Premier League wrap – Gameweek 16

Gameweek 16 was an extremely difficult week for our predictions.  Liverpool squeezed past Palace, Villa stunned the Gunners and Spurs returned to winning ways against Newcastle. The first game... Read more
Premier League wrap - Gameweek 16

Gameweek 16 was an extremely difficult week for our predictions.  Liverpool squeezed past Palace, Villa stunned the Gunners and Spurs returned to winning ways against Newcastle.

The first game of the weekend was not of the highest quality.  Crystal Palace hosted Liverpool at Selhurst Park.  The Reds started off the game in control but could not create any meaningful chances.  Alisson’s return to the starting was a showcase of his worth to Jurgen Klopp’s side.  The Brazilian number one made two massive saves to keep the visitors in the game.  Palace were awarded a penalty just before the hour mark.  Substitute Jean-Philippe Mateta converted comfortably.  Liverpool were still blunt going forward.  Roy Hodgson’s side were down to ten-men after Andre Ayew was given his second yellow for stopping a counter attack in the 75th minute. One minute later Mohamed Salah got the equalizer.  Harvey Elliot scored the winner in extra-time, taking Liverpool to the top of the table.  Liverpool won 2-1.

The MoneyMan, Oliver and Dylan all correctly predicted a Liverpool win.

Burnley travelled to Brighton to face off against Roberto De Zerbi’s side at the AMEX Arena.  Brighton dominated this game statistically.  The hosts had nearly 80 percent possession over the 90 minutes and had 29 shots at goal.  Their struggles to consistently win games however continued this week.  Burnley went ahead just before halftime with their second shot on target thanks to Wilson Odobert.  Brighton took their dominance into the second half and peppered the Burnley goal.  Simon Adingra equalized with 15 minutes left to play.  The final score was 1-1.

The MoneyMan, Oliver and Dylan incorrectly predicted a Brighton win.

Manchester United would face a serious challenge from an in-form AFC Bournemouth at Old Trafford.  It was a nightmare start for the hosts.  Dominic Solanke put the Cherries one goal ahead just five minutes after kick-off.  The Red Devils dominated possession and created chances, but could not make the breakthrough.  As the game continued, it got worse for United.  Phillip Billing made it a two goal lead in the 68th minute.  Marcos Senesi made it three goals to nil five minutes later.  Bournemouth won 3-0.

The MoneyMan, Oliver and Dylan did not see Bournemouth winning at Old Trafford.

One of the less entertaining games of the weekend kicked off at Bramall Lane.  Brentford would go to Sheffield as favourites but would be without star forward Bryan Mbeumo.  Both Sheffield and Brentford managed 10 efforts at goal, but could not create any significant chances.  James McAtee put the Blades ahead in first half added-time.  The second half saw Brentford try and push for an equalizer but Sheffield held-on.  Sheffield won 1-0.

The MoneyMan, Oliver and Dylan incorrectly predicted a Brentford win.

Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper’s job was on the line, with a defeat against Wolves enough to get the sack.  Wolves dominated possession but could not break through.  Forest got the opener thanks to fullback Harry Tofolo in the 14th minute.  This lead would not last however, with Mattheus Cunha getting the equalizer in the 32nd minute.  The second half was not the most exciting.  Both teams had chances but nothing of great potential.  The final score was 1-1.

The MoneyMan, Oliver and Dylan did not see Wolves dropping points this weekend.

The biggest game of the weekend took place at Villa Park.  Aston Villa were coming into the game on the back of a huge win over Manchester City while the Gunners were looking to regain top spot.  The hosts had the perfect start.  John McGinn put Villa ahead in the 7th minute.  Arsenal were shocked but did not capitulate.  Mikel Arteta’s side dominated with the ball but failed to trouble Emiliano Martinez consistently.  Kai Havertz had a goal ruled out for a handball, a controversial decision that had Arteta furious post-match.  Aston Villa won 1-0.

Everton have been playing well since their point-deduction while Chelsea’s inconsistent performances have returned.  Sean Dyche’s side were effective.  Chelsea had more than 70 percent possession and more than double the hosts shots at goal, but could not make it count.  Abdoulaye Doucoure put the Toffees ahead in the 54th minute.  Chelsea continued to push for a goal but failed.  Lewis Dobbin made it 2-0 in the 92nd minute.  Everton won 2-0.

The MoneyMan, Oliver and Dylan all incorrectly backed a Chelsea win.

The only London derby of the weekend was sensational.  Fulham played West Ham at Craven Cottage.  The hosts were electric in front of goal.  Raul Jimenez, Willian and Tosin Adarabioyo all got on the scoresheet in the first half to go into the break with a three goal lead.  Harry Wilson scored on the hour mark to make it four.  Carlos Vinicius sealed West Ham’s humiliation in the 88th minute.  Fulham won 5-0.

Dylan correctly predicted a Fulham win.  The MoneyMan incorrectly predicted a draw while Oliver unfortunately backed a West ham win.

One of the biggest surprises of the season has been the challenge of facing Luton Town at Kenilworth Road.  This weekend it was Manchester City who faced the resilient Hatters.  City unsurprisingly dominated possession and created more chances, but like we have seen against Liverpool and Arsenal this Luton side are no walkover.  The hosts shockingly went ahead just before halftime thanks to Elijah Adebayo.  The dream would not last.  Bernardo Silva equalized in the 62nd minute.  Jack Grealish put the defending champions in the lead a few minutes later.  Manchester City won 2-1.

The MoneyMan, Oliver and Dylan correctly predicted a Manchester City win.

The final game of the weekend was set to be another titanic clash between Tottenham Hotspurs and Newcastle United.  Ange Postecoglu’s side has seen their positive start to the season turn into a terrible run of form while Newcastle are coming off the back of a humiliating defeat against Everton.  The hosts dominated Newcastle.  Destiny Udogie put Spurs ahead in the 26th minute after Heung-Min Son got past Kieran Trippier.  The second goal was more of the same, Son continued to torture Trippier down the left-side of Spurs attack and assisted Richarlison for Spurs second.  The second half saw Spurs dominance continue.  Richarlison secured his brace in the 60th minute, it was now a three goal lead.  Son added to his two assists with a goal after he converted from the spot in the 85th minute.  Brazilian Joelinton got a consolation goal for Newcastle in extra-time.  Spurs won 4-1.

The MoneyMan and Oliver backed a Newcastle win while Dylan was also incorrect with his prediction of a draw.

This was another difficult week for our predictions.  Gameweek 16 saw Dylan get three correct calls.  The MoneyMan and Oliver managed two correct calls this week.  The MoneyMan and Dylan are now both tied at the top with 80, Oliver is now behind but only just, with a score of 79.

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