I did pretty well last week in my predictions with three correct scorelines, five correct outcomes and only two incorrect outcomes. I stayed in fourth place in my predictions league, but I managed to close the gap considerably on the three players ahead of me. Despite declaring that winning my league was beyond me many weeks ago I now feel there is a slight chance of pulling off an incredible comeback.
If I'm going to manage that comeback I will need a few more weeks like last week, and hopefully this week will be the first of them.
Here's a look at how my predictions league stands.
| Pos | Player | Week | Total |
| 1 | b_red_devils | 95 | 1335 |
| 2 | ahujag | 25 | 1325 |
| 3 | GGooner | 65 | 1245 |
| 4 | JamrockRover | 160 | 1150 |
| 5 | nitin004 | 35 | 1025 |
| 6 | gooner2194 | 5 | 980 |
| 7 | nawa87 | 105 | 955 |
| 8 | Rutland Gooner | 80 | 910 |
| 9 | sanziano | 55 | 905 |
| 10 | Smashit_Tuckit | 50 | 870 |
Bolton Wanderers Vs. Queens Park Rangers
Saturday March 10, 12.45p.m.,BST
Bolton have only won two home games in the Premier League so far this season. This is an absolute must win game for them, and a win would probably move them out of the relegation zone. They have only scored one goal in their last five games, and have lost the last four in a row.
It's very difficult to choose any Bolton players that might do well for fantasy managers at the moment.
QPR have only won once in their last 15 Premier League games, and relegation is a real threat for them now. If they lose this game the chances are they will be in the drop zone despite all the money they spent in January.
Djibril Cisse is available again after suspension, and he might not be a bad but along with Bobby Zamora.
This is the first of two relegation six-pointers on Saturday, and I think Bolton might just edge to a victory.
Prediction 2-1
__________________________________________________
Aston Villa Vs. Fulham
Saturday March 10, 3p.m., BST
Villa have only taken two points in their last seven home games in the Premier League. They should be safe from relegation, but surely their sights had to be set higher than that for this season.
Villa players have done very little to set the fantasy world alight this season.
Fulham have won their last three Premier League games in a row, and moved up to eighth in the table. They have even managed to win away from home twice so far this season which is more than usual for them.
I suggested last week that Clint Dempsey and Pavel Progrebnyak might be good fantasy buys, and after their performances last week I can only repeat it.
I think Villa might at least manage to take a point at home for a change.
Prediction 1-1
__________________________________________________
Chelsea Vs. Stoke City
Saturday March 10, 3p.m., BST
Chelsea have only won three of their last 12 Premier League games, and it cost Andre Villas-Boas his job. They have slipped to fifth in the table, and there's a real possibility they will miss out on Champions League qualification for next season. Their fate might just depend on how the players react to the sacking of the manager.
Juan Mata is probably the Chelsea player most likely to perform for fantasy managers at the moment, but that might change over the next few weeks.
Stoke managed to stop their recent slide with back-to-back wins, and they are not far behind seventh placed Liverpool. They will have their work cut out to get a result from this game, but they will try to take advantage of the turmoil at Chelsea.
Both Ryan Shawcross and Matthew Etherington are doing pretty well at the moment, and are not bad fantasy buys.
I think Chelsea should have more than enough to beat Stoke despite all of their problems.
Prediction 2-0
__________________________________________________
Sunderland Vs. Liverpool
Saturday March 10, 3p.m., BST
Sunderland have done very well since Martin O'Neill took over, but they have only managed one point in their last three games. They will be trying to get back on track before their FA Cup quarter final against Everton next week. They will miss the suspended Stephane Sessegnon though after his red card against Newcastle last week.
With Sessegnon suspended the most likely Sunderland player to perform for fantasy managers is probably James McLean.
Liverpool have only taken five points in their last seven Premier League games, and they are now 10 points off the Champions League places. They have a game in hand though, and they need to win this game and that one too. They have won six games way from home so far this season, and they will hope to make that seven.
With Liverpool having an extra game this week it might not be a bad idea to invest in some of their defenders or Charlie Adam.
I think this will be a very close game, and end up even.
Prediction 1-1
__________________________________________________
Wolverhampton Wanderers Vs. Blackburn Rovers
Saturday March 10, 3p.m., BST
Wolves have only managed one win in their last 13 Premier League games, and they have slipped into the relegation zone. They were soundly beaten by Fulham last week, and they need to get something out of this relegation six-pointer. If they lose it could signal a spiral to an inevitable relegation.
A few Wolves players have done reasonably well for fantasy managers this season, but at the moment it's hard to pick them.
Blackburn managed to climb out of the relegation zone on goal difference after getting a late equaliser against Villa last week. They have only won once away from home so far this season, but they have managed six draws as well. Their fans might not be happy with Steve Kean, but he might just save them from relegation.
I think Yakubu is probably the best fantasy bet among the Blackburn players, and he could possibly do well against a very suspect Wolves defence.
I have a feeling Blackburn will pile the misery on Wolves by beating them.
