Been a while since I embarrassed myself with my pathetic punditry, so here we go. This week I’m going head-to-head with the BBC’s resident pro-Liverpool pundit, Mark Lawrenson.

Aston Villa v Liverpool

Tricky one. Liverpool have had a good week, but tradition has it that they suffer after Champions League games under Benitez. This means they’ll win by two goals at most. It’d be great to see Crouch on the scoresheet at last. It’d be even greater to see Rafa play two up front… Crouch and Cisse perhaps?

BBGV: 1-2 Mark Lawrenson: 1-2

Arsenal v Sunderland

Dear oh dear, Mr Mick McM. Looks like the fixture computer has timed your trip to Highbury to co-incide nicely with the return of Thierry Henry. Pools panel verdict: Not a happy trip for Mackems.

BBGV: 3-0 ML: 2-0

Blackburn v Charlton

I’ve spent all season tipping Charlton to lose away, so it’s about time I jinxed them by changing my strategy. I sense a slight dip in form, and Bent isn’t scoring freely any more, but this could be one of Blackburn’s off days.

BBGV: 0-1 Mark Lawrenson: 1-1

Fulham v Man City

Are fulham really as bad as they make out? Probably.

BBGV: 1-1 ML: 2-1

Newcastle v Birmingham

I knew there was a reason I was going to stick little Michael in my fantasy premiership team this week. It’s always nice to see ex Man U players suffering in the managerial hotseat. Long may it continue!

BBGV: 3-1 ML: 2-0

West Ham v West Brom

On the basis that two Wests playing each other sounds like a local derby, this has to be a draw. On the basis that I don’t care for either side, it has to be a dull draw at that.

BBGV: 0-0 ML: 2-1

Portsmouth v Wigan

Wigan: doing surprisingly well. Pompey: doing predictably badly. Something tells me the run has to end soon, but with the skates picking up a great result last weekend (thanks in part to some cracking Blunder defending), can they follow it up with another? Something tells me Pompey don’t win two in a row very often.

BBGV: 1-1 ML: 2-1

Everton v Boro

Nice as it is to see them knowing their place, and staying well clear of the battle for Europe (worked out well this season, didn’t it David?), and while they’re not too good to go down, (they’re not a patch on the Forest side that was too good to go down), it’s time for Everton to score some goals. 2 to be precise. Boro’s strikers to choose collective sulking over scoring this weekend.

BBGV: 2-0 ML: 2-0

Man Utd v Chelsea

Here’s an interesting one. It’s about time Utd pulled something spectacular out of the hat, and if Chelsea had been unstoppable of late, I’d have confidently predicted a crushing home win. As it is, the Blues are getting leaky, and as Betis proved, all you have to do is stop Lampard scoring two goals a game, make the posts extra bouncy, and Chelsea are a pushover. So they’ll be looking to prove a point, too. Nothing to lose in predicting a home win, though.

BBGV: 1-0 ML: 0-2

Bolton v Spurs

On the back of their mid-week water-polo victory, there ought to be some tired legs in the Bolton camp. Spurs meanwhile opted not to qualify for Europe last season, so their squad of 43 midfielders will be well-rested and raring to go. I see this is a Monday night game, which means it’ll be rubbish. I hope it’s 0-0 and all Sky subscribers country-wide feel well and truly had.

BBGV: 0-0 ML: 1-0

Tags: Football, Premiership, Predictions