What the Fans Are Saying – Gameweek 15

This article tries to answer the question ‘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

Inconsistent Watford leave their fans struggling to make a solid prediction against Everton. Every result is possible in this fixture and it will come down to which team plays the worst on the day. They think if they keep Romelu Lukaku quiet they have a chance but conversely without Roberto Pererya their own attack will be very poor. It could be a see-saw game or a dire affair, more likely the latter.

Everton fans say they missed Idrissa Gueye last weekend more than they thought they would and Man United got lucky against them. They predict a low scoring win or draw against Watford. If they could change the formation they would change it to 4-4-2 and have two up front. They’re tired of the normal formation and the lack of goals it’s producing.

It’s boom or bust for Swansea against Sunderland, according to the fans. They have to win this one. They discuss if it’s a good idea to wish their team to lose so that manager Bob Bradley gets sacked, and they agree it’s not. They have to stick together even if it means quietly getting behind Bob Bradley.  If Bradley doesn’t start with a striker there will be a riot.

Sunderland are piling up injuries but they reckon even Swansea are worse than they are. They predict an away win, mainly 3-1. They’d take a draw and not losing is crucial. Their squad is very small and lacking quality but they should have enough here. They’re happy with their strikeforce.

Fans of Arsenal anticipate an easy victory at home to Stoke, who have yet to be tested on the road this season. Almost all have voted for a win in the region of 2-0 or 3-0. The fans are sure Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will start but they aren’t sure about the other flanking roles. Only a few still think Theo Walcott will play whereas others would like Lucas Perez to get a start. Walcott has been playing badly for the last few games but he is a confidence player and they don’t want Wenger to undermine his ego and make his form plummet further.

Stoke fans expect to concede at least three goals at Arsenal. They have little expectation of success, even if they had a full squad of players and were in fine form. A few fans have rose tinted goggles and say they are due a win, but most just give up on this game. They wonder if three at the back is a bad idea against Arsenal. Don’t lose too heavily they say.

The next three home games may decide Burnley‘s Premier League survival, say their fans. Bournemouth are the first visitors in what they say is a must win game. But there’s a catch. The Clarets are without leaders on the pitch and the players aren’t getting stuck-in, according to their supporters. They are also worried about their side’s lack of creativity in attack.T hey seem a bit worried but Bournemouth’s gung-ho tactics should play into Burnley’s hands.  

Bournemouth fans also look to their next fixtures, which they say are very winnable games. They could be high up the table if they do well in them. In regard to this game they think it could be a repeat of the 0-0 bore draw with Middlebrough earlier in the season. If not then Bournemouth should edge it.

The Middlesbrough defeat on Monday has left Hull fans livid. They played a team of similar calibre but came away with nothing. The Tigers have now waved the white flag to creativity, say the supporters, who are now also questioning Mike Phelan’s job. They defended well against Middlesbrough but they are so annoyed at their lack of attacking potency that they can’t even bring themselves to make a prediction for the Crystal Palace game. If they did it sounds like another humbling is on the cards.

Crystal Palace fans think they’ll continue their winning run of one game. Palace haven’t started to defend yet but they should get enough goals to win this. They all think Christian Benteke will score in this match and they should win. Every team should be beating Hull. 

Obviously Leicester fans are very unhappy about their form and they want a huge crowd reaction against Man City. However, a lot moan that the team should be lifting them instead and shouldn’t be playing goofball.  Fans who went to Porto away want their money back, the side were so bad.  They may have some joy against Man City as the high pressing game will give Leicester a chance to attack down the wings and relive the glory days of 2015/16. But most predict a loss, with 5-0 being mentioned. If Claudio Ranieri plays 4-4-2 again it will definitely be a walloping, especially as their central midfielders can’t tackle.

Even though Man City have some players missing they still rested a few midweek. This match worries them because they remember the 3-1 loss to the Foxes last season. City are very unlikely to keep a cleansheet but if they put away their chances, which they haven’t been doing lately, they should win. They are hugely impressed by Kelechi Iheanacho’s scoring record and don’t think they’ll miss Sergio Aguero too much. They are happy that Danny Drinkwater is suspended but they only predict a smallish win. Leicester have a good home record.

Chelsea fans think West Brom will come and park the bus because they really don’t have any other option. That could mean an easy win but others say to not underestimate the Baggies. They are worried by West Brom’s set pieces but all in all it should be comfortable. Chelsea are in marvelous form and should win the next five games on the bounce. Complacency is their enemy though. Eden Hazard is predicted to score by almost all fans.

Fans of West Brom are worried by this fixture and agree that Tony Pulis will have to bring his biggest bus along for the Baggies to have any hope of avoiding humiliation.  The game will be one way traffic and normally a few West Brom fans would predict a bore draw. Not this time, they suggest it will be a rather big win for Chelsea, where the Baggies probably won’t score. Chelsea are too fluid which means extra running for their own team. They aren’t looking forward to this game.

Man United fans predict a 1-1 draw with Tottenham. Their team could be tired and Spurs are a good side. A lot still predict a Man United win though because they are playing better now. There’s not much more to say other than the front three should stay the same, say the fans, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Paul Pogba providing directness.

Respect should be shown to Manchester United, say Tottenham fans. The Red Devils’ form has improved, but so too has Spurs’. With Toby Alderwiereld back in the side there is optimism of a result here, who played away in Ukraine on Thursday in the Europa league and still have a tendency to resort to hoofball. They say it should be a cracking match, which shows they aren’t too worried.

 There isn’t a prediction for Southampton’s game against Middlesbrough due to the Europa League tie. Southampton’s attacking prowess was severely lacking in that game and now with Charlie Austin’s injury, Saints fans say they will be really struggling for goals.

Middlesbrough will play a 4-3-3 defensive formation again, as it’s an away game. They are playing Southampton at a good time in theory. They are all over the place but man for man they are better than ‘Boro. They hope Southampton will be shattered after their Europa league match and if Middlesbrough can take their chances they could win this. They expect 1-1 mainly.

Fans of Liverpool are confident they will beat visitors West Ham.  They are hugely disappointed by losing to Bournemouth but being ‘champions elect’ they have to be strong in the next game. They want a huge reaction here not just for points but also for confidence. Adam Lallana will come in, they predict,  but the front three should stay the same. Roberto Firmino is not good on the wing, perhaps Divock Origi can play there instead, but that is unlikely to happen. They hope to demolish a poor West Ham, but they are worried about their own attackforce – they need to pick up the intensity.

West Ham fans wonder if Slaven Bilic has lost the dressing room. They think it will be a big loss at Anfield, which will see their goal difference take one hell of a beating. A humungous loss is the main prediction, although the return of players from injury, like Aaron Cresswell, gives them a few molecules of hope.

Conclusion

The big teams are all predicted to win heavily and the others will be playing very close matches. Fantasy teams playing a 3-5-2 formation full of premium midfield picks could have a very good Gameweek.

Who to captain?

Kevin De Bruyne looks a strong bet. My statistics say the Belgian and Liverpool’s Sadio Mane will do well, but my head is saying Alexis Sanchez because I know Stoke’s defensive statistics are very skewed after seven easy games. The Potters have yet to face a top four side on the road.

My head also says Eden Hazard, as West Brom concede to mainly midfielders.