It was a weekend where Manchester City enhanced their title credentials while fellow pace setters Tottenham Hotspur were somewhat put in their place. City put four past Arsenal at home and Spurs were undone by Manchester United despite taking a very early lead and playing against ten men for half an hour. How Arsene Wenger must hate Manchester by now, and could this game against the defending champions be a micro-reflection of how Spurs' season is going to pan out?
Title favourites Chelsea are showing that they are able to get three points anywhere and anyhow. Another late winner after being a goal down - this time against Stoke City - saw them maintain their perfect start to the season. I can't see them dropping many points this season, and I can't see any team getting more points than them. Liverpool kept pace with a convincing with against Burnley. I don't remember Benayoun scoring many goals, but this must have been at least his second hat-trick already in a Liverpool shirt.
Aston Villa and Sunderland continued with their fine form; extending difficult starts so far for Birmingham City and Hull City. Villa got a narrow win over Birmingham, while Sunderland had a much easier time against Hull. Speaking of difficult starts, in the bottom-of-the-table clash, Bolton Wanderers came away from Fratton Park leaving Portsmouth with zero points from five games.
Finally, Blackburn Rovers, Fulham, and Wigan Athletic scored home wins against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Everton, and West Ham United respectively. Everton, who finished fifth last season, seems to be having trouble finding their feet this season, having just three points from four games.
Predictions
Portsmouth - Bolton Wanderers
Prediction: 2 - 1
Result: 2 - 3
Blackburn Rovers - Wolverhampton Wanderers
Prediction: 2 - 1
Result: 3 - 1
Wigan Athletic - West Ham United
Prediction: 2 - 2
Result: 1 - 0
Liverpool - Burnley
Prediction: 3 - 0
Result: 4 - 0
Stoke City - Chelsea
Prediction: 1 - 3
Result: 1 - 2
Sunderland - Hull City
Prediction: 2 - 0
Result: 4 - 1
Manchester City - Arsenal
Prediction: 1 - 1
Result: 4 - 2
Tottenham Hotspur - Manchester United
Prediction: 1 - 2
Result: 1 - 3
Birmingham City - Aston Villa
Prediction: 1 - 1
Result: 0 - 1
Fulham - Everton
Prediction: 1 - 1
Result: 2 - 1
Round 5 Tally: 10 Predictions; 0 Correct Scores; 5 Correct Outcomes
Season Tally: 46 Predictions; 1 Correct Scores; 24 Correct Outcomes
Betting
Portsmouth - Bolton Wanderers
Bet: £20 on Home Win at 2.60
Result: Away Win (Lost £20.00)
Sunderland - Hull City
Bet: £25 on Home Win at 1.80
Result: Home Win (Won £20.00)
Tottenham Hotspur - Manchester United
Bet: £10 on Draw at 3.40
Result: Away Win (Lost £10.00)
Round 4 Tally: £55.00 in Bets; -£10.00 in Takings
Season Tally: £325.00 in Bets; -£53.85 in Takings
Fantasy Football
Another decent gameweek, with the right selection of captain - Darrent Bent scoring twice for Sunderland against Hull City!
It was a good attacking gameweek in general. Wayne Rooney, Tim Cahill and Shaun Wright-Phillips all contributed goals while Lee Cattermole also had a good game.
None of the defenders and midfielders kept a clean sheet, as Petr Cech, Ashley Cole, Joseph Yobo and Gael Clichy produced a miserable total of four points.
Summary Review: Round 5 (12/09/2009 and 13/09/2009) 18 September, 2009
Fantasy Premier League Team Selection for Gameweek 5 12 September, 2009
I've transferred out Cameron Jerome who is currently injured, and brought in Portsmouth's Frederic Piquionne. Portsmouth have a win-able match against Bolton, and this forward could prove to be good value for money.
Goalkeeper:
Petr Cech (Chelsea)
Defenders:
Ashley Cole (Chelsea)
Joseph Yobo (Everton)
Gael Clichy (Arsenal)
Midfielders:
Tim Cahill (Everton)
Clint Dempsey (Fulham)
Lee Cattermole (Sunderland)
Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City)
Forwards:
Frederic Piquionne (Portsmouth)
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
Darren Bent (Sunderland) captain
The two Spurs players get relegated to the bench through no fault of theirs, as their team faces a difficult match. Queudrue also remains benched against an in-form Aston Villa. The choice for captain is a difficult one this week, as the more prominent players are either facing tough opponents or playing away. I've plumped for Bent to score against Hull.
Betting Tips for Round 5 (12/09/2009 and 13/09/2009)
Portsmouth - Bolton Wanderers
Home: 2.60 | Draw: 3.25 | Away: 2.7
Bet: £20 on Home Win
Both teams quite evenly match. Good odds for a home win.
Sunderland - Hull City
Home: 1.80 | Draw: 3.25 | Away: 5.0
Bet: £25 on Home Win
Sunderland are the more settled and better team for this one, and with home advantage, 1.80 for a home win is definitely worth a flutter.
Tottenham Hotspur - Manchester United
Home: 3.10 | Draw: 3.40 | Away: 2.25
Bet: £10 on Draw
I predict that United will sneak away with a win. However, I also feel that the match will be much closer than the odds suggests
Match Predictions for Round 5 (12/09/2009 and 13/09/2009)
Portsmouth - Bolton Wanderers
Prediction: 2 - 1
A bottom of the table clash between the only two teams who have yet to garner a single point. It's still early in the season but this could already be a vital relegation six-pointer. I pick Portsmouth to win narrowly with the help of home advantage and some new signings.
