Predictions For Premier League Gameweek 35

It's that time of the week again when I attempt to predict the outcomes of the upcoming Premier League games. There are 11 games this week with both Aston Villa and Bolton playing twice, and fantasy managers with transfers to use might possibly want to include some of their players this week. It also has to be remembered that eight teams get to play an extra game next week, and players from those clubs have to be considered too.
I didn't do so well in the last gameweek with only two correct outcomes and four incorrect. I'm hoping for a strong finish to the season, but I certainly won't be winning my own predictions league this season. Here's a look at how the predictions league stands.

Pos      Player                            Week      Total
___     _______________        _____      ____
1         ahujag                            50            1795
2         GGooner                      -25            1675
3         b_red_devils                -30             1565
4         nitin004                          5              1440
5         JamrockRover              -30            1370
6         ABlockGooner              40             1335
7         Rutland Gooner               5             1330
8         gooner2194                  -15            1280
9        nawa87                           10            1225
10      gOOner                            0             1135

Arsenal Vs. Chelsea

Saturday April 21, 12.45pm BST

Arsenal lost at home to Wigan on Monday night, and they cannot afford to lose again in this game. They are still favourites to finish third this season, but a defeat to one of the chasing pack would be a very bad result for them. They will have to manage without the injured Mikael Arteta, and that could be a real blow for them too.

Thomas Vermaelen is scoring plenty of fantasy points at the moment, but Robin van Persie has gone off the boil in recent games.

Chelsea are through to the FA Cup final, and they beat Barcelona 1-0 on Wednesday night in the first leg of their Champions League semi final. This could be a really good season for them, but their chances of finishing in the top four could be determined by the outcome of this game. It comes right in the middle of their two games against Barcelona, and their squad will be stretched to the limit.

It's not easy to know which Chelsea players will play in this game, but Juan Mata is probably the best bet among them and they get to play twice next week too.

I think Arsenal will be able to put Monday's shambles behind them, and beat a Chelsea team suffering under the weight of their schedule.

Prediction 2-1
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Aston Villa Vs. Sunderland

Saturday April 21, 3pm BST

Villa have slipped dangerously close to the relegation dog fight, but a win in this game would probably be enough to ensure their survival. It won't be easy for them with the amount of injuries to key players they have at the moment. If they can't get the victory they need it's vital for them that they don't lose.

The only reason to consider Villa players this week is because they get to play twice.

Sunderland were highly unimpressive in their 0-0 draw with Wolves last week. They have had a few problems scoring goals in recent games, and I'm sure Martin O'Neill will be less than happy with them. They can finish as high as seventh if the get their act together in their last four games.

Sunderland's lack of goals mean it's probably not a good idea to choose any of their attacking players, but Simon Mignolet is still a good bet in goal for them.

I can't see this game being a thriller, and I think the honours will be shared.

Prediction 1-1
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Blackburn Rovers Vs. Norwich City

Saturday April 21, 3pm BST

Blackburn are three points adrift of safety in the relegation zone with only four games to go. They quite simply have to win this game, or their chances of survival will be bleak. Their defence has struggled all season long, but up until a few weeks ago they had no problems scoring goals at least.

Yakubu is the man to score the goals if Blackburn are to have any chance of staying in the Premier League.

Norwich were soundly beaten at home by Manchester City last week, but it won't stop them playing their own way against Blackburn. They have no problem scoring goals, but only the bottom three have conceded more goals than them so far.

Norwich change their team so often that it's hard to know which of their players to choose.

I have a  feeling there will be  few goals in this game, and it will end in a  draw.

Prediction 2-2
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Bolton Wanderers Vs. Swansea City

Saturday April 21, 3pm BST

Bolton play twice this week and twice next week, and it's an opportunity for them to move out of the relegation zone. They're only two points QPR with two games in hand, and a win in either of those games would be a massive boost for them. They have only won four home games so far this season though, and they need to win at least two of the three home games they have left.

I can't see any Bolton players worth taking a chance on, but they played four games in two weeks and that has to be a factor when deciding on their players.

Swansea have only won four of their away games so far and lost 10 of them. They are a match for any team at home, but they have struggled at times away from home. The arrival of Gylfi Siggurdsen in January has helped them to win three of their last seven away games though.

Siggurdsen has six goals in seven away games and is a must have player for fantasy managers, with Michel Vorm and Scott Sinclair well worth having too.

I think Swansea's stylish football might be too much for Bolton to cope with, and Swansea will take all three points.

Prediction 1-2
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Fulham Vs. Wigan Athletic

Saturday April 21, 3pm BST

Fulham are never an easy team to beat at home, and not many clubs have more home goals than them this season. There will have to work hard against a Wigan team who are in fine form at the moment.

Clint Dempsey is an absolute must for any fantasy manager at the moment, and Fulham have two games next week too.

