It's that time of the week again when I attempt to predict the outcomes of the upcoming Premier League games. I recovered from my poor start to predict two correct scorelines, five correct outcomes, and only two incorrect ones. It meant I got some points on the board in my predictions league, and hopefully i can do as well this week.
There are only nine games this week, as both Chelsea and Reading miss out on playing. Fantasy managers should be aware of this when choosing their teams, as it can make a big difference. My fantasy team suffered slightly last week after the Sunderland v Reading game was postponed.
Here's a look at the top 10 teams in my predictions league.
Pos Player Week Total
___ _____ ____ _____
1 Ian Campbell 105 205
2 antonius_ronny_s 145 175
3 nawa87 120 160
4 BenAFCBeast 115 135
5 AFC_Ollie95 60 125
6 JmrockRover 120 120
7 ahujag 55 105
8 Rutland Gooner 40 90
9 Meikku 80 85
10 Eileeno10 35 45
Saturday September 1
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West Ham United Vs. Fulham
12.45pm BST, Upton Park, London
West Ham just about managed to beat Villa in their first game, but they were well beaten by Swansea last week. The addition of Matt Jarvis may give them some of the creativity they need, but it doesn't look like they will score too many goals this season.
If I had to choose a West Ham player for a fantasy team I think Kevin Nolan would be the best bet.
Fulham had a very good 5-0 win over Norwich in their first game, and they nearly took a point away to United last week. They traditionally don't travel too well and they have lost some good players this summer, but they still look like a pretty good team at the moment.
Damien Duff has scored twice in Fulham's first two games and Mladen Petric looks like he might be a good buy too.
I think Fulham will play all the good football and will probably get at least a draw.
Prediction: 1-1
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Swansea City Vs. Sunderland
3pm BST, Liberty Stadium, Swansea
Swansea have won their first two games under Michael Laudrup, and scored eight goals in the process. They are a tough team to beat at home, and they will be looking to maintain their perfect start to the season.
Nathan Dyer, Wayne Routeledge, Miguel Michu, Michel Vorm and Angel Rangel all look like great buys at the moment, but Michu could be the best long term bet.
Sunderland managed a 0-0 draw away to Arsenal in their first game, but last weeks game against Reading was postponed. They have added a couple of players to their squad since then, but they will probably approach this game in a defensive manner.
The best buys from Sunderland this season might be defensive players with Simon Mignolet probably the top choice.
I can see a resolute Sunderland team frustrating Swansea and taking a point from this game.
Prediction: 1-1
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Tottenham Hotspur Vs. Norwich City
3pm BST, White Hart Lane, London
Spurs have only taken one point from their first two games, and this is an ideal opportunity for them to get their first win. They have added a few players in the transfer window, and their team will take some time to settle.
Gareth Bale, Emmanuel Adebayor and Gylfi Sigurdsson are probably the best buys among the Spurs players.
Norwich were well and truly beaten in their first game, but they managed to take a point at home to QPR last week. They have a lot of improving to do, and this game will be a very tough task for them.
I'm not sure which Norwich players to choose, but I think Simeon Jackson will score goals if he gets a run in the team.
I think Spurs will have too much offensively for a weak Norwich defence, and take all three points.
Prediction: 3-1
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West Bromwich Albion Vs. Everton
3pm BST, The Hawthorns, Birmingham
Albion have started very well under their new manager by beating Liverpool at home and drawing away to Spurs. They have looked impressive so far, but this game could be a much sterner test for them.
Both Peter Odemwingie and Shane Long have looked impressive for West Brom so far, and James Morrison might be an outside bet.
Everton have won their first two games, and looked very impressive as well. The players they brought in last January have all started very well, and they will be a hard team to beat against any opposition.
Nikica Jelavic, Steven Pienaar, Leighton Baines and Marrouane Fellaini all look like very good fantasy purchases at the moment.
I think Everton will continue their good start by winning a very close game.
Prediction: 1-2
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Wigan Athletic Vs. Stoke City
3pm BST, DW Stadium, Wigan
Wigan bounced back from their opening week defeat to Chelsea by winning away to Southampton last week. They were very impressive in their Capital One Cup win on Tuesday night too.
