TWITS Picks: Gameweek 2
Our weekly round-up of our picks is here for Gameweek 2. In this, we look at how our picks from last week went, what went right, what went horribly wrong, and what results we are predicting and why for Gameweek 2.
The 3 of us in the This Week In Tipple Sports team will be competing against each other, putting our wits up to the test to see who, if anyone, is really the expert when it comes to football.
To start off, let’s have a look at how we got on in Gameweek 1.
Gameweek 1 Review
Kieran: 3 points
Picks
Portsmouth 1-2 Norwich - Draw
Oldham 1-2 Swindon - Home Win
Sunderland 3-0 West Ham - Home +3pts
Leyton Orient 2-2 Stockport - Away Win
Stevenage 2-0 Northampton - Draw
Ipswich 1-1 Southampton (BIG BET) - Home Win
Review
Well, not the best week let’s be honest, with only 1 out of 6 correct saving me from a 0/6 and -10 points, but still a pretty horrid start to the season. However, I can take pride in that win being that it was newly promoted, play-off winning, Sunderland, who I am positive many people didn’t even give a chance to. Other than that it was pretty dismal, with Stockport conceding in the 93rd minute to take a second win and 4 more points away from me.
On Sunday, I had high hopes of the week being saved by the big bet when Ipswich scored in the 4th minute to take the lead. But those hopes were quickly dashed by the Southampton equaliser on the 29th, and by then, I knew it was not going to be my week. Oh well, could be worse and any positive points are good points!
Schoey: 16 points
Picks
Chesterfield 3-1 Bristol Rovers - Home Win +3pts
Sunderland 3-0 West Ham - Draw -3pts
Blackpool 3-2 Huddersfield - Away Win
Stevenage 2-0 Northampton - Home Win +3pts
Ipswich 1-1 Southampton (BIG BET) - Draw +10pts
Nottingham Forest 3-1 Brentford - Home Win +3pts
Review
Not a bad start with 16 points in the bag already. Top of the TWITS group and if West Ham had not gotten beaten so heavily by Sunderland costing me a -3, I would have been even better off.
The big bet draw got me a huge 10 points, and easy wins for Chesterfield, Stevenage, and Nottingham Forest a further 9. The only other team to let me down was Huddersfield losing 3-2 away to Blackpool, had I gained that I would have been on for an Edge and an unbelievable first week, but still, I’ll take the 16 any day of the week!
Will: 11 points
Picks
Oldham 1-2 Swindon - Away Win +4pts
Barnsley 1-1 Bolton - Home Win
Leyton Orient 2-2 Stockport - Away Win
Shrewsbury Town 0-2 Colchester - Away Win +4pts
Ipswich 1-1 Southampton (BIG BET) - Draw
Leeds 1-0 Everton - Home Win +3pts
Review
A solid start to the season with 11 points. A bit of a shame to have missed out on the big bet, especially after Ipswich had gotten off to such a good start, but 10+ point weeks with no big bet win is good going in my opinion, with 2 away wins and a home win.
Late goals for Bolton and Leyton Orient robbed me of a further 7 base points, and an Edge bonus too. It could have been so much better, but then again, at least I’m not Kieran.
Gameweek 2 Picks
Kieran
Luton vs Cardiff (BIG BET) - Draw
Having not drawn since way back in 2007, this fixture is due a shared points finish. I think with Cardiff’s attacking prowess and Luton’s solid defence, they are going to cancel each other out and this will either end up a 0-0 or 1-1, I’m going for a draw and a maximum 10 point big bet this week.
Norwich vs Middlesbrough – Away Win
Having just thrashed Millwall 3-0 away from home, Boro will be full of confidence, and looking for a repeat against Norwich this weekend. I haven’t been all that convinced by Norwich so far and know from experience that Liam Manning sides take a little while to gel, so I’m banking on that and putting an away win.
Sheffield United vs Millwall – Draw
I’ve changed this one about 5 times already between home win and draw, finally settling on the gut feeling that if Millwall start well, tensions are going to be high with the fans in Bramall Lane after the start United have had. I am hoping for an early Millwall goal and a late Blades equaliser.
Bristol Rovers vs Cambridge – Away Win
I still maintain that Rovers are better than their start has shown and I will die on that hill, but I just haven’t seen enough in their opening games for me to think they will get something out of this game. Going with a Cambridge win.
