Friday 7 March 2014

Predictions For Premier League Gameweek 29

It's that time of the week again when I attempt to predict the outcomes of the upcoming Premier League games. There's only five games this week because of FA Cup commitments and it means many fantasy managers will struggle to fill their teams. It also means plenty of teams have games in hand and will start to make those games up over the next few weeks.

I didn't fare so well last week with just one perfect scoreline, two correct outcomes and five incorrect. It means a I stay seventh in my predictions league for the moment at least. Here's a look at how the top 10 in my predictions league stands.


PositionPlayer NamePTSTWBB
NC 1 (1)  MickTheGooner1725+8020
Down 2 (1)  Wayne Hubbard1720+7510
NC 3 (3)  Karl-Yngve Lund1645+4010
Up 4 (5)  KildareGunner1560+6010
Down 5 (4)  Abu K1550+355
NC 6 (6)  Paul Kingston1515+405
NC 7 (7)  Michael Sheehy1430+405
NC 8 (8)  goonerdhanesh1280+200
NC 9 (9)  Sulabh1220+200
NC 10 (10)  Gaurav Ahuja88500

Saturday March 8

West Bromwich Albion v Manchester United

12.45pm GMT, The Hawthorns, Birmingham 

West Brom have only taken four points in their last seven games and are poised perilously one point above the relegation zone. They have only won three of their 14 home games, but they have drawn seven and they're not an easy team to beat at home. In fact West Brom have drawn 13 of their 27 league games and they have won less games than any other team.

It's impossible to choose any West Brom players for fantasy managers at the moment.

United are 12 points off a Champions League place with 11 games left to play and will need to put in a real effort just to make it into the Europa League. They have done well away from home though with only Arsenal and Spurs winning more away games and only Liverpool, City and Arsenal scoring more away goals. They won their last league game at Palace and they need to take the three points from another one of the teams at the wrong end of the table.

Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata look like the United players to have for fantasy managers with Patrice Evra to be considered too.

West Brom are the draw kings of the Premier League and a I think they might get a point out of this game.

Prediction: 1-1

Cardiff City v Fulham

3pm GMT, Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff

Cardiff have only taken five points in their last 12 games and one in their last four with no goals scored in those games. No other team has scored less goals at home and only Fulham have conceded more home goals. They're still only three points from safety with 10 games to go, but it's beginning to look ominous for them.

I can't see any Cardiff players to buy for fantasy managers at the moment.

Fulham have only taken two points in their last eight games and they're rock bottom of the table with 10 games left to play. They have taken more points away from home than at home so far this season, but they have got the worst defensive record away from home. Their three away wins have all come against other struggling teams and they need to take there points from this game.

I can't see any Fulham players worth considering for fantasy managers right now.

This is a real relegation six pointer and a I think Fulham might just sneak a win.

Prediction: 1-2

Crystal Palace v Southampton 

3pm GMT, Selhurst Park, London

Palace have a good home record with only the top six winning more home games than them. After struggling early on they are now three points clear of the relegation zone and that home record looks likely to keep them up. They don't score too many goals though and only Cardiff and Norwich have scored less goals at home. 

Palace defenders are pretty good fantasy purchases when they play at home and Glenn Murray might be an outside bet now that he's finally fit to play.

Southampton are quite strong defensively away from home with only Chelsea and West Ham conceding less goals on the road. They're ninth in the table with no real chance of qualifying for European football and they're safe from relegation too. A fair few of their players are playing for World Cup places though and that could be what makes the difference for them in the run in.    

Adam Lallana is still the best fantasy choice in the Southampton team with Rickie Lambert, Jay Rodriguez, Jose Fonte and Artur Boruc to be considered too. 

I have a feeling Southampton might just have enough to nick this game by the odd goal.

Prediction: 1-2

Norwich City v Stoke City

3pm GMT, Carrow Road, Norwich

Norwich went 1-0 up away to Villa last week but ended up losing 4-1 and are only four points above the relegation zone. They have only lost four of their 14 home games though and have kept clean sheets in their last four at home. Only four teams have a better defensive record at home which is very good for a team at the wrong end of the table. 

John Ruddy has done well in goal for Norwich and all of their defenders have done well at home recently.

Stoke have taken eight points in their last five games to move six points clear of the relegation zone. They have only won once in their 14 away games though and only Fulham and Norwich have conceded more goals away from home. Their home form should be enough to see them stay up, but no other team has taken less points away from home.

With Charlie Adam suspended I can't see any Stoke players to recommend to fantasy managers.

I think Norwich's home form could be enough to see them take the three points.

Prediction: 1-0

Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur

5.30pm GMT, Stamford Bridge, London

Chelsea are four points clear at the top of the league with none of the next three teams playing this week. They're unbeaten at home and have won 12 of their 14 home games with only Arsenal conceding less goals at home. They are also unbeaten in their last 13 league games and have won 10 of those games.

Eden Hazard and John Terry are the must have Chelsea players with all of their defenders worth having too.

Spurs have the best away record in the league with nine wins in 14 away games and only Chelsea have conceded less goals away from home. They're only six points off second place with games coming up against both Arsenal and Liverpool and they need to take something from this game. Their Champions League chances could well be decided in their next four games.

Emmanuel Adebayor is the Spurs player most likely to succeed for fantasy managers.

I think Chelsea's strength and home form will be enough to see them extend their lead at the top of the league. 

Prediction: 2-1

That's it for this week

See you next week


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