Liverpool have failed to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages, and that was the first of my predictions last weekend! I think I’m getting better at this whole football pundit thingy =P

Well, fine… It’s not a very impressive prediction considering how it was almost impossible for them to qualify… But Nelsen (our host on Football Every Day) asked me for a prediction, and I answered! So there.

But Ianyway, here are some of the other predictions I made on our most recent episode of Football Every Day:

Everton 3 – 2 Liverpool – Both teams have been shaky at the back, but both will be desperate to win; so I’m going for a five-goal thriller. However, with Liverpool’s current crisis in confidence, and the promise shown by the physical yet purposeful Yakubu-Saha-Fellaini combination last weekend against Manchester United, I think Everton will pip it.

However, Stevie G is nearing his devastating best, and Everton did struggle against Fletcher and Carrick in midfield. How Gerrard plays, or how Everton contain him, will be crucial.

Arsenal 1 – 2 Chelsea – If you asked me, I think the Blues have had it pretty easy with the fixture list so far. Don’t get me wrong, they are a (financially) formidable side. But their wins against Tottenham, Liverpool and United were all at home, and they certainly required some luck to beat United. Arsenal at home will be the biggest test of their season so far, which is why I initially predicted 2-1 to Arsenal on Football Every Day…

But with injuries to defenders like Bill Gallas (I’m hoping this nickname sticks for him) and Kieran Gibbs, I think Chelsea will nick this one, even without Frank Lampard. The returning Joe Cole will torment Arsenal, who are pretty suspect in the areas just in front of the back four, where Cole will no doubt be playing. Wenger has just never dealt with the loss of Mathieu Flamini.

Portsmouth 0 – 4 Manchester United – Having qualified for the knockout stages in Europe, United will have the rare luxury of resting players. I think Portsmouth will be the unfortunate recipients of a whipping from a refreshed United side, unless Fergie gets slack and decides to field a weakened team.

Even then, I still think United simply have too much firepower for Pompey. You can expect Michael Owen to start, and against a team like Pompey, you can expect him to score too.

Let’s see if it’s a case of one step forward, three steps back for me 😉