Predictions For Premier League Gameweek 22

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 well last week with only three correct outcomes and seven incorrect as a season of unpredictability continues. I'm still on top of my predictions league as you can see from the table below, but the gap to the second team has closed a little.

Badges	This Week	PTS
1 (1)	Michael Sheehy	3	-35	690
2 (2)	sensisoccerworld	2	0	600
3 (2)	Rutland Gooner	4	-65	535
4 (4)	Wayne Hubbard	5	-35	530
5 (5)	Malcs	1	-25	345

Saturday January 16

Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland 

12.45pm GMT, White Hart Lane, London 

Spurs were beaten at home on Wednesday night by Leicester, but they're still in the top four. They have only won five of their 11 home games while only United and Arsenal have conceded less goals at home. They have only won three of their last eight games, but will see this is an ideal chance to put pressure on the teams above them.

Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and all of Spurs defenders still look like good fantasy options at the moment.

Sunderland got a very important 4-2 win away to fellow strugglers Swansea on Wednesday night to move within one point of safety. They have lost eight of their 11 away games and no other team has conceded more goals on the road. They have won their last two games and scored seven goals in the process after a run of five consecutive defeats before that.

Jermain Defoe is the Sunderland player to have for fantasy managers right now and their fate could be dependant on his goals.

I think Sunderland will give Spurs a good fight, but Spurs will take the points.

Prediction: 2-1

Bournemouth v Norwich City

3pm GMT, Dean Court, Bournemouth 

Bournemouth led at home to West Ham on Tuesday night, but ended up losing 3-1. They have only won two of their 10 home games and only Villa have scored less goals at home. They have only taken two points in their last four games and failed to score in three of them too.

I still can't see any Bournemouth players who might make a real difference for fantasy managers.

Norwich lost away to Stoke on Wednesday and playing for an hour with 10 men didn't help their cause. They have only won two of their 11 away games with only Sunderland conceding more goals on their travels. Despite losing at Stoke they have won three of their last five games and they're five points clear of the bottom three.

Just like Bournemouth I can't see any Norwich players to recommend to fantasy managers at the moment.

Both teams could do with a win in this game, but I think they will have to settle for one point each.

Prediction: 1-1

Chelsea v Everton

3pm GMT, Stamford Bridge, London

Chelsea led twice at home to West Brom on Wednesday night, but had to settle for a draw in the end. They have only won four of their 11 home games and only three other teams have conceded more goals at home. They are unbeaten since Jose Mourinho's departure, but they have only won two of the five games they have played in that time.

I'm still not convinced Chelsea are anywhere near their best, but Diego Costa still looks like he could do a job for fantasy managers and Willian hasn't done too badly either.

Everton got a very good point when they drew 0-0 away to City on Wednesday night. They have only lost one of their 10 away games with only Palace conceding less goals on the road. They have only won once in their last eight games though and need to turn some of their numerous draws into victories.

Romelu Lukaku is the must have striker for fantasy managers at the moment and Ross Barkley has done well this season too although he's on a bit of a dry streak at the moment.

I think Everton will make this a very tough game for Chelsea and the spoils will probably be shared.

Prediction: 1-1

Manchester City v Crystal Palace 

3pm GMT, Etihad Stadium, Manchester 

City could only draw 0-0 at home to Everton on Wednesday night and missed the chance to close the gap on the league leaders. They have won more home games and scored more home goals than any other team. Their inconsistency is still their biggest problem and they haven't won two league games in a row since mid October.

Yaya Toure, Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Kevin de Bruyne should all be considered by fantasy managers, but which one to pick is the problem.

Palace lost away to Villa on Tuesdsy night in a game they really should have got something from. Only the top two have won more away games than Palace and no other team has conceded less away goals. They haven't won in their last four games and they failed to score in each of those games too.

Palace have faltered recently and it's not easy to see any of their players doing well this week at least.

City need a win to keep up the pressure on the teams above them and I think they will win this game narrowly.

Prediction: 2-1

Newcastle United v West Ham United

3pm GMT, St. James's Park, Newcastle 

Newcastle came from behind to get a very good point at home to United on Tuesday, but they dropped to second last in the table. They have only won two of their 11 home games, but only four other teams have scored more goals at home. That point against United put an end to a run of three consecutive 1-0 defeats and they need to build on it.

Georginio Wijnaldum has 74 of his 102 fantasy points in home games and has to be considered by fantasy managers on his own patch.

West Ham came from behind to win 3-1 at Bournemouth on Tuesday night and moved up to fifth as a result. Only the top two have won more away games and scored more away games than West Ham. They have won their last three games and are unbeaten in their last eight.

