WEEK 16
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Predictions will generally be posted by Friday each week,
AND the analyses should be up by Wednesday following each weekend’s games.
The odds that I quote on each game are the first available and are quite
possibly subject to change as the game day approaches.
WEEK 16 December 13-15
All times are Mountain Standard Time
LAST WEEK’S SUMMARY
Week 16
Well I hope you all had as good a week as me. Made some serious cash with Week 16. Six right and only two wrong with my Gold Star Pick delivering, Aston Villa 3-2 over West Ham. Aston Villa and Manchester City are still maintaining the pressure on Arsenal with Chelsea not far behind. Speaking of which—-Arsenal were lucky to escape humiliation at the hands of Wolves. The less said about Wolverhampton and Burnley would probably be best (but I do think the”Old Gold” may get some consolation this upcoming week). A great victory for Sunderland over Newcastle which will give the lads and lassies a warm fuzzy feeling at least till next week-end.
WEEK 16 GAME 1 – SAT Dec 13th 8:00 |
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| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
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CHELSEA |
EVERTON |
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| Odds -1 | O/U 2 1/2 | Odds +1 | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: Chelsea are making this hard on themselves. Just one point from a possible six in their last two games does not look good. Cole Palmer came back from a long injury-induced absence last week, but he needs to get back to match fitness. There should be some improvement this week. Everton have had a couple of good results against sub-standard teams over the past weeks, but I see the Blues getting back to form on their home ground. Chelsea -1 | |||||||
| RESULTS: 2-0 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: Much to the delight of Chelsea fans, Cole Palmer seems to be on the road back. Shaking off last week’s cobwebs saw the long absent striker coming back to his old form. Scoring Chelsea’s first of two goals halfway through the first half, and Malo Gusto adding the second just before half-time saw the Blues getting back to their earlier style. Not that they had it all their own way. Everton did have their chances, but their efforts weren’t helped when Kiernan Drewsbury-Hall was forced off with an injury at the the 15th minute. The bottom line was this: with this win, Chelsea are still contenders, while Everton need to recognize their place in the world (and the League) and that is they will always be a middle of the table team, unless they can attract some real talent that can compliment their brand new stadium. | |||||||
WEEK 16 GAME 2 – Sat 13th Dec 8:00 |
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| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
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LIVERPOOL |
BRIGHTON |
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| Odds –1/2 | O/U 3 | Odds +1/2 | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: Liverpool at this point can kiss this season goodbye. Save for a minor miracle, it’s hard to see them coming back from such a horrendous start to this season. That being said, Brighton have been off their feed as of late, and with only 1/2 goal handicap, it’s still hard to see the Reds giving this one up. Liverpool -1/2 | |||||||
| RESULTS: 2-0 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: Liverpool started to look like the team that the home fans have come to love. Within the first minute, they were ahead from the first of two goals from Hugo Ekitike, who is rapidly showing his worth for an approx $100 Mil transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt this past summer. Persona non grata, Mo Salah, didn’t start the game but was brought on at the 25th minute for an injured Joe Gomez. It may be that he has lost a step. but he was influential in setting up Ekitike’s second goal and did have a positive impact on the game, even if he did miss at least two chances to put the game to bed. If Alexander Isak can regain anything of his past form at Newcastle, the Reds once again can be a force to be reckoned with. As for Brighton, after a promising start to the season they have fallen off a cliff and they desperately need to get back with the program. | |||||||
WEEK 16 GAME 3 – Sat Dec 13th 10:30 |
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| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
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BURNLEY |
FULHAM |
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| Odds +1/2 | O/U 2 1/2 | Odds -1/2 | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: Fulham have been on the losing end of both their last games, but put in an impressive effort on both occasions. If there is any justice in the world, they should get rewarded for their industry this time out. Burnley are out of their depth, and even home field advantage won’t help them much. Fulham -1/2 | |||||||
| RESULTS: 2-3 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: Fulham had this wrapped up at 3-1 with about ten minutes of regular time left, and then up popped Burnley to make it 3-2. A nervous 9-10 minutes ensued, but realistically Fulham looked to be in control of the game. Harry Wilson was the star of the game setting up two, and scoring one for himself. Since getting regular playing time, the international Welshman has begun to insert himself as an integral part of a Fulham team that should (and will) be further up the table. Burnley, strangely enough had the edge in possession, shots and shots on target and yet defensive mistakes let them down as usual. This is a Burnley team that is vastly different than the outfit that only let in 14 goals all last season. Granted that was in the Championship League and their excellent goalkeeper (James Trafford) is no longer with them. They will not get many more chances to save their bacon, not that they had much of a chance here. | |||||||
