Monday 9 April 2012

Predictions For Premier League Gameweek 33

It's not really that time of the week again where I have to make my predictions for the upcoming Premier League games, but because of a full midweek fixture list it must be done. I didn't fare so well in the last week, and I have dropped to fourth in my predictions league.

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

Pos     Player                           Total
1         GGooner                       1655
2         ahujag                           1560
3         b_red_devils                 1540
4        nitin004                          1335
5        JamrockRover                1310
6       ABlockGooner                1285
7       gooner2194                    1265
8       Rutland Gooner               1240
9       nawa87                           1135
10     sanziano                          1090

Everton Vs. Sunderland.

Monday April 9, 3 pm BST

Everton have risen to seventh in the league, and they have an FA Cup semi final against Liverpool next weekend too. Their usual strong finish to the season is paying dividends, and a place in next season's Europa League could be their prize. Their defensive record is only bettered by the top two teams.

Leighton Baines and Tim Howard are the Everton players performing well for fantasy managers at the moment.

Sunderland have become a much better team since Martin O'Neill became their manager, and they reacted very well to their FA Cup quarter final defeat. They can move above Everton if they win this game, and a European spot is not beyond them either.

I think this game will end with the spoils shared.

Prediction: 1-1

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Newcastle United Vs. Bolton Wanderers

Monday April 9, 3 pm BST

Newcastle are in fine form at the moment, and they have won their last four games in a row. They are only three points off fourth place, and they just will not give up in their fight to finish in the top four.

Papiss Cisse is in fantastic form for Newcastle at the moment, and both Hatem Ben Arfa and Danny Simpson are gaining loads of fantasy points too.

Bolton are only one point above the relegation zone, and they were well beaten at home by Fulham on Saturday. They need to get back to winning ways, but a trip to Newcastle will not be easy for them. They have managed five wins away from home this season though, and that might just give them some hope.

I can't see any Bolton players to perform well for fantasy managers at the moment.

I think Newcastle will have too much firepower for Bolton and they will win.

Prediction: 3-1
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Tottenham Hotspur Vs. Norwich City

Monday April 9, 3 pm BST

Spurs could only manage a draw away to Sunderland on Saturday, and it has seen them fall two points behind third placed Arsenal. They have a very good home record, and they will be expected to take all three points and move back into third place.

Gareth Bale, Rafael van der Vaart and Emmanuel Adebayor are all scoring very well for fantasy managers this season.

Norwich have slipped a little recently despite how well they have played all season. They are never an easy team to beat, but equally they concede in almost every game they play.

With Grant Holt back from suspension he's probably the best bet for fantasy managers in the Norwich team.

I think Spurs will have too much for Norwich, and get the three points they so badly need.

Prediction: 3-1
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Aston Villa Vs. Stoke City

Monday April 9, 5.30 pm BST

Villa got a very good point away to Liverpool at the weekend, and it moved them six points clear of the drop zone. They have an awful lot of injuries at the moment, but they probably only need to win one of their last six games to stay up.

There are no Villa players worth recommending to fantasy managers at the moment.

Stoke got back to winning ways with a victory over bottom placed Wolves at the weekend. They have been struggling to score goals this season, and they have scored less than any other team on their travels.

Despite Stoke's lack of goals Peter Crouch is still managing to score a few goals for them at the moment.

I think Villa will edge even closer to safety by getting another point in this game.

Prediction: 1-1
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Fulham Vs. Chelsea

Monday April 9, 8 pm BST

Fulham had a very good win away to Bolton at the weekend, and they are never an easy team to beat at home. Only the top five teams have scored more home goals than them, and they will give Chelsea a rough ride.

Clint Dempsey continues to be far and away Fulham's best fantasy performer, and he's a must for any fantasy team.

Chelsea were very lucky to beat Wigan at the weekend with the help of some very poor offside decisions. They are still in the FA Cup and the Champions League, and they have a very tough schedule coming up. A win in this game would be a huge boost for them, but it won't be an easy task.

Juan Mata continues to be the Chelsea player most likely to do well for fantasy managers. Branislav Ivanovic is doing very well at the moment too, but he could be facing a suspension very soon after an off the ball punch against Wigan.

I think Fulham should be able to give Chelsea enough problems to take a point off them.

Prediction: 2-2
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Blackburn Rovers Vs. Liverpool

Tuesday April 10, 8 pm BST

Blackburn are back in the relegation zone, but only on goal difference. They have had no problems scoring goals this season, but their defence has been very poor. This is a game they need to take something from, as they are running out of chances to get themselves out of trouble.

