Mystic Jarv Predictions for the weekend of 21st August

Well we are now a week into the new season and a quick look back tells me I got 6 correct results and 2 fully correct scores out of the 10 games last weekend.

Anyway on to this week's predictions

Saturday 21^st August

Arsenal V Blackpool 15:00

Well, I got Blackpool's result wrong last week which was a surprise, not just the result but the emphatic way they demolished Wigan. I will be completely astounded if they get anything from the Emirates. Arsenal may be boosted by the return of Robin Van Persie and Cesc Fabregas to the starting line up. Even without them I expect a comfortable win for Arsenal. Mystic Jarv predicts 3-0 to Arsenal.

Birmingham City V Blackburn Rovers 15:00

A good win last weekend for Blackburn at home to Everton got their season off to a good start and will want to pick up their first away win at the first attempt. Birmingham gained a good point at Sunderland last week after being 2-0 down and have added ex Blackburn player Matt Derbyshire to the squad. Birmingham I think may just shade this one. Mystic Jarv predicts 2-1 to Brum

Everton V Wolves 15:00

Although losing at Blackburn wasn't a very bad result for Everton, plenty of teams will come unstuck at Ewood park, Everton will want to get some points on the board in their first home game. Beating Stoke was a very nice result for Wolves and they wont want to lose at Goodison this week and they have strengthened since last season. I don't see Wolves having enough to beat Everton though. Mystic Jarv predicts 2-0 to Everton

Stoke City V Spurs 15:00

Stoke city are tough to beat at home and I expect them to give Spurs a real examining, especially from set pieces. Spurs look like they will sign William Gallas on a free transfer which is a great bit of business for spurs because if they can keep him motivated he's a quality defender. I do find it funny that a lot of Arsenal fans are now saying he was rubbish, the same fans who previously said they got the best of the Cole/Gallas deal a few years back. Spurs looked quality but came up against a Joe Hart shaped wall. I expect Spurs to have too much for Stoke. Mystic Jarv predicts a 1-2 to Spurs

West Bromwich Albion V Sunderland 15:00

Not a great week last weekend for either of these teams one got thumped by Chelsea and one lost a 2-0 lead at home. Both will want to do better this week. My personal feeling is Sunderland will just edge it due to them having a better striker. Mystic Jarv predicts a 0-1 win for Sunderland

West Ham V Bolton 15:00

West Ham were dreadful against Villa last week and for their sake hopefully got a rollocking after the game. Grant has another season of being near the bottom end of the table and they have to win these type of games if they want to have a chance of staying up. For what its worth I think they will win this one just. Bolton have added the excellent Martin Petrov and should have a better season than a lot of people think and I believe they will be safe before the last game. Mystic Jarv predicts 1-0 to West Ham

Wigan V Chelsea 17:15

There is only one result possible here�€��€�..is what I wrote in the corresponding fixture last year, how wrong was I?. This season is different and Wigan got hammered last week to the new boys and Chelsea drubbed some of the other New boys. Really, only one winner here, its entirely possible Chelsea might have a plus double figure goal difference after 2 games. Mystic Jarv predicts 0-3 to Chelsea

Sunday 22^nd August

Newcastle V Aston Villa 13:30

Villa were impressive last week against West Ham and since then have concluded a great piece of business, rumoured 18 million plus Ireland for Milner is fantastic for Villa. I honestly don't think there is much between the 2 and Ireland will get more games for Villa than Milner will for city. Newcastle looked good for a while against Man United on Monday and had Caroll scored it might have been a different story. If Newcastle don't self destruct then they should comfortably stay up. Mystic Jarv predicts 1-2 to Villa

Fulham V Manchester United 16:00

This was a game I got wrong last year, I didn't expect United to lose at Craven Cottage and to be honest I don't this year either. Hughes is still moulding Fulham into his own style of play and this game will be too early in the season to really trouble United. United looked a bit disjointed at times and could have struggled had Newcastle got the early goal last Monday. All this been said I expect this to be a comfortable win for the Red Devils. Mystic Jarv predicts 1-3 to United

Monday 23^rd August

Manchester City V Liverpool

This is a tough game to predict, on balance it should really be a walk over for City. Lots of expensive players, the same manager as last season against Liverpool with a new manager and not a lot strengthening. In practice I expect it to be tight and one team might steal it late on but i'll go for a draw. Mystic Jarv predicts a 1-1 draw

So there you go

By Steve Jarvis