Saturday 23 May 2015

Predictions For Premier League Gameweek 38

It's that time of the week again when I attempt to predict the outcomes of the upcoming Premier League games. It's the final week of the season and I have given up all hope of winning my predictions league after another poor week. I'll give it one last go though and hopefully I can do a bit better this time.

My Fantasy league will of course be returning next season and there will again be a cash prize for the winner. The predictions league is more for the fun of playing and it will be returning next season too. Here's a look at the predictions league table as we go into the last set of games.


NC 1 (1)Rutland Gooner1860-400
NC 2 (2)sodobo1780+200
NC 3 (3)Michael Sheehy1665-400
NC 4 (4)goonerdhanesh1475+200
NC 5 (5)Wayne Hubbard1315-800

Sunday May 24

All games kick off at 3pm BST

Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion

Emirates Stadium, London

Arsenal were in such a good position a few weeks ago, but they could only draw their two games last week away to United and at home to Sunderland. They have only won once in their last five games and have failed to score in three of those games. Only Chelsea have conceded less goals at home than Arsenal, but they have failed to win or score in their last three games at home.

With a cup final coming up next week it's not easy to know which players will play for Arsenal and which ones to choose for fantasy managers.

West Brom beat the champions 3-0 on Monday night to sign off to their home support on a real high. They have taken 11 points from their last five games and have kept clean sheets in four of them. They have only won four of their 18 away games, but no other team has scored less goals away from home and only Southampton have conceded less on the road.

West Brom's defenders have done very well for fantasy managers recently and they will look to keep Arsenal scoreless in this game too.

West Brom will look to do what Swansea and Sunderland did, but I think Arsenal will just manage to win this game.

Prediction: 1-0

Aston Villa v Burnley

Villa Park, Birmingham 

Villa were stuffed away to Southampton last week and they will want to regain some form ahead of the cup final next week. They had won their previous two games though and those wins were enough to keep them in the top flight for another season. They have only won five of their 18 home games with only Burnley winning less games at home and only Burnley and Sunderland scoring less goals at home.

It's hard to know if Villa will rest players ahead of the cup final, but if they don't Christian Benteke looks like the best of the bunch for fantasy managers.

Burnley got a point at home to Stoke last week, but they failed to score yet again. Two goals and eight points in their last 11 games wasn't enough to keep them up, but they at least gave their all to the fight. They have only won two of their 18 away games and no other team has scored less goals away from home.

Burnley's defenders haven't done too badly for fantasy managers recently and they're more than capable of getting another clean sheet in this game.

With Villa's minds on the cup final I think Burnley might just be able to get a point and maybe even score a goal too.

Prediction: 1-1

Chelsea v Sunderland 

Stamford Bridge, London

Chelsea were well beaten away to West Brom on Monday night after having Cesc Fabregas sent off. That was their first defeat since the start of January and it was influenced by the red card and the fact they had little to play for. They're the only unbeaten team at home and they have taken more points at home than any other team as well as having the best defensive record at home.

I expect Chelsea to play a strong team in their last game in front of their home fans and Eden Hazard (if he's passed fit) and their defenders might be good choices for fantasy managers.

Sunderland got two very important 0-0 draws in the last week to make them secure in the Premier League for another season. They are unbeaten in their last five games and have kept clean sheets in the last three. Only the top four have lost less games away from home than Sunderland and their defensive record on the road is very good too with the exception of the drubbing Southampton gave them.

With their position safe for another season I don't think fantasy managers will get too much out of Sunderland players this week. 

I think Chelsea will sign off with a win by a couple of goals at least.

Prediction: 2-0

Crystal Palace v Swansea City

Selhurst Park, London

Palace got a very good win away to Liveroool last week to keep their hopes of finishing in the top half of the table alive. That win at Liverpool was their first in five games after four successive defeats. They have lost more home games than any other team and no other team has conceded more goals at home either.

If Palace can keep their form of last week Yannick Bolasie is probably not a bad option for fantasy managers. 

Swansea were beaten at home by City last week and that defeat ended their Europa League hopes. It also ended a run of three consecutive victories and they have had their best season in the Premier League. They have won seven of their 18 away games and that includes the last two in a row.

Gylfi Sigurdsson has refound some form in recent weeks and is worth considering for fantasy managers along with Bafetimbi Gomis.

I think Swansea might just be good enough to sneak a very narrow victory.

Prediction: 1-2

Everton v Tottenham Hotspur 

Goodison Park, Liverpool

Everton got a very late goal to win away to West Ham last week and move above them into the top half of the table. That win halted a run of two defeats and a win in this game should confirm a top half finish. They have only lost four of their 18 home games, but too many draws at home has cost them a lot of points.

Romulu Lukaku is probably the Everton player most likely to do the business for fantasy managers this week. 

