It's that time of the week again when I attempt to predict the outcomes of the upcoming Premier League games. I didn't get too many right last week but I still did well in my predictions league in a week of unusual results. I managed two perfect outcomes, two correct outcomes and six wrong outcomes.
It means I'm still in fourth place in my predictions league but I'm very close to third place. Here's a look at how my predictions league stands.
Pos Player Week Total
___ _____ ____ ____
1. antonius_ronny_s 50 905
2. AblockGooner 115 710
3. Plasticninja 10 670
4. JamrockRover 70 660
5. Rutland Gooner 85 565
6. Meikku 125 555
7. goonerdhanesh -30 555
8. RSun624 -15 550
9. ahujag 60 540
10. nawa87 -10 515
Saturday November 10
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Arsenal V Fulham
3pm GMT, Emirates Stadium, London
Arsenal have lost three of their last five Premier League games and they're not playing well at the moment. They were very poor against United last week but they still have the best defensive record in the league so far this season. They will miss the suspended Jack Wilshere in a game that they just have to win.
Theo Walcott is looking a good fantasy bet if he can just get a start and Santi Cazorla is still performing well.
Fulham are level on points with Arsenal going into this game and playing well. Only the top two have scored more than them, but only one other club besides the bottom three have conceded more. They will see this game as a rare opportunity to get a win away to Arsenal.
Dimitar Berbatov looks the Fulham player most like to perform to me.
I think Arsenal might just scrape a win as they look to make up some ground on the teams ahead of them.
Prediction: 2-1
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Everton V Sunderland
3pm GMT, Goodison Park, Liverpool
Everton are still in the top four as they continue to play very well. They have been unlucky in almost every game they haven't won and they look like a match for any side in the league. They will see this as an ideal opportunity to rubber stamp their top four credentials.
Marouane Fellaini, Leighton Baines and Steven Pienaar are best choices among an Everton team that's performing very well.
Sunderland have a very good defensive record so far, but their lack of goals is a real concern. They are just above the relegation zone and unless they start finding the net on a regular basis it's going to be a long hard season for them.
Stephen Fletcher was good until a few weeks ago but he has lost his way recently. Sunderland's defenders aren't a bad choice though with only nine goals conceded in nine games.
I can see Everton getting the better of a resolute Sunderland defence and winning by a couple of goals.
Prediction: 2-0
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Reading V Norwich City
3pm GMT, Madjeski Stadium, Reading
Reading managed to get a point away to QPR last week but they need to get a few wins under their belt. Their firmly rooted in the relegation zone and even a win won't lift them out of it. They will see Norwich as a team they are capable of beating though and they haven't had problems scoring goals.
I still think Jodi McAnuff is a good cheap bet for fantasy managers.
Norwich have taken seven points from their last three games to move clear of the relegation zone. They're still struggling to score goals but they have certainly tightened up at the back since Liverpool put five past them. A win in this game would give them some real breathing space in the relegation dog fight.
Grant Holt is probably the Norwich player most likely to perform for fantasy managers.
I think Reading will finally get their first win of the season in a very close game.
Prediction: 2-1
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Southampton V Swansea City
3pm GMT, St. Mary's Stadium, Southampton
Southampton have taken all of their points at home so far this season but that's only four. They have by far the worst defensive record in the league so far and they have to find a solution to that problem. It should be an entertaining open game but that might not be to Southampton's advantage.
Adam Lallana is currently the Southampton player most likely to perform for fantasy managers.
Swansea had a very good result and performance at home to Chelsea last week and they seem to have found their rhythm again. They play good football and can challenge any team when they're at their best. There are goals in the team too and they should get plenty of opportunities against Southampton.
Miguel Michu continues to be the best fantasy choice among the Swansea players with Wayne Routeledge also doing very well.
I think Swansea will take all three points in what could be a very exciting game.
Prediction: 2-3
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Stoke City V Queens Park Rangers
3pm GMT, Britannia Stadium, Stoke
Stoke are a little like Sunderland at the moment as they're goal shy but quite tight in defence. They would expect to be in a better position at the moment and this is a game they really should win.
Stoke defensive players are probably the ones to look at with only 10 goals conceded in 10 games so far.
QPR still haven't won a game so far this season and they couldn't even beat fellow strugglers Reading at home last week. Surely Mark Hughes can't last much longer with his team only off the foot of the table on goal difference. A win is a must for them in this game but it's not an easy venue to win at.
