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 had a very good week last week with three perfect predictions, five correct outcomes and only two incorrect outcomes which saw me move to the top of my predictions league. Here’s a look at how the top five in that league looks.

Rank	Player	Res	Cls	Exa	Slm	Pts
1	JamrockRover	34	90	57	16	197.0
2 1	Cole	38	67.5	75	15	195.5
3 2	Gooners	41	63	66	14	184.0
4 -	nzbuddy	31	66	75	11	183.0
5 2	SammyW	36	75	57	14	182.0

I had a pretty good week with my fantasy team too thanks to deciding to switch the captain’s armband to Alexander Isak. He was assisted by Amad Diallo, Lucas Digne, Cole Palmer and Chris Wood as I moved up to inside the top 1 percent in the overall standings. My big decision this week will be who to make my captain with Salah and Palmer the best candidates.

The chances are I will bring Lewis Hall in with my transfer this week with Digne probably making an exit.  I plan not to make any transfers next week so I can make two the following week as both Liverpool and Everton have play twice. 

Saturday January 18

Newcastle United v Bournemouth 

12.30pm GMT, St. James’s Park, Newcastle 

Newcastle won 3-0 at home to Wolves last week and that win was enough to move them up into the top four. They have won their last three home games without conceding a goal and they scored 10 goals in those games with only Arsenal and Bournemouth conceding less goals on their own ground. They have won their last six games and they scored 18 goals in those games while only conceding one with only the three teams above them conceding less goals.

Alexander Isak is a must have for fantasy managers at the moment with Anthony Gordon, Jacob Murphy and Lewis Hall very good options too.

Bournemouth drew 2-2 away to Chelsea last week and they’re only four points behind Newcastle going into this game. They have taken 11 points from their last five away games and they scored 13 goals in those games with only three other teams scoring more goals on the road. They are unbeaten in nine games and they scored 16 goals in those games while keeping four clean sheets.

Antoine Semenyo showed how well he can do for fantasy managers against Chelsea and Milos Kerkez is a good option too.

I think Bournemouth will make a real game of it, but the chances are Newcastle will take the three points.

Prediction: 2-1

Brentford v Liverpool 

3pm GMT, Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford 

Brentford scored two late goals to draw 2-2 at home to City last week, but that point wasn’t enough to move them out of the bottom half of the table. They have only taken one point from their last three home games, but only the top two have taken more points on their own patch and no other team has scored more goals at home. They have only won once in their last six games, but they have a good run of games after this one.

Bryan Mbuemo and Yoane Wissa are both very good options for fantasy managers in home games in particular.

Liverpool came from behind to draw 1-1 away to Forest last week and they’re now only four points clear of Arsenal, but they still have a game in hand. They’re the only team still unbeaten away from home with no other team scoring more goals on their travels and only Palace and Spurs conceding less. They’re unbeaten in 16 games, but they have drawn four of the last seven and they only kept one clean sheet in those games with no other team scoring more goals and only Arsenal conceding less.

Despite not scoring against Forest Mohamed Salah is an absolute must have for fantasy managers.

I think Brentford will make things difficult for Liverpool, but the away team will get the win.

Prediction: 1-2

Leicester City v Fulham 

3pm GMT, King Power Stadium, Leicester 

Leicester lost 2-0 at home to Palace last week and they’re still only one place above the bottom of the table. They have lost their last three home games without conceding a goal and they have a tough run of games coming up on their own ground. They have lost their last six games and they conceded 16 goals in those games while failing to score in four of them with only Wolves and Southampton conceding more goals.

I can’t see any Leicester players doing enough to interest fantasy managers at the moment.

Fulham lost 3-2 away to West Ham last week, but they managed to hold on to their place in the top half of the table. They were unbeaten in five away games before losing to West Ham and no other team has drawn more games on the road. The loss to West Ham was their first defeat in nine games, but they drew six of those games with only Brighton drawing more games.

Alex Iwobi and Antonee Robinson have been the Fulham players who have done well for fantasy managers.

I think Fulham will take advantage of Leicester’s defensive issues to win this game by a couple of goals.

Prediction: 1-3

West Ham United v Crystal Palace 

 3pm GMT, London Stadium, London 

West Ham won 3-2 at home to Fulham last week and they’re now only four points off the top half of the table. They have taken seven points from their last four home games and their next three home games are all against teams in the bottom half of the table, but only

Southampton have conceded more goals on their own patch. They have a tough run of games coming up after this one and only three other teams have conceded more goals.

I’m not sure there are any West Ham players to recommend to fantasy managers at the moment, but that could change over the next few weeks.

Palace won 2-0 away to Leicester last week to move eight points clear of the bottom three and they’re only two points behind West Ham going into this game. They are unbeaten in their last six away games and they have kept clean sheets in three of their last four games on their travels with no other team conceding less goals away from home. They have only lost one of their last 10 games, but they drew five of them with only Brighton scoring more goals.

With a good run of games at the moment Eberechi Eze, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Daniel Munoz are all very good choices for fantasy managers.

This looks like being a very close game and I wouldn’t be surprised to see it end in a draw.

Prediction: 1-1

Arsenal v Aston Villa 

5.30pm GMT, Emirates Stadium, London

Arsenal came from behind to win 2-1 at home to Spurs last week and that win moved them within four points of Liverpool at the top of the table, but they have played a game more. They are the only team still unbeaten at home with no other team conceding less goals on their own ground and only three other teams scoring more. They are unbeaten in 11 games with no other team conceding less goals and only two other teams scoring more.

