Premier League Predictions Week 25 – Gurgler v Happiness

The following is for the 2018-19 season – to read this season’s preview please follow this link.

After an action packed midweek round full of surprises where four of the top six failed to win, there’s even more excitement to come with our Premier League Predictions Week 25.

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 how happy each team’s home city is.

It’s a lot like the BBC’s Lawros tips, but better. Arguably.

Premier League Predictions Week 25 – Gurgler v Happiness

TIPS BACKGROUND: As the football piles up, with games on top of more games, happiness of the city of the team is all important. It gives the players and the team that potential extra burst of energy.

So happily we found an article which lists all of the UK major cities/towns and ranks the happiness of the place.

For the tips, we say the happier the people, the better the team will play, and as such will get the tip.

It is biased against London clubs, as the capital came last in the happiness findings.

As ever, all research is courtesy of Who Scored.

GURGLER PREMIER LEAGUE Predictions Week 25

But first our tips. Based on our opinion, research, study and ignorance. (In no particular order)

SPURS to beat Newcastle (2-0)
DRAW – Brighton v Watford (1-1)
DRAW – Burnley v Southampton (1-1)
CHELSEA to beat Huddersfield (3-0)
FULHAM to beat Crystal Palace (2-1)
DRAW – Everton v Wolves (1-1)
DRAW – Cardiff v Bournemouth (0-0)
MAN UTD to beat Leicester (2-0)
MAN CITY to beat Arsenal (4-2)
LIVERPOOL to beat West Ham (3-0)
DRAW – Everton v Man City (1-1)

PREMIER LEAGUE Predictions Week 25 – Happiness of each City

UK happiness rank in brackets.

NEWCASTLE (4th) to beat Spurs (30th)
BRIGHTON (11th) to beat Watford (30th)
SOUTHAMPTON (16th) to beat Burnley (21st)
HUDDERSFIELD (19th) to beat Chelsea (30th)
DRAW – Crystal Palace (30th) v Fulham (30th)
WOLVES (22nd) to beat Everton (27th)
CARDIFF (8th) to beat Bournemouth (16th)
MAN UTD (21st) to beat Leicester (25th)
MAN CITY (21st) to beat Arsenal (30th)
LIVERPOOL (27th) to beat West Ham (30th)
MAN CITY (21st) to beat Everton (27th)

Premier League Predictions Week 25 Mini Match by Match Preview

Here’s a quick run down of every game for Week 25, with a barely interesting stat and a best bet included for those inclined.

SPURS v NEWCASTLE

Kick Off: Saturday 12:30pm UK
Previous 2018-19 Result: Newcastle 1 Spurs 2

A pair of 2-1 wins for these sides midweek, Newcastle’s by far the more impressive as they knocked off Man City, where Spurs came from behind at home to beat Watford. Newcastle have been competitive against the big teams this season, and the win over Man City midweek is culmination of that good form. Spurs were looking down the barrel of a third straight loss in a week,when they were behind Watford midweek, but they rallied to eventually win and console themselves after being knocked out of both cup with in a few days of each other.

Barely Interesting Fact: In the Premier League era, Newcastle have managed at least one win or draw in all but two seasons. Glenn Murray has also scored 30 goals or more in each of the four divisions in England.

BRIGHTON v WATFORD

Kick Off: Saturday 3pm
Previous 2018-19 Result: Watford 2 Brighton 0

Watford were looking good midweek to continue their unbeaten run to 7 games, and only one loss in 11 games, before Spurs finally beat them late. Still, reasonable form for Watford who have punched above their weight all season. Brighton have certainly done the same at home, with only the very best being able to take all three points from the Amex. Despite blowing their lead against Fulham midweek, good signs with Glenn Murray back scoring. He is slightly more effective at home too (59%of his goals come at home) as are Brighton.

Barely Interesting Fact: Watford have lost as many games Away (3) as Brighton have at home. 

BURNLEY v SOUTHAMPTON

Kick Off: Saturday 3pm
Previous 2018-19 Result: Southampton 0 Burnley 0

Both teams are coming off midweek draws, Burnley’s by far the most impressive having led Man Utd at Old Trafford, eventually drawing 2-2. Southampton’s 1-1 against Crystal Palace is not to be sneezed at either, as Crystal Palace have taken some much bigger scalps on the road in the past month or so. Burnley are unbeaten in five league games now, and are edging further away from relegation worries. They have also won three of the last four at home. Southampton have won two of their last three away games.

Barely Interesting Fact: Southampton haven’t Burnley at Turf Moor since 2007 in the Championship.

CHELSEA v HUDDERSFIELD

Kick Off: Saturday 3pm
Previous 2018-19 Result: Huddersfield 0 Chelsea 3

Anyone who saw the 4-0 thrashing by Bournemouth coming, you need to get to know better. Certainly the shock result of the midweek, in a midweek full of surprises. Perhaps Sarri’s method is slowly hurting Chelsea, so they can appoint another Serie A manager in the off season. Talking of Serie A, new recruit Gonzalo Higuain didn’t do a great deal, but then again neither did many others. For a barely interesting fact the record v Bournemouth in last two seasons is wins 4-2, goal difference 6-7. Onto Huddersfield, the lowest scorers in the Premier League, and a team looking at getting that new manager bounce just in time to save their season. Aaron Mooy returning also helps.

Barely Interesting Fact: Despite not scoring in this season’s previous clash, previous to that Huddersfield have scored at least one goal in seven games against Chelsea. Overall, they have only failed to score v Chelsea 10 times in 60 matches.

