WEEK 35
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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 35 Fri May 1st – 4th
All times are Mountain Standard Time
LAST WEEK’S SUMMARY
Week 34
Only four games left in the season, and as usual some odd results often turn up at this stage of the precedings. Maybe players are getting tired of a long season and maybe some of them are looking forward to some time off, whatever the reasons, strange stuff does turn up. Brighton absolutely demolished Chelsea and as bad as the Blues have been of late, I don’t think many people saw this coming. Their manager, Liam Rosenior, being shown the door: now that was a move a lot of people did see coming. Manchester City made hard work of beating already relegated Burnley, and the three points keep their pursuit of Arsenal on track. Spurs won their first game this year, but again it looked a lot harder than it should have. Unfortunately for them, not only did West Ham also win, in the dying seconds, but Tottenham got blasted with another couple of key injuries. At the end of the day, nothing has changed at the bottom just yet.
WEEK 34 GAME 1 – Fri 1st 1:00 |
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| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
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LEEDS |
BURNLEY |
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| Odds -1 1/2 | O/U 2 1/2 | Odds +1 1/2 | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: I expect Leeds to not let up at this stage of the season, and even though Burnley are already relegated, Leeds will show no mercy. The Whites are not the most prolific goalscorers in the League, but if these odds stay the way they are right now, I would take Leeds -1 1/2, but I will say this, if they were 2 goal favorite, I would be a lot more hesitant with this bet. Leeds -1 1/2 | |||||||
| RESULTS: 3-1 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: Leeds showed again what is lacking in the Burnley camp. Well, there is plenty to point at, but the main problem is no coordination in the defense. Leeds are notoriously difficult at home and they had this game by the scruff of the neck from the get-go. The first goal shortly after the start and a second just after the restart, followed quickly by a third put the game to bed. Strangely enough Burnley did have slightly more of the ball, 51% v 49%, but they could do very little of note with it. Doesn’t help when apart from no defense, you don’t have any attacking options either. They did notch a late goal to make the score look a little more respectable but nowhere near enough to suggest that they belong in the Premier League. | |||||||
WEEK 35 GAME 2 – Sat May 2nd 8:00 |
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| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
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NEWCASTLE |
BRIGHTON |
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| Odds PICK | O/U 3 | Odds PICK | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: There was a time when Newcastle at home were a mountain to climb. Not this season. St Andrews belonged to the Magpies. Newcastle have nothing to play for and Brighton are clinging on to hopes of Europe next year. It’s hard to go against Newcastle at home, but up until this point they have not inspired much confidence. Brighton PICK. | |||||||
| RESULTS: | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: | |||||||
WEEK 35 GAME 3 – Sat May 8:00 TIME |
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| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
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BRENTFORD |
WEST HAM |
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| Odds -1/2 | O/U | Odds +1/2 | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: OK two ways to look at this: but they’re both the same in the end. Brentford were unlucky to lose to Manchester United last week, and West Ham were lucky to grab the winner at the end of the game. Brentford are by far the better team here and even if West Ham are fighting for survival, they are not going to find the Bees very accommodating. Brentford. -1/2 | |||||||
| RESULTS: 3-0 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: A quick look at the stats would suggest that this game was a lot closer than the final score would show. Granted, West Ham could consider themselves unlucky on many occasions, but by watching the game, Brentford always looked like they had the game under control. West Ham’s usual sloppy play gave them exactly what they deserved, nothing. This loss, plus Tottenham’s win over Aston Villa, puts the Hammers back in the relegation zone. With next week’s game against League leaders, Arsenal, looming, West Ham have it all to do. I’ve been saying this for two years now, their tenure in the Premier League is finally coming to a close, And I see Championship football in their future next year. |
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WEEK 35 GAME 4 –Sat May 2nd 8:00 |
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| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
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WOLVERHAMPTON |
SUNDERLAND |
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| Odds Pick | O/U 2 1/2 | Odds Pick | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: Sunderland need to get the taste of their last game against Notts Forest out of their mouth. (5-0 in case you weren’t watching). Wolves fit that bill to a tee. Sunderland are going to take out their embarrassment on the hapless Wolves. Sunderland. PICK. | |||||||
| RESULTS: 1-1 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: The game started on an upbeat for Sunderland. Nordi Mukiele had the ball in the net for the Cats after 17 minutes, but then, seven minutes later they were reduced to 10 men when Dan Ballard was sent off for pulling Tolu Arokodare’s hair. That will effectively end Ballard’s season, as he now faces a three-game ban; a loss Sunderland can ill afford. After the restart, Wolves had the game tied up with a Santi Bueno header. Even with a relegation place assured, Wolves did not give up the fight and battled to the end. If this kind of form can be sustained next year, they could be bouncing straight back up from the nether regions. | |||||||
WEEK 35 GAME 5 –Sat May 2nd 10:30 |
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| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
 ARSENAL |
ARSENAL |
FULHAM |
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| Odds -1/2 | O/U 2 1/2 | Odds +1/2 | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: Arsenal had better not take this opponent lightly. Fulham deserve to be much higher in the table than their present position would suggest. They had some very controversial decisions go against them in the early part of the season, and if only for a few dubious decisions they could be a lot higher in the Table. I’ll take the Cottagers to keep it close. Fulham. +1/2. | |||||||
