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. I did very badly last week with only five correct predictions and 11 incorrect and the season can't end quickly enough for my predictions at least. Here's a look at how the top five in my predictions league stands with me nowhere in sight as we enter the last week.

NAME				THIS WEEK	POINTS
1 (1)				Dr_AFHMK			7	+10	2615
2 (3)				betojohn  ioannis papanikos			9	+70	2460
3 (2)				immycader  Imran Cader			8	-5	2415
4 (4)				ArssenaL14			6	-55	2195
5 (5)				Rutland Gooner			3	-30	2155

Sunday May 13

All games kick off at 3pm BST.

Burnley v Bournemouth 

Burnley lost 5-0 away to Arsenal last week to end their chances of finishing fifth, but they will play in the Europa League next season. They have actually taken more points on the road than they have at home and no other team has scored less goals at home. They haven’t won in four games and they haven’t scored in two with only five teams scoring less goals.

If he’s fit to play Ashley Barnes could do well for fantasy managers in this game and the Burnley defenders and keeper might be worth considering too.

Bournemouth won 1-0 at home to Swansea last week and they’re one of five teams fighting for the last place in the top half of the table. They haven’t won in five away games, but they have only failed to score once in their last eight games on the road. Their win against Swansea was only their second win in 11 games and only three teams have conceded more goals.

I can’t see any Bournemouth players to recommend to fantasy managers.

I don’t think we’ll see too many goals in this game and the chances are Burnley will get a narrow win.

Prediction: 1-0

Crystal Palace v West Bromwich Albion 

Palace came from behind to win at Stoke last week and they can still finish in the top half of the table. They have won their last two home games and scored eight goals in the process, but only four teams have taken less points at home. They have taken 11 points from their last five games and they scored 12 goals in those games with clean sheets in two of their last three games.

Wilfried Zaha could be the Palace player to make a difference for fantasy managers this week.

West Brom won at home to Spurs last week, but Southampton’s midweek win at Swansea meant the relegation trapdoor eventually caught up with them. They won their last two away games without conceding a goal, but no other team has scored less goals on their travels. They have taken 11 points in five games since Darren Moore took temporary charge of the team and they kept clean sheets in three of those games, but only Swansea and Huddersfield have scored less goals.

I’m not too sure there are any West Brom players who will do well for fantasy managers in this game.

I think Palace will give themselves every chance of finishing in the top half of the table by taking the three points in this game.

Prediction: 2-1

Huddersfield Town v Arsenal

Huddersfield got great draws away to City and Chelsea in the last week to guarantee they avoided the drop ahead of this game. They have only scored one goal in their last four home games and no other team has scored less goals at home. They have only won once in theit last nine games and they failed to score in six of those games with only Swansea scoring less goals.

I can’t see any Huddersfield players for fantasy managers to consider this week.

Arsenal thrashed Burnley last week to confirm sixth place, but their away day blues continued in midweek when they lost at Leicester. They have lost their last seven away games with only three teams taking less points away from home. Only City and Liverpool have scored more goals, but they have conceded far too many goals for a team who wanted to challenge for a top four spot.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is the Arsenal player to have for fantasy managers and I don’t see that changing in this game.

I think Arsenal will put their dismal away form behind them and see Arsene Wenger off on a relative high with a narrow win in this game.

Prediction: 1-2

Liverpool v Brighton And Hove Albion

Liverpool lost 1-0 at Chelsea as their impending Champions League final weighs heavily on their minds, but they only need a point in this game to make next season’s Champions League. They are the only team unbeaten at home and only United have conceded less goals at home, but they have drawn seven of those home games. They have only won once in their last five games and they failed to score in three of those games, but only City have scored more goals.

If they play Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino are very good choices for fantasy managers.

Brighton won at home to United last week, but they lost away to City in midweek and they still have an outside chance of a top half finish too. They haven’t won in 12 away games and they failed to score in eight of those games with only Stoke taking less away points and no other team scoring less away goals. They have only won once in their last eight games, but that win was enough to make sure they avoided relegation.

I can’t see any Brighton players to recommend to fantasy managers when they play away from home.

Despite their minds possibly being elsewhere I still think Liverpool will do enough to narrowly win this game.

