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What The Fans Are Saying – Gameweek 34

This article discusses ‘what the fans are saying’ for the Gameweek ahead by delving into their forums and unearthing their predictions of how the games will be played.

Fans Predictions

Norwich fans are very nervous ahead of their relegation game against Sunderland. They have to take care of Jermain Defoe because he’s Sunderland’s main threat. It’s not a must-not-lose game, it’s a must win because Sunderland still have a game in hand, a good manager and have escaped relegation numerous times. Most of the Norwich fans have predicted a hard-fought win but that’s probably just blind hope. It’s an early kick-off which usually means there is a lower atmosphere, so it could be a very tense match. 

Sunderland fans are not as nervous, maybe it’s because they’ve been here before. They need to start creating chances they say and need someone other than Defoe to be more clinical. It will be the same team and Big Sam will probably just try to fight to victory. Almost all fans have predicted a win with lots of goals, which again is blind hope. This game could go either way.

Everton fans are tired of their lacklustre performances; they are not playing well and wouldn’t be surprised if they lost to Southampton, who looked good against Newcastle. Many Toffees fans can’t see a recovery this season and want to see the back of manger Roberto Martinez.

Surprisingly given their strong recent form, Southampton fans are not confident. They think Everton are due a win and Romelu Lukaku will get his obligatory goal against them. They will certainly be hoping the Everton striker fails to make the team sheet, having emerged as an injury doubt for the weekend. Southampton have a bad record against the Toffees and consider this a tough match that they’d take a draw from. When Southampton play a team in bad form they struggle too.

Man United fans say that anything less than 2-0 against Championship bound Aston Villa would be an embarrassment. Some are calling for Anthony Martial to be rested, but if he plays they think he will be the first goalscorer. Most fans are discussing how poor Villa are and how it should be a huge win; however, some are more conservative and predict a scrappy, low-scoring victory.

Aston Villa fans know this is the game that will relegate them. They aren’t too happy that it’s against Man United but they concede their team doesn’t deserve anything better than the drop. A few think Wayne Rooney will score the goal that puts them down to make it even worse. Most are predicting a heavy defeat at around 4-0.

Newcastle fans are unhappy about their team and squad and their chances against Swansea. With Darryl Janmaat out, their defence looks even worse. They can’t quite believe how they can go through a whole season with such a bad back four. Some are optimistic about their chances in this game only because they need hope. They say that Aleksander Mitrovic plays better with another striker beside him so they’d like a solid 4-4-2 and just to get the ball to the forwards and try to outscore their opponents.

Swansea fans say that if they are not in holiday mode then they should beat Newcastle and relegate them. They think Gylfi Sigurdsson will run rings around Jonjo Shelvey. So they are quite confident in this match.

West Brom say their match against Watford is their most winnable match left of the season. They think they’ll win this perhaps 2-1. They play their best attacking football when they are allowed space. But Watford don’t allow space so that plan could be jettisoned quite quickly. Some are hoping to get a clean sheet and they seem in good spirits, especially because this could be the day Aston Villa get relegated. Football fans can be so cruel at times.

Watford fans haven’t talked about their game. Knowing them they probably expect their team to be quite solid, maybe a few differences in personnel. Instead their FA Cup semi final is front of mind.  

Chelsea fans fear for their match against Man City because they want to keep using their younger players. A lot of Chelsea fans can’t be bothered with this game, but they hope Man City will be tired from their Champions League game. They expect a loss but not a heavy one.

Man City fans are predicting a 2-1 win. They want the same team that played against PSG for consistency purposes, although with the impressive Sami Nasri in place of David Silva. If they win this they should secure top-four status. They don’t say much about Chelsea except that the Londoners’ season is over which could help a confident Man City team to prosper. 

Bournemouth fans are predicting mainly a high-scoring draw or a loss when Liverpool visit. Most predictions include themselves conceding twice. This is always the case with Bournemouth fans; they have no idea what the score will be but always predict goals at both ends of the pitch. Most predictions are around the 2-2 or 1-2 mark.

Liverpool fans are obviously ecstatic after their famous second leg quarter-final win over BVB Dortmund in the Europa League this week. Premier League concerns have taken a back seat which means there is little to glean from the fans in terms of rotation. Those that have made predictions for the Bournemouth match are predicting an easy away win, of either 1-3 or 0-1.

Leicester fans say West Ham are likely to be the hardest opponents they face this season and would take a draw. A lot are predicting a 2-1 win though. They are hoping that West Ham might take the foot off the gas a little, after being dumped out of the FA Cup midweek and looking rank outsiders for a top-four spot.  They think the Foxes could score a few in this game, which will come as bad news to those who have recently jettisoned Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy from their Fantasy teams. 

West Ham fans are predicting they may come seventh in the table, but a few still have hope of getting into the Champions League. Their shaky defence is a worry and many can’t see any more clean sheets this season. Fatigue could also be a factor this weekend, after their 3-3 draw with Arsenal last weekend and midweek FA Cup defeat. With many expecting a heavy defeat against Leicester they are calling for some stars, particularly Manuel Lanzini and Andy Carroll, to be rested.

