Two weeks of the Premier League to go, and with the focus now on the top two and the next four, our Premier League Predictions Week 37 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 interesting stats thrown in too.
We’re even boldly predicting in our Premier League Predictions Week 37 that both of the top two will only draw this weekend.
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 quality of sleep in each of the team’s cities.
It’s a lot like the BBC’s Lawros tips, but better. Arguably.
Premier League Predictions Week 37 – Gurgler v Sleep
Top / bottom rank of city for sleep in brackets.
EVERTON (8th Best) to beat Burnley (10th Worst)
SPURS (10th Best) to beat Bournemouth (7th Worst)
WEST HAM (10th Best) to beat Southampton (7th Worst)
WOLVES (5th Best) to beat Fulham (10th Best)
CRYSTAL PALACE (10th Best) to beat Cardiff (2nd Worst)
LIVERPOOL (8th Best) to beat Newcastle (5th Worst)
DRAW – Chelsea (10th Best) v Watford (10th Best)
HUDDERSFIELD (Best) to beat Man Utd (10th Worst)
ARSENAL (10th Best) to beat Brighton (7th Worst)
LEICESTER (2nd Best) to beat Man City (10th Worst)
TIPS BACKGROUND: With the long season coming to an end, everyone is probably getting tired. So it is the perfect time to use sleep in each city as a way of deciding winners.
Our theory is that the better a team is sleeping, the more refreshed their fans are, so they support better, and the side wins over a club whose fans are tired.
Data from this website.
GURGLER PREMIER LEAGUE Predictions Week 37
Now our tips. Based on our opinion, research, study and ignorance. (In no particular order)
EVERTON to beat Burnley (3-1)
BOURNEMOUTH to beat Spurs (2-1)
SOUTHAMPTON to beat West Ham (2-1)
WOLVES to beat Fulham (3-1)
CRYSTAL PALACE to beat Cardiff (4-1)
DRAW – Newcastle v Liverpool (1-1)
CHELSEA to beat Watford (4-1)
MAN UTD to beat Huddersfield (1-0)
ARSENAL to beat Brighton (4-0)
DRAW – Man City v Leicester (2-2)
Premier League Predictions Week 37 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.
EVERTON v BURNLEY
Kick Off: Friday 8pm UK
Previous 2018-19 Result: Burnley 1 Everton 5
Burnley are looking to embarrass Everton at home, as much as Everton did in their 5-1 win in the reverse match earlier in the season, although with Burnley safe and Everton unlikely to win the Everton Cup for 7th place, neither team really has anything to play for.
Both teams are in the top six for last six form too, scoring nine goals and ten goals respectively. Perhaps a free-flowing goal fest to start the weekend eh?
Barely Interesting Fact: Only Man City have conceded fewer goals than Everton’s two in the last six EPL matches.
BOURNEMOUTH v SPURS
Kick Off: Saturday 12:30pm UK
Previous 2018-19 Result: Spurs 5 Bournemouth 0
Spurs need just one more win to guarantee themselves a place in the top four, which seems their likely way of qualifying for the Champions League next year after being beaten by Ajax at home during the week. A win would have looked a formality a few months ago when Spurs were the best away team in the EPL, but they are currently on a run of five straight away losses in the Premier League.
Bournemouth were involved in a thrilling 3-3 draw last weekend, with Fantasy EPL favourites Callum Wilson and Ryan Fraser among the start players. Fraser himself is attracting plenty of interest for next season, including from this week’s opponent. Perfect time to shine with you prospective new manager watching. Bournemouth have beaten Chelsea 4-0 at home this year, and record against the big six at home is not completely embarrassing.
Barely Interesting Fact: Bournemouth have beaten Spurs at home once – in the FA Cup in 1957.
WEST HAM v SOUTHAMPTON
Kick Off: Saturday 3pm UK
Previous 2018-19 Result: Southampton 1 West Ham 2
Another game with not a lot left to play for, so let’s hope that means it is full of goals. Every chance of that too, with both sides conceding 11 goals in their past 6 games. Southampton at least were in the goals last game in a 3-3 draw with Bournemouth, while West Ham quietly went about being the first team to spoil Spurs day at the new stadium.
Barely Interesting Fact: Southampton are eighth in the table since March. And solid midfield with Hassenhuttl. Could be the big improvers next season, which should work out good for Liverpool down the road.
WOLVES v FULHAM
Kick Off: Saturday 3pm UK
Previous 2018-19 Result: Fulham 1 Wolves 1
This one should be easy then, Wolves to thrash Fulham at home. Or is it? Fulham are now on a three game winning streak, with clean sheets. In fact they have now have more clean sheets away than Arsenal.
And Wolves have struggled against the lower ranked teams this season. If they pick that up next season, the top six is a realistic target. although the dreaded second season syndrome awaits.
Barely Interesting Fact: In 11 games so far this season Wolves have taken 11 points against the bottom six sides, and 16 against the top six.