Prediction: 1-0

Manchester United v Watford

United lost at Brighton last week and could only draw at West Ham in mideeek, but it was enough to confirm second place. Only City and Arsenal have taken more points at home and no other team has conceded less goals on their own patch. They have failed to score in three of their last five games and only City have conceded less goals.

The United defenders and keeper are the best choices for fantasy managers in this game.

Watford won 2-1 at home to Newcastle last week and the right result in this game could see them finish in the top half of the table if other results go their way. They have only taken one point in their last 11 away games and they have failed to score in their last seven on the road. Their win against Newcastle was their first win in eight games and they failed to score in five of those games with only Stoke and West Ham conceding more goals.

I can’t see any Watford players to recommend to fantasy managers in this game.

I think United will win with a couple of goals to spare despite their recent lack of goals.

Prediction: 2-0

Newcastle United v Chelsea 

Newcastle lost at Watford and Spurs in the last week and it’s just as well they secured their Premier League status a few weeks ago. They have only lost once in their last eight home games, but that was their last home game and only five teams have conceded less goals at home, but only two teams have scored less. They have lost their last four games since securing their Premier League status for another season.

If Newcastle can catch Chelsea with their minds on the Cup Final Ayoze Perez and Kenedy could do well for fantasy managers.

Chelsea beat Liverpool last week, but their midweek draw at home to Huddersfield means they’re almost certain to miss out on the top four unless Liverpool lose at home to Brighton. Only three teams have taken more away points than Chelsea and that will be one team if they win this game while only City have conceded less away goals. They have taken 13 points from their last five games, but the nine defeats they suffered have cost them a top four place.

It’s not easy to know which Chelsea players will play in this game and that makes it hard for fantasy managers to choose them.

I think the chances are this game will end with the spoils shared.

Prediction: 1-1

Southampton v Manchester City

Southampton got a draw at Everton last week and followed it up with a hugely important 1-0 win at Swansea to almost guarantee their Premier League survival for another season. Only West Brom have taken less points at home and their win in their last home game against Bournemouth was their first home win in 10 games. They have taken eight points from their last four games to avoid the drop, but it might only be on goal difference in the end.

I can’t see any Southampton players who might do well for fantasy managers in this game.

City could only draw with Huddersfield last week, but their midweek win over Brighton saw them add to the Premier League records they have set this season. They have won their last five away games and a win in this game would see them secure as many points on the road as they have at home while they’re the top scorers as well as having the best defensive record away from home. They have taken 13 points from their last five games and three more points in this game would see them reach the magical 100 point mark.

It’s hard to know what team City will play, but the chances are Gabriel Jesus and Kevin de Bruyne will be in it while Leroy Sane and Raheem probably will too and they’re all great options as long as they play.

With Southampton as good as secure I think City should take the three points to reach the magic 100 mark for the season.

Prediction: 1-3

Tottenham Hotspur v Leicester City 

Spurs lost at West Brom last week, but the midweek win against Newcastle confirmed Champions League qualification for them again this season. They have won six of their last seven home games and they kept clean sheets in each of those wins with only United and Liverpool conceding less goals at home. They have only won twice in their last five games, but a win in this game will see them finish third.

Harry Kane remains the best fantasy option in the Spurs team while Christian Eriksen, Dele Alli and all of their defenders and keeper are good choices for this game too.

Leicester lost at home to West Ham last week, but they managed to finish their home season on a high with a 3-1 win against Arsenal on Wednesday night. Only six teams have taken more points away from home, but they have lost their last two away games and conceded seven goals in the process. They had only taken one point in five games before beating Arsenal, but they could still finish eighth ahead of Everton if they win this game.

Despite beating Arsenal in midweek I can’t see any Leicester players shining for fantasy managers in this game.

I think Spurs will finish their season on a relative high with the win they need to secure third place.

Prediction: 2-0

Swansea City v Stoke City

Swansea lost at Bournemouth last week and then at home to Southampton in midweek and only a miracle can save them from relegation now. Only three teams have taken less points at home than Swansea and only Burnley have scored less goals at home. They’re the lowest scorers in the league and nothing short of a cricket score will give them a chance of catching Southampton.

