WEEK 29
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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 29 March 3,4,5th
All times are Mountain Standard Time
LAST WEEK’S SUMMARY
WEEK 28
I suppose the biggest news of week 28 was the complete annihilation of Aston Villa by Wolves. This could take years to live down, and quite rightly so. There are no excuses, this is just a crap performance from a team that seems to trot out the same results week after week lately. They need some serious changes, and soon, or next season is going to be a nightmare. Tottenham continue their slide into oblivion, but were helped by all the other teams around them doing the same kind of slide. To some degree, Arsenal can count themselves lucky to come away from the Chelsea match-up with all three points, as can Manchester City at Leeds. My Gold Star Pick came through, Liverpool to beat West Ham, but as my internet was down all weekend I didn’t get to place, win or lose any money. We have week 29 being played in the midweek in front of a break for the FA Cup this upcoming weekend so we will be back after the break. See ya then. Harry.
WEEK 29 GAME 1 – Tues Mar 3rd 12:30 |
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| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
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LEEDS |
SUNDERLAND |
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| Odds -1/2 | O/U 2 1/2 | Odds +1/2 | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: This should go pretty close but despite Sunderland’s excellent start to the season, they have started to drop off a bit. Granit Xhaka is back from injury, and that will help the Black Cats, but it is hard to go against Leeds at home. I may change my mind come game time but right now I’ll say. No Bet | |||||||
| RESULTS: 0-1 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: Leeds thought they had this won when Joe Rodon headed the ball into the net. After a review it was ruled void because of an offside infraction. This game was another example of a complete imbalance of teams and yet the one team that is clearly outplayed end up the victors. Over 70% possession and 18 shots against 3 shot by Sunderland should have seen the Whites come away with all the points, but Sunderland were awarded a dubious penalty in a cruel twist with 20 minutes of regular time to go. It looks like Sunderland are going to need those points because they did not look good, and what’s left of the season could be a bit of a challenge. The loss still leaves Leeds perilously close to the relegation zone, and they will face their own challenges before the season is over. | |||||||
WEEK 29 GAME 2 – Tues Mar 3rd 12:30 |
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| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
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BOURNEMOUTH |
BRENTFORD |
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| Odds – 1/2 | O/U 2 1/2 | Odds + 1/2 | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: This looks like a draw to me. Neither of these teams are going anywhere. So, if it’s a draw, go with the team that is getting an edge. Not with any kind of confidence mind. Brentford +1/2 | |||||||
| RESULTS: 0-0 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: Bournemouth had the edge here and even had the ball in the net towards the end, but Evanilson was ruled offside. Marcus Tavernier, for The Cherries, also struck the post on two occasions. Brentford had their first shot on target with just 18 minutes left, but the effort was directed straight at Bournemouth’s goalkeeper, Dorde Petrovic. The points were shared but as far as the bet was concerned, it was a winner for me. | |||||||
WEEK 29 GAME 3 – Tues Mar 3rd 12:30 |
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| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
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EVERTON |
BURNLEY |
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| Odds -1 | O/U 2 1/2 | Odds +1 | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: Can’t believe Everton got a result up at Newcastle last week. They are just not that good. Burnley, who have nothing to play for, are still not giving up the fight. I’ll take the extra goal here. Burnley +1 | |||||||
| RESULTS: 2-0 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: A rare win at their new stadium as Everton put Burnley to the sword. The Clarets were never in the game and the only, nearly, compensation came in injury time when Jordan Pickford produced one of his usual excellent saves from Burnley’s Lyle Foster. The way things are going, Burnley have been second from bottom all season. That may change if the Wolves keep up their revival and they could end the season dead last. The Toffees could be brought back to Earth in their next games as they have to face Arsenal and then Chelsea. |
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WEEK 29 GAME 4 – Tues Mar 3rd 1:15 |
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| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
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WOLVERHAMPTON |
LIVERPOOL |
