Thursday 25 August 2016

Predictions For Premier League Gameweek Three

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 four correct outcomes and six incorrect. Those poor results saw me fall from grace at the top of my predictions league and I'm not even in the top five as you can see from the table below.

BadgesThis WeekPTS
 1 (2)  Karl-Yngve Lund +85165
 2 (6)  Rutland Gooner +65105
 2 (5)  @ iWelloo +45105
 4 (7) goonerdhanesh +90100
 5 (3) sensisoccerworld +2095



Saturday August 27

Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool 

12.30pm BST, White Hart Lane, London 

Spurs left it late last week, but they managed to beat Palace 1-0. They have taken four points from their first two games to keep themselves close to the early pacesetters. A win in this game would be a huge boost for Spurs and their chances could depend on which Liverpool team show up.

Eric Lamela and Harry Kane look the most likely Spurs players to perform for fantasy managers at the moment. 

Liverpool lost 2-0 away to Burnley last week after winning away to Arsenal the previous week. Their inconsistency was a huge problem last season and it looks like it could be again this season. This is their third away game in a row to start the season and it could be the toughest of the three for them.

When Liverpool are at their best players like Phillippe Coutinho, Roberto Friminio and Daniel Sturridge can do really well for fantasy managers.

This is a game which could go either way and I have a feeling it will end in a draw.

Prediction: 2-2

Chelsea v Burnley 

3pm BST, Stamford Bridge, London

Chelsea have come from behind to win their first two games and get off to the perfect start to the season. They have been fortunate that Diego Costa wasn't sent off in both games and surely he can't continue to ride his luck. A home game against a newly promoted team gives them the ideal opportunity to continue their perfect start to the season.

If Costa can control himself he's a good choice for fantasy managers and Eden Hazard has started the season well too.

Burnley got a great win at home to Liverpool last week after losing their opening game at home to Swansea. Their sole aim this season has to be to avoid relegation and the points they took from Liverpool were very welcome and most unexpected too. A trip to Chelsea is going to be a tough task for them, but they might just have a chance if they can show the form they showed against Liverpool.

Andre Gray looked good against Liverpool last week and he could just be the Burnley player to have for fantasy managers.

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

Prediction: 2-0

Crystal Palace v Bournemouth 

3pm BST, Selhurst Park, London

Palace have lost their opening two games without scoring a goal and they struggled to score last season too. The arrival of Christian Benteke could be what they need to rediscover their goalscoring form. A home game against Bournemouth must give them a great chance to get their first win of the season, but a defeat would leave some serious questions to be answered.

At the moment Palace players aren't doing enough to warrant interest from fantasy managers, but that might change if Benteke can have an impact.

Bournemouth have had a tough start to their season and lost their opening two games against United and West Ham. They did very well to stay in the Premier League last season and that has to be their aim again this season. If they're going to do that this is the type of game they need to get some points from.

I thought Callum Wilson might do well for fantasy managers this season, but that faith is fading fast.

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

Prediction: 1-1

Everton v Stoke City

3pm BST, Goodison Park, Liverpool

Everton came from behind to win away to West Brom last week and they have four points from their first two games. Their home form was very disappointing last season and it needs to be a lot better this season. They will feel they have every chance of winning this game and going into the international break on seven points from three games.

Ross Barkley has started well for Everton and my hunch he could thrive under Ronald Koeman might just be right.

Stoke conceded four goals at home to City last week, but they won't have to face an attack like that every week. They're still waiting for their first win after drawing away to Boro in their first game and they won't find it easy to get that win in this game. Everton still have a few injuries though and that might just give Stoke some hope of getting something from the game.

I'm not sure if any of the Stoke players will do the business for fantasy managers this season.

Stoke won't make it easy for Everton, but I think Everton will take the three points.

Prediction: 2-1

Leicester City v Swansea City

3pm BST, King Power Stadium, Leicester 

Leicester are the reigning champions, but they have only taken one point from their first two games. Their home record was excellent last season and it will have to be again this season if they are to get anywhere near where they did last season. A home game against Swansea is surely the ideal chance for them to get their first win of the season.

Riyad Mahrez is the Leicester player most likely to perform for fantasy managers while Jamie Vardy should come good too.

Swansea won away to Burnley in their opening game, but they lost at home to Hull last week. They came a little too close to the relegation zone for comfort last season and this season could be even tougher for them. A trip to the reigning champions is a hard task for them, but they do have the capability to get a result against almost any team.

Gylfi Sigurdsson is the Swansea player most likely to make a difference for fantasy managers.

I think Leicester should get their first win of the season with a couple of goals to spare.

