TWITS PICKS GW8: A Close ACCA Call
A week where all of us came close to an ACCA, we’re finally starting to all show a bit of form. The last few weeks have been much more like it, but with the Lower League Special returning in Gameweek 9, we have got to make the most of the safety of this week before the chaos begins again.
In this edition, we look back at a pretty decent week from all 3, and explain our picks for Gameweek 8. We’ve all gone the same in the Big Bet again, and I expect many people will have done the same this week with Ipswich being the safest option.
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Gameweek 7 Review
Kieran: 15 points
Picks
Coventry 3-0 Birmingham (BIG BET) - Home (8pts)
Chelsea 1-3 Brighton - Home (0pts)
Luton 1-0 Doncaster - Home (3pts)
Northampton 2-0 Bolton - Away (0pts)
Wigan 0-2 Cardiff - Away (4pts)
Crawley 1-2 Barrow - Draw (0pts)
Review
It’s getting slowly better and better, and I got my first “green” week on the form board this week so I’m happy. I’ll be honest when the first few goals went in and I was on for an acca after winning the early big bet I did get a bit prematurely excited about an ACCA or at least an EDGE, but we’ll take the 15 and roll with it.
I also had panic stations behind the scenes as the score updates started going nuts because of an issue with our data provider, so to look back after that had all calmed down and see I got 3/6 I was quite content. Apologies about that again, will be implementing a safety net in the future to make sure if it happens at least it doesn’t affect the Tipple side of things! The joys of being a solo dev.
Schoey: 18 points
Picks
Coventry 3-0 Birmingham (BIG BET) - Home (8pts)
Leeds 2-2 Bournemouth - Away (0pts)
Burton 0-4 Plymouth - Away (4pts)
Mansfield 2-1 Rotherham - Home (3pts)
Swindon 2-0 Bromley - Home (3pts)
Nottingham Forest 0-1 Sunderland - Draw (0pts)
Review
Best week yet with 18 points so I can’t complain! Another big bet secured. But unfortunately it seems the majority of Tipple users also predicted the mighty sky blues quality would be too much for Birmingham to handle. And they certainly were! The two picks of mine which didn’t come in were only out by one goal, with Bournemouth drawing and Sunderland winning… I swear I’m going to avoid the Mackems for the rest of the season now. I can’t bring myself to back them to win.
Will: 19 points
Picks
Coventry 3-0 Birmingham (BIG BET) - Home (8pts)
Chelsea 1-3 Brighton - Home (0pts)
Burton 0-4 Plymouth - Away (4pts)
Wigan 0-2 Cardiff - Away (4pts)
Fleetwood 4-2 Colchester - Draw (0pts)
Swindon 2-0 Bromley - Home (3pts)
Review
DISCLAIMER: Will opted out of doing his review this week… seems being consistently bottom of the table is just too much for some people.
Gameweek 7 Picks
Kieran
Ipswich vs Norwich (BIG BET) - Home
I mean, there’s not really any other choice. I must admit when this was decided as the big bet it did seem like it was going to be a lot closer and being a derby on TV was a sure fire pick. But now, it does seem like a bit of an obvious one, more than anything because of the risk of a Heavy Defeat Penalty I think it’s just too risky to go against Ipswich.
Manchester United vs Sunderland - Draw
Amorim’s farewell match? I think so. United really have been shocking so far, the worst they’ve been in decades, so I really doubt he’s got much more time left. Only reason I’m going a draw is because it’s at Old Trafford so they’re bound to get 94th minute penalty to equalise.
Swansea vs Leicester - Away
Leicester surely, SURELY, have to start coming good at some point and turning these draws into wins? 4 draws in the last 4, and some against bottom end teams, they really have been disappointing. The tide needs to turn at some stage and I think this match is where it is going to happen.
Plymouth vs Wigan - Home
Going against Wigan for the 2nd time in 2 weeks, they didn’t let me down before against Bolton, I hope they won’t here either. I will admit I always had a soft spot for Plymouth, but I also think there is no way they lose this with the form they’re in. Now it’s just about can they get the goals to win it.
Salford vs Grimsby - Home
A bit of a slip up away from home at Bristol Rovers last weekend brought Salford back down to earth after they could not stop winning. I think back at home, they’re surely going to get back to form against a Grimsby side who will put up a real test, especially coming in off the back of a 7-1 thrashing of Cheltenham. I’m going for a close home win.
