Predictions For Premier League Gameweek 23

​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 a good week last week with no perfect predictions, three correct outcomes and seven incorrect outcomes, but I didn’t lose any ground in my predictions league at least. Here’s a look at how the top five in that league stands.

Pos Player                  Res     Cls     Exa    Slm     Pts

1.    SeniorBurger       25        93       69      14       201

2.    Gooners               30        76.5    78     12      196.5

3.    Sam                     25        84       72      13      194

4.    Murray1886        13        79.5    69      13      193.5

5.    andy                    28        90       63      12      193

My fantasy team did reasonably well last week in what was a low scoring week. All of my defensive players got me points, but the lack of returns from my attacking players prevented me from doing even better. I moved up in the overall rankings for the third week in a row and I’m not too far off the top 1% in the overall standings.

Hugo Ekitike didn’t do much as my captain last week and the chances are I will give the armband back to Erling Haaland this week despite his lack of form. I have two transfers I can make this week and I think I will be bringing Bruno Fernandes in and possibly selling Ekitike too, but I will have to wait until I find out more about the fitness of Bruno Guimaraes.

Saturday January 24

West Ham United v Sunderland 

12.30pm GMT, London Stadium, London 

West Ham scored a very late goal to win 2-1 away to Spurs last week, but they’re still in the relegation zone and five points from safety. They have only taken one point from their last five home games with no other team conceding more goals on their own ground. They had only taken four points from 10 games before beating Spurs with no other team conceding more goals.

Jarrod Bowen is the only West Ham player who can return points for fantasy managers.

Sunderland won 2-1 at home to Palace last week and they’re only three points off fourth place. They have only taken three points from their last six away games with no other team scoring less goals on the road. The win against Palace was their first win in six games, but no other team has drawn more games and only two other teams have scored less goals.

Sunderland’s defenders and keeper can do well for fantasy managers while Granit Xhaka is worth considering too.

I don’t think there will be too much between these two teams with a draw being the most likely outcome.

Prediction: 1-1

Burnley v Tottenham Hotspur 

3pm GMT, Turf Moor, Burnley 

Burnley drew 1-1 away to Liverpool last week to remain one place off the foot of the table and eight points from safety. They have only taken two points from their last seven home games with no other team scoring less goals on their own patch. They haven’t won in 13 games, but they have drawn four of their last six with only two other teams scoring less goals and only West Ham conceding more.

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

Spurs conceded a late goal to lose 2-1 at home to West Ham last week and they’re now five points off the top half of the table. They have only won once in their last six away games, but only Arsenal have taken more points on their travels with only Chelsea and Bournemouth scoring more goals. They have only won two of their last 13 games and they have some very difficult games coming up after this one.

I don’t think it’s a great idea to recommend Spurs players to fantasy managers at the moment considering their upcoming games.

I think Spurs will take three badly needed points in this game.

Prediction: 1-2

Fulham v Brighton And Hove Albion 

3pm GMT, Craven Cottage, London 

Fulham conceded a late goal to lose 1-0 away to Leeds last week and that defeat saw them drop into the bottom half of the table. They have taken seven points from their last three home games after losing the previous two and they have a good run of home games coming up. They had taken 14 points from six games before losing to Leeds, but three of their next five games after this one are against big six teams.

Harry Wilson is the best of the bunch in the Fulham team for fantasy managers with Raul Jiminez and Joachim Anderson possibilities too.

Brighton scored a late goal to draw 1-1 at home to Bournemouth last week and they’re only one point and one place behind Fulham going into this game. They have only taken two points from their last four away games, but three of those games were against teams in the top four. They have only won once in their last nine games with no other team drawing more games.

Danny Welbeck, Kaoru Mitoma and Yankuba Minteh are all capable of doing well for fantasy managers.

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

Prediction: 1-1

Manchester City v Wolverhampton Wanderers 

3pm GMT  Etihad Stadium, Manchester 

City lost 2-0 away to United last week and they’re now seven points behind Arsenal at the top of the table. They have drawn their last two home games after winning the previous eight with no other team scoring more goals on their own patch and only Arsenal conceding less. They haven’t won in four games after winning the previous six with no other team scoring more goals and only Arsenal conceding less.

Erling Haaland has done very little for fantasy managers in recent weeks, but it’s still difficult to look past him with Antoine Semenyo a good option too.

Wolves drew 1-1 at home to Newcastle last week, but they’re still rooted to the foot of the table with 14 points to make up on 17th place. They have drawn their last two away games after losing the previous six, but they’re the only team without a win on their travels with no other team scoring less away goals. They are unbeaten in four games, but they drew three of them with no other team scoring less goals.

Mateus Mane is the only Wolves player who might make a contribution for fantasy managers and he’s available at a very good price.

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

Prediction: 2-0

Bournemouth v Liverpool 

5.30pm GMT, Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth 

Bournemouth conceded late on to draw 1-1 away to Brighton last week and they’re a lot closer to the top half of the table than the relegation zone despite being in 15th place. They won their last home game after failing to win the previous five, but their next two home games are against teams in the top four starting with this one. They have only won once in their last 13 games with only two other teams conceding more goals.

Marcus Tavernier and Kroupi Junior are the Bournemouth players who should interest fantasy managers.