WEEK 16 GAME 4 – Sat 13th Dec 1:00 |
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| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
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ARSENAL |
WOLVERHAMPTON |
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| Odds -2 | O/U 3 | Odds +2 | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: The top against the bottom. Arsenal at home should have no trouble seeing off the hapless Wolves. Thing is, if they are in control of the game and go a couple of goals up, they are likely to ease off. To win this, they have to notch three clear goals, and I’m not confident that they will attempt that if they have a comfortable lead. No Bet. | |||||||
| RESULTS: 2-1 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: Not being one to say “I told you so”, I told you so! Well fairs fair; it didn’t unfold like I thought it would but the result was the same. Arsenal didn’t deserve this game, they were rubbish, and Wolves could have easily escaped with a point (not that that will help them at this stage). It took two own goals to cement the victory for the Gunners, but it took four minutes into injury time to secure the win for a really sub-standard Arsenal side. Football can be a harsh mistress, and no-one said life was fair, and here you have the proof. Wolves held the League leaders for 70 minutes and then equalized on the stroke of time. Only to be robbed of some small satisfaction four minutes into extra time. | |||||||
WEEK 16 GAME 5 – Sun Dec 14th 7:00 |
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| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
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CRYSTAL PALACE |
MANCHESTER CITY |
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| Odds +1/2 | O/U 2 1/2 | Odds -1/2 | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: In recent weeks City have struggled with games against Newcastle, Leeds and Fulham. Even though they eventually won two of those games, they let teams that they had under control get back in the game. Whether it’s a lapse in concentration, I don’t know, but it is uncharacteristic of a Pep Guardiola team. The Eagles may give them a run for their money, but as City sit 2nd in the table and Palace 4th, this could be a closely fought game. Should be a good one but it could go either way. No Bet | |||||||
| RESULTS: 0-3 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: Although the scoreline read 0-3, the game wasn’t as one-sided as the score would suggest. Initially Palace proved to be tough at home and had efforts bounce off the woodwork twice before City took the game by the scruff of the neck and gave it a good shaking. Erling Haaland had the Citizens in front at the half and added a penalty just before time. In between his two was an exceptional strike by Phil Foden. Manchester City seemed to have settled down somewhat from their near disaster a couple of weeks ago at Fulham, and for my money look like Premier League Champions. It’s still early yet, but at this point, only Aston Villa, Chelsea and Palace are in contention for the top spots, as I think Arsenal are starting to fade somewhat. | |||||||
WEEK 16 GAME 6 – Sun Dec 14th 7:00 |
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| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
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WEST HAM |
ASTON VILLA |
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| Odds +1/2 | O/U 2 1/2 | Odds -1/2 | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: The way I see this is these early odds will change. I have already placed my bet and locked in my choice before things get altered. West Ham came up against a hugely ineffective Brighton last week. The Seagulls were so bad that the Hammers could have easily won the game. Not so I think this week. Aston Villa have been been red hot of late, and I don’t see them letting Arsenal further pull ahead. Aston Villa -1/2 | |||||||
| RESULTS: 2-3 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: West Ham are improving, which isn’t much of a surprise considering they couldn’t get much worse. They were in front of Aston Villa twice, but taking into account the gulf between these two teams, it was almost inevitable that they would screw it up in the end. The Hammers were on the board within 29 seconds of the start. Mateus Fernandes scored the fastest goal this season in the Premier League, but the celebrations were short-lived. Villa equalized seven minutes later but that was deemed an own goal after Ollie Watkins and Konstantinos Mavropanos both jumped up to deal with an in-swinging header. The ball came off of Mavropanos’s head and the game was level. Not only did Morgan Rogers score Villa’s other two goals, but he was a dynamo in midfield and seems to be improving game over game. The teams went in at half time with West Ham 2-1 up but in the second half Aston Villa began to exert their dominance. It looked as though Jarrod Bowen had scored his second goal to put the home team 3-2 up but his effort was ruled offside. Villa ended up claiming all three points which keeps them on track for a run at Arsenal and Manchester City. | |||||||
WEEK 16 GAME 7 – Sun Dec 14th 7:00 |
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| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
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SUNDERLAND |
NEWCASTLE |
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| Odds +1/2 | O/U 2 1/2 | Odds -1/2 | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: This should be a doozy. Known as the Tyne-Wear Derby (from the two rivers that flow through each city), these two teams go way back. These games are a major local event and the support for both teams will be fierce. Because of the cultural significance of this game, current form means little. Therefore if either side has an edge, it’s best to go with that one. For that reason. Sunderland +1/2 | |||||||
