A Two Horse Race? TWITS Picks GW6
Is the TWITS league leader starting to look over his shoulder? In this week’s edition we delve through a week of derbies and double points, well, for 2 of us. We also look ahead to Gameweek 6 and explain our 6 picks for the weekend.
Want to test your footie knowledge against us? Download Tipple here and get involved!
Gameweek 5 Review
Kieran: 14 points
Picks
Charlton 1-1 Millwall (BIG BET) - Draw (10pts)
Chesterfield 1-1 Milton Keynes Dons - Home (0pts)
Gillingham 1-0 Notts County - Home (3pts)
West Ham 0-3 Tottenham - Away (4pts)
Southampton 0-0 Portsmouth - Home (0pts)
Manchester City 3-0 Manchester United - Away (-3pts)
Review
HERE WE GO! Finally off the blocks with a double digit points week and you can already see the fear in Schoey, just look at the risks he’s taken this week for more proof he’s bottling it. Millwall’s late goal against 10 man Charlton set up a pretty decent week, with Tottenham brushing aside West Ham and Gillingham coming out on top in a close match with Notts County.
The week could have been so much better had Chesterfield’s late charge against MK came to fruition, they scored a late equaliser but just didn’t have enough to get the second. Then there is Southampton who really didn’t show up against Pompey, they’ll be disappointed with that result. The only real downside of the week was me not learning my lesson about Manchester United, I will never be betting on them again that’s for sure.
See you next week to talk about how it feels to be top of the table.
Schoey: 10 points
Picks
Charlton 1-1 Millwall (BIG BET) - Away (0pts)
Crystal Palace 0-0 Sunderland - Home (0pts)
Wrexham 1-3 QPR - Home (0pts)
Gillingham 1-0 Notts County - Home (3pts)
West Ham 0-3 Tottenham - Away (4pts)
Manchester City 3-0 Manchester United - Home (3pts)
Review
Hallelujah, the Tipple CEO FINALLY hit double figures in a single game week. And didn’t we know about it. He was so excited he finally predicted a Big Bet right, bless him.
As for me, I backed Millwall to win away at Charlton in the Big Bet, and after playing against 10 men for the last 20 minutes, Millwall arguably should’ve done better. Even so I successfully predicted Man City and Gillingham to win at home, as well as Spurs to win away to tally 10 points in total this week. Only 4 points less than Kieran. Even after all his excitement.
Will: 5 points
Picks
Charlton 1-1 Millwall (BIG BET) - Home (0pts)
Crystal Palace 0-0 Sunderland - Home (0pts)
Coventry 1-1 Norwich - Home (0pts)
Leyton Orient 1-1 Bolton - Draw (5pts)
Peterborough 2-1 Wycombe - Draw (0pts)
Southampton 0-0 Portsmouth - Home (0pts)
Review
Well 1 out of 6 with Leyton Orient Vs Bolton wanderers saved me from another -10 and entering the hall of shame for a second time. The Big Bet could have really gone either way and Charlton tried their best to hold on for the 1-0. The red card in the 74th minute for Charlton made it so easy for Millwall to keep the ball and apply the pressure and they were always looking like they were going to equaliser and even unlucky not to grab 2 in that time.
There were two shockers for me, first being Coventry (wow), I know Schoey loved every minute of that game. To score the equaliser in the 96th minute is just crazy after how many chances they created and to be fair was very deserved. The second shocker for me was Palace drawing with Sunderland, fair play to the Sunderland keeper (Robin Roefs) he has had the game of his life. It’s another week though in which I’ve dropped points to the other two TWITS with Kieran giving it the big one in group chat after fluking 14pts, and Schoey staying steady with 10. I need to sort it out this week and get some points on the board.
Gameweek 5 Picks
Kieran
Arsenal vs Manchester City (BIG BET) - Home
I know I said a City win in the GW6 Preview blog, and to be honest I have changed my mind a good few times about this one this week, but I’m going with the gut feeling I have today. Arsenal have something to prove after a pretty poor performance against Liverpool, albeit away from home, and I expect them to come out firing against a City side who although breezed past Manchester United, looked pretty average before that.
Birmingham City vs Swansea City - Home
The Blues have been in pretty bad form after their decent start to the campaign, but I think home advantage here and the pressure of not turning that bad run into a bigger issue will be enough to see them through to a win. Swansea, although looking good, I think will be happy with a draw, and will do well to keep out the Birmingham pressure.
Hull City vs Southampton - Away
I am still not convinced on Hull and still remain that they are going to be down there struggling this season. I also think it’s now or never for Southampton to start showing their strength in this league, if they want to be taken seriously as title runaway title contenders they need to start winning games like this.
