Premier Predictions (Weeks 18 and 19)

Merry Christmas Everybody  🎄  🎅  🔔  🍷  🍺  🎄

Here's a double Christmas post as all these are played in the week after Christmas, and you might have other things on your mind :)

Things looking good for Liverpool with 3 easy games coming up (although I hope West Ham can pull off a shock?).
Man City would normally have 3 easy games coming up, but that was then.
Shame Russell Martin has gone, hope they play the same way this week.
No doubt a few shock results coming up.

========================================
Week 18 (Thursday 26th and Friday 27th)
8 games Thursday, 2 games Friday

Man City v Everton
Bournemouth v Crystal Palace
Chelsea v Fulham
Newcastle v Aston Villa
Nottm Forest v Tottenham
Southampton v West Ham
Wolves v Man Utd
Liverpool v Leicester
*
Brighton v Brentford
Arsenal v Ipswich

========================================
Week 19 (Sunday 29th to Wednesday 1st January)
6 games Sunday, 3 games Monday, and one game on Wednesday for some reason?

Leicester v Man City
Crystal Palace v Southampton
Everton v Nottm Forest
Fulham v Bournemouth
Tottenham v Wolves
West Ham v Liverpool
*
Aston Villa v Brighton
Ipswich v Chelsea
Man Utd v Newcastle
*
Brentford v Arsenal

========================================

Good Luck All   😀

Premier Predictions (Week 17)

5 Games Saturday, 5 Games on Sunday
Before the Christmas rush.

A lot of fixtures which could go either way?
Fulham probably the only safe bet.
West Ham did manage a win over Brighton last season for the first time in many years, but not feeling confident.
Man City's woes to continue?
Brentford's impressive home form against shock team Forest.
Crystal Palace's return to form against Arsenal.
Liverpool going to Tottenham who are totally unpredictable.
Chelsea against the 11 man defence?

Aston Villa v Man City
Brentford v Nottm Forest
Ipswich v Newcastle
West Ham v Brighton
Crystal Palace v Arsenal

Everton v Chelsea
Fulham v Southampton
Leicester v Wolves
Man Utd v Bournemouth
Tottenham v Liverpool

Good Luck All  😀

Premier Predictions (Week 16)

Week 16
5 Games on Saturday, 4 on Sunday, 1 on Monday

Top 5 all at home, all should expect a win?
Manchester derby might be interesting given City's current form.

Chelsea on form, Brentford rubbish away but they have won their last 3 games at the Bridge?
Big game at the bottom between Wolves and Ipswich.
Southampton have a chance of some points at home to Tottenham.

West Ham play Monday again, 

Bournemouth should be favourites but the Hammers have won 4 and drawn 3 of the last 7 meetings.

Also we have a great Monday night record with 12 wins in 15 in the 2020's

Arsenal v Everton
Liverpool v Fulham
Newcastle v Leicester
Wolves v Ipswich
Nottm Forest v Aston Villa
*
Brighton v Crystal Palace
Man City v Man Utd
Chelsea v Brentford
Southampton v Tottenham
*
Bournemouth v West Ham

Good Luck All  😀

Premier Predictions (Week 15)

Week 15 on us already
5 Games on Saturday, 4 on Sunday, 1 on Monday

Lunch time kick off for the Mersey derby, shock win for Everton in the week but Liverpool a bit tougher than Wolves.
Man City face bogey team Palace which might halt their mini revival.
Arsenal go to unpredictable Fulham on Sunday.
Form team Chelsea head to Tottenham, who's form is a mystery.
Monday it's the sack race? we usually beat them with 4 wins in a row under Moyes and a 10-0 goal difference, but that was then. 🙄

Everton v Liverpool
Aston Villa v Southampton
Brentford v Newcastle
Crystal Palace v Man City
Man Utd v Nottm Forest
*
Fulham v Arsenal
Ipswich v Bournemouth
Leicester v Brighton
Tottenham v Chelsea
*
West Ham v Wolves


Good Luck All  😀

Premier Predictions (Week 13 + 14)

Busy few weeks coming up with some teams facing 7 matches before Christmas, with Premier League, Europe and Carabao Cup.

So here's two game weeks at once, weeks 13 and 14.

Week 13 - kicks off on Friday night at 8:00 pm  (that's 12 midday for Biopunk)
One game Friday, 5 games on Saturday and 4 on Sunday.

South coast derby to start, in form Brighton home to self harming Southampton.
Arsenal over their hiccup have a chance to cut the gap, but hoping they don't  😜
Some big games on Sunday, usually you would be thinking Man City could cause Liverpool problems, but not at the moment.
Chelsea v Villa both teams in Europe this week, both think they are top 4 teams.
Dyche v Amorim will be a good clash of styles  🙄

Brighton v Southampton
*
Brentford v Leicester
Crystal Palace v Newcastle
Nottm Forest v Ipswich
Wolves v Bournemouth
West Ham v Arsenal
*
Chelsea v Aston Villa
Man Utd v Everton
Tottenham v Fulham
Liverpool v Man City

====================================================

Week 14 - kicks off on Tuesday night at 7:30 pm
2 games Tuesday, 6 games on Wednesday and 2 on Thursday.

Ipswich v Crystal Palace
Leicester v West Ham
*
Everton v Wolves
Man City v Nottm Forest
Newcastle v Liverpool
Southampton v Chelsea
Arsenal v Man Utd
Aston Villa v Brentford
*
Fulham v Brighton
Bournemouth v Tottenham

Good Luck All  😀

Premier Predictions (Week 12)

Back again, 7 games on Saturday, 2 on Sunday and one on Monday.
Top v bottom on Sunday, Man City going for 5 losses on the trot??
4th v 5th at the Emirates.

Leicester v Chelsea
Arsenal v Nottm Forest
Aston Villa v Crystal Palace
Bournemouth v Brighton
Everton v Brentford
Fulham v Wolves
Man City v Tottenham
*
Southampton v Liverpool
Ipswich v Man Utd
Newcastle v West Ham

Good Luck All  😀

Break Time

No proper footie for nearly two weeks, so time to reflect.
Usually fall asleep during these pointless England games, but they turned in one of the best performances I had seen in many years.
No Palmer, Saka, Foden or Kane (at the start), but the replacements were really good.
Curtis Jones' previous call ups were mainly because he was a bit part Liverpool player, but this season he actually deserved it and was probably man of the match. 

Pickford showing he's still far and away our best keeper was a close second.
Madueke, I get the feeling he wants to show off his skills and tries to beat everyone single handed at Chelsea, but played the team game last night and was really good.
Let's hope they don't blow it against Ireland.

Referee Coote paying the price for giving a penalty for West Ham, especially against Man Utd with the release of the blackmail tapes.

West Ham, Lopetegui needing to do something fast as we've been awful this season.
I called him the Spanish Moyes when he took over, but I don't think he's that good. So called 'experts' said we'd had a good transfer window? Apart from AWB, Rodriguez (on a free) and maybe Summerville when he plays the rest have not really been an improvement, and letting JWP go on loan to a rival was crazy.
Just finding it hard to like him, his press conferences and interviews are as dull as ditchwater without the humour of some of our previous managers even when they had been doing badly, thinking of Allardyce, Bilic and Moyes.
Would love Mourinho, might not play better but the interviews would be great. 😁

Anyway here's the early predictions full details.
I think I need to go back to gut instinct, instead of analysing likely results?