Liverpool drew 1-1 at home to struggling Burnley last week to stay in fourth place, but they’re still 14 points off the top of the table. They are unbeaten in their last five away games after losing the previous four and they have a good run of away games coming up. They are unbeaten in 10 games, but they drew six of them and their next two games after this one are far from easy.

It’s difficult to know which Liverpool players will do well for fantasy managers at the moment, but Florian Wirtz is starting to live up to his billing.

I think Bournemouth will give Liverpool a run for their money and might just get a point from this game.

Prediction: 2-2

Sunday January 25

Brentford v Nottingham Forest 

2pm GMT, Gtech Community Stadium, London 

Brentford lost 2-0 away to Chelsea last week to fall back to seventh place, but they’re only three points below the top four. They have taken 17 points from their last seven home games and they scored 17 goals in those games with only the top three taking more points on their own patch. They had taken 14 points from six games before losing to Chelsea and they have some very difficult games coming up after this one.

Igor Thiago is the best of the Brentford players for fantasy managers with Kevin Schade and Nathan Collins good choices too.

Forest drew 0-0 at home to league leaders Arsenal last week and that point kept them five points above the relegation zone. They won their last three away games after losing the previous three with only two other teams scoring less goals on their travels. They have taken four points from their last five games after losing the previous four with only Wolves scoring less goals.

Morgan Gibbs-White remains the best bet in a Forest team that don’t do an awful lot for fantasy managers.

I think Brentford will prove to be too strong on their own ground for Forest and should win by a couple of goals.

Prediction: 3-1

Crystal Palace v Chelsea 

2pm GMT, Selhurst Park, London 

Palace lost 2-1 away to Sunderland last week to remain in 13th place and they’re now four points behind the top half of the table. They haven’t won in their last six home games with only Wolves winning less games on their own ground and no other team scoring less goals. They have only taken two points from their last seven games and they only scored two goals in those games.

I’m not sure there are any Palace players doing enough to interest fantasy managers at the moment.

Chelsea won 2-0 at home to Brentford last week and they moved back to sixth place and within two points of fourth place as a result of that win. They have only taken three points from their last five away games, but no other team has scored more goals on the road. The win against Brentford was only their second win in 10 games, but their next five games are all against teams in the bottom half of the table.

Chelsea’s defenders and keeper could do well for fantasy managers over the next few weeks along with Pedro Neto and Cole Palmer.

I think Chelsea will take advantage of Palace’s current problems to narrowly win this game.

Prediction: 1-2

Newcastle United v Aston Villa

2pm GMT, St. James’s Park, Newcastle 

Newcastle drew 0-0 away to Wolves last week and they’re still only three points off the top four. They have taken 20 points from their last eight home games and they scored 18 goals in those games with only three other teams scoring more goals on their own patch. They have taken 10 points from their last four games, but they have some very tough games coming up.

If he’s fit to play Bruno Guimaraes is the best of the Newcastle players for fantasy managers with Malick Thiaw and Joelinton doing well recently too.

Villa lost 1-0 at home to Everton last week and that defeat saw them stay in third place with seven points to make up on league leaders Arsenal. They have only taken one point from their last two away games after winning the previous four with only Arsenal taking more points on their travels. They have only won once in their last four games after winning 12 of the previous 13 and they don’t play any of the big six in their next six games.

Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins are the Villa players who fantasy managers should have their eye on.

I think Newcastle should make home advantage pay to move themselves closer to the top four.

Prediction: 2-1

Arsenal v Manchester United 

4.30pm GMT, Emirates Stadium, London 

Arsenal drew 0-0 away to Forest last week to give themselves a seven point lead at the top of the table. They’re one of two teams unbeaten at home with no other team taking more points or conceding less goals on their own ground and only City scoring more. They have only lost once in their last 19 games, but they have drawn the last two 0-0 and no other team has conceded less goals.

Arsenal’s defenders and keeper are great choices for fantasy managers along with Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka.

United won 2-0 at home to City last week to move up to fifth place and within one point of fourth place. They haven’t won in their last three away games, but no other team has drawn more games on the road. They have only lost two of their last 14 games, but they drew seven of them with no other team in the top half of the table conceding more goals and only the top two scoring more.

Bruno Fernandes is the best of the United players for fantasy managers with Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha possibilities too.

I think Arsenal will be good enough at home to win a very close game.

Prediction: 2-1

Monday January 26

Everton v Leeds United 

8pm GMT, Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool 

Everton won 1-0 away to Villa last week and that win moved them back into the top half of the table. They have only taken one point from their last three home games, but three of their next four games on their own patch are against teams in the bottom half of the table. The win against Villa was only their second win in seven games, but they have kept clean sheets in three of their last five games.

Everton’s defenders and keeper can do very well for fantasy managers and the returning Iliman Ndiaye could be a good option too along with James Garner.

Leeds scored a late goal to win 1-0 at home to Fulham last week and they now have eight points to spare over the bottom three. They haven’t won in their last eight away games, but they have drawn the last three and only the bottom two have taken less points on their travels. They have only lost once in their last nine games, but they drew five of them and they have a difficult run of games over the next few weeks.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is the Leeds player fantasy managers should be interested in.

