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predictions

With the first show this Sunday, Greg and Richie are proud to present our predictions for this weekend's action. Here are our thoughts on Saturday's games (plus predictions for the season as a whole):

EPL

Blackburn vs Wolves

Greg: I think Wolves will struggle to survive in the premiership and their up and down form so far doesn't do much to prove me wrong. Conversely this Blackburn side has all the hallmarks of a Big Sam team: physical, strong, organised and well-drilled at set-plays. They may only have one point so far, but Allardyce is building a decent mid-table outfit here and one that is more than capable of beating the teams in the bottom half of the table. Prediction: 2-0

Richie: I agree with Greg. Wolves will be missing to many important players and will be blunt in attack while Blackburn have a number of players im midfield such as Dunn and Pedersen who can chip in with goals even if Benni McCarthy misses this one. They also welcome back Diouf, Nelsen and Emerton - all seasoned professionals used to the rigours of Premier League football and they will thwart a Wolves attack without Iwelumo and possibly Ebanks-Blake. Prediction: 2-0

Liverpool vs Burnley

Greg: This is a fixture of stark contrasts: after their best challenge in recent memory Liverpool were widely tipped (myself included) to win the league this year while Burnley, as a small and newly promoted team were tipped for relegation. Liverpool have been very disappointing so far while Burnley have been brilliant and pulled off the first major shock when they beat the champions. Finally Liverpool are in financial turmoil while Burnely are one of the most financially secure teams in the land. However with Gerrard grabbing two for England midweek he may be back to his best after Benitez questioned his form and Liverpool will win this, but maybe not by as much as they would hope. Prediction: 2-1

Richie: Liverpool will be keen to kickstart their league campaign after a few false starts and I think they'll do it after the international break. They will once again struggle without Xabi Alonso (now of Real Madrid) and with Aquilani still not fit but Gerrard has found form and so they should be able to push on and comfortably win. On the other hand Burnley will be travelling to Anfield, renowned for being a tricky place to get anything and I'm sure Owen Coyle won't have planned to pick up many points this weekend. Prediction: 3-0

Man City vs Arsenal

Greg: The team that spends £200m and MIGHT break into the top 4 vs the team that rarely splashes the cash yet still sneaks into teh top 4. Both have started well and Arsenal were unlucky to lose against Man Utd. However with Arshavin injured I can't see this Arsenal team hurting Man City and the home team are strong going forward. Prediction: 1-0

Richie: I'm not sure what to make of Arsenal this season. I expected them to struggle a lot more than they have done so far but I think when they suffer a few injuries the inexperience of their squad will be exposed once again. Man City have quality all over the pitch but once again lack a meaty ballwinner in the middle so it really could be a revealing match. Tevez will be missing for City and Robinho is a doubt while Arsenal will be without Arshavin, Walcott and Nasri so a lot of the flair will be missing on both sides. I'm torn between going for City to nick it or a 1-1 draw. Adebayor could make the difference as he'll be hard to handle as he faces his old side so I think I'll go for City but only just. Prediction: 2-1

Portsmouth vs Bolton

Greg: Not nil-nil but null-nu...oh wait sorry, I know what I'm talking about. Sadly though the old timer is right: this isn't going to be a classic. However I think Bolton are serious relegation contenders this season and once again I'm tipping the home team. Prediction: 1-0

Richie: Early contender to be on MOTD last on Saturday night without a ball being kicked in anger. Portsmouth are falling apart at the seams and don't just lack quality in some areas but just lack players! I'm gonna go for Bolton to nick it with a scrappy Kevin Davies tap in, maybe off his shin or something. Prediction: 0-1

Stoke vs Chelsea

Greg: Sorry Richie, but Man Utd have a real battle on their hands to keep Chelsea at bay this season. I tipped Liverpool (and it's far too early to change that) but from what I have seen so far Chelsea are looking fantastic. The age of the squad means that this could be their best chance to grab a league and Champions League double, and they will simply have too much for a good Stoke team. Should make for a good match this one. Prediction: 1-3

Richie: I think Chelsea will thrive once a siege mentality develops at the Bridge in the face of the transfer embargo. For so many seasons Chelsea have struggled to kick on despite having the obvious advantage of unrivalled buying power in the EPL but the Kakuta saga and Man City taking over as the rich boys Chelsea can shake a few monkeys off their back and go on a run of professional wins. I expect Ancelotti to have spent the international break wisely and they'll come away with the three points. Prediction: 0-3

Sunderland vs Hull

Greg: Who would have thought Sunderland would splash the cash so much? Well they have, and Steve Bruce is doing a good job at building a secure mid-table team. However Hull could struggle this season, but I still just fancy them to stay up (and only just). Prediction: 1-1

Richie: Unlike Greg I think Hull will be lucky if they stay up for another season. After promising so much in the first half of last season they had relegation form from then until the end of last season. I expect Steve Bruce to give Sunderland more direction this season and they should win this one. Prediction: 2-1