I think Yakubu and Junior Hoilett are the Blackburn players most likely to get some fantasy points, but the goals have dried up in their last two games.

Liverpool are on their worst run in half a century, and they have slipped to eighth in the league table. They have an FA Cup semi final to look forward to, but they have to address their terrible league form. If they lose this game the writing must surely be on the wall for Kenny Dalglish despite their Carling Cup success.

It's impossible to recommend any Liverpool players with their current form.

I have a feeling Blackburn will beat Liverpool and heap more misery upon their fans.

Prediction: 3-2
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Manchester City Vs. West Bromwich Albion

Wednesday April 11, 7.45 pm BST

City lost 1-0 to Arsenal on Sunday, but they were comprehensively outplayed. Their title challenge is all but over, and Roberto Mancini's position will be the matter of speculation from now on. They still have a fantastic home record, and surely they will want to keep that intact.

City players are still scoring plenty of fantasy points at home, but away from home they are a disaster. It's not easy to recommend any of them at the moment, but surely Sergio Aguero will do well in their home games.

West Brom managed to halt their recent slide by beating Blackburn at the weekend, but this will be a much tougher game for them. They have managed six wins on their travels so far, and scored a fair few goals too.

The points are being equally shared among the West Brom players at the moment, and it's hard to choose any player in particular for fantasy managers.

I think City will be too good at home for West Brom despite their recent troubles.

Prediction: 3-0
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Wigan Athletic Vs. Manchester United


Wednesday April 11, 7.45 pm BST

Wigan were desperately unlucky to lose to Chelsea on Saturday, and they are not an easy team to beat at the moment. They have only won two home games so far this season though, and time is running out for them at the wrong end of the table. I'm sure they will give their all against United, but it might not be enough.

It's very hard to see any outstanding Wigan players at the moment, but Ali Al-Habsi has performed well in goals for them all season long.

United are marching towards another league title, and it seems nothing can stop them now. They have an eight point lead with six games left, and their only rivals are in free fall. A win in this game will bring yet another league title ever closer, and as usual they will probably do just enough to get it.

There are so many United players to choose from at the moment for fantasy managers, but Jonny Evans, Wayne Rooney, Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia are probably the best bets in my opinion.

I would love to see Wigan get something from this game, but I think United will win yet again.

Prediction: 1-2
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Wolverhampton Wanderers Vs. Arsenal

Wednesday April 11, 7.45 pm BST

Wolves are surely doomed to relegation after six league defeats in a  row. They are six points away from safety and their goal difference is vastly inferior to the other clubs in trouble. It looks like their fate will be sealed within the next couple of weeks, and they will be playing in the Championship next season.

Michael Kightly is doing very well for Wolves at the moment despite all of their troubles.

Arsenal have won eight of their last nine league games, and they played really well in beating City on Sunday. They are back in third place in the league, and they have two games coming up against teams in the relegation zone. As long as complacency doesn't creep in again they should be in a very strong position going into their final four games.

Robin van Persie is an absolute must for fantasy managers despite not scoring in his last three games with Theo Walcott and Thomas Vermaelen being well worth a punt too.

I think Arsenal will have far too much for Wolves, and should win this game with a few goals to spare.

Prediction: 1-4
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Queens Park Rangers Vs. Swansea City

Wednesday April 11, 8 pm BST

QPR have had two very good wins against Liverpool and Arsenal in their last two home games. They are outside the relegation zone on goal difference only, but they have shown the fight needed to survive in recent weeks. Their recent home form might just be what they need to keep them in the Premier League.

Despite their recent turnaround it's still difficult to see any QPR players worthy of buying for fantasy managers.

Swansea have lost their last three games, and it's their worst run since their promotion last summer. They will continue to play their brand of possession football, and hopefully the good results will return for them.

Michel Vorm has been an excellent keeper for Swansea and fantasy managers this season with Scott Sinclair performing admirably in midfield too.

I think QPR might just be able to do enough to take all three points in their battle for survival.

Prediction: 3-2
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That's it for the midweek games, but I'll be back very soon with the games for next weekend. All fantasy managers should take note of which teams have no Premier League game next weekend, and make any necessary changes to their teams if possible. As usual feel free to agree or disagree with my predictions, and tell me where I have gone right or wrong as the case might be.

That's it for today.

See you tomorrow.

2 comments:

  1. I'm sure you're delighted that Norwich have blemished your record there!

    ReplyDelete