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
Bournemouth fans say Sunderland are a terrible side and they should win regardless. They don’t give the Black Cats much of a chance, with almost all predicting a 2-0 or 3-0 victory to the home side. Cherries fans think there’s a chance Josh King could play up front instead of Callum Wilson. King is healthier and quicker at the moment. But if Wilson starts they anticipate he will be their first goalscorer as they hand another humiliation to David Moyes’ troops.
Abandon hope all ye Sunderland fans. They’ve basically given up hope for this match and their season. Only a minority think they can win when they visit Bournemouth. No one is predicting a draw though. Opinion on Moyes remains divided; some think he can bring stability, most though have seen enough. A particular worry is how disorganised they became at the end of last weekend’s defeat to Arsenal. Hull were similarly chaotic when they visited the Vitality Stadium and that ended in a 6-1 defeat, Sunderland fans point out.
Burnley fans are mainly discussing how much their goalkeeper Tom Heaton is worth. To them he’s priceless, especially after saving 11 goal attempts in last weekend’s 0-0 draw with Manchester United. Those willing to put a price on the England stopper think £25m is the bare minimum price tag he deserves. In regards to the Crystal Palace game they fear this may not be Heaton’s day, with the visitors expected to score. Most think this will end in a low score draw, with Christian Benteke and Wilfried Zaha the players they fear the most.
Fans of Crystal Palace are also optimistic their side with score. Many have noted that Burnley have conceded a large number of chances at home and believe that Heaton can’t keep the ball out of the net forever. Eagles supporters also think they will concede and have noted that Burnley are particularly adept at set pieces, which Palace are terrible at defending. Clarets defender Michael Keane is the player they think could get on the score sheet. A good game is predicted.
Manchester City fans expect a win against Middlesborough. They don’t see it as being a tough game in any way and no City fans are mentioning ‘Boro’s resolute defence in recent games.. They just assume it will be an easy win with Sergio Aguero amongst the goals. After thrashing Barcelona midweek who can blame them for such optimism.
Some Middlesborough fans want a return to the 4-3-3 formation they used so effectively against Arsenal, where they got a lot of men in the opposition box and defended well. Many ‘Boro fans believe City old boy Alvaro Negredo will score against his former club, but some say the home side will need to make an error for him to prevail in front of goal. Their speedy winger Adama Traore is also being talked up but few can see anything other than a victory for City and their pressing game.
West Ham fans say the absence of their suspended centre back Winston Reid will be a big loss. They don’t see many goals in this game but they hope for a home win. Stoke striker Wilfried Bony getting back to form, with a brace at home to Swansea on Monday, doesn’t make them particularly happy. They have also noticed that Stoke look a far better side recently. West Ham have such a big squad so there is little consensus on the best XI. Dimitri Payet had a bad game last time out, they say, but he’s allowed one. The feeling is that their talismanic set piece specialist will have a far better game this time around.
There won’t be many goals in this game, say Stoke fans. Most back their own team to win but all the predictions suggest a tight game. With so many players out they’ve had a go at predicting a raft of different teams and formations. Joe Allen gets moved around in all the crazy options put forward. In reality it is likely to be business as usual with Allen tucked in behind Bony. A 1-1 draw looks likely from the fans perspective.
Chelsea fans are happy Steven Naismith doesn’t play for Everton anymore, as he always used to score against them. They are happy with their side but feel they need more goal scorers across the team. They can’t just rely on Diego Costa and Eden Hazard all season. They are happy Idriss Gueye, who is suspended, isn’t playing for the Toffees so hopefully the Blues can control the centre of the park. They seem worried by Everton’s attack though, especially Romelu Lukaku and Yannick Bolasie. A tight win is the most popular prediction.
