It's that time of the week again when I attempt to predict the outcomes of the upcoming Premier League games. I did reasonably well last week when I got one perfect scoreline, four correct outcomes and five incorrect outcomes. It meant I stayed in fifth place in my predictions league, but the leader isn't too far ahead of me for a change.
Here's a look at how my predictions league stands.
Pos Player Week Total
___ ______ ____ _____
1. antonius_romy_s 65 260
2. nawa87 30 215
3. iancampbell11 0 210
4. BenAFCBeast 20 205
5. JamrockRover 60 205
6. Plasticninja 120 170
7. RSun624 50 165
8. AFC_Ollie95 55 150
9. Meikku 60 135
10. Rutland Gooner 40 115
Saturday September 22
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Swansea City Vs. Everton
12.45pm BST, Liberty Stadium, Swansea
Swansea had a good start to their season with seven points from their first three games but they lost to Villa last week. They are never an easy team to beat at home and their continued presence in the Premier League could depend on how well they do in their own stadium. They have a couple of defensive absences at the moment and it's showing in their defensive play.
Miguel Michu is probably still the best fantasy bet among the Swansea players with Nathan Dyer and Wayne Routeledge faring well too.
Everton have had a pretty good start to the season too and they looked like to move into the top three last Monday against Newcastle. They were undone by Demba Ba and some very poor decisions by the officials and had to settle for a draw in the end. They have started this season very well for a change and it could see them push hard for a top four place.
Nikica Jelavic looks likely to do well for Everton this season, but the best bets could be Leighton Baines and Steven Pienaar.
I think Everton might just be a little too strong for Swansea and edge a tight game.
Prediction: 1-2
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Chelsea Vs. Stoke City
3pm BST, Stamford Bridge, London
Chelsea have had a very good start to the season and they're currently top of the table on 10 points from four matches. They have spent a lot of money bringing in new attacking talent, but they look a bit suspect at the back at times. They will be looking for another win in this game to stay top of the table after the fixture list was pretty kind to them early on.
Eden Hazard is the obvious fantasy choice among the Chelsea players but there so many others to choose from too. Branislav Ivanovic, Gary Cahil and Fernando Torres are just three possibly worth taking a chance on.
Stoke haven't won any of their four opening fixtures, but they haven't lost any either. They are never an easy team to beat but their lack of goals can be a real issue for them at times.
It's difficult to pick which Stoke players to choose for fantasy managers, but Ryan Shawcross usually does well and Charlie Adams might do so too.
I can't see anything other than a Chelsea win in this game.
Prediction: 3-0
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Southampton Vs. Aston Villa
3pm BST, St. Mary's Stadium, Southampton
Southampton have lost their first four games of the season and it's not looking good for them. They did have to play the two Manchester clubs and Arsenal though and the fixture list can only get kinder to them. There are rumours of new managers on the horizon and Ian Adkins will have to start winning games very soon.
Ricky Lambert is probably the Southampton player most likely to perform for fantasy managers.
Villa started slowly under Paul Lambert but they have slowly got better. Their biggest problem seems to be their lack of goals but they have tightened things up at the back. If Lambert can continue the improvement the Villa fans might be very happy with him.
Villa's defence is looking pretty good at the moment and Ciarian Clarke might not be a bad shout for fantasy managers.
I think Southampton's woes will continue as Villa edge this game.
Prediction: 1-2
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West Bromwich Albion Vs. Reading
3pm BST, The Hawthorns, Birmingham
Albion had a great start to the season but it came to an abrupt end away to Fulham last week. They have looked very good at home so far though and they will be keen to get back on track.
Gareth McAuley and Ben Foster are looking good for Albion at the moment and James Morrison is performing well too.
Reading have only one point so far and they need to get a few more points on the board. Their defence has struggled so far and they need to tighten up or they will have a real struggle on their hands.
With Reading struggling at the moment it's difficult to see which of their players to opt for.
I think Albion will get back on track with a good home win.
Prediction: 3-0
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West Ham United Vs. Sunderland
3pm BST, Upton Park, London
West Ham have started better than either of the other newly promoted teams. They have won both of their home games without conceding a goal so far and their home form will be key to their season.