Wigan had a great win away to Arsenal on Monday night right after the home win over the league leaders. They also won away to Liverpool recently, and they were very unlucky to lose away to Chelsea. They have had problems scoring goals all season, but their recent form has seen them move five points clear of the drop zone.

Ali Al-Habsi and Victor Moses are probably the Wigan players most likely to do well in their last four games.

I think Wigan will manage to get another point towards their goal of Premier League survival.

Prediction 1-1
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Newcastle United Vs. Stoke City

Saturday April 21, 3pm BST

Newcastle have an opportunity to put some real pressure on the teams above them, and keep their hopes of a top three or four finish alive. It would be a huge achievement for them to finish in the top four, and they have every chance to do so. They have won their last five games in a row, and only conceded one goal in the process.

Hatem Ben Arfa and Papiss Cisse are in fantastic form at the moment with Tim Krul and Danny Simpson well worth considering too as Newcastle have two games next week.

Stoke are the lowest scorers in the Premier League, and they have slipped back to 14th place. Their only win in their last six games was against bottom club Wolves, but a strong finish could still see them end the season as high as seventh.

Even though Stoke have two games next week it's not easy to pick any of their players at the moment.

I think Newcastle will get their sixth win a row and keep their Champions League dream alive.

Prediction 2-0
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Queens Park Rangers Vs. Tottenham Hotspur

Saturday April 21, 5.30pm BST

QPR have won their last three home games in a row to move two points clear of the relegation zone. They have been impressive in those games, and more of the same will be required against Spurs if they are to continue their progress.

Djibril Cisse will be back from suspension, and he might be the player to keep QPR in the Premier League.

Spurs have the opportunity to make up some ground on third placed Arsenal with a trip to QPR this week, and games against two other struggling teams next week. They have only won once in their last eight league games though, and a top four finish will be beyond them if they don't stop the rot. The key for them could be how they react to their FA Cup semi final defeat to Chelsea last week.

Gareth Bale and Emmanuel Adebayor are the Spurs players most likely to do well for fantasy managers, and they get to play an extra game next week too.

I think QPR will continue their good home form by taking all three points yet again.

Prediction 2-1
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Manchester United Vs. Everton

Sunday April 22, 12.30pm BST

United got back to winning ways with a comprehensive 4-0 win at home to Villa last Sunday. They were helped by some more theatrics from Ashley Young and yet another generous referee. A win in this game will edge them ever closer to yet another league title, and their 14 wins at home this season suggest they will get one.

There are plenty of United players to choose from with Wayne Rooney, Ashley Young, Antonio Valencia, Nani, Patrice Evra and Johnny Evans all well worth choosing for any fantasy manager.

Everton missed their chance of reaching the FA Cup final last week when Liverpool beat them, but they are strong enough to bounce back from it. Only the two Manchester clubs can better Everton's defensive record this season, but their problems are at the other end. I'm sure they will give their all to try to keep the title race wide open.

The best fantasy bets for Everton are Tim Howard and Leighton Baines, and they also get to play twice next week.

I think Everton will give all they have, but United will take the three points.

Prediction 3-1
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Liverpool Vs. West Bromwich Albion

Sunday April 22, 4pm BST

Liverpool are eighth in the league, and they have only won five of their 16 home games so far. They have won the Carling Cup, and they have an FA Cup final against Chelsea to look forward to too. Champions League qualification is beyond them this season though, and it's a bitter pill for them to swallow.

It's hard to see any Liverpool players in good form at the moment, but it has to be remembered they have two games next week.

Albion have had a good record away from home this season, but they haven't won any of their last four away games. They have actually won more away games than Liverpool have won home games.

There are no real outstanding players for West Brom this season.

I think Liverpool should have enough to get their sixth home win of the season.

Prediction 2-1
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Wolverhampton Wanderers Vs. Manchester City

Sunday April 22, 4pm BST

Wolves managed to take a point away to Sunderland last week, but they could well be relegated if they don't win this game. They haven't won any of their last 10 games, and they have conceded 29 goals in the process too. It looks like their time in the Premier League is about to end.

I can't see any Wolves players that are worth piking for fantasy managers.

City eventually regained their form away from home last week by scoring six goals at Norwich. They have to win this game to keep their slim title hopes alive before they play United next week. They couldn't ask for a better opponent than the team with the worst home defensive record in the league.

Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez could have another very good day, and David Silva and Joe Hart are worth considering too.

I think City will put all they have into attacking Wolves and emerge with an easy victory.

Prediction 0-4
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Aston Villa Vs. Bolton Wanderers

Tuesday April 24, 6.45pm BST

Villa play at home for the second time in a week, and it's a great opportunity for them to move clear of the drop zone. They have only won four home games so far this season, but a game against struggling Bolton could be just the right fixture for them.

Bolton haven't drawn away from home yet this season with five victories and 11 defeats. A win for them in one of their games in hand could be just what they need to help them in their fight to stay up.

I think this will be a very tense affair, and it's most likely to end in a draw.

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

See you tomorrow.