| RESULTS: 1-0 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: Well by using my simple logic, I seem to have come up with a winner. As one would have expected, it was a close game, very close! There were few clear-cut chances for either team and the breakthrough didn’t come until the game had resumed for the second half. An own goal by Nick Woltemade’s head gave the home team a one goal lead, and in the end that was all that was needed to claim all three points. The importance of this game was evidenced in the stoppage time that was added on. Referee Peter Banks was handing out yellow cards like they were invitations to the after party. A total of nine were distributed during the game showing the intensity of the participants. I honestly don’t think there is a more competitive derby in English Professional football. | |||||||
WEEK16 GAME 8 – Sun Dec 14th 7:00 |
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| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
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NOTTINGHAM FOREST |
TOTTENHAM |
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| Odds Pick | O/U 2 1/2 | Odds Pick | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: Notts Forest were dealt a major setback last week in their attempt to avoid relegation, when they were over-run by Everton. Tottenham had the complete opposite of that with a return to form and a comfortable win over Brentford. Are these temporary setbacks or improvements? This game should answer those questions. For me I’ll take the Spurs to continue their upward momentum. Tottenham. Pick | |||||||
| RESULTS: 3-0 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: It doesn’t take the Amazing Kreskin to see there is something horribly wrong at Spurs. They looked like they knew what they were doing last week against Brentford, remember though that was only Brentford, but not so this week. Forest’s new manager, Sean Dyche, seems to know what he’s doing, while the same cannot be said for Thomas Frank. Tottenham’s front four were totally ineffective, the midfield seemed bereft of any ideas, and goalkeeper Vicario resembled someone lost in a fog. If Nottingham can keep this up, and they will need to, they will escape the drop, on the other hand, if Tottenham don’t buck up their ideas, this season is going to get a lot uglier. | |||||||
WEEK 16 GAME 9 – Sun Dec 14th 9:30 |
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| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
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BRENTFORD |
LEEDS |
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| Odds -1/2 | O/U 2 1/2 | Odds +1/2 | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: Leeds travel South to London to take on Brentford. Even though they are flirting with relegation, I think Leeds will eventually be safe. Reality is catching up with the Bees and despite some favorable results earlier in the season, things are going to get a lot tougher for them. A draw would seem like a likely outcome, so in that case the bet would be to take Leeds. Leeds +1/2 | |||||||
| RESULTS: 1-1 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: Leeds continue their slow climb to safety with a very welcome point at Brentford. The game was all tied up until the 70th-minute, when ex-Liverpool captain, Jordan Henderson, broke the deadlock. The Bees were then awarded a penalty, but it was eventually overturned by VAR. Dominic Calvin -Lewin scored his fourth goal in as many games with just eight minutes left to play, and saved a point for a Leeds’ side that fully deserved it. The fans expected more from a Brentford side that has had some fortunate results this season, but they failed to deliver: a performance that I think we will see repeated as the season progresses. | |||||||
WEEK 16 GAME 10 – Mon Dec 15th 1:00 |
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| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
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MANCHESTER UNITED |
BOURNEMOUTH |
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| Odds -1/2 | O/U 3 | Odds +1/2 | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: For the second week in a row, Manchester United get to play on Monday. The Red Devils should have this sewn up, even though the Cherries stole a point off Chelsea last week. United put four past a clueless Wolverhampton last time out, and despite not going down as one of their greatest achievements, should give them enough of a boost to vanquish a visiting Bournemouth. Manchester United -1/2 | |||||||
| RESULTS: 4-4 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: United should have won this. In the first 30 minutes Manchester were the only team on the field and went in at half-time 2-1 up. In the second period, the Red Devils were caught napping and gave up two quick goals to a revitalized Bournemouth. The game had a hectic pace and the play ran from end to end. Late in the game United struck twice in quick succession and looked like they had the match sewn up with 10 minutes to go. Junior Kroupi had just come on as a substitute for Bournemouth, and managed to poke the equalizer through a crowded goalmouth at the 84th-minute mark. There was at least 10 minutes of added time and each team came looking for the winner. Bournemouth are a tough team to gauge they can grind out a draw with Chelsea, but can only get a draw with West Ham then get beat by Everton and Sunderland. I’ve seen somewhere that some people think this was the best game Manchester have played all season. I don’t see it that way, they should have won this, and it will take a lot more positive results before they make a believer out of me. | |||||||