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Thursday, 30 August 2012

Predict the Premier League - the Experts: Squarefootball pair prove their credentials


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Welcome to our Predict the Premier League Experts section. Here you will find a mix of Squarefootball writers, regular contributors and Premier League drop outs.

Last season's Expert champion, Blackpool's Phil Trow, has bowed out at the top so there will be a new name on our coveted trophy this season, but the man to beat is our esteemed editor Antony Melvin. He currently sits on top of the table with an amazing points haul of 21. That's three clear of Sunderland reporter Sarshar Hosseinnia and five in front of Hugh Larkin.

At the foot of the table the troubles continue for Portsmouth, as Pompey fan Dan Taylor props up the division with just seven points. He is joined in the bottom three by our TV critic Chris Pettitt on eight and West Ham's Nigel Telfer on 11.

Let's find out who scored what over the past fortnight.

Arsenal and Sunderland kicked off the new season at the Emirates but the game ended all square. Only two Experts went for a draw, Sunderland's Sarshar Hosseinnia and Antony Melvin - Antony got the score bang on.

Fulham and Swansea went goal crazy against Norwich and QPR respectively but no-one came anywhere near to predicting those 5-0 scorelines. Half of us predicted Fulham would see off Norwich while only Portsmouth's Peter Rendle and Sunderland's Sarshar Hosseinnia tipped the Swans for victory.

Reading made their Premier League return and six of us expected it to end in a draw. A late penalty ensured Steve Coulter, Mitch Waddon, Terry Kennedy, Dan Taylor, Nigel Telfer, Antony Melvin and Dave Blackburn picked up some points - Coulter, Waddon, Kennedy and Telfer picking up maximum points.

West Brom took on Liverpool at the Hawthorns with Steve Clarke and Brendan Rodgers both hoping for a winning start to their new careers, but it was the Baggies who came out on top in emphatic style, winning the game 3-0. Only Sunderland's Sarshar Hosseinnia predicted the Baggies would emerge victorious.

West Ham hosted Aston Villa in their first game back in the Premier League and eight out of 14 experts predicted a home win for the Hammers. Only Chris Pettitt and Antony Melvin got the 1-0 final score spot on.

Newcastle then entertained Spurs in the late kick off and the Mags ensured it was a losing start for new Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas. Again, eight out of 14 predicted a home win, but Colin Illingworth, Antony Melvin and Dave Blackburn got the 2-1 score right.

Wigan were expected to be lambs to the slaughter when Cheslea arrived at the DW Stadium and Roberto Di Matteo's men didn't disappoint. Thirteen of us got the outcome correct, Mitch Waddon and Antony Melvin got the final score bang on.

Manchester City were expected to get off to a winning start and everyone bar Sarshar Hosseinnia went for a home win, but Southampton ensured that nobody got maximum points after playing their part in a five-goal thriller.

Everton played Manchester United at Goodison and everyone, bar Colin Illingworth and Nigel Telfer, felt this was an away win. Everton won 1-0 to give Illingworth a point and Telfer all three.

Chelsea then played Reading in midweek and controversially ran out 3-2 winners. Everyone bar two experts went for a home win, but only Sarshar Hosseinnia expected Chelsea to win 3-2.

Now on to last weekend's fixtures.

Swansea, fresh from their 5-0 drubbing of QPR, returned to the Liberty Stadium to face West Ham and put the Hammers to bed 3-0. Eight of our 14 experts predicted a home win, but no-one expected the score to be so comfortable.

Everton travelled to Aston Villa, traditionally a bogey team for the Toffees, but the visitors left with a 3-1 victory under their belt. Nine experts picked up points here, including Sarshar Hosseinnia who correctly predicted it would end 3-1.

Manchester United were strong favourites to see off Fulham at Old Trafford. They obliged, helping everyone to a point.

Norwich and QPR locked horns in a battle of the 5-0 losers and both were keen to record their first win of the season. However, 10 of our experts knew it would end in a draw - six of them going for a 1-1.

Only Portsmouth's Peter Rendle tipped Wigan to beat Southampton at St Mary's while Sunderland's game with Reading was washed out.

West Brom gained a share of the spoils at the Lane thanks to a late equaliser from James Morrison. He gave Peter Rendle a point and allowed Hugh Larkin and Sarshar Hosseinnia to pick up maximums.

Ten of us expected Chelsea to continue their winning start to the season against Newcastle United. Bolton's Dave Blackburn and Wolves fan Chris Cox boosted their score with all three points.

Arsenal travelled to Stoke but, for the second game running, they drew 0-0. Four experts tipped a stalemate - Hugh Larkin, Terry Kennedy, Antony Melvin and Middlesbrough's Sue Gardener - but only Sue Gardener got the score bang on.

And finally Manchester City were expected to make light work of Liverpool but Brendan Rodgers's Reds put in an inspired performance. If it wasn't for Martin Skrtel's late howler the Reds would have won 2-1. As it was, Carlos Tevez punished the Kopites to take a point back to Manchester. Nobody thought this would end up a draw.

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