Friday 15 April 2011

Predictions For Premier League Gameweek 33.

It's that time of the week again when I attempt to predict the outcomes of the upcoming Premier League games. As this is FA Cup semi final weekend there will be a few teams not playing, and there are also some midweek games to come as well. It means fantasy football managers have to be very aware of which players will have two games this week, and which players won't play at all.

My predictions weren't exactly great yet again last week, as I only managed to get four correct outcomes, and no correct scorelines. However, I forgot to fill in my forecasts on the official site, and the automatic selection worked wonders for me. It meant I didn't lose any ground, and I really need to be gaining ground on those ahead of me at this stage.


Here's a look at how my predictions league stands.

NC 1
(1)
_Bradley08 1570 +70 0
NC 2
(2)
essexgooner1965 1215 +50 0
NC 3
(3)
preetgreet 1195 +55 0
NC 4
(4)
aranmichael 1025 +60 5
NC 5
(5)
Nickmc1980 955 +45 0
Up 6
(7)
COSGOONER 905 +140 5
Down 7
(6)
Imjola 860 +35 0
NC 8
(8)
billygooner_29 760 +10 0
NC 9
(9)
Sinesladael 715 +30 0
Up 10
(11)
Tibiux 675 +45 0

SATURDAY

Birmingham v Sunderland
Birmingham v Sunderland

Birmingham are still only three points above the drop zone, and they will see a home game against Sunderland as an ideal opportunity to widen that gap. Their biggest problem is scoring goals, and as long as they continue to have difficulties in that department, they will struggle. Kevin Phillips could be a crucial player for them in their last seven games.

Sunderland are on a dreadful run, and if they don't get some points soon they could possibly be in relegation trouble themselves. If they lose this game by two goals they will fall behind Birmingham in the table, and the prospect of a relegation dogfight will become a reality. Since they sold Darren Bent in January, they have gone into free fall, as his goals have been badly missed. Their defence was pretty solid before Bent left, but they have now conceded 21 goals in their last eight games. I can't see how Bent would have influenced that statistic, and it just seems to be a coincidence to me.

Both teams would probably settle for a point, but I think Birmingham will get all three and pile even more pressure on Steve Bruce and his team.


Prediction: 2-1

Blackpool v Wigan
Blackpool v Wigan

Blackpool are only a point above the relegation zone, and they have conceded more goals than any other team in the Premier League so far this season. They have only won one of their last 12 games, and if they don't turn things around very soon, they will be on a return trip to the Championship. They did very well in the first half of the season, but teams are really punishing them the second time around.

Wigan are still rooted to the bottom of the table, and they are the lowest scorers in the league too. They performed very well away to Chelsea last week, and were only beaten by a very bad refereeing decision. Their defence has been pretty solid since their early troubles, and like Blackpool they do their best to play good football. They will target this game as an absolute must win, if they are to survive in the Premier League this season.

This game can be truly described as a must win game for both teams, as the losers will definitely be in the bottom three after the game. I think Wigan are good enough to get the win that they need, and unfortunately Blackpool are in severe trouble.


Prediction: 1-2

Everton v Blackburn
Everton v Blackburn

Everton are on a very good run at the moment, and it has moved them up to seventh in the table. They are only four points behind Liverpool, and a win here will reduce that gap to one point before Liverpool travel to Arsenal the following day. There is still an outside chance for them to play in the Europa league next season, but they have to win this game to keep their chances alive.

Blackburn have slipped back to three points above the relegation zone, but like so many other teams their performances hardly merit relegation. Since Sam Allardyce was sacked they have played better football, but it won't be much good to them if they are relegated. I think they will give Everton a tough time, but their away form is very poor.


I think Everton will just about manage another victory, despite all of their injury problems.


Prediction: 1-1

West Brom v Chelsea
West Brom v Chelsea

West Brom have really turned their season around since the arrival of Roy Hodgson. They are now in the top half of the table, and relegation no longer seems to be lurking over their shoulders. Their home form is pretty impressive, and they will fancy their chances against a Chelsea team which suffered a Champions League exit in midweek. They will be hoping for another inspire display from Peter Odemwingie to keep their run going.

Chelsea only have the league left to play for, but they will need a miracle if they are going to win it. They cannot get the right combination among their forwards since Fernando Torres was signed, and it seems to be affecting their form. If they can win this game, and their midweek game against Birmingham, they will almost guarantee Champions League football for next season. It's still possible for them to finish second, but I just cannot see them winning the league. It means they will have no trophies this season, and that might just cost Carlo Ancolleti his job.