Wigan vs West Ham

Greg: With survival the all-important factor in the premiership, I fancy Wigan to struggle and Martinez is my tip to be the first manager out the door. They've had a rocky start, but new players have been brought in so it's all about how they gel into a team over the next few weeks. West Ham are a far more settled side and have a manager with real potential in Zola. Prediction: 0-2

Richie: Wigan need to put the shock and disappointment of being knocked out of the league cup by Blackpool by picking up some points at home on Saturday. I think Rodallega is central to success for Wigan this season and they could be reliant on him to nick a point against the more settled West Ham side. Prediction: 1-1

Tottenham vs Man Utd

Greg: Once again Man Utd have started a bit shakily and people are lining up to dismiss them. They have a habit of poor starts and then getting into top gear by Christmas and only a fool dismisses Man Utd. Spurs have had their best start in years, but is it another false dawn? Harry's reputation as the "wheeler-dealer" unfairly ignores his great man-management skills and he has a knack of getting the best out of players. This has the makings of a great fixture but I just fancy Man Utd to sneak it in a high scoring affair. Prediction: 2-3

Richie: I think if this match had been before the international break Spurs would be in with a real chance of causing an upset but not any more. Sir Alex mentioned that part of last seasons success was due to the international breaks which allowed himself and the senior players who have retired from international football to plan for the next Premier League match. Spurs are looking very dangerous recently and have made a great signing in the form of Kranjcar and the last few times Lennon's faced Evra he's given him the runaround. Regardless I believe United will hold firm. Prediction: 1-3

SPL

Celtic vs Dundee Utd

Greg: In my opinion Dundee Utd are the best team in Scotland outwith the Old Firm and have one of the finest managers. On their day they are capable of beating both Celtic and Rangers and Danny Cadamarteri has rightly won the player of the month award. Celtic showed a strength I wasn't sure they had when they saw out their last win against Hibs with only 10 men. I fancy Dundee Utd to take something from this game. Prediction: 1-1

Richie: This will be a real test for Celtic as I'm sure manager of the month Mowbray will have an eye on the Europa League in midweek. Check that for alliteration! I think Dundee United will make it onto the score sheet but I'm not sure they'll match the Hoops. Prediction: 2-1

Hearts vs Kilmarnock

Greg: Two teams that have struggled so far and this is unlikely to change for either of them. Laszlo has been whining lately that he has no money, and his recent behaviour (such as asking his players for career advice) is in danger of over-shadowing a good season last year. Laszlo needs to take a look at the opposition dugout and JJ: no money, cuts every year and yet he still manages to keep Kilmarnock in the top flight. Maybe not for long though. Prediction: 0-0

Richie: Hearts will welcome a few key players back and they could well make the difference on Saturday. Killie as usual lack the va va voom to turn losses into draws and draws into wins. Prediction: 2-0

Motherwell vs Rangers

Greg: This young Motherwell team has looked fantastic so far, as always the real test for a club like this will be when injuries and suspensions start to kick in, and how will such a young side cope with a long hard season? Rangers have started well and have a 100% record, the win against Hearts, although early in the season, will prove to be a big moment in the title race. Rangers will maintain their fine start. Prediction: 0-4

Richie: I like Motherwell. Largely because Northern Irish stalwart Stephen Craigan leads the defence. Rangers could have new signing Jeremy Rothen to show off at Fir Park before starting a new Champions League proper in midweek. Prediction: 0-2

St Mirren vs St Johnstone

Greg: Both have got off to decent starts and there really isn't much to seperate these two sides. St Johnstone are playing some really good football this year but I think the top-flight experience St Mirren have will just help them edge it. Prediction: 2-1

Richie: I'm going for St Johnstone mostly beacuse I would like to see the newly promoted side take a crucial three points on the road to one of the SPLs perennial strugglers. Prediction: 0-1

And here are the predictions for who will be collecting medals this year and who will be facing the drop. We at Fitba AM realise we're a little late so we promise these are the same predictions we would have made before the season kicked off.

Premiership

Greg: Winners: Liverpool (runners up: Chelsea) Richie: Chelsea (runners up: Man United) Greg: Relegated: Bolton, Wigan and Wolves Richie: Hull, Wolves and Wigan

FA Cup

Greg: Winners: Man Utd Richie: Liverpool

League Cup

Greg: Winners: Spurs Richie: Man United

SPL

Greg: Winners: Rangers (runners up: Celtic) Richie: Celtic (runners up: Rangers) Greg: Relegated: Hamilton Richie: Hamilton

Scottish Cup

Greg: Winners: Dundee Utd Richie: Rangers

League Cup

Greg: Winners: Celtic Richie: Rangers

Champions League

Greg: Winners: Chelsea Richie: Chelsea

Europa League

Greg: Winners: Far too difficult to call, still have the CL teams to drop in but for now i'll say Villarreal

Richie: Arsenal

Posted at 14:36, 11th September 2009