 

Premier Predictions (Week 11)

Week 11 the last one before yet another International week. 😠
6 games on Saturday, 4 on Sunday
No early games so it's a 3pm kick off, but the Liverpool Villa game is late on Saturday.

Mixed week in Europe with Rodri-less Man City getting hammered by Sporting for a 3rd straight defeat, even Haaland having a nightmare. Going to Brighton not ideal for them.
Liverpool the form team take on Villa, who's drop in form has coincided with Mings coming back (did well last season when he didn't play). 🤔
Arsenal with just one point from last 3 PL games and a defeat in Europe go to Chelsea.
Posting this before Chelsea play Noah's Ark FC, but they are another in-form team.
West Ham meet Everton, our away record is better over them. Will need a massive improvement to avoid another home loss.
Apart from Liverpool and maybe Tottenham expect some tight games.

Brentford v Bournemouth
Crystal Palace v Fulham
West Ham v Everton
Wolves v Southampton
Brighton v Man City
Liverpool v Aston Villa
*
Man Utd v Leicester
Nottm Forest v Newcastle
Tottenham v Ipswich
Chelsea v Arsenal

Good Luck All  😀

Premier Predictions (Week 10)

Week 10 so already over a quarter of the way through the season.
7 games on Saturday, 2 on Sunday and a West London derby on Monday.
Top 5 all have reasonably tough games.
Bottom 6 all play each other

Newcastle v Arsenal
Bournemouth v Man City
Ipswich v Leicester
Liverpool v Brighton
Nottm Forest v West Ham
Southampton v Everton
Wolves v Crystal Palace
*
Tottenham v Aston Villa
Man Utd v Chelsea
*
Fulham v Brentford

Good Luck All  😀

Premier Predictions (Week 09)

Early start this week with a Friday night Midlands derby kicking off at 8pm
Followed by 5 games on Saturday then 4 games on Sunday.
Top game will be Arsenal v Liverpool if Arsenal have any players left, a good week to face the Gooners as they could be missing most of their defence as well as Saka and Odegaard.
How will West Ham's dodgy defence cope against Man Utd's dodgy defence?
A few teams with Euro ties this week also have Carabao cup next week.

Leicester v Nottm Forest
*
Aston Villa v Bournemouth
Brentford v Ipswich
Brighton v Wolves
Man City v Southampton
Everton v Fulham
*
Chelsea v Newcastle
Crystal Palace v Tottenham
West Ham v Man Utd
Arsenal v Liverpool

Good Luck All  😀

Things I Miss

To prove I'm an old git living in the past  😁
Things I miss from my glory days of watching football.

Weekend League matches all played together at 3pm on a Saturday.
Knowing at the start of the season when your team was playing.
Never playing on a Thursday.
Paying at the turnstile on the day.
Terraces, Singing and swaying with the crowd, or being able to move to a better position.
Shirts without advertising on the front.
Cup Replays.
Muddy pitches.
Players wearing 1-11
Cheap coach travel to all away games.
Train ticket, match entrance, a programme, Pint and a burger before kick off and still have change from a fiver.
Friday night games at Southend, due to market on Saturday. Leaving Saturday free for West Ham.

Premier Predictions (Week 08)

The Prem is back 😉
7 games on Saturday, 2 on Sunday, 1 on Monday
Another London derby for West Ham to start, Top 4 clash on Sunday.
Bottom club Wolves take on Man City, Arsenal go to Bournemouth.

Thomas Tuchel the new England manager, did well and unlucky to be fired at Chelsea, Not so good at PSG and Bayern Munich.
Not an inspiring choice but for those saying we should have an English manager there wasn't much to choose from, only Howe, Dyche and O'Neil in the Premier league, Carsley who doesn't seem to want the job, or currently unemployed Potter, Allardyce or Redknapp and that's about it.

Tottenham v West Ham
Fulham v Aston Villa
Ipswich v Everton
Man Utd v Brentford
Newcastle v Brighton
Southampton v Leicester
Bournemouth v Arsenal
*
Wolves v Man City
Liverpool v Chelsea
*
Nottm Forest v Crystal Palace

Good Luck All  😀

England

England's 2-8-0 formation not really working, Carsley's job interview not going well.
Greece 2-1 winners + 3 Disallowed goals and a brilliant goal saving clearance by Colwill.
Totally deserved win.

?? Solanke 2 England Caps

Vitesse - 25 goals
Liverpool - 0 goals - 1 England cap
Bournemouth - 72 goals
Tottenham - 2 goals - 1 England cap

Proving my old point of if pull on a shirt for Liverpool, Tottenham, Man Utd or Chelsea you will get a call up, all others have to be exceptional for any other team?

 

Also RIP George Baldock 😢

Premier Predictions (Week 07)

7 Games on Saturday, 3 on Sunday before yet another International week.

Quite a few tough to call games this week 😕
Arsenal should beat Southampton unless Ramsdale has a blinder.
Liverpool should beat Palace, although they did lose at home to them last time.
Fulham on the up might give Man City a game?
West Ham who knows? Ipswich 4 straight draws.
Villa on a high, Man Utd in the dumps. Should be a home banker but football doesn't work like that 🙄

Crystal Palace v Liverpool
Arsenal v Southampton
Brentford v Wolves
Leicester v Bournemouth
Man City v Fulham
West Ham v Ipswich
Everton v Newcastle
*
Aston Villa v Man Utd
Chelsea v Nottm Forest
Brighton v Tottenham

Good Luck All  😀

Premier Predictions (Week 06)

This week it's 7 games on Saturday, 2 on Sunday and 1 on Monday.

Man City possibly vulnerable this season with Rodri and KDB injured?
Arsenal looking most likely at the moment, Liverpool's front line on form.
Chelsea also looking good as the new manager seems to be sticking to a settled team, rather than trying to keep everybody happy.
West Ham? despite what so called "experts" said about our transfers, my personal view is that I wasn't impressed with the new manager or most of the signings, Summerville good and maybe Kilman but the rest? £20m for Luis Guilherme who can't even get in the U21 squad, £27m for Fullkrug when Duran was available? Hope they prove me wrong.

Anyway after this weekend it's another full week of Euro fixtures coming up.

Newcastle v Man City
Arsenal v Leicester
Brentford v West Ham
Chelsea v Brighton
Everton v Crystal Palace
Nottm Forest v Fulham
Wolves v Liverpool
*
Ipswich v Aston Villa
Man Utd v Tottenham
*
Bournemouth v Southampton

Good Luck All  😀


Hopefully Biopunk's posts will show up? need everyone here to stop Paul  😆

Spam

The stupid thing with Google's spam filter is it blocks posts from regulars

while letting through actual spam 😠

... and a football related moan.

Why don't people like fun in football anymore?

Haaland bouncing the ball of Gabriel's big head was the funniest thing I've seen on the pitch in ages, but nearly all the pundits, commentators etc were all "offended" and want him booked, banned?

Premier Predictions (Week 05)

Week 5
13 teams played Euro and League cup games this week, and 10 play midweek games next week. 

