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Saturday February 11
Arsenal v Hull City
12.30pm GMT, Emirates Stadium, London
Arsenal lost 3-1 away to Chelsea last week and with that defeat their title chances surely disappeared for another season. They lost at home to Watford in their last home game and that was their first home defeat in 11 games with eight wins in those games. They have lost their last two games and are 12 points behind Chelsea, but no other team has scored more goals than Arsenal.
Alexis Sanchez is still the Arsenal player to have for fantasy managers and the star performer of the season so far.
Hull had a great 2-0 win at home to Liverpool last week to follow up their 0-0 draw at United in their previous game. They have lost nine of their 12 away games with only Burnley scoring less away goals and only Bournemouth conceding more. They have taken seven points in their last four games and kept clean sheets in their last two, but only Swansea have conceded more goals than Hull and only Boro have scored less.
Hull have looked good defensively recently and their defenders might be worth considering for fantasy managers with Alfred N'Diaye looking good on his debut last week too.
This will be no pushover for Arsenal, but I think they will just about manage to take the three points.
Prediction: 2-0
Manchester United v Watford
3pm GMT, Old Trafford, Manchester
United won comfortably away to Leicester last week and they are finally within touching distance of the top four. They have only lost one of their 12 home games, but no other team has drawn more games at home and only the top two have conceded less goals on their own patch. The win at Leicester was their first win in four games, but they are unbeaten in 15 even if they have drawn seven of them.
3pm GMT, Old Trafford, Manchester
United won comfortably away to Leicester last week and they are finally within touching distance of the top four. They have only lost one of their 12 home games, but no other team has drawn more games at home and only the top two have conceded less goals on their own patch. The win at Leicester was their first win in four games, but they are unbeaten in 15 even if they have drawn seven of them.
United's defenders haven't done too badly for fantasy managers recently, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic is still their star performer and Henrikh Mkhitaryan could be worth considering too.
Watford won 2-1 at home to Burnley last week for their second win in a row which has considerably eased any nagging relegation fears. Before winning at Arsenal they had lost five and drawn one of their previous six away games and failed to score in four out of seven. They are unbeaten in four games and the eight points they got in those games just about moved them into the top half of the table.
Watford won 2-1 at home to Burnley last week for their second win in a row which has considerably eased any nagging relegation fears. Before winning at Arsenal they had lost five and drawn one of their previous six away games and failed to score in four out of seven. They are unbeaten in four games and the eight points they got in those games just about moved them into the top half of the table.
Troy Deeney has done very well for fantasy managers in recent weeks, but he might struggle to get something from this game.
Despite's Watford's recent upturn in form I think United will get the better of this game.
Prediction: 2-0
Prediction: 2-0
Middlesbrough v Everton
3pm GMT, Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough
Boro lost 1-0 at Spurs last week and they're now only one point above the relegation zone. They have lost half of their 12 home games and no other team has scored less goals at home while only Palace have won less games on their own pitch. They haven't won in seven games and they failed to score in four of those games with no other team scoring less goals so far.
3pm GMT, Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough
Boro lost 1-0 at Spurs last week and they're now only one point above the relegation zone. They have lost half of their 12 home games and no other team has scored less goals at home while only Palace have won less games on their own pitch. They haven't won in seven games and they failed to score in four of those games with no other team scoring less goals so far.
Boro's defenders had being doing well for fantasy managers, but it looks like their players are best avoided at the moment.
Everton put six goals past Bournemouth last week even if they did concede three. They have lost five of their 12 away games and have conceded more goals than they have scored on their travels, but they are unbeaten in their last four games on the road. Since losing to Liverpool they have taken 17 points from seven games and scored 19 goals in those games while keeping four clean sheets.
Everton put six goals past Bournemouth last week even if they did concede three. They have lost five of their 12 away games and have conceded more goals than they have scored on their travels, but they are unbeaten in their last four games on the road. Since losing to Liverpool they have taken 17 points from seven games and scored 19 goals in those games while keeping four clean sheets.
Romelu Lukaku showed just how good he can be for fantasy managers when he is on form last week while Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman have been pretty good too.
