Every week I will be doing predictions (Imy’s gimme) on the English Premier League. I expect you people to challenge me and we can see who has the better prediction. So here it goes.

Saturday 15 October 2011

Liverpool V Man Utd: - 12.45 local time, 16.45 PST

This game at Anfield brings together England’s two most successful teams. Liverpool will be looking to win against their rivals to maintain a title charge, whereas the inform United will look to win to stay as the leaders of the league.

Imy’s Gimme: - Despite a valiant effort from the Merseyside club, the champions will win 1-2

Man City V Aston Villa: - 15.00 Local 19.00 PST

The high flying Manchester club will look to maintain a superb start to the season, which as seen them, along with Man Utd, run away clear at the top. 7th place Villa will know a win can take them into the top 5.
Imy’s Gimme: - The richest club in the world will overcome the midlands club with ease. 2-0

Norwich V Swansea: - 15.00 Local, 19.00 PST

Two, of three, promoted clubs will play in what can become a fascinating encounter. Both clubs have had a great start and will look to take three points and in order stay clear of a possible relegation tussle towards the end of the season.
Imy’s Gimme: - A really entertaining game will end 2-2

QPR V Blackburn: - 15.00 Local, 19.00 PST

After losing their last game 6-0 QPR will look to get things back on track against a Blackburn team that are 2^nd from bottom.

Imy’s Gimme: - More misery for Blackburn as QPR take the 3 points, 1-0

Stoke V Fulham: - 15.00 Local, 19.00 PST

Both teams are around mid table and both teams would be looking to take the spoils in, as expected, a physical encounter.

Imy’s Gimme: - A tight encounter will end with the points shared. 1-1

Wigan V Bolton: - 15.00 Local, 19.00 PST

Both teams are in the relegation zone and in desperate need to win and gain three points.

Imy’s Gimme: - Both teams will show why they are in the relegation zone in a dire game. 1-1

Chelsea V Everton 17.30 Local, 21.30 PST

The inform Londoners take on Everton that have been a mixed bag this season.  Chelsea need a win to create pressure on the Manchester clubs and Everton need a win to stay away from the relegation zone.

Imy’s Gimme: - Expect a rampant Chelsea romp 3-0

Sunday 16 October

West Brom V Wolves: - 12.00 Local, 16.00 PST

Another encounter against two teams near the relegation zone and a win will be imperative.

Imy’s Gimme: - A close encounter will finish 1-1

Arsenal V Sunderland: - 13.30 Local, 17.30 PST

Struggling Gooner’s take on Sunderland, who are one place below them in the league.  A must win for Arsenal.

Imy’s Gimme: - Arsenal back on track, but not before another fragile defensive performance. 2-1

Newcastle V Tottenham: - 16.00 Local, 20.00 PST

4^th placed Newcastle take on 6^th placed Spurs in what promises to be a exhibition of attacking Football.
Imy’s Gimme: - Going to really stick my neck in this one and say a 2-3 win Spurs.

Bangladesh Vs West Indies 1st ODI Preview

West Indies are in Bangladesh for a series of 2 Tests, 3 ODIs and a T20 International. The tour games have ended in the favor of the West Indies where they beat BCB XI by 65 runs in 45-over Tour Match and 75 runs in the Practice T20 match. The one-off T20 was played today and it came as a blow to the Windies when Bangladesh beat them by 3 wickets and a delivery left. Captain Mushfiqur Rahim finally proved a point that he can deliver when the situation demands. But the real test for the Bangladeshi Tigers will begin from the ODI series starting from 13th October. Bangladeshis have had a pretty ordinary tour of the Zimbabwe and will be jolted in terms of their confidence, whereas the Windies also have had their share of bad luck in their series against Pakistan and India. This tour will be an assessment of both the teams where the batting of both the teams will be under scrutiny.

Windies will not be having the services of Chris Gayle but in their bowling department, Ravi Rampaul has impressed almost everyone. The Bangladeshis on the other hand have also opted to drop Junaid Siddiqui whereas Alok Kapali and Naeem Islam have got a call-back. The 1st ODI is going to be played at Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Mirpur, which is known for its slow pitch and low bounce with some assistance for the spinners. Bangladeshis have checked into their spin department with the services of Shakib Al-Hassan and Abdur Razzak. As for Windies, their ‘Emerging Player of The Year’; Davindra Bishoo will be hoping to capitalize on these tracks. The West Indies look like the probable winners, but Bangladeshi too can be handful on their particular day.

Most RUNS:

Sialkot Stallions win it for a 6th time.......

The Pakistan Government has announced that PCB Chairman, Ijaz Butt, will stand down from duty as of tomorrow and have named Zaka Ashraf has his replacement. Ashraf, president at Zarai Tarakiyati Bank will take charge with immediate effect.

This seems to be a surprise choice as his name wasn’t mentioned in the possible names to take over. It was also said that Ijaz Butt was looking for an extension to his three year stay but was refused, after careful thinking.  Butt’s stay has involved the Sri Lankan bus attack in Lahore, which resulted in no International games in Pakistan. Also incidents like the spot-fixing, claims of England players being fixers and Zulqarnain Haider running away marred his stay. Ijaz Butt’s golden moment came in 2009 when, Younis Khan’s led Pakistan won the second edition of the World T20.