Arsenal players aren’t doing an awful lot for fantasy managers at the moment, but their defenders and keeper still look like good choices.

Villa won 1-0 away to Everton last week and that win moved them within three points of the top four. They won their last away game after losing the previous five with only three other teams conceding more goals on the road. They have taken 16 points from their last eight games and they have three very good games in a row after this one.

Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins both look like very good options for fantasy managers at the moment.

I think this will be a close game with home advantage probably helping Arsenal to a victory.

Prediction: 2-1

Sunday January 19

Everton v Tottenham Hotspur 

2pm GMT, Goodison Park, Liverpool 

Everton lost 1-0 at home to Villa last week and they’re still only one point above the relegation zone. They have only taken one point from their last three home games and they failed to score in each of those games with only two other teams scoring less goals on their own patch. They have only won once in their last 12 games and they failed to score in nine of them with only Southampton scoring less goals.

I can’t see any Everton players who might make a difference for fantasy managers at the moment.

Spurs lost 2-1 away to Arsenal last week and they’re now six points off the top half of the table. They have lost three of their last four away games, but no other team has conceded less goals on their travels. They have only taken four points from their last eight games, but only Liverpool have scored more goals. 

Son Heung-Min, Brennan Johnson, Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison can all do very well for fantasy managers.

Despite their current poor run of results I think Spurs might just nick a narrow victory in this game.

Prediction: 1-2

Manchester United v Brighton And Hove Albion

2pm GMT, Old Trafford, Manchester 

United came from behind to win 3-1 at home to Southampton last week, but they’re still four points behind the top half of the table. They had lost their previous three home games before beating Southampton, but they are in the middle of a favourable run of games on their own ground. The win against Southampton was only their second win in eight games, but they don’t play any teams in the top eight in their next six games.

Amad Diallo looks like a very good choice for fantasy managers at the moment with Bruno Fernandes worth a shout too.

Brighton won 2-0 away to Ipswich last week and that win moved them up one place to ninth in the table. They are unbeaten in their last four away games, but they drew three of them with no other team drawing more games on the road. The win against Ipswich was their first win in nine games, but they drew six of them with no other team drawing more games.

None of the Brighton players are exactly setting the world alight for fantasy managers at the moment, but Joao Pedro and Kaoru Mitoma have the potential to do so.

I think Brighton are more than capable of winning this game, but it will probably end in a draw.

Prediction: 1-1

Nottingham Forest v Southampton 

2pm GMT, City Ground, Nottingham 

Forest drew 1-1 at home to Liverpool last week to remain six points behind them at the top of the table. They have taken 10 points from their last four home games with only Arsenal and Bournemouth conceding less goals on their own patch. They have taken 19 points from their last seven games and they kept four clean sheets in those games with only Arsenal conceding less goals.

Chris Wood, Morgan Gibbs-White, Anthony Elanga and all of the Forest defenders and keeper are all looking very good for fantasy managers at the moment.

Southampton conceded three late goals to lose 3-1 away to United last week and I just cannot see them managing to beat the drop despite having 17 games left to play. They have lost nine of their 11 away games and they’re the only team without a win on their travels with no other team scoring less goals away from home. They have only taken two points from their last 11 games and they conceded 28 goals in those games with only Wolves conceding more goals.

I can’t see any Southampton players to recommend to fantasy managers at the moment.

I can’t see anything other than a comfortable Forest victory in this game.

Prediction: 3-0

Ipswich Town v Manchester City 

4.30 GMT, Portman Road, Ipswich 

Ipswich lost 2-0 at home to Brighton last week and that defeat meant they just about stayed in the relegation zone as they have scored less goals than Wolves. They have lost four of their last five home games with only Southampton scoring less goals on their own ground. They have taken seven points from their last six games, but they have a very tough run of games coming up starting with this one and only two other teams have scored less goals.

Liam Delap can do well for fantasy managers, but Ipswich aren’t scoring enough goals to consider choosing one of their attacking players.

City led 2-0 away to Brentford last week, but they had to settle for a 2-2 draw to stay three points behind fourth place. They have taken four points from their last two away games after only taking one in the previous five and they have a tough run of games on the road after this one. They have taken eight points from their last four games after only taking four from the previous eight and Fulham are the only team in the top half of the table to have conceded more goals.

Erling Haaland, Phil Foden and Savio can all make a real impression for fantasy managers at the moment.

I think City will continue to put pressure on the top four by taking all three points in this game.

Prediction: 1-3

Monday January 20

Chelsea v Wolverhampton Wanderers 

8pm GMT, Stamford Bridge, London 

Chelsea scored late on to draw 2-2 at home to Bournemouth last week and those dropped points saw them drop to fifth in the table. They have only taken one point from their last two home games and they conceded four goals in those games, but their next seven games on their own patch are all against teams in the bottom half of the table. They haven’t won in five games and they only scored four goals in those games, but only two other teams have scored more goals and they have a very good run of games coming up.

Cole Palmer remains the Chelsea player to have for fantasy managers with Nicolas Jackson worth considering too.

Wolves lost 3-0 away to Newcastle last week, but they managed to stay out of the relegation zone as they have scored more goals than Ipswich. They have only won once in their last five away games with only Leicester conceding more goals on their travels. They have lost their last two games after taking seven points from the previous three and no other team has conceded more goals.

Matheus Cunha is the Wolves player who can make a difference for fantasy managers.

I think Wolves will give Chelsea a fright, but home advantage should pay off for Chelsea.