Prediction: 2-0

Southampton v Sunderland 

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

Southampton played well enough away to United last week, but ended up losing 2-0. They haven't got a win yet, but they are a tough team to beat on their home patch. A home game against one of last season's strugglers who have lost their first two games this season must give them a great chance of getting that first win.

I still think Dusan Tadij could do very well for fantasy managers this season.

Sunderland have lost their opening two games and it looks like they will face another season struggling at the wrong end of the table. They had a very bad record on the road last season and there's no reason to suggest that will change this season. They came close to getting a point away to City in their first game though and that might just give them some hope.

Jermain Defoe is the Sunderland player who might get points for fantasy managers, but it's difficult to pick Sunderland players.

I think Southampton should have enough to get the better of Sunderland and get their first win of the season.

Prediction: 2-1

Watford v Arsenal

3pm BST, Vicarage Road, Watford

Watford came so close to beating Chelsea last week, but they ended up losing 2-1. They finished last season badly and this season hasn't started too well either. They could have a relegation fight on their hands and any points they could get from this game would be very welcome.

Etienne Capoue has done very well in the first two games for Watford, but he might not be fit to play this game.

Arsenal have only one point from their first two games, but at least the point away to Leicester last week was better than the defeat at home to Liverpool. They came second last season, but they will find it hard to match that considering how much some of the other contenders have strengthened. They need to get their first win of the season and a trip to Watford affords them the opportunity to do so.

With Mesut Ozil back he looks like a good choice for fantasy managers along with Alexis Sanchez and the Arsenal defence.

I think Arsenal will have too much for Watford and win this game by a couple of goals.

Prediction: 1-3

Hull City v Manchester United

5.30pm BST, KC Stadium, Hull

Hull have started the season far better than anyone could have imagined with six points from their first two games. They still have huge problems to deal with, but they have certainly given themselves a head start in the fight to avoid the drop. They have beaten Leicester and Hull already, but United could be a different proposition.

Eldin Jakupovic has done well in goals so far for Hull and is available at a very good price.

United have won their first two games too and they're living up to their billing as one of the favourites to win the league. They haven't been pushed too hard yet and they struggled on the road last season. If they are to genuinely challenge for the title they need to win games like this away to teams who will ultimately struggle at the wrong end of the table.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has already made himself a must have for fantasy managers while Anthony Martial and Luke Shaw look pretty good too.

Hull will be no pushovers, but I think United will do enough to continue their 100% start to the season.

Prediction: 1-2

Sunday August 28

West Bromwich Albion v Middlesbrough 

1.30pm BST, The Hawthors, Birmingham 

West Brom won away to Palace in their first game and led at home to Everton last week, but ended up losing 2-1. They struggled to score goals last season, but they're not an easy team to score against either. They will fancy their chances at home to a newly promoted side, but Boro certainly won't make it easy for them.

Boro won away to Sunderland last week and they have started their return to the Premier League very well. They're unbeaten in their two games and look more than capable of steering clear of the bottom three. They are more than capable of getting a result against a West Brom team who don't concede too many goals.

Alvaro Negredo is living up to my expectations for him this season while Christhian Stuani looked very good against Sunderland too.

This has the makings of a very close game and I can see the spoils being shared.

Prediction: 1-1

Manchester City v West Ham United

4pm BST, Etihad Stadium, Manchester

City have won their first two games and scored six goals in the process. They weren't playing any of the league's better teams though and they didn't manage a clean sheet in either game. With Champions League qualification wrapped up they should be ready to have a real go at West Ham before the players head off to play for their countries.

Sergio Aguero is a must for fantasy managers while players like Kevin de Bruyne, David Silva and Nolito all look pretty good too.

West Ham just about managed to beat Bournemouth last week to win their first league game on their new ground. They will hope to match their high finish of last season and they won't have pesky Europa League action to distract them after going out on Thursday night. They put it up to a lot of the big boys at times last season, but they might not find it easy to do so again this time around.

If he's fit Dimitri Payet is the West Ham player most likely to succeed for fantasy managers.

I think City's firepower should be strong enough to see them win this game.

Finally it's still not too late to join my Fantasy League and my Predictions League for the new season. There's a €50 prize for the fantasy league and it's open to anyone to join.

To join my fantasy league go to the official site and set up your team after entering your details. Once you've set up your team go to the league's option and join a private league. The code for my league (Ever Arsenal league) is 64693-22498 and there's already well over 1,000 teams in it.

For my predictions league go to the official site and make your forecasts and then go to the mini leagues option. Go to the join a mini league option (invitation code) and use the code for my league FD6F8-HYH to sign up. After that you can join in the fun of predicting every single game left to play this season.

Prediction: 3-1

That's it for this week.

See you next week.

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