Looking at my predictions from last week left me feeling pathetic, humiliated, humbled and gasping as to how low I could possibly go. Football kicked me in the teeth, I mean a blind monkey could've done better and as for Nostradamus, the less said the better. I'm going to give myself the 'hair-dryer' treatment and emerge from this slump.

They'll be no boasting from me as 50% for the season looks like a mirage in the Sahara - lovely but not realistic bah!

Season-to-date: 153 from 310 = 49% (46 bulls-eyes)

Chelsea vs. Fulham

Chelsea may not have appealed to the purists in Catalunia in the 0-0 draw with Barcelona however you can't argue against the effectiveness of their tactics. I don't expect to see two holding midfield players today but I do expect to witness the power that the Blues typically display against clubs that they consider inferior to them.

Fulham have got to be the feel good story of the season as they've moved from the outhouse to the penthouse over the last twelve months. Much of this can be put down to the injury free campaign that the Cottagers have enjoyed and the wily coaching of many pundits favorite for manager of the year, Roy Hodgson.

Chelsea 1 - 0 Fulham

Man City vs. Blackburn

Perhaps Mark Hughes has been reading the tabloids about his imminent demise because somehow he fired up his team to actually perform away from home last time out. It must be frustrating supporting a club like City as you never know what to expect. On paper they should stroll to victory however once they get on the green stuff it's another story.

Sam Allardyce will know that 3 more measly points will be enough for safety however points in the BPL are the toughest find when you desperately need them. They look to have good spirit though and that along with Benni McCarthy's goals will carry them across the finish line.

Man City 2 - 1 Blackburn

Middlesbrough vs. Man Utd

Football in the northeast of England is more than a sport, it is life itself. The last time vibes were this gloomy Boro almost disappeared from the game and were only saved by the determination of Steve Gibson and the fans. It's hard to predict where they'll go from here but echoes of Leeds United's collapse abound. From UEFA Cup finalists three years ago to the scrapheap.

That 15 minute spell against Tottenham was one of the most breathtaking spells of football I've ever witnessed. It reminded me of walking down the street as a Ferrari passes by and then decides to open up the throttle. The roar, the power, the wow as the hairs on your neck stand to attention and to think, at half-time I was patting myself on the back for having predicted a draw...doh!

Middlesbrough 0 -2 Man Utd

Portsmouth vs. Arsenal

Portsmouth have clawed their way out of relegation quicksand and now have the good luck to meet an Arsenal team with more than one eye on another competition. Defensively they've been excellent under Paul Hart thanks in a large part to David James and Sol Campbell who'll have plenty of motivation for this one.

Let's be honest, 4th is all but guaranteed, so what's the point in sending out anyone but the reserves for this fixture. Arsene Wenger cannot afford any injuries with a 2nd leg semi-final date versus United just three days away.

Portsmouth 1 - 1 Arsenal

Stoke vs. West Ham

If Roy Hodgson is MOTY, Tony Pulis must run him a very close second. The January window transfer of James Beattie has to be the buy of the season because the combination of Beattie and Ricardo Fuller has been sensational. In conjunction with one of the best home records in the BPL, Stoke, fully deserve another season with the big boys.

Gianfranco Zola looks like a very ambitious manager so I'm a little flummoxed as to why he would sign a four-year deal with a club that is in such a perilous financial state. Then it came to me - Chelsea will swoop in at the end of Hiddink's tenure and then be forced to pay West Ham a tidy sum of money in compensation - finally some smart business at Upton Park.

Stoke 1 - 0 West Ham

Tottenham vs. West Brom

Watching Howard Webb celebrating down at the Stretford End with Ronaldo & co must've really stuck in Harry Redknapp's throat - okay I'm joking but who knows what would've happened had the pen not gone United's way. This will be a nice little rebounder for the Londoners and they'll need to display some character.

Where an earth did that Sunderland destruction come from asked Tony Mowbray on Sunday morning - if only we knew Tone because some of that spirit four months ago would see you in mid-table instead of holding up the trapdoor. It could be officially over after this round, so Baggie fans, enjoy every minute of it.

Tottenham 2 - 1 West Brom

Wigan vs. Bolton

As pitiful as my prediction powers were last week, I did get Wigan spot on. Joining them on the deckchairs this weekend and supping Margaritas are Bolton. You might have to let the punters in for nothing at the JJB or we could see an all time Premiership low attendance.

Wigan 1 - 1 Bolton

Sunday

Liverpool vs. Newcastle

'What if' are the two words that begin every sentence for Liverpool supporters. What if we hadn't tied Fulham, West Ham etc.  What if we hadn't lost to Boro . What if Torres hadn't been injured.  Unfortunately we'll never know 'what if' however if I may suggest a new tactic, namely 'next season...'

I wonder why so many of us get sucked into this 'Messiah' business. I'll hold my hand up and say guilty. Maybe its because we remember what once was...Liverpool/Newcastle, the match of the decade. Today, its just another nail in the coffin of a proud club. The Toon Army weeps.

Liverpool 2 - 0 Newcastle

Sunderland vs. Everton

The only satisfaction Sunderland has at the moment is that Newcastle is in worse shape than they are. To get rolled over by the Baggies was pathetic and sums up all that is wrong with the Black Cats - they have no heart and the faithful know it. How do you cheer for a team like that?

Luckily for the Mackams, Everton will be thinking more about the FA Cup Final and trying to avoid injuries, which they couldn't do last week losing Phil Jagielka than the Premiership. With a place in Europe guaranteed, if I were David Moyes, I'd do a 'Fergie' and call up the reserves.

Sunderland 0 - 0 Everton

Monday

Aston Villa vs. Hull

I almost feel like we have to step back in time to black & white television for this one. Do you remember when the Villains and Tigers were the darlings of the division. These clubs would swagger into the Emirates and walk off with the max (the only 2 teams to do so). Martin O'Neill and Phil Brown were innovative and daring managers. 

Now what do we think about the teams and the managers? Football is at times a cruel, unsophisticated game that ultimately measures itself with a table, a table that requires only one thing...RESULTS!

Aston Villa 3 - 0 Hull

Until then, I'll see you at the far post.