs Liverpool

Martin O’Neill will be looking to secure the first win of the season, but so will Liverpool. We just don’t which Liverpool will show up. Joe Allen will again be a key player in midfield and Steven Gerrard will be looking to put up a performance after the disappointment against Arsenal. I expect Liverpool to secure their first three points of the season.

Final Result: Sunderland 1-2 Liverpool or Sunderland 0-1 Liverpool

READING, ENGLAND – AUGUST 28: Gareth McCleary of Reading

Reading vs Tottenham

AVB will be pondering over what he needs to do to get a win. If they fail to secure three points at the Madejski stadium, the morale of the players & the fans will be really, really low. AVB will be expecting Gareth Bale to deliver, as goals have dried up for Tottenham. Three goals in three games underlines them missing the creativity of Luka Modric and Rafael van der Vaart & the hard work of Scott Parker. Reading will be looking at Adam le Fondre & Pavel Pogrebnyak to score goals.

Final Result: Reading 1-2 Tottenham

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 02: Yohan Cabaye of Newcastle battles with Barry Bannan of Aston Villa during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Aston Villa at Sports Direct Arena on September 2, 2012 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.

Everton vs Newcastle

I should be calling this the big game this weekend. A battle of two equals. Both managers know how to get the best out of their resources. Everton will be looking to bounce back after a defeat to West Brom in their last game. Pardew knows he will have to start winning games to keep their ambitions of a Top Four finish alive. Expect Everton to secure a win at Goodison Park.

Final Result: Everton 2-1 Newcastle