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High Fives From Magic Mike

Welcome to "High Fives" the personal column of our ace Director of Football "Magic Mike".

It's 1:1 in the prediction stakes between Magic Mike and the Beeb's Lawro. Magic took the 2008/09 season by a comfortable margin. However in 2009/10 Lawro came back and pipped Magic by a handful to take the honours. Now lets see who'll take 2010/11!

A good number of our players were rescued by Magic’s tips in our Five Lives scheme which automatically gives you his tips, up to five times during the season, should you forget to enter them yourself. Magic Mike's canny inside knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of players and teams, combined with a passion for getting it right, is what you need to make an impact in this game. It also means you're going to have to be at your best to outdo him.

The Management - Score Five

And now, once again, over to Magic Mike...

See what Mike had to say in the olden days - visit his 2008/09 season archives.

previous predictions -

2010/11 Round 3.... 2010/11 Round 2.... 2010/11 Round 1.... World Cup Final.... World Cup Semi-finals.... World Cup Quarter-Finals

Mancini enjoys a Rovers Return

The Premier League returns after the international break with the Saturday lunchtime kick-off between Everton and Manchester United at Goodison Park. Everton are still without a win this season having suffered two narrow 1-0 defeats on the road and managing only a home draw against Wolves. Everton upset Manchester United in the corresponding fixture last season to record a 3-1 victory and David Moyes will be hoping for a similar result.

It’s a tough test for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side but it will be a game that United need to win to keep pace with league leaders Chelsea. A victory would see United take over from Chelsea at the top of the Premier League, albeit for a few hours, if as expected Chelsea continue to maintain their 100% record when they take on West Ham.

Magic predicts: Everton 2 - Manchester United 2

 

Arsenal vs. Bolton Wanderers at the Emirates Stadium. French central defender, Sebastien Squillaci could make his Premiership debut after signing from Seville before the transfer deadline. Arsenal will want to maintain their

bright start to the season that sees them 2^nd in the early Premier League standings to Chelsea. A hard-fought victory against Blackburn in their last game was a tremendous result for Arsenal,  who have struggled against the more physical sides in recent years.

Bolton have also made a bright start to the campaign as Owen Coyle hopes to adopt a more expansive football approach this season. The Trotters maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign by clawing back a 2 goal deficit when reduced to 10 men against Birmingham, following Jussi Jaaskelainen’s dismissal for slapping Brum’s Roger Johnson. Jaaskelainen’s subsequent 1 match ban will mean young prospect Adam Bogdan will deputise. Gary Cahill made his first senior appearance for the national side in England’s Euro qualifiers in the week and will be a key figure in the heart of defence.

Magic predicts: Arsenal 2 - Bolton Wanderers 1   

 

Fulham vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers at Craven Cottage Both sides go into the game unbeaten but Mark Hughes’ Cottagers are also without a win after their opening 3 games have ended in draws. Hughes will be looking for his first League victory since taking over at the helm from Roy Hodgson.

Wolves have made a bright start as Mick McCarthy looks for further consolidation after surviving in the Premier League last term. Sylvan Ebanks-Blake is looking to put a disappointing first Premier League season behind him as his 3 Premier League games this term have already yielded 2 goals the same as his total for the whole of the last campaign. His form may be enough to keep new signing Steven Fletcher out of the side.

Magic predicts: Fulham 1 - Wolverhampton Wanderers 0

 

Manchester City vs. Blackburn Rovers at the City of Manchester Stadium. City will have to bounce back from the unexpected defeat to the Black Cats last time out otherwise there could be some early pressure on Roberto Mancini in his first full season in charge and having spent millions on assembling his squad. City had more than enough chances to win the game against Sunderland and Mancini will be looking of a return to the form his side showed in their last home game victory against Liverpool.

Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce has been busy signing strikers before the transfer deadline, picking up free agent Benjani Mwaruwari and Mame Diouf on loan from Manchester United, adding to the existing Ewood Park firepower. Rovers though will have to subdue the millions of pounds of City talent to get a return from this game.

Magic predicts: Manchester City 3 - Blackburn Rovers 1  

 

Newcastle United vs. Blackpool at St James Park. A meeting between two of the promoted sides from last season, with both teams with a win, draw and loss in their opening 3 games and both managers and supporters relatively happy with their starts. Newcastle have added French winger Ben Arfa to their squad prior to the transfer deadline and he will be looking to establish himself in the Newcastle side.

