WEEK 22
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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 22 January 17
All times are Mountain Standard Time
LAST WEEK’S SUMMARY
WEEK 21
After the last couple of weeks’ cluster of games, things haven’t changed much. Arsenal are still on top and Wolves are still on the bottom. All three top teams managed draws last time out, so nothing much has changed there. Aston Villa and Manchester City both threw away chances to creep closer to Arsenal, who still enjoy a six point lead. At the other end of the pile, Wolves have finally found the back of their opponent’s net and have now gathered five points from their last three games. There are still plenty of games to play, but I fear they have dug themselves a hole that they are not going to be able to climb out of. We made a little money on the picks last week, even if we did only get half of them right. Unfortunately, the Gold Star Pick wasn’t among them, I thought Aston Villa would have no problem with Crystal Palace, but that didn’t prove to be the case.
WEEK 22 GAME 1 – SAT Jan 17th 5:30 |
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| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
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MANCHESTER UNITED |
MANCHESTER CITY |
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| Odds +1/2 | O/U 3 | Odds -1/2 | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: Make no mistake, this game is huge. It has nothing to do with a hometown derby. City need this game big time. Their last three games have ended in draws, and if they are to be considered as viable challengers to Arsenal, they need this result. As topsy turvy as United are, the Citizens should put them away. I’m taking City to renew their attack on the League leaders. Manchester City -1/2 | |||||||
| RESULTS: 2-0 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: A 2-0 scoreline looks bad enough for a Manchester City team that was trying to catch up to League leaders, Arsenal. Not as bad as if the three disallowed goals had been added. City have now earned three points in their last four games, hardly League contender’s numbers. Bryan Mbeumo’s return from Africa was capped by a goal in the 65th-minute, but at this point United already had two goals disallowed and multiple close calls. City went through this kind of slump last season, but this is the worst possible time to repeat that kind of form. I don’t suppose there is ever a good time for a slump, but with tepid performances by Arsenal, they could be on top of the pile, if it wasn’t for some inexplicable results of late. | |||||||
WEEK 22 GAME 2 – Sat Jan 17th 8:00 |
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| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
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LEEDS |
FULHAM |
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| Odds PICK | O/U 2 | Odds Pick | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: With the Whites at home, it’s tough to see any team getting anything to take away from Elland Road. Even if Fulham have put together some encouraging results of late, I don’t see them leaving Yorkshire with anything but sour memories. Leeds PICK. | |||||||
| RESULTS: 1-0 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: Leeds continue their very impressive record at home, but had to wait until injury time before they could claim all three points. There were chances aplenty for both sides and a draw looked to be the most likely outcome. Lukas Nmecha came off the bench and scored the winner in the first minute of overtime, and brought to an end Fulham’s six-game unbeaten streak. Leeds are now eight points clear of the relegation zone and if they keep up their current form, should be safe for at least one more season in the Top Flight. | |||||||
WEEK 22 GAME 3 – Sat Jan 17th 8:00 |
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| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
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SUNDERLAND |
CRYSTAL PALACE |
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| Odds Pick | O/U 2 | Odds Pick | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: Sunderland at home to a weary looking Crystal Palace. I think The Black Cats can take all the points here. Their home ground fans should lay enough intimidation on the visitors and ensure a home victory for their lads from the Wear. Sunderland. PICK | |||||||
| RESULTS: 2-1 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: Despite going in front in the 30th-minute, Crystal Palace couldn’t hold on for the win. Their lead only lasted three minutes when Enzo Le Fee slotted home the equalizer. The pressure from the Black Cats was relentless, and their efforts were rewarded halfway through the second half with the winner supplied by Brian Brobbey. Crystal Palace’s new acquisition, Brennan Johnson, put in his usual non-appearance. He may have been Spurs’ top scorer last season, but that fact is a little misleading, and yet they let him go for 35 Mil. That shows you that he wasn’t that highly regarded, and apart from tapping in a few easy balls, he contributed precious little else. He will not be the saviour Palace are looking for. |
