Predictions For Premier League Gameweek 26

It’s that time of the week again when I attempt to predict the outcomes of the upcoming Premier League games. I didn’t do too well last week with four correct outcomes and six incorrect outcomes which left me in fourth 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 -	RobbieZ	42	108	72	21	243.0
2 -	Richard Landsberg	35	120	60	21	236.0
3 -	Sam	40	87	78	15	220.0
4 -	JamrockRover	33	91.5	69	13	206.5
5 -	robbieg	37	94.5	48	15	194.5

My choice of Bruno Fernandes as my captain last week paid off with his last minute goal against Brighton. It looks like Mohamed Salah is the best choice for captain this week with home games against the two teams who have conceded the most goals so far. He looks like a very good choice for anyone who decides to use their triple captain chip this week although the bench boost chip might not be a bad idea either.

With eight teams playing twice this week there are a lot of players looking good for fantasy managers. The Arsenal and Wolves defenders and keepers could do very well along with those Liverpool players, Bukayo Saka, Emmanuel Dennis and possibly a Crystal Palace attacking player.

Saturday 19 February 

West Ham United v Newcastle United 

12.30pm GMT, London Stadium, London 

West Ham got a late goal to draw 2-2 away to Leicester last week, but it wasn’t enough to keep them in the top four. They have won two of their last three home games and they kept clean sheets in those two wins with only the top three scoring more goals at home. They have only won once in their last four games and three of their next four games after this one are against other teams in the hunt for a top four place.

Jarrod Bowen is an absolute must have for fantasy managers at the moment even if he only has one game this week.

Newcastle won 1-0 at home to Villa last week and that win moved them four points clear of the relegation zone. They won their last away game after losing the previous three with only Burnley taking less points on their travels and only Norwich scoring less goals. They have won their last three games and they only conceded one goal in those games, but only Norwich and Leeds have conceded more goals.

Allan Saint-Maximin is the Newcastle player most likely to return points for fantasy managers.

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

Prediction: 2-1

Arsenal v Brentford 

3pm GMT, Emirates Stadium, London 

Arsenal didn’t play last week, but other results went their way to leave them strongly positioned to challenge for a top four finish. Despite only taking one point in their last two home games only the top two have won more games and conceded less goals at home. They have taken 16 points from their last seven games and they kept five clean sheets in those games.

Arsenal’s defenders and keeper are looking very good for fantasy managers with Bukayo Saka probably the best of their attacking players.

Brentford drew 0-0 at home to Palace last week to leave themselves with seven points to spare over the bottom three. They have only taken two points from their last eight away games and they conceded 21 goals in those games with only three other teams conceding more away goals. They had lost five games in a row before drawing with Palace and they play three of the bottom four in their next three games after this one.

Ivan Toney is the only Brentford player to even remotely interest fantasy managers at the moment.

I think Arsenal will be too strong for Brentford and should win by a couple of goals.

Prediction: 2-0

Aston Villa v Watford 

3pm GMT, Villa Park, Birmingham 

Villa lost 1-0 away to Newcastle last week and they’re still in the bottom half of the table. They have only won once in their last five home games with only three other teams conceding more goals on their own patch. They have only won once in their last six games and they cannot afford to drop any points in this game.

Phillippe Coutinho and Jacob Ramsey have both been in good form for fantasy managers in recent weeks and they could do well in this game.

Watford lost 2-0 at home to Brighton last week and they’re now six points below the relative safety of 17th place. They have only taken two points from their last six away games, but they have scored more and conceded less goals away from home than they have at home. They have only taken two points from their last 11 games and they have failed to score in their last four with only three other teams scoring less and conceding more goals.

With two games this week Emmanuel Dennis could be of interest to fantasy managers, but it has to be remembered they haven’t scored in four games.

I think Villa will be too good for Watford and should win by at least two goals.

Prediction: 2-0

Brighton And Hove Albion v Burnley 

3pm GMT, AMEX Stadium, Brighton 

Brighton won 2-0 away to Watford and lost 2-0 away to United last week to strengthen their place in the top half of the table. They have only won once in their last eight home games, but they drew four of them and only three other teams have scored less goals at home. They were unbeaten in seven games before losing to United, but they drew four of them and no other team has drawn more games.

Neal Maupay is the Brighton player who looks the most likely to make a difference for fantasy managers at the moment.

Burnley lost 1-0 at home to Liverpool last week to leave them still at the foot of the table, but they do have games in hand on the teams above them. They’re the only team without a win away from home with only Norwich and Newcastle scoring less goals on the road. They haven’t won in 11 games, but they drew seven of those games with only Brighton drawing more and only Norwich scoring less goals.

