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

Fans’ Predictions

Villa fans say their game against Chelsea could be worse than their game with Liverpool. They expect a heavy defeat, perhaps around 0-4. Another protest looms at Villa Park and much of the fans’ discussion is around who the next manager will be. Currently Nigel Pearson is seen as the best of a bad bunch of names being mooted.

Chelsea fans aren’t upbeat either; they have nothing to play for. Again they want the youngsters to play, but they think Guus Hiddink will play most of the older, regular players. They expect to win and against a very poor Villa side this should be a stroll in the park irrespective of whether Hiddink fields old heads or young guns.  

Bournemouth fans think Man City will score about two goals against them in most predictions. Some are hoping for a 2-2 draw, but most are predicting a narrow loss with both teams to score. There isn’t much on their forum, they are safe and enjoying their team. I’m sure they’ll enjoy the City game.

Man City fans have a bit of optimism going into the game, Kevin De Bruyne will be back though will probably start on the bench. Sami Nasri is also returning; this gives them a chance to rest David Silva. They think they will go on a good run from now until the end of the season. Some expect Bournemouth to make City struggle, but City to win by a goal or two is the consensus from the City fans.

Norwich and Newcastle have a huge game and these are the games the Canaries need to win to avoid relegation. The fans are more buoyant in this game and believe they have the determination to prevail. The Rafa Benitez effect may even backfire on Newcastle they feel, with the glimmer of hope he offers adding further pressure on the beleaguered Magpies. Norwich fans want to keep it tight and will happily take a 1-0 victory.

Newcastle fans are very nervous but think they can win this and have been impressed that the team hasn’t fallen to pieces after conceding under Benitez. The fans don’t have a clue what their best team is, but with their fixtures being so kind they believe Newcastle can avoid relegation. This game is a classic six-pointer they can’t afford to lose.

Stoke are looking forward to a good game against Swansea.  They have injuries at the back with Jack Butland and Ryan Shawcross out but most are expecting Swansea to park the bus, and on previous away form not very well.  They see Swansea as a poor team that is very beatable.

Swansea fans would take a draw; they hope they don’t sit back and they want to put pressure on Stoke’s defence. It will be a low-scoring game they feel and the fans are hoping to see a strong away performance.

Sunderland fans are happy that they have a good team; it’s one of the best teams they’ve ever assembled and are quietly confident against West Brom. They saw the Baggies against Norwich and believe they are already on their holidays.  This has even prompted thoughts of a rare clean sheet for the Black Cats. They don’t know what Big Sam has in store for them tactics-wise but it should be good enough to beat West Brom and most are going for a 2-0 win.

West Brom fans are expecting a defeat; they are also mainly predicting a 2-0 win for Sunderland. If Tony Pulis can rally the troops then they might have a chance but they don’t expect this to happen. Sunderland are desperate for a win and will probably get it. They also believe that West Brom players are in their flip-flops ready for the summer.

West Ham fans notice that Crystal Palace can’t keep the ball, which should help them and will give their attack chances. Hammers fans are always worried about playing at home against lesser teams who sit back; they find it hard to break them down. However, this recurring theme that Palace lose the ball so easily is something that could spark a goal flurry from the Hammers.

Crystal Palace fans are worried that they might not win another game this season; they can’t score and can’t stop conceding. They call Alan Pardew’s narrow 4-4-2 formation – ‘hoofball’. They are looking further ahead to their game against Norwich and the FA Cup semi-final rather than worrying about West Ham. They have been talking a lot about Mark Noble and how they like his professionalism and how he keeps hold of the ball, another indictment that Palace can’t keep possession. Yannick Bolasie should be playing on the wing too they believe.

Arsenal fans are deflated; their season is over. They think they’ll win most games from now until the end of the season in typical Arsenal style. Mesut Ozil is still creating chances but Arsenal have been woeful up front. In their game against Watford they predict a 2-0 scoreline.

Watford fans have their eye on the FA cup semi as well as Palace. They think there will be some experimentation of players and tactics so they might get thumped. They will probably be more attacking as well. 

Liverpool have injury concerns up front against Spurs. They want to put a dent in Spurs’ title challenge but it could be difficult. Liverpool struggle against decent forwards, runners from midfield and counter-attacking play, which are all attributes of the Tottenham team. They think it will be a good game; this is their last chance to get into the top four so they should be trying. 

Spurs are obviously going for a win against Liverpool and are glad that the Merseyside team will be thinking more about their Europa League match than this one. They expect Jurgen Klopp to put out his best team but there is hope he will rest one or two stars. They want Wimmer to keep his place instead of the returning Jan Vertonghen. They don’t give any score predictions, they just want to win.

Leicester will be playing a day after Spurs so the nervousness during the game will be dependent upon the Tottenham result. Leicester will be playing a good Southampton side, which the fans fear a little but most are praying for another 1-0 win. They think Graziano Pelle can dominate Wes Morgan so they’ll need their full-backs to stop any service into him. The previous match-up with the Saints saw Leicester dismantle them in the second half so Leicester know they can win this.

Southampton fans are bickering like most fans have been doing this season about whether losing to Leicester would be a good or a bad thing. Some fans are hoping to lose so that the Foxes can win the title, whereas other fans are incensed, saying that fans should never want their own teams to lose. There’s very little in the way of predictions but they aren’t expecting to win.

Man United fans believe they can beat Everton, who like United struggle with balancing their attack and midfield. This match very much depends on which Everton turn up on the day.

Everton can win every match and not get into Europe and lose every match and not get relegated. They have little to play for, so some fans are calling for a bit of rotation. They weren’t happy with their defeat against Arsenal and especially Ross Barkley. They think they’ll lose and aren’t very confident in Romelu Lukaku getting much of the ball.

Score Predictions

*Games where fans’ predictions could be key

Aston Villa 0-2 Chelsea

Bournemouth 1-2 Man City

Norwich 1-1 Newcastle

Stoke 1-0 Swansea

Sunderland 2-0 West Brom*

West Ham 3-0 Crystal Palace*

Arsenal 2-0 Watford

Liverpool 1-2 Tottenham

Man United 2-2 Everton

Leicester 1-0 Southampton

Conclusion

There is very little tactical talk by the fans this week, they are just happy the international break is over and prefer to just watch the games rather than predict scores.

Who to captain? Dimitri Payet. The fans make me envisage a game where it will be wave after wave of West Ham attacks and their best strikers will be playing as well. Sergio Aguero is always a good pick and should be quite safe too.

Differentials could include Manuel Lanzini and Patrick van Aanholt.