Friday 16 September 2011

Predictions For Premier League Gameweek 5

It's that time of the week again when I attempt to predict the scores of the upcoming Premier League games. I didn't have such a good week last week when I managed no correct scorelines, five correct outcomes and five incorrect outcomes. It leaves me in ninth place in my own league, and a long way behind the league leader.

I'm still hopeful that I can fare a little better this week and start to catch those teams above me. Here's a look at the top ten standings in my predictions league.

 Pos. Player  Week Total
 1  ahujag  125  390
 2  NickHemmings  70  270
 3  Sofire  130  265
 4  gooner2194  90  240
 5  Bradley08  65  235
 6  ReApEr666  115  215
 7  DK1247  135  210
 8  Smashit_Tuckit  40  210
 9  JamrockRover  30  175
 10  lubu722  50  175

Blackburn Rovers vs. Arsenal

Saturday September 17, 12.45pm BST

Blackburn have had a very poor start to the season, and they only managed to pick up their first Premier League point away to Fulham last week. They are currently rooted to the bottom of the table, and there are protests from their fans against the manager. In previous seasons their home form has kept them in the league, but they have started with two home defeats so far this season.

At the moment Blackburn players are probably best avoided for any fantasy football managers.

Arsenal haven't had a great start to their season either, but at least they got their first league win against Swansea last week. They followed that up with a good point away to German champions Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League. They have a lot of new players who need to gel together before they will be at their best, but the signs are a lot more promising than they were a few weeks ago.

At the moment Arsenal players aren't performing too well in the fantasy stakes, but Robin Van Persie and Theo Walcott look like they have plenty of goals in them.

I think Arsenal should just about have enough to get the three points, and continue their recovery.



Prediction 1-2
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Aston Villa vs. Newcastle United

Saturday September 17, 3pm BST


Aston Villa have had a good start to the season and they are still unbeaten in the league. They seem to have a new lease of life since Gerrard Houllier left, and their troubles of last season could possibly be behind them. Some of their better players were sold in the summer, but it doesn't seem to have affected the team.

At the moment Stillyan Petrov, Darren Bent and Gabriel Agbonlahor are probably the best fantasy buys in the Villa team.


Newcastle are also unbeaten in the Premier League so far this season, and they have only conceded one goal in four games. Their problems are at the other end where they have only scored three goals, and they need to find a regular goalscorer.

At the moment Newcastle defenders and their goalkeeper all look like good buys, as they cost very little and are scoring lots of points.

I think both teams will continue their unbeaten starts to the season by drawing with each other.


Prediction 1-1
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Bolton Wanderers vs. Norwich City

Saturday September 17, 3pm BST


Bolton are in the middle of a run of games against the top teams in the Premier League, and this game will be a welcome respite for them. They performed well against both Man City and Liverpool, but Man United blew them away last week. With Arsenal and Chelsea coming up in their next two games they will need to get something from this game.

At the moment Ivan Klasnic is the most likely Bolton player to pick for any fantasy manager.

Norwich have performed well in all four of their games since their return to the Premier League, but they have only managed two points so far. They need to get a few wins on the board if they are going to have any chance of avoiding the drop.

I can't see any outstanding Norwich players that are a must for any fantasy manager.

I think Bolton will edge this game, and give themselves some breathing space before they continue their tough schedule.


Prediction 2-1
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Everton vs. Wigan Athletic

Saturday September 17, 3pm BST

Everton are broke at the moment and they need to make the most of the players they have if they are to perform well this season. They have picked up four points from their first three games, but they really should have more. They still have some very good players, but the loss of Mikael Arteta to Arsenal could prove to be a big blow to their season.

Leighton Baines looks the most likely Everton defender to include in any fantasy team, but he doesn't come cheaply.


Wigan did well to take five points from their first three games against newly promoted teams, but Man City beat them fairly easily last week. Their defence still looks a little weak to me, and they don't score too many goals either. Those two are a bad combination for any team, and they look likely to struggle again this season.

Wigan goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi again looks to be their best buy for any fantasy manager.


I think Everton will get the win, as long as they can find someone to put the ball in the net.


Prediction 2-0
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Swansea City vs. West Bromwich Albion

Saturday September 17, 3pm BST


Swansea still haven't managed a Premier League goal in four matches so far this season, and it's a real worry for them. They have played very well, but they lack the cutting edge needed to compete at this level, and they are destined for a season of struggling. They played well away to Arsenal last week, and they were a little unlucky to lose 1-0.

At the moment Swansea goalkeeper Michel Vorm is possibly the only player worth having in any fantasy team.


West Brom look like they will concede goals in every game they play, but they also look likely to score too. The return of Peter Odemwingie from injury has increased the potency of their strike-force, and it could be enough to keep them safe this season.

Both Odemwingie and Shane Long look like they will score plenty of goal this season with Chris Brunt possibly supplying them from midfield.

I think Swansea will get their first goal of the season, buy West Brom will take all three points.


Prediction 1-2
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Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Queens Park Rangers

Saturday September 17, 3pm BST

Wolves started their season very well, but the loss at home to Spurs last week was a setback for them. They struggled to avoid relegation last season, but they look stronger this time around. Their home form was impressive last season, and they will want to keep that up this season.