I think Everton will just about get the better of a very close game.

Prediction: 1-0

That’s it for this week.

See you next week.

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 bad week last week with just one perfect prediction, two correct outcomes and seven incorrect outcomes, but I still moved up in my predictions league as others didn’t do well either. Here’s a look at how the top five in that league stands.

Pos  Player                Res    Cls    Exa    Slm    Pts

1.     SeniorBurger     25      87      69      14      195

2.     Gooners             30      73.5   75       12     190.5

3.     Murray1886       32      75      69       13     189

4.     andy                   28      84       63      12     187

5.     Sam                   25       81      66      13     185

I did fairly well with my fantasy team as the choice of Erling Haaland as my captain paid off. He was assisted by David Raya, Gabriel Magalhaes, Michael Keane (despite his red card), Bruno Guimaraes, Harry Wilson and Dominic Calvert-Lewin as my team regained some of the ground it had lost recently. Haaland will probably be my captain again this week, but I’m tempted to give Hugo Ekitike the armband with a home game against Burnley.

I have yet to decide if I’m going to make any transfers this week, but I’m tempted to leave my squad as it is. I might possibly decide to sell Phil Foden as he’s just not justifying his price tag at the moment, but I’ll probably wait until next week so I can bring a striker in too.

Saturday January 17

Manchester United v Manchester City 

12.3pm GMT, Old Trafford, Manchester 

United drew 2-2 away to struggling Burnley last week and those dropped points saw them fall back to seventh place. They have only won once in their last five home games after winning the previous four with only five other teams scoring more goals on their own ground. They have only lost one of their last nine games, but they drew five of them with only Sunderland drawing more games.

Bruno Fernandes is the United player to have for fantasy managers now that he has returned from injury.

City drew 1-1 at home to Brighton last week and that point kept them in second place with six points to make up on Arsenal. They have taken 10 points from their last four away games with only Chelsea scoring more goals on the road. They have drawn their last three games after winning the previous six with no other team scoring more goals and only Arsenal conceding less.

Erling Haaland is the must have City player for fantasy managers with Rayan Cherki and new boy Antoine Semenyo good choices too.

I think this will be a close game with City probably winning by the odd goal.

Prediction: 1-2

Chelsea v Brentford 

3pm GMT, Stamford Bridge, London 

Chelsea lost 2-1 away to Fulham last week and that defeat saw them drop to eighth in the table. They have only won two of their last six home games, but they have a very good run of games coming up on their own patch. They have only won once in their last eight games, but their next five games after this one are all against teams in the bottom half of the table.

The Chelsea defenders and keeper could do well over the next few weeks along with Pedro Neto and Cole Palmer.

Brentford won 3-0 at home to Sunderland last week and that win moved them up to fifth place and within two points of the top four. They have won their last two away games after losing the previous four with only the bottom two losing more games on their travels. They have taken 13 points and scored 13 goals in their last five games with only the top two scoring more goals.

Igor Thiago is the stand out Brentford player for fantasy managers at the moment with Nathan Collins, Kevin Schade and Caoimhin Kelleher all doing very well recently too.

I think this will be another very close game with Chelsea probably making home advantage count.

Prediction: 2-1

Leeds United v Fulham 

3pm GMT, Elland Road, Leeds

Leeds conceded a very late goal to lose 4-3 away to Newcastle last week, but they still have eight points to spare over the bottom three. They have taken eight points from their last four home games and they scored 11 goals in those games. They were unbeaten in seven games before losing to Newcastle, but they drew five of those games.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is the in form Leeds player for fantasy managers with Anton Stach and Brenden Aaronson good options too. 

Fulham won 2-1 at home to Chelsea last week and that victory moved them into the top half of the table. They have taken 10 points from their last four away games after losing the previous five, but they have some difficult away games coming up. They have taken 14 points from their last six games, but only one other team in the top half of the table has conceded more goals.

Harry Wilson is looking very good for fantasy managers at the moment with Raul Jiminez a consideration too.

I think Leeds have shown enough recently to suggest they will win this game.

Prediction: 2-1

Liverpool v Burnley 

3pm GMT, Anfield, Liverpool 

Liverpool drew 0-0 away to Arsenal last week and that point left them in fourth place, but they’re 14 points off the top of the table. They have taken eight points from their last four home games and three of their next four games are on their own patch. They are unbeaten in nine games, but they drew five of them and their next two games are against teams in the bottom half of the table.

With Hugo Ekitike back from injury he could do very well for fantasy managers in this game with Cody Gakpo and Florian Wirtz possibilities too.

Burnley drew 2-2 at home to United last week, but they’re still one place off the bottom of the table and eight points from safety. They have only taken four points from their 10 away games with only Bournemouth conceding more goals on their travels. They have only taken three points from their last 12 games with only West Ham conceding more goals.

I’m not sure there are any Burnley players for fantasy managers to consider.

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

Prediction: 3-0

Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United

3pm GMT, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London 

Spurs lost 3-2 away to Bournemouth last week, but they’re only three points off the top half of the table despite being in 14th place. They have only won once in their last nine home games with only three other teams scoring less goals on their own ground. They have only won twice in their last 12 games, but their next two games are both against teams in the relegation zone.