Prediction: 2-1

That’s it for this week.

See you next week.

Predictions For Premier League Gameweek 21

It’s that time of the week again when I attempt to predict the outcomes of the upcoming Premier League games. I managed two perfect predictions, four correct outcomes and four incorrect outcomes last week to leave me in second place in my predictions league. Here’s a look at how the top five in that league stands.

Rank	Player	Res	Cls	Exa	Slm	Pts
1 -	Cole	38	63	69	14	184.0
2 -	JamrockRover	34	82.5	48	14	178.5
3 -	SammyW	36	72	51	14	173.0
4 1	nzbuddy	31	60	72	10	173.0
5 1	Gooners	41	55.5	63	13	172.5

My fantasy team improved in the overall rankings yet again last week with another solid if not spectacular performance. My choice of Mohamed Salah as my captain paid off as always, but it was Bryan Mbuemo who was the real star of the week for me. He was assisted by Salah, Cole Palmer, Alexander Isak and Ola Aina, but six of my team still offered virtually nothing for the week.

I will be sticking with Salah as my captain this week despite Liverpool’s difficult trip to Forest as I just can’t see a better option despite Isak playing at home to Wolves. I didn’t make any transfers last week which means I can make two this week and I plan to bring in Chris Wood and Amad Diallo despite Wood having a difficult fixture. The players to lose out will be Gabriel Jesus and Dejan Kulusevski which should also leave me with some money in the bank to tinker with my defence over the next few weeks.

Tuesday January 14

Brentford v Manchester City 

7.30pm GMT, Gtech Community Stadium, London 

Brentford won 5-0 away to Southampton last week and they’re now only one point off the top half of the table. Only Liverpool have taken more points on their own ground and no other team has scored more goals at home, but only four other teams have conceded more. They had only taken one point from four games before beating Southampton with only four other teams scoring more goals, but their next two games are very difficult starting with this one.

Bryan Mbuemo and Yoane Wissa can both do very well for fantasy managers in home games in particular.

City won 4-1 at home to West Ham last week and they’re now only two points off the top four. They won their last away game after only taking one point from the previous five and they have a tough run of away games coming up. They have won their last two games after only winning one of the previous nine and we will know how well they have recovered over the next six or seven games as they are far from easy.

Erling Haaland seems to be back in form for fantasy managers with Josko Gvardiol, Phil Foden and Savio all looking like possibilities at the moment too.

I think Brentford will give City a really tough test and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the points shared.

Prediction: 2-2

Chelsea v Bournemouth 

7.30pm GMT, Stamford Bridge, London 

Chelsea drew 1-1 away to Palace last week and they’re now 10 points off the top of the table having played a game more than Liverpool. They have taken 10 points from their last five home games and two of their next three games are on their own patch. They have only taken two points and scored two goals in their last four games with only Liverpool and Spurs scoring more goals.

Cole Palmer is the outstanding Chelsea player for fantasy managers, but the rest of their team aren’t doing much at the moment.

Bournemouth won 1-0 at home to Everton last week and they’re only three points behind Chelsea going into this game. They have taken 10 points from their last four away games, but this is the first of two very hard games on the road in five days. They are unbeaten in eight games and they kept clean sheets in four of them with only four other teams conceding less goals.

Milos Kerkez and Antoine Semenyo are the best of the Bournemouth players for fantasy managers, but maybe not in their next two games.

I think Bournemouth will make things very difficult for Chelsea and I wouldn’t be surprised if they got a point from this game.

Prediction: 1-1

West Ham United v Fulham

7.30pm GMT, London Stadium, London 

West Ham lost 4-1 away to City last week to drop to 14th in the table and that defeat saw them part ways with Julen Lopetegui. They have only won once in their last five home games and they conceded 12 goals in those games with only three other teams conceding more goals on their own ground. They have only won once in their last five games and they conceded nine goals in their last two games with only three other teams conceding more goals.

With Jarrod Bowen injured and a new manager in charge it’s not easy to know what West Ham players to recommend to fantasy managers at the moment.

Fulham drew 2-2 at home to Ipswich last week to leave them six points off the top four. They’re unbeaten in their last five away games with only one other team conceding less goals on the road. They’re unbeaten in eight games, but they drew six of them with only Brighton drawing more.

Raul Jiminez has been in good form for fantasy managers in recent weeks while Antonee Robinson could be a good option too.

I don’t think there will be too much between these two teams and I think a share of the spoils is the most likely option.

Prediction: 1-1

Nottingham Forest v Liverpool 

8pm GMT, City Ground, Nottingham 

Forest won 3-0 away to Wolves last week to move within six points of Liverpool at the top of the table, but they have played an extra game. They have won their last three home games and they only conceded one goal in those games with only Arsenal conceding less goals on their own patch. They have won their last six games and they haven’t conceded a goal in their last four with only Arsenal conceding less goals.

Chris Woods, Anthony Elanga and Morgan Gibbs-White are all very good choices for fantasy managers along with the Forest keeper and defenders.

Liverpool drew 2-2 at home to United last week to maintain their six point lead at the top of the table and they have a game in hand on the teams chasing them. They’re the only team unbeaten away from home with no other team scoring more goals on their travels. They’re unbeaten in 15 games with no other team scoring more goals and only Arsenal conceding less.

Mohamed Salah is an absolute must have for fantasy managers with Cody Gakpo in good form and all of Liverpool’s defenders plus their keeper good options too.

This will be a huge test for Forest and I think they might just manage a draw from it.