A backs to the wall defensive display will be needed to keep Chelsea at bay, say the Everton fans. Gueye’s absence is a concern but they still think they have the defensive resolve to do avoid a heavy defeat. Tom Cleverly is tipped to come into midfield in what they expect to be a tight game, with perhaps a narrow loss on the cards. Chelsea sit back and have low possession, say Toffees fans, so a defensive game could work for Everton. There is also lots of space for Everton wingers at Stamford Bridge, which could be good news for those with Bolasie in their Fantasy sides.
Arsenal fans predict a win against arch-rivals Spurs but feel they will need their injury doubt defender Hector Bellerin to achieve that. This is the most confident Gunners fans have been going into a North London Derby for some time, but they still concede that Tottenham will be a tough team to break down. Theo Walcott is being predicted to start this game and the fans feel his absence in the Champions League midweek was more of a precaution. A 2-0 victory to the Gunners is the main prediction.
Not enough goals, is the key concern of Tottenham fans. Their squad depth on that front is poor but they say the goals will come back when golden boot Harry Kane gets back and their midfield gels. Fatigue could be an issue, after a testing loss in the Champions League midweek, and most are pessimistic they will win this latest derby. The thread about the game is a lot smaller than you would expect for such a prestige encounter. Nevertheless being a derby the form book can count for nothing.
Liverpool fans think it will be a free flowing game against Watford. The Hornets will probably try to hit them on the counter and the Liverpool attack should have too much quality. This could be a high scoring game in their opinion. They’d like a cleansheet but are not too concerned as long as they score a hatful. Liverpool have played similar teams in the last few weeks so they should have good preperation. Most think Roberto Firmino will score.
Home and away differences are concerning Watford fans. They are far better on familiar turf and fear they will sit deep and isolate their front men against Liverpool. Having said that some are hopeful of a win if only to annoy BBC pundit Mark Lawrenson, who doesn’t fancy Watford’s chances.
Southampton have just beaten Inter Milan in the Europa League and from their match thread they say they are a better team with the threat of Charlie Austin up front. They want to see Nathan Redmond on the right too. They predict a 2-0 win for the Saints against Hull, who they have a good record against. Despite playing on Thursday they believe there will be no fitness concerns ahead of Sunday’s match.
A few Hull City fans give themselves a fighting chance against Southampton but a lot predict a 2-0 loss. They can smell relegation because they don’t have enough quality. They might start Josh Tymon at wingback shortly even though he’s a mere 17. Hull just aren’t in form and fans are already gearing up for Championship football next term.
Swansea fans aren’t impressed by Bob Bradley’s managerial decisions in their loss to Stoke. In fact about a third want him gone already. Others defend him saying Swansea don’t have enough players of quality, but those who want him gone say that he should at least play Swansea’s best players. Manchester United should be tired traveling back from Europa League exertions in Turkey so there is room for optimism. A return for Jordi Amat is being predicted.
Man Utd fans are very down after losing against Fenerbahce in the Europa League and they suggest the Swansea game will be dire. The midfield will lack Paul Pogba and will be too rigid. This could even turn into another embarrassing loss, with fans particularly concerned by their side’s poor away form. From a fans point of view this is not an encounter they are looking forward to.
A bore draw is the most popular prediction among Leicester fans, ahead of their home tie with West Brom. As with the recent home game against Southampton, which also followed a midweek Champions League game, they think this game will be flat. They have noted that their back up keeper Ron-Robert Ziegler is poor at set pieces, which will be a concern to those who have drafted in a Leicester defender.
West Brom fans believe the absence of Nacer Chadli is a major loss and means they will have to work even harder to gain any kind of chance. The fans are worried about their side’s poor performances on the road but most believe they could gain something from this encounter.
Conclusion
There are a lot of tight games this week. In terms of a goal haul I think Manchester City and Liverpool will be the most likely teams to deliver.
Who to captain? Sergio Aguero is my top pick even though Middlesbrough have a good defence. I feel ‘Boro will struggle to get out of their own half. Philippe Coutinho is my second choice in a Gameweek where heavy hitters should deliver.