I can’t see any Spurs players doing enough on a consistent basis to interest fantasy managers at the moment.

West Ham lost 2-1 at home to Forest last week and that defeat meant they stayed in the relegation zone and they now have seven points to make up on the team directly above them. They haven’t won in their last eight away games, but they drew four of them with only United drawing more games on the road. They haven’t won in 10 games with no other team conceding more goals.

Jarrod Bowen is the only West Ham player for fantasy managers to consider.

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

Prediction: 3-1

Sunderland v Crystal Palace 

3pm GMT, Stadium of Light, Sunderland 

Sunderland lost 3-0 away to Brentford last week, but they just about held on to their spot in the top half of the table. They are one of two teams still unbeaten at home with only Palace drawing more games on their own patch and only Arsenal conceding less goals. They haven’t won in five games, but they drew four of them with only Wolves scoring less goals.

Sunderland’s defenders and keeper are very good options for fantasy managers in home games in particular with Granit Xhaka looking good too.

Palace drew 0-0 at home to Villa last week to stay in 13th place, but they’re only two points off the top half of the table. They lost their last two away games after winning the previous three and they conceded six goals in those two games after only conceding five in their previous eight away games. They have only taken two points from their last five games with only three other teams scoring less goals.

Palace’s players haven’t done an awful lot to turn the heads of fantasy managers in recent games.

I don’t think there will be too much between these two teams with a draw being the most likely outcome.

Prediction: 1-1

Nottingham Forest v Arsenal 

5.30pm GMT, City Ground, Nottingham 

Forest won 2-1 away to West Ham last week to give themselves a seven point gap above the bottom three. They have lost three of their last four home games with only two other teams conceding more goals on their own ground. They had lost four games in a row before beating West Ham with only Wolves scoring less goals.

Morgan Gibbs-White is probably the only Forest player for fantasy managers to keep an eye on at the moment.

Arsenal drew 0-0 at home to Liverpool last week and that point maintained their six point lead at the top of the table. They have won their last two away games after failing to win the previous three with no other team taking more points or conceding less goals on the road. They have only lost once in their last 18 games with no other team conceding less goals.

Arsenal’s defenders and keeper are very good choices for fantasy managers along with Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka.

I think Arsenal will be strong enough to win what looks like being a close game.

Prediction: 1-2

Sunday January 18

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Newcastle United 

2pm GMT, Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton 

Wolves drew 1-1 away to Everton last week, but they’re still six points adrift at the foot of the table and 15 points from safety. They won their last home game after failing to win the previous nine with no other team scoring less goals on their own patch and only West Ham conceding more. They have taken five points from their last three games after only taking two in the previous 18 with no other team scoring less goals and only West Ham conceding more.

Mateus Mane might just be the cheap striker fantasy managers crave to enable other purchases.

Newcastle scored a last gasp goal to win 4-3 at home to Leeds last week and that victory moved them up to sixth place with just three points to make up on the top four. They have won two of their last four away games after failing to win the previous six and their next three games on their travels after this one are all against big six teams. They have won their last three games and they scored nine goals in those games.

Bruno Guimaraes is the best of the Newcastle players for fantasy managers at the moment.

It’s difficult to predict the outcome of this game, but I think it might just end with the spoils shared.

Prediction: 1-1

Aston Villa v Everton 

4.30pm GMT, Villa Park, Birmingham 

Villa drew 0-0 away to Palace last week to leave them in third place and six points off the top of the table. They have won their last eight home games with only Arsenal conceding less goals on their own patch. They have only won once in their last three games after winning 12 of the previous 13 and they don’t play any of the big six teams in their next seven games.

Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins are the Villa players to have for fantasy managers.

Everton drew 1-1 at home to Wolves last week despite having two men sent off and they’re only one point off the top half of the table. They have taken 11 points from their last six away games, but only two other teams have scored less goals on the road. They have only won once in their last six games and they will struggle to get anything out of this game too.

Everton’s defenders and keeper are worth considering for fantasy managers along with James Garner.

I think Villa’s impressive home form will continue with another narrow victory in this game.

Prediction: 2-1

Monday January 19

Brighton And Hove Albion v Bournemouth 

8pm GMT, AMEX Stadium, Brighton 

Brighton drew 1-1 away to City last week and they’re only one point and one place off the top half of the table. They won their last home game after failing to win the previous three, but they have only lost one game on their own patch so far. They have only won once in their last eight games, but they drew four of them with only Sunderland drawing more games.

If he’s fit to play Yankuba Minteh is a good choice for fantasy managers along with Danny Welbeck and Kaoru Mitoma.

Bournemouth scored a last minute goal to win 3-2 at home to Spurs last week and they’re only four points off the top half of the table despite being in 15th place. They haven’t won in their last eight away games with no other team conceding more goals on their travels, but only Chelsea scoring more goals. They hadn’t won in 11 games before beating Spurs with only three other teams scoring more goals.

With Antoine Semenyo now plying his trade elsewhere Marcus Tavernier and Junior Kroupi could possibly do well for fantasy managers.

I think Brighton will get the better of a close game to take all three points.

Prediction: 3-2

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 didn’t do too badly last week with one perfect prediction, four correct outcomes and five incorrect outcomes which saw me move up a couple of places in my predictions league. Here’s a look at how the top five in that league stands.

