Friday, 6 December 2013

Predictions For Premier League Gameweek 15

It's that time of the week again when I attempt to predict the outcomes of the upcoming Premier League games. I only managed four correct outcomes and six incorrect in the midweek games which means I stayed in seventh place in my predictions league. The games weeks between the predictions league and Fantasy Premier League have gotten a little mixed up this week so the points shown in the predictions table are for two fantasy league games weeks. Here's a look at the top 10 in my predictions league.


Pos.    Player.                        Week.    Total

1.        Paul Kingston             130        1120

2.        Wayne Hubbard          85          990

3.        Karl-Yngve Lund        180         945

4.        KildareGunner            100         935

5.        Abu K                         140        920

6.        MickTheGooner          180        905

7.        Sulabh                         80         840

8.        Michael Sheehy          125        770

9.        Gaurav Ahuja               75        745

10.      TheDognash               120       735

Saturday December 7

Manchester United v Newcastle United

12.45pm GMT, Old Trafford, Manchester 

United are 12 points off the pace after only 14 games and have only taken two points in their last three games. They have only won three of their seven home games and have only scored eight goals in those games. If they can't turn their form around quickly they will have a real battle to finish in the top four never mind retaining their title.

With Wayne Rooney suspended United will have to hope Robin van Persie is passed fit to play and it's hard to see any other United players impressing at the moment.

Newcastle had won four games in a row until Swansea beat them 3-0 on Wednesday night. It seems to be all or nothing for them away from home with three wins and four defeats and they have conceded 14 goals in those games. They will feel they have a chance of getting something from a United team that are struggling at the moment.

Loric Remy is still the best fantasy option in the Newcastle team.

I think United will get back to winning ways but it won't be easy for them.

Prediction: 2-1

Crystal Palace v Cardiff City

3pm GMT, Selhurst Park, London

Palace managed to get a crucial win at home to West Ham on Tuesday night and they have only conceded one goal in their last four games. Seven points in those games have given them some real hope of winning their battle against relegation. I still don't think they're good enough to stay up but a win in this game would be a huge boost for those ambitions.

Palace defenders are looking pretty good at the moment and maybe Barry Bannon could score a few points too.

Cardiff got a good point away to Stoke on Wednesday night, but they're still dangerously close to the relegation zone. Only the bottom two clubs have scored less goals away from home than Cardiff and only Palace have scored less goals overall. Since beating Swansea they have only managed two points and two goals in four games and they need to get something out of this game.

It's not easy to see any Cardiff players excelling at the moment, but their defenders could do well in this game.

I think this will be a very close game and could well end in a draw.

Prediction: 0-0

Liverpool v West Ham United

3pm GMT, Anfield, Liverpool

Liverpool bounced back from a couple of poor results by putting five goals past Norwich on Wednesday night. Only City have scored more home goals than Liverpool and only City and Stoke have conceded less. They were again inspired by Luis Suarez with four goals and he is even more important to them right now with Daniel Sturridge injured. 

After Suarez both Steven Gerrard and Philippe Coutinho look pretty good right now too,

West Ham seemed to be getting back on track until their defeat at Palace on Thursday night. They're only one place and three points above the relegation zone and they have only scored four goals in seven away games. Injuries have played a part in their poor start but they have to find a way to overcome them and get some more points.

West Ham defenders have done well up to now and Raval Morrison is a reasonably priced midfielder who can score a few points for fantasy managers although he is suspended this weekend.

I think Liverpool will win this game by two or three goals. 

Prediction: 3-0

Southampton v Manchester City

3pm GMT, St. Mary's Stadium, Southampton 

Southampton have lost their last three games in a row and conceded eight goals in the process. Their defence had been the rock their great start to the season was built on but they got a few defensive injuries just as they were coming up against the top teams. The defeat to Villa was their only defeat at home and they are not an easy team to beat at home.

Adam Lallana and Rickie Lanbert must still be seen as good long term bets for fantasy managers, but their defenders have slipped badly recently.

City got their second away win of the season at West Brom on Wednesday night, but they almost let it slip at the end. They have still lost four of their seven away games and will find it far from easy against a good Southampton side. City have scored 40 goals in their 14 league games and that makes their chances of winning any game very good.

Sergio Aguero and Yaya Toure are must haves for fantasy managers with Pablo Zabaleta, Samir Nasri and Alvaro Negredo all to be considered too.

I have a feeling Southampton might just be able to get something out of this game and take a point.

Prediction: 2-2

Stoke City v Chelsea

3pm GMT, Britannia Stadium, Stoke

Stoke seemed to have shaken off their inability to score a few weeks ago, but have come up goalless in their last two games. They have only won two of their seven home games but they have only lst one and there have been very few goals in those games. If they're going to steer clear of the relegation zone they need to win more home games but it won't be easy against Chelsea.