I think Boro's lack of firepower will cost them and Everton will continue their good run with another win.
Prediction: 0-2
Prediction: 0-2
Stoke City v Crystal Palace
3pm GMT, BET365 Arena, Stoke
Stoke lost 1-0 away to West Brom last week and dropped back into the bottom half of the table as a result. They have only won four of their 10 home games, but they have only lost one of the last 10 at home. The defeat last week was their first in five games and they will fancy their chances against struggling Palace.
3pm GMT, BET365 Arena, Stoke
Stoke lost 1-0 away to West Brom last week and dropped back into the bottom half of the table as a result. They have only won four of their 10 home games, but they have only lost one of the last 10 at home. The defeat last week was their first in five games and they will fancy their chances against struggling Palace.
Stoke players haven't exactly set the fantasy world alight, but Peter Crouch hasn't been the worst recently and at a very good price too.
Palace lost 4-0 at home to fellow strugglers Sunderland last week and they're now only off the foot of the table on goal difference. They have taken more points away from home than they have at home and are the top scorers on the road in the bottom half of the table. They have only taken five points from their last 10 games and have only two clean sheets so far this season.
Palace lost 4-0 at home to fellow strugglers Sunderland last week and they're now only off the foot of the table on goal difference. They have taken more points away from home than they have at home and are the top scorers on the road in the bottom half of the table. They have only taken five points from their last 10 games and have only two clean sheets so far this season.
It's hard to see any Palace players who might make a difference for fantasy managers, but maybe Wilfried Zaha could be the one to have if he can regain some of his pre ACN form.
Palace need to get something from this game, but I think it will go Stoke's way.
Prediction: 2-1
Prediction: 2-1
Sunderland v Southampton
3pm GMT, Stadium of Light, Sunderland
Sunderland had a great 4-0 win away to Palace last week, but they're still last in the table although they are now only two points from safety. They have only won three of their 12 home games with only Boro and West Ham scoring less goals at home. They have taken four points from their last two games and kept a clean sheet in both of them, but only Boro and Hull have scored less goals despite Jermain Defoe's 14 goals.
3pm GMT, Stadium of Light, Sunderland
Sunderland had a great 4-0 win away to Palace last week, but they're still last in the table although they are now only two points from safety. They have only won three of their 12 home games with only Boro and West Ham scoring less goals at home. They have taken four points from their last two games and kept a clean sheet in both of them, but only Boro and Hull have scored less goals despite Jermain Defoe's 14 goals.
Defoe continues to impress for fantasy managers and is by far the best of the Sunderland players.
Southampton lost 3-1 at home to West Ham and they need to reverse their current trend as they are getting a little too close to the bottom three for their own good. They have only won two of their 12 away games and only four other teams have scored less goals away from home. They have lost six of their last seven games with only Boro and Hull scoring less goals.
Southampton lost 3-1 at home to West Ham and they need to reverse their current trend as they are getting a little too close to the bottom three for their own good. They have only won two of their 12 away games and only four other teams have scored less goals away from home. They have lost six of their last seven games with only Boro and Hull scoring less goals.
Southampton are on a very bad run at the moment and it's hard to see any of their players to suggest to fantasy managers right now although Manolo Gabbiadini looked good on his debut.
Sunderland could badly do with the three points in this game and I have a feeling they might just get them.
Prediction: 1-0
West Ham United v West Bromwich Albion
3pm GMT, London Stadium, London
West Ham had a very good 3-1 win at Southampton last week which moved them up to ninth in the table. They have lost as many games as they have won at home and only Boro have scored less goals at home. They have won six of their last nine games, but they have conceded more goals than any other team in the top half of the table.
3pm GMT, London Stadium, London
West Ham had a very good 3-1 win at Southampton last week which moved them up to ninth in the table. They have lost as many games as they have won at home and only Boro have scored less goals at home. They have won six of their last nine games, but they have conceded more goals than any other team in the top half of the table.
Andy Carroll, Michail Antonio and Robert Snodgrass all look like fairly good reasonably priced fantasy options at the moment.
