What The Fans Are Saying – Gameweek 37

This article discusses ‘What the fans are saying’ for the Gameweek ahead by delving into their forums and unearthing their predictions. While Gameweek 37 is a Double Gameweek, most fans are focused on the weekend’s games rather than those in midweek.

Fans Predictions

Norwich fans are not keen on a centre-back pairing of Russell Martin and Sebastian Bassong. They feel this pair are too error prone and good strikers will easily find a way to beat them. This suggests that whoever starts up front for Manchester United could do well. Where there is happiness among Norwich fans is the news that Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini is suspended. Without him they feel the Red Devils’ midfield will lack a cutting edge and may force them into long-ball tactics. Overall Norwich fans are downbeat about their prospects of Premier League survival and do not expect to win against Manchester United. Their only chance is to attack more.

Most Manchester United fans think they will get a narrow win and a clean sheet. But Man United have awful away form and not all the fans are as optimistic. They say these are the games that they struggle in, especially with rotation likely among their ranks. It could be a lacklustre performance and they won’t score many goals. They look to Norwich’s clash with Arsenal as an example of how the East Anglian side still has plenty of fight left. 

Aston Villa have lost ten in a row and will be hoping to avoid making it a club record eleven games against Newcastle. Their battered and bruised fans think this new record will be set, though, such is the sense of pessimism around their team. Villa fans have given up any hope of a clean sheet this season and just want the season to finish now. They would like to send Newcastle down with them, with Schadenfreude against the Toon offering their only hope of a smile as they prepare for life in the second tier of English football. 

Newcastle fans are more scared of their own team than Villa. They hope to not mess up a game that they should easily win. Even though they should comfortably beat Villa they’ve all predicted a nervy 2-1 win. The atmosphere at Villa Park will be toxic against the home side, which could help Newcastle. If they can score an early goal it could be a big win and there is a small chance of a clean sheet.

Bournemouth fans are looking forward to their game against West Brom because it should be nice weather. Both sets of teams are on the beach and the fans just want to see a lively kick-about in the sun. They think that the West Brom bus will be firmly parked in this game but Josh King should have a good game. Teams that press Bournemouth have had the most success against them so there is optimism for a win and £1.25 million per league place is up for grabs.

West Brom fans can’t decide what the score will be; it could be anything. They’ve predicted scores from 3-0 losses to 2-3 wins, so I guess they think there will be goals. There always are in Bournemouth games so they are probably right.

Crystal Palace fans are not optimistic against Stoke. They’ve seen one home win all season so it will probably be another bad result. Most teams would rest players a head of a cup final, but they think Alan Pardew is too stubborn to do that and will have the same team. However, they all agree that Scott Dann should get a rest.

Stoke fans are also not optimistic. They think the match will be nothing more than a training exercise and a similar line-up as last weekend, featuring Peter Crouch up front, is expected. It is also worth noting that they’ve gone off their midfielder Giannelli Imbula a little bit. Some believe he has become lazy and is not tracking back enough. A dull draw is predicted by most fans.

Sunderland fans are mostly predicting a loss against Chelsea. There are other predictions too, hopeful wins or a bore draw, but most are going for a narrow loss. They seem worried about Eden Hazard’s improved form but took some comfort from Chelsea’s Spurs game. They noted that Chelsea were vulnerable against pace so are hoping their side can keep the ball on the ground and be swift in attack. If Big Sam thinks the same this suggests a possible start for Duncan Watmore on the wing, who the Sunderland manager has likened to a bullet.

Chelsea enjoyed their match against Spurs and want a full-strength team for the last game of the season at home against Leicester. Against Sunderland though they want to see more youth, especially in forward positions. They are anticipating rotation and hope Eden Hazard regains a starting berth. As with Sunderland fans they are not anticipating a high-scoring game and wouldn’t be surprised to see the Black Cats win. This looks to be a tense game with few regulars guaranteed a start.