Arsenal fans think they’ll demolish Crystal Palace just because they don’t care and say Arsenal play better when there is no pressure. They also say Palace’s win against Norwich took pressure off their back and hopefully they won’t try as hard now. It’s mainly doom and gloom for Arsenal fans in terms of another failed title challenge, but hopefully not for us Fantasy managers who invested in their players for the double Gameweek.

Crystal Palace fans were annoyed with their team’s performance against Everton. They were playing with an extra man on the field but still couldn’t score. Their wing play has come in for particular criticism, and some even want Yannick Bolasie to be dropped. They are safe now and the next games will be merely practice for their FA Cup Semi-Final. This could be good news for those Fantasy managers backing their double Gameweek 34 opponents.

Stoke fans really enjoyed Liverpool’s win in Europe but they aren’t particularly looking forward to playing Tottenham. They need to start with defensive solidity and match Spurs’ work-rate to have a chance. They want Shay Given in the net as he will give them experience. They also expect a change in formation, with a three-man central midfield to stop Spurs from dominating. Stoke fans say they have a tendency to make Harry Kane look ordinary but most expect to lose this game. Also, they are happy that the referee – Kevin Friend – is from Leicestershire.

Spurs are still going for title so the fans want to win this one but they don’t think it will be easy. Even though Stoke have a few players out and aren’t the same rough-and-ready Stoke of old, it is still a hard place for any team to go to. Most expect to win but not heavily.

Score predictions

Norwich 1-2 Sunderland

Everton 1-2 Southampton

Man United 4-0 Aston Villa

Newcastle 1-2 Swansea

West Brom 1-0 Watford

Chelsea 1-2 Man City

Bournemouth 1-2 Liverpool

Leicester 2-1 West Ham

Arsenal 3-0 Crystal Palace

Stoke 0-1 Spurs

Conclusion

It looks like the strong teams should do well this week and there may not be many clean sheets around.

There should be goals in the midweek games as well and hopefully there will be lots of defensive mistakes as we get to the end of the season.

Who to captain? There is fear of rotation this Gameweek and on that basis it would have to be Alexis Sanchez. West Brom concede a lot to midfielders, Palace are safe and a midfielder has a chance of clean sheet points and five points for a goal. I wouldn’t count out Aguero though. For me, I will be triple captaining Sanchez.

26 Comments Post a Comment
  1. J0E
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Not looking hopeful for West Ham assets. Let's hope their team isn't as down in the dumps as their fans.

    1. Eames
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Jonty, what is your stance on the Lukaku 'situation'

      1. J0E
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 11 months ago

        I think he'll play both. At least one. Everton have a good record against Southampton so I can't see him getting rested for anything other than injury. Also who do you replace him with? I already have Martial and Aguero and don't think Mitrovic is better than even one game Lukaku....certainly not for a hit.

        If by a miracle your team is fine and you didn't have Martial - I'd do Lukaku to Martial definitely.

        1. BigManBakar
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 11 months ago

          Would you do that move for a hit, though?

          1. J0E
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            7 years, 11 months ago

            Not sure. Depends on the other player involved.

            1. Drogo
              • 11 Years
              7 years, 11 months ago

              For Sturridge? Im leaning towards it

        2. Penitent
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 11 months ago

          I don't think he will play either game but if he plays one, that will be 2 less than Mitrovic over the next 2 game weeks (providing he doesn't get booked, which he might, fingers crossed). I'm dubious, so Romelu has gone with Mitrovic replacing.

  2. SAY SOMETHING SIGNIFICANT
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Great as always, man. Cheers.

  3. BigManBakar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Great read, thanks. 🙂

  4. djpete
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Love this article! Respect!

    1. The Generalator
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      agreed

  5. The Generalator
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Please can I have your expert advice

    I have used my FT already

    I have Courtinho and Firmino, should I sell both? I really need so guaranteed DGW players

    many thanks !

    1. Hakchak
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Keep both - Firm was bought off yesterday so likely will play at the weekend and potentially against Everton. Cout is so explosive and the way Liverpool are playing they should get plenty of goals over the next three games

    2. ViperStripes
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      I wish I had both

      1. The Generalator
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 11 months ago

        many thanks !

  6. Eric the King
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    How do we feel about Lennon and Lukaku to Rashford and KdB for a -4??

    1. Red Devil Swede
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Rooney back

    2. Penitent
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Do it -

  7. Hakchak
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Thanks for this, great article as always

  8. ViperStripes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Lovely stuff

  9. ViperStripes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Still don't know what to do about Dann & Bolasie (going to stick with Lukaku)....get rid of D&B for a hit each?

  10. umerlfc
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Bench one out of the following:

    Alli/Mahrez
    Dier/Huth

  11. C-Lowe
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Anyone else think Villa are due 1 maybe even 3 points. I wouldn't be so sure with putting everything in one basket with them. I see ARS with the best chance of a double clean sheet.

  12. st4rt__
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Thoughts here -

    Coutinho & Lukaku > Milner & Martial. -4.

    GW35 -

    Martial > Pelle.

  13. Jindaljain
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Pls help out : Firmino or coutinho and sakho or cresswell

  14. Davey85Jones
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Does anyone know why my free wildcard would have disappered...?