Even with two games this week I’m not sure there are any Burnley players to recommend to fantasy managers, but at a push Nick Pope could be one to watch.

I think Brighton should get the better of what will be a close game.

Prediction: 1-0

Crystal Palace v Chelsea 

3pm GMT, Selhurst Park, London 

Palace drew 0-0 away to Brentford last week and they’re now three points off the top half of the table. They have lost three of their last six home games and they will do well to get anything from this game. They haven’t won in five games, but they play the bottom two teams in their next two games after this one.

With Conor Gallagher ineligible against his parent club the Palace players to interest fantasy managers this week could be Wilfried Zaha, Michael Olise and Odsonne Edouard.

Chelsea get to play a rare Premier League game for them recently, but their title chances are gone as they’re 16 points behind City. They have only won once in their last five away games, but no other team has conceded less goals on their travels. They have only won two of their last nine games, but they drew five of them and it’s all those draws which have cost them their chance of challenging for the title.

Mason Mount and Antonio Rudiger are the Chelsea players who might interest fantasy managers, but they don’t play next week so it might be best to avoid them.

I think Chelsea will probably take the three points, but Palace won’t make it easy for them.

Prediction: 1-2

Liverpool v Norwich City 

3pm GMT, Anfield, Liverpool 

Liverpool won 1-0 away to Burnley last week to stay nine points behind City at the top of the table, but they do have a game in hand. They have won their last six home games and they scored 17 goals in those games while only conceding one with no other team conceding less goals at home and only City scoring more. They have won their last four games and they scored nine goals in those games while only conceding one with no other team scoring more goals.

Mohamed Salah is an absolute must have for fantasy managers while Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andy Robertson and Diogo Jota (if he’s not injured) are great choices too.

Norwich lost 4-0 at home to City last week and they’re now four points off 17th place after Newcastle won their game. They have taken seven points from their last six away games, but only Leeds and Southampton have conceded more goals on the road. They have taken seven points from their last four games, but no other team has scored less or conceded more goals.

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

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

Prediction: 4-0

Southampton v Everton 

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

Southampton drew 1-1 away to United last week to maintain their position in the top half of the table. They’re unbeaten in eight home games, but they drew five of them and no other team has drawn more home games. They have only lost one of their last eight games, but they drew four of them and they haven’t kept a clean sheet in 13 games.

James Ward-Prowse has been in great form recently for fantasy managers while Armando Borja has done quite well too.

Everton won 3-0 at home to Leeds last week to move themselves five points clear of the relegation zone. They have only taken two points from their last nine away games with only Burnley taking less points away from home. Their win against Leeds was only their second win in 16 games and they have a tough run of games at the moment.

Despite their win last week I’m still not sure which Everton players might do well for fantasy managers, but Anthony Gordon has impressed recently.

I think this game will be close enough, but the chances are Southampton will win.

Prediction: 2-1

Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur 

5.30pm GMT, Etihad Stadium, Manchester 

City won 4-0 away to Norwich last week to keep their nine point lead at the top of the table. They have won their last seven home games and they scored 22 goals in those games with no other team scoring more or conceding less goals at home. They have taken 43 points from the last 45 available and no other team has scored more or conceded less goals.

City rested some of their key players for fantasy managers last week, but Kevin de Bruyne, Joao Cancelo, Raheem Sterling, Riyad Mahrez and Phil Foden can all do very well as long as they play.

Spurs lost 2-0 at home to Wolves last week and they dropped below them into eighth place. They have taken seven points from their last four away games, but only three other teams have scored less goals on their travels. They have lost their last three games and they conceded seven goals in those games.

With two games this week Heung-Min Son should be of real interest to fantasy managers.

I can’t see anything other than a good City win in this game.

Prediction: 3-0

Sunday 20 February 

Leeds United v Manchester United 

2pm GMT, Elland Road, Leeds 

Leeds lost 3-0 away to Everton last week and they’re still only six points above the bottom three. They have only lost two of their last eight home games, but they have to play four of the big six in their last eight home games. They have only taken one point from their last three games and they conceded 26 goals in their last nine games with only Norwich conceding more goals.

Raphina is the Leeds player most likely to make a difference for fantasy managers while Daniel James has done well recently too.

United took four points from a 1-1 draw at home to Southampton and a 2-0 win at home to Brighton last week to move back into the top four. They are unbeaten in six away games, but they drew four of them and only four other teams have scored more goals on their travels. They have only lost one of their last 13 games with only the top three scoring more goals.

Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo are the United players who are most likely to return points for fantasy managers.

I think United should be good enough to win this game, but Leeds won’t make it easy for them.