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| Odds +1 1/2 | O/U 3 | Odds -1 1/2 | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: Wolves might have gotten a result last week against a hopeless Aston Villa side, but I don’t see them doing that two weeks in a row. The Reds are still in the hunt, and I see them taking the whole cake here. Liverpool -1 1/2 | |||||||
| RESULTS: 2-1 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: For the second time in five days, basement dwellers, Wolves stun their opponents in the dying minutes. Liverpool wasted multiple chances in the first half to put Wolves away. With complete domination of the game, 19 shots and 11 corners, they couldn’t break down the home team’s resolute defense. The real action started to happen with only 12 minutes left to play. Against the run of play, Wolves broke away and scored, with their first shot on goal, much to everyone’s surprise. This seemed to wake the Reds up, and Mo Salah, who had a more productive game than usual, had the score equal within 5 minutes. Then 4 minutes into injury time, Andre scores Wolverhampton’s second to grab all three points. Liverpool didn’t deserve to lose this, but that’s football, don’t think many people could have seen this coming, and although it won’t save Wolves from the drop, it shows that they haven’t yet given up the fight. | |||||||
WEEK 29 GAME 5 – Weds Mar 4th 12:30 |
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| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
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MANCHESTER CITY |
NOTTINGHAM FOREST |
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| Odds -1 | O/U 3 | Odds +1 | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: Forest’s job isn’t getting any easier. Manchester City are in town and they are not taking any prisoners. They may have struggled against Leeds last week, but hopefully with Earling Haaland back, they should continue their assault on the League leaders. Manchester City -1 | |||||||
| RESULTS: 2-2 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: Spurs put in their usual tepid performance. They were lucky to have a goal disallowed by the slimmest of margins. With just three games under his belt, Igor Tudor is facing calls for his departure. When are Spurs, or the people who make these decisions, going to realize it’s not the managers that are at fault, it’s the bloody players. Goalkeeper Vicario is now graded as the worst ‘keeper in the Premier League. Conner Gallager was a waste of money, Atletico Madrid knew that when they sold him. Kolo Muani, Tel and Sarr might just as well not turn up. The rest of the team are all but useless, and if Tottenham are to escape the drop, they need to address these problems. PM |
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WEEK 29 GAME 6 – Wed Mar 4th 12:30 |
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| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
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BRIGHTON |
ARSENAL |
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| Odds +1 | O/U 2 1/2 | Odds -1 | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: Brighton are better at home than they are away, but this should be cut and dried. Arsenal can feel Manchester City breathing down their neck and can’t afford to take their foot off the gas at this point. Arsenal -1 | |||||||
| RESULTS: 0-1 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: In what has become the standard refrain from Arsenal, “they didn’t play well but still managed to win.” By any measure, it was a below par display from the League leaders, and yet the 9th-minute goal by Bukayo Saka, that was deflected and went through the legs of goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, was all that was needed to keep the Gunners on top of the pile. Below par, did I say. They only managed two shots on goal and did what they could to slow the game down, and can count themselves lucky that it ended the way it did. With saying that, Brighton didn’t produce anything of note, but if they had shown a spark of what they have produced at home this season, the result could have turned out very differently. | |||||||
WEEK 29 GAME 7 – Wed Mar 4th 12:30 |
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| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
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ASTON VILLA |
CHELSEA |
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| Odds PICK | O/U 2 1/2 | Odds PICK | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: Chelsea could feel hard done by with last week’s result against Arsenal. In the end, they only had themselves to blame by going down to 10 men. Aston Villa are giving Spurs a run for the most useless team in the Premier League at the moment, and I can’t see Chelsea letting them off the hook here. Chelsea PICK | |||||||
| RESULTS: 1-4 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: As my Gold Star Pick, I was happy to see this result. Have to say that it was a little dicey at the beginning when Villa went 1-0 up. In form, Joao Pedro scored a hat-trick to bury Aston Villa on their home ground in yet another humiliating defeat for the home team. Even if Ollie Watkins’ goal had not been ruled offside, Chelsea had this game by the scruff of the neck, although the second-minute goal by David Luiz did give the Blues some pause for concern. Chelsea continues their quest for a top four finish and Aston Villa must be asking “what has gone so wrong so quickly.” | |||||||