Prediction: 1-1

Wednesday January 15

Everton v Aston Villa 

7.30pm GMT, Goodison Park, Liverpool 

Everton lost 1-0 away to Bournemouth last week and they dropped to only one point above the relegation zone which cost Sean Dyche his job. They have only won once in their last six home games and they failed to score in four of those games with only two other teams scoring less goals on their own ground. They have only won once in their last 11 games and they failed to score in eight of those games with only Southampton scoring less goals.

Everton’s defenders and keeper can do well for fantasy managers and they have a fairly good run of games coming up.

Villa won 2-1 at home to Leicester last week and they’re now only four points off the top four. They have lost their last five away games and they conceded 14 goals in those games with only two other teams conceding more goals on the road. They have taken 13 points from their last seven games, but no other team in the top half of the table has conceded more goals.

Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins are the best bets in the Villa team for fantasy managers with Jhon Duran a consideration too.

I think Everton might just benefit from the new manager bounce to win this game narrowly.

Prediction: 1-0

Leicester City v Crystal Palace 

7.30pm GMT, King Power Stadium, Leicester 

Leicester lost 2-1 away to Villa last week to leave them one place off the foot of the table, but they’re still only two points from safety. They have only taken one point from their last three home games and they conceded seven goals in those games, but their next two games are on their own patch. They have lost their last five games and they conceded 14 goals in those games with only Wolves conceding more goals.

Jamie Vardy is the Leicester player most likely to do well for fantasy managers while Stephy Mavididi has looked good recently too.

Palace drew 1-1 at home to Chelsea last week and they can move themselves well clear of the bottom three with a win in this game. They are unbeaten in their last five away games, but they drew three of them with no other team drawing more games on their travels. They have only lost once in their last nine games, but they drew five of them with only Brighton drawing more games.

Eberechi Eze, Daniel Munoz, Ismaila Sarr and Jean-Philippe Mateta could all do well for fantasy managers over the next few weeks.

I think Palace should have enough to take the three points in this game.

Prediction: 1-2

Newcastle United v Wolverhampton Wanderers 

7.30pm GMT, St. James’s Park, Newcastle 

Newcastle won 2-1 away to Spurs last week and they’re now only one point behind fourth place. They have taken seven points from their last three home games and they scored 10 goals in those games. They have won their last five games and they scored 15 goals in those games with only the top three conceding less goals.

Alexander Isak is a must have for fantasy managers at the moment with Anthony Gordon, Jacob Murphy and Newcastle’s defenders and keeper looking very good too.

Wolves lost 3-0 at home to Forest last week and they’re only above the relegation zone on goal difference. They have taken four points from their last two away games and they scored five goals in those games, but only Leicester have conceded more goals on the road. They were unbeaten in three games before losing to Forest, but they have a very tough run of games coming up and no other team has conceded more goals.

Matheus Cunha is the Wolves player to have for fantasy managers with Jorgen Strand Larsen worth considering too.

I think Newcastle should win this game by at least a couple of goals.

Prediction: 3-1

Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur 

8pm GMT, Emirates Stadium, London 

Arsenal drew 1-1 away to Brighton last week to leave them six points off the top of the table and they have played a game more than the leaders. They’re the only team still unbeaten at home with no other team conceding less goals on their own patch. They’re unbeaten in 10 games with no other team conceding less goals and only Liverpool and Spurs scoring more.

With Arsenal struggling to score goals at the moment and missing some of their best attacking players it’s probably just their defenders and keeper fantasy managers should be interested in.

Spurs lost 2-1 at home to Newcastle last week to leave them in the bottom half of the table and they’re actually closer to the bottom three than they are to the top four. They have lost two of their last three away games, but no other team has conceded less goals on their travels. They have only taken five points from their last eight games and they conceded 17 goals in those games, but only Liverpool have scored more goals.

Dominic Solanke, Brennan Johnson, Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison and Son Heung-Min all have something to offer fantasy managers at the moment.

I don’t think there will be too much in this game with Arsenal probably making home advantage count.

Prediction: 2-1

Thursday January 16

Ipswich Town v Brighton And Hove Albion

7.30pm GMT, Portman Road, Ipswich 

Ipswich drew 2-2 away to Fulham last week and they’re now only in the relegation zone on goal difference. They won their last home game against Chelsea, but that was their first home win of the season with only Southampton scoring less goals on their own ground. They have taken seven points from their last five games, but four of their next seven games are against big six teams.

Liam Delap is the only Ipswich player who should be turning the heads of fantasy managers at the moment.

Brighton drew 1-1 at home to Arsenal last week and that point was enough to keep them in the top half of the table. They haven’t won in their last four away games, but they drew three of them and no other team has drawn more games on the road. They haven’t won in eight games, but they drew six of them and no other team has drawn more games.

If Joao Pedro is fit to play he’s the best bet in the Brighton team for fantasy managers, but Solly March could be back in the team soon.

I think Brighton should be good enough to get a much needed victory in this game.

Prediction: 1-3

Manchester United v Southampton 

8pm GMT, Old Trafford, Manchester 

United drew 2-2 away to Liverpool last week, but they’re still in the bottom half of the table and closer to the relegation zone than the top four. They have lost their last three home games and they conceded eight goals in those games. They have only taken four points from their last seven games and they conceded 15 goals in those games with only four other teams scoring less goals.

Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo are the United players who could do well for fantasy managers over the next few weeks.