Prediction 1-3
__________________________________________________
Everton Vs. Tottenham Hotspur
Saturday March 10, 5.30p.m., BST
Everton are unbeaten in their last six Premier League games, but they have drawn four of them. This is the first of two very tough games for them this week, and they need to get a result to move back towards the top half of the table. It won't be easy for them against a Spurs team that have done very well this season.
Tim Howard and Leighton Baines are the Everton players most likely to do well for fantasy managers.
Spurs have only won twice in their last seven Premier League games, and their hold on third place no longer looks secure. They need to take all three points in this game to put pressure on Arsenal who don't play until Monday. They have done well away from home this season, but they have failed to win their last four away games.
Gareth Bale, Emmanuel Adebayor, Brad Friedel and Benoit Assou-Ekotto are all doing really well for fantasy managers, but they have slipped in recent weeks.
I think Everton should have enough to hold Spurs to a draw.
Prediction 1-1
__________________________________________________
Manchester United Vs. West Bromwich Albion
Sunday March 11, 2p.m., BST
United got a very good result away to Spurs last week even though they were outplayed for most of the game. They have taken 19 points in their last seven games, and won 10 of their 13 home games so far this season. They have a run of games coming up which could see them put real pressure on league leaders Manchester City.
Patrice Evra, Nani, Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young all look like very good fantasy buys at the moment.
West Brom have won their last three Premier League games in a row, and looked very good in the process. They have moved into the top half of the table, and won six of their 13 away games too. A trip to United won't be easy for them, but they look capable of getting a result at the moment.
Ben Foster and Jonas Olsson are doing well defensively for West Brom at the moment, and Peter Odemwingie and James Morrison are doing well at the other end.
I think United will manage to get a win, but only just.
Prediction 2-1
__________________________________________________
Swansea City Vs. Manchester City
Sunday March 11, 2p.m., BST
Swansea have tried to play good football this season no matter who the opposition are. They have only lost twice at home in the Premier League so far this season, and only City have conceded less goals at home. They will look to give City a hard time after City's trip to Portugal on Thursday night.
Michel Vorm, Ashley Williams, Scott Sinclair and Danny Graham are all good fantasy buys at pretty good prices too.
City were beaten by Sporting Lisbon on Thursday night, and they have only taken eight points in their last seven away games. They have struggled to score away from home recently, but their defence is still very solid. They have a tough run of games coming up, and they might well decide the fate of their title challenge.
Sergio Aquero and David Silva are City's best attacking options with Joe Hart and Julian Lescott doing the business at the other end. Vincent Kompany is injured, and City will need him back to have a real chance of winning the league.
Swansea will come out and play against City, but it might prove costly for them, and I think City will win.
Prediction 1-3
___________________________________________________
Norwich City Vs. Wigan Athletic
Sunday March 11, 4p.m., BST
Norwich have been a pleasure to watch since their promotion, and like Swansea they do their best to play good football at all times. It has reaped rewards for them, and they look certain to remain in the Premier League for another season. A win against Wigan would almost guarantee their place for another season.
Anthony Pilkington, Grant Holt and Steve Morison are all performing very well for Norwich and fantasy managers too.
Wigan have won only once in their last 12 Premier League games, but they are still only two points from safety. They have managed three wins away from home so far, but they are the lowest scorers in the Premier League. They will need to start scoring a few goals if they are going to win the battle to stay up.
Ali Al-Habsi is just about the only Wigan player worth buying for any fantasy manager.
I think Norwich will have too much firepower for Wigan and should take all three points.
Prediction 2-0
__________________________________________________
Arsenal Vs. Newcastle United
Monday March 12, 8p.m., BST
Arsenal have won their last four Premier League game, and scored 16 goals in the process. They are in fourth place, and closing in on third placed Spurs. They failed gloriously against AC Milan on Wednesday night, and they will be looking to continue their fine form against Newcastle.
Robin van Persie is an absolute certainty for any fantasy manager, and Theo Walcott is doing very well too. Bacary Sagna has done well since his return too, but it can be risky to buy Arsenal defenders.
Newcastle have been up and down this season, but they are doing incredibly well to be in sixth place. A win would put them back in the picture for fourth place, but they have conceded 13 goals in their last four away games. They will have to be at their very best to have a hope of getting anything from this game.
Tim Krul, Ryan Taylor and Demba Ba have all had great seasons so far for fantasy managers.
I think Arsenal will have too much for Newcastle and continue their winning ways.
Prediction 3-1
__________________________________________________
Liverpool Vs. Everton
Tuesday March 12, 8p.m., BST
Liverpool have only won four of their 13 home games in the league so far this season, and they lost at home to Arsenal last week. They may have won the Carling Cup and reached the last eight of the FA Cup, but a top four finish is what they crave most of all. This is their second game of the week, and they need six points from those two games.
Everton have been quite impressive in defence this season, but they are finding it hard to score goals. They area little like Liverpool in that way, and it could make for a low scoring game. It will be a fiercely fought local derby though, and anything can happen in a game like that.
I have a feeling this game will end with the honours shared.
Prediction 1-1
__________________________________________________
That's it for this week, but as always feel free to tell me where I may have gone wrong or right as the case might be.
See you tomorrow.
Right then, the bet is going on this week!
ReplyDeleteDon't jinx me by staking your hard earned cash on it.
ReplyDelete