So expect lots of excuses. 🙄
This week 8 games on Saturday, 2 on Sunday.
Obviously the big game is West Ham v Chelsea lunchtime Saturday, plus the title decider is on Sunday.
2 big relegation 6 pointers on Saturday with Everton and Southampton hoping for a first point.

West Ham v Chelsea
Aston Villa v Wolves
Fulham v Newcastle
Leicester v Everton
Liverpool v Bournemouth
Southampton v Ipswich
Tottenham v Brentford
Crystal Palace v Man Utd
*
Brighton v Nottm Forest
Man City v Arsenal

Good Luck All  😀

Premier Predictions (Week 04)

Back from the Internationals, Arteta probably glad that's finished.
8 games on Saturday, 2 on Sunday ahead of a packed week of Euro and Caribou games.

Man City and Liverpool on maximum points, both at home.
Everton and Southampton on zero points but might get something this week?
North London derby on Sunday, Arsenal missing a few players so might be a shock?

Southampton v Man Utd
Brighton v Ipswich
Crystal Palace v Leicester
Fulham v West Ham
Liverpool v Nottm Forest
Man City v Brentford
Aston Villa v Everton
Bournemouth v Chelsea
*
Tottenham v Arsenal
Wolves v Newcastle

Good Luck All  😀

Summer Transfers 2024

Time for my annual pet project, where the Premier league cash was splashed this summer.
Still a few transfer windows open around the world for transfers out, and many players still needing to find a home as free agents.

Spending down slightly, but still over £2 billion changing hands.
As usual Chelsea were the big spenders, Brighton made a big profit last year but blew all that and more this season.
Ipswich taking a big chance bringing in 16 players for £127m. Southampton signing nearly 3 teams worth of players?
Amazingly 6 teams made a profit and Liverpool and Man City spent very little by their standards.
3 of the 4 biggest fees were paid by foreign teams.

The Chart:
(Info based on the best sources I could find, includes squad and youth players).

Total Spend - £2,280,870,000
Most Players In - Southampton 29, Everton 17, Aston Villa, Ipswich, Nottm Forest 16
Most Players Out - Chelsea 45, Arsenal 38, Brighton 36
Most Money Paid - Chelsea £287.4m, Brighton £201.9m, Man Utd £195.5m
Most Money Received - Man City £197.95m, Chelsea £187.95m, Aston Villa £152.6m
Largest Profit - Man City £174.85m, Wolves £31.1m, Crystal Palace £29.9m
Largest Defecit - Brighton £151.4m, Ipswich £125.42m, Chelsea £99.45m

Largest Fees Paid (Over £40m)

Julian Alvarez [Man City - Atletico Madrid] £81.5m **
Dominic Solanke [Bournemouth - Tottenham] £65m    
Moussa Diaby [Aston Villa - Al Ittihad] £60m **
Michael Olise [Crystal Palace - Bayern Munich] £60m **
Pedro Neto [Wolves - Chelsea] £54m    
Joao Felix [Atletico Madrid - Chelsea] £52m    
Leny Yoro [Lille - Man Utd] £52m    
Amadou Onana [Everton - Aston Villa] £50m    
Manuel Ugarte [Paris SG - Man Utd] £50m    
Joao Palhinha [Fulham - Bayern Munich] £46.5m **
Riccardo Calafiori [Bologna - Arsenal] £45m    
Ian Maatsen [Chelsea - Aston Villa] £44m    
Matthijs de Ligt [Bayern Munich - Man Utd] £42.9m    
Douglas Luiz [Aston Villa - Juventus] £42.35m **
Archie Gray [Leeds - Tottenham] £41.2m
Evanilson [Porto - Bournemouth] £40.2m

Premier Predictions (Week 03)

After last weeks high scoring affair, let's see if we can do it again?
7 Games on Saturday, 3 On Sunday
International break coming up after this (yawn) 🥱

2 of the Top 3 to start, see how good Brighton really are?
West Ham take on City, Hammers 2 wins in 3 without looking any better than last season, while City and Haaland have hit the ground running.
Liverpool go to Man Utd on Sunday, always interesting even though it's not the big game it once was.

Arsenal v Brighton
Brentford v Southampton
Everton v Bournemouth
Ipswich v Fulham
Leicester v Aston Villa
Nottm Forest v Wolves
West Ham v Man City
*
Chelsea v Crystal Palace
Newcastle v Tottenham
Man Utd v Liverpool

Good Luck All  😀

Premier Predictions (Week 02)

Week 2
7 games on Saturday, 3 on Sunday
Top of the table Brighton v Man U is the early game on Saturday.
Chelsea already in Euro action this week, lucky they have lots of players.
Hard start for Ipswich, Liverpool last week now away to Man City.

Brighton v Man Utd
Crystal Palace v West Ham
Fulham v Leicester
Man City v Ipswich
Southampton v Nottm Forest
Tottenham v Everton
Aston Villa v Arsenal
*
Bournemouth v Newcastle
Wolves v Chelsea
Liverpool v Brentford

Good Luck All  😀

Premier Predictions (Week 01)

(Drum Roll) ....  🥁

Here we go again the Premier League is back, so if anybody is still interested here we go with the 15th NBTF Premier Predictions competition (2024-25 Edition).

Hopefully the regular players will be back and anyone reading this blog is welcome to join in at any point, just let me know a name and club supported so I can give you some colours.

It looks like there are going to be lots of re-arranged Friday and Monday night games which muck up this and fantasy football, plus hundreds of other re-arranged for TV games over the season. 😠

T&C's - Usual rules apply

3 Points for a correct score, 1 Point for a correct result.

Predictions League will be decided on weekly wins first, if 2 or more people share a weekly win that will be classed as a draw, if at the end things are still level the total points for the season come into play.

Predictions in the comments please  😀     

Obviously predictions will only count if they are made before the kick offs, please try and post the whole set at once (but I won't enforce it as these Friday night games catch everyone out including me). 

All 380 Premier League games will be covered, plus sometimes FA Cup games and the League Cup Final will be included to make up weeks where there are many postponements due to those games.

Prizes - Just the admiration of everyone who plays

I guess the comments problem is still going on? so if your comment does not post straight away don't worry it should be in my comment moderation box as it assumes a lot of posts are spam.
Will publish as soon as I check.

Here we go  👍

Week 1 - Friday 16th August to Monday 19th August
1 game on Friday night, 6 games Saturday, 2 on Sunday and one on Monday

*

Man Utd v Fulham

*

 Ipswich v Liverpool       

Arsenal v Wolves

Everton v Brighton

Newcastle v Southampton

Nottm Forest v Bournemouth

West Ham v Aston Villa

*

Brentford v Crystal Palace

Chelsea v Man City

*

Leicester v Tottenham

Good Luck All  😀

Season 2024 - 2025

My expectations for the new season

Usually wrong, but I'll give it a go 😊

Arsenal

Last season they kept going, when they usually fade at the end.

If they all stay fit Arsenal are really in with a shout this time, all depends on what City do? 

Aston Villa

Shocked a few last season with the top 4 finish, lots of signings but the pressure of Europe will cost them this season. Might make the Euro positions 

Bournemouth

Surprised me last season, Iraola looked like a terrible choice in the first 10 games but they got a whole lot better.

Will miss Solanke, so bottom half and possibly in the relegation scrap if any of the promoted teams do well.