If Swansea are going to try to do the impossible then Jordan Ayew might just do well for fantasy managers.

Stoke lost 2-1 at home to Palace last week and that defeat saw them relegated to the Championship. They have taken less points away from home than any other team and they haven’t won in their last 13 away games. They haven’t won in 13 games and no other team has conceded more goals while they will finish at the foot of the table unless they win this game.

Xherdan Shaqiri is the only Stoke player to have done well for fantasy managers this season and he could do again in this game before he exits stage left.

I think Swansea will get the win they want, but it will fall far short of being enough to keep them up.

Prediction: 2-1

West Ham United v Everton 

West Ham won away to Leicester last week and got a creditable 0-0 draw at home to United on Thursday night. They have only won once in their last five home games, but they will hope to finish on a high in front of their own fans. They have only won once in their last six games and no other team has conceded more goals, but most importantly of all they managed to avoid relegation.

Marco Arnautovic is the only West Ham player fantasy managers should really consider.

Everton came from behind to get a 1-1 draw at home to Southampton last week and it looks like they will finish eighth unless they lose this game and Leicester win at Spurs. They have taken seven points from their last three away games after only taking eight in the previous 15 with only West Ham and Stoke conceding more away goals. They have taken 15 points in their last eight games and they only need another point to make sure they finish eighth.

Cenk Tosun might be the Everton player most likely to succeed for fantasy managers, but probably not in this game.

I think West Ham will just about manage to take the three points and send their fans home relatively happy for once.

Prediction: 2-1

That’s it for this week.

See you next week.

Predictions For Premier League Gameweek 37

It’s that time of the week again when I attempt to predict the outcomes of the upcoming Premier League games. I did reasonably well last week with one perfect prediction, four correct outcomes and five incorrect outcomes, but as long season long I’m nowhere near the top of my predictions league. Here’s a look at how the top five in that league stands with the season almost over.

NAME				THIS WEEK	POINTS
1 (1)				Dr_AFHMK			7	+45	2605
2 (2)				immycader  Imran Cader			8	+10	2420
3 (3)				betojohn  ioannis papanikos			8	+70	2390
4 (4)				ArssenaL14			6	+60	2250
5 (5)				Rutland Gooner			3	+10	2185

Friday May 4

Brighton And Hove Albion v Manchester United

8pm BST, AMEX Stadium, Brighton 

Brighton got a very good 0-0 draw at Burnley last week and the five points they have over the bottom three should be enough to keep them up. They have only lost four of their 18 home games, but they haven’t won in their last three at home. They haven’t won in six games and the clean sheet they kept last week was their first one in 14 games with only three teams scoring less goals.

With two very tough games this week I can’t see any Brighton players to recommend to fantasy managers.

United got a late winner at home to Arsenal’s second string last week to guarantee Champions League football for next season and make themselves strong favourites to finish second. They have won their last three away games and scored eight goals in the process while only City and Burnley have conceded less goals away from home. They have won seven of their last eight games and only City have conceded less goals.

With Romelu Lukaku injured the best bets for fantasy managers in the United team could be their goalkeeper and defenders with Paul Pogba possibly worth considering too.

I think United should be too strong for Brighton and should win with a couple of goals to spare.

Prediction: 0-2

Saturday May 5

Stoke City v Crystal Palace

12.30pm BST, bet365 Stadium, Stoke 

Stoke managed a creditable 0-0 draw at Liverpool last week, but they need wins to try to stay up and nothing else will do in this game. They haven’t won in six home games and no other team has lost more games at home. They haven’t won in 12 games and they failed to score in five of those games with only West Ham conceding more goals.

Xherdan Shaqiri is the only Stoke player worth considering for fantasy managers.

Palace thrashed Leicester 5-0 last week and they must surely be safe from relegation for another season now. They are unbeaten in their last three away games and they kept clean sheets in two of those games. They have taken 11 points in their last six games and they still have an outside chance of finishing in the top half of the table.

Wilfried Zaha has done very well for fantasy managers in recent weeks and he’s certainly worth a punt.

I think this will be a very close game and I wouldn’t be surprised to see it end in a draw.

