Wole faces Chuka in the Boxing Day prediction challenge, with both men backing Chelsea, Man United, Man City and Arsenal. Every correct resu...
Wole faces Chuka in the Boxing Day prediction challenge, with both men backing Chelsea, Man United, Man City and Arsenal.
Every correct result is worth one point, while every correct scoreline is worth three points. We will keep a tally throughout the season to see how Wole and Chuka fares against all of our guests.
CHELSEA VS WEST HAM
Wole: Chelsea barely got out of second gear to win at Stoke on Monday and, although West Ham are playing very well at the moment, I can't see anything other than another routine victory for Jose Mourinho's men. 2-0
Chuka: Not going to be an easy one for the men at Stamford Bridge, Sam Allardyce’s boys are on a roll and would be looking to put a dent in Chelsea’s title bid. But I’m expecting a resilient win once again. 3-1
BURNLEY VS LIVERPOOL
Wole: Liverpool should have far too much for Burnley. It will certainly be a hard game at Turf Moor but their performance last Sunday should give them plenty of encouragement going into this one. 1-2
Chuka: Would have gone for a routine Liverpool win but the Reds just know how to make things hard for themselves. Burnley have a way of making big win surprises but I’m guess the mediocrity would cancel itself out. 1-1
CRYSTAL PALACE VS SOUTHAMPTON
Wole: Southampton will feel much better after the Everton result but this will be a tough game for them at Selhurst Park. 1-1
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| Southampton will be without captain Jose Fonte on Boxing Day as he is suspended |
Chuka: Cannot see the Eagles getting one over the Saints, too much firepower and confidence in the Saints’ ranks after their win against Everton. 0-2
EVERTON VS STOKE CITY
Wole: Everton have produced more bad performances than good ones in the Premier League this season. But In front of a lively home crowd, the Blues should have just enough to see off a Stoke team that gives away far too many soft goals. 2-0
Chuka: Mark Hughes would be cursing his festive fixtures. His team put in a brilliant display against Chelsea but came out with nothing. Roberto Martinez would have no sympathies 2-0
LEICESTER VS TOTTENHAM
Wole: Leicester are bound to get a positive result sometime soon but, even at home, it's hard to back them at the moment, particularly against a Spurs side that is quietly putting together a decent run of form. 0-2
Chuka: The way the Foxes have gone under in terms of form, it wouldn’t be long before they discover oil. They welcome a Spurs side who have been better away from home. Routine win for Spurs unless they turned Santa overnight. 1-3
MAN UTD VS NEWCASTLE
Wole: If ever you needed proof of the value of confidence in football, Newcastle are providing it. Currently they've got none of it, and it's hard to imagine them even landing a punch at Old Trafford. 3-0
Chuka: Feel bad for Alan Pardew, but I’m going to bite my tongue in this one. Last time I felt bad for Paul Lambert, the Villains were able to get a point. Agree with Wole on this one but the scoreline. I’m going to be a bit bias. 4-0
SUNDERLAND VS HULL CITY
Wole: At home, on Boxing Day, on the back of a win at Newcastle, up against a Hull side desperately low in confidence, there's surely no way Sunderland won't take all three points. Is there? 1-0
Chuka: Hmmm. I really can’t wrap my head around this one. I believe the Tigers can claw all three points from the Black Cats. Expecting anything but a cat-fight. Ferocious tackles all game. I’m going with Steve Bruce. 1-2
SWANSEA VS ASTON VILLA:
Wole: In eighth and 12th, these two sides are roughly where I expect them to be at the end of the season. Villa are a decent Premier League team on their day, but Swansea are definitely a class above. At home, this should be routine. 2-0
Chuka: 12th for Aston Villa Wole? While Benteke’s return to form has helped the Villains rise high on the table, I’m not expecting them to do much at Swansea but I’d stick out my head and say they can get a point. 1-1
WEST BROM VS MAN CITY
Wole: Although they surrended a two-goal lead to lose, West Brom's performance at QPR was actually very positive in many respects. However, they're up against the in-form team in the league and will have to play well above themselves to take anything. 1-3
Chuka: Too easy to call, Man City might still be strikerless but West Brom’s capitulation at Loftus Road suggest the Citizens could do with a few more players absent. Not a blowout though. 0-2
ARSENAL VS QPR
Wole: Arsenal is a very good team but just drop too many points they shouldn't to seriously challenge Chelsea and Manchester City. However, I can't see them dropping any here - QPR just haven't worked out how to compete away from home at this level. 3-0
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| Arsenal will welcome back playmaker Tomas Rosicky and goalkeeper David Ospina for the Boxing Day clash |
Chuka: Not the most exciting of London derbies but the Gunners would be relishing unleashing Theo Walcott on a side yet to get their grips away from Loftus Road. Going to agree with Wole on this one. 3-0