Matt Javis looks to be the best buy from a fantasy perspective of all of the Wolves players.


QPR  bought a lot of players at the end of the transfer window, and it will take a while before they are all performing well together. The players they bought should have enough to keep them in the Premier League this season though.

It's hard to know which QPR players might be good fantasy buys yet, and it might be better to wait until they have a settled team before purchasing any.

I think Wolves will continue their good start to the season with another three points in this game.


Prediction 2-0
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Tottenham Hotspur vs. Liverpool

Sunday September 19, 1.30pm BST


Spurs are playing catch-up on the rest of the Premier League after their first game against Everton was postponed due to the London riots. After losing their first two games they managed a very good 2-0 win away to Wolves last week, and Liverpool will be a real test of how good they are. Their target this season is a Champions League place, but they are one of six teams looking for four places.

At the moment it's not easy to choose any Spurs players to pick for a fantasy team, but they have enough good players for some to emerge.

Liverpool started the season very well, but the defeat to Stoke last week was a real blow. They probably deserved to get something out of the game, and they can't afford to lose for the second time in a row. Their goal for the season is the same as Spurs goal, but it won't be easy for either club.

From a fantasy perspective both Charlie Adam and Luis Suarez look to be the best buys in the Liverpool team.

I think this will be a hard fought game with neither team emerging victorious.


Prediction 1-1
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Fulham vs. Manchester City

Sunday September 19, 3pm BST

Fulham haven't started too well this season with only two points from their first four games. They haven't won at home yet, and their home form is usually the foundation of their league campaign. The commitments of the Europa League can't be easy for them, but surely they are good enough to climb up the table.

Fulham players haven't managed too many fantasy points yet this season, but a fully fit Bobby Zamora is usually good for a few goals.

City have started impressively in the league, but they didn't find things so easy in their Champions League debut. Their squad is good enough to cope on all fronts, and at the moment they look like real title contenders. All the money they have spent has brought in some very good players, and at the moment they are playing some very good football.

Where do I start with which City players to choose for a fantasy team, but David Silva is a must for any team. They have three excellent strikers, and it's tough to know which ones will play each week. The City defence has also performed quite well so far, and there's a good choice of players among their defenders and goalkeeper too.

I think City will continue their 100% start to the season, but it won't be too easy for them.

Prediction 1-2
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Sunderland vs. Stoke City

Sunday September 19, 3pm BST


Sunderland have lost both of their home games so far this season, and they have only two points from four games so far. Nicklas Bendtner is now their first choice striker after Assamoah Gyan left the club on loan last season for the rest of the season. Despite all the players they bought this summer, I don't think they will have a good season.

At the moment Sunderland players aren't exactly setting the world alight, but Bendtner could be a good buy if Seb Larsson can supply him with enough good crosses.

Stoke have a tough time ahead of them for the rest of the year, as they play Europa League games along with their Premier League duties. They have started very well and have only conceded one goal so far, but they have only scored three. If they can score a few more goals they could be the real surprise of the season, but their style of football is certainly no surprise.

Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic is performing very well so far, as are the rest of the Stoke defence. Jonathan Walters looks to be the best bet among their attacking players, as he's considered a midfielder but he's playing as a striker.

I think Stoke's midweek exertions will make things a little tough for them, and Sunderland might be able to get their first home point of the season.


Prediction 2-2
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Manchester United vs. Chelsea

Sunday September 19, 4pm BST
United have been highly impressive in the Premier League so far this season with four wins and 18 goals in four games. They sit on top of the table on goal-difference from Man City, but they won't find Chelsea a pushover. I'm still not convinced that their defence is as good as it should be, but it hasn't been tested too much so far.

Wayne Rooney is an absolute must for any fantasy team at the moment, and Javier Hernandez looks like he will become a must-have player too. Ashley Young looks to be the most likely United player in midfield, but Nani invariably does well in the Premier League too.


Chelsea are unbeaten in the league so far this season, but they have been far from impressive in my opinion. Their new manager has to decide which players will make his best team, and it could lead to some very tough decisions for him. If he gets it right they will be near the top challenging yet again, but he needs to be brave.

As long as Juan Mata can keep a regular place in the Chelsea team I think he could score a lot of fantasy points this season, but it's tough to know which strikers will perform well for them. In defence both John Terry and Jose Bosingwa are doing well so far and could be worth buying too.

I think United will have too much for Chelsea, and continue their excellent start in the league.


Prediction 3-1
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As always feel free to tell me where I have gone right or even wrong as the case might be.

That's it for today.

It's not too late to join over 850 teams in my Fantasy League and there are prizes for the top three teams at the end of the season. Just go to the site and use the code 125540-42785 to join my league when your team is set up.

To join the predictions league just go to the site and set up your predictions. Then use the code F688F-JCO to join my league. I'll update the league table in my predictions every week.

Don't forget you can follow me on Twitter, tumblr and Facebook too.

I'm also a member of a very good and very active Arsenal group on Facebook which you can join here.


See You Tomorrow.

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