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WEEK 22 GAME 4 – Sat Jan 17th 8:00 |
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| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
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LIVERPOOL |
BURNLEY |
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| Odds -1 1/2 | O/U 3 | Odds +1 1/2 | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: Burnley might scratch out a point here or there, but I think their luck will run out this Saturday at Liverpool. Only -1-1/2 goal handicap should be no obstacle to a team that is certainly not playing to their potential and yet still getting the job done. Liverpool -1 1/2 |
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| RESULTS: 1-1 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: A missed penalty and a disallowed goal about summed up a very frustrating day for Liverpool. Much like all the clubs above them, they failed to capitalize on the opportunity to make up ground in the Title race. Burnley’s only shot on target gave them a share of the spoils, but their overall performance does not bode well for their chances of staying in the Premier League this year. Liverpool must be kicking themselves for letting this one get away (no shortage of teams doing that this week), but lost a solid chance to gain some ground on the leaders. At the end of the day, they had all the possession and an incredible 32-shot attempts, 8 on target, but in the end couldn’t get the job done. | |||||||
WEEK 22 GAME 5 – Sat Jan 17th 8:00 |
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| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
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TOTTENHAM |
WEST HAM |
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| Odds -1/2 | O/U 2 1/2 | Odds +1/2 | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: If Tottenham can’t overcome West Ham’s shower of underachievers, then the Spurs are truly in trouble. If the home team fail to get a result in this game, you could excuse the fans for burning their new stadium to the ground. Tottenham -1/2 | |||||||
| RESULTS: 1-2 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: There is absolutely no excuse for this rubbish. To give up three points to a West Ham side that could well end up in the Championship League next year, demands some serious questions. First of which is: Thomas Frank does not seem to be the savior that people were hoping for. Second: There are way too many players on the Tottenham team that obviously aren’t good enough to play in the Premier League. I could list them, but it would be shorter to name the ones that are good enough. I don’t think that list would use up the fingers on one hand. Spurs were cruising to a draw, which in itself wasn’t anywhere good enough, but as usual found a way to throw even that meager tally away. Like so many times this season, right at the end they gave up a goal to a West Ham side that must have been as surprised as anyone to come away with all the points. To be fair, the Hammers were all over Tottenham in the first half, but after play continued it was the home team’s turn to dominate. Well, dominate might be a bit strong, but they did show a little more ambition but no results, apart for the equalizing goal. After that they looked like they might just win it, but fell asleep and let West Ham steal all the spoils. There need to be big changes, and soon before this gets out of control for Spurs. For my money the Hammers are already toast. | |||||||
WEEK 22 GAME 6 – Sat Jan 17th 10:00 |
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| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
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CHELSEA |
BRENTFORD |
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| Odds -1/2 | O/U 2 1/2 | Odds +1/2 | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: As dysfunctional as Chelsea are, I still can’t see them falling to fellow Londoners, Brentford. Their home advantage should be enough to carry them through, but don’t be betting your holiday money on it. To be fair Brentford have burned me many times already this season, nevertheless. Chelsea -1/2 | |||||||
| RESULTS: 2-0 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: Alejandro Garnacho managed to miss a golden opportunity to score from point blank range, and was yanked off shortly after play resumed after the break (further solidifying his claim on the Timo Werner award). Chelsea had this game pretty much in hand from the start with Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer’s penalty supplying the goals. Chelsea’s new manager, Liam Rosenior, got his tenure off to a perfect start with his first game in charge. This was a crucial game in as much as there is still a sizeable faction of fans who are not happy with the way Chelsea are being run, and they are not shy about letting their feelings be known. The Brentford camp have had a virus that has affected many of their players, and that may just have been a factor in some sub-par performances. | |||||||
WEEK 22 GAME 7 – Sat Jan 17th 10:30 |
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| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
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NOTTINGHAM FOREST |
ARSENAL |
