TWITS Picks GW28 + GW29: No Research, Big Risks And A Huge Lincoln–Cardiff Clash
Well first of all I should probably apologise for the missed TWITS picks post last week, luckily we all had extremely average weeks so atleast you know none of us are cheating when you see our picks from it this week! I’ve left the post down at the bottom so you can have a read and catch up.
Back to the football, and we had a day out in Leicester and Coventry last weekend meeting some great fans of the EFL and telling them all about our app. Was amazing to meet so many different fans and get some new people in and playing Tipple. The app was built to give something to EFL fans to feel part of, and it’s been amazing to see it come to life.
TWITS for this week is back and it’s still as close as ever, with just 30 points seperating the 3 of us. Read below for our Gameweek 28 review and a preview of our picks for Gameweek 29.
Want to test your footie knowledge against us? Download Tipple here and get involved!
Gameweek 28 Review
Kieran: 10 points
Picks
Birmingham vs Middlesbrough (BIG BET) - Draw (0pts)
QPR 0-2 Sheffield United -Away (4pts)
Rotherham 1-0 Plymouth - Away (0pts)
Notts County 0-1 Grimsby - Home (0pts)
Manchester United 2-1 Crystal Palace -Home (3pts)
Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea - Home (3pts)
Review
I’ll be honest, I am a little dissapointed with that. I mean, Plymouth and Grimsby I cannot believe have bottled it for me, and Boro completely outclassing Birmingham who had only lost 1 at home all season before this. Still double figure points still and for the 5th week in a row too, so can’t complain too much really. But it could have been so much metter.
Schoey: 6 points
Picks
Birmingham vs Middlesbrough (BIG BET) - Home (0pts)
Oxford United 2-1 West Brom - Draw (0pts)
Rotherham 1-0 Plymouth - Away (0pts)
Colchester 0-1 Salford - Home (0pts)
Fulham 2-1 Tottenham - Home (3pts)
Manchester United 2-1 Crystal Palace - Home (3pts)
Review
Well last weekend was great socially with Tipples' promotional day out and Coventry winning the game in the dying minutes. I couldn't have asked for more really.. Apart from my Tipple results of course, because they were crap. Now I've finally come to the realisation that spending hours researching for my picks and using stats is actually a complete waste of time. So this week I've scanned over picks and gone for a more straightforward approach! I guess we'll see how that goes...
Will: 12 points
Picks
Birmingham vs Middlesbrough (BIG BET) - Draw (0pts)
Ipswich 3-0 Swansea - Home (3pts)
Wycombe 3-0 Burton - Home (3pts)
Notts County 0-1 Grimsby -Home (0pts)
Oldham 2-0 Crawley -Home (3pts)
Manchester United 2-1 Crystal Palace -Home (3pts)
Review
Monday nights big bet ruined what could of been my biggest point tally this season, so big thanks to Middlesbrough for finally turning up and spoil that for me. All said and done though 4 out of 6 correct this week providing 12 points I can’t moan to much. Some would say they were 4 boring home hey Kieran.
Current Standings
1st) Will (Correct: 70, Points: 277)
2nd) Schoey (Correct: 64, Points: 258)
3rd) Kieran (Correct: 64, Points: 247)
Gameweek 29 Picks
Kieran
Cardiff vs Lincoln (BIG BET) - Away
A bit of a risk, but I’ve got a funny feeling the other two are going to go draw in this and sit on the fence like always in a close match up, or a home win because that’s the safe boring option, so I’m taking a bit of a risk to go for a big point swing. He who dares Rodney…
Salford vs Barnet - Home
There are a few teams who I just keep believing in and I have no idea why. Notts County, MK Dons, Hull (to lose), and Salford. Every time I pick them they let me down. But I’m a stubborn bastard, so I’ll keep going. Sorry Salford fans.
Bristol City vs Coventry - Draw
Have to say after seeing Coventry last weekend they are a class above most in the league, and they didn’t even play unbelievably that day. I think they are all but up already, but Bristol City are no mugs themselves. I can’t quite see a home win here, but I think they might hold the league leaders to a draw.
