How do Man Utd beat Barcelona?

Few managers have worked out the answer to this question. Even the 'special one' struggles to work out how to stop one of the greatest sides ever. and this will be the only thought on Sir Alex Ferguson's mind as the Champions League final draws nearer. For the second time in three years it will be between Man Utd and Barcelona who also contested the 2009 final where Barcelona won their third ever Champions League by beating Ferguson's men 2 - 0. That night the goals came courtesy of Samuel Eto'o who has since left and Lionel Messi. Undoubtedly, Messi will play a big part again when he steps out onto the Wembley Turf.

The departure of Eto'o is one example of the changes that we've seen at both clubs. Barcelona have added the likes of David Villa to their ranks and United have signed Javier Hernandez whilst Cristiano Ronaldo swapped Old Trafford for Barca's main rivals.

After having seen his side dominated by Barcelona two years ago, Ferguson faces some big decision has he attempts to overcome one of the best sides of all time.

Premiership Predictions

Bolton v Tottenham Prediction 0 - 2
Bolton continue to improve under Owen Coyle and I have been impressed with them this season. The same can be said about Tottenham who produced a stunning team perfomance in midweek to beat the current champions Inter Milan and to put themselves within touching distance of qualifying from the group stages. Although it was a great team performance, Gareth Bale's stunning perfomances on both games with Inter have got everybody talking. I wouldn't go as far in my praise of him as some have but I certainly feel that he is a very talented individual with a bright future. One thing for sure is that Bolton will have to keep a close eye on the flying Welshman and do a little more to deal with the threat he poses than Rafa Benitez did. However, even if Bolton do keep Bale there are plenty of other players who Harry Redknapp can call upon. Luka Modric, Rafa Van der Vaart and Aaron Lennon all played very well against Inter with Roman Pavlyuchenko and Peter Crouch also getting on the scoresheet. Some may say that Spurs will be jaded after their European exploits but I think that it will give them a big boost in confidence and I think we will see a comfortable Tottenham win.

Birmingham v West Ham Prediction 1 - 0
David Gold will be banned ffrom the directors box at St Andrews for this one and the former Birmingham owners should except a frosty reception. On the field, I expect a close game with Birmingham struggling to socre many despite having an excellent home record. West Ham are still struggling and I can't see them beating a resilient Hammers outfit.

Blackburn v Wigan Prediction 2 - 0
I expect another comfortable home win and another disappointing away day for unpredictable Wigan. Wigan are struggling and were beaten comfortably by Fulham at Craven Cottage last week. Sam Allardyce's side aren't having a great time of things either but I expect that they will register some much needed points on Saturday.

Blackpool v Everton Prediction 1 - 2
Everton continue to move up the table after a typically slow start. Yakubu, in particurlar, is finding his form and will hope to add to his goal against Stoke last Saturday. Blackpool won't be quite as fresh after their Monday night clash with West Brom but the confidence that they will gain from a win over an ill-disciplined Baggies side will be a big boost to Ian Holloway's men. They always seem to have goals in them but Everton are a resilient and experienced Premeirship side who I expect will edge this encounter.

Fulham v Aston Villa Prediciton 1 - 1
This should be an interesting and tight encounter at the Cottage. Mark Hughes' men recored a much needed and well deserved victory over Wigan last weekend and will hope to build on that. However, Houllier men will have different ideas as they show signs of improvement.The news that Marc Albrighton has committed his future to Villa for the next 3 years will also be a big boost. However, I think the points will be shared in this one.

Man Utd v Wolves 3 - 0
Wolves defeated one half of Manchester last weekend and will be hoping to defeat the other half this weekend. However, City are going in to a sticky spell whereas United are definitely on the up. United's controversial win over Spurs was followed by a comfortable result in Turkey in midweek. They could close the gap between themselves and Chelsea to just 2 points on Saturday with a winand will be desperate to do so.

Sunderland v Stoke Prediction 1 - 0
I don't know whether Sunderland's recent 5 - 1 loss to rivals Newcastle will be a good thing or a bad thing for Stoke as they make the trip to the Stadium of Light. Stoke are tricky opposition and difficult to beat making it unlikely that Sunderland will be able to respond to their doubters with a big win but the omens don't look good for Stoke who are on a losing run and haven't scored away at Sunderland since their promotion.I think Sunderland might edge this one and get their season back on track.

Premiership Review

Arsenal v West Ham Prediction 3 - 0


Actual Score: 1 - 0


Arsenal had to rely on a late Alex Song header to overcome a spirited West Ham side. Song's goal means that Avram Grant's side remain rooted to the bottom of the Premier League but will be encouraged by their performance and, in particurlar, the performance of their goalkeeper Rob Green who's confidence seems to be returning after his disastrous World Cup. If it wasn't for Green I may have got the exact scoreline correct but atleast I correctly predicted the result.





Blackburn v Chelsea Prediction 0 - 2


Actual Score: 0 - 2
As I anticipated, a trip to Ewood Park was a tough test even for high-flying Chelsea. I expected Chelsea to edge but it took another late goal from another unlikely source for Chelsea to ensure 3 points. Branislav Ivanovic's late header rescued the points for Chelsea after Blackburn had taken the lead through Benjani before Anelka equalised.





Everton v Stoke Prediction 1 - 0


Actual score: 1 - 0


For a change, I got the scoreline exactly right in this one. This was never going to be a classic with Stoke always difficult to be on the road but I predicted that Everton would edge this one with their recent good form and home advantage. It was Yakubu who scored the decisive goal in the second half after Tim Cahill's shot rattled the woodwork. Stoke may have felt aggrieved after seeing what looked like a perfectly good goal from Tuncay disallowed.

Fulham v Wigan Prediction 2 - 1

Actual Score: 2 - 0
Onc again I'm pleased to be on target with another prediction although the scoreline wasn't exactly right. It is generally quite difficult to predict Wigan's result as they are so unpredictable under Roberto Martinez but Fulham controlled the game despute their recent poor form. Clint Dempsey sored both goals in the 1st half for Fulham.



Wolves v Man City Prediction 0 - 2

Actual Score: 2 - 1

Wolves surprised me with a great result at Molineux. Despite the fact that City were without Tevez and Wolves's recent performances against Chelsea and Man Utd suggested that a result like this might be around the corner, I still thought that City might edge this one. Wolves proved me wrong with goals from Milijas and Edwards after Adebayor had given City the lead.

Man Utd v Tottenham Prediction 2 - 1

Actual Score 2 - 0
Man Utd's returning confidence and form suggested that they would see off a tough Tottenham side at Old Trafford and managed it even more comfortably than I had expected. However, that was due to a controversial own goal scored by Nani. Vidic gave Man Utd the lead with a magnificent glancing header after both Park and Van der Vaart had struck the post before Clattenburg allowed Nani's goal to stand despite the fact that he had clearly handled the ball.