4716: Prediction Panel 2007/8: Premi

by : Antony Melvin

Sunderland (C1) vs Tottenham Hotspur (5), KO 12:45

Roy Keane would be forgiven for thinking that this management lark is an easy one. But after a series of expensive recruits and a fair few snubs will Sunderland fare better than in their recent horrible seasons? It would be difficult for Sunderland to do worse and I would expect a mid-table finish on about 50 points - but whether the side will gel quickly is another matter. Money is no problem at Spurs and if they can take their late season form (unbeaten in seven) and goals (15 in the last 7 games) into this fixture they will surely expect to get their bid for a top four spot under way.

Paul Grech: Draw
Colin Illingworth: Away Banker
Hugh Larkin; Draw
Kieran McHugh: Draw
Antony Melvin: Away
Bill Urban; Home
Magic Hat; Away
Stephen Orford: Away

West Ham United (15) vs Manchester City (14), KO 15:00

These two finished a point apart as West Ham roared to safety and City spluttered towards the end of Stuart Pearce's ill-starred tenure. Both sides have been rebuilding extensively and expensively in 2007 - so what the line-ups will be is difficult to guess. If I had to guess I'd say that City's vastly changed team may start the season with a few communication problems - but will improve as Eriksson's signings gel. Whereas West Ham will probably carry their 2006/7 momentum into the new season. Interestingly City scored more away goals than Liverpool did last season.

Paul Grech: Away
Colin Illingworth: Home
Hugh Larkin; Draw
Kieran McHugh: Home
Antony Melvin: Home
Bill Urban; Home
Magic Hat; Home
Stephen Orford: Away

(The 'Banker' games are the ones that our panelists are most sure of. Last season's finish in brackets.)
Three of last season's top four have been held back by TV companies desperate for early season ratings. Arsenal and Chelsea have simple enough tasks facing Fulham and Birmingham; but Manchester United face a tricky opener against a Reading side that scored six goals against the champions in four encounters last season.

Arsenal (4) vs Fulham (16), KO 12:00

The post-Thierry Henry era starts here and the fixture computer couldn't have been much kinder in encouraging a youthful Arsenal team to get off to a flyer. Fulham won just once on their travels last season and finished a point clear of the drop and some bits-and-pieces recruits don't seem to have pushed them very much further forward. If Arsenal can't win games like this then they will be struggling to keep pace with the other members of the 'cosy cartel' straight from the off.

Paul Grech: Home Banker
Colin Illingworth: Home Banker
Hugh Larkin; Home banker
Kieran McHugh: Home
Antony Melvin: Home Banker
Bill Urban; Home banker
Magic Hat; Home
Stephen Orford: Home

Chelsea (2) vs Birmingham City (C2), KO 13:30

The ninth game of the weekend sees a weakened Chelsea take on a Birmingham side that has failed to recruit the kind of players that would give it a cast-iron case for survival. Like Arsenal, Chelsea will be delighted to welcome their opponents and will be expecting to beat them with some ease almost regardless of the side they put out - but Steve Bruce will try to keep the score down and hope for a goal on the break. This might not be a classic for the neutral.

Paul Grech: Home Banker
Colin Illingworth: Home Banker
Hugh Larkin; Draw
Kieran McHugh: Home
Antony Melvin: Home Banker
Bill Urban; Home banker
Magic Hat; Home
Stephen Orford: Home banker

Manchester United (1) vs Reading (8), KO 16:00

The champions kick off the final game of the weekend against last season's surprise package - Reading. Reading have lost Sidwell to Chelsea and Nicky Shorey may be unsettled but Steve Coppell will have them organised and strong. Reading scored in all four games again United last season and the results 2-3, 1-1, 2-3, 1-1 showed that they can mix it up with anyone. Everyone will be expecting United to win easily - but this could be tight.

Paul Grech: Home Banker
Colin Illingworth: Home Banker
Hugh Larkin; Home banker
Kieran McHugh: Home
Antony Melvin: Home
Bill Urban; Home banker
Magic Hat; Home
Stephen Orford: Home banker

(The 'Banker' games are the ones that our panelists are most sure of. Last season's finish in brackets.)