With just a few weeks of the Premier League to go, there are battles on four fronts, and so our Premier League Predictions Week 36 have never been more important. Says us anyway.
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 the performance of each of the train stations nearest to each ground.
It’s a lot like the BBC’s Lawros tips, but better. Arguably.
Premier League Predictions Week 36 – Gurgler v Train Stations
Rank for On Time performance in brackets.
LIVERPOOL (82nd) to beat Huddersfield (2435th)
SPURS (779th) to beat West Ham (912nd)
WATFORD (680th) to beat Wolves (1991st)
EVERTON (82nd) to beat Crystal Palace (1027th)
FULHAM (240th) to beat Cardiff (825th)
SOUTHAMPTON (2017th) to beat Bournemouth (2297th)
BRIGHTON (155th) to beat Newcastle (2284th)
ARSENAL (1085th) to beat Leicester (2035th)
BURNLEY (2025th) to beat Man City (2351th)
CHELSEA (1344th) to beat Man Utd (2351th)
TIPS BACKGROUND: With the last few games of the EPL season so important, it is important that fans travelling to the games get there on time to support their team.
So we have found stats on which train station nearest each team is more reliable, and which ever one is gets the tip. As those fans are more liklely to show up on time, and be in good spirits, so cheer their team to victory.
So says us anyway.
Data from the very informative On Time Trains website.
GURGLER PREMIER LEAGUE Predictions Week 36
Now our tips. Based on our opinion, research, study and ignorance. (In no particular order)
LIVERPOOL to beat Huddersfield (7-0)
SPURS to beat West Ham (4-0)
WOLVES to beat Watford (2-1)
EVERTON to beat Crystal Palace (3-1)
DRAW – Fulham v Cardiff (1-1)
SOUTHAMPTON to beat Bournemouth (3-1)
NEWCASTLE to beat Brighton (2-0)
LEICESTER to beat Arsenal (3-1)
MAN CITY to beat Burnley (2-1)
DRAW – Man Utd v Chelsea (0-0)
Premier League Predictions Week 36 Mini Match by Match Preview
Here’s a quick run down of every game for Week 36, with a barely interesting stat included for those inclined.
LIVERPOOL v HUDDERSFIELD
Kick Off: Friday 8pm UK
Previous 2018-19 Result: Huddersfield 0 Liverpool 1
Sadly for Liverpool the potential Spurs-Man Utd bogey for Man City didn’t work out, and it looks like Liverpool could very well go through the season losing one game and not win the title.
That doesn’t mean they can stop winning, and they probably won’t. Although they did work harder than you would have thought against Huddersfield first time around. They are due to have a big break out performance so why not go for a 7 or 8 nil and put some pressure on Man City.
For Huddersfield the end probably can’t come soon enough, with rumours of a rift between new manager and players already. Not a great atmosphere for the hardest graft in the world…the Championship.
Barely Interesting Fact: Huddersfield last scored a goal against Liverpool in 1962. Sicne then it has been 7 losees and 1 defeat for 16-0. Or Liverpool have conceded as many as Huddersfield have scored.
SPURS v WEST HAM
Kick Off: Saturday 12:30pm UK
Previous 2018-19 Result: West Ham 0 Spurs 1
A match between the two Premier League sides with the newest shiniest of new grounds. One set of fans being much happier with their end result than the other set.
Results sort of went with Spurs in the last week or so for the Top four race, and they should now get home in third, which would be all they deserve looking at the 2019 season.
They’ll probably beat the very inconsistent West Ham and then worry about the Champions League opportunity they have against Ajax coming up.
West Ham’s current 11th placing in the Premier League table would be a fitting end place for their season.
Barely Interesting Fact: West Ham are 15th in away form this season, but have conceded the 8th fewest goals away from home. Alternatively, they have only scored more than the bottom three.
WATFORD v WOLVES
Kick Off: Saturday 3pm UK
Previous 2018-19 Result: Wolves 0 Watford 2
These two sides were just recently involved in one of the great FA Cup semi finals of recent years, Watford taking the spoils that day, but Wolves currently winning the longer battle of 7th place, which may come with Europa League next year. So, we’re not sure if it is a prize that anybody wants to win. Although if Watford win the FA Cup, they go to Europe anyway.
These two sides have constantly battled for best of the rest all season, and both deserve the title.
Wolves proved over the weekend that they are great against the top six, and much less so against the bottom six. Watford have been slightly more consistent and competitive against just about everyone.
Here’s hoping for another great match up between the sides.
Barely Interesting Fact: Wolves have won three of the last five games between these sides at Vicarage Road.
CRYSTAL PALACE v EVERTON
Kick Off: Saturday 3pm UK
Previous 2018-19 Result: Everton 2 Crystal Palace 0
This could be the game of the weekend, as two top six giant killers go head to head fresh from hurting Arsenal and Man Utd’s top four chances.
Everton are up to fourth in the overall and away last six form, their away form hit and miss with going WLWLWL. The last L coming in a surprising defeat to Fulham. That pattern, and Crystal Palace’s relative lack of success at home this season means a Everton win surely.
Although you can’t discount the Eagles chances, given they arrive fresh from a big win at Arsenal, and that Mr No Goals Christian Benteke scored.
Barely Interesting Fact: Crystal Palace have drawn the very next game after upsetting a top six side this season.
FULHAM v CARDIFF
Kick Off: Saturday 3pm UK
Previous 2018-19 Result: Cardiff 4 Fulham 2
“One of us, one of us” chant the Fulham side as they could ruin the Bluebirds chances of survival this weekend if they continue their late season burst of winning. It may only be two games, can their previous best was two wins in five games, so who could begrudge Fulham a little joy on the way out.