Prediction: 1-2

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Leicester City 

4.30pm GMT, Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton 

Wolves won 2-0 away to Spurs last week to stay among the five teams chasing for fourth place. They have only won one of their last five home games and no other team has scored less goals at home. They have taken 16 points from their last seven games and they kept four clean sheets in those games with only City conceding less goals and only Norwich and Burnley scoring less.

The Wolves defenders and keeper have all done very well for fantasy managers and they could do so again this week with two games to play.

Leicester conceded a last minute goal to draw 2-2 at home to West Ham last week, but that point wasn’t enough to get them out of the bottom half of the table. They have only won once in their last five away games and they conceded 13 goals in those games with only three other teams conceding more away goals. They haven’t won in four games and they conceded eight goals in those games with only four other teams conceding more goals.

James Maddison is the in form Leicester player for fantasy managers while Patson Daka is worth considering too.

I think Wolves will continue to push for fourth place with a narrow victory in this game.

Prediction: 1-0

Wednesday 23 February 

Burnley v Tottenham Hotspur 

7.30pm GMT, Turf Moor, Burnley 

Burnley play their second game of the week and they need to start winning games very soon if they’re going to avoid the drop. They haven’t won in their last five home games, but they drew four of them with only Southampton drawing more games on their own patch and only Norwich and Wolves scoring less goals at home. They have only won one game so far and they probably need to win at least six of their last 17 games if they are going to have any chance of staying up.

It’s difficult to see any Burnley players performing consistently enough at the moment to recommend to fantasy managers.

Spurs play away from home for the second time this week and a trip to Burnley has to be easier than a trip to City for them. They have done better away from home recently and they need to keep that form up if they’re going to keep challenging for the top four. They have got games in hand on most of the teams above them, but they have conceded more goals than they have scored.

Heung-Min Son could do well for fantasy managers this week and particularly in this game, but Spurs have struggled for goals on the road.

I think this is a tough game to call, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see the spoils shared.

Prediction: 1-1

Watford v Crystal Palace 

7.30pm GMT, Vicarage Road, Watford 

Watford play for the second time this week and they need to find a way to win some games and score some goals too. They have lost their last six home games and they conceded 15 goals in those games with no other team taking less points or conceding more goals on their own ground. They’re on their third manager of the season and where do they go if Roy Hodgson doesn’t start getting results soon.

With games against two teams who have struggled defensively at times recently Dennis could do very well for fantasy managers this week while Josh King has to be a consideration too I suppose.

Palace will hope a trip to Watford will be easier than their home game against Chelsea earlier in the week, but their results away from home have not been great. They haven’t won in their last seven away games, but they drew four of them and only Burnley have won less games away from home. They need to get a win under their belts and they won’t get a much better chance than a Watford team who are so out of form.

Conor Gallagher returns for this game, but with the other Palace players playing twice this week it’s difficult to recommend him to fantasy managers.

I think Palace will get a rare away win, but only by one goal.

Prediction: 1-2

Liverpool v Leeds United 

7.45pm GMT, Anfield, Liverpool 

Liverpool play their second game of the week and they’re both at home to teams in the bottom six. Only City have scored more goals at home than Liverpool, but that could easily change after the two games Liverpool play this week. If they win their two games they will be within six points at the most of City which should be enough to keep the title race alive.

With such great fixtures this week Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold both have to be considered for the triple captain chip for fantasy managers.

Leeds could do with some points this week to move well clear of the bottom three, but games against Liverpool and United won’t make that task easy for them. They have only won once in their last seven away games and they conceded 18 goals in those games with no other team conceding more goals on the road. They have three very tough games in a row and they will probably be a lot closer to the bottom three after those games.

Even with two games this week it’s not easy to pick Leeds players for fantasy managers considering the opposition in those games.

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

Prediction: 3-1

Thursday 24 February 

Arsenal v Wolverhampton Wanderers 

7.45pm GMT, Emirates Stadium, London 

Arsenal play their second home game of the week, but Wolves should be a tougher proposition than Brentford for them. Their home form has been impressive, but won’t have it all their own way in this game. If they’re going to finish in the top four this is exactly the type of game they need to win. 

The Arsenal players I mentioned above are all good options for fantasy managers along with Gabriel Martinelli who returns from suspension for this game.

Wolves have a chance to get right among the teams looking to finish fourth if they can take maximum points from their two games this week. They have won their last four away games and they only conceded one goal in those games with only three other teams taking more points on the road and no other team conceding less goals. The defeat against Arsenal a couple of weeks ago set their top four ambitions back, but a win in this game would be a huge boost to them.

As I already said the Wolves defensive players look very good for fantasy managers and at a push Raul Jimenez could do well this week too.

I don’t think we’ll see too many goals in this game, but the chances are Arsenal will win narrowly.

Prediction: 1-0

That’s it for this week.

See you next week.