Asmir Begovic and Ryan Shawcross continue to be the best fantasy choices in the Stoke team.

Chelsea just about scraped through 4-3 away to bottom club Sunderland on Wednesday night. Their defence looks far from stable, but they're starting to score a lot more freely now. Despite still not firing on all cylinders they are only four points behind the leaders.

Eden Hazard is in fine form for Chelsea at the moment while Frank Lampard and John Terry continue to amass plenty of fantasy points.

I think Chelsea have too much firepower for Stoke and will win by the odd goal.

Prediction: 1-2

West Bromwich Albion v Norwich City

3pm GMT, The Hawthorns, Birmingham

West Brom lost 3-2 at home to City on Wednesday night to make it two defeats in a row. They will welcome a home game against the worst traveling defence in the league and will be expected to win this game. They have drawn a lot of games though and need to turn a few of those draws into wins.

Gareth McAuley still looks the best fantasy bet in the West Brom team to me.

Norwich are leaking far too many goals away from home and have been on the end of a few thrashings already this season. They have lost six of their seven away games and conceded 21 goals while scoring only four. Their home form is keeping them out of the relegation zone and they will be in a lot of trouble if it falters.

It's hard to see any Norwich players to choose for fantasy managers at the moment.

I think West Brom will be good enough to win this by a couple of goals.

Prediction: 3-1

Sunderland v Tottenham Hotspur

5.30pm GMT, Stadium of Light, Sunderland 

Sunderland put in a good display at home to Chelsea on Wednesday night, but came away with no points. They're rooted to the foot of the table and need to get a good run going before they find themselves cut adrift. They have lost five of their 17 home games and have the worst defensive record at home too.

I can't see any Sunderland players to recommend at the moment.

Spurs came from behind to beat Fulham on Wednesday night and it was their first win in five league games. Their defence looked so solid a few weeks ago but they have conceded nine goals in their last three games. They're still only three points off a top four place though and will feel they can get even closer if they win this game.

If Spurs are going to mount a challenge for a top four spot their defenders could still be good fantasy buys despite their recent troubles.

I think Sunderland showed enough against Chelsea to suggest they can get at least a point from this game.

Prediction: 1-1

Sunday December 8

Fulham v Aston Villa

1.30pm GMT, Craven Cottage, London

Fulham looked to be getting the good start that traditionally comes with a new manager when they led Spurs on Wednesday night but they couldn't hold on and lost 2-1. They have lost six games in a row and have only won once in their seven home games. Only Sunderland have conceded more goals at home and things don't look good for them at the moment.

I can't see any Fulham players to recommend to fantasy managers at the moment.

Villa had a very good win away to Southampton on Wednesday night and have a better record away than at home so far this season. They have only lost one of their seven away games and only Arsenal and West Ham have conceded less goals on the road. Their style of play seems to be suited to away games and they will warn to win this game to continue climbing the table.

Brad Guzan is performing well for fantasy managers at the moment and some of the other Villa defenders are worth considering too.

I think Villa's counter attacking style will be ideally suited to picking Fulham off and they will win narrowly.

Prediction: 1-2

Arsenal v Everton

4pm GMT, Emirates Stadium, London

Arsenal are still four points clear at the top of the table and have won six of their seven home games. They have the best defence in the league and have only conceded one goal in their last six games. This is the first of four really tough games in two weeks and they will be tested to their limit in these games.

Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey continue to impress for Arsenal with Olivier Giroud and any of their defensive players worth considering too.

Everton had a great win away to United on Wednesday night and have only lost once in their 14 league games so far. That one defeat was away to City who have been incredible at home and they're only outside the top four on goal difference. A game away to the league leaders is a tough one for them, but they are more than capable of getting a result.

Romelu Lukaku is still the best fantasy bet in the Everton team but their defenders are all well worth a fantasy punt too.

I think this is going to be a very close game, but Arsenal might just have enough to edge it.

Prediction: 2-1

Monday December 9

Swansea v Hull City 

8pm GMT, Liberty Stadium, Swansea

Swansea have a Europa League game on Thursday night and for some bizarre reason they have been scheduled to play on a Monday night for live TV. They need a result to progress on Thursday and their squad is suffering with injuries at the moment. League points are needed too and the players will just have to give their all in both games. There tends to be quite a few goals in their home games with only City's home games providing more.

It's not easy to pick any Swansea players at the moment with their best fantasy performers out injured, but Jonjo Shelvey has being doing well in recent weeks.

Hull came back to earth at Arsenal after their very good win over Liverpool last weekend. They have lost six of their seven away games so far and only Norwich have conceded more goals on the road. If they're going to stay in the Premier League it's their home form which will do it for them.

I don't think there are any Hull players impressing at the moment away from home in particular.

I think Swansea will get another win under their belts to keep them close to the top half of the table.

Prediction: 2-0

That's it for this week.

See you next week.


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