Brentford

Play some good football, but feel they will be nearer the bottom even if Toney stays. With a fully fit squad they can give anyone a game.

Brighton And Hove Albion

Another new manager (Fabian Hürzeler) I've not heard much about him so no idea what we are going to get? replaces the highly overrated De Zerbi.

Did well last season despite a lot of injuries, will miss Gross. Mid table.

Chelsea

Another new manager (ex Leicester boss Maresca), he probably has no idea what players he has available as Boehly and co do their usual 'buy everything that moves' ritual. Read they have 43 first teamers after another £230m spending spree this summer.

If he can work out what 11 players can play well together they might make top 4?

Crystal Palace

Glasner came in last year and in the last months of the season Palace were flying, when Olise, Eze and Mateta were fit they could beat anyone.

Losing Olise is a big blow, Mateta may need recovery time after the Olympics? and the 'big" teams are sniffing around others.

If they play like they did last season a possible European shout, but a few injuries to key players could drop them into the bottom half.

Everton

One day they will get relegated, I like Dyche no frills but gets results.

If Calvert Lewin actually stayed fit they would easily be mid table, but expect another season near the bottom.

Fulham

A few big players gone, only the frequently injured Smith Rowe in so far so not expecting much from Fulham this season. Might struggle.

Ipswich Town

2 promotions in a row, hope they do well but expect them to struggle.

Maybe like Luton last season they will put in some good performances but don't really have the squad to compete with the big boys.

Some big money arrivals who most won't have heard of Greaves, Delap, Hutchinson, Muric. 

Sammie Szmodics could be a great signing? scores goals everywhere he's been, Kalvin Phillips will he be the great Leeds player or the disaster we saw at West Ham and Man City?

Leicester City

Steve Cooper back in the Premier league after Maresca's defection to Chelsea, Dewsbury Hall, Albrighton, Praet and Iheanacho gone, Vardy and Daka injured. Can only see a season of struggle for last season's Championship winners.

Liverpool

New manager Slot has made no signings yet, but apart from injury prone Matip and Thiago everyone else is still there including Salah.

Expect them to be Top 4 but trailing City and Arsenal.

Manchester City

Will always start favourites, but will need to be on their best form to keep Arsenal away. Alvarez going will weaken them but if Haaland is on form they will be hard to stop.

Manchester United

Surprised Ten Haag is still there, but the Cup win shows there is still a team capable of beating the best. If he could keep most of his players out of the treatment room they could be contenders. But already have injuries including new guy Yoro so who knows?

 

Newcastle United

Expect them to do better this season after their European hangover last year, again injuries will decide. A full strength Newcastle team will be a match for most.

Nottingham Forest

Another revolving door team like Chelsea. Don't think Nuno Santo really improved them much from what Cooper did. Some good players like Gibbs White and Elanga but expect them to be down near the bottom again.

Southampton

Hard to see Southampton doing anything but fight relegation.

Might have a few good days but fear it's back to the Championship next season.

Tottenham Hotspur

They looked good at the start of last season, but faded.

Solanke a good signing so could be in around the top positions but unlikely to be in the title hunt.

West Ham United

Lots of signings but I'm not feeling it at the moment.

Kudus and Bowen will star, Paqueta facing a ban is a worry.

Have a stronger squad this season despite not being in Europe, but not sure what our best XI is, Fullkrug will only be good if we cross the ball to him and won't hold up play as well as Antonio, reminds me of Haller mk2 great player but only if you give him the ball.

Summerville has potential, Wan Bissaka probably a better defender than Coufal but will he put crosses in like Vlad?

Top half but not seen anything in pre-season to get excited about yet.

Wolverhampton Wanderers 

Losing Neto and Kilman will be a blow, and Cunha injured.

Wolves did better than expected last season, but think it's bottom half for them.

Tips

Top 4 - Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Man Utd

Next best - Chelsea, Newcastle, Tottenham

Relegated - Southampton, Leicester

Relegation battle - Ipswich, Nottm Forest, Wolves, Brentford, Everton, Fulham, Bournemouth

Fantasy Football

For anyone who fancies joining the Nothing Better Than Football Fantasy Leagues this season

Codes shown below

Fantasy Football 2024-2025

Fantasy Premier League (FPL)
League Code: gusl9w

Telegraph Fantasy Football (TFF)
League Code: DE0WPY5U

Predictions

For anyone interested?

Here are the all time Nothing Better Than Football predictions charts.

1) Premier League Predictions

2) All predictions (Premier League, FA Cup, World Cup, Euro's)

* update, as Google doesn't like Firefox anymore? so pics have to come from Google drive (I think)?

The Euro's and England

Spain the winners, were the best team in the tournament so fully deserved.
Yamal, Williams and Ruiz were the stars and young enough to be major players for years to come.

Overall good games were few and far between, most teams operating a press making chances hard to come by, so it was a disappointing competition.

Top rated teams like France, Portugal, Belgium and England were all pretty poor.

France were probably favourites but Mbappe looked a shadow of himself even before the broken nose, Griezman usually a key component was looking his age. Just 4 goals in 6 matches including 2 own goals and a penalty meant although the defence was good they have striker problems.

Portugal despite a host of quality players seem to be a Ronaldo XI, probably time to say thank you and goodbye and give the likes of Ramos and Jota a go up front.

Belgium always seem to be ranked highly but fail to deliver, KDB and Lukaku although still world class don't really perform in a Belgian shirt and most of the other 'stars' are getting too old.

Germany and Netherlands probably did better than expected as neither have been contenders in recent years.
Turkey, Switzerland, Austria all looked good at times.

England, I'm sure it will come out that Harry Kane was carrying an injury as he never looked fit. 

Jude Bellingham looked knackered in most games, guessing a hard season at Real Madrid took it out of him. 

Rice, Saka, Foden and a few others played ok but not at the top of their game.
Going into a tournament without a fit left back seemed crazy, when Shaw was finally fit it was good but Trippier was not the answer as he was only just back from injury himself and playing out of position.
Did seem crazy to take Gomez who has been decent at left back and not play him, and Wharton just there for experience when another Palace player Tyrick Mitchell would have solved the left back problem.
Palmer, Watkins, Eze, Toney, Gordon, Bowen all getting just a few minutes on the pitch was confusing.

After the first game I couldn't see England getting anywhere near the final, so they over achieved in that sense, and despite England's lack of form they still came within 3 minutes of a shock draw and possibly an extra time or penalties win.
So reasons to be optimistic in the future.

Should Southgate go?
I have no idea, he seems to have lost his mojo recently.
England's success in recent tournaments has raised expectation and now he appears to have a fear of failure so no risk taking.
Can't actually think of anyone who would replace him and do a better job?
Most of the top English managers have a history of failure after being built up and knocked down, and apart from Eddie Howe, Sean Dyche, Graham Potter, Frank Lampard I'm struggling to think of any others.
The foreign coach thing doesn't really work either for England, the top names are very unlikely to want the job. Thinking of Guardiola, Klopp etc.

I guess we will find out soon?

Euro 2024 Predictions (The Final)

Sunday 8pm the final in Berlin

Could it be a first trophy in 58 years for England, or will the form team end our dreams?

Far from impressive so far, but if we win that will all be forgotten.