| RESULTS: 3-0 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: Fulham certainly did not bring their best performance to this match. Arsenal were three goals up at the half and took it easy in the second period. Not that it made much difference, as Fulham were at a loss as far as narrowing the Gunners lead went. Manchester City play on Monday and could still keep the race close by beating Everton and getting a result against their spare game at Crystal Palace. Manchester need lots of goals in their last matches, as Arsenal have a better goal average, four, and this year the League winner could well come down to those averages. | |||||||
WEEK 35 GAME 6 – Sun May 3rd 7:00 |
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| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
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BOURNEMOUTH |
CRYSTAL PALACE |
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| Odds -1 | O/U 3 | Odds +1 | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: I’m saying keep away from this one. Palace are crap, but Bournemouth should control this game from the outset. Yes, I see them winning but if they go a goal up, and they have control, I see them laying back. I think this is going to be a push therefore. No Bet. | |||||||
| RESULTS: 3-0 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: Pretty much a no-contest here. Palace were awful and at this point the end of the season cannot come fast enough for them. Bournemouth were already one goal up when a penalty was awarded against goalkeeper Dean Henderson, scrambling for the ball he tripped Marcos Senesi, who was facing away from goal. In my opinion a very harsh call, not that it would have helped Palace much as Rayan scored the Cherries third to put Palace out of their misery. Bournemouth now look to be poised to enter Europe next year for the first time in their history. The field is still crowded so they can’t afford to let up in the last three games. | |||||||
WEEK 35 GAME 7 – Sun May 3rd 8:30 |
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| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
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MANCHESTER UNITED |
LIVERPOOL |
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| Odds PICK | O/U 3 | Odds PICK | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: In my book, Manchester United have no right to be where they are in the League. Even if they are at home, I see Liverpool taking all three points here. This game means a lot to the Reds, as it will probably take them above United in the Table. Liverpool. PICK. | |||||||
| RESULTS: 3-2 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: Liverpool came from two goals down to equalize at the beginning of the second half. A disappointing first period saw the Reds behind after controlling much of the game. They came out swinging for the second half, and two quick strikes looked as if the visitors might just snatch all the points. As has become all too familiar for Liverpool, they let the game get away from them in the last minutes and 13-minutes from time Kobbie Mainoo put Manchester ahead. The win puts the Red Devils into the European Champions League next year. Even if they did lose, Liverpool will probably be there also. | |||||||
WEEK 35 GAME 8 – Sun May 3rd 12:00 |
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| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
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ASTON VILLA |
TOTTENHAM HOTSPER |
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| Odds -1/2 | O/U 3 | Odds +1/2 | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: We all know how much Tottenham need this result. Villa have been a lot less than reliable at home this season…well they have been a lot less reliable everywhere they’ve played. Who knows with Spurs? They have lots of their first team players sidelined, and that’s not necessarily a minus. At least half of the team don’t need to bother to turn up. Weather the dregs can salvage the season remains to be seen. For me, don’t go near this. No Bet. | |||||||
| RESULTS: 1-2 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: Tottenham brought a new attitude to Villa Park with them on Sunday and managed to grab all the points. Dominic Solanke and Xavi Simmons were missing, and that perhaps wasn’t a bad thing, as it gave other players a chance to shine. Conner Gallagher finally put in a worthwhile performance as did Richarlison. Micky van de Ven was solid at the back and everyone else seemed to be putting in more of an effort. But let’s not kid ourselves. Aston Villa were awful from the start and I’m not sure that two wins in a row says that Spurs have turned the corner just yet. It seems like part of the game plan is to give up a goal with the last kick of the game, and again Spurs did not disappoint. Villa started to improve as the game progressed and if it had gone on much longer, the result could have looked much different. The win pulls Tottenham out of the relegation zone and with West Ham getting beat their prospects for survival look more promising. | |||||||
WEEK 35 GAME 9 – Mon May 4th 8:00 |
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| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
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CHELSEA |
NOTTINGHAM FOREST |
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| Odds -1/2 | O/U 2 1/2 | Odds +1/2 | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: Last week’s demolition against Sunderland should give the Tricky Trees all the confidence they need to take out a Chelsea side that looks like they belong in a few divisions below where their present spot. I don’t see how the Chelsea side can be as bad as they have shown in the last few weeks. But here it is for all to see. I’m taking The Foresters here, just because they have the momentum. Notts Forest +1/2 |
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| RESULTS: 1-3 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: Chelsea seem to be doing everything just right, except winning. This was their sixth consecutive loss in the Premier League, and they never looked like it was ever going to end in their favor. When I say they are doing things right, this is what I mean: 67% possession, 18 shots, 92% pass accuracy and 10 corners. All they have to show for that dominance is one missed penalty and a last-minute goal, their first in five games! If Chelsea’s form doesn’t improve, they could be missing out on Europe next year. Nottingham’s resurgence continues and three points here dramatically improves their chances of Premier League football next season. | |||||||
WEEK 34 GAME 10 – Mon May 4th 1:00 |
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| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
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EVERTON |
MANCHESTER CITY |
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| Odds +1 | O/U 3 | Odds -1 | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: Manchester City need to win all their remaining games if they are to finish ahead of Arsenal. Everton shouldn’t be too much of a challenge even if they are at home. Manchester City. -1 | |||||||
| RESULTS: | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: | |||||||