West Ham fans are licking their lips in anticipation of facing Swansea at home. The Welsh side have often faltered when facing the Hammers so they are expecting to see a big win and little rotation. They know Swansea can’t handle Andy Carroll and expect a big game from him. I haven’t witnessed any fans for a long time predicting their own striker will score a brace or a hat trick but Hammers are convinced that Carroll will.

Swansea fans talk instantly of Carroll so they are worried about him. They want to play some youngsters as the league is over for them and already it has been confirmed that rest and injury will sideline regulars such as Ashley Williams and Gylfi Sigurdsson. Despite their pessimism about the West Ham game they are in good spirits with their Premier League status secure. Conceding against the Hammers appears a given, but some are optimistically predicting an upset.

Leicester call the game against Everton a ‘must win’ as sarcasm for most of the replies on matchday threads. They obviously don’t care too much about the result and there will be big celebrations. They would like Jamie Vardy to get a few goals and the golden boot but that’s just being greedy. Everton have a very suspect defence so it could happen they think.

Everton fans are discussing the possibilities of the game. It could be a game where the pressure is off Leicester and the home team could play openly and score lots or perhaps Everton can try hard to spoil the party. It’s impossible to predict this one.

Spurs fans aren’t too depressed about not winning the league and they will be making a lot of noise to thank their team for a wonderful season in their home game against Southampton. There is one more thing for them to fight for – to finish above Arsenal, so they hope for a win. Apparently Spurs have played well against Southampton recently, so even though a few players are out they believe their team can still win. They are keen to secure second before the last game of the season, when they face a battling Newcastle side.

Southampton are still going for Europe so have something to play for. Their fans are wary of Spurs, though, who they believe will be desperate for a win to secure second place. Southampton are playing well and scoring goals but their fans are aware that often Spurs have often been a bogey team and form goes out the window. Their fear of the Spurs attack will not be what those who are ditching Harry Kane for Double Gameweek assets want to hear.

Liverpool fans are showing their happiness with getting into the Europa League final by ridiculing their match against Watford as a pointless game. They hope to see a lot of fringe players looking to put in some good performances in a game they expect to concede in. This suggests Troy Deeney could be a profitable signing.

Watford fans don’t think they’ll win again this season. It would be nice to finish in the top ten but everything is starting to draw to a close. They won’t be playing another Aston Villa and their remaining games are against Liverpool and relegation battlers. There may be some hope of exciting games but for many that is blind hope. 

Man City fans fear their team could slip up against a pressing Arsenal side, which is more than capable of earning an early breakaway goal. If City concede twice their players’ heads could go down as the game fizzles out. Man City have not performed well against top teams this season and the fans believe this could be another humiliation for their side.

Arsenal fans think Man City will be very tired, but are concerned that their own team are playing poorly and lack motivation. A flat game is predicted by most fans, with a top-four place almost secure and catching Spurs looking increasingly unlikely. The Man City attack does not worry them and a low-scoring game looks on the cards.

Score Predictions

Norwich 1-1 Man Utd

Aston Villa 1-2 Newcastle

Bournemouth 2-1 West Brom

Crystal Palace 1-1 Stoke

Sunderland 1-1 Chelsea

West Ham 2-0 Swansea

Leicester 2-0 Everton

Spurs 3-1 Southampton

Liverpool 1-1 Watford

Man City 1-1 Arsenal

Conclusion

The whole weekend could be a host of 1-1 draws. Surprisingly the Spurs game could be one of the most interesting and fast-paced of the lot. West Ham have been confident of big wins so many times this season, maybe this time it will actually happen.

Who to captain? Dimitri Payet looks the safest bet against a Swansea side that is poor on the road and will be without key players. The Swans vulnerability to set pieces further strengthens Payet’s cause. It is also worth noting that Manchester United, the Hammers’ second double Gameweek 37 opponent, are also no strangers to conceding free-kicks around their penalty area.

Hazard also looks very tempting though as does Carroll, who would surely be Hammers’ fans top choice for the armband.