Spain allthough playing some nice football with Williams and Yamal looking dangerous, have only narrowly beaten France, Germany and Italy so there is hope.

England v Spain       (90 Min Score for predictions)

Euro 2024 Predictions (Part 4)

Semi Finals on Tuesday and Wednesday

 

Spain playing well, France through despite scoring only 3 with 2 own goals and a penalty.

England better against the Swiss but still need to improve, Netherlands lots of talent but liable to concede goals.  

(90 min score only)

 

Spain v France
England v Netherlands

Euro 2024 Predictions (Part 3)

Quarter final time

Spain the stand out team, Germany probably next best but one will go.
Portugal and France have both been poor but scraped through.
England lucky to get through, will need to improve massively to beat the Swiss.
Netherlands and Turkey both improving in the last game.

(90 Min Score only)

Spain v Germany
Portugal v France
England v Switzerland
Netherlands v Turkey

Euro 2024 Predictions (Part 2)

Group stages over.
Austria and Georgia have been the most entertaining teams.
Spain and Germany comfortable.
England, France, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, Netherlands all through but less than impressive.

Predictions (90 Minute Score Only)

 
Last 16 (Sat 29th to Tuesday 2nd)

Switzerland v Italy
Germany v Denmark
England v Slovakia
Spain v Georgia
France v Belgium
Portugal v Slovenia
Romania v Netherlands
Austria v Turkey

Euro 2024 Predictions (Part 1)

The football season goes on, Euro 24 runs from 14th June to 14th July.
The 4th time I've tried this, hopefully more than the 3 who played last time?

One week to go, first game is up on Friday 14th June at 8pm

Favourites should be France, with Belgium, England and Portugal next best.
Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Croatia and Germany can't be ruled out.

England have picked their final 26 with a couple of surprises.

The injured Luke Shaw our only left back, and Grealish left out altogether.

Several players included who have injuries or just back from injury.

England Matches -  

16/06/24 8pm v Serbia,  20/06/24 5pm v Denmark,  25/06/24 8pm v Slovenia

The Euro 2024 Prediction competition.    🏆  ⚽

Rules - 3 points for a correct score, 1 point for a correct result (comment before kick off's)
Scores after 90 minutes only (not including extra time and penalties) to avoid complaints.

A total of 51 games
Winner will be whoever scores the most at the end .. simple  😀

Group Stages - Here
Round of 16 - Will post 27th June
Quarter Finals - Will post 3rd July
Semi Finals - Will post 7th July
Final - Will post 11th July

Group Stages - (Copy and Paste)

Round 1 (Friday 14th June to Tuesday 18th June)

Germany v Scotland
Hungary v Switzerland
Spain v Croatia
Italy v Albania
Poland v Netherlands
Slovenia v Denmark
Serbia v England
Romania v Ukraine
Belgium v Slovakia
Austria v France
Turkey v Georgia
Portugal v Czech Republic

Round 2 (Wednesday 19th June to Saturday 22nd June)

Croatia v Albania
Germany v Hungary
Scotland v Switzerland
Slovenia v Serbia
Denmark v England
Spain v Italy
Slovakia v Ukraine
Poland v Austria
Netherlands v France
Georgia v Czech Republic
Turkey v Portugal
Belgium v Romania

Round 3 (Sunday 23rd June to Wednesday 26th June)

Scotland v Hungary
Switzerland v Germany
Albania v Spain
Croatia v Italy
France v Poland
Netherlands v Austria
Denmark v Serbia
England v Slovenia
Slovakia v Romania
Ukraine v Belgium
Czech Republic v Turkey
Georgia v Portugal

Good Luck All   😀

Predictions 2023/24

The full final predictions table

 

 

Congratulations to Myself, but some good winning streaks by Paul, Gibbo and Biopunk closed the gap over the last few weeks leaving me sweating.

Paulo having a bad season but sure he'll bounce back.

 

A lot of freak results this season, so we didn't do too bad.

 

Chris Sutton earning his salary by getting more points than us amateurs, but only just. 

This is the table if I'd treated everyone equally, Sutton and Guests included.

Fantasy Football 2023/24

The end of season "Nothing Better Than Football" Fantasy Football tables

 

FPL (Fantasy Premier League)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Congratulations to Mike with his 3rd win in 5 years, he's going to have to think of a new team name next season.

All pretty close at the end, 

I was in 3rd with 4 weeks to go within about 20 points but made a couple of big errors,

picking Ake over Gvardiol and captaining Haaland in the wrong weeks cost me.

Overall the first 7 were all in the top 5% of World players, and the first 15 in the top 10%.

Paul finished 26th with 2024 points, and well done to Quizland Dave who I persauded to join in for the 1st time who finished 27th with 2012 points. He's a Tottenham fan so knows nothing about football 😁

and only used transfers once and had Cancello in his team for the whole season.

 

TFF (Telegraph Fantasy Football)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Congratulations to Sean who snatched the win in the last week, although level on points they use goals scored to pick winner.

Commiserations to Colin who for the second season running was pipped at the end after leading 2/3rds of the season.

I had a rubbish season, started ok but faded badly

End Of Season

Premier League over but still lots of football to come.

Leicester and Ipswich promoted, with one from Leeds and Southampton.
So the 3 teams promoted last year were all relegated, and the 3 teams previously relegated are all still in with a chance of coming straight back ... yo-yo football  😀

2 European finals still to come, no English teams involved for a change.
Atalanta very impressive in beating 'unbeatable' Leverkusen.

Once all the European finals, English play-offs, FA cup is over it's International time.
European Championship - 14th June to 14th July
Copa America - 21st June to 15th July

Loads of manager changes already

Klopp leaving by choice, replaced by Slot
Moyes leaving probably not by choice? replaced by Lopetegui
Pochettino leaving a bit of a shock, but it's Chelsea  🙄
De Zerbi leaving because he believes he's an elite manager, this season shows he's just average.
Kompany possibly going to Bayern Munich?

Ipswich up next season might be losing manager McKenna, who could be the new Graham Potter at Chelsea? Even if it does happen and he actually wins something, a year seems to be the limit at Chelsea.

Before all this it's FA Cup weekend
Last season was the first ever all Manchester final, now it's another one.

So for anyone still interested, here's the final FA Cup prediction

Man City v Man Utd

Premier Predictions (Week 38)

Here we go, the final week of the 2023/24 season.
All game kick off on Sunday at 4pm.

The title still up for grabs, although even a die hard Hammers fan won't be expecting us to get any points at Man City.
Although it would make a great story if we did pull of a miracle, and then Sean Dyche put the kybosh on Arsenal with a defensive masterclass  😜

Top 4 sorted,
with Tottenham, Chelsea, Newcastle and Man Utd squabbling over the minor European places.
If Tottenham lose to Sheff Utd (unlikely), Chelsea could grab 5th and Man Utd would need to win the FA Cup to take the 2nd Europa League spot.

At the bottom it is still mathematically possible for Luton to overtake Nottm Forest, although they need a 12 goal swing and I can't imagine Burnley beating anyone by more than 6 goals, or Luton doing the same.

Whoever survives it will be a record low points tally to stay up.
Current record is 34 points, Forest have 29 at the moment.
The 3 promoted teams have been awful, Luton have done better than expected but the other two have been really bad.