Prediction: 1-1

Bournemouth v Swansea City

3pm BST, Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth 

Bournemouth lost 2-1 away to Southampton last week, but with 38 points they should be safe for another season. They have only won once in their last five home games with no other team conceding more goals at home. They have only won once in their last 10 games and they haven’t kept a clean sheet in 11 games with only three teams conceding more goals.

I can’t see any Bournemouth players to recommend to fantasy managers.

Swansea lost 1-0 at home to Chelsea last week and they’re now only one point above the bottom three with three games to play. They haven’t won in seven away games with only Brighton and West Brom scoring less goals away from home. They haven’t won in six games and they failed to score in four of those games with no other team scoring less goals.

With two games this week Jordan Ayew is worth considering for fantasy managers, but it is a risk to pick any Swansea players.

Despite having little to play for I still think Bournemouth will take the three points.

Prediction: 2-1

Leicester City v West Ham United

3pm BST, King Power Stadium, Leicester 

Leicester were beaten 5-0 at Palace last week as the end of their season goes from bad to worse. They haven’t won in five home games, but they did draw four of those games. They have only taken one point in their last four games and it looks like they will end up finishing ninth in the league.

With two games this week Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez have to be of interest to fantasy managers, but not if Leicester don’t improve on their recent performances.

West Ham lost 4-1 at home to City last week and they still need another win to make sure they avoid the drop. They have only taken one point in their last five away games and they conceded 16 goals in those games with no other team conceding more goals away from home. They have only won once in their last eight games and they conceded 21 goals in those games with no other team conceding more goals.

With two games this week Marco Arnautovic is the West Ham player who might interest fantasy managers.

This is a tough game to call and the chances are it will end with the spoils shared.

Prediction: 2-2

Watford v Newcastle United 

3pm BST, Vicarage Road,Watford 

Watford lost 2-0 at Spurs last week and they must be eagerly awaiting the end of the season considering their recent results. They haven’t won in three home games and no other team has conceded more goals at home. They haven’t won in seven games and they failed to score in five of those games with only West Ham and Stoke conceding more goals.

I can’t see any Watford players to recommend to fantasy managers.

Newcastle lost 1-0 at home to West Brom last week and they have gone off the boil since securing their Premier League status for another season. They have only won once in their last six away games, but only seven teams have taken more points away from home. They lost their last two games, but they won the previous four and only six teams have conceded less goals.

With two games this week both Kenedy and Ayoze Perez might be of interest to fantasy managers.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see this game end in a draw too.

Prediction: 1-1

West Bromwich Albion v Tottenham Hotspur 

3pm BST, The Hawthorns, Birmingham

West Brom won 1-0 away to Newcastle last week to keep their slim hopes of avoiding relegation alive, but they will go down if they don’t win this game. They have drawn their last two home games after losing the previous four and they haven’t kept a clean sheet in eight home games with no other team taking less points at home. They are unbeaten in four games with clean sheets in two of those games and it seems they just left Alan Pardew in charge for too long.

Both Salomon Rondon and Jay Rodriguez have done well for fantasy managers in recent weeks, but this might not be an ideal game to choose either of them.

Spurs won 2-0 at home to Watford last week to move a step closer to securing their Champions League spot for next season. They are unbeaten in nine away games with only City taking more points away from home. They have only lost once in their last 17 games and that was to the Champions with only the top two teams conceding less goals.

With two games this week Harry Kane is a very good choice for captain for fantasy managers while Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli cannot be ignored either.

I think West Brom will run Spurs close, but Spurs will take the three points that ultimately relegates West Brom.

Prediction: 1-2

Everton v Southampton 

5.30pm BST, Goodison Park, Liverpool 

Everton won 2-0 at Huddersfield last week and it looks like they will finish eighth. They have only lost one of their last seven home games and only the top six have taken more points and scored more goals at home. They have taken 14 points in their last seven games, but no other team in the top half of the table has conceded more goals.

Cenk Tosun and Theo Walcott haven’t done too badly for fantasy managers since joining Everton and they might do well in this game too.

Southampton got a badly needed win at home to Bournemouth last week and they’re now only one point behind seventeenth placed Swansea. They haven’t won in five away games and they have only won two of their 17 away games. The win against Bournemouth was their first win in nine games and only their second in 22 games.

