TWITS Picks GW26: The Run In
Well, we’re past the halfway point of the season and the race to May 2nd starts now. It’s still all to play for in the TWITS league with just 43 points separating the 3 of us - that’s just 1 gameweek’s worth of points!
Read below for our Gameweek 24 review and a preview of our picks for Gameweek 25.
Want to test your footie knowledge against us? Download Tipple here and get involved!
Gameweek 25 Review
Kieran: 10 points
Picks
Liverpool 1-2 Manchester City (BIG BET) - Home (0pts)
Derby 1-2 Ipswich - Draw (0pts)
Crawley 0-1 Crewe - Away (4pts)
Swindon 3-0 Oldham - Home (3pts)
Hull 2-3 Bristol City - Home (0pts)
Colchester 2-0 Shrewsbury - Home (3pts)
Review
Not bad, not bad. Could be a lot better but at least it’s double figures again. Cannot believe Ipswich did me over in the last 15 minutes, I thought I was on for a perfect week with those 3 early kickoffs coming in at that point. But anyway, can’t complain too much with 10 points, we go again this week trying to get that first elusive bonus points week.
Schoey: 10 points
Picks
Liverpool 1-2 Manchester City (BIG BET) - Draw (0pts)
Derby 1-2 Ipswich - Draw (0pts)
Norwich 2-0 Blackburn - Home (3pts)
Southampton 1-0 Watford - Home (3pts)
Burnley 0-2 West Ham - Away (4pts)
Hull 2-3 Bristol City - Home (0pts)
Review
Last week was okay after the disastrous week before. 3 out of 6 correct isn't too bad. 2 home and 1 away win landing me on 3 points. I really thought I had come through with a big bet masterclass predicting a draw. After Silva scored the equaliser in the 84th minute I was rubbing my hands together, thinking I had bagged a 20 point week. Then of course that dream was ruined with a 93rd minute penalty to win city the game. Mind you, that did save my dad from getting -10 points in only his second week of using the app. So I was quite pleased for him.
Will: 3 points
Picks
Liverpool 1-2 Manchester City (BIG BET) - Draw (0pts)
Southampton 1-0 Watford - Home (3pts)
Swindon 3-0 Oldham - Draw (-3pts)
AFC Wimbledon 3-2 Reading - Away (0pts)
Colchester 2-0 Shrewsbury - Home (3pts)
Brighton 0-1 Crystal Palace - Home (0pts)
Review
Not a great week for myself only the 3 points. Managing only 2 home wins and get the -3 on the Swindon game was not what I wanted. What a game we had in the big bet. Man City clinching the win, which I thought was a bit tough on Liverpool maybe a draw seemed a fair result. We can all say we loved the chaos at the end, unless you’re a Liverpool fan of course.
Current Standings
1st) Schoey (Correct: 60, Points: 250)
2nd) Will (Correct: 61, Points: 240)
3rd) Kieran (Correct: 56, Points: 207)
Gameweek 26 Picks
Kieran
Coventry vs Middlesbrough (BIG BET) - Home
Now after seeing Oxford away at Coventry, I even surprise myself going for a Cov win here. But I really think that was purely an off day for them and I think that is the type of result to really gee up the players to get back on track. Might be a bit risky here given the two teams current form, but I’m going for a home win.
Reading vs Wycombe - Draw
Quite simple this one when looking at Wycombe’s away form - only 13 of their 43 points coming away from home and 7 of those points coming from draws. Then we take Reading, who aren’t exactly world beaters at home. I think with both teams looking to force themselves into the play-off race picture, this could be a case of cancelling each other out and end in a draw.
Barnet vs Cheltenham - Home
One of those matches during international breaks or FA Cup weekends that manages to find it’s way onto Tipple despite being fairly one sided. If you see it, you have to take advantage of it. With Barnet 16 points and 7 places above Cheltenham, and fighting for the play-offs, they have all the motivation in the World to win this one. Cheltenham however, 9 points above the relegation zone and 19 points below the play-offs, is this the point where thoughts about summer holidays start to creep in? Maybe a little bit early for that, but the point stands.
Portsmouth vs Sheffield United - Draw
Now as an Oxford fan, well and truly in the relegation fight with Pompey, it pains me to say this, but I think Portsmouth are too good to go down. That is pretty disastrous for us, but I have to take my heart out of the equation with Tipple picks, so I’m going to say they’re going to get another decent point on Saturday against Sheffield United.
Braintree vs Solihull Moors - Draw
God I love these weeks when the National League teams come into play, it’s so much more exciting than the Prem. Now, if you look just based on points then you’d of course say Solihull would walk this match. However, in their last 5 games they’ve managed a single win, coming at an extremely poor Morecambe side. Braintree on the otherhand although low in the table, have had a little bit of a resurgance of late, accumulating some decent points against relegation rivals. That kind of momentum can have a big impact and I think they might scrape another good point here.
Gateshead vs Brackley - Away
Now, it’s a COMPLETELY different story for Gateshead. 19 points total in the league, rock bottom and pretty much doomed already, and losing all of their last 15 matches in all competitions. If you pick anything other than a Brackley win here, you’re a very brave person.