West Brom won 1-0 at home to Stoke last week to stay eighth, but they're still four points behind seventh placed Everton. They have only won three of their 12 away games and only four other teams have scored less away goals. They have taken 13 points from their last six games, but Watford are the only team in the top half of the table to have scored less goals.
West Brom won 1-0 at home to Stoke last week to stay eighth, but they're still four points behind seventh placed Everton. They have only won three of their 12 away games and only four other teams have scored less away goals. They have taken 13 points from their last six games, but Watford are the only team in the top half of the table to have scored less goals.
Chris Brunt looks the best fantasy bet in the West Brom team to me with Matt Phillips well worth having too.
This is a game which could go either way and I have a feeling the spoils will be shared.
Prediction: 1-1
Prediction: 1-1
Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur
5.30pm GMT, Anfield, Liverpool
Liverpool lost away to Hull last week to drop out of the top four as their awful start to the year continued. They have only lost one of their 11 home games and only Chelsea have scored more goals at home. They have only taken three points from their last five games, but they are the joint top scorers even if they have conceded more goals than the rest of the top eight teams.
Liverpool lost away to Hull last week to drop out of the top four as their awful start to the year continued. They have only lost one of their 11 home games and only Chelsea have scored more goals at home. They have only taken three points from their last five games, but they are the joint top scorers even if they have conceded more goals than the rest of the top eight teams.
Players like Sadio Mane, Phillippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana and Roberto Frimino must surely return to form soon and when they do they will be well worth having for fantasy managers.
Spurs won 1-0 at home to Boro last week which moved them up to second place, but they're nine points behind Chelsea. They have only lost two of their 12 away games, but no other team has drawn more away games and only Chelsea have conceded less goals on the road. They have taken 23 points from their last nine games and have conceded less goals than any other team so far.
Spurs won 1-0 at home to Boro last week which moved them up to second place, but they're nine points behind Chelsea. They have only lost two of their 12 away games, but no other team has drawn more away games and only Chelsea have conceded less goals on the road. They have taken 23 points from their last nine games and have conceded less goals than any other team so far.
Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and all of the Spurs defenders are all doing really well for fantasy managers.
Both teams need to win this game, but I think a draw is the most likely outcome.
Prediction: 1-1
Prediction: 1-1
Sunday February 12
Burnley v Chelsea
1.30pm GMT, Turf Moor, Burnley
Burnley lost 2-1 at Watford last week and they might need their nine point advantage over the bottom three before the season is over considering they only have five home games left after this game. Only the top two have won more home games than Burnley with only four other teams have conceding less goals at home and they have won their last five games on their own ground. The contrast between their home and away form means they haven't really had a good sequence of results at any stage and only four other teams have scored less goals.
Burnley lost 2-1 at Watford last week and they might need their nine point advantage over the bottom three before the season is over considering they only have five home games left after this game. Only the top two have won more home games than Burnley with only four other teams have conceding less goals at home and they have won their last five games on their own ground. The contrast between their home and away form means they haven't really had a good sequence of results at any stage and only four other teams have scored less goals.
Burnley's defenders have done very well at a very good price for fantasy managers, but only when they're at home and maybe not in this game.
Chelsea won 3-1 at home to Arsenal last week to stay nine points clear at the top of the table and the title is theirs for the taking. They have only lost two of their 12 away games and have taken more points away from home than any other team while conceding less goals. They have taken 49 points from their last 18 games and seem unstoppable even if they aren't the highest scorers or haven't got the best defensive record.
Chelsea won 3-1 at home to Arsenal last week to stay nine points clear at the top of the table and the title is theirs for the taking. They have only lost two of their 12 away games and have taken more points away from home than any other team while conceding less goals. They have taken 49 points from their last 18 games and seem unstoppable even if they aren't the highest scorers or haven't got the best defensive record.
Diego Costa and Eden Hazard are doing really well for fantasy managers, but the Chelsea defenders have been the stars of the show.
Burnley's home form gives them a chance of getting something from this game, but the chances are Chelsea will continue their march towards the title.