Arsenal v Everton
Brentford v Newcastle
Brighton v Man Utd
Burnley v Nottm Forest
Chelsea v Bournemouth
Crystal Palace v Aston Villa
Liverpool v Wolves
Luton v Fulham
Man City v West Ham
Sheff Utd v Tottenham

Good Luck All  😀

Thanks to all the regulars for playing along again  👍

One more FA Cup prediction to come to wrap that up next week.

Will do a Euro 24 predictions in June to keep me occupied, if anyone wants to play along?

VAR

The points made by Wolves, leading to the Premier League voting on the scrapping of VAR.

 

                                                                                                                                                                           

 

Hard to disagree, the first point the main one for me

it seems nearly every time I see a goal, I'm waiting for the VAR check to rule it out for some minor infringement in the build up, or the strikers toenail being offside.

 

Remember it spoiled the enjoyment of Bowen's winning goal in last season Cup win, as it wasn't obvious on first glance if he was onside? meaning I was waiting for the inevitable VAR check.

Despite European VAR being much quicker than the English version.

When it was used in the 2018 World Cup it seemed it was a really good thing, but since putting it in the hands of our referee's it has become a nightmare.

Identical incidents are now being looked at for several minutes and being judged differently according to the opinion of the ref / VAR official at the time.

I don't think they will get rid of it, but surely time to take it out of the hands of those currently responsible?

Premier Predictions (Week 37)

Week 37, just 2 weeks and 23 league games left in the season.

 

NBTF title still up for grabs, Paul needs two more wins to deny me  😟 

8 Games on Saturday, 1 each on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, 2 on Wednesday.

At the top Liverpool need Arsenal and Man City to lose all their remaining games, so unlikely to happen.

Arsenal go to Man Utd (not sure they would like to help City, although form says they won't have the chance to)

Man City go to Fulham, which might be difficult?

Then they go to Tottenham which recent history says might be a hard game (but will Tottenham do Arsenal a favour?).

At the bottom it's almost decided, Luton and Burnley need 2 wins each to stand a chance but looks unlikely.

Not sure what is going to happen at West Ham? news that David Moyes is being replaced by the Spanish David Moyes might cheer up some of the players, or maybe not?  🙄

Fulham v Man City
Bournemouth v Brentford
Everton v Sheff Utd
Newcastle v Brighton
Tottenham v Burnley
West Ham v Luton
Wolves v Crystal Palace
Nottm Forest v Chelsea
*
Man Utd v Arsenal
*
Aston Villa v Liverpool
*
Tottenham v Man City
*
Brighton v Chelsea
Man Utd v Newcastle


Good Luck All   😀

Premier Predictions (Week 36)

No time to think week 36 straight up, Friday night start
1 game Friday, 5 on Saturday, 3 on Sunday, 1 on Monday

Top 3 have winnable home games, probably too late for Liverpool.
Tottenham have to win at Liverpool to stand any chance of top 4.
At the bottom any 2 from 3 to go down, Luton have to beat now safe Everton, Burnley have a tough game at Newcastle, Forest go to relegated Sheffield.
West Ham go to Chelsea in the battle for 8th place 🙄


Luton v Everton
*
Arsenal v Bournemouth
Brentford v Fulham
Burnley v Newcastle
Sheff Utd v Nottm Forest
Man City v Wolves
*
Brighton v Aston Villa
Chelsea v West Ham
Liverpool v Tottenham
*
Crystal Palace v Man Utd


Good Luck All   😀

Premier Predictions (Week 35)

One bonus game this week
7 games on Saturday, 3 on Sunday and a re-arranged game not till Thursday?
Which is the same night the last English team in Europe play. (annoying as week 36 starts on Friday)

The title contenders are all away.
Looks like any 2 from 3 at the bottom, a Burnley and Luton win makes it interesting.

The curse of being in my FPL team seems to have hit Salah and Nunez, would like to take them out but worry they'll find form on Saturday?

West Ham v Liverpool
Fulham v Crystal Palace
Man Utd v Burnley
Newcastle v Sheff Utd
Wolves v Luton
Everton v Brentford
Aston Villa v Chelsea
*
Bournemouth v Brighton
Tottenham v Arsenal
Nottm Forest v Man City
*
Chelsea v Tottenham

Good Luck All  😀

Premier Predictions (Week 34)

Squeaky Bum time at the top of the tables.  🌕
Premier League, Championship, and more importantly the NBTF Predictions league.

A mixed week with 3 games postponed due to the FA Cup, and 6 re-arranged games.
As I normally do at this time of year the Cup games are included (90 minute rule applies)
So apologies to those allergic to Cup games.  🏆

4 games on Saturday, 5 games on Sunday, 1 on Tuesday, 4 on Wednesday and 1 on Thursday.

Liverpool and Arsenal both have 2 league games before Man City play again.
Tottenham don't play this week.
At the bottom Luton need a win to put pressure on Everton and Forest who play each other on Sunday.
* First kick off 3pm Saturday *

Brighton v Chelsea (Postponed)
Man Utd v Newcastle (Postponed)
Tottenham v Man City (Postponed)
*
Luton v Brentford
Sheff Utd v Burnley
Man City v Chelsea (FAC)
Wolves v Arsenal
*
Everton v Nottm Forest
Aston Villa v Bournemouth
Crystal Palace v West Ham
Coventry v Man Utd (FAC)
Fulham v Liverpool
*
Arsenal v Chelsea
*
Wolves v Bournemouth
Crystal Palace v Newcastle
Everton v Liverpool
Man Utd v Sheff Utd
*
Brighton v Man City
*

Good Luck All   😀

Premier Predictions (Week 33)

Six weeks to go, getting tight at the top.
6 Games Saturday, 3 on Sunday, 1 on Monday
Top 3 all at home, maybe Arsenal have the hardest game vs Villa before the trip to Munich next week?
At the bottom Burnley and Sheffield still looked doomed, probably Luton Forest and Everton most likely to join them. Luton at Man City gives the others chance to pull away?

Newcastle v Tottenham
Brentford v Sheff Utd
Burnley v Brighton
Man City v Luton
Nottm Forest v Wolves
Bournemouth v Man Utd
Liverpool v Crystal Palace
West Ham v Fulham
Arsenal v Aston Villa
Chelsea v Everton

Good Luck All  😀

Premier Predictions (Week 32)

Quick turnaround, 7 match weeks to go
7 games on Saturday, 3 on Sunday
Midweek Euro games for Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool, West Ham and Villa
Top 3 all have awkward away games before those Euro ties so might not be able to rest players.
The Sean Dyche derby the big one at the bottom.


Crystal Palace v Man City
Aston Villa v Brentford
Everton v Burnley
Fulham v Newcastle
Luton v Bournemouth
Wolves v West Ham
Brighton v Arsenal
*
Man Utd v Liverpool
Sheff Utd v Chelsea
Tottenham v Nottm Forest

Good Luck All  😀

Premier Predictions (Week 31)

Midweek fixtures for Week 31
5 games on Tuesday, 3 on Wednesday, 2 on Thursday
Arsenal and Liverpool should trade places at the top?

