Predictions Week 36

Yes, yes, yes, I'm back to 50% finally. After weeks of promises I have delivered and now I intend to maintain form over the last three rounds and prove that I indeed do know the prediction game. It feels good to be king!

Season-to-date: 160 from 320 = 50% (47 bulls-eyes)

Blackburn vs. Portsmouth

Getting rolled by a schizophrenic Man City club isn't going to ease relegation fears however the mathematics are simple - win and barring a collapse of ridiculous proportions, Sam Allardyce has done the job required of him when he replaced, Paul Ince - keep Rovers in the Premiership.

Portsmouth had enough chances last week to hurt Arsenal but in all fairness that couldn't hit a barn door with a sledgehammer. Peter Crouch was wasteful as was John Utaka but at the end of the day they may just escape the drop due to the woefulness of those below them.

Blackburn 2 - 1 Portsmouth

Bolton vs. Sunderland

Only four points separate these teams but it feels like the size of an ocean. Gary Megson knows that one point from his final three matches will be enough so I expect a performance much like the one produced at the JJB last week. They'll be no football played however they'll be lots of perspiration spent.

It really is now-or-never for the Black Cats. After having backed them for weeks to get out of trouble, I'm reluctant to leave them now but they have that smell about them. The sell-by-date has expired and they've been tossed into the 50% off shelf. If they can't get a point here it'll come down to the Portsmouth fixture.

Bolton 0 - 0 Sunderland

Everton vs. Tottenham

I keep thinking Everton will take an eye of the Premiership and save themselves for the FA Cup however David Moyes doesn't subscribe to my way of thinking. They were basically at full strength last week and they'll probably be a full strength this week, which means a steady diet of high-pressure football.

Other than the Man Utd hammering, Tottenham, has been in excellent form. With the Harry Redknapp fire-sale just weeks away, the rumor mill is working overtime around White Hart Lane about who will go and who will stay. This starting XI may answer some of those answers.

Everton 1 - 2 Tottenham

Fulham vs. Aston Villa

From certain relegation fodder to a possible place in the Europa League must go down as one of the biggest turnarounds in English football. It just goes to show you what an experienced coach can do when given the second most precious commodity in football, namely time. I hope other owners around the country and in particular the Premiership have paid attention.

Wow...it was ugly but finally Villa get a win after months of heartache. What Martin O'Neill has been going through, one can only wonder, however the Irishman does have character and belief. Now it's about finishing well and keeping the core of his side intact because the vultures are circling ready to pick off his best talent.

Fulham 2 - 2 Aston Villa

Hull vs. Stoke - The $100 Million Match Part I

That gurgling sound you hear coming from the KCS could well be Hull's last Premiership breath. They gave everything against a struggling Villa and came away with nothing - now is the last home stand. If ever Yorkshire grit was needed this is it because the men in white coats are standing by to take Phil Brown off to the funny farm.

Despite the surprising home loss to the Hammers, Tony Pulis can break out the champagne, caviar and plan that nice little retreat to the Costa Brava. With the pressure off I feel the Potters would like nothing better than to nail their fellow promoted club right back to the Championship.

Hull 2 - 2 Stoke

West Brom vs. Wigan

The Baggies have one thing in their favor, the Latics have already switched off and that may buy them another week of dreams about collapses, miracles and escapes. Anything other than a win though and the dream becomes reality and a nightmare meaning relegation back to the Championship.

Professionalism will be the key word for Steve Bruce and his Latics however it will be awfully tough to achieve as safety has been assured. I expect a half-hearted display but that might be enough.

West Brom 2 - 1 Wigan

West Ham vs. Liverpool

West Ham owner, Bjorgolfur Gudmudsson, has dents of over $550 million and has stated his desire to sell the club ASAP! Despite this turmoil, Gianfranco Zola's team keeps ticking along picking up valuable points. It's not so hard to imagine them as a real threat if Zola was given a war chest the size of a Aston Villa.

At this point all the Reds can do is keep winning and hope that United slip up. Their recent football has a fizz about it and I can't but help wonder that a early European knockout might have focused them more fully to the prize that really matters. Rumors about the sale of the club keep popping up along with rumors of a new partner for Fernando Torres - who will it be - answers on a postcard please.

West Ham 1 - 3 Liverpool

Sunday

Arsenal vs. Chelsea

The look on the Professors face as Cristiano Ronaldo, the world's greatest footballer, drove a stake through his heart was painful to experience. It consigned Arsenal to another season without the most important commodity in football, silverware. The board must by now see the writing on the wall and know that unless they back their manager to the tune of many millions in the transfer market, Arsenal will continue to go backwards.

Talking of pain, what the Blues experienced on Wednesday night was plain wrong. They were robbed just as they were tasting a saucy spaghetti and sipping a frisky Chianti outside the Coliseum - at least they have the FA Cup Final to fall back on as a booby prize. For Guus Hiddink, his luck has run out and he'll have to think about adjust his tactics for a London rival that plays similarly to Barcelona.

Arsenal 1 - 1 Chelsea

Manchester United vs. Man City

High-octane football is a trademark of Man Utd and I must say, I'm feeling a little heady from the fumes. With Ronaldo destined to be leaving Old Trafford, the Portuguese flyer will want to end it all on a high. I think he'll turn the derby into a masterpiece as a special thank you before heading off to the Bernabeau. With the Champions League final booked, Ferguson, will have tunnel vision as number 18 looms.

City are finishing with a little flourish and would love nothing more than to repeat last year's victory at the home of their biggest rivals. Perhaps the rumors of a 'special' arrival from Milan and I'm not talking Kaka has the players thinking about their futures. With nothing to play for Mark Hughes' men should have the ability to perform with total freedom - Ronaldo vs. Robinho, Madrid future legend vs. Madrid reject...mouthwatering.

Man Utd 3 - 1 Man City

Monday

Newcastle vs. Middlesbrough - The $100 Million Match Part II

The winner survives in the Premiership - the loser goes down!

The fear of relegation has a vice like grip on the Magpies and this fixture really is the last chance. With rumors of a dressing room split and the stench of Joey Barton lingering far too long into the biggest week in the clubs history, perhaps going down would be their best bet. At least they could rebuild from scratch, get back to basics, ship out the dead wood and restore pride to a Northeast institution.

Middlesbrough has been in freefall for weeks, which makes the victory of Liverpool even more remarkable - just where did it come from? I fear for the Teesiders that when they go down (they are), they'll not bounce straight back. If I were chairman, Steve Gibson, I'd look to the future and hire a manager that has a proven track record - Gareth Southgate needs to go back to the reserves.

Newcastle 1 - 0 Middlesbrough

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