Prediction: 1-2
Prediction: 1-2
Swansea City v Leicester City
4pm GMT, Liberty Stadium, Swansea
Swansea nearly came away from City with a point last week and their recent form has given them real hope, but they're still only one point above the drop zone. Only Palace have lost more home games than Swansea and no other team has conceded more goals at home, but they have won three of their last six at home. They have won three of their last five games, but they haven't kept a clean sheet in their last nine and no other team has conceded more goals.
Swansea nearly came away from City with a point last week and their recent form has given them real hope, but they're still only one point above the drop zone. Only Palace have lost more home games than Swansea and no other team has conceded more goals at home, but they have won three of their last six at home. They have won three of their last five games, but they haven't kept a clean sheet in their last nine and no other team has conceded more goals.
Gylfi Sigurdsson just cannot stop scoring points for fantasy managers and has to be a very serious consideration.
Leicester lost again last week when they went down 3-0 at home to United and they're now only one point above the relegation zone. They have lost nine of their 12 away games and still have not won away from home with only Burnley and Hull scoring less goals on their travels. They have lost their last four games and have only scored once in their last seven with only Boro and Hull scoring less goals so far.
Leicester lost again last week when they went down 3-0 at home to United and they're now only one point above the relegation zone. They have lost nine of their 12 away games and still have not won away from home with only Burnley and Hull scoring less goals on their travels. They have lost their last four games and have only scored once in their last seven with only Boro and Hull scoring less goals so far.
I can't see any Leicester players to recommend to fantasy managers at the moment and if that doesn't change soon they could be in for a very rough ride.
Both teams could really do with the three points in this game and I think they will go the way of the team who have shown an awful lot since Paul Clement took the reins.
Prediction: 2-1
Prediction: 2-1
Monday February 13
Bournemouth v Manchester City
8pm GMT, Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth
Bournemouth might have scored three goals at Everton last week, but they conceded six and they're slipping quickly towards the wrong end of the table. They have only lost four of their 12 home games, but they haven't won in the last four at home and conceded 10 goals in those four games. They have only taken five points in their last eight games and conceded 22 goals in those games with only Swansea conceding more goals so far.
Bournemouth might have scored three goals at Everton last week, but they conceded six and they're slipping quickly towards the wrong end of the table. They have only lost four of their 12 home games, but they haven't won in the last four at home and conceded 10 goals in those four games. They have only taken five points in their last eight games and conceded 22 goals in those games with only Swansea conceding more goals so far.
Bournemouth players have struggled to score points for fantasy managers recently and it's probably best to avoid them until they sort out their defensive issues.
City left it late last week, but their 2-1 win at home to Swansea moved them back to third in the table. Only Chelsea have taken more away points than City even if they have lost four of their 12 away games while only Arsenal have more away goals than them. They have taken 19 points in their last nine games and have scored eight goals in their last three.
City left it late last week, but their 2-1 win at home to Swansea moved them back to third in the table. Only Chelsea have taken more away points than City even if they have lost four of their 12 away games while only Arsenal have more away goals than them. They have taken 19 points in their last nine games and have scored eight goals in their last three.
City seem to have found some form again which makes Gabriel Fernando de Jesus, Kevin de Bruyne and Raheem Sterling pretty attractive to fantasy managers at the moment.
I think City will take advantage of a Bournemouth defence who cannot stop shipping goals and win with a couple of goals to spare.
Prediction: 1-3
Prediction: 1-3
That's it for this week.
See you next week.
Hull will be fighting for their lives.If the gunners think its an easy game,they could be in for a shock.Recall Arsenal 1 Hull 2 2008/09.The gunners had so many shots but failed to score.
ReplyDeleteArsenal's style is predictable. An orgy of passes right up to the box with a reluctance to shoot,etc.
So many teams have allowed them enough rope to hang themselves with a quick counter and Wenger cant believe his team cant score and win.
The ball stops with him. His complicated ie pretty football is the cause giving defenders time to regroup and deny them time and space.
Until this changes or Wenger goes Arsenal will forever be scrapping for 4th.
Btw,I will be very surprised if he were to stay considering that his underachievement is being rewarded when top managers have been axed for failure. Most last less than a season or 2
Read that Wenger may quit Arsenal. Let him go.
ReplyDeleteNobody is indispensable if you aint winning .