Newcastle v Everton
Nottm Forest v Fulham
Bournemouth v Crystal Palace
Burnley v Wolves
West Ham v Tottenham
*
Arsenal v Luton
Brentford v Brighton
Man City v Aston Villa
*
Liverpool v Sheff Utd
Chelsea v Man Utd

Good Luck All  😀

Premier Predictions (Week 30)

Lots of games coming up in the next month.
Week 30 is 8 games on Saturday and 2 on Sunday.
Top 3 all play on Sunday

Newcastle v West Ham
Bournemouth v Everton
Chelsea v Burnley
Nottm Forest v Crystal Palace
Sheff Utd v Fulham
Tottenham v Luton
Aston Villa v Wolves
Brentford v Man Utd
*
Liverpool v Brighton
Man City v Arsenal

(Week 31 starts on Tuesday, so will post again by Monday)

Good Luck All  😀

Tables and Things

As it's a short break due to more Internationals, I give you some current tables  😁

Full Premier League Prediction Table

After Paul's good start in weeks 1-12 "I'm going to win by Christmas" I reigned him back in with 5 wins in 6 weeks, then Biopunk had a run of 3 wins in 6.

Now Gibbo is on a charge with 4 wins in 6 weeks.

Shaping up nicely, just need Paulo to go on a run 😀

 

Fantasy Premier League (FPL)

Working my way up the table slowly, missed an opportunity this week due to a last minute change 😒 had put Muniz in then decided Brentford were more likely to score against Burnley so went for Wissa?

Still time for change as Tommy was nearly 100 points clear only a few weeks ago now 2nd.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Telegraph Fantasy Football (TFF)

Need to pull my finger out here, last season Colin led most of the season but fell away right at the end so still in with a shout?

Premier + Cup Predictions (Week 29)

Time for the annual mixed up League and Cup week
Just 4 league games so padded out with 4 Cup games.
(only counting the 90+ minute score in the cup games, No extra time etc.)

In the league the big one is at the bottom with Luton v Forest
Aston Villa and Tottenham (hopefully) have hard games in the 4th place battle.
Cup games have obvious favourites in each.

First match 12:15 Saturday (5:15 am for Biopunk)

Wolves v Coventry (FAC)
Burnley v Brentford
Luton v Nottm Forest
Fulham v Tottenham
Man City v Newcastle (FAC)
*
Chelsea v Leicester (FAC)
West Ham v Aston Villa
Man Utd v Liverpool (FAC)

Good Luck All  😀

Premier Predictions (Week 28)

Getting in early for this week
A bonus game this week with the re-arrangement of the Cherries Luton game which was abandoned due to Tom Lockyer's heart attack.
5 games on Saturday, 4 on Sunday, 1 Monday, 1 Wednesday

Big game on Sunday with Liverpool at home to Man City both have Euro games this midweek, also the 4th place battle between Villa and Tottenham.
Burnley and Sheffield Utd's relegation looking certain now as even if Everton and Forest get 10 point deductions they would still be above those two.
But suprise team Luton still have a chance of staying up.
Enough waffle here are the games.


Man Utd v Everton
Bournemouth v Sheff Utd
Crystal Palace v Luton
Wolves v Fulham
Arsenal v Brentford
*
Aston Villa v Tottenham
Brighton v Nottm Forest
West Ham v Burnley
Liverpool v Man City
*
Chelsea v Newcastle
Bournemouth v Luton

Good Luck All  😀

Premier Predictions (Week 27)

week 27, already ¾ of the way through the season
Still a 3 way race at the top, Liverpool and Arsenal away to teams needing the points at the bottom.
Manchester derby might be close?

7 games on Saturday, 2 on Sunday and 1 on Monday.
Euro week next week so probably some squad rotation.

Brentford v Chelsea
Everton v West Ham
Fulham v Brighton
Newcastle v Wolves
Nottm Forest v Liverpool
Tottenham v Crystal Palace
Luton v Aston Villa
Burnley v Bournemouth
Man City v Man Utd
Sheff Utd v Arsenal

Good Luck All  😀

Premier Predictions (Week 26) + FA Cup 5th Round

A mixed bag this week
Just 8 Premier league games this week so I've added the League Cup Final (as I always do),
Meaning 6 games on Saturday, 2 on Sunday, 1 on Monday.
(Full time score for the Cup game, not including Extra time or penalties).

Man City and Arsenal have the chance to reduce Liverpool's lead
Palace v Burnley the big one at the bottom
West Ham play Brentford on Monday, who have beaten us all 5 times we've played in the PL 😒

Our table tightening up with Biopunk's surge 😉

Aston Villa v Nottm Forest
Brighton v Everton
Crystal Palace v Burnley
Man Utd v Fulham
Bournemouth v Man City
Arsenal v Newcastle
Wolves v Sheff Utd
Chelsea v Liverpool (LCF)
West Ham v Brentford

----------------------------------

Totally separate competition

For anyone still playing the Cup competition (Just Me and Paulo probably)
Here are the fixtures for that, 1 game Monday, 3 games on Wednesday, 4 on Thursday)

FA Cup 5th Round  🏆
(90+ minute score only, so draw is possible)

Coventry v Maidstone
Bournemouth v Leicester
Blackburn v Newcastle
Luton v Man City
Chelsea v Leeds
Nottm Forest v Man Utd
Wolves v Brighton
Liverpool v Southampton


Good Luck All  😀

Premier Predictions (Week 25)

Week 25, a 12 game week
7 Games on Saturday, 2 on Sunday,
1 each on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Liverpool v Luton game pulled forward 3 days as Liverpool play in the League cup final next weekend, the City v Brentford game re-arranged from just before Christmas.

Big week for Brentford who could do Arsenal a favour against the top 2.
Everton v Palace the big one at the bottom, will Hodgson still be there?
West Ham go to Forest, and I hate to say it's a must win. 😟


Brentford v Liverpool
Burnley v Arsenal
Fulham v Aston Villa
Newcastle v Bournemouth
Nottm Forest v West Ham
Tottenham v Wolves
Man City v Chelsea
*
Sheff Utd v Brighton
Luton v Man Utd
*
Everton v Crystal Palace
*
Man City v Brentford
Liverpool v Luton

Good Luck All  😀

Premier Predictions (Week 24)

Week 24 (7 games on Saturday, 2 on Sunday, 1 on Monday)

Man City could go top for 2½ hours until Liverpool play.
West Ham hoping for a treble over Arsenal, current form says unlikely but you never know?
At the bottom Sheff Utd and Burnley look down with either Everton, Luton, Forest, Brentford or Palace looking most likely to join them.

The weekend has the 2 International Cup finals
Africa - Ivory Coast v Nigeria
Asia - Qatar v Jordan
+ Man City play in Europe on Tuesday away to Copenhagen.


Man City v Everton
Fulham v Bournemouth
Liverpool v Burnley
Luton v Sheff Utd
Tottenham v Brighton
Wolves v Brentford
Nottm Forest v Newcastle
West Ham v Arsenal
Aston Villa v Man Utd
Crystal Palace v Chelsea

Good Luck All  😀

Premier Predictions (Week 23)

Fixtures coming thick and fast, here's Week 23

5 games on Saturday, 4 on Sunday, 1 on Monday
Obvious stand out game is the 1st v 2nd match on Sunday, Liverpool at Arsenal.
Man City away at Brentford on Monday which is not a given.
At the bottom I can't believe Chris Wilder saying Sheffield don't get anything from refs? obviously had his eyes shut against West Ham 😂

Everton v Tottenham
Brighton v Crystal Palace
Burnley v Fulham
Newcastle v Luton
Sheff Utd v Aston Villa
Bournemouth v Nottm Forest
Chelsea v Wolves
Man Utd v West Ham
Arsenal v Liverpool
Brentford v Man City

Good Luck All  😀

Premier Predictions (Week 22)

I was going to do a double week post, but I'll settle for just the midweek games to avoid confusion.
The week 22 games are spread over 3 days.
5 on Tuesday 30th Jan, 3 on Wednesday 31st Jan, 2 on Thursday 1st February.