POs   Player                 Res     Cls     Exa     Slm     Pts

1        SeniorBurger      23      85.5     69      14      191.5

2        Gooners              28      69        75      11       183

3        Murray1886        30      73.5     66      13      182.5

4        andy                    29      79.5     63      12      181.5

5        Derek                  35      79.5     48       15     177.5

I did reasonably well with my fantasy team too as I moved up slightly in the overall rankings. My choice of Erling Haaland as my captain didn’t pay off, but Declan Rice, Bruno Guimaraes, Matheus Cunha and Harry Wilson all did well for me. I will be going with Haaland as my captain again this week as he is so good at home in particular and surely he can’t blank for the fourth game in a row.

I kept my free transfer last week so that I have two available this week and my plan is to bring Gabriel Magalhaes back into my team. I will also have to replace Nick Woltemade as he’s out of favour at the moment with Newcastle and the chances are I will bring Dominic Calvert-Lewin in for him.

Tuesday January 6

West Ham United v Nottingham Forest 

8pm GMT, London Stadium, London 

West Ham lost 3-0 away to bottom club Wolves on Saturday, but they’re still only four points from safety. They have only taken one point from their last four home games with no other team conceding more goals on their own ground. They haven’t won in nine games, but they drew four of them with no other team conceding more goals.

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

Forest lost 3-1 away to Villa at the weekend and they’re only one place and four points ahead of West Ham going into this game. They have lost their last three away games with only two other teams scoring less goals on the road. They have lost their last four games and only Wolves have scored less goals.

I’m still not sure there are any Forest players doing enough on a consistent basis to interest fantasy managers.

I think this will be a very close game for two teams desperate for points and Forest look the most likely to win to me.

Prediction: 1-2

Wednesday January 7

Bournemouth v Tottenham Hotspur 

7.30pm GMT, Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth 

Bournemouth lost 3-2 at home to Arsenal on Saturday to remain in 15th place, but they still have nine points to spare over the bottom three. They haven’t won in their last five home games, but they drew three of them with only two other teams drawing more games on their own patch. They haven’t won in 11 games, but they drew five of them with only Sunderland drawing more games. 

If he’s still a Bournemouth player for this game Antoine Semenyo is the Bournemouth player to have for fantasy managers.

Spurs conceded a late goal to draw 1-1 at home to Sunderland on Sunday to leave them in the bottom half of the table, but they’re only one point off the top half. They have only won once in their last five away games, but only Arsenal have taken more points on their travels. They have only won two of their last 11 games, but their next three opponents are all in the bottom six starting with this game.

I’m not sure which Spurs players to recommend to fantasy managers at the moment, but Micky Van de Ven is probably the best bet.

This isn’t an easy game to call, but I think it will probably end all square.

Prediction: 1-1

Brentford v Sunderland 

7.30pm GMT, Gtech Community Stadium, London 

Brentford won 4-2 away to Everton last week and that victory moved them up to seventh place. They have taken 14 points from their last six home games with only the top three taking more points on their own ground. They have taken 10 points from their last four games and they scored 10 goals in those games.

Igor Thiago is the best player in the Brentford team for fantasy managers with Nathan Collins and Kevin Schade looking good recently too.

Sunderland scored a late goal to draw 1-1 away to Spurs at the weekend, but they dropped to just below Brentford on goal difference. They haven’t won in their last five away games, but they drew three of them with no other team drawing more games on the road and only Wolves scoring less goals. They have only won twice in their last 11 games, but they drew seven of them with no other team drawing more games, but only three other teams scoring less goals.

Sunderland’s defenders and keeper are very good options for fantasy managers along with Granit Xhaka.

I think Brentford will continue their movement up the table with another win in this game.

Prediction: 2-1

Crystal Palace v Aston Villa 

7.30pm GMT, Selhurst Park, London

Palace lost 2-0 away to Newcastle on Sunday which saw them fall to 14th place, but they’re only one point off the top half of the table. They have only taken two points from their last five home games with only Burnley scoring less goals on their own patch. They have only taken one point from their last five games and they conceded 11 goals in those games.

I’m not sure there are any Palace players doing enough to interest fantasy managers at the moment.

Villa won 3-1 at home to Forest on Saturday to stay in third place and six points off the top of the table. They lost their last away game after winning the previous four and they have a good run of games coming up on their travels. They have won 13 of their last 15 games and they don’t play any of the big six in their next eight games.

Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins are the Villa players who can do very well for fantasy managers at the moment.

I think Villa will have just enough to win this game narrowly.

Prediction: 1-2

Everton v Wolverhampton Wanderers 

7.30pm GMT, Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool 

Everton lost 4-2 at home to Brentford on Sunday and that defeat saw them drop back into the bottom half of the table. They have lost four of their last six home games, but four of their next five home games are against teams in the bottom six. They have only won once in their last five games, but they should still move back into the top half of the table if they win this game.

Everton’s defenders and keeper still look like good choices for fantasy managers despite shipping four goals against Brentford.