WEEK 29 GAME 8 –Wed Mar 4th 12:30 |
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| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
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FULHAM |
WEST HAM |
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| Odds -1/2 | O/U 2 1/2 | Odds +1/2 | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: Fulham are actually favored here; I would think a pick would be more in line. That said Fulham did look good against Tottenham last time out, but who doesn’t. Fulham are at home, but the West Ham supporters don’t have far to come, if there are any of them left. But I will take the home team here. Fulham -1/2 | |||||||
| RESULTS: 0-1 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: West Ham have certainly dug themselves out of a deep, dark hole. The three points are greatly appreciated, as they may be the difference between Premier League and Championship next season. Thing is when you look at the overall game, West Ham, despite their recent run of form, still make the same mistakes that got them into this mess in the first place. Over this season Fulham have to be the unluckiest team in the League. All the major stats were in their favor, including a penalty that was overturned by VAR, but the Hammers ended up with the only goal that counted. For my money I still don’t think West Ham will escape the drop. I think they have had some lucky results lately, but in the end it will be all for naught. | |||||||
WEEK 29 GAME 9 – Wed Mar 4th 1:15 |
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| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
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NEWCASTLE |
MANCHESTER UNITED |
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| Odds PICK | O/U 3 | Odds PICK | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: A pick for this game looks about right. Newcastle are hopeless while Manchester are playing well beyond their capabilities. A loss by both teams would be a fair result. It’s tough to choose between Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee, therefore I’m saying. No Bet. | |||||||
| RESULTS: 2-1 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: Well, this played out pretty much as I had expected. Either of these two could have won this, or lost it. The both of them could play every day for the next month and the result would be different every time. Most of the notable action happened in the first half injury time. Jacob Ramsey was sent off for Newcastle for a second yellow card. That was at 45+1. Then the Magpies were awarded a penalty at 45+6, that Anthony Gordon put away. With still 3 minutes of injury time left, Casemiro had the game level and that is were the contest stood until right at the end. Newcastle, down to ten men stunned Manchester with a 90th-minute goal by William Osula to take all the points. A sobering result for a team that has been leading a charmed life as of late. Without looking at Manchester United’s remaining fixtures, I think this is just a forewarning of what’s to come. | |||||||
WEEK 29 GAME 10 – Thur Mar 5th 1:00 |
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| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
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TOTTENHAM |
CRYSTAL PALACE |
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| Odds PICK | O/U 2 1/2 | Odds PICK | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: This is another one you wouldn’t bet your retirement on. Tottenham are at home, but that might give the edge to Palace. But the Eagles might need more than that to correct the tailspin that their season has become. It’s about time Spurs turned this thing around, and they won’t get a better chance than here. Tottenham. PICK | |||||||
| RESULTS: 1 – 3 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: Spurs put in their usual tepid performance. They were lucky to have a Palace goal disallowed by the slimmest of margins then a ray of hope was delivered by Dominic Solanke with a quick strike. That was short lived when Micky Van de Ven was sent off for hauling down Ismaila Sarr in the penalty area. Sarr converted the penalty and that was it for Spurs. Going down to ten men the rest of the team just folded against, let’s face it, a Crystal Palace team that is struggling themselves. With just three games under his belt Igor Tudor is facing calls for his departure. When are Spurs, or the people who make these decisions, going to realize it’s not the managers that are at fault, it’s the bloody players. Goalkeeper Vicario is now graded as the worst ‘keeper in the Premier League. Conner Gallager was a waste of money, Atletico Madrid knew that when they sold him, Kolo Muani, Tel and Sarr might just as well not turn up. The rest of the team are all but useless and if Tottenham are to escape the drop, they need to address these problems, not change the manager as many times as most people change their socks. | |||||||