Dusan Tadic did very well for fantasy managers last week and he could be worth considering along with Charlie Austin this week as Southampton play twice.

Despite Southampton’s desperate need for points I think Everton will still take all three in this game.

Prediction: 2-1

Sunday May 6

Manchester City v Huddersfield Town

1.30pm BST, Etihad Stadium, Manchester 

City won 4-1 away to West Ham last week as they continued their pursuit of as many Premier League records as possible. They have won 15 of their 17 home games and have scored more goals at home than any other team, but three other teams have conceded less goals at home. They’re 16 points clear at the top of the table having scored more and conceded less goals than any other team and they have won eight of their last nine games.

With so much rotation in the City team it looks like Gabriel Jesus and Kevin de Bruyne might be the only attacking players to play every game for the rest of the season which makes them great choices for fantasy managers with two games this week while Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane and David Silva are all very good choices too.

Huddersfield lost 2-0 at home to Everton last week and they’re still only three points above the bottom three with two really tough games this week. They have lost five of their last seven away games and only Watford have lost more away games. They have taken 11 points from their last nine games, but they have failed to score in five of their last seven games and no other team has scored less goals.

I can’t see any Huddersfield players to recommend to fantasy managers.

With City receiving the Premier League trophy I fully expect them to win this game very comfortably.

Prediction: 4-0

Arsenal v Burnley 

4.30pm BST, Emirates Stadium, London 

Arsenal played a below strength team at United last week due to their Europa League semi final and they were a little unlucky to lose 2-1. Only City have taken more points and scored more goals at home and they have won their last four home games while scoring 13 goals in the process. They have lost seven of their last 13 games and have conceded a lot more goals than the rest of the top six.

It’s not easy to know what players will play for Arsenal, but surely Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has to be a good bet for fantasy managers with two games this week.

Burnley could only draw 0-0 at home to Brighton last week and they have to win this game to keep their hopes of a top six finish alive. Only the top five have taken more away points than Burnley and only City have conceded less goals on their travels. They have only lost once in their last nine games, but they are the lowest scorers in the top half of the table.

Ashley Barnes has done well for fantasy managers in recent weeks, but they only play once this week.

Surely Arsenal can win Arsene Wenger’s last home gane in charge of them even if they’re still recovering from playing in Madrid on Thursday night.

Prediction: 2-1

Chelsea v Liverpool 

4.30pm BST, Stamford Bridge, London 

Chelsea won 1-0 away to Swansea last week to keep their slim hopes of a top four finish alive. Their home form has been their downfall this season with as many points away from home as at home. They have won their last three games and another win in this game will move them within three points of Liverpool with a game in hand, but vastly inferior goal difference.

Cesar Azpilicueta has been the top scoring defender for fantasy managers this season and he could do well with two home games this week while Eden Hazard has to be worth considering too.

Liverpool could only draw 0-0 at home to Stoke last week as they rested some players ahead of the second leg of their Champions League semi final, but a draw in this game would almost certainly guarantee a top four finish. They have only won once in their last four away games and they have conceded a lot more away goals than the rest of the top five. They have only won once in their last four games as their European commitments have distracted them, but they did keep clean sheets in three of those games.

With the golden boot still not assured Mohamed Salah will surely play and he’s the best bet in the Liverpool team this week as they only play once.

I think Chelsea might just get the better of a Liverpool team that have a very tough schedule at the moment.

Prediction: 2-1

Tuesday May 8

Swansea City v Southampton 

7.45pm BST, Liberty Stadium, Swansea 

Swansea play for the second time this week and this is a game they need to win and really cannot afford to lose. They lost their last home game, but they did win four of the previous five on their own ground and only Burnley have scored less goals at home. It looks like being a fight to the last day for them to try to stay up, but winning this game would probably keep them safe for another season.

As I said above Jordan Ayew could be worth a punt this week while Lukasz Fabianski might not do too badly either.

Southampton have given themselves a real chance of moving out of the bottom three and this could be the game that decides their fate. This is their second away game of the week and it could be the make or break game in their attempt to beat the drop.

With two away games this week it could be a risk for fantasy managers to pick Southampton players, but if they’re going to beat the drop some of their players might just be worth considering.

With so much at stake in this game it’s going to be a nervy affair and the chances are it will end in a draw.

