TWITS PICKS GW9: We’re Back!!!
Tipple returns after a week off for the International break, and with it, TWITS Picks is back too! After a week of boredom watching pointless friendlies and dead rubber qualifiers, we’re ecstatic to be back to action.
This week, we’ve got probably the hardest Big Bet to call of the season so far, and a fixture list packed with close calls. Schoey is over 30 points ahead at the moment, but as we all know, that can change drastically in just one Tipple Gameweek. Read on to see our review for Gameweek 8, and a preview of our Gameweek 9 picks.
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Gameweek 8 Review
Kieran: 15 points
Picks
Ipswich 3-1 Norwich (BIG BET) - Home (8pts)
Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland - Draw (0pts)
Swansea 1-3 Leicester - Away (4pts)
Plymouth 1-1 Wigan - Home (0pts)
Salford 0-2 Grimsby- Home (0pts)
Newcastle 2-0 Nottingham Forest - Home (3pts)
Review
The 4th double digit week in a row and I’m starting to get quietly confident. Still a way off Schoey, but with the consistency I’m showing it’s just a matter of waiting for him to slip up, it’s going to happen at some point. I must admit I was a bit sad about a few of the results in Gameweek 8, not least Manchester United finally deciding to show up the one time I pick against them, but luckily the Big Bet saved me along with a few straight forward wins for Leicester and Newcastle to give me a pretty calm weekend.
Schoey: 15 points
Picks
Ipswich 3-1 Norwich (BIG BET) - Home (8pts)
Leeds 1-2 Tottenham - Away (4pts)
Bristol City 1-2 QPR - Home (0pts)
Millwall 3-0 West Brom - Away (-3pts)
Stevenage 2-0 Luton - Home (3pts)
Newcastle 2-0 Nottingham Forest - Home (3pts)
Review
Another good week with 15 points. Though I do think the majority of Tipple users banked 8 points with Ipswich being a fairly safe big bet home win. I was let down by West Brom away at Millwall who lost 3-0 after Coventry thrashed Millwall at the den. Useless. So that was another unwelcome -3 creeping back.
Will: 13 points
Picks
Ipswich 3-1 Norwich (BIG BET) - Home (8pts)
Bristol City 1-2 QPR - Home (0pts)
Derby 1-1 Southampton - Draw (5pts)
Millwall 3-0 West Brom - Away (-3pts)
Reading 1-1 Mansfield - Home (0pts)
Aston Villa 2-1 Burnley - Home (3pts)
Review
And we’re back after another international break. Looking back at GW8 results, the biggest shocker I had and the other pair of TWITS had was Millwall somehow winning 3-0 to provide us a -3pts. The big bet now seemed a straight forward one with Ipswich easing past Norwich who are now looking like they are in trouble.
As a whole though 13pts this round and starting to pick up points after a shambles of a start to the season. Kieran and I are just waiting for Schoey’s fall from grace thinking he’s won the TWITS league in October.
Gameweek 9 Picks
Kieran
Cambridge vs Bromley (BIG BET) - Draw
I’m going for big points this week, and this is the closest Big Bet I think there has been so only fair that I go for a draw. Both teams have had pretty much identical starts to the season and are in very similar form, can only really see either a Cambridge win or a draw in this, and an extremely close game. I could play it safe with a Home win, but I’m not boring, so we’re going maximum points!
Southampton vs Swansea - Home
With Southampton I think after the international break they’re coming back fresh, ready to get their season started properly. They surely cannot carry on how they have been and really need to start showing some winning form. This is the week.
Burnley vs Leeds - Away
Both teams starting the season okay, with Leeds showing the better form recently. I think this is the game that will show Leeds as serious contenders to stay up or even achieve mid table, and cement Burnley’s place in the relegation dog fight.
Birmingham vs Hull - Home
I’m going against Hull again. I will be proven right eventually that their team isn’t good enough to really compete with the top teams, and I think the break came at a perfect time for Birmingham who were in a period of worrying form. Now coming back fresh, they will be eager to win at home to get back on track.
Wigan vs Port Vale - Home
Every week I pick at least one fixture based on feeling alone. I didn’t even look at the form or any stats on this one, Wigan just called out to me as one to pick so I’m going with my gut. This could be the last week I do this…
West Ham vs Brentford - Draw
West Ham very poor, Brentford not amazing. Pretty self explanatory this one. I would go for a Brentford win but surely, SURELY, West Ham need to start being a bit more solid soon, right?
Schoey
Cambridge vs Bromley (BIG BET) - Home
This big bet is much closer this week. Bromley and Cambridge are both on 18 points and neither have had great form recently. The main factor I’ve based my decision on, is that Cambridge have the joint 3rd best home form in the league, earning 13 points from 6 home games. So that is why I’m backing Cambridge. Hopefully they can keep that home form running.
QPR vs Millwall - Home
Backing against Millwall 2 weeks ago led me to -3 points, so this could be a slightly risky pick. But I can’t ignore QPR’s form. I said a few weeks ago that QPR have been unbeaten since they got thumped by Coventry, and I’ll say it again because they’re still going! They’ve earned 14 points through their last 6 games, which is really impressive!
Crystal Palace vs Bournemouth - Draw
This should play out as a very entertaining game that could go either way. Both have