CRYSTAL PALACE v FULHAM

Kick Off: Saturday 3pm
Previous 2018-19 Result: Fulham 0 Crystal Palace 2  

An interesting London derby awaits as the second worst side at home plays the worst side away. Both clubs had turning points in the last week, Crystal Palace’s big win over Spurs in the FA Cup will give them confidence at home, and Fulham coming back from 2-0 to win 4-2 could be one of those moments that turns around their otherwise doomed Premier League season. Zaha’s suspension won’t help, although they look less reliant on him recently.

Barely Interesting Fact: Crystal Palace have scored 75% of their season’s goals away from home.

EVERTON v WOLVES

Kick Off: Saturday 3pm
Previous 2018-19 Result: Wolves 2 Everton 2

Wolves are currently winning the “Everton Cup” race to seventh place, the usual holders right behind them in eighth. Wolves were impressive disposing of West Ham 3-0, making it two wins in a row, Everton snuck past Huddersfield in their midweek clash with 10 men. Despite being separated by just two points, the pressures are very different for these two sides. Everton expect more and are worried about the second half Silva, Wolves on the other hand are on track to be the best promoted side since Newcastle rebounded nicely from their second last relegation. Both teams kicked on after surprising results against lower opposition in the FA Cup. At least Wolves survived with a draw.

Barely Interesting Fact: Five of the last six games between these two sides have been draws.

CARDIFF v BOURNEMOUTH

Kick Off: Saturday 5:30pm
Previous 2018-19 Result: Bournemouth 2 Cardiff 0

Bournemouth should be coming into this game with a boost of energy after thrashing no less than Chelsea at home 4-0. They’ll need those points given how bad their recent away form is. Bournemouth have lost their last six on the road, conceding six times as many goals as they score (3-18). Cardiff are still dealing with the tragedy of Emiliano Sala, and their once decent home record is slipping too. Where they had won four home games in five recently, they have since managed one draw in their last three. They did well at Arsenal midweek though.

Barely Interesting Fact: There have been two goals or more in all but three of the 42 games between these sides.

LEICESTER v MAN UTD

Kick Off: Sunday 2:05pm
Previous 2018-19 Result: Man Utd 2 Leicester 1

So the Man Utd winning streak ends, and surprisingly against Burnley at home, which looked a very winnable fixture. Still, they probably would have lost that game under Mourinho, so that’s progress, as was Chelsea losing in the race for fourth place for Utd. Arsenal winning didn’t help. Leicester also drew midweek, and there’s was the more impressive against Liverpool. Leicester sit fifth in fewest goals conceded, although Man Utd have scored 18 more goals in the 24 games so far. Problem is that Leicester are so hard to predict.

Barely Interesting Fact: Leicester’s 5-3 win over Man Utd in their premiership season was the only win over Man Utd between this season and 1998.

MAN CITY v ARSENAL

Kick Off: Sunday 4:30pm 
Previous 2018-19 Result: Arsenal 0 Man City 2

The question is, are Man City going to take their frustrating midweek loss out on Arsenal? Quite possibly. Man City peaked early against Newcastle with a super early Aguero goal, but Newcastle’s fight back was impressive, and gives them hope for safety. Man City are now five points behind Liverpool in the title race, Leicester doing them a favour keeping it to less than two games distance. Arsenal did the job midweek against Cardiff, but it is hard to see them winning in Manchester. Although the signing of Denis Suarez will be one to watch in the next few weeks.

Barely Interesting Fact: There have been three or more goals in 11 of the last 14 games between these sides.

WEST HAM v LIVERPOOL

Kick Off: Monday 8pm
Previous 2018-19 Result: Liverpool 4 West Ham 0)

Liverpool edged one point closer to the title midweek, but will rue the chance to skip more than two games ahead with a seven point gap. Their once watertight defence has now conceded five goals in three games. West Ham haven’t had a great week, being thoroughly outplayed by Wolves in the Premier League, and third tier AFC Wimbledon in the FA Cup. A match against Liverpool, who love to score against West Ham won’t help their cause. Although they have only lost one of their last five at home.

Barely Interesting Fact: Liverpool have scored four goals against West Ham in their last four meetings.

EVERTON v MAN CITY

Kick Off: Wednesday 7:45pm
Previous 2018-19 Result: Man City 3 Everton 1

A strange time to have a game, with yet another fixture for these sides who probably have played enough. At least Everton don’t have to worry about European commitments. Or the FA Cup after losing to Millwall. Hard to know what to expect without seeing the weekend’s fixtures, but Everton could sure do their cross park rivals a big favour here with some stolen Man City points.

Barely Interesting Fact: Everton beat Man City at home two seasons ago 4-0. Fancy that.

Premier League Predictions Week 25 – MMMMMulti

Time to make some money – here’s our best five tips rolled into one money-making machine.

SPURS to beat Newcastle (2-0)
DRAW – Burnley v Southampton (1-1)
CHELSEA to beat Huddersfield (3-0)
MAN CITY to beat Arsenal (4-2)
LIVERPOOL to beat West Ham (3-0)

$1 for $10

2018-2019 Premier League Tipping Competition Results

THE GURGLER

2018-2019 Tipping Results – 122/240 – 50% – (14 Correct Scores)

Last Week Tipping Results –  5/10

Best – 7/10 Week 1, 3, 4, 7, 15

OPPOSITION

2018-2019 Results – 109/240 – 45%

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
Week 23 – 3/10 – Traffic
Week 24 – 2/10 – Post FA Cup 3rd / 4th Round Form

Try our Fantasy Premier League Preview – The Own Goal