Blackburn Rovers - Wolverhampton Wanderers
Prediction: 2 - 1
Blackburn is enduring another slow start to the season. However, I would take them to slowly pick up vital points, starting with a win against Wolves.
Wigan Athletic - West Ham United
Prediction: 2 - 2
After an exciting opening day win, Wigan then suffered three defeats on the trot. A goal-filled draw on the cards.
Liverpool - Burnley
Prediction: 3 - 0
Burnley are starting to see the reality of life in the Premier League following last round's defeat to Chelsea, and Liverpool will be in no mood to pass up the chance to take three home points.
Stoke City - Chelsea
Prediction: 1 - 3
Stoke are sitting pretty in fifth place at the moment, but Chelsea are simply formidable this season. Should be a comfortable win for the away side.
Sunderland - Hull City
Prediction: 2 - 0
Sunderland's new signings have settled in well, with Cattermole a key figure in their midfield, and Bent scoring the goals. Should be a home win without much fuss.
Manchester City - Arsenal
Prediction: 1 - 1
Perhaps the biggest surprise at this stage of the season is the fact that City have yet to concede a goal - that and the fact that their new signings have settled so soon. Arsenal, though, are stronger than any of the sides they have faced so far, and I fancy both teams to share the points.
Tottenham Hotspur - Manchester United
Prediction: 1 - 2
Spurs have already beaten Liverpool this season, so United will not be a totally daunting challenge. But I can just see United sneaking an away win in this match.
Birmingham City - Aston Villa
Prediction: 1 - 1
Aston Villa are the better of the two sides, but in this derby match, Birmingham should play out of their skin to secure a point.
Fulham - Everton
Prediction: 1 - 1
Both teams still finding their way this season. A share of the points.
Summary Review: Round 4 (29/08/2009 and 30/08/2009) 01 September, 2009
How Arsenal failed to leave Old Trafford with at least a point I do not know. Just what was Abou Diaby thinking when he headed Manchester United into the lead? That was a header any of United's attacking player on that day would have been proud off. Deserved or not, Arsenal's perfect start to the season has ended. But, if they can put out such a performance week in week out. they won't be throwing away too many points this season and will surely be thereabouts come May.
With Arsenal's run ended, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City remain the teams yet to drop a point this season, keeping up their good work with wins against Burnley, Birmingham City and Portsmouth respectively. Chelsea must now be early-season favourites for the title, while Spurs and City look good for some Champions League football next season. The next few weeks will be interesting though, as Spurs face both Manchester United and Chelsea while City will square up against Arsenal and their neighbours, United. Those matches will be true tests of their footballing credentials this season.
Liverpool needed to come from behind twice to eventually take all three points against Bolton Wanderers, and it was no less dramatic for their city rivals Everton, who needed a last minute penalty to beat Wigan Athletic - their first win (and first points) of the season - and move away from the bottom of the table.
Aston Villa's season continues to improve as they follow up last week's victory against Liverpool with a deserved win against Fulham. Finally, Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United shared the spoils, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Hull City took a point each, and Stoke City took all three crucial points against Sunderland with a typical Stoke City goal.
Predictions
Chelsea - Burnley
Prediction: 2 - 0
Result: 3 - 0
Tottenham Hotspur - Birmingham City
Prediction: 3 - 1
Result: 2 - 1
Blackburn Rovers - West Ham United
Prediction: 1 - 1
Result: 0 - 0
Bolton Wanderers - Liverpool
Prediction: 0 - 2
Result: 2 - 3
Stoke City - Sunderland
Prediction: 1 - 2
Result: 1 - 0
Wolverhampton Wanderers - Hull City
Prediction: 2 - 2
Result: 1 - 1
Manchester United - Arsenal
Prediction: 1 - 1
Result: 2 - 1
Portsmouth - Manchester City
Prediction: 1 - 3
Result: 0 - 1
Everton - Wigan Athletic
Prediction: 2 - 1
Result: 2 - 1
Aston Villa - Fulham
Prediction: 1 - 0
Result: 2 - 0
Round 4 Tally: 10 Predictions; 1 Correct Scores; 8 Correct Outcomes
Season Tally: 36 Predictions; 1 Correct Scores; 19 Correct Outcomes
Betting
Stoke City - Sunderland
Bet: £15 on Away Win at 3.20
Result: Home Win (Lost £15.00)
Bolton Wanderers - Liverpool
Bet: £15 on Away Win at 1.57
Result: Away Win (Won £8.55)
Portsmouth - Manchester City
Bet: £20 on Away Win at 1.61
Result: Home Win (Won £12.20)
Everton - Wigan Athletic
Bet: £20 on Everton at 1.80
Result: Home Win (Won £16.00)
Round 4 Tally: £70.00 in Bets; £21.75 in Takings
Season Tally: £270.00 in Bets; -£43.85 in Takings
Fantasy Football
A smashing game week with my captain Ashley Cole fully justifying his armband with a goal, a clean sheet and some bonus points for good measure. Petr Cech finally scores a clean sheet, while Aaron Lennon and Wayne Rooney continued their good form with goals and bonuses.
If the team can keep up such good form, honours will not be too far off at the end of the season!
Posts
