It's that time if the week again when I attempt to predict the outcomes of the upcoming Premier League games. It's the last week of the season and with only a few games having any real meaning it means there could be a few odd results. It won't be easy to predict the outcomes, but then again I haven't being doing too well in recent weeks anyway.
I got five correct outcomes last week and five incorrect ones which meant I dropped to sixth place in my predictions league. With only this week left the chances are I'll finish sixth or maybe fifth at the very best. Here's a look at how tge top 19 in my predictions league stands.
Pos. Player. Week. Total.
___ ______ ____ ____
___ ______ ____ ____
1. antonius_ronny_s 140 2680
2. RSun624 110 2025
3. ahujag 145 2015
4. b_red_devils 190 1920
5. Rutland Gooner 165 1885
6. JamrockRover 20 1835
7. birchy1962 -20 1800
8. AblockGooner 75 1725
9. nawa87 50 1685
10. Plasticninja 95 1610
Sunday May 19 All Games 4pm BST
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
Chelsea v Everton
Stamford Bridge, London
Chelsea are the current holders of both the Champions League and the Europa League and need a win to automatically qualify for next season's Champions League. Anything less would open the door for Arsenal to finish third and Chelsea would have to play in the qualifying round. It will depend on how well they recover from Wednesday night's victory and they have a good home record with 11 wins in 18 league games.
With Eden Hazard injured both Juan Mata and Frank Lampard would seem to be the best fantasy choices in the Chelsea team.
Everton are guaranteed sixth place in the league and will finish ahead of Liverpool yet again. This is David Moyes' last game in charge before becoming United's manager and he will want to go out on a high. They have only lost five of their 18 away games and will feel they have a chance against a Chelsea team that could be very tired.
It's hard to see which Everton players might do well in this game but as always Leighton Baines is a good bet.
I think this will be a close game but Chelsea might just get the victory they need.
Prediction: 2-1
______________________________
______________________________
Liverpool v Queens Park Rangers
Anfield, Liverpool
Liverpool have being scoring freely recently away from home but have found it difficult to find the net at home. They have only won eight of their 18 home games and will finish seventh no matter what. They must surely relish a home game against a team that are already relegated as an ideal opportunity to see their fans off in a good mood.
Both Daniel Sturridge and Phillippe Coutinho must be fancied to do well this week with Liverpool's defenders also looking good.
QPR will finish last in the league unless they win this game and Reading lose their game. They have only won two of their 18 away games so far though and are the lowest scorers in the league.
I can't see any QPR players to recommend to fantasy managers.
I think Liverpool should be good enough to win this game by a few goals.
Prediction: 3-0
______________________________
______________________________
Manchester City v Norwich City
Etihad Stadium, Manchester
City were beaten in the cup final last week by Wigan and subsequently parted with manager Roberto Mancini. They managed to bounce back with a 2-0 win at Reading in midweek which guaranteed their runners up spot in the league too. They have the chance to finish the season off in a good fashion against one of the teams that just managed to beat the drop.
Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero are probably the City players to watch and their defenders could fare well too.
Norwich had a very good 4-0 win at home to West Brom last week to confirm their Premier League status for another season. They have only won once away from home though and only managed 13 goals in the process. They will do very well to come out of this game with anything.
Robert Snodgrass might be the only Norwich player to consider, but it's hard to see them doing much at City.
I think City should win this game comfortably.
Prediction: 2-0
______________________________
______________________________
Newcastle United v Arsenal
St. James Park, Newcastle
Newcastle won their fight against relegation by winning at QPR last week. They have won half of their home games this season but have been well beaten at home recently by both Sunderland and Liverpool. Alan Pardew has retracted his statement about not caring if they lose this game 4-0 and I'm sure they will give their all to try to stop Arsenal winning.
Hatem Ben Arfa might be the only Newcastle player to look at now that he finally seems to have overcome his injury problems.
Arsenal got the win they need at home to Wigan in midweek and know they will finish fourth at worst if they win this game. Third is still a slight possibility for them but it depends on Chelsea not beating Everton. Arsenal have the best defensive record in the league away from home and will welcome Olivier Giroud back from his three game suspension.
Santi Cazorla and Theo Walcott look to be the Arsenal players to opt for and their defenders are a good choice away from home too.
Arsenal need to win this game and I think they will do so.
Prediction: 0-2
______________________________
______________________________
Southampton v Stoke City
St. Mary's Stadium, Southampton
Southampton got the point they needed to make them safe last week and they will want to finish the season on a high in front of their fans. They have only lost six home games out of 18 and are capable of playing good football. If they can get Stoke to keep the ball out of the air they will be favourites to win.