Wolves won 3-0 at home to West Ham on Saturday to manage their first victory of the season, but they’re still firmly rooted to the foot of the table. They’re the only team without an away win and they drew their last away game after losing the previous six with no other team scoring less goals on the road. They have taken four points from their last two games after losing the previous 11 with no other team scoring less goals and only West Ham conceding more.

Mateus Mane could just be the low cost striker fantasy managers are looking for, but it’s always a risk to pick Wolves players.

I think Everton will bounce back from their defeat against Brentford to take the three points in this game.

Prediction: 2-1

Fulham v Chelsea 

7.30pm GMT, Craven Cottage, London 

Fulham got a last minute goal to draw 2-2 at home to Liverpool on Sunday and they’re now only outside the top half of the table on goal difference. They have only won once in their last four home games, but they will fancy their chances against managerless Chelsea. They have taken 11 points from their last five games and they will go level on points with Chelsea if they win this game.

Harry Wilson showed yet again against Liverpool that he’s a very good option for fantasy managers with Raul Jiminez a consideration too.

Chelsea got a last minute goal to draw 1-1 away to City at the weekend and that point was enough to keep them in fifth place. They haven’t won in their last four away games, but no other team has scored more goals on their travels. They have only won once in their last eight games, but only three other teams have scored more goals.

Pedro Neto is probably the Chelsea player most likely to do well for fantasy managers.

I think Fulham will be good enough at home to get a point from this game.

Prediction: 1-1

Manchester City v Brighton And Hove Albion 

7.30pm GMT, Etihad Stadium, Manchester 

City conceded a last minute goal to draw 1-1 at home to Chelsea on Sunday and they’re now six points behind Arsenal at the top of the table. They had won eight home games in a row before drawing with Chelsea with no other team scoring more goals on their own ground and only Arsenal conceding less. They have taken 20 points from their last eight games with no other team scoring more goals and only Arsenal conceding less.

Despite not scoring in three games Erling Haaland is still a very good choice for fantasy managers along with the City defenders and keeper plus Rayan Cherki, Phil Foden and Tijjani Reijnders.

Brighton won 2-0 at home to Burnley on Saturday to move into the top half of the table on goal difference. They have only taken one point from their last three away games and they have more tough games on the road coming up. The win against Burnley was their first win in seven games and they will do well to get anything out of this game.

If he’s fit to play Yankuba Minteh can do well for fantasy managers and Danny Welbeck should be considered too.

I think City will put their consecutive draws behind them to win this game by a couple of goals.

Prediction: 3-1

Burnley v Manchester United 

8.15pm GMT, Turf Moor, Burnley 

Burnley lost 2-0 away to Brighton on Saturday to remain one place off the foot of the table and six points from safety. They have only taken one point from their last six home games with no other team scoring less goals on their own patch. They have only taken two points from their last 11 games with only Wolves and Forest scoring less goals.

I can’t see any Burnley players to interest fantasy managers at the moment.

United came from behind to draw 1-1 away to Leeds on Sunday and that point was enough to keep them in sixth place, but it wasn’t enough to keep Ruben Amorim in his job. They have only lost one of their last seven away games with no other team drawing more goals on their travels. They have only lost one of their last eight games, but they drew four of them with only two other teams drawing more games.

Matheus Cunha is the only only United player who looks like performing for fantasy managers at the moment.

I think United will be good enough to take the three points in this game. 

Prediction: 0-2

Newcastle United v Leeds United 

8.15pm GMT, St. James’s Park, Newcastle 

Newcastle won 2-0 at home to Palace on Sunday and those three points moved them into the top half of the table. They have taken 17 points from their last seven home games with only three other teams scoring more goals on their own ground. They have taken 17 points from their last nine games and their next two games are against teams in the bottom five.

Bruno Guimaraes is the Newcastle player to have for fantasy managers at the moment with Anthony Gordon a possibility too.

Leeds drew 1-1 at home to United at the weekend to stay two places above the bottom three and they now have eight points to spare. They haven’t won in their last seven away games, but they have drawn the last three with only two other teams conceding more goals on the road. They are unbeaten in seven games, but they drew five of them with only two other teams drawing more games.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is doing very well for fantasy managers while Anton Stach has looked good too.

I think Newcastle should be good enough at home to take the three points in this game.

Prediction: 2-1

Thursday January 8

Arsenal v Liverpool 

8pm GMT, Emirates Stadium, London 

Arsenal came from behind to win 3-2 away to Bournemouth on Saturday and that victory moved them six points clear at the top of the table. They’re one of two teams still unbeaten at home with no other team scoring more or conceding less goals on their own patch. They have won their last five games and they scored 12 goals in those games with only City scoring more goals and no other team conceding less.

Gabriel Magalhaes looks like almost a must have for fantasy managers at the moment with the rest of the Arsenal defence and keeper good choices too along with Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard.

Liverpool conceded a last minute goal to draw 2-2 away to Fulham on Sunday, but they are still in fourth place with a three point gap to the next team. They have taken eight points from their last four away games after losing the previous four with only three other teams conceding more goals on their travels. They are unbeaten in eight games, but they drew four of them and they really need to get something from this game.

Florian Wirtz is looking like a good option for fantasy managers at the moment along with Ryan Gravenberch.

I think Arsenal will make home advantage pay to win this game by a narrow margin.