There aren't too many QPR players making an impression for fantasy managers so far this season.
I can see Stoke getting the only goal in a drab affair.
Prediction: 1-0
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Wigan Athletic V West Bromwich Albion
3pm GMT, DW Arena, Wigan
Wigan had a great win at Spurs last week to move them well clear of the relegation zone. They're still struggling a little in front of goal but their defence has improved a lot since last season.
Ali Al-Habsi is always good for a few fantasy points with plenty of saved and his ability to save penalties too.
West Brom are still fighting far above their weight in fifth position. They dispatched Southampton with relative ease at home on Monday night but they have been less impressive away from home. This is a game they will feel they have a chance of getting a good result from though.
Ben Foster, Gareth McAuley, James Morrison and Shane Long are all performing very well for Albion at the moment.
This should be an entertaining game and I can see it ending in a score draw.
Prediction: 1-1
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Aston Villa V Manchester United
5.30pm GMT, Villa Park, Birmingham
Villa had a much needed win away to Sunderland last week with some very tough games coming up for them. They're yet another team finding it difficult to score goals but their defence is reasonably sound. It will be severely tested with games against last season's top three coming up for them.
It's hard to see which Villa players might make an impression over the next few weeks.
United beat Arsenal 2-1 last week but the scoreline flattered Arsenal. That win saw them move to the top of the table with eight wins in their first 10 games. They will be looking to put more pressure on the chasing pack by taking all three points off a struggling Villa team.
Robin van Persie is the must have United player for fantasy managers with Rafael da Silva getting plenty of fantasy points too.
I can't see anything other than yet another win for United in this game.
Prediction: 0-2
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Sunday November 11
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Manchester City V Tottenham Hotspur
1.30pm GMT, Etihad Stadium, Manchester
City had another terrible night in the Champions League on Tuesday and qualification for the knockout stages is now almost certainly beyond them. They are still unbeaten in the league this season and a formidable team at home. Their confidence will be dented after Tuesday night and they could struggle as a result.
Yaya Toure and Carlos Tevez are the City players racking up fantasy points at the moment.
Spurs recent good run seems to have come to an end with two defeats in their last three Premier League games. The home defeat to Wigan last week was a real blow and it won't be easy for them to bounce back away to City. They have conceded quite a few goals so far and it's something that needs to be addressed if they are going to challenge for a top four spot.
Garett Bale is the must have Spurs player for fantasy managers with Jermaine Defoe possibly worth a punt too.
I think City's incredible home record will help to see them through to a win.
Prediction: 2-1
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Newcastle United V West Ham United
3pm GMT, St. James Park, Newcastle
Newcastle fought well to take a point from a trip to Liverpool last week. They're still within touching distance of the top four and they will feel it's a realistic target with the players they have. They haven't found the net as often as they would like with the obvious exception of Demba Ba.
Ba is in fine form at the moment as long as he can stay fit and Hatem Ben Arfa is looking very good too.
West Ham have had a great start to the season for a newly promoted team. They have the physical strength to challenge any team and they have proved to be very hard to beat. They're not quite so effective away from home though.
Kevin Nolan is still the outstanding fantasy player in the West Ham team.
I think Newcastle will win but it will be a bit of a struggle for them.
Prediction: 2-1
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Chelsea V Liverpool
4pm GMT, Stamford Bridge, London
Chelsea surrendered their place at the top of the table when Swansea grabbed a late equaliser against them last week. Their defence hasn't looked quite so good in recent weeks but they are still scoring plenty of goals. They will be clear favourites in this game against a Liverpool team struggling to score goals.
Juan Mata, Eden Hazard, Fernando Torres and Branislav Ivanovic are all looking very good for fantasy managers.
Liverpool are still in the bottom half of the table with only two wins in 10 games and a negative goal difference too. Luis Suarez looks like a man who feels he has to do it all alone as those around him continue to falter. It's a very tough game for a team struggling to get results and it won't be easy for them.
Suarez is the only Liverpool player to recommend to fantasy managers at the moment.
I think Chelsea will have too much firepower for Liverpool and win by a couple of goals.
Prediction: 3-1
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That's it for this week but as always feel free to tell me where I may have gone right or wrong as the case might be.
See you next week.
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