Prediction: 1-1

Wednesday May 9

Chelsea v Huddersfield Town

7.45pm BST, Stamford Bridge, London 

Chelsea can still finish in the top four if they beat Liverpool on Sunday and win this game too. They have an FA Cup Final to look forward to also, buy that won’t count for much if they fail to qualify for the Champions League.

With two home games Chelsea players have to be of interest to fantasy managers this week.

Huddersfield have to hope the teams below them haven’t caught up on them before this game or they will go into the final day needing a result to stay up. Consecutive away games to City and Chelsea is hardly a promising prospect for a team fighting relegation and they play at home to Arsenal on the final day. They might need another point or even two to stay up and it’s hard to see where those points will come from.

As usual I can’t see any Huddersfield players to recommend to fantasy managers despite them playing twice this week.

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

Prediction: 3-0

Leicester City v Arsenal

7.45pm BST, King Power Stadium, Leicester 

Leicester might not be doing too well at the moment, but surely they must relish the thought of two home games in a week. Two wins this week would keep their chances of catching Everton for eighth place alive, but they will have to play an awful lot better than they have done recently to get those wins.

As I said already both Vardy and Mahrez might just do well for fantasy managers this week if they can finish their home games for the season strongly.

Arsenal might be tempted to rest some players depending on whether they have secured sixth place and if so they could have their work cut out in this game. They have lost their last six away games and it’s that away form which has seen them miss out on the top four for the second season in a row.

As I said above Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is probably the Arsenal player to have this week for fantasy managers while Aaron Ramsey could do well too if he plays.

I think Arsenal might just get the better of a very close game.

Prediction: 1-2

Manchester City v Brighton And Hove Albion

8pm BST, Etihad Stadium, Manchester 

City play their second home game of the week and again it’s agsinst a team at the wrong end of the table. If they’re determined to set all sorts of Premier League records their two home games this week could see an awful lot of goals scored.

With two home games against teams with poor away records this is the ideal time for fantasy managers to fill their teams with City players once they can figure which ones will play.

Brighton probably have to hope the teams below them don’t pick up points this week as they have to play the top two in the league. They haven’t won in 11 away games and they failed to score in eight of those games with no other team scoring less goals away from home. If they lose to United and City it won’t get any easier on Sunday when they travel to Liverpool.

I can’t see any Brighton players to recommend to fantasy managers despite them playing twice this week.

I think City will stroll to another very comfortable home victory in this game.

Prediction: 4-0

Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United 

8pm BST, Wembley Stadium, London 

Spurs play their second game of the week and they will hope to guarantee a top four finish with all three points in this game. Their home form hasn’t been up to the standard they set last season, but even if it was they wouldn’t have kept pace with City.

Harry Kane needs plenty of goals to overtake Mohamed Salah for the golden boot and it’s certainly worth considering him as captain for this week for fantasy managers.

Newcastle play their second away game of the week and with little to play for they might struggle in this game. Their goal this season was to avoid relegation and they achieved that goal earlier than expected, but it leaves them with very little to play for during the rest of the season.

As I said above Perez and Kenedy might do well for fantasy managers this week, but probably not.

I think Spurs should take the three points without too much trouble.

Prediction: 3-1

Thursday May 10

West Ham United v Manchester United

7.45pm BST, London Stadium, London

West Ham have two games this week and their best chance of getting the points they need to avoid the drop probably lies in their weekend game at Leicester. They have taken 12 points from their last eight home games and it’s those points which have kept them just above the bottom three. It’s still possible they might need something from the last day and a home game against Everton might just be what they need in that game.

As well as Marco Arnautovic has done recently I think the chances are he won’t return too much for fantasy managers in this game.

United play their second away game of the week and they’re both against teams looking for another point or two to insure their Premier League safety. A strong finish would see them end up with a respectable points total, but they’re still going to be an awful long way behind City. They have a lot of work to do for next season if they want to try to close that gap.

With Lukaku out injured there could be an opportunity for Marcus Rashford to do well for fantasy managers.

I think West Ham might just have to worry about avoiding the drop right up until the last day as they will narrowly lose this game.

Prediction: 1-2

That’s it for this week.

See you next week.