Prediction: 2-1

That’s it for this week.

See you next week.

Predictions For Premier League Gameweek 20

​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 a great week yet again last week with one perfect prediction, three correct outcomes and six incorrect outcomes, but I managed to move up in my predictions league as others didn’t do well either. Here’s a look at how the top five in that league stands.

Pos     Player                   Res     Cls    Exa    Slm    Pts

1.        SeniorBurger        22      82.5    63      13      180.5 

2.        Murray1886          29     70.5     63      13     175.5

3.       Gooners                 27      66       69      10     172

4.       andy                       26      78      54       11     169

5.       robbieg                  29      78      48        13     168

I had a very bad week with my fantasy team as Hugo Ekitike failed to deliver with the armband and the only player to get me any points was Bruno Guimaraes. I had to make a last minute change after hearing Declan Rice was injured which means I only have one transfer to make this week. With so many players not performing it’s going to take a while to make up my mind on who should be bought and sold.

I think the captaincy has to go back to Erling Haaland this week as he is so good at home in particular and Chelsea might struggle given their current turmoil. I had planned to bring Gabriel Magahlaes in this week, but I have obviously left it too late after his display last week and I no longer have the funds to do so because of my late transfer last week. Such are the trials and tribulations of trying to manage a fantasy team and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Saturday January 3

Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest 

12.30pm GMT, Villa Park, Birmingham 

Villa lost 4-1 away to Arsenal on Tuesday night and that defeat saw them stay in third place, but they’re now six points off the top of the table. They have won their last seven home games and they will be confident of making it eight in a row in this game. They had won 12 of their previous 13 games before losing to Arsenal and they don’t play any of the big six teams in their next nine games.

Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins are the Villa players to have for fantasy managers.

Forest lost 2-0 at home to Everton in midweek and they’re now only four points above the relegation zone. They have lost their last two away games after winning the previous two with only two other teams scoring less goals on the road. They have lost their last three games and they failed to score in two of them with only Wolves scoring less goals.

I’m not sure there are any Forest players showing enough consistency to interest fantasy managers.

I think Villa will get their title challenge back on course with a narrow victory in this game.

Prediction: 2-1

Brighton And Hove Albion v Burnley 

3pm GMT, AMEX Stadium, Brighton 

Brighton twice came from behind to draw 2-2 away to West Ham on Tuesday night, but they dropped to 14th place in the table. They haven’t won in their last three home games with only Palace drawing more games on their own patch. They haven’t won in six games, but they drew three of them with only Bournemouth and Sunderland drawing more games.

If he’s fit to play Yankuba Minteh is the best bet in the Brighton team for fantasy managers with the fit again Danny Welbeck worth considering too.

Burnley lost 3-1 at home to Newcastle in midweek and they’re still one place off the foot of the table with six points to make up on 17th place. They have only taken one point from their last four away games with only Wolves taking less points on their travels and only Bournemouth conceding more goals. They have only taken two points from their last 10 games with only two other teams scoring less and conceding more goals.

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

I think Brighton will be good enough to win this game with a couple of goals to spare.

Prediction: 2-0

Wolverhampton Wanderers v West Ham United 

3pm GMT, Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton 

Wolves came from behind to draw 1-1 away to United on Tuesday night, but they’re still rooted to the foot of the table. They’re the only team without a home win with no other team scoring less or conceding more goals on their own ground. They had lost 11 games in a row before drawing with United with no other team scoring less or conceding more goals.

I can’t see any Wolves players who would be of interest to fantasy managers.

West Ham twice led at home to Brighton in midweek, but they had to settle for a 2-2 draw to remain in the bottom three and they’re now four points from safety. They haven’t won in their last seven away games, but they drew four of them with no other team drawing more games on the road. They haven’t won in eight games, but they drew four of them with only Wolves conceding more goals.

Jarrod Bowen is the only West Ham player doing enough to turn the heads of fantasy managers.

This is a big game for two teams in the relegation zone and I think West Ham might just manage three badly needed points.

Prediction: 1-2

Bournemouth v Arsenal 

5.30pm GMT, Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth 

Bournemouth drew 2-2 away to Chelsea on Tuesday night and they’re still only four points off the top half of the table despite being on a very bad run. They haven’t won in their last four home games, but they drew three of them with only Arsenal conceding less goals on their own patch. They haven’t won in 10 games, but they drew five of them with no other team drawing more games and no other team in the bottom half of the table scoring more goals.

If he’s still a Bournemouth player for this game Antoine Semenyo is a very good choice for fantasy managers.

Arsenal won 4-1 at home to Villa in midweek and that victory increased their lead at the top of the table to four points. They won their last away game after failing to win the previous three with no other team conceding less goals on their travels and only Spurs taking more points. They have won their last four games with no other team conceding less goals and only City scoring more.

Arsenal’s defenders and keeper are very good choices for fantasy managers along with Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard with Declan Rice a good option too if he’s fit to play.

I think Arsenal will retain their position at the top of the table with another win in this game.