Swansea vs Stoke - Away
I’ve seen Stoke twice in a week now, and I will admit it did feel quite nice to see them concede a last minute winner last weekend after they won against Oxford on the Wednesday before. Not that I’m bitter. But, I do think they are a pretty decent side, and can see them beating a pretty average Swansea.
Luton vs Reading - Home
Right. Reading no matter which way I go with them always bloody let me down. This is the last chance, if I lose this one, I’m staying away. It’s only taken me until March to learn.
Walsall vs Notts County - Draw
Are you noticing a bit of a theme? Another one I always pick and to be honest I didn’t even notice until I came to do this write up. Maybe going for a draw will yield better results. I need a big week this week so if these draws and away wins come off I’ll be laughing!
Schoey
Cardiff vs Lincoln (BIG BET) - Draw
Both these teams are flying in 1st and 2nd in league 1. Though Lincoln have had the marginally better form recently, Cardiff do have the home advantage here. I just can't bring myself to back Cardiff, as they seem to have let me down nearly every time I have backed them this season. Could well be a Lincoln win but I've gone with a draw.
Hull vs Millwall - Draw
Both teams have been doing well recently and fighting for their play off spots. I think this could be one of the games of the weekend and a very close one at that! could be 3-3. could be 0-0.. I just hope it's a draw either way.
Bristol City vs Coventry - Away
A wise man once said never back your own team. But I can't really ignore this. Bristol continue to be their bang average selves constantly blowing hot and cold year after year. Whereas cov have really turned it back on after their difficult patch over christmas. I think if we lose this game, it'll purely come down to the fact I have backed us in Tipple this weekend. I hope I haven't ruined it for the Sky Blue Army.
Charlton vs Birmingham - Away
Both these sides have been out of form recently, but Charlton have been for a much longer period of time. Even though Birmingham have had a few losses recently, they have been tough games and I think their quality will outshine a struggling Charlton side.
Tranmere vs Oldham - Away
Well last time I bet against Tranmere they won their only game in their last 11 games.. So that just about sums up my luck. Well see if my luck can change this weekend as I'm betting against them again. Seeing as the other 10 of those 11 games I mentioned were all losses this was hard to ignore. Especially as Oldham have won 3 and drawn 2 of their last 5.
Altrincham vs Truro - Home
Fine I'll admit it.. I did a little bit of research for this one. Truro have only won 1 in their last 8. That being their only league win this year. Whereas Altrincham have won 3 of their last 4 and have the home advantage here. I had to put this in my picks this weekend.
Will
Cardiff vs Lincoln (BIG BET) - Home
A highly anticipated clash in the race for the league one title. Both teams in very strong form with both winning 4 of their last 5 and really not a massive amount to split them. Cardiff have won 14 out of 17 games at home this season and scored 42 goals which has become a cornerstone in their push to get back in to the championship. I believe they will get the 3 pts here to extend their lead at the top of the league.
Blackburn vs Portsmouth - Draw
This result is completely off the basis that a draw would be a great result for Oxford keeping both of these teams in the relegation battle. I do also believe this game just has draw written all over it, exactly the same form over 5 games both winning 2 and losing 3.
Bristol City vs Coventry - Away
After watching Coventry Vs Stoke last weekend at the CBS arena, I was impressed (slightly) at how they managed to get the win after Stoke tried to waste time for most of the second half. That win was Coventrys 4th on the bounce. While Bristol were knocked out of the FA cup too Port Vale midweek and lost to Watford at home last weekend. I’m fairly confident Coventry will take all 3pts at Ashton gate.
Charlton vs Birmingham - Away
I’ve gone back and fourth on this one. I’ve just got this feeling that Birmingham will come away with the win here. Monday nights display from Birmingham wasn’t anything to shout about they were very much lacklustre in their forward play and a bit dodgy in the goalkeeper department. So with this said I just think it was a bad night and they go again Saturday and will get the result.