Blackpool were unlucky not to beat Fulham in their first home game of the season 2 weeks ago and had to settle for a draw . They go to Newcastle looking to add to their opening away day victory at Wigan.

Newcastle won the Championship fixture last season 4-1.

Magic predicts: Newcastle United 2 - Blackpool 1

 

West Bromwich Albion vs. Tottenham Hotspur at the Hawthorns. Marc-Antoine Fortune returned to West Brom, signing from Celtic for a second spell at the Hawthorns having featured in the Baggies last Premier League campaign in the 08/09 season. Free agent Paul Scharner, formerly of Wigan completed Roberto Di Matteo’s signings before the transfer window shut on 1^st September. The Baggies won their opening home game against Sunderland but will face a difficult game against a Champions League side. The Baggies have had a tough start to the season, having already played Cheslea and Liverpool in their opening 3 games.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp added to an already strong squad with the signing of Rafael Van Der Vaart from Real Madrid. A large squad will be needed as Spurs challenge for honours on the domestic front as well as the demands of Champions League. Michael Dawson was injured whilst representing England in the Euro qualifiers and will be missing for at least 6 weeks but free agent William Gallas was signed before the transfer deadline to provide much needed defensive cover.

Magic predicts: West Bromwich Albion 1 - Tottenham Hotspur 2

 

West Ham United vs. Chelsea at Upton Park. The Hammers are bottom of the league having lost their opening 3 games and it doesn’t get any better with the visit of the league leaders. Avram Grant is already under pressure and will be hoping his new look squad will be able to turn things around. Grant completed his squad with the signing of striker Victor Obinna before the transfer window closed

Chelsea have started the season as they left off last, with 3 wins , 14 goals scored and none conceded. Carlo Ancelotti’s team will be full of confidence to maintain the league’s only remaining 100% record, although they only drew the corresponding fixture last season.

Magic predicts: West Ham United 0 - Chelsea 2   Banker

 

Wigan Athletic vs. Sunderland at the DW Stadium. The Latics earned their first points of the season with a surprising 1-0 away victory against Spurs. Hugo Rodallega struck 10 minutes before the end to defy the formbook and score his and Wigan’s first goal of the season after Wigan had conceded 10 goals in their opening 2 games. Franco Di Santo signed for Wigan on transfer deadline day and may partner Rodallega in attack.

Like Wigan , Sunderland also defied the odds in their last game by beating Manchester City. Steve Bruce the Black Cats manager returns to his former club. Lee Catermole and Titus Bramble, who Bruce signed from Wigan could also feature against their former club. Sunderland made Gyan Asimoah their record signing before the transfer deadline and the Ghanaian will be Darren Bent’s new strike-partner.

Magic predicts: Wigan Athletic 0 - Sunderland 0

 

The Sunday fixture features Birmingham City vs. Liverpool at St Andrew Stadium. Birmingham also have enjoyed an unbeaten start to the season. The Blues looked to be on their way to a comfortable victory at the Reebok Stadium but had to settle for a point.

Liverpool got a first win of the season under their belt with a hard-fought victory over West Bromwich Albion. Fernando Torres made the difference although still not back to his sharpest after his injury woes. Liverpool will badly need a win to keep pace with league leaders Chelsea. Paul Konchesky could be in line for a debut after signing from Fulham.

Both league meetings between these team were drawn last season and a close game is in prospect.

Magic predicts: Birmingham City 1 - Liverpool 1

Stoke City vs. Aston Villa at the Britannia Stadium. Stoke are also without a point this season but with the squad Tony Pulis has assembled it shouldn’t be too long that they will be moving upwards from their current 19^th position in the Premier League. Eidur Gudjohnsen became the latest recruit to the Potters squad before the transfer deadline and will add some guile to the Stoke attack versus the more muscular threat of Kenwyne Jones. Stoke lost last time out against Chelsea and they will be fired up this week to get their first points of the season.

Aston Villa have reportedly offered the vacant manager role to Gerrard Houllier, who if he accepts, will return to the Premier League after a 6 year absence following his departure from Liverpool. Villa currently lie in 4^th place in  League under Kevin MacDonald but crashed out of the Europa League with a disappointing 3-2 home defeat. Villa will be looking to maintain their good start to the season with the testing visit to the Britannia Stadium.

In their 2 games in the Premier League last season only 1 goal was scored that came in Aston Villa’s home victory. With Stoke anxious for a result another tight low scoring game can be expected.

Magic predicts: Stoke City 0 - Aston Villa 0