CARDIFF v CRYSTAL PALACE
Kick Off: Saturday 5:30pm UK
Previous 2018-19 Result: Crystal Palace 0 Cardiff 0
realistically, Cardiff are down, but not officially or mathematically yet, so no Neil Warnock will have an inspiring speech ready for his team, and a draft moan about referee prepared. Warnock has done a good job regardless, one to not be fired this season when it looked like he was a special, and secondly to have Cardiff still a chance of survival with two games to go. Possibly proved he isn’t as useless a manager in the top flight as previously believed. No even super coach Ole Gunnar Sollskjaer could do more with Cardiff.
Tough ask against Crystal Palace, who are one of the form away sides this season. May Wilfried Zaha continue to entertain, although he is more likely to be kicked and fouled.
Barely Interesting Fact: Crystal Palace are the sixth best away team this season overall, and second in the last six form. Their 11 goals scored away in the last six is even one more than Man City.
NEWCASTLE v LIVERPOOL
Kick Off: Saturday 7:45pm UK
Previous 2018-19 Result: Liverpool 4 Newcastle 0
Is this where the Liverpool title bid unravels? After being beaten, but certainly not disgraced against Barcelona in the midweek Champions League, Liverpool now go to Newcastle where they don’t have a great recent record, and a place where even Man City have been beaten this year. Although having a former Liverpool manager in the opposition team may have conspiracy theorists working overtime. Especially given Man City’s game this weekend is against another former Liverpool manager. Could they unite to bring a title home to Liverpool?
Newcastle have won six of their last seven home games too, as they finish off the season strongly. One hopes for their sake that Benitez stays, but who could blame him if he goes.
Barely Interesting Fact: Jurgen Klopp has yet to beat Newcastle away (1L 1D). And Liverpool have won just once in the past seven meeting at St James Park.
CHELSEA v WATFORD
Kick Off: Sunday 2pm UK
Previous 2018-19 Result: Watford 1 Chelsea 2
A win for Chelsea gives them a top four finish for this season too, but like all the other contenders from third to sixth are not in the greatest of form. Although no team is in great form. In the last three only Spurs have won one game, although Chelsea at least have lost the fewest with 2 Draws and 1 Loss. This could be Eden Hazard’s last home game before finally heading to Real Madrid, and will no doubt produce one more masterclass before signing off.
Watford have done a super job this season, and will hopefully get the reward of an FA Cup trophy in a few weeks time.
Barely Interesting Fact: Chelsea have scored four goals or more in five of the last seven matches v Watford at Stamford Bridge. They did also score two, and three goals in those other two games. Chelsea haven’t lost at home to Watford since Watford scored 5 goals against them in 1986.
HUDDERSFIELD v MAN UTD
Kick Off: Sunday 2pm UK
Previous 2018-19 Result: Man Utd 3 Huddersfield 1
A nice game for Man Utd to get to keep them in the top four race, as long as both Spurs and Chelsea don’t both win. So it may be academic anyway. Huddersfield did beat Man Utd at home last season, but that’s when the Terriers weren’t as busted arse as they are now. The way it has started imploding there, a second drop next season is not out of the question.
Man Utd probably need a decent clean out of players in the summer if reports of player unrest are true. Selling Alexis Sanchez and Paul Pogba could earn some quick cash and clear out a few problems.
Barely Interesting Fact: 44% of Huddersfield home goals have come in the last six games. The third best strike rate behind Southampton and Newcastle.
ARSENAL v BRIGHTON
Kick Off: Sunday 4:20pm UK
Previous 2018-19 Result: Brighton 1 Arsenal 1
By the time this game is played both Arsenal can’t finish in the top four and Brighton have avoided finishing in the bottom three. So this game might be a complete waste of time. Or it could be a free flowing game of goals between sides who no longer care.
Unlikely given how many Brighton have scored lately, last weekend’s goal against Newcastle broke a run of six games without scoring. Just five goals in their last 10 games. Sadly it probably means that Chris Hughton is every chance of being fired as soon as the season finishes.
Barely Interesting Fact: Brighton have never beaten Arsenal away in any competition.
MAN CITY v LEICESTER
Kick Off: Monday 8pm UK
Previous 2018-19 Result: Leicester 2 Man City 1
We had earlier predicted Liverpool to only draw at Newcastle, but for fairness we have also tipped Leicester to draw at Man City.
Seems unlikely, but Leicester do have a decent record against Man City, if you overlook a 5-1 loss at Man City last season that is.
Even more unlikely given Man City’s squad and the fact that they only have the title to play for.
But Leicester are only behind the two title contenders in last six form, and Brendan Rodgers is a former Liverpool manager.
Barely Interesting Fact: Leicester and Lyon are the only two sides that Man City haven’t beaten at some stage this season.
2018-2019 Premier League Tipping Competition Results
THE GURGLER
2018-2019 Tipping Results – 187/360– 52% – (25 Correct Scores)
Last Week Tipping Results – 5/10 – 2 Correct Scores
Best – 11/15 Week 32
OPPOSITION
2018-2019 Results – 166/360 – 46%
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
Week 36 – 2/10 – Train Stations