Chesterfield vs Shrewsbury
Has the new manger bounce stopped for the Shrews? I’m hoping so. I’m going with Chesterfield to win this one, they had a strong performance against Colchester winning 3-0 midweek to get their play off push back on track. While Shrewsbury hope of 6 wins back to back was ended at Walsall losing 2-1.
Altrincham vs Truro - Home
Just a 600 mile round trip for bottom of the league Truro this weekend. I’m hoping this is my banker of the weekend. Truro have only won once this season away and from 18 games only managed to scrape together 7 points from that. Altrincham have won 9 from 18 at home, and currently have won 3 of their last 5 games.
Last Weeks:
Gameweek 27 Review
Kieran: 13 points
Picks
Wycombe 3-1 Stevenage (BIG BET) -Home (8pts)
Swindon 1-2 Crewe -Home (0pts)
Watford 2-0 Derby - Draw (0pts)
Wrexham 5-3 Ipswich - Away (0pts)
West Ham 0-0 Bournemouth -Draw (5pts)
Sunderland 1-3 Fulham - Home (0pts)
Review
What did I say last week? Quality shining through again with my draw win. It’s just a shame I can only ever get a maximum of 2 or 3 bloody wins! I’m just about clinging on to the other two so I really need a 20+ points week next week if I’m going to have any chance. It’s getting too late in the season for hiccups now.
Schoey: 12 points
Picks
Wycombe 3-1 Stevenage (BIG BET) -Home (8pts)
Swindon 1-2 Crewe -Home (0pts)
Brentford 0-2 Brighton - Home (0pts)
Southampton 1-1 Charlton - Home (0pts)
Watford 2-0 Derby - Away (0pts)
Nottingham Forest 0-1 Liverpool - Away (4pts)
Review
Well anything would've beat the previous week. still not a fantastic week with only 2/6 correct picks. Even though I tried to play it safe with 4 home wins, only 1 of those were correct! Thankfully that 1 was the big bet, giving me a needed extra 5 points. Which meant I finished the week on 12 points.
Will: 7 points
Picks
Wycombe 3-1 Stevenage (BIG BET) - Draw (0pts)
Brentford 0-2 Brighton - Home (0pts)
Southampton 1-1 Charlton - Home (0pts)
Huddersfield 2-1 Barnsley - Home (3pts)
Peterborough 3-3 Exeter -Home (0pts)
Walsall 0-2 MK Dons - Away (4pts)
Review
Not a great week for me only the 7pts with getting 2 out of 6 correct. I did struggle to watch the big bet this time the standard of football was not great both teams playing “Huth Ball”. Prime example was the first goal for Wycombe; Daniel Harvie from left back played a long ball over the top which Cauley Woodrow finished in good style with a lobbed finish over Stevenage’s keeper who was in no man’s land. The other two TWITS made some ground on my lead at the top but both struggled with just two games correct a piece but importantly they got the big bet right to give them the bonus points.
Current Standings
1st) Will (Correct: 66, Points: 265)
2nd) Schoey (Correct: 62, Points: 252)
3rd) Kieran (Correct: 61, Points: 237)
Gameweek 28 Picks
Kieran
Birmingham vs Middlesbrough (BIG BET) - Draw
QPR vs Sheffield United - Away
Rotherham vs Plymouth - Away
Notts County vs Grimsby - Home
Manchester United vs Crystal Palace - Home
Arsenal vs Chelsea - Home
Unfortunately this was the reason for no TWITS picks last week, I was a bit worse for wear (or Skyving according to Will and Schoey), so no preview from me.
Schoey
Birmingham vs Middlesbrough (BIG BET) - Home
How the mighty have stumbled. After 6 league wins in a row, Boro met their stumbling block in the form of the mighty Coventry city. Since then they have drawn 2 home games against 2 of the bottom 3 teams in the league. Though Birmingham had an unnatural slip up away at the den in the week, before that they were unbeaten in 8 league games. On top of that Birmingham's last loss at home in the league was on the 18th of October! Which just so happens to be their ONLY loss at home in the league this season.