Cardiff vs Bradford - Draw
Another one that could go either way. I was thinking about putting a Bradford away win but then I looked at the goals conceded by Cardiff. TWO. A nice 0-0 would be lovely here.
Bromley vs Chesterfield - Draw
Bit risky to go for 2 draws in a week, but if we want to win this league we need to take some calculated risks. He who dares and all that. Both teams have been in average form the last few games and I think both would be happy with a point here.
Millwall vs Watford - Home
Going purely on what I saw in the match against Charlton, I think this could be the game where Millwall stamp their authority as playoff contenders. We will see.
Schoey
Arsenal vs Manchester City (BIG BET) - Draw
Arsenal at home have been a very solid outfit. But they may still not have Saliba in the starting 11 and Man City’s dominant performance against Utd may have been the boost they needed to properly kickstart their season. It’ll definitely be one of the biggest challenges Arsenal face at the Emirates this season. I can see goals coming for both sides. I just hope for my sake it ends in a draw.
Bournemouth vs Newcastle - Home
Bournemouth have had a brilliant start to the season, only dropping points to the current prem champions and have 2 wins in 2 at home. As for Newcastle, they have signed two exciting new strikers to replace Isak. Woltemade who scored a game winner in his debut vs Wolves. And Wissa who I rate highly, but picked up an injury during the internationals which is a pretty big blow. Another big factor of me picking a home win here is that I expect a much more tired Newcastle squad after their game against Barcelona on Thursday night.
Hull City vs Southampton - Draw
If I was predicting this at the start of the season I would’ve gone for an away win any day. But Southampton have been very underwhelming so far. As for Hull, they are scoring a surprising amount of goals considering they have had to string a team together under a transfer embargo. Only problem is they are leaking lots too. If Southampton decide to actually show up, I could be in a spot of bother.
Millwall vs Watford - Draw
Millwall let me down in the big bet last week. So this prediction for not to beat Watford at home who have had a pretty poor start to the season, may be slightly in spite of that. Millwall are also yet to register a point or goal at home through 2 games. But I think they’ll be very keen to change that as soon as possible.
Doncaster vs Wimbledon - Home
This is one of my more confident picks of the weekend. Doncaster are unbeaten at home, having only dropped 2 points through 4 games. Whereas Wimbledon have lost 3 of 4 away games in the league this season. I’m hoping the form will speak for itself.
Salford vs Swindon - Away
Salford are yet to play a top 10 side at home and they’ve only won 2 of 4 games at the Peninsula stadium. As for Swindon, they are flying. Winning their last 5 games in all competitions, scoring 14 goals while doing so! It doesn’t look like anyone can stop them at the moment.
Will
Arsenal vs Manchester City (BIG BET) - Away
Arsenal are having another solid start to the season but I'm going with City to win this. When Arsenal went to Anfield they never looked to really threaten Liverpool and Arteta looked to be happy with the draw straight from the get-go. With the City machine starting to build some momentum now. Yes, I know they only beat Man U but it’s the way they beat them for me that showed they are getting into their stride.
West Ham vs Crystal Palace - Away
At this moment I just can't back West Ham this should be a game the Hammers would mark as a game to get 3pts. Last season Palace were 2-0 winners with Martea scoring a brace. I wouldn't be surprised if history repeats itself, after drawing to Sunderland last weekend and all the chances Mateta missed he will be right up for it.
Birmingham vs Swansea - Home
Birmingham returns back home after 2 away losses on the bounce and it’s not going to be an easy return with Swansea visiting. Swansea let it slip last week against Hull conceding in the 97 minute to come away with a draw. Birmingham have struggled to find the form of last season but I'm backing this week to win at home and finally show what all the money they've spent has brought them.
Blackburn vs Ipswich - Away
Ipswich visit Ewood park this Saturday and with Ipswich looking back to their best after putting 5 past Sheffield United, they will go into this game as favourites. Now I don't expect Blackburn to be a pushover like Sheffield Utd, they have just beaten Watford 1-0 away so will have some confidence from that game. I think Ipswich though will just be too much for Blackburn to deal with.
Millwall vs Watford - Home
Watford visiting the Den on a mixed run of form, losing to Blackburn at home last week and drawing 2-2 with Southampton the week before. For Millwall, they got a point away at Charlton last weekend in the big bet could've had all three if not for all the missed chances. I think Millwall will have enough to get the job done this week.
Cardiff vs Bradford - Home
Battle of the top two in League 1 with Top of the league Cardiff at home to second place Bradford. Cardiff remains the last unbeaten team this season in League 1 and I don't think they will lose that title this week either. Having only conceded 2 goals in 7 games so far, they are looking to be a serious contender for the title this season. Bradford had a great result beating Huddersfield last weekend and won't be a pushover for Cardiff. I'm just looking at Cardiff record so far and squad they have still and can only see it going one way a Cardiff win.