Southampton lost 5-0 at home to Brentford last week to leave them rooted to the foot of the table and relegation looks like a certainty for them at this stage. They’re the only team without an away win with no other team scoring less goals on their travels. They have only taken two points from their last 10 games and they conceded 25 goals in those games with no other team scoring less goals and only Wolves conceding more.

I can’t see any Southampton players who might interest fantasy managers at the moment.

I think United should be far too good for a doomed Southampton team and should win comfortably.

Prediction: 3-0

That’s it for this week.

See you next week.

Predictions For Premier League Gameweek 19

It’s that time of the week again when I attempt to predict the outcomes of the upcoming Premier League games. I had an average week last week with no perfect predictions, five correct outcomes and five incorrect outcomes which saw me move up to second place in my predictions league. Here’s a look at how the top five in that league stands.

Rank	Player	Res	Cls	Exa	Slm	Pts
1 -	Cole	33	55.5	63	12	163.5
2 1	JamrockRover	31	72	42	12	157.0
3 1	Gooners	38	46.5	60	11	155.5
4 1	SammyW	33	61.5	48	12	154.5
5 3	nzbuddy	28	51	63	8	150.0

I had a reasonably good week with my fantasy team too as I climbed marginally in the overall rankings to stay well inside the top two percent. My captaincy choice of Mohamed Salah paid off yet again and he was ably assisted by David Raya, Gabriel Magalhaes, Cole Palmer and Matheus Cunha. I still have some surgery to do on my team, but until the FA decides the fate of Cunha he will be staying with me.

Salah will have the armband yet again this week and the chances are I’ll be bringing Alexander Isak in with my one free transfer. The transfers I made last week didn’t pay off in the short term, but I still think they will over time. 

Sunday December 29

Leicester City v Manchester City 

2.30pm GMT, King Power Stadium, Leicester 

Leicester lost 3-1 away to Liverpool last week and that defeat saw them drop into the relegation zone. They have only won once in their last five home games and they conceded 11 goals in those games, but three of their next four games are on their own ground. They have lost their last three games and they conceded 10 goals in those games with no other team conceding more goals.

I can’t see any Leicester players doing enough to interest fantasy managers at the moment.

City drew 1-1 at home to Everton last week and they are now six points off the top four and 14 points off the top of the table. They have only taken one point from their last five away games and they conceded 10 goals in those games, but their next three games on the road are against teams in the bottom half of the table. They have only taken five points from their last nine games, but their next four games are all against teams in the bottom half of the table.

Surely Erling Haaland will find some form soon and if he does he can still do very well for fantasy managers while Josko Gvardiol is worth considering too.

I think City will get a much needed win in this game with a couple of goals to spare.

Prediction: 1-3

Crystal Palace v Southampton 

3pm GMT, Selhurst Park, London 

Palace drew 0-0 away to Bournemouth last week and they’re only two places and three points above the relegation zone. They have only taken two points from their last four home games with only Ipswich scoring less goals on their own patch. They have only lost one of their last seven games, but they drew four of them with no other team drawing more games.

Daniel Munoz and Ismaila Sarr are the Palace players who can do well for fantasy managers at the moment.

Southampton lost 1-0 at home to West Ham last week to leave them stranded at the foot of the table. They’re one of two teams still without an away win and no other team has scored less goals on their travels. They have only taken two points from their last eight games with no other team scoring less goals and only Wolves and Leicester conceding more.

I can’t see any Southampton players to recommend to fantasy managers at the moment.

I think Palace will manage a rare victory at home to the team at the bottom of the table.

Prediction: 2-0

Everton v Nottingham Forest 

3pm GMT. Goodison Park, Liverpool 

Everton drew 1-1 away to City last week and that point leaves them three points above the bottom three. They’re unbeaten in their last six home games, but they drew four of them and they kept clean sheets in four of them too. They have only lost two of their last 13 games, but they drew eight of them with no other team drawing more games.

Everton’s defenders and keeper are all good options for fantasy managers at the moment.

Forest won 1-0 at home to Spurs last week and that win kept them in fourth place and within two points of second place. They have won their last two away games and their next two games are both away to teams in the bottom seven. They have won their last four games and they have kept clean sheets in the last two with only Arsenal and Liverpool conceding less goals.

Chris Wood, Anthony Elanga and Morgan Gibbs-White are all looking like good options for fantasy managers at the moment with the Forest defenders and keeper worth considering too.

I think this will be a very close game and the chances are it will end with the spoils shared.

Prediction: 0-0

Fulham v Bournemouth 

3pm GMT, Craven Cottage, London 

Fulham came from behind to win 2-1 away to Chelsea last week and that win has them within one point of fifth place. They have only won twice in their last six home games, but their next two games are both on their own patch. They have only lost once in their last 10 games, but they drew five of those games.

Antonee Robinson and Alex Iwobi are probably the Fulham players who should be of most interest to fantasy managers at the moment.

Bournemouth drew 0-0 at home to Palace last week to leave them in sixth place in the table. They have won their last three away games and they scored nine goals in those games, but their next three games on their travels are very difficult starting with this one. They have taken 14 points from their last six games and they kept clean sheets in three of them with only three other teams conceding less goals.

Milos Kerkez and Antoine Semenyo are the Bournemouth players for fantasy managers to keep an eye on.

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

Prediction: 1-1

Tottenham Hotspur v Wolverhampton Wanderers 

3pm GMT, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London 

Spurs lost 1-0 away to Forest last week and they’re now closer to the bottom three than the top four. They have only taken one point in their last four home games and they conceded 13 goals in those games, but only Brentford have scored more goals on their own ground. They have lost four of their last five games and they conceded 12 goals in those games, but only Liverpool have scored more goals.

