Weekend Preview - Gameweek 25

Hi all, it's a miserable morning here in London, the rain is falling and my bed is calling me to stay. Unfortunately I have to to work. Mind you, I say "I have to", it's not because if I don't they will fire me, there actually very flexible about the hours you work as long as it's more than 14 per week, it's just that if I don't go in I wont get paid....... Shame isn't it..... Well at least I'm not in the situation Shay Given was before he left Newcastle -(read at the bottom of the page)

Shay Given -

"They made me do things I didn't want to do"

What kind off things? I really think he needs to elaborate on this! Maybe they asked him to clean the showers after Fabricio Collocini had used them? That would REALLY be something nobody would want to do!

Any idea's people? Please do let me know.

Football Guy v Mark Lawrenson

Check out Lawro's picks here - Time to unleash another butt kicking on the former tashed wonder!

Manchester City v Middlesbrough

Intresting stat for this game - Middlesbrough have won more Premier League matches against Manchester City than any other club; 11.

Now you all know how much I like stats and will read in to them when making my picks, it's just than Boro have not won a game in over two months and City have won their last three  home games.

Do I think Boro will get their 12th win over City in the Premiership this weekend? No way!

Football Guy's verdict 2-0

Blackburn Rovers v Aston Villa

It seems like Villa always play their weekend games before Arsenal meaning they always get the chance to put the pressure on the Gunners with a win, now I know that Blackburn are unbeaten under Fat Sam but I feel that Arsenal have the trickier game this weekend as they travel to North London rivals Tottenham on Sunday.

This will be another perfect chance for Villa to pile more pressure on Arsenal in that race for fourth place.

Football Guy's verdict 1-1

Chelsea v Hull

This is the first game this season Hull will be playing starting in the bottom half of the league. Their fairytale season is only a couple more defeats in a row away from turning in to a real nightmare.

This clash pits the Premier League's strongest attack (Chelsea, 44 goals scored) with the weakest defence (Hull, 46 conceded).

With that in mind, what do you think i will be predicting?

Football Guy's verdict 3-0

Everton v Bolton

Wow, imagine Fat Sam was still in charge of Bolton, this game would be a right eyesore..... Thankfully Bolton under Gary Megson don't play nearly as putrid football.

Everton remind me of a girl who, is not that bad looking but acts like a real tart because it get's her laid, when in actual fact she could be a lot classier and still get laid, I guess I'm asking a little too much of David Moyes and his boys to show a little more class than a club skank.

Football Guy's verdict 1-0

Sunderland v Stoke

Big game for both teams, with Sunderland having a BIG chance to put some distance between themselves and the drop zone.

The fact is Stoke are still yet to win an away game in the Premiership and until they do I can't back them to win, Rory Delap long throw or no Rory Delap long throw.

For the benefit of Premier league football I hope Suderland win this one.

Football Guy's verdict 2-1

West Brom v Newcastle

West Brom got an important point at Hull last week and then were comfortably beaten by Burnley who, seem to have no problems dispatching Premier league teams in the cups this season (jury is out on West Brom being a premier league team).

Interesting to see two players who left Newcastle in the transfer window take pot shots at their former team (Shay Given and Charles N'Zogbia) Now insomnia I can understand, but Shay always struck me as a stand up guy who stuck with Newcastle much longer than most people thought he would. I don't seem to remember too many soundbites from Shay in the past 12 years so things must be rotten there if HE'S taking trash.

Football guy's verdict 2-1

Wigan v Fulham

I was out for a few drink with my buddy Neill, most of you will know him as "I'm not from Leeds" who post comments on here from time to time. Now he swore blindly to me that Man United were playing Fulham this weekend...... Really wish I had bet some cash on that statement.

For all of Fulham's good points this season they still have failed to win a single game away from the Cottage all season adn I don;t see that changing tomorrow.

Football guy's verdict 2-0

Portsmouth v Liverpool

I was surprised at the amount of stick I heard Rafa got from Liverpool fans over his decision to start Fernando Torres midweek against Everton. I know he's injury prone but so what? It's a Derby match! You've got to go out and try to win it and that means playing your best players right? I know if Arsenal were playing Spurs in the same situation I'd want Wenger to play his strongest team.

For some reason I feel Pompey can get something from this game, maybe Peter Crough has one of those "I'm going to prove to you what your missing now you bastards" games and scores the perfect hat-trick (left foot, right foot, header) like he did against Arsenal a few seasons ago...... Or maybe I'm talking out of my backside.... That's probably it.

Portsmouth 0-1 Liverpool

Tottenham v Arsenal

7 November 1999 - That was the last time Spurs beat Arsenal in a league match..... Wow..... That's almost 10 years and it's not like Spurs have been in and out of the Premiership in that time, they have played twice a season ever season since then. I think that might me Tottenham's only league victory over Arsene Wenger.

Don't forget that Arsenal had a similar record over Chelsea until Chelsea beat them in the Champions league quarter finals back in 2004 and then didn't lose to them for the next couple of seasons. Well Tottenham beat Arsenal last season in the League cup semi final and have not lost to them since, granted it's only been one match, but it was a match Arsenal should have won considering they were 4-2 up with two  minutes to go.

For those of you who like betting, back Adebayor to score in this one, he always seems to score against Spurs and has something like 24 in his last 3 matches against Arsenal's North London rivals.

Football Guy's verdict 2-2

West Ham v Manchester United

West Ham's last three games against Big Four opposition have been - 0-0 Anfield, 1-1 Stamford Bridge, 0-0 Emirates.

Their last defeat to a Big Four team was at Old Trafford losing 2-0, coincidentally, three days after losing 2-0 at home to Arsenal.

Will United make it 13 games without conceding? I think so, will they win? Shock Horror!

Football guy's verdict 0-0

Take care

Football Guy