Oxford vs West Brom - Draw
I was umming and arring about this one.. Oxford arguably should've got more out of their last 2 games. And West brom have just been awful as far as their standards go. Oxford are desperate for points to get them out of the relegation zone, and I feel they may get some if they play how they have the last couple of games. But the fact Ramsey was sacked in the week does make me worry for them in this game. West Brom could come out a completely different side now they're left to their own devices.
Rotherham vs Plymouth - Away
Plymouth had a poor start to the season, but things really started to pick up for them over December and the new year! Having lost only 3 league games since the 9th of december! Whereas Rotherham have almost done the opposite, only winning 2 league games since the 15th of november! And the table shows it, with Rotherham currently sat in 23rd just 5 points off bottom of the table Port Vale.
Colchester vs Salford - Home
This was my final pick of this week. Colchester haven't been in fantastic overall form recently. But something I did notice is that they have won 6 of their last 7 home league games. Salford on the other hand have seemingly fallen off a cliff, causing them to fall out of the play off spots. The only game they haven't lost in their last 7 was against Tranmere rovers, a team who have lost all bar one of their last 9 games.
Fulham vs Tottenham - Home
Fulham's form hasn't been great recently, but spurs have been pretty awful in the league all season. Fulham have won their last 2 games and do have the home advantage here. Whereas Spurs are yet to win in the league this year! But have won their last 3 champions league games.. Their players seem to pick and choose when they show up, and captain Van der Ven clearly ignoring his manager's instructions during the Arsenal game did not look good for anybody involved. Spurs will need to sort themselves out soon before they start seriously having to worry about relegation.
Manchester United vs Crystal Palace - Home
United seem almost unstoppable at the moment, having lost only one league game since the 30th of November! Even though Palace have only lost 1 of their last 6 games, Glasner has publicly admitted that he "may not be good enough" to deal with the extra european games with the lack of squad depth he has at his disposal. I think the home advantage will help United gain another 3 points this weekend.
Will
Birmingham vs Middlesbrough (BIG BET) - Draw
Now midweek results plays apart in this prediction, The Blues lost 3-0 away to Millwall so they are going to be fired right up for this to make sure they get a result. Whereas Middlesbrough have had a tough 3 fixtures only picking up 2 points they will be looking to get back to winning ways. This is where for me it’s just going to be a stale mate, I’m sure it’s going to one hell of a game but I’m going for a draw on this one.
Manchester United vs Crystal Palace - Home
I can imagine this one is going to be picked by many Tipple players this weekend. United just seem to be a completely different team under Carrick and I’m sure they get another win in to help them firmly cement themselves in to the champions league places.
Ipswich vs Swansea - Home
It’s Ed Sheeran Vs Snoop Dog in this massive fixture. Ipswich have managed to find themselves in a position where if they win their games in hand on Boro they go second in the league. Their form hasn’t been anything to shout about recently but they have only lost once at home this season. Compare that too Swansea’s away record where they have only managed 4 away wins and 10 losses. I have to go with Ipswich to win at home.
Wycombe vs Burton - Home
Now after I said about the long balls from Wycombe last weekend. One part they did do very well at was shutting out Stevenage and limited them to long range attempts. On the other hand Burton did beat Stockport 3-0 at home midweek which was a surprise to myself. Burton have struggled on the road they are winless in their last 8 league games. Whereas the chairboys have won their previous 3 at home going to stick with the home side on this occasion.
Notts County vs Grimsby - Home
Notts making a massive push for the automatic spots now and their home form is proving to a key factor. They’ve currently won their last 5 games at home scoring 11 goals and only conceding 2, this just provides me with a lot of faith that they can make it 6 home wins on the spin.
Oldham vs Crawley - Home
Crawley travel to Oldham with one of the worst away forms in the league. From their last 5 away league games they have scored 1 snd conceded 5. They have had a noteable draw at MK but nothing really to shout about. Oldham home form is a bit of a mixed bag really from 16 games they’ve only won 5. Their last home fixture beating Rovers 2-0 is the reason I’m going for a home win as Crawley and Rovers are in a similar place this season with both struggling on the road.
