Friday 16 March 2012

Predictions For Premier League Gameweek 29

It's that time of the week again when I attempt to predict the outcomes of the upcoming Premier League games. I didn't do too well last week, but I did manage to get almost half of my predictions right. I had one correct scoreline, four correct outcomes and six incorrect outcomes overall.

It meant I stayed fourth in my predictions league, but I lost some ground on two of the three teams ahead of me. It's still a lot better than the 10th place I was in a few weeks ago, and I'm hoping to continue my upward spiral over the next few weeks. 


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

 PosPlayer  WeekTotal
 1 b_red_devils 80 1415
 2 ahujag 5 1330
 3 GGooner 70 1315
 4 JamrockRover 40 1190
 5 nitin004 115 1140
 6 nawa87 35 990
 7 gooner2194 5 985
 8 Rutland Gooner 45 955
 9 ABlockGooner 85 945
 10 sanziano 5 910

Fulham Vs. Swansea City

Saturday March 17, 3p.m., BST

Fulham are playing really well at home at the moment, and they have won four of their last five home games. They have scored 15 goals in those games, and they are a real handful for any team on their own patch.

Both Clint Dempsey and Pavel Pogrebnyak are very good additions to any fantasy team at the moment, especially when Fulham are at home.

Swansea have been a revelation since their promotion to the Premier League, but they have struggled a  little away from home. They have lost eight of their 14 games so far, and only scored 12 goals in the process.

There are plenty of Swansea players to choose from with Michel Vorm, Ashley Williams, Steven Caulker, Scott Sinclair, Danny Graham and Gylfi Sigurdsson all performing well and available at good prices too.

I think this has the makings of a very good game, but Fulham should be strong at home for Swansea.

Prediction 3-1
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Wigan Athletic Vs. West Bromwich Albion

Saturday March 17, 3p.m., BST

Wigan are still rooted to the foot of the table, but they are by no means adrift of the pack. In 14 home games they have only managed one win and scored only 11 goals in the process. If they are going to stay up they will need to get more points from their remaining five home games.

Ali Al-Habsi is probably the best fantasy bet among the Wigan players, but if they are going to stay up Victor Moses might just be the man to score their goals.

West Brom were on a very good run until they were beaten by the champions Manchester United last week. Only the top two teams have won more away games than West Brom so far, and they will see this as an opportunity to get their seventh away win of the season.

Ben Foster, Gareth McAuley, James Morrison and Peter Odemwingie are all performing pretty well at the moment for fantasy managers.

I think West Brom will take advantage of Wigan's poor home form, and take all three points in a  close game.

Prediction 1-2
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Wolverhampton Wanderers Vs. Manchester United

Sunday March 18, 1.30p.m., BST

Wolves seem to be in free fall at the moment, and they have only won once in their last 14 Premier League games. In my opinion they have to be the favourites to be relegated at the moment. They have conceded more goals at home than any other team, and they will not be looking forward to playing the reigning champions.

At the moment I don't think it's a good idea to include any Wolves players in a fantasy team.

United have the best away record in the Premier League with 10 wins and only one defeat in 14 games so far. They are the top scorers away from home too, and they will really fancy their chances despite their midweek Europa League disappointment. They have the chance to open up a gap on City at the top of the table, and they are firm favourites to take that chance.

Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young seem to be hitting form again for United just when it matters most, and they are a worthwhile addition to any fantasy team.

I think Wolves will really struggle against United, and they could be well beaten.

Prediction 1-4
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Newcastle United Vs. Norwich City

Sunday March 18, 4p.m., BST

Newcastle gave their all in an attempt to get a point off Arsenal on Monday night, but they fell short right at the death. If they are to finish high enough to qualify for European football next season they will have to end their run of four games without a win.

Tim Krul, Ryan Taylor and Demba Ba are the best fantasy bets among the Newcastle players.

Norwich have proved to be a handful for most teams home and away. They have conceded a lot of goals on their travels though, and they will have their work cut out to get anything from this game. Like Swansea they have been a great addition to the Premier League, and it's good for the league that they will be there for another season.

Norwich switch their team so often that it's hard to pick any outstanding fantasy players among them, but Anthony Pilkington, Grant Holt and Steve Morison are probably the players most likely to perform.

I think Norwich might just be able to cause Newcastle enough problems to take a point from this game.

Prediction 1-1
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Aston Villa Vs. Bolton Wanderers 

Tuesday March 20, 7.45p.m., BST 

Villa eventually got their first home win in four months last week with an injury time goal against Fulham. They are well clear of the relegation zone, but they have very little chance of finishing anywhere near a finish which would qualify them for European football next season. Their fans haven't been happy this season, and it will take a strong finish to keep Alex McLeish in the job for next season.

There are no Villa players who are setting the fantasy football world alight at the moment.

