Friday 16 March 2018

Predictions For Premier League Gameweek 31

It's that time of the week again when I attempt to predict the outcomes of the upcoming Premier League games. I did quite well last week with one perfect prediction, six correct outcomes and three incorrect outcomes which moved me up another place in my predictions league. Unfortunately I’m still nowhere near the top of that league, but here’s a look at how the top five in it stands.

NAMETHIS WEEKPOINTS
 1 (1) Dr_AFHMK
6
2225
 2 (2) betojohn 
ioannis papanikos
7

+95
1930
 3 (3) immycader 
Imran Cader
5
1925
 4 (4) Midotamimi
4

+95
1825
 5 (5) Rutland Gooner
2

+90
1715






With only four games to play this week there aren’t too many options for fantasy managers, but those who still have their “free hit” chip will definitely be tempted to use it. There’s a school of thought that it should be kept for one of the double gameweeks and particularly if you don’t have a “wildcard” left to use.

Saturday March 17

Bournemouth v West Bromwich Albion

3pm GMT, Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth

Bournemouth lost 4-1 at home to Spurs last week after taking an early lead, but they at least managed to stay six points above the drop zone. Only three teams have won less games at home and only Watford have conceded more goals at home, but that defeat against Spurs was their first home defeat in six games. They have only lost twice in their last 11 games and West Ham are the only team in the bottom half of the table to have scored more goals, but they have only kept one clean sheet in their last 17 games.

Normally Bournemouth players might not be the best options for fantasy managers, but this week Calum Wilson, Junior Stanislas and Nathan Ake are all worth considering.

West Brom led at home to Leicester last week and they ended up losing 4-1 too with relegation now looking almost certain for them. They have lost 10 of their 15 away games and no other team has scored less goals or taken less points on the road. They have only won once in their last 28 games with no other team scoring less goals and they haven’t kept a clean sheet in seven games.

Even with so few teams playing this week it’s not easy to see what West Brom players might interest fantasy managers, but maybe Salomon Rondon might do something.

A win in this game will almost guarantee another season in the top flight for Bournemouth and I think will get a narrow victory.

Prediction: 2-1

Huddersfield Town v Crystal Palace

3pm GMT, John Smith's Stadium, Huddersfield

Huddersfield could only manage a 0-0 draw at home to Swansea last week despite having an extra man for almost all of the game, but they are now four points above the relegation zone. They have only won once in their last seven home games and they failed to score in three of those games with only Burnley scoring less goals at home. They have taken seven points from their last four games though, but only West Ham and Stoke have conceded more goals.

Both Rajiv van La Parea and Steve Mounie have done well in recent weeks for fantasy managers and they could be worth considering along with Jonas Lossl.

Palace lost 2-1 at Chelsea last week and they play Liverpool in their next game so they could really do with all three points to move them out of the bottom three. They have only won two of their 15 away games and they conceded 10 goals in their last four away games. They haven’t won in seven games, but four of those games were against teams in the top six.

With Wilfried Zaha back from injury he’s a good option for fantasy managers while Andros Townsend, Christian Benteke and even the Palace defenders could prosper in this game.

I think this will be a very close game, but I have a feeling Palace will just about nick it.

Prediction: 1-2

Stoke Ciy v Everton

3pm GMT, bet365 Stadium, Stoke

Stoke lost 2-0 at home to City last week and they’re still in the relegation zone, but they’re only one point from safety. Only three other teams have won less games at home with only Watford and Bournemouth conceding more goals at home and they have failed to score in four of their last seven home games. They have only won once in their last 11 games and they failed to score in six of those games with only West Ham conceding more goals.

Xherdan Shaqiri is the Stoke player most likely to perform for fantasy managers this week while Joe Allen, Eric Choupo-Moting and their defenders and keeper could be in with a shout too.

Everton won 2-0 at home to Brighton last week and they’re now 10 points above the drop zone with only eight games to play. They have only won once in 15 away games with only West Ham and Stoke conceding more goals on their travels and only West Brom and Brighton scoring less. They have only won three of their last 12 games and they lost six of those games, but they still hold out hope of finishing as high as seventh.

Everton players rarely produce anything away from home for fantasy managers, but maybe Wayne Rooney, Theo Walcott or Cenk Tosun could do well against one of the worst defences in the league.

I can’t see too many goals in this game, but I think Stoke might just get the better of proceedings on the day.

Prediction: 1-0

Liverpool v Watford

5.30pm GMT, Anfield, Liverpool

Liverpool lost 2-1 at United last week and they’re now five points behind them in the race for second place. They’re one of two teams still unbeaten at home with only United and Spurs conceding less goals at home and they have won five of their last six games on their own patch. The defeat against United was only their second defeat in 21 games and only City have scored more goals.

Every fantasy manager will try to have three Liverpool players in their team this week with Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane probably the best bets and their defenders and keeper worth considering too.

Watford lost 3-0 at Arsenal last week, but they’re still nine points above the relegation zone after a good run of results at home recently. They have only taken one point from their last eight away games and they failed to score in six of those games. Only West Ham and Stoke have conceded more goals, but three wins in their last five games has moved them into the top half of the table.

I can’t see any Watford players who might interest fantasy managers this week given their away record for the past few months, but at a push Troy Deeney and Abdoulaye Doucoure might have an impact.

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

Prediction: 3-0

That's it for this week.

See you next week.


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