TWITS Picks GW17: Normal Service Resuming?
One of us got a double digit points week this week. Two of us did not… Now I don’t want to be bias, but I’m pretty sure we are finally seeing a return to real form. The football IQ is finally shining through, or not in some cases. It was only a matter of time. (Can you guess which one of us posts these write ups yet?)
Read below for our Gameweek 16 review and a preview of our picks for Gameweek 17.
Want to test your footie knowledge against us? Download Tipple here and get involved!
Gameweek 16 Review
Kieran: 11 points
Picks
Colchester 0-0 Gillingham (BIG BET) - Home (0pts)
Derby 1-3 Leicester - Home (0pts)
Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea - Draw (5pts)
Southampton 3-1 Birmingham - Away (0pts)
Halifax 4-0 Braintree - Home (3pts)
Scunthorpe 3-1 Tamworth - Home (3pts)
Review
3 out of 6 ain’t bad, but I can think we can all agree… what a crap Big Bet. Lower league knowledge shined through for me this week although I’ll be honest, it was more luck than judgement. I’m going to take full credit for the Bournemouth Chelsea draw though, that I will say was an excellent gamble that more than paid off. That’s two double digit weeks in a row for me now and starting to build a good base to chase Schoey down with. Give it a couple more weeks and I’ll reign him in.
Schoey: 2 points
Picks
Colchester 0-0 Gillingham (BIG BET) - Home (0pts)
Aston Villa 2-1 Arsenal - Draw (0pts)
Southampton 3-1 Birmingham - Draw (0pts)
Hartlepool 0-2 Yeovil - Home (0pts)
Rochdale P-P Southend - Home (2pts)
Fulham 1-2 Crystal Palace - Draw (0pts)
Review
Well as far as football is concerned, last week just got worse and worse for me. Villa’s last minute winner to Arsenal cost me 5 points. The big bet was shockingly bad. Coventry lost. It was looking like I could’ve been on my way to -10, until Rochdale turned their game around. Hooray, a spectacular 3 points to end a depressing week! Oh wait, the Rochdale game was rained off in the 78th minute! So just the 2 points instead… fantastic.
Will: 0 points
Picks
Colchester 0-0 Gillingham (BIG BET) - Home (0pts)
Aston Villa 2-1 Arsenal - Away (0pts)
Everton 3-0 Nottingham Forest - Draw (-3pts)
Hartlepool 0-2 Yeovil - Home (0pts)
Halifax 4-0 Braintree - Home (3pts)
Fulham 1-2 Crystal Palace - Draw (0pts)
Review
Well that just went great, 0 points for me being saved from a -10 with 1 correct. Massive thank you to Halifax Town for smashing Braintree 4-0 always said National league is brilliant. Otherwise let down by every other bet and special mention to Everton for winning 3-0 and giving me -3 points, cheers.
Current Standings
1st) Schoey (Correct: 41, Points: 169)
2nd) Kieran (Correct: 39, Points: 149)
3rd) Will (Correct: 36, Points: 121)
Gameweek 17 Picks
Kieran
Sunderland vs Newcastle (BIG BET) - Home
COME ON YOU MACKEMS. I have gone for this result purely to piss off Schoey, nothing else, no stats or anything came into play, this is purely mind games. I’m channeling my inner Ferguson (that’s Sir Alex, not Darren) to try and put as much pressure on him as possible.
Salford vs Colchester - Away
Don’t think I’ve had one time where Salford have come through for me this season, so stands to reason that this will be the game that they will win. But even so, I’m putting my faith in an in-form Colchester side to come through with the 4 away points.
Birmingham vs Charlton - Home
The Blues let me down last week but surely at home against a severely declining Charlton side they can get the win? Surely?
Portsmouth vs Blackburn - Draw
I was convinced Blackburn would win this, until I saw them against Oxford on Tuesday night. Now I’m even thinking Pompey might pull out a win. I’m hedging my bets a bit and going with a draw to try and bring home a big score.
Chelsea vs Everton - Home
I feel this is my dodgy bet this week, there is always one. Chelsea should really win this game, but with the form Everton have been in I can see it turning out the other way around. I just hope the home advantage will be enough to see them through.
Brentford vs Leeds - Home
Another one I’m not too sure on, but a bit more confident that Brentford will manage the win. I think it’s going to be a pretty open free flowing game, so whether it is a win or not, I expect it to be a game with a lot of goals.
Schoey
Sunderland vs Newcastle (BIG BET) - Draw
Finally, a proper big bet. Much better than last week’s 0-0 snooze fest. Taking in to account Sunderland home form, compared to Newcastle’s away form. This realistically should be a home win. But, emotions will be flying high in potentially one of the biggest derbys in English football. I’m going for the big bet maximum points with a draw.
Liverpool vs Brighton - Home
Well this could be a big mistake but Liverpool haven’t lost in 4 games, which shouldn’t be an impressive stat but this season it is! Slot finally played Ekitike and Isak in the same starting line up and they did look better. My only worry is that Salah’s crying may have a knock-on effect on the rest of the squad. Hopefully not.
Birmingham vs Charlton - Draw
Charlton seem to have dropped off a cliff in form. 5 losses in 5 games… Birmingham have lost 2 in a row but both away games. They have had some pretty convincing home wins recently and I expect them to do the same against the team with the worst form in the league.
Manchester United vs Bournemouth - Away
I know this is a bit of a risk. With Utd eaking out results and Bournemouth struggling. But I feel its only a matter of time until Semenyo is fully back to his best. Also Utd still don’t impress me at all really.
Wrexham vs Watford- Home
Neither team have great form recently. But I’ve really been unimpressed by Watford this season. Scraping a win at home against Norwich, who have been terrible. Then not being able to hold on to their lead against the worst team in the league was pretty shocking. Wrexham have the home advantage and one of only two teams to have beaten the mighty Coventry City this season.
Tranmere vs Crewe - Home
I’ll be honest, this was my final pick. And it was made purely off of home advantage and recent form.. up the mere!
Will
Sunderland vs Newcastle (BIG BET) - Away
Everyone has been surprised how well Sunderland started and fair play they have given some upsets to the so called big 6. I’m a little torn this between a draw and Newcastle away win. The stadium of light is going to be hostile for the Newcastle players . Newcastle have showcased themselves very well recently with good wins against Man City and Everton. Midweek they had a tough away fixture in the champions league and nearly came back with all 3pts.
Brentford vs Leeds - Draw
This is going to be a close affair, both teams will feel they can get something out of the game. Brentford have had two tough fixtures losing to Spurs and Arsenal. While Leeds have got crucial points against Chelsea and Liverpool. I can’t split them so going for a draw.
Birmingham vs Charlton - Home
Two tough results away from Home for Brum but Charlton have been having an even harder time lately losing there last 5. I’m going for a Birmingham home win they have had good form at St.Andrews losing only once.
Wrexham vs Watford - Home
Well Wrexham have turned into a bit of a force at home and currently have only lost once in the past 6. Notably smashing Coventry 3-2 at home. I think they beat Watford comfortably.
Portsmouth vs Blackburn - Draw
This one is a bit of a gut feel. After watching Blackburn draw with Oxford mid week I didn’t think they were anything special going forward. Pompey on the other hand have struggled themselves, this could be a goalless draw on the cards.
Stockport vs Stevenage - Home
I still really fancy Stockport to go up automatically this season. I think they have a really balanced squad. They will have a tough game against a Stevenage team who have been very defensively sound all season only conceding 12. I’m sticking with Stockport to win on this one.
