Welcome to Shooter vs Looter, where our two tipsters go head to head and give you their expert opinions on the upcoming showdowns. You'll also get pointers towards possible scores so you can have a stab at the tie-break.
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Archived tips :
Blackburn vs Arsenal
Shooter : Don't read too much into Rovers' last Prem game, a 4-1 defeat at West Ham, as two goals came in stoppage time. Ince has made such a good start that Newcastle are sniffing around him - but this is a stiff test as Walcott and van Persie are both red-hot right now. I've got a feeling the Gunners will drop more points, though, in a 2-2 draw.
Prediction : Draw Actual Result : Away Win
Looter : I think many people would assume that Ewood Park is not that happy a hunting ground for the Gunners, but Arsene Wenger's troops have actually triumphed on three of their last four Prem visits here. I think they may well find it tough to conjure up another win because the centre of Arsenal's midfield just does not have enough bite, so I think Paul Ince's charges will battle their way to a point. 1-1
Prediction : Draw Actual Result : Away Win
Fulham vs Bolton
Shooter : Fulham have had a long time to savour their 1-0 win over Arsenal but will be fresh as daisies as they've only played 2 Prem games. Hodgson has built a really strong squad at the Cottage, and I think Bolton - who drew 0-0 with Albion last time out - will find Bullard, Gera and Murphy too clever for them. 2-0 for me
Prediction : Home Win Actual Result : Home Win
Looter : Craven Cottage has been a pretty happy hunting ground for the Trotters over the years, with the club having chalked up an impressive 31 wins here. But Fulham look really determined to be a force at home this term, as Arsenal found out on their recent visit here. I don't think the goals will flow, but I do think Fulham will pinch the points. 1-0
Prediction : Home Win Actual Result : Home Win
Man City vs Chelsea
Shooter : The spotlight will firmly be on Robinho at Eastlands, but a certain Mr Wright-Phillips will also be looking to make a point against Big Phil's Blues, who will find the injured Essien hard to replace. Chelsea only just edged Wigan and drew with Spurs so are not 'Untouchable' - and I think the likes of Robinho and Elano will give Terry and co a few headaches. I reckon 1-1.
Prediction : Draw Actual Result : Away Win
Looter : Expect this one to be tagged the 'Clash of the Billionaires' or something equally as exotic by a few of our beloved red tops! But Chelsea are old hat when it comes to putting wannabes in their place and, despite the absence of Michael Essien, I think they'll go here and give former target Robinho a debut to forget. 0-2
Prediction : Away Win Actual Result : Away Win
Newcastle vs Hull City
Shooter : Had Hull been in a bit of form, I might have steered towards an away win here such is the turmoil surrounding St James' Park. Managerless, rudderless and with a clueless owner who seemingly wants out, the Toon are there for the taking - and there's talk of mutiny in the stands towards Ashley. But the fans will get right behind the players after venting their fury - and the Tigers are still licking their wounds after a 5-0 walloping by Wigan. A 3-1 win for me.
