Predictions For Premier League Gameweek Seven

It's that time of the week again when I attempt to predict the outcomes of the upcoming Premier League games. I didn't do too well last week with only three correct outcomes and seven incorrect, but none of the other teams in my predictions league did particularly well either. Here's a look at how my predictions league stands and anyone who wants to join can still do so with the details at the end of this post.

POS	Player Name	Badges	This Week	PTS
1 (1)	Rutland Gooner	3	-60	305
2 (5)	sensisoccerworld	1	+20	185
2 (3)	Michael Sheehy		-20	185
4 (4)	Wayne Hubbard	1	-15	170
4 (2)	goonerdhanesh	1	-50	170

Saturday September 26

Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City

12.45pm BST, White Hart Lane, London

Spurs got a good win at home to Palace last week and they're climbing the table after a slow start. They have kept clean sheets in their last three games with only City conceding less goals than them so far. They won't find it easy at home against the league leaders, but City's defeat last week will give them some hope.

Spurs defenders have done well in recent weeks for fantasy managers, but they might not be the greatest option in this game. 

City lost their 100% record last week when they were beaten at home by West Ham. They have won all of their away games so far though and have the best defensive record in the league too. They will be anxious to put last week's defeat behind them and will think they have every chance of doing so in this game.

If he's fit David Silva is the best fantasy choice in the City team, but Sergio Aguero, Yaya Toure, Kevin de Bruyne and all of their defenders should be considered too.

I think City will be too strong for Spurs and emerge with a narrow victory.

Prediction: 1-2

Leicester City v Arsenal

3pm BST, King Power Stadium, Leicester

Leicester are still unbeaten after coming from behind yet again last week to draw 2-2 at Stoke. They have scored and conceded in every game so far and no other team has scored more goals than Łeicester in the league. This will be their toughest test so far, but their never say die attitude gives them a chance against any team.

Riyad Mahrez is the outstanding player for fantasy managers in the Leicester team with Jamie Vardy worth considering too.

Arsenal were beaten in a very controversial game away to Chelsea last week. They have struggled to score goals in their opening six league games and have lost two of those games. If they're going to challenge for the title this is the type of game they need to win, but it will be far from easy for them.

Arsenal's defenders have so far been the best options for fantasy managers, but surely some of their attacking players will come good soon.

This looks like it could be a good game and I think Arsenal will just shade it.

Prediction: 1-2

Liverpool v Aston Villa

3pm BST, Anfield, Liverpool

Liverpool could only draw at home to Norwich last week and find themselves in the bottom half of the table. They haven't won in their last four league games with only Newcastle scoring less goals than them so far. They need to get a win and surely a home game against a struggling Villa team gives them the ideal opportunity.

Liverpool players aren't exactly setting the fantasy world alight at the moment.

Villa were beaten at home by West Brrom last week and are only one place above the relegation zone. They have only taken one point in their last five games and look like they could struggle just as much as they did last season. They need to stop the rot, but they won't find it easy against a Liverpool team who also need a result.

I can't see any Villa players making a real impression for fantasy managers at the moment or possibly at all this season.

Despite their recent poor run I think Liverpool still have to be good enough to win this game.

Prediction: 2-0

Manchester United v Sunderland 

3pm BST, Old Trafford, Manchester

United just about won away to Southampton last week and moved up to second in the table as a result. They found goals hard to come by in their first four games, but they have managed six in their last two league games. If City  slip up United could go to the top of the league once they can win at home to the bottom club.

Anthony Martial looks like he could be the real deal and is a good fantasy option while Juan Mata has done well too.

Sunderland were beaten away to Bournemouth last week and slipped to the bottom of the table afterwards. They have conceded more goals than any other team so far and their prospects for the season look bleak. They will have to play an awful lot better than they have done so far to get anything from this game.

Jeremain Lens still looks like he's a good option for fantasy managers, but the goals seem to have dried up for Jermain Defoe.

I can't see anything other than a United win in this game.

Prediction: 2-0

Southampton v Swansea City

3pm BST, ST. Mary's Stadium, Southampton 

Southampton were a little unlucky to lose at home to United last week, but they bounced back with six goals in the Capital One Cup on Wednesday night. They had kept three clean sheets in a row before United put three past them last week. They only have six points from their six games so far and need to get a few wins in their locker.

Graziano Pelle has looked good for fantasy managers recently while Dusan Tadic has four assists in his last two home games.

Swansea had a very good start to their season, but they have only managed one point and no goals in their last two games. They haven't won away from home yet and they lost to new boys Watford in their last away game. If they're going to get back on track they need something from this game, but that won't be easy for them.

Andre Ayew and Bafetimbi Gomis did very well for fantasy managers up until two games ago and are still a good bet for me.