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| Odds +1 | O/U 2 1/2 | Odds -1 | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: It doesn’t get any easier for Forest. With a hard grind to try and escape the dreaded relegation zone, now they have to face the League leaders. Arsenal have to win this by two clear goals and that should not be too much of a problem. The Tricky Trees will have to look a little further down the fixtures list to get any relief, because I don’t see them getting it here. Arsenal -1 | |||||||
| RESULTS: 0-0 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: Arsenal put in a sub-standard effort yet again, but fortunately for them, so did every other team in title contention as well. Notts Forest dug in their heels and faced The Gunners with a resolute defense. They didn’t record a single shot on the League leader’s goal, but still held on to claim a very useful point. Last year I had the Trees pegged for relegation, but I hadn’t taken into account Chris Wood and his completely unexpected contribution to their season. He has been out injured this year, and it shows. Maybe new manager, Sean Dyche, can find the right formula to save them this year, he’s doing a good job so far, but they are still not in a comfortable position. | |||||||
WEEK 22 GAME 8 – Sunday Jan 18th 7:00 |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
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WOLVERHAMPTON |
NEWCASTLE |
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| Odds +1/2 | O/U 3 | Odds -1/2 | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: Wolves unbeaten in their last three matches! Is this a true awakening, or just a minor glitch in an otherwise best forgotten season? As we know Newcastle are not good traveler’s and with that fact thrown into the mix, this could be a foolhardy place to park any substantial funds. Therefore, I’m going to say No Bet. | |||||||
| RESULTS: 0-0 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: Four games unbeaten: who could have seen that coming? Granted they were playing a team that seem lost if they can’t see the River Tyne. This is the fourth time Newcastle have ended away games 0-0 this season. They had 2/3’s of the ball, but couldn’t find that extra little touch in the goalmouth. If you matched Newcastle’s away record with Spurs home, you’d have something like Wolves numbers. Even if the few points they are picking up won’t save them, their players need to show effort and pride if they are to get any offers to join teams that will remain in the Premier League after this season is done. | |||||||
WEEK 22 GAME 9 – Sun Jan 18th 9:30 |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
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ASTON VILLA |
EVERTON |
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| Odds -1/2 | O/U 2 1/2 | Odds +1/2 | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: Everton have begun to slip. Even with a brand-new stadium, they are beginning to revert back to the same old team that has graced the lower reaches of the Premier League for so many seasons. Aston Villa need to erase the setback they landed themselves with last week and get back to winning ways if they are to maintain their run on the League leaders. Aston Villa -1/2 | |||||||
| RESULTS: 0-1 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: Yet another lost opportunity. Jordan Pickford comes to the rescue yet again to deny Aston Villa any chance of salvaging a point from this. The Villans certainly did not bring their A-game Sunday, and didn’t really show much spark. The team seems to be adrift. With the exception of Morgan Rogers, most of the home side looked to be in need of a nap. At times it looked as though they weren’t taking Everton seriously, and eventually they paid the ultimate price. Along with the other contenders/pretenders, this result against a team they should have beaten, does not inspire confidence in their ability to make a meaningful challenge in the title race. | |||||||
WEEK 22 GAME 10 – Mon Jan 19th 1:00 |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
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BRIGHTON |
BOURNEMOUTH |
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| Odds -1/2 | O/U 3 | Odds +1/2 | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: Brighton look the better team here. Bournemouth are floundering and are finding it difficult to find any kind of rhythm. The Seagulls should carry this, as it would be difficult to back The Cherries playing anyone at this point. Brighton -1/2 | |||||||
| RESULTS: 1-1 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: If this game had ended at the 90-minute mark, it would have been a stunner for Brighton to lose 1-0. As it was, one minute into injury time saw teenage Greek substitute, Charalampos Kostoulas (there’s a name to conjure with) delivere a spectacular bicycle kick to bring the game even. A 1-1 draw was still nothing to be proud of from the Seagulls’ perspective. They had piled on the pressure and really didn’t deserve to be one goal down after a hotly disputed penalty decision went against them. Bournemouth have one eye over their shoulder at the teams below them, and will be thankful of the point but have to be feeling cheated in not being able to bag all three. | |||||||