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
Norwich fans aren’t optimistic, they are looking at future fixtures to guess their fate. Their recent eight games against Man City have seen them concede an average of four a game. They would like a back three but they tried that last time against City and were easily outplayed.
Man City fans are hoping to get an easy win against Norwich but they recognise their opponents are fighting for the Premier League survival so it won’t be all that easy. They hope for a repeat performance of their earlier cup match against them that finished 3-0 in January. They say that both Sergio Aguero and Yaya Toure are looking hungry and they think Aguero could get two in this game.
Stoke fans really like their midfielder Gianelli Imbula and think they are a better team with him. He has the edge that puts them above other mid-table teams. They really want to get into the Europa League places, which will be hard; they’d have to win about 70% of their remaining games so they still have something left to play for. They are happy that Southampton defender Jose Fonte is suspended and that their own captain Ryan Shawcross is set to be back. Stoke fans are quietly confident in this game.
Saints fans are not optimistic. Stoke beat them well at St Marys and they can be deceptively good especially at home. They’d like 3-5-2 back because Jose Fonte is out. Maya Yoshida – his replacement- looks a good player but Saints fans don’t rate him. Some want 4-4-2 with Ryan Bertrand as a centre back. In terms of attack the fans verdict is that it is threadbare, with an impotent midfield and a leaky defence. A draw is the best Southampton’s fans are realistically hoping for.
Bournemouth fans think they are safe from relegation so they aren’t talking about the Swansea game much. They are wondering where they will finish in the table and most have gone for 13th. They predict in their last nine games they will get three wins, three draws and three losses in no particular order.
Swansea fans are happy that they’ve moved away from the bottom three. They recognise that they and Bournemouth can play good football and expect to see a positive display from both. They hope to win maybe 2-1 but a draw would be good enough to keep them rolling. It’s an unpredictable match but will be good fun for both sets of fans.
Villa fans say their team has given up and so should they. The attendances are dwindling and a lot of fans won’t be going to see them lose to Spurs. They all agree that Spurs will score two or more, it just depends how many over two it will be. They don’t know what their best defence is or if it even exists. Some will be captaining Harry Kane in their Fantasy teams and focusing on that considering how dire their real football experience has been this season.
It’s rare for Spurs fans to put up a Premier League match thread before their Europa game has been played so they must feel confident against Villa. And they do, this match should increase their goal difference. They are due a big win and this match should be it. The only problem may be that they are tired after playing Borussia Dortmund, so they have to score first against Villa. Also, three of the top five have only got a point at Villa Park. But mainly, Spurs should win easily and well.
Leicester fans think it will be a rout against Newcastle. The Geordies are playing so badly nothing can help them. Most have predicted 3-0 to the Foxes. Newcastle’s defence is dire and they have a lot of injuries there. They hope Steve McClaren is still in charge for this game to keep the Magpies rudderless momentum going. On the other hand, they are worried that Newcastle can sometimes turn up for televised games and because the fixtures after are so huge Newcastle could see this as a free game and play with more motivation. However, in reality most recognise that Newcastle are not a Norwich who can play solidly. Jamie Vardy is predicted to have a good game by the fans.
Newcastle fans aren’t best pleased with Steve McClaren. If you like stats, 97.2% of Toon fans want him to get sacked. They have a better chance with a new manager and are predicting a 3-0 loss on average. Leicester beat them very well at St James Park and there is not a glimmer of hope of a victory. Magpies fans believe this will feature the hardest working team in the league against the laziest and fear the worst.
Predictions
*Games where Fan’s Predictions helps
Norwich 0-3 Man City
Stoke 2-1 Southampton*
Bournemouth 0-1 Swansea
Aston Villa 0-3 Spurs
Leicester 4-0 Newcastle
Conclusion
The games look quite predictable this week.
Who to captain? Kane, Vardy or Aguero. They all could score twice and probably will, the teams they play against can’t stop them. Aguero has the slightly toughest fixture but he’s the better player, and Jamie Vardy has the highest chance of scoring points. Personally, I’m going for Vardy. Surprisingly, Marko Arnautovic could be a good player to have as Southampton will struggle without Jose Fonte.