Kevin Nolan gets his fair share of fantasy points and he's available at a very good price too.
Sunderland haven't won in more than 10 Premier League games stretching back to last season. They may be unbeaten this season but they have to start winning games soon.
I think Simon Mignolet and Steven Fletcher are the stand out candidates among the Sunderland players.
I can see Sunderland getting yet another draw out of this game.
Prediction: 1-1
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Wigan Athletic Vs. Fulham
3pm BST, DW Stadium, Wigan
Wigan were well beaten by United last week and their only victory so far was against newly promoted Southampton. They can turn on the style at times and they will be eager to get their first home win of the season.
Al Al-Habsi always scores well over the season for fantasy managers thanks in no small part to his penalty saving abilities.
Fulham have won their two home games and scored eight goals in the process. They are a different team away from home though, and they have lost both games while conceding six goals. They gave scored 10 goals in four games though and no other team can better that so far.
Dimitar Berbatov could be just the player to do really well for fantasy managers at Fulham and Alex Kacaniklic looks pretty good too.
I have a feeling Fulham might get something out of this game and maybe even win.
Prediction: 1-2
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Sunday September 23
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Liverpool Vs. Manchester United
1.30pm BST, Anfield, Liverpool
Liverpool have had their worst start to a league campaign in over 100 years. They are just outside the relegation zone with only two points and the pressure on them is really building. This is a huge game for them for loads of reasons and it promises to be a great occasion.
Liverpooll players are currently looking unlikely to be of much value to fantasy managers but surely that must change soon.
United are second in the table with three wins from four games despite their suspect defence. They have managed 10 goals in those four games and they will be looking to get at a Liverpool defence which is also suspect. They will relish the chance to play Liverpool when Liverpool are suffering.
Robin van Persie looks to be the best bet for fantasy managers among the United players. Antonio Valencia, Nani and Shinji Kagawa also look likely to fare well.
I think this will be a very close game and will probably end up with the honours shared.
Prediction: 2-2
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Newcastle United Vs. Norwich City
3pm BST, Sports Direct Arena, Newcastle
Newcastle
had a great season last time round and it won't be easy for them to
match it this time. They haven't won any of their last three games and
now they have the distraction of Europa League football too. They will
see a home game against Norwich as an ideal opportunity get another
three points on the board.
Demba Ba and Hatem Ben Arfa look to be the Newcastle players most likely to succeed.
Norwich
have got back on track a little since their opening day thrashing. They
have managed three draws since then but they will need a few wins if
they're going to stay in the Premier League.
It's hard
to see any Norwich players who might perform well for fantasy managers,
but at a push Robert Snodgrass is doing well at the moment.
I think Newcastle will have too much up front for Norwich and get the win they want.
Prediction: 3-1
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Manchester City Vs. Arsenal
4pm BST, Etihad Stadium, Manchester
City won the league on the back of their fantastic home form last season. They have won their two home games so far this season too, but this game will be a much sterner test for them.
Carlos Tevez and Yaya Toure are currently the best performing City players but Sergio Aguero could change that when he's back from injury.
Arsenal have won their last two games after they started with two draws. They're up to third in the table, but this will be the biggest test so far of their new look team.
Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla look to be the best attacking options from the Arsenal team and their defence is looking pretty solid too. Thomas Vermaelen is probably the best fantasy bet among their defenders.
This could be a very good game and I think Arsenal might just edge it.
Prediction: 1-2
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Tottenham Hotspur Vs. Queens Park Rangers
4pm BST, White Hart Lane, London
Spurs got their first win of the season away to Reading last week. They have a great opportunity to get another win in this game as long as they have recovered from their Europa League exertions on Thursday night.
Gareth Bale is still the Spurs player most likely to perform for fantasy managers.
QPR are in the relegation zone with only two points and two goals from their first four games. They played well at home to Chelsea last week and managed a good 0-0 draw. They will need an even better performance in this game to get anything out of it.
It's tough to see any QPR players setting the fantasy world alight at the moment.
I think Spurs should be too good for QPR and get their first home win of the season.
Prediction: 3-0
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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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