Here’s to another weekend of Premier League Football, as well as our Premier League Predictions Week 23.
Every week we offer up our Premier League predictions, along with a mini preview of each match, with a few best bets in an alternative Premier League preview.
We also put our tips up against a competitor, usually not human though, and based on some football stat or general life. This week our tipping opponent is based on each team’s traffic problems in their local authority in the UK.
It’s a lot like the BBC’s Lawros tips, but better. Arguably.
Premier League Predictions Week 23 – Gurgler v Traffic
TIPS BACKGROUND: In honour of the Burton Albion fans who were stuck in traffic, missing eight of the nine goals that Man City scored in the League Cup semi final, and because we are starting to run out of ideas, we have based this week’s tipping opponent on UK Traffic problems.
We eventually found a study that listed the extra time spent in traffic by Local Authority around the UK, and we have used that to determine tips.
Essentially, the worse the traffic, the worse mood both players and fans will be, so whichever team’s traffic figure is lower, that team gets the tips, as we presume they will all be happier.
Data is from here if you can be bothered going through a few hundred pages.
GURGLER PREMIER LEAGUE Predictions Week 23
Based on our opinion, research, study and ignorance. (In no particular order)
DRAW – Wolves v Leicester (1-1)
LIVERPOOL to beat Crystal Palace (2-0)
MANCHESTER UNITED to beat Brighton (4-0)
NEWCASTLE to beat Cardiff (1-0)
SOUTHAMPTON to beat Everton (2-1)
WATFORD to beat Burnley (3-1)
WEST HAM to beat Bournemouth (2-1)
DRAW – Arsenal v Chelsea (1-1)
MANCHESTER CITY to beat Huddersfield (2-1)
DRAW – Fulham v Spurs (2-2)
PREMIER LEAGUE Predictions Week 23 – Traffic
Based on Traffic stats from the above report link. Average delay in spvpm (difference in free flow traffic to actual calculated in minutes) in brackets.
LEICESTER (29.8) to beat Wolves (79.7)
LIVERPOOL (83.9) to beat Crystal Palace (99.5)
BRIGHTON (84.2) to beat Man Utd (98.0)
DRAW – Newcastle (69.8) v Cardiff (No Figure)
SOUTHAMPTON (83.6) to beat Everton (83.9)
WATFORD (36.1) to beat Burnley (57.8)
BOURNEMOUTH (49.4) to beat West Ham (77.5)
CHELSEA (153.0) to beat Arsenal (187.3)
HUDDERSFIELD (64.0) to beat Man City (98.0)
FULHAM (129.3) to beat Spurs (154.5)
Premier League Predictions Week 23 Mini Match by Match Preview
Here’s a quick run down of every game for Week 23, with a barely interesting stat and a best bet included for those inclined.
WOLVES v LEICESTER CITY
Two of the harder teams to read form-wise. Both are capable of matching the very best teams, and both are capable of slipping up against the bottom three. Both are set for upper midfield finishes, for Wolves that will be a decent achievement, for Leicester it will probably get the manager sacked.
Barely Interesting Fact: Six of the last 12 matches have been draws. Wolves have won just 3/17 since 2000.
“Best” Bet: Leicester +1.0 Handicap @ $1.52
LIVERPOOL v CRYSTAL PALACE
Liverpool did what they had to get done last weekend against Brighton, and will be wary of Crystal Palace who have won two in a row on the road against Man City and Wolves. Pity they can’t replicate that form at home after losing to Watford last weekend. If they had won, Crystal palace would have been up to third on last six form instead of seventh. Liverpool appear to have gotten over their slump of first league loss and FA Cup knockout.
Barely Interesting Fact: Crystal Palace have a decent record in Liverpool. They lost 1-0 last season, but won the three previous seasons before that.
“Best” Bet: Mo Salah to score anytime @ $1.45
MANCHESTER UNITED v BRIGHTON
The Ole Gunnar Solskjaer led renaissance of Manchester United continues, as Man Utd beat Spurs and took away some of the cynicism that they hadn’t beaten anyone very good yet. Although that was largely thanks to David de Gea returning to his Jose saving glory days and a wasteful Spurs. For all their dross earlier in the season, Man Utd have still only lost once at home, and Brighton have won just twice on the road. To say they have Brighton covered in firepower is an understatement at the moment.
Barely Interesting Fact: Brighton have not scored at Man Utd in the League since 1981. They have never won there either.
“Best” Bet: Man Utd to win @ Over 2.5 Match Goals @ $1.83
NEWCASTLE v CARDIFF
Hmmmm, this looks like dross. Perhaps the only interest will be with the managers who provide some entertainment usually. Newcastle have scored just seven goals in 11 matches at home, Cardiff just six in 10 games away. If there was betting for Match of the Day order, this would be favourite for last. Still it is an important game in the grand scheme of relegation, with the teams third and fourth last and separated by one point.
Barely Interesting Fact: Cardiff last beat Newcastle in the league back in 1981. Or in Newcastle since 1963.
“Best” Bet: Under 2.5 Goals @ $1.59
SOUTHAMPTON v EVERTON
Two teams going in the opposite direction, Southampton have massively improved under their new manager Ralph Hassenhuttl, before last weekend’s win over Bournemouth Everton had won once in nine games. They are currently 10th. Everton have scored just four points from their last six away games. Southampton though have the third worst home record with one win and five draws from their ten games.