Dejan Kulusevski, Brennan Johnson, Son Heung-Min, James Maddison and Dominic Solanke all look like good choices for fantasy managers.

Wolves won 2-0 at home to United last week and that win took them out of the relegation zone. They have won two of their last four away games, but only Leicester have conceded more goals on the road. They have won their last two games after losing the previous  four and no other team has conceded more goals.

With the suspension of Matheus Cunha still not confirmed he’s the best choice in the Wolves team for fantasy managers while Jorgen Strand Larsen is an option too.

This is a tough game to call, but the chances are Spurs should make home advantage tell.

Prediction: 3-1

West Ham United v Liverpool 

5.15pm GMT. London Stadium, London 

West Ham won 1-0 away to Southampton last week and they’re now within three points of the top half of the table. They have only lost one of their last six home games with only two other teams conceding more goals on their own patch. They have taken eight points from their last four games, but they play two of last season’s top three in their next two games starting with this one.

Jarrod Bowen is still the West Ham player who can make a difference for fantasy managers.

Liverpool came from behind to win 3-1 at home to Leicester last week and they’re now six points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand on the teams chasing them. They have taken seven points and scored 12 goals in their last three away games with no other team taking more points on their travels and only Chelsea scoring more goals. They are unbeaten in 13 games and they took 33 points in those games with no other team scoring more goals and only Arsenal conceding less.

Mohamed Salah is an absolute must have for fantasy managers with all of their defenders and keeper good choices too.

I think Liverpool will be too strong for West Ham and should win by at least two goals.

Prediction: 1-3

Monday December 30

Aston Villa v Brighton And Hove Albion 

7.45pm GMT, Villa Park, Birmingham 

Villa lost 3-0 away to Newcastle last week after John Duran’s harsh red card saw them play for an hour with 10 men and that defeat saw them drop to ninth place. They have won their last three home games and they have a very good run of games on their own ground coming up. Their home form has kept them in touch with the top five and they only play one of the big six in their next seven games.

Morgan Rogers is the Villa player most likely to perform for fantasy managers at the moment.

Brighton drew 0-0 at home to Brentford last week and they’re only two points and one place behind Villa going into this game. They have only lost one game away from home, but they have drawn five with no other team drawing more games on the road. They haven’t won in six games, but they drew four of them with no other team drawing more games.

I just can’t see any Brighton players doing enough at the moment to peak the interest of fantasy managers.

I think Villa are probably strong enough at home to take the three points in this game.

Prediction: 2-1

Ipswich Town v Chelsea 

7.45pm GMT, Portman Road, Ipswich 

Ipswich lost 1-0 away to Arsenal last week and they’re now three points from the relative safety of 17th place. They’re the only team without a home win and no other team has taken less points or scored less goals on their own patch. They have lost five of their last six games and they failed to score in four of them with only Southampton scoring less goals.

I can’t see any Ipswich players doing enough to recommend them to fantasy managers at the moment.

Chelsea lost 2-1 at home to Fulham last week and that defeat saw them drop to third place in the table. They have taken 10 points and scored 11 goals in their last four away games with no other team taking more points or scoring more goals on their travels. They were unbeaten in nine games before losing to Fulham and they only play one of the other big six teams in their next 10 games.

Cole Palmer is an absolute must have for fantasy managers with Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Martinez good options too.

I think Chelsea should bounce back and win this game with a few goals to spare.

Prediction: 1-3

Manchester United v Newcastle United 

8pm GMT, Old Trafford, Manchester 

United lost 2-0 away to Wolves last week and they go into this game in 14th place in the table. They have lost their last two home games and they conceded six goals in those games, but they have a fairly good run of home games coming up. They have lost four of their last five games and they conceded 11 goals in those games with only four other teams scoring less goals.

With Bruno Fernandes suspended Amad Diallo is probably the United player who should be of most interest to fantasy managers.

Newcastle won 3-0 at home to 10 man Villa last week and that win moved them up to fifth place. They have taken seven points and scored 10 goals in their last four away games, but four of their next five games on the road are against big six teams. They have won their last three games and they scored 11 goals in those games.

Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon, Jacob Murphy and Lewis Hall are all in great form for fantasy managers at the moment.

I think Newcastle are going to make things very difficult for United and I wouldn’t be surprised if they took the three points.

Prediction: 1-2

Wednesday January 1

Brentford v Arsenal 

5.30pm GMT, Gtech Stadium, Brentford 

Brentford drew 0-0 away to Brighton last week and that point left them one place and two points off the top half of the table. They lost their last home game, but no other team has taken more points or scored more goals on their own patch. They have only won once in their last five games and they play each of last season’s top three in three of their next four games.

Bryan Mbuemo and Yoane Wissa are the Brentford players to have for fantasy managers when they are playing at home.

Arsenal won 1-0 at home to Ipswich last week and that win moved them up to second place in the table, but they’re six points behind Liverpool and they have played a game more. They have taken eight points and scored 12 goals in their last four away games with only one other team conceding less goals on their travels. They have taken 18 points from their last eight games and they scored 17 goals in those games with no other team conceding less goals.

Arsenal’s defenders and keeper are very good choices for fantasy managers at the moment with Kai Havertz an option too.

I think this will be a very close game, but Arsenal should win narrowly.

Prediction: 1-2

That’s it for this week.

See you next week.