Newcastle vs Nottingham Forest - Home
Another manager who is in real trouble, big Ange is really facing the pressure after being booed and heckled by his own fans midweek in the Europa league. They travel to a Newcastle side who are slowly starting to find a bit of form, and I think will find this a walk in the park if they hit the heights they are able to.
Schoey
Ipswich vs Norwich (BIG BET) - Home
Norwich have had an underwhelming start to the season after a very promising and financially well back transfer window. With only 8 points through 8 games and only 1 win in their last 5, Liam Manning does seem to be struggling to get them going. Ipswich on 10 points haven’t really done a great deal better than Norwich overall. But their recent form suggests they could be starting to kick on now. I think the home advantage and recent form will play its part and lead Ipswich to a win.
Leeds vs Tottenham - Away
Backing against Leeds at home didn’t work for me last weekend, but I’m going to try it one more time. It may be the last but we will see. I do think spurs look the best they have in years under Frank. And they do have the best away form in the prem. even if they didn’t look great against wolves last weekend.
Newcastle vs Nottingham Forest - Home
Looking at the table this seems like it could be a close game. But I do think Newcastle have had a very tough start. Also I do think, IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE, big Ange has proved himself to be nothing short of useless. I think this will be Newcastle’s least challenging game of the season so far. They need to win this to kickstart their season.
Bristol Rovers vs QPR - Home
I think this may be my most unsure of my picks this week. QPR have been unbeaten since Coventry smashed them 7-1.. make some sense of that. But I do feel Bristol are the better side out of the two and have the home advantage. If Bristol can score first, it could go on to be a comfortable win for them.
Millwall vs West Brom - Away
This pick may stem mostly from the fact Coventry absolutely battered Millwall away this week. But also West Brom have started the season very strong, boasting the best away form in the championship. Also Millwall have only picked up 3 points at home through 4 games which is very poor for them. This pick was fairly straight forward.
Stevenage vs Luton - Home
This game will be close as Luton have quality in their side. But it is too hard to ignore the fact that Stevenage haven’t dropped a point at home this season. Also going from recent form, Stevenage haven’t lost a game in their last 5 in all comps.
Will
Ipswich vs Norwich (BIG BET) - Home
Another big bet derby on the cards. I just can’t see anything other than an Ipswich win. The last time Norwich won away was back in 2017, I can’t see that changing this time as well. Ipswich have been unbeaten in September compared to Norwich not winning a single game in September.
Bristol City vs QPR - Home
Bristol are due a home win and QPR are just starting to falter after their three consecutive wins. QPR only being able to have 1 shot on target against Oxford Midweek showed me they seem to be missing something going forward. Bristol on the other hand had a strong display against Ipswich and created the better chances possibly should have walked away with three points.
Maresca made 8 changes on Tuesday against Lincoln. This gave crucial recovery time to most of the first team and will have no excuses if they come away with nothing but a win on Saturday
Derby vs Southampton - Draw
The saints have had a hit a miss start to the season only winning 2 and sitting in 14th. Derby have won 1 in 8 but they have had good performance recently picking up a point away at Ipswich and Wrexham. It will take a strong preformare from Saints to come away with all 3pts and at the moment I don’t think they have that form going into this.
Millwall vs West Brom - Draw
After an embarrassing 4-0 defeat to Coventry mid week at the Den. They have to redeem themselves for the fans otherwise it could turn ugly in east London. West Brom are coming on a high from beating Norwich 1-0 away and they will be looking at nothing but 3pts here. I just have a feeling it’s going to be tough game for the Baggies to run away with it like Coventry did so I’m going for the draw on this one.
Plymouth vs Wigan - Home
Just going off where these two are in the table they are bang level, but look at the form that these two teams are in and you see Plymouth are turning their season round. Plymouth had a very comfortable 4-0 win last home game and the game they lost to Peterborough at home they had 20+ shots and lost narrowly. Wigan have lost their last 3 in all competitions and are yet to win away from home this season.
Aston Villa vs Burnley - Home
Villa are starting to get a good run of form going winning the last two against Fulham and Bologna and unbeaten in their last 5 in all competitions. Burnley in their last 5 have lost 4 and drawn 1 in contrast, so this isn’t too hard of a pick surley?