Bolton managed to get a late win against QPR last week, and it helped them to climb out of the relegation zone. They're either hit or miss away from home this season with four wins and ten defeats so far. Their defence still looks very unstable, and no other team has conceded more away goals than Bolton so far this season.

I said previously that Ryo Miyaichi could do very well for Bolton, and it looks like he might be worth buying for fantasy managers at the moment.

I think Villa might just about be able to get the better of Bolton.

Prediction 2-1
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Blackburn Rovers Vs. Sunderland

Tuesday March 20, 8p.m., BST

Blackburn have managed to win four of their last 14 Premier League games, and they have moved three points clear of the relegation zone in the process. They have the worst defence in the league, but only the top five have scored more goals than them. Their ability to score goals might just be what keeps them in the Premier League for another season.

Yakubu continues to perform well for Blackburn at the moment, and he is being ably supported by Junior Hoilett.

Sunderland had slipped a little recently,but they got back to winning ways by beating Liverpool last week. They're up to eighth in the table, but a European place might well be beyond them. Their performance might well depend on how their FA Cup quarter final goes at the weekend.

Simon Mignolet and James McLean are probably Sunderland's best fantasy bets until Stephane Sessegnon returns from injury.

I think Sunderland will take advantage of Blackburn's defensive woes and take all three points.

Prediction 2-3
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Manchester City Vs. Chelsea

Wednesday March 21, 7.45p.m., BST

City are no longer on top of the Premier League, as they have struggled away from home in recent weeks. They still have a perfect home record  though, and they have conceded less and scored more than any other team at home. Their midweek Europa League exit was a blow, but it could help them in their quest for the league title.

City's players are a lot better to choose for home games WITH Sergio Aguero and David Silva as the best options.

Chelsea had a fantastic European night to make it to the last eight of the Champions League, and they have a FA Cup game at the weekend too. Their main goal is to finish in the top four, and they need a result in this game to keep up the pressure on the teams above them. It won't be an easy task for them though, as they have only won five of their 14 away games so far.

Frank Lampard and Juan Mata are probably the best fantasy bets among the Chelsea players.

I think City will continue their perfect home record by getting three much needed points.

Prediction 2-0
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Tottenham Hotspur Vs. Stoke City

Wednesday March 21, 7.45p.m., BST

Spurs have lost their last three Premier League games, and they have an FA Cup quarter final at the weekend to contend with too. They are no longer title contenders, and there is a real possibility that they won't even qualify for the Champions League. They have to start winning Premier League games again or both Arsenal and Chelsea will soon overtake them.

Spurs players haven't performed too well in recent weeks, but Gareth Bale and Emmanuel Adebayor must surely be very good fantasy bets still.

Stoke are 13th in the Premier League, but they are only one point off eighth place. They have a weekend FA Cup game too, and they will want to go one better than last season when they lost the final. It will be a tough game for Stoke, but they haven't fared too badly away from home this season.

At the moment I wouldn't recommend any Stoke players for fantasy managers.

I think Spurs should have too much at home for Stoke and take all three points.

Prediction 2-1
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Everton Vs. Arsenal

Wednesday March 21, 8p.m., BST

Everton were well beaten by Liverpool on Tuesday night, and it ended their run of seven unbeaten league games. They have had some very good results against some of the big teams in the Premier League this season, and they will want to continue that run. It could depend on how they react to that defeat by Liverpool, and a weekend FA Cup game too.

Tim Howard and Leighton Baines are probably the best fantasy bets among the Everton players.

Arsenal have won their last five Premier League games in a  row, and closed to within one point of third place. They're scoring a lot of goals at the moment, and only the top two have scored more than them.  If they're going to overtake Spurs they might need to get something from this game.

Robin van Persie is the player to have for fantasy managers, and Theo Walcott is doing very well a t the moment too.

I think Arsenal will continue their winning ways against an Everton team that could be very tired.

Prediction 1-2
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Queens Park Rangers Vs. Liverpool

Wednesday March 21, 8p.m., BST

QPR have slipped into the relegation zone, and they're in real trouble. They have only won once in their last 15 league games, and they have a very tough run-in too. They have only won two of their 14 home games so far, and their defence is struggling badly.

Bobby Zamora and Djibril Cisse are probably good fantasy buys at the moment, but QPR defenders should be avoided.

Steven Gerrard scored a hat-trick for Liverpool against Everton and when he's fit he's always a good fantasy buy along with any of Liverpool's defenders at the moment.

I think Liverpool will continue to pile the misery on QPR by beating them.

Prediction 1-3
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That's it for this week, but as always feel free to point out where I may have gone right or wrong as the case might be.

See you tomorrow.

2 comments:

  1. Much as I hope your're right this could obviously be a very subdued week for football now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm sure it will be very subdued but as always the game will go on.

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