Predictions For Premier League Gameweek 18

It’s that time of the week again when I attempt to predict the outcomes of the upcoming Premier League games. I didn’t have the best week last week with no perfect predictions, four correct outcomes and six incorrect outcomes which saw me stay in third place in my predictions league. Here’s a look at how the top five in that league stands.

Rank	Player	Res	Cls	Exa	Slm	Pts
1	Cole	32	46.5	63	11	152.5
2 1	Gooners	37	43.5	60	11	151.5
3 -	JamrockRover	28	69	42	11	150.0
4 -	TeeBee	33	54	45	11	143.0
5 -	SammyW	30	57	45	11	143.0

I had a reasonably good week with my fantasy team last week and I moved up slightly in the overall rankings. If it wasn’t for making Mohamed Salah my captain things would have gone differently and he will be keeping the armband for the foreseeable future. He was helped by Ola Aina, Matheus Cunha and Gabriel Magalhaes, but too many of my players look like they need replacing.

I can’t wait for the next wildcard to be available, but I probably won’t use it until I know when there are some double Gameweeks to contemplate. Meanwhile I still don’t know the fate of Matheus Cunha as he awaits his FA hearing while Joao Pedro hasn’t done much in recent weeks and Bukayo Saka looks like his injury could keep him out for a long time. If I have to sell Saka I might have to reorganise my team completely which would mean taking a hit of four or even eight points.

Thursday December 26

Manchester City v Everton 

12.30pm GMT, Etihad Stadium, Manchester 

City lost 2-1 away to Villa last week and they’re now four points behind the top four as well as 12 points behind the leaders. They have lost two of their last three home games, but their next two games on their own ground are against teams in the bottom seven. They have lost six of their last eight games and they conceded 16 goals in those games.

With a very good run of games coming up Erling Haaland and Josko Gvardiol could be of real interest to fantasy managers if City can find some form.

Everton drew 0-0 at home to Chelsea last week and they’re now four points clear of the relegation zone. They have only taken two points from their last four away games and they failed to score in all of those games with only Southampton scoring less goals on the road. They have only lost twice in their last 12 games, but they drew seven of them and they have kept clean sheets in five of their last six games.

Everton’s defensive record at the moment makes their keeper and defenders very appealing to fantasy managers.

I think City will get a badly needed victory in this game with a couple of goals to spare.

Prediction: 2-0

Bournemouth v Crystal Palace 

3pm GMT, Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth 

Bournemouth won 3-0 away to United last week and that win moved them up to fifth place in the table. They have taken 13 points from their last six home games with only Liverpool and Arsenal conceding less goals on their own patch. They have taken 13 points from their last five games and they have a good run of games over the next few weeks.

Bournemouth’s players have spread out the points for fantasy managers between them, but Antoine Semenyo, Justin Kluivert, Milos Kerkez and Evanilson are all worth considering.

Palace’s unbeaten run came to an abrupt end last week when they lost 5-1 at home to Arsenal. They have taken eight points from their last four away games and three of their next four games on their travels are against teams in the bottom half of the table. They had only lost one of their previous eight games before losing to Arsenal with only three other teams scoring less goals.

Daniel Munoz and Ismaila Sarr are the Palace players who have looked good for fantasy managers recently.

I think Bournemouth will continue their remarkable season with another narrow victory in this game.

Prediction: 2-1

Chelsea v Fulham 

3pm GMT, Stamford Bridge, London 

Chelsea drew 0-0 away to Everton last week which saw them drop four points behind Liverpool at the top of the table. They’re unbeaten in their last seven home games and they don’t play any of the other big six teams in their next six games on their own ground. They’re unbeaten in nine games and they scored 20 goals in those games with only Spurs scoring more goals and only Liverpool and Arsenal conceding less. 

Cole Palmer is the Chelsea player to have for fantasy managers with Nicolas Jackson and Robert Sanchez good choices too.

Fulham drew 0-0 at home to Southampton last week, but they’re still sitting comfortably in ninth place. They’re unbeaten in their last four away games, but they drew three of them with no other team drawing more games on the road. They have only lost one of their last nine games, but they drew five of them and no other team has drawn more games.

Antonee Robinson is the Fulham player making an impression for fantasy managers with Alex Iwobi looking the part too.

I think Fulham might be able to put up enough of a fight to get a draw from this game.

Prediction: 1-1

Newcastle United v Aston Villa 

3pm GMT, St. James’s Park, Newcastle 

Newcastle won 4-0 away to Ipswich last week to move back into the top half of the table. They haven’t been as good at home so far this season as usual, but they have taken four points and scored seven goals in their last two games on their own patch. They have won their last two games without conceding a goal and they scored eight goals in those two games, but they have some tough games coming up.

Alexander Isak is in fantastic form for fantasy managers at the moment with Anthony Gordon a good option too.

Villa won 2-1 at home to City last week and they’re only three points off the top four. They have lost their last four away games and they conceded 11 goals in those games with only two other teams conceding more goals on their travels. They have won three of their last four games, but they were all at home and no other team in the top half of the table has conceded more goals.  

Morgan Rogers is the Villa player looking good for fantasy managers at the moment while Jhon Duran is a good option too.

I think Newcastle will make home advantage pay to win this game narrowly.

Prediction: 2-1

Nottingham Forest v Tottenham Hotspur 

3pm GMT, City Ground, Nottingham 

Forest won 2-0 away to Brentford last week to consolidate fourth place in the table. They have won four of their last five home games with only Liverpool and Arsenal conceding less goals on their own ground. They have won their last three games and they scored seven goals in those games with only Liverpool and Arsenal conceding less goals.