Spurs won at home to Hull last week to give themselves a chance of finishing as high as fifth this season. That was only their second win in seven games, but three points in this game could see them overtake Liverpool. They have won eight of their 18 away games, but only five teams have conceded more goals on the road.

Nacer Chadli has been the Spurs player most likely to perform for fantasy managers recently.

I think Everton should have more than enough at home to beat a Spurs team who have been far from impressive recently.

Prediction: 2-0

Hull City v Manchester United

KC Stadium, Hull

Hull are in a perilous situation after losing to Spurs last week and they have to win this game to stand any chance of staying up. They have lost six of their last eight games and more crucially their last three in a row. Their home form has really hurt them with only Palace losing more home games and collecting less points at home.

I don't think there are any Hull players who will make a difference for fantasy managers this week, but they need some players to step up and perform for them. 

United could only draw at home to Arsenal last week and their chances of finishing third are dependant on Arsenal losing while United win and overturn Arsenal's seven goal advantage in goal difference. They have only won once in their last five games and they failed to score in three of those games. They have only won six of their 18 away games and have conceded more than they have scored on the road.

Ashley Young is probably the United player most likely to get points for fantasy managers this week.

I think United will overcome goal shy Hull and relegate them in the process.

Prediction: 0-2

Leicester City v Queens Park Rangers

King Power Stadium, Leicester

Leicester drew away to Sunderland last week and that point was enough to complete their miraculous escape from relegation. They have won six of their last eight games and kept clean sheets in five of the last six. They have only won six of their 18 home games, but four of them were in their last five at home.

Jamie Vardy looks like the Leicester player who might do well for fantasy managers this week to celebrate his call up to the England squad and their defenders could have a good week too.

QPR were already relegated before last week's game, but at least they managed to win their last home game against Newcastle. That win over Newcastle was only their second one in 12 games and they need something from this game to try to avoid finishing last. They have lost more games and conceded more goals away from home than any other team.

Matt Phillips has done very well for fantasy managers since the turn of the year and could be worth considering for the final week and Leroy isn't a bad option either.

I think Leicester should have more than enough at home to see off a QPR team who never really came to grips with their road trips.

Prediction: 3-0

Manchester City v Southampton 

Etihad Stadium, Manchester 

City got a good win away to Swansea last week and that guaranteed them the runners up spot behind Chelsea. They have won their last five games to secure that second spot and have kept clean sheets in three of them too. Only Chelsea and United have won more home games than City and no other team has scored more goals at home.

Sergio Aguero and David Silva are the City players fantasy managers will be depending on this week.

Southampton thrashed Villa last week and will qualify for the Europa League if Arsenal win the FA Cup regardless of whether they finish in the top six or not. That was their first win in five games, but three points in this game could see them finish as high as fifth depending on other results. They might have lost half of their 18 away games, but they have the best defensive record away from home.

Despite their great win last week I'm not sure if Southampton players are the ideal choice for fantasy managers this week.

I think City will sign off with a win by a couple of goals at least.

Prediction: 3-1

Newcastle United v West Ham United

St. James's Park, Newcastle 

Newcastle lost away to QPR last week and they are still in relegation trouble going into their last game. They have only taken one point in their last 10 games and that's the reason they're so close to being relegated. They have won six of their 18 home games, but haven't won any of their last five and need to win this one to guarantee their place in the league next season.

I can't see any Newcastle players to recommend to fantasy managers.

West Ham were beaten at home by Everton last week and dropped into the bottom half of the table as a result. They have only won twice in the last 15 games and have failed to score in seven of those games. They have only won three of their 18 away games and only the bottom two clubs have won less games on the road.

I can't see any West Ham players setting the world of fantasy football alight this week.

Newcastle will be secure in the Premier League if they win, but I don't think will get anything more than a draw which will probably do them anyway.

Prediction: 1-1

Stoke City v Liverpool

Britannia Stadium, Stoke

Stoke could only draw 0-0 away to Burnley last week, but they have had their best ever season in the Premier League. They have only won two of their last nine games, but they have at least kept clean sheets in their last two. They have won half of their 18 home games and will want to add to what is already a record Premier League tally for them.

If Stoke are going to get something off Liverpool then Charlie Adam is probably the player most likely to make an impact for fantasy managers. 

Liverpool were beaten at home by Palace last week as Steven Gerrard's farewell didn't exactly go to plan. After looking like they could finish in the top four they fell away badly and have only taken eight points in their last eight games. They have only won eight of their 18 away games and have scored less goals than they have conceded on the road. If they lose this game it's still possible they won't even qualify for next season's Europa League.

The way they're playing at the moment I can't see any Liverpool players to interest fantasy managers.

I think Stoke might just be good enough at home to heap more misery on Liverpool.

Prediction: 2-1

That's it for this week and this season, but I will be back soon with a review of the season and of course to reveal the winner of my fantasy league and the €50 prize.

See you soon.

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