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

Prediction: 2-2

Stoke City v Bournemouth 

3pm BST, Britannia Stadium, Stoke

Stoke were pegged back after leading Leicester 2-0 last week and had to be satisfied with a point in the end. They're still waiting for their first win of the season and they're in the relegation zone as a result. A home game against a newly promoted team offers them the chance for that first win, but Bournemouth are no pushovers.

Both Xherdan Shaqiri and Bojan Krkic have excellent credentials, but can either of them do it on a regular basis in this Stoke team.

Bournemouth beat Sunderland last week to get their second win of the season and it left them comfortably in mid table. They have taken seven points from their last four games to recover from a slow start to their season. They have a chance of getting something from this game too, but a trip to Stoke is never easy for any team. 

Calum Wilson has been very good for fantasy managers and he's still available at a good price.

I think Stoke might just have enough at home to get their much needed first win of the season.

Prediction: 2-1

West Ham United v Norwich City

3pm BST, Upton Pak, London

West Ham put an end to City's perfect start to the season last week and moved up to third place as a result. They are the joint highest scorers in the league and they have won their last three games in a row. They have done better away than at home so far, but they have every chance of continuing their run in this game.

Dimitri Payet has been a great buy for fantasy managers so far and has made himself almost a must have.

Norwich got a very good point away to Liveroool last week to continue what has been an impressive return to the top flight. They haven't kept a clean sheet yet, but Southampton are the only team to keep them scoreless. Not too much will be expected of them away to high flying West Ham, but that could just be to their advantage.

Wes Hoolohan and Nathan Redmond have done well for fantasy managers so far and they're still available at very good prices too.

I think West Ham will continue their excellent run and take all three points in this game.

Prediction: 3-1

Newcastle United v Chelsea

5.30pm BST, St. James's Park, Newcastle 

Newcastle were beaten at home by Watford last week and they're only off the foot of the table on goal difference. Since the turn of the year they have been on a terrible run and they need to do something to stop it or relegation will become a real possibility. They won at home to Chelsea last season, but they will have to play a lot better than they have done recently to get anything out of this game.

I can't see any Newcastle players who might remotely interest fantasy managers at the moment.

Chelsea won at home to Arsenal last week and that win could be what they needed to get their season going. They have lost three of their first six games though and they're a long way from the top of the table. A trip to a team who are struggling as badly as Newcastle gives them the ideal opportunity to build on that win last week.

Pedro has done well for fantasy managers since joining Chelsea and could be the best bet in their team.

I think Chelsea won't have to play anywhere near their best to get the three points in this game and they should do so with ease.

Prediction: 0-2

Sunday September 27

Watford v Crystal Palace

4pm BST, Viccarage Road, Watford

Watford won away to Newcastle last week to follow up on their first win of the season the previous week. They have kept clean sheets in three of their six games and have made themselves hard to beat. They will feel they have a good chance of making it three wins in a row, but Palace might have other ideas.

Odion Ighalo has come good in his last two games and is worth considering for fantasy managers at a very good price.

Palace were beaten away to Spurs last week and they're not used to losing away from home. They had won their other two away games this season and have a very good record away from home since Alan Pardew took the reins. A trip to a newly promoted team offers them the chance to get back to winning ways on the road, but Watford won't be easy to beat.

Despite Palace doing well none of their players have set the fantasy world alight so far.

This isn't an easy game to call, but I think a draw might be the most likely outcome.

Prediction: 1-1

Monday September 28

West Bromwich Albion v Everton

8pm BST, The Hawthorns, Birmingham 

West Brom won their local derby away to Villa last week and moved to the middle of the table. They have taken seven points from their last three games and kept clean sheets in all of them. They might find Everton a tough nut to crack, but they will feel they have a chance with their good defensive record.

Boaz Myhill has done really well for fantasy managers and is well worth considering along with most of their defenders on current form.

Everton got a point away to Swansea last week to continue their better than usual start to the season. They are unbeaten in their three away games and haven't conceded a goal on the road either. They have every chance of keeping another clean sheet against low scoring Albion in this game and could get the three points if they can score.

Ross Barkley has done very well for fantasy managers and this could be the season where he lives up to all the hype while Tim Howard is doing pretty well too.

I think this will be a very close game and a draw is the most likely outcome.

Prediction: 1-1

My fantasy league is up and running again and it's open to all comers with a €50 prize (out of my pocket) to the winner. You can join up by using the league code 48497-14043 after you have set your team up here and good luck to all who play. There were over 1,000 teams in my league last season and there's already more than that signed up for this season.

I'm also running my Predictions League again this season and it's very enjoyable even if there's no cash prize for the winner. The code for my league is FD757-ARR after you have signed up here and of course both games are completely free to play. 

That's it for this week.

See you next week.