Rickie Lambert and Jay Rodriguez are probably the Southampton players most likely to perform in their last game of the season.
Stoke have only two wins and 12 goals away from home. With their Premier League place safe for next season maybe they will change their style for a game but I doubt it. The chances of Stoke actually trying to play football are few and far between.
It's not easy to pick Stoke players as they offer so little in attack but their defenders are worth considering.
I think Southampton's attacking flair might just get the better of Stoke's anti football.
Prediction: 2-1
_____________________________
_____________________________
Swansea City v Fulham
Liberty Stadium, Swansea
Swansea haven't been great since winning the Capital One Cup, but they put on a good performance away to United last week. They will relish the chance to finish the season on a high against a Fulham side who look like it finished for them a few weeks ago.
Miguel Michu is still the best fantasy bet in the Swansea team.
Fulham have lost they last five games in a row and are lucky their run didn't start a week or two earlier. They have only won three of their 18 away games and will do very well to get anything out of this game.
It would take a brave person to pick Fulham players on current form.
I think Swansea should be good enough to beat a Fulham team that are clearly anxiously waiting for their holidays.
Prediction: 3-1
______________________________
______________________________
Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland
White Hart Lane, London
Spurs have to win this game and hope Arsenal don't win away to Newcastle or they will finish fifth. They have come so close to qualifying for next season's Champions League, but it's not in their own hands on the last day. It will be a bitter blow for them if they don't make it.
Gareth Bale is still the outstanding Spurs player for fantasy managers.
Sunderland can thank Arsenal for beating Wigan on Tuessay night to keep them in the Premier League for another season. They have certainly improved under Paolo Di Canio and might well have been relegated if Martin O'Neill wasn't shown the door. They have only won four of their 18 away games and will be lucky not to be well beaten in this game.
It's not easy to see what Sunderland players might do well in this game, but as always Simon Mignolet is a good bet.
I think Spurs will get the win they need but it will probably end in heartache for them anyway.
Prediction: 3-1
______________________________
______________________________
West Bromwich Albion v Manchester United
The Hawthorns, Birmingham
West Brom were well and truly beaten by Norwich last week in what was probably their worst performance of the season. They have a pretty good record at home with nine wins in 18 games and only a win will guarantee eighth place. They should be able to give the champions a run for their money.
Romelu Lukaku is still the best fantasy bet in the West Brom team, but he has dried up in the last few games.
United haven't been the same team since securing the title a few weeks ago which is understandable. It will be an emotional day for them as it's Alex Ferguson's last game in charge before retiring. They will want to give him a good farewell with a performance and result to match the occasion.
Robin van Persie is by far the best fantasy performer in the United team.
Prediction: 2-2
______________________________
______________________________
West Ham United v Reading
Upton Park, London
West Ham have only lost four home games out of 18 and have a good defensive record at home too. They have been very hard to beat in recent weeks and will fancy their chances against a team that are already relegated.
Andy Carroll has looked good in recent weeks and could end his loan spell at West Ham on a high.
Reading will be returning to the Championship after just one year in the Premier League. They really weren't good enough at this level but they have given it their best shot at least. They have lost 14 of their 18 away games so far and the chances are it will be 15 after this game.
I can't see any Reading players worth considering for fantasy managers.
West Ham should be good enough to win this game by a few goals.
Prediction: 3-0
______________________________
______________________________
Wigan Athletic v Aston Villa
DW Stadium, Wigan
Wigan were relegated when Arsenal beat them on Tuesday night and made history by being the first team to win the FA Cup and be relegated the next season. They will have a trophy to show off to their fans but it will be a bittersweet day for them. They will want to go down with a win but coming back up next season won't be easy for this Europa League bound club.
Shaun Maloney and Arouna Kone could be the Wigsn players to shine if they can lift themselves after their disappointment.
Villa will be glad Wigan lost on Tuesday night as this game would have been a huge game otherwise. With Wigan already relegated Villa can relax and play the football which had seen them climb the table recently. They have got the worst defensive record away from home though and Wigan have the worst defensive record at home.
Christian Benteke is the Villa player most likely to succeed for fantasy managers and he could be ably assisted by Gabriel Agbonlahor.
This could be a high scoring game and I think Villa are going to win it.
Prediction: 1-3
______________________________
______________________________
That's it for this season.
See you next season.
No comments:
Post a Comment