Dimitri Payet has returned from injury and looks like a must have for fantasy managers again.

I think West Ham's away form combined with Payet's form will see them take the three points.

Prediction: 1-2

Southampton v West Bromwich Albion

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

Southampton put their recent poor run behind them to win 2-0 at home to Watford on Tuesdsy night. Only City and Arsenal have won more home games than Southampton with only City and Everton scoring more home goals. That win against Watford was only their second one in nine games, but it showed enough to suggest they will improve on that record.

Dusan Tadic has been Southampton's best fantasy performer despite not always starting and Shane Long has looked good for fantasy managers recently too.

West Brom came from behind twice to get a 2-2 draw at Chelsea on Wednesday night. They have only lost three of their 10 away games and only four other teams have conceded less goals on the road, but only one other team has scored less. They have taken seven points from their last three games to move nine points clear of the drop zone.

I can't see any West Brom players setting the fantasy world alight right now.

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

Prediction: 1-1

Aston Villa v Leicester City

5.30pm GMT, Villa Park, Birmingham 

Villa finally got their second win of the season on Tuesday night when they won 1-0 at home to Palace. They have taken less points and scored less goals at home than any other team though. That win against Palace was their first win in 20 games and they will need to win at least half of their remaining 17 games to have any hope of staying up.

I can't see any Villa players to remotely interest fantasy managers at the moment.

Leicester got a very good 1-0 win away to Spurs on Wednesday night to join Arsenal at the top of the table. They have won more away games and scored more away goals than any other team. That win against Spurs was their first win and first goal in four games.

Both Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy have failed to deliver for fantasy managers in their last four games, but Leicester's defenders have stepped up with three clean sheets in a row.

I think Leicester will be too strong for Villa and will win by a couple of goals.

Prediction: 0-2

Sunday January 17

Liverpool v Manchester United

2.05pm GMT, Anfield, Liverpool 

Liverpool led twice at home to Arsenal on Wednesday night, but needed a last minute goal to rescue a 3-3 draw. They have only won four of their 10 home games and have conceded more goals at home than any other team in the top half of the table. They have only won two of their last seven league games and they failed to score in three of those games too. 

If he can reproduce the form of Wednesday night Roberto Frimino could be a good choice for fantasy managers.

United led 2-0 and 3-2 at Newcastle on Tuessay night, but they had to settle for a 3-3 draw. They have only won four of their 11 away games with only five other teams conceding more goals on the road. They have only won once in their last eight league games and they failed to score in three of those games too.

United players have hardly done well for fantasy managers recently although Wayne Rooney has three goals and an assist in his last two games.

I think this will be a very close game, but Liverpool might just nick a tight win.

Prediction: 2-1

Stoke City v Arsenal 

4.15pm GMT, Britannia Stadium, Stoke

Stoke won 3-1 at home to 10 man Norwich on Wednesday night to move up to seventh place. Only City and Arsenal have won more home games than Stoke, but they have lost four out of 10 at home too. They have won three of their last four league games, but they haven't kept a clean sheet in the last three.

Marco Arnautovic has been the best fantasy performer in the Stoke team and their defenders have done well too up until the last few games.

Arsenal came from behind twice and then conceded a last minute goal to draw 3-3 at Liverpool on Wednesday night. Only Leicester have won more games and scored more goals on the road. They have taken 16 points from their last seven games to put them on top of the table ahead of Leicester on goal difference.

Mesut Ozil and Olivier Giroud have been in great form recently for fantasy managers.

I think this will be another very close game and Arsenal might just get the better of it.

Prediction: 1-2

Monday January 18

Swansea City v Watford 

8pm GMT, Liberty Stadium, Swansea 

Swansea were reduced to 10 men at home to Sunderland on Wednesday night and ended up losing 4-2. They have only won three of their 11 home games with only Villa scoring less goals at home. They rallied after the departure of Gary Monk, but have only taken one point in their last three games.

If any Swansea player is going to impress for fantasy managers it's Andre Ayew, but his goal and assist on Wednesday night were his first contributions in eight games.

Watford were well beaten at Southampton on Wedbesday night and didn't seem to put up their usual battling performance. They have won four of their 10 away games and have scored more goals and taken more points on the road than they have at home. They have lost their last three league games and conceded eight goals in their last four.

Despite their lapse in form Odion Ighalo, Troy Deeney and Huerelho Gomes are all still good fantasy options.

I think this will be another very close game with Watford probably getting the better of Swansea.

Prediction: 1-2

That's it for this week.

See you next week.