It's not too easy to see which Wigan players will shine, but Ali Al-Habsi is always a good fantasy bet.
Stoke have drawn their first two games, and they are struggling in front of goal. They were knocked out of the Capital One Cup by Swindon on Wednesday night, and they usually struggle away from home.
Stoke defenders might be the best fantasy choices from their ranks with Asmir Begovic, Ryan Shawcross and Ribert Huth all possibilities.
I think Wigan might just win out in this battle of contrasting styles.
Prediction: 1-0
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Manchester City Vs. Queens Park Rangers
5.30pm BST, Etihad Stadium, Manchester
City have conceded four goals in their first two games as their usually tight defence has been found wanting. They only just beat QPR to win the title on the last day of last season, but they shouldn't find the task so difficult this time.
Carlos Tevez looks to be the best buy of the City players with Sergio Aguero injured, and Yaya Toure is looking pretty good at the moment too.
QPR took a point away to Norwich last week, but they will do well to get anything out of this game. They look very shaky in defence, as all of their new signings are trying to settle in.
At the moment it's tough to see what QPR players to sign, but I still think Djibril Cisse will come good.
I think City will be far too strong for QPR, and they should win easily.
Prediction: 4-0
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Sunday September 2
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Liverpool Vs. Arsenal
1.30pm BST, Anfield, Liverpool
Liverpool looked good at home to City last week, but their defence let them down. They have only taken one point so far in their two games, and they need to start winning games.
Luis Suarez is the Liverpool player must likely to succeed, and Stephen Gerrard could be the next most likely.
Arsenal are unbeaten so far, but they haven't managed to score a goal either. Both their opponents have sat back and defended so far, but Liverpool might just give them the opportunity to play some football.
Santi Cazorla looks like he could have a great season, and some Arsenal defenders such as Thomas Vermaelen are worth considering too.
I think Arsenal will revel in the opportunity to play against a team which tries to attack them, and get the goals and win they need.
Prediction: 1-2
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Newcastle United Vs. Aston Villa
4pm BST, Sports Direct Arena, Newcastle
Newcastle have had a tough start to their season, but they at least managed to beat Spurs. They are a hard team to beat at home, and they will see this game as an ideal chance to take three points.
Hatem Ben Arfa, Papiss Cisse and Demba Ba all look good bets for plenty of fantasy points this season.
Villa have lost their first two games, and looked pretty toothless in the process. They had a poor season last time, and this one is looker no better already.
At the moment Villa players are probably best avoided.
I can't see anything other than a Newcastle victory in this game.
Prediction: 2-0
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Southampton Vs. Manchester United
4pm BST, St. Mary's Stadium, Southampton
Southampton looked good in their 4-2 away loss to City, but Wigan beat them at home last week. They need to get a few points on the board to get their season going, but it won't be easy against United.
Ricky Lambert and Adam Lallana are probably the best fantasy bets among the Southampton players.
United look very shaky at the back at the moment, but they still have the ability to score plenty of goals. They traveled very well last season, and they will want to recapture that form after the opening week defeat to Everton.
With Wayne Rooney injured Robin van Persie could bag a few goals, and Shinji Kagawa looks like he might do well too.
I think United's attack will have too much for Southampton, and they will take all three points.
Prediction: 1-3
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Finally for today don't forget to join my Fantasy Premier league for the
new season with prizes for the top three teams. To join up just go to
the site and use the
code 17031-6252 to join my league when your team is
set up. If you were in my league last season you should automatically
be given a choice to rejoin it once your team is set up. There are over
800 teams in my league at the moment, and I'm hoping to match last
season's total of over 1,000 teams.
I'm also running my predictions league again, and it's open to anyone
who wants to join too. It's an easy game to play with points awarded for
predicting the outcomes of every Premier League game. To sign up just
go to the site and use
the code FD047-YLG to join my league once you have registered.
That's it for this week, but feel free to point out where I may have gone right or wrong as the case might be.
See you next week.
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