Prediction: 1-3

Sunday January 4

Leeds United v Manchester United 

12.30pm GMT, Elland Road, Leeds 

Leeds got a very good point in a 0-0 draw away to Liverpool on Thursday night to keep a seven point gap above the bottom three. They have taken seven points from their last three home games and they scored 10 goals in those games with no other team in the bottom half of the table scoring more goals on their own ground. They are unbeaten in six games, but they drew four of them and this is a game they want to win more than any other one.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is the Leeds player to have for fantasy managers with Anton Stach a consideration too.

United could only draw 1-1 at home to bottom club Wolves on Tuesday night to remain in sixth place just three points off the top four. They lost their last away game after taking 11 points from their previous five, but no other team in the top half of the table has conceded more goals on the road. They have only won three of their last 10 games, but they drew five of them with no other team in the top half of the table conceding more goals.

With Bruno Fernandes out it’s difficult to see any United players worth having for fantasy managers at the moment.

I think Leeds will continue their good run at home with another win in this game.

Prediction: 2-1

Everton v Brentford 

3pm GMT, Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool 

Everton won 2-0 away to Forest on Tuesday night and that win moved them back up to eighth place. They have lost two of their last three home games with only three other teams scoring less goals on their own patch. They had only taken one point from three games before beating Forest with only two other teams scoring less goals.

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

Brentford drew 0-0 at home to Spurs on Thursday night and that point was enough to keep them in the top half of the table on goal difference. They won their last away game after losing seven of the previous eight with only three other teams scoring less goals on their travels. They have taken eight points from their last four games, but four of their next six games are away from home.

Igor Thiago remains the best choice in the Brentford team for fantasy managers despite his recent dip in returns.

I think Everton will have the edge on home territory in a close game.

Prediction: 2-1

Fulham v Liverpool 

3pm GMT, Craven Cottage, London 

Fulham drew 1-1 away to Palace on Thursday night and they’re only outside the top half of the table on goal difference. They won their last home game after losing the previous three and this is the first of two very difficult games in a row. They have taken 10 points from their last four games, but five of their next nine games are against big six teams.

Harry Wilson and Raul Jiminez are the in form Fulham players for fantasy managers to consider.

Liverpool could only draw 0-0 at home to Leeds in midweek and they’re now 12 points behind Arsenal at the top of the table, but they’re still in the top four. They have taken seven points from their last three away games after losing the previous four with only one other team in the top half of the table conceding more goals on the road. They are unbeaten in seven games, but only one other team in the top half of the table has conceded more goals.

Hugo Ekitike is the Liverpool player most likely to make a difference for fantasy managers at the moment.

I think this will be a very close game and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the points shared.

Prediction: 1-1

Newcastle United v Crystal Palace 

3pm GMT, St. James’s Park, Newcastle 

Newcastle won 3-1 away to Burnley on Tuesday night and they’re now only one point off the top half of the table. They have taken 14 points from their last six home games and they have a good run of games on their own patch coming up. The win against Burnley was their first win in four games and their next three games are all ones they will think they can win.

Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon are the Newcastle players most likely to do well for fantasy managers at the moment.

Palace drew 1-1 at home to Fulham on Thursday night and that point just about kept them in the top half of the table on goal difference. They lost their last away game after winning the previous three with only Arsenal conceding less goals on their travels. They have only taken one point from their last four games and they conceded nine goals in those games, but they have a tough run of games coming up starting with this one.

I’m not sure there are any Palace players doing enough to make a difference for fantasy managers at the moment.

I think Newcastle will get the three points they need to move into the top half of the table in this game.

Prediction: 3-1

Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland 

3pm GMT, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London 

Spurs drew 0-0 away to Brentford on Thursday night and they’re now within one point of the top half of the table. They have only won once in their last eight home games with only two other teams taking less points on their own ground and only three other teams scoring less goals. They have only won two of their last 10 games and they need to change that soon or there could be managerial repercussions.

Spurs recent defensive record suggests their defenders and keeper could be good options for fantasy managers.

Sunderland got a very good point in a 0-0 draw at home to City in midweek, but they will fall behind Spurs on goal difference if they lose this game. They haven’t won in their last four away games with no other team scoring less goals on the road. They have only won once in their last six games, but they drew four of them with no other team drawing more games.

Sunderland’s defenders and keeper are all good choices for fantasy managers along with Granit Xhaka.

I think Spurs might just make home advantage pay in a tight game.

Prediction: 2-1

Manchester City v Chelsea 

5.30pm GMT, Etihad Stadium, Manchester 

City drew 0-0 away to Sunderland on Thursday night to leave themselves four points behind Arsenal at the top of the table. They have won their last eight home games with only Arsenal scoring more and conceding less goals on their own patch. They had won six games in a row before drawing with Sunderland with no other team scoring more goals and only Arsenal conceding less.

Erling Haaland remains the best choice in the City team for fantasy managers, but all of their defenders and keeper are looking good at the moment too along with Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden.

Chelsea drew 2-2 at home to Bournemouth on Tuesday night to leave them in fifth place and they parted ways with their manager on Thursday. They have only taken two points from their last three away games with only two other teams conceding less goals on their travels. They have only won once in their last seven games with only three other teams scoring more goals.

Pedro Neto looks like the best bet in the Chelsea team for fantasy managers at the moment with Joao Pedro impressing too.

I think City will be too good at home and should win this game by a couple of goals.

Prediction: 3-1

That’s it for this week.

See you next week.