Schoey
Coventry vs Middlesbrough (BIG BET) - Draw
Now then, it appears we have a touchy subject to talk about. Much to Kieran and Wills delight I'm sure. We (Coventry) have been really off it recently, dominating starts of games and not being able to finish our dinner. Getting caught on the break and being wide open at the back. Our only saving grace is that our home form has still been good (besides the horror draw against oxford last weekend). I can't deny that Middlesbrough now appear to be the more complete team. But I believe we are still the more dangerous team going forward, we just need to be more clinical, in this game more so than ever. I have backed a draw in the hope that if we don't win, I could still accept a draw. A loss however in any way is unacceptable and would undoubtedly ruin my monday night and the rest of the following week. Please Cov. Just sort it out.
Barnet vs Cheltenham - Home
Well after looking at recent form this pick seemed fairly self explanatory. Cheltenham having won 1 and lost 6 in all comps since the turn of the new year, which is clearly pretty dire. Whereas Barnet have lost just 1 in their last 9 games, winning 5 of them. On top of that they have the home advantage.
Preston vs Watford - Home
In this week's edition of battle of the bad, we have Watford away at preston. The bookies favouring Watford on this one and I'm not really sure why. I'm also not really sure why I have been drawn to backing Preston on this one either to be honest but I have! Watford have won just 1 game this year, on new years day at home to birmingham. Whereas Preston have won 3 games this year and won at home last weekend to Portsmouth. This is definitely my least confident pick as I really think anyone could win this. I just believe Preston are less bad at the moment.
QPR vs Blackburn - Home
Blackburn have won just 1 in their last 11 games, a 1-0 win at home to Sheffield Wednesday. They also haven't won away from home since the 21st of November, which is mental. QPR however haven't exactly been great either, they have drawn 3, lost 2 and won 2 in the league this year. But their last home game was a win against my beloved Coventry city, which makes me really hope they can beat Blackburn at home. If anything just to save cov the embarrassment.
Lincoln vs Bolton - Home
From battle of the bad to battle of the great. Lincoln and Bolton are both flying at the moment. Both teams having won 5 of their last 6 and drawing the other. The main factors making me back Lincoln this weekend are, Lincoln's longer run of current success with their last league loss coming away at Wycombe on the 22nd of November. On top of that the manner in which the wins are coming for Lincoln, having won 3 games by 3 goals this year already. Whereas Boltons recent wins have all been by a 1 goal margin. Then the icing on the cake was the fact that Lincoln have only lost 1 league game at home this season!
Tamworth vs Aldershot - Away
This is where I was starting to scrape my last pick from the bottom of the barrel. Even though the table suggests Tamworth are the better team in a much more comfortable position, they do also have a -14 goal difference. Whereas Aldershot must've had a terrible start to the season as recently they have been flying! Losing just 1 in their last 8 league games, winning 6 of them. Tamworth on the other hand have only won 1 league game this year.
Will
Coventry vs Middlesbrough (BIG BET) - Home
Battle at the top of the Championship on Monday night and it’s going to be a tricky one to predict. Boro last game against Sheffield United was an impressive showing in a game that . Coventry on the other hand were frustrated against a resilient Oxford. I think Coventry have hit a slump in recent weeks and have dropped some massive points. By the time the game is played Cov will have had 8 days to prepare for this and that will be crucial for Lampard to get his side back to winnings way. I’m backing the home side on this one to take all 3pts at the CBS arena.
Portsmouth vs Sheffield Utd - Away
Even though Sheff lost to Boro last time out and I must say the first half performance wasn’t a great watch, if they can take the second half performance to Fratton park I think they get the win. Against Pompey they will enjoy a lot more of the ball and be able to get their creative players dictating the pace of the game.
Preston vs Watford - Home
In the last 10 games combined between them there has been 1 win, that came in form of a Preston home win. Watford have now appointed Ed Still (yes younger brother of Ex Saints manager Will Still) and will take charge of his first game on Saturday. I’m just not convinced on Watford’s manager churn and with a very tough opening game at Deepdale I don’t think it’s going to be the start the new “Head Coach” wants.
Barnet vs Cheltenham - Home
Surely only one winner here Barnet have been on good form winning 3 and drawing 2 of their last 5. I’m sure their will be some very optimistic Barnet fans out there that will be thinking playoffs are on table this season. Just to note Cheltenham’s form over the last 5 games they have 0 wins 0 draws and 5 losses.
Braintree vs Solihull Moors - Away
Two teams having polar opposite season Braintree fighting for survival while Soilhull are looking to break in to the playoff spots with a dream of reaching the EFL for the first time in the clubs history. Soilhull through away a 2-0 lead last time out losing 3-2 at home to Eastleigh. They will be wanting to rebound straight away with a good opportunity this weekend to take all 3 points.
Gateshead vs Brackley - Away
Gateshead sitting rock bottom of the national league. With their last point earned back in October which finished 2-2 against Truro City. Brackley In their last 5 have drawn 4 and 1 win and will want to make sure they win this one to help ensure they don’t find themselves in a relegation battle.