Notts County vs Bromley – Home Win
Another team I think are better than their start and due to kick off their season properly. I think County will be a bit disappointed with how things have gone so far in their first 4 games, and will be desperate to put that right against Bromley. Going for a home win here too.
Everton vs Brighton – Draw
A final punt to hopefully round off a week of huge points. 3 draws is always a risky play but when it comes off it can fire you up the league. After my start of 3 points last week, I need something to get going and catch the early pace setters.
Schoey
Luton vs Cardiff (BIG BET) – Away Win
With Cardiff’s attacking ability I think they have the slight advantage over Luton, and have in my opinion started the better of the two. I’ll be going for a maybe risky away win for this, even if Luton are pretty solid at home at the moment.
Bournemouth vs Wolves – Home Win
I saw more to like in Bournemouth’s first loss than that of Wolves, taking on Liverpool and giving them a good test. Looking at the Wolves loss against City, on the back of last years poor season, I can only see this going one way, so I am picking a home win.
Brentford vs Aston Villa – Away Win
I think Villa will be right up there near the top 4 this season, and Brentford after losing Frank and starting poorly against Forest, will be worried about the coming season I am sure. For me these two are a bit of a mismatch, and therefore I’ve gone with an away win for Villa.
Charlton vs Leicester – Away Win
Surely Leicester’s unbelievable quality on paper will start showing in real life soon? It has been a pretty sorry start for the Foxes, narrowly beating Sheffield Wednesday (who’s situation everyone knows by now), and losing away to Preston. Charlton by contrast have adapted excellently to life in the Championship with a win and a draw. I think though that this match will be the turning point, and have gone with an away win.
Bristol Rovers vs Cambridge – Away Win
Rovers are poor at the minute, they’ve started their season with 3 losses and a draw, and have not been unlucky in any of them. I think this could be a big scoreline if Cambridge were to get a goal early. Gone for an away win.
Notts County vs Bromley – Away Win
Bit of a risky one maybe but I’m going for an away win for this. Bromley are unbeaten in their 4 games so far and Notts County just have not been too convincing, so this is going to be my ‘risk of the week’ and hopefully bring back big points.
Will
Luton vs Cardiff (BIG BET) – Home Win
My team to go up as Champions this year. Don't see anything other than a Luton Win. Yes, I know Cardiff have started well with 10/12 points, this is going to be a tough test and Luton's quality will come through in the end.
Brentford vs Aston Villa – Away Win
It's looking a little shaky in Brentford. After 5 years of being a solidified Premier League team you can't help but think they might be making up the bottom three unless they improve on their recruitment. Villa will be arriving looking to get the job done and I believe they will do comfortably. It’s a good opportunity for Ollie Watkins to get his first goal of the season.
Preston North End vs Ipswich – Away Win
So far two testing fixtures for Ipswich. Drawing to Birmingham away on the opening day and Southampton last weekend, I don't think fans will be very worried about these results. Kieran McKenna's side have clarity on the Omari Hutchinson deal, I feel like the squad can now start to settle down into the season and will be looking at this Preston game as an opportunity to kick on and get the 3pts.
Bolton vs Lincoln – Home Win
Bolton were unlucky not to get the 3pts against Reading midweek, they created enough chances to kill the game off, the finishing just let them down. Reading was lucky with a deflected effort looping over the keeper late in the game to get the equaliser. Lincoln City on the other hand are on a good run of form with 3 straight wins in the league and cup, the latest win coming away against Northampton Town. It’s going to be a close encounter for these sides, if Bolton can improve on their finishing, I believe they will come out on top.
Bristol Rovers vs Cambridge – Draw
Bristol managed to get their first point of the season in midweek, maybe a be a turning point for them to get the season started. Cambridge looking to build on the momentum of winning away to Colchester scoring 2 goals in 2 minutes. For me I don't see either side running away with it.
Notts County vs Bromley – Home Win
This is the week for Notts County to get their season started, a big 4-1 win against Shrewsbury Town. With Bromley visiting Meadow Lane this weekend they've had a good start so far with 2 wins and 2 draws. It’s going to be a closer game, but I think Notts will manage to give Bromley their first defeat of the season.