A loss for Cardiff would make it likely they will be relegated, a loss and a Brighton win means they are as good as down with the gap of 13 in goal difference. Brighton are at home to Newcastle, and on current form will stretch the relegation race by another week.
Cardiff did well enough against Liverpool, losing 2-0, but the sudden, unexpected turnaround of Fulham makes this so hard to pick. Surely Cardiff have more to play for.
Barely Interesting Fact: The last two games between these sides has finished 4-2. 17 of the last 18 games between these sides has seen both teams score. Those 18 games have seen 65 goals in total.
SOUTHAMPTON v BOURNEMOUTH
Kick Off: Saturday 3pm UK
Previous 2018-19 Result: Bournemouth 0 Southampton 0
A big South Coast derby awaits this weekend, and with either sides having nothing more than local pride to play for, it should hopefully be plenty entertaining and see loads of goals.
Southampton striker Shane Long became one of the more unlikely fastest scorers of all time in the EPL last weekend, a little surprising given he doesn’t score very often.
Bournemouth are slowly seeing out the season, winning just twice in 12 games is testing the patience of fans, who have already been treated to the 4-0 win over Chelsea at home earlier in the season.
The Saints are probably still not safe, so a point may suit them to ensure they won’t go down this season. They probably deserves it with Mark Hughes in charge, but Ralph Hassenhuttl has really done the job for them.
Barely Interesting Fact: Southampton are undefeated against Bournemouth at home.
BRIGHTON v NEWCASTLE
Kick Off: Saturday 5:30pm UK
Previous 2018-19 Result: Newcastle 0 Brighton 1
Brighton are doing everything they can to give Cardiff a sniff of survival, their last six form is the second worst, and they have point and scored zero goals in their last six.
Newcastle meanwhile are on the rise, safe on 41 points and have defeated teams in reasonable form in Leicester and Southampton.
The big question is now whether they keep Rafa Benitez. He’s probably mad if he doesn’t take a role that has far less Mike Ashley. He has done wonders with a side that has been barely above good Championship quality since promotion.
Taking results back to Valentine’s Day for no good reason, Newcastle are 7th, Brighton are 17th in points scored. Brighton have scored the fewest goals in the league during this period. heir four goals being two less than Huddersfield.
Barely Interesting Fact: Newcastle haven’t beaten Brighton since they returned to the Premier League (2L 1D)
LEICESTER v ARSENAL
Kick Off: Sunday 12pm UK
Previous 2018-19 Result: Arsenal 3 Leicester 1
Both sides are coming into this game with underwhelming form. Leicester’s draw with West Ham was a lost opportunity, but much better than Arsenal’s loss at home to Crystal Palace and loss away at Wolves. Conceding three goals each time.
Leicester are actually third in the last six form table despite most recently playing out a draw and losing to Newcastle. They have the potential to punish Arsenal who are the ninth best away team this season.
Arsenal dropped to fifth behind Chelsea in the race for the top four, but can rely on winning the Europa League in which they are in the semi finals. But so can Chelsea, who could meet them in the final.
Barely Interesting Fact: The home sides has won this fixture 3-1 in the last two fixtures. One each for Arsenal and Leicester.
BURNLEY v MAN CITY
Kick Off: Sunday 2pm UK
Previous 2018-19 Result: Man City 5 Burnley 0
When Man City flogged Burnley 5-0 earlier in the season, it left Burnley fourth last and they looked cooked for Premier League. It has turned around for Burnley now, and despite the fact that they are 15th in the table, they also have passed the magic 40 point barrier.
Can this game be the banana skin that Liverpool desperately need. They hope so, and Man City’s record at Turf Moor isn’t quite as dominant as most other grounds.
In saying that, you can’t see Man City slipping up now.
Barely Interesting Fact: Burnley have a decent record against Man City at home. Since 2014-15 their record v Man City at home is one win, one draw , one loss. You have to ignore the recent run of games away to Manchester City were they have lost all four games by a combined total of 17-1
MAN UTD v CHELSEA
Kick Off: Sunday 4:30pm UK
Previous 2018-19 Result: Draw 2-2
The big name, top six clash of the weekend is actually one of the least interesting games of the EPL Week 36. And probably worth avoiding in favour of Watford v Wolves or Crystal Palace v Everton.
Man Utd have been dreadful of late, and they may well regret the long term timing of hiring their new manager. They have jut two wins from five games and in sit in 15th of the form table during that time.
Chelsea are less effective on the road, but Man Utd seem less effective everywhere right now.
It has 0-0 written all over it.
Barely Interesting Fact: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
2018-2019 Premier League Tipping Competition Results
THE GURGLER
2018-2019 Tipping Results – 182/350– 52% – (23 Correct Scores)
Last Week Tipping Results – 6/14 – 2 Correct Scores
Best – 11/15 Week 32
OPPOSITION
2018-2019 Results – 164/350 – 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
Week 23 – 3/10 – Traffic
Week 24 – 2/10 – Post FA Cup 3rd / 4th Round Form
Week 25 – 4/10 – Happiness
Week 26 – 6/10 – Valentine’s Days
Week 27 – 6/10 – Divorce
Week 28 – 5/10 – Sack Race
Week 29 – 8/10 – Wages
Week 30 – 5/10 – Recycling
Week 31 – 1/5 – Gossip
Week 32 – 10/15 – Expected Goals
Week 33 – 2/6 – UK Breweries
Week 34 – 6/11 – Who got more to play for?
Week 35 – 7/14 – Fantasy Football Points