Barely Interesting Fact: Everton have won this game just once in the last 9 visits to Southampton.
“Best” Bet: Southampton or Draw @ $1.45
WATFORD v BURNLEY
Burnley are slowly creeping away from relegation danger after winning their past three games, but their poor start to the season means they are still just three points from the drop zone. Watford are going OK t the moment, although less so at home where they have won just once in their last five. Could be one of those sneaky multi goal thrillers.
Barely Interesting Fact: Watford are only one point behind Man City in last six form. And one of a handful of teams to score double figure goals.
“Best” Bet: Watford to win @ $1.62
BOURNEMOUTH v WEST HAM
Bournemouth need a win pretty badly here, given they are on a run of six straight losses away, they are going to have to make it count at home. And they could lose their main strike weapon Callum Wilson during this transfer window. They are still nine points clear of relegation, and are lucky very few clubs are making a move. A team making a move is West Ham, who beat Arsenal last weekend and are just one point from the all vital 7th place. Prior to their last match away loss at Burnley, West Ham had won three in a row on the road. West Ham too look likely to lose their main striker with Arnautovic set to leave the club for megabucks in China.
Barely Interesting Fact: The last three games between these sides at Bournemouth has seen 15 goals.
“Best” Bet: Over 2.5 Goals @ $1.60
ARSENAL v CHELSEA
The big top six clash of the weekend, and as per usual in the UK friendly (but terrible Asian/Australian) time zone. With Man Utd playing a comparably easier game against Brighton, Chelsea need to win to maintain the six point gap. If Arsenal win, the three teams already mentioned could be within three points and the battle for the final Champions League spot is on. Arsenal have won their past four games at home, but overall it is just seven points, and 12th in the form table. Chelsea have won their past three away games.
Barely Interesting Fact: Chelsea have won just one of the last five games at Arsenal.
“Best” Bet: Both teams to score @ $1.50
HUDDERSFIELD v MANCHESTER CITY
David Wagner has left Huddersfield in what appears a rare case of genuine mutual consent. Huddersfield probably would have kept him on to recoup for the Championship next season, but now they need a new boss to see out a season that is looking like it is going to end in relegation. Jan Siewert the Borussia Dortmund’s U23s coach is favourite but apparently is not under consideration. Sam Allardyce has ruled himself out, probably to the relief of Terriers fans. The full Huddersfield Next Manager odds are here.
As for Man City, they are in hot form having beat Liverpool, and then won their next three games by a combined 19-0.
Barely Interesting Fact: There has been at least one draw between these sides per season in nine of the past 12 seasons they have faced each other. With a draw in each of the last three seasons. Since the earlier game was a win to Man City, and this is the only match left for the season……
“Best” Bet: Huddersfield +3.0 Handicap @ $1.53
FULHAM v SPURS
For once Fulham have lucked in, getting a home game against Spurs without their two big attacking weapons. Although, Eriksen and Dele Alli are still available. Still Fulham have signed Ryan Babel from Besiktas, who despite playing very well recently for Holland, will not solve their problems at the back. Three points for Fulham would be most unexpected and welcome, and they have lost just one of their last five (2W 2D). A good test for Spurs for the next month with a lot of games, and missing players.
Barely Interesting Fact: Spurs have scored 3 goals against Fulham in five of the last eight games. They won seven of those and lost once.
“Best” Bet: Over 2.5 Goals @ $1.80
Last week’s “Best” Bets – 3 / 10
Premier League Predictions Week 23 – MMMMMulti
Time to make some money – here’s our best five tips rolled into one money-making machine.
MANCHESTER UNITED to beat Brighton
SOUTHAMPTON to beat Everton
WATFORD to beat Burnley
DRAW – Arsenal v Chelsea
DRAW – Fulham v Spurs
$1 for $60
2018-2019 Premier League Tipping Competition Results
THE GURGLER
2018-2019 Tipping Results – 112/220 – 50% – (12 Correct Scores)
Last Week Tipping Results – 4/10
Best – 7/10 Week 1, 3, 4, 7, 15
OPPOSITION
2018-2019 Results – 104/220 – 47%
Week 1 – 6/10 – Week 1 Form from last 5 seasons
Week 2 – 5/10 – Change in Market Value after Transfer Window
Week 3 – 4/10 – Red Cards from last 5 seasons
Week 4 – 7/10 – Form v Post Sir Alex Man Utd
Week 5 – 5/10 – Post International Break Form
Week 6 – 3/10 – Avoiding Russian Spies
Week 7 – 4/10 – Brexit
Week 8 – 6/10 – v Jose Mourinho
Week 9 – 4/10 – Sacked Managers / Tenure
Week 10 – 4/10 – Fighting Managers
Week 11 – 7/10 – v Leicester City
Week 12 – 4/10 – US Mid Term Elections
Week 13 – 6/10 – Claudio Ranieri
Week 14 – 5/10 – Own Goals
Week 15 – 5/10 – Midweek Form (Last 5 Seasons)
Week 16 – 2/10 – Hate
Week 17 – 4/10 – Dangerous Nickname
Week 18 – 5/10 – Christmas Shopping
Week 19 – 4/10 – Boxing Day Form
Week 20 – 7/10 – 2018 Form
Week 21 – 1/10 – New Year’s Eve
Week 22 – 7/10 – January Form
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