Chris Wood is the best of the bunch in the Forest team for fantasy managers with their defenders and keeper good choices too.

Spurs lost 6-3 at home to Liverpool last week and they’re still in the bottom half of the table with the season nearly halfway over. They have won two of their last three away games and they scored nine goals in those two victories, but their next two games on the road are against teams in the top four. They have lost three of their last four games and they conceded 11 goals in those games with no other team scoring more goals.

Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Brennan Johnson, Son Hueng-Min and Dominic Solanke are all doing well for fantasy managers.

I think Forest might just be able to get the better of Spurs in a very tight game.

Prediction: 2-1

Southampton v West Ham United 

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

Southampton drew 0-0 away to Fulham last week, but they’re now six points adrift at the foot of the table. They have lost their last three home games and they conceded 13 goals in those games with no other team conceding more goals on their own patch. They have only taken two points from their last seven games and they haven’t scored in the last three with no other team scoring less goals and only Wolves and Leicester conceding more.

I can’t see any Southampton players to recommend to fantasy managers at the moment.

West Ham drew 1-1 at home to Brighton last week and they’re now a lot closer to the top half of the table than they are to the bottom three. They have only won once in their last seven away games and their next four away games after this one are all very difficult. They’re unbeaten in three games, but they drew three of them and only five other teams have conceded more goals.

Jarrod Bowen is still the West Ham player who should be of interest to fantasy managers.

I think West Ham will move a little closer to the top half of the table with a win in this game.

Prediction: 1-2

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester United 

5.30pm GMT, Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton 

Wolves won 3-0 away to Leicester last week and that win moved them up one place in the table, but they’re still in the relegation zone. They have lost their last two home games and they conceded six goals in those games with no other team taking less points on their own ground and only Southampton conceding more goals. They had lost four games in a row before beating Leicester and they conceded 12 goals in those games with no other team conceding more goals.

If Matheus Cunha is suspended for Wolves then Jorgen Strand Larsen is probably the next best bet for fantasy managers.

United lost 3-0 at home to Bournemouth last week and they just don’t seem to be able to get themselves out of the bottom half of the table. They have only won once in their last six away games with no other team conceding less goals on the road, but only three other teams scoring less. They have lost three of their last four games and they conceded nine goals in those games with only four other teams scoring less goals.

Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo are the United players who can make a real impression for fantasy managers.

I think United should be able to get three badly needed points in this game with a couple of goals to spare.

Prediction: 1-3

Liverpool v Leicester City 

8pm GMT, Anfield, Liverpool 

Liverpool won 6-3 away to Spurs last week and that win moved them four points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand on the teams below them. Only Brentford have taken more points at home with no other team conceding less points on their own patch and eight of their next nine home games are against teams in the bottom half of the table. They’re unbeaten in 12 games and they won nine of those games with only Spurs scoring more goals and no other team conceding less.

Mohamed Salah is an absolute must have for fantasy managers with Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota plus Liverpool’s defenders and keeper good choices too.

Leicester lost 3-0 at home to Wolves last week, but they’re still two points clear of the relegation zone. They have lost their last three away games and they conceded 11 goals in those games with no other teams conceding more goals on their travels. They have only won once in their last nine games and they conceded 23 goals in those games with only Wolves conceding more goals.

Jamie Vardy is probably the only Leicester player for fantasy managers to even consider.

I can’t see anything other than a comprehensive Liverpool victory in this game.

Prediction: 4-0

Friday December 27

Brighton And Hove Albion v Brentford 

7.30pm GMT, AMEX Stadium, Brighton 

Brighton drew 1-1 away to West Ham last week and they’re now only one place above the bottom half of the table. They lost their last home game after being unbeaten at home before that, but no other team has drawn more games on their own ground. They haven’t won in five games, but they drew three of them and no other team has drawn more games.

The Brighton players I have championed recently have done much for fantasy managers, but I still think Joao Pedro and Kaoru Mitoma have something to offer.

Brentford’s unbeaten home run came to an end last week when they lost 2-0 against Forest and that defeat meant they stayed in the bottom half of the table. They’re one of two teams without an away win with no other team taking less points on the road and only Southampton and Everton scoring less goals. They have lost three of their last four games and they conceded nine goals in those games with only three other teams conceding more goals.

Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbuemo are the Brentford players who have done well for fantasy managers, but they do their best work at home.

I think Brighton will probably make home advantage count to take three badly needed points in this game.

Prediction: 2-1

Arsenal v Ipswich Town 

8.15pm GMT, Emirates Stadium, London 

Arsenal won 5-1 away to Palace last week, but they’re still six points behind Liverpool at the top of the table and they have played an extra game too. They’re the only team still unbeaten at home with only Brentford and Spurs scoring more goals on their own patch. They’re unbeaten in seven games and they scored 17 goals in those games with only three other teams scoring more goals and no other team conceding less.

With Bukayo Saka injured Arsenal’s best choices for fantasy managers are probably in their defence with Gabriel Jesus an outside bet too after his recent return to form.

Ipswich lost 4-0 at home to Newcastle last week, but they’re still only two points from the relative safety of 17th place. They have won two of their last three away games, but they have a very tough run of away games coming up. They have lost four of their last five games and they haven’t kept a clean sheet in 13 games with only Southampton and Everton scoring less goals.

I can’t see any Ipswich players doing enough to interest fantasy managers at the moment.

I can’t see anything other than a comfortable Arsenal victory in this game.

Prediction: 4-0

That’s it for this week.

See you next week.