Liverpool will stay top but Man City, Arsenal and maybe Villa and Tottenham are all breathing down their necks.

At the bottom at least 8 teams are still involved in the relegation battle.
The 3 promoted teams have surprised me, Luton are better than expected while Burnley and Sheffield are worse.
Forest and Everton might be hit with more points deductions, Crystal Palace's chances seem to be dependant on Olise and Eze being fit.
Brentford should bounce back when their front 3 return.

Nottm Forest v Arsenal
Fulham v Everton
Luton v Brighton
Crystal Palace v Sheff Utd
Aston Villa v Newcastle
Man City v Burnley
Tottenham v Brentford
Liverpool v Chelsea
West Ham v Bournemouth
Wolves v Man Utd

As always Good Luck All  😀

FA Cup Predictions 2024 (4th Round)

For anyone still playing it's FA Cup time again  🏆

The 4th Round, Spread out for telly again, first game is on Thursday
Then 4 games on Friday, 6 on Saturday, 4 on Sunday and one on Monday.

15 Premier league teams left, sadly West Ham the only ones to lose to lower league opposition. 😢
One non league team left, Maidstone.

Bournemouth v Swansea
Bristol City v Nottm Forest
Chelsea v Aston Villa
Sheff Wed v Coventry
Tottenham v Man City
Ipswich v Maidstone
Everton v Luton
Leeds v Plymouth
Leicester v Birmingham
Sheff Utd v Brighton
Fulham v Newcastle
West Brom v Wolves
Watford v Southampton
Liverpool v Norwich
Newport v Man Utd
Blackburn v Wrexham

Good Luck All  😀

Premier Predictions (Week 21)

Week 21 runs over 11 days from Friday 12th to Monday 22nd
Supposed to be a winter break but 7 teams have FA Cup replays in the middle.

First game is Friday night 12th
with 2 games on Saturday 13th, and 2 on Sunday 14th
Then 2 games on Saturday 20th, 2 on Sunday 21st, and finally 1 on Monday 22nd


Burnley v Luton
Chelsea v Fulham
Newcastle v Man City
Everton v Aston Villa
Man Utd v Tottenham
Arsenal v Crystal Palace
Brentford v Nottm Forest
Sheff Utd v West Ham
Bournemouth v Liverpool
Brighton v Wolves

Good Luck All  😀

FA Cup Predictions 2024 (3rd Round)

FA Cup Predictions 2024 (3rd Round)      🏆   ⚽   🏆

Here we go with Season no.9 of the NBTF F.A Cup predictions Competition.

Rules - 3 points for a correct score, 1 point for a correct result.
Scores at full time (90+ minutes) only (not including extra time and penalties).
As far as I know there are still replays for the 3rd and 4th Rounds?

Round 3 x 32 games, Round 4 x 16 games etc, So a total of 63 games.
Winner will be whoever scores the most at the end.

Here are the games (Copy & Paste advised), 

1 on Thursday, 3 on Friday, 19 Saturday, 8 Sunday and 1 Monday.

 

(Thursday)

Crystal Palace v Everton

(Friday)
Brentford v Wolves
Fulham v Rotherham
Tottenham v Burnley

(Saturday)
Coventry v Oxford
Maidstone v Stevenage
Millwall v Leicester
Wimbledon v Ipswich
Sunderland v Newcastle
Blackburn v Cambridge Utd
Gillingham v Sheff Utd
Hull v Birmingham
Newport v Eastleigh
Norwich v Bristol R
Plymouth v Sutton Utd
QPR v Bournemouth
Southampton v Walsall
Stoke v Brighton
Watford v Chesterfield
Chelsea v Preston
Middlesbrough v Aston Villa
Sheff Wed v Cardiff
Swansea v Morecambe

(Sunday)
Luton v Bolton
Man City v Huddersfield
Nottm Forest v Blackpool
Peterborough v Leeds
Shrewsbury v Wrexham
West Brom v Aldershot
West Ham v Bristol City
Arsenal v Liverpool

(Monday)
Wigan v Man Utd

 

Good Luck All   😀

African And Asian Cups

If selected or fit?
these Premier league players will not be available while the African and Asian Cups are being played
January 12th to February 11th (+ a week either side possibly?)
Premier League weeks 21-24 plus many FA Cup and League Cup games.


Arsenal: Mohamed Elneny, Thomas Partey, Takehiro Tomiyasu
Aston Villa: Bertrand Traore
Bournemouth: Antoine Semenyo, Dango Ouattara, Hamed Traore (Injured)
Brentford: Yoane Wissa, Frank Onyeka, Saman Ghoddos, Kim Ji-soo. Bryan Mbeumo (Injured)
Brighton: Tariq Lamptey, Simon Adingra, Kaoru Mitoma, Samy Chouchane
Burnley: Lyle Foster, Anass Zaroury, Basilio Rieno
Chelsea: Nicolas Jackson
Crystal Palace: Jordan Ayew, Cheick Doucoure, Jeffrey Schlupp
Everton: Idrissa Gueye, Abdoulaye Doucoure
Fulham: Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, Fode Ballo-Toure
Liverpool: Mohamed Salah, Wataru Endo, Joel Matip (Injured)
Luton: Issa Kabore, Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu
Man City:
Man Utd: Andre Onana, Sofyan Amrabat, Amad Diallo, Hannibal Mejbri
Newcastle:
Nottm Forest: Serge Aurier, Willy Boly, Ibrahim Sangare, Ola Aina, Cheikhou Kouyate, Moussa Niakhate, Emmanuel Dennis, Taiwo Awoniyi (Injured)
Sheff Utd: Anis Ben Slimane, Ismaila Coulibaly, Yasser Larouci, Benie Traore
Tottenham: Yves Bissouma, Pape Matar Sarr, Heung-Min Son
West Ham: Mohammed Kudus, Nayef Aguerd, Maxwell Cornet, Said Benrahma
Wolves: Boubacar Traore, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Hwang Hee-Chan, Justin Hubner

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AFCON African Cup (Ivory Coast) 13/01/24 to 11/02/24

Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea Bissau        
Egypt, Ghana, Cape Verde, Mozambique   
Senegal, Cameroon, Guinea, Gambia       
Algeria, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Angola   
Tunisia, Mali, South Africa, Namibia   
Morocco, DR Congo, Zambia, Tanzania

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AFC Asian Cup (Qatar) 12/01/24 to 10/02/24

Qatar, China, Tajikistan, Lebanon
Australia, Uzbekistan, Syria, India
Iran, United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, Palestine
Japan, Indonesia, Iraq, Vietnam
South Korea, Malaysia, Jordan, Bahrain
Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Kyrgyzstan, Oman