If Chelsea can pick themselves up after Tuesday night's disappointment, I think they can win this game, but the chances are it will end all square.

Prediction: 2-2

West Ham v Aston Villa
West Ham v Aston Villa
 
West Ham had a disappointing result last week, and they need to bounce back immediately. They are still only one point away from safety, and a win over fellow strugglers Villa would be just what they need.

Aston Villa just about beat Newcastle at home last week, but the most important thing for them was the result. It gave them a little breathing space in their relegation battle, and anything other than a defeat in this game would be very welcome. Their away form has been terrible though, and their defence has been a pale imitation of what it was in previous seasons.

I think West Ham will have enough to beat a Villa team which has conceded far too many goals on their travels.

Prediction: 2-1

 
SUNDAY
 
Arsenal v Liverpool
Arsenal v Liverpool
 
Arsenal are just about hanging in there in the race for the Premier League, after their victory over Blackpool last week. They still look very unsure of themselves at times, but if both Johan Djourou and Wojciech Szczesny are available to play it could be a welcome boost for them. Cesc Fabregas is still finding his feet, after his recent injury problems, but he could be crucial for them in this game. A win is an absolute must for them, and then they have to beat The Spuds away from home on Wednesday night too, if they are to have any chance of catching "Manure".

Liverpool were impressive in beating Man City on Monday night, despite all of their injury problems. They know they can cause Arsenal problems if they can get the ball to Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez often enough, but that won't be an easy task for them. They need some points to keep up their pursuit of fifth place, however unlikely it might seem, but they will do well to get anything out of this game.

Arsenal have to win this game, and I think they will just about have enough to manage that task.


Prediction: 2-1
_______________________________________________________________________________
TUESDAY
 
Newcastle v Man Utd  
 
Newcastle are fairly safe in ninth place in the league, with no real chance of relegation or a European place either. Their home form has been up and down, but there are always plenty of goals in their home games. There have been more Premier League goals at St. James Park than any other Premier League ground this season, and I expect a few goals in this game too. If Newcastle can get any sort of result in this game, both Arsenal and Chelsea will be very happy, but it will be a very tough task for them.

"Manure" are sitting pretty at the top of the Premier league, and by the time they play this game they might well be in the FA Cup final as well. With a Champions League semi final approaching, things just couldn't get any better for them at the moment. They seem to have sorted out their troubles away from home in the league, and they will fancy their chances in this game. A win will move them one step closer to their goal of winning their 19th league title, and overtaking Liverpool. Their biggest problem could be the fatigue their players may start to suffer from so many games in quick succession.

I hope Newcastle can take something from this game, but I just can't see them stopping a "Manure" team that have form and momentum on their side.                                                    


Prediction 1-3
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WEDNESDAY


Chelsea v Birmingham
 
Chelsea get to play their game in hand at home to struggling Birmingham, and it's a game they should win easily enough.  Birmingham's away form is awful, and they don't score too many goals either. Chelsea's home form is only bettered by "Manure", and another three points seems a foregone conclusion in this game.

Birmingham will know that they have a much better chance of winning at home to Sunderland on Saturday, than they do in this game. I'm sure they will do all they can to frustrate Chelsea, but they will do very well to get anything out of this game. On the plus side for them, they will at least end the season with more trophies than Chelsea.

I think Chelsea should win this game without too much trouble, but it will be interesting to see how the react to having very little to play for, and if they can play to save their manager's job.

Prediction 2-0
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Tottenham v Arsenal
 
The Spuds need points to try to finish in the top four, and qualify for the Champions League again. They suffered the worst ever aggregate defeat for an English team in that competition against Real Madrid, but I'm sure they would love to have another shot at it. Thanks to Liverpool beating City on Monday, they can draw level on points with City if they win this game against their fiercest rivals. At the moment they have won their last two league games against Arsenal, and it's been a long time since that last happened.

Arsenal have to beat Liverpool on Sunday, and then win this game too. Any other results will simply not be good enough for them, and it doesn't come much harder than the short trip to The Spuds. If they don't beat Liverpool, I don't think they will win this game either, but I have to hope they will win both games. In my opinion they have far better players than The Spuds, and those players need to stand up and be counted when it really matters.

I'm predicting a 2-1 win for Arsenal, as they look to prolong the race for the Premier League title.


Prediction 1-2
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As usual feel free to tell me where you think I may have gone right or wrong, as the case may be.

That's it for today.

See You Tomorrow.

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