Prediction : Home Win Actual Result : Away Win
Looter : There's talk of a mass boycott from the Geordie faithful ahead of this match and you could well imagine a muted atmosphere playing right into Hull's hands. But Newcastle, despite all their trials and tribulations, have passionate support and three points in this one - under the caretaker duties of Chris Hughton - should put a smile back on a few faces. And with the centre of Hull's defence looking very shaky last time out against Wigan, I expect Newcastle to cash in. 3-1
Prediction : Home Win Actual Result : Away Win
Stoke City vs Everton
Shooter : The Potters are going to be a tough nut to crack at The Brit this season due to their hugely physical line-up and fiercely loyal home crowd. But they won't keep many clean sheets this season - and Everton's counter-attacking style is more suited to games on the road, using the pace of Yakubu and Arteta's guile. I reckon 1-2
Prediction : Away Win Actual Result : Away Win
Looter : The live TV cameras roll into the Britannia for the first time this term and Stoke will be hoping for another entertaining encounter. They beat Villa in dramatic fashion in their last home game, and with Everton expected to blood one or two new faces they could cash in again. But Everton looked good against WBA last time around so I'm opting for a score draw in this one. 2-2
Prediction : Draw Actual Result : Away Win
Q.P.R. vs Southampton
Shooter : Saints have made a pretty lousy start to the season under their new gaffer and could be in for long survival battle. Moneybags Rangers, meanwhile, have played 2 won 2 at home so far, and I think they'll make three the magic number with ease. 3-0
Prediction : Home Win Actual Result : Home Win
Looter : Rangers were some bookmakers' favourites to go up at the start of the season, based purely on the fact they have (very) rich benefactors. But it's all about what you do on the field and they already have maximum points from their home games this term. Saints, on the other hand, have been inconsistent at best, and I expect them to roll over at Loftus Road where former striker Dextor Blackstock can find the target. 2-1
Prediction : Home Win Actual Result : Home Win
Portsmouth vs Middlesbro'
Shooter : Boro have made a cracking start to the season and morale is sky high, so this should be a belter. In Alves they've got a master goal-poacher to fire home Downing's bullets, while Pompey have little and large up front so will also be a handful. I'm going for 2-2.
Prediction : Draw Actual Result : Home Win
Looter : Boro have been excellent so far this season and it's testament to their form so far that the club are disappointed with six points from three games. Fratton Park is a notoriously tricky place to visit though and Boro will have a job on their hands here. However, they have a wealth of options up front and I think they might just nick all three points - especially with Pompey preparing for their first ever match in Europe five days later. 1-2
Prediction : Away Win Actual Result : Home Win
West Brom vs West Ham
Shooter : Had the Hammers been managerless heading to The Hawthorns, I might have fancied the Baggies to get on the victory board here. But new Irons boss Zola is likely to be in the stands, meaning every Hammer is going to bust a gut against a rockbottom Albion likely to be playing 4-5-1 at home with an inexperienced lone striker. 1-3
Prediction : Away Win Actual Result : Home Win
Looter : Baggies boss Tony Mowbray insists too much has been made about West Brom's disappointing start which has seen them pick up just one point from three games so far. But that won't get much easier when West Ham roll into The Hawthorns under the new leadership of Gianfranco Zola. New managers often make an instant impact with everyone trying to catch the new gaffer's eye - so I'm backing them to keep Albion firmly entrenched in the bottom three. 1-2
Prediction : Away Win Actual Result : Home Win
Wigan Ath vs Sunderland
Shooter : These two were involved in 8 goals last time they played in the Prem - sadly Sunderland shipped in 3 against Man City and Latics hit Hull with a high five at the KC Stadium. It's Bruce versus Keane on the touchlines, and I think the pug-faced former centre-back will have the last laugh on this occasion. 3-1
Prediction : Home Win Actual Result : Draw
Looter : Amr Zaki has very quickly endeared himself to the Wigan faithful and he'll be hoping to add to his impressive tally so far with his first home goal. Sunderland look stronger this season, but are there for the taking on the road, so I'm opting for a narrow home success. 2-1.
Prediction : Home Win Actual Result : Draw
Charlton vs Wolves
Shooter : Early league leaders Wolves are buzzing right now, playing with two out-and-out wingers, powerful strikers and scoring goals for fun after smashing five past Forest. Charlton lost at PNE but are into The Valley, having won both home games so far. I reckon 2-2.
Prediction : Draw Actual Result : Away Win
Looter : Wolves have started the season superbly and have strengthened their squad both in defence and up front. They also have Matt Jarvis and Michael Kightly in superb form and I think these two can give Charlton the run-around - especially amid rumours that the Addicks want Alan Curbishley back in the hotseat in place of the much-maligned Alan Pardew. 0-2
Prediction : Away Win Actual Result : Away Win
1st : Mr. Tickle (£6.40)
2nd : boggit (£1.60)
Golden Goal winner(s) :
nickrick (£5.00)
2nd : boggit (£1.60)
Golden Goal winner(s) :
nickrick (£5.00)
