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
Tottenham fans aren’t impressed; their games are nervy and probably will be for a while or until Moussa Dembele comes back. Most predict a very tough game when Liverpool visit this weekend. Some are quite happy with a draw though others are hoping they can sneak a small win. Tottenham do better against teams that don’t sit back but the fans aren’t looking forward to this game.
Liverpool will probably play the 4-3-3 formation with a false nine again, pressing high up the pitch. Their weakness is still defence and they will probably concede. If they come away with a point they’d be happy. Some predict they can win, others aren’t so sure. Again Liverpool don’t like playing teams that sit back so it could very well be a high scoring draw, possibly 2-2.. They have pointed out that their midfield is lightweight without Emre Can.
Watford fans are upbeat. They have creative players and are happy to pay to watch them play, unlike last season where ticket money was handed over reluctantly. However, they aren’t upbeat about the Arsenal match. Some think it’s an inevitable loss and Arsenal will run rings around them but some think they can win. There’s some hope but mostly pessimism about Watford assets in Gameweek 3.
Arsenal fans seem more interested in the international break and the transfer market than the Watford clash. They should have a full team but are annoyed that a lack of transfer activity means they will still have to rely on Olivier Giroud for goals. They expect at least a 2-0 win but their chief concern is whether Arsene Wenger will once again let them down and fail to bring in more players when the transfer window finally shuts next week.
Leicester think they will win comfortably against Swansea. Even their most cautious fans think they’ll be victorious. They say they may lack a little bit of fitness or intensity but the quality is still there. Jamie Vardy is still sluggish and a concern but most fans think it will be the same team against Arsenal and could be 3-0.
Swansea fans think their centre back partnership is suspect. They fear the pace of the Leicester strikers mostly. and rate Jordi Amat more than Federico Fernandez. The latter has regressed because other teams have worked him out, they feel. The defence is still susceptible at set pieces and prone to errors. Swansea fans fear their team will show Leicester too much respect and sit back. A loss is expected but there are pockets of optimism that the Swans could sneak a victory.
Chelsea fans want Cesc Fabregas to start. Burnley will play 4-4-2 and sit deep, whilst not committing more than three players in their half. They soaked up the pressure last time this fixture came around so Chelsea will need to do something to open Burnley up. Chelsea say they still have a leaky defence and they predict a 2-1 win mainly. Some would also like two strikers up front with Michy Batshuayi getting a start.
Burnley were happy about their Gameweek 2 win against Liverpool, despite having less than 20% possession. But they are less pleased about losing midweek against Accrington Stanley in the League Cup. They are happy with their transfer activity so far but still hope for a signing or two.
Crystal Palace fans are calling for Alan Pardew to be sacked. Palace haven’t got better after their dreadful end to last season. They are happy about Christian Benteke being signed from Liverpool but assume he won’t start. Connor Wickham scores in bunches, he scored midweek and probably the Benteke signing might ignite him. Palace fans like playing teams that attack them and are hoping Bournemouth do but don’t believe they will. On a good day, Palace should win this game.
Bournemouth have quite a large squad to choose from so they are hoping for a few changes. Options include playing Nathan Ake in central midfield, Max Gradel to get a start on the flank and perhaps have Benik Afobe up front. Most are predicting a score draw. Bournemouth haven’t found their rhythm yet but it will come at some point.
Southampton think Sunderland won’t play to get a result so there won’t be much space in behind for Southampton’s pacey forwards. Some expect to win but not by too much. An early goal could create some holes in Sunderland’s defence though. They don’t think they’ll keep a cleansheet because the diamond formation doesn’t give them much protection. The fans don’t like this formation but think their new manager is quite stubborn so it will stay for a while.
Sunderland fans are in two minds about the result, it will either be a draw or a heavy defeat. The team is threadbare at the moment, especially in defence but it depends on whether Southampton turn up and whether David Moyes can stop the party. Donald Love was bought as backup and that’s where he’ll stay after they’ve signed a new right back. The Sunderland fans have been very critical of the former Manchester United defender. Despite the pessimism about the Southampton game they are overall happy and pleased to have David Moyes as manager.
Hull fans are looking forward to this top of the table clash with Manchester United. Hull had most of their men in their box against Swansea, who found it hard to break them down. Hull time waste a lot ,which is normally good for defensive teams. However, the Hull fans still predict to concede about two. Some strangely think they will get a cleansheet but most think it will be 1-2.
Man United fans are supremely confident against Hull City. They should win handsomely because their team simply has too much quality. They predict a 2-0 or 3-0 win in a poll where a lot of them voted. There is a real buzz around the team at the moment. A few point out that former Red Devils assistant manager Mike Phelan isn’t to be underestimated at the helm at Hull. Half of Manchester United fans have voted Ibrahimovic to be man of the match with Paul Pogba taking a third of votes.
Everton fans are disappointed Seamus Coleman is still injured and are desperate for him to be back. They assume Gerard Deulofeu will be on the bench and that Romelu Lukaku will be back up front. They hope to beat Stoke, who found themselves getting caught on the counter in the second half against Manchester City last weekend. Some fans expect a nervy draw, with others touting a resounding victory with Lukaku the most likely scorer.
Stoke fans say Everton look good at the moment so they’d take a point if offered. Stoke need to shore up their defence and get a goal on the break to have a chance. They predict a loss and aren’t looking forward to seeing Erik Pieters defend against Everton’s right winger.
West Brom fans say there is pressure on Tony Pulis because they lost midweek. I think it’s more hope than anything concrete. Pulis will be around for a while but they don’t want him to be. He does seem to get results when the pressure is on, though, so against Middlesborough they’ll probably win. The Baggies don’t like playing against teams that sit back and they assume ‘Boro will pass it around, which are the teams Pulis does best against. It’s going to be a low scoring game versus the ‘Boro, according to the fans.
Middlesborough think the Baggies’ clash could be 1-1. Again they predict a low-scoring encounter with most choosing Alvaro Negredo as first goalscorer. Last year though the evidence pointed to most goals being scored against West Brom from midfield, which could mean Gaston Ramirez gets on the score sheet. They have been unlucky with injuries of late, with George Friend among the latest on the treatment table, but hopefully it shouldn’t impact this game. They fear errors from Brad Guzan in goal though.
Manchester City are happy Andy Carroll won’t play because he always seems to do well against them. Last year West Ham took four points off them and the fans still can’t understand why. They are sure of a win this time around especially as West Ham will be tired from their disappointing Europa League qualification campaign that saw them jettisoned from the competition this week. Manchester City are happy they played quite badly against Stoke on a rainy day and still won 4-1. There is also talk of John Stones becoming captain one day.
West Ham don’t seem to have enough time to predict the Man City match, with their Europa league exit and injury concerns. What little they do say about the potential team centres around a dislike of Enner Valencia up top. One bright spark appears to be Ashley Fletcher, who is popular among fans.
Conclusion
There doesn’t seem to be many upsets around this week. There also doesn’t seem to be many big wins. The fans seem as confused as we do but it is only the third week into the season. They will just be watching.
Who to captain? Aguero looks the best bet. This could get boring but how can anyone look past the best striker in the league, with statistics through the roof, playing in a team who are passing him the ball at every moment. I’ll choose a second – Riyad Mahrez, my limited stats could be pointing towards him. Meanwhile, Olivier Giroud could be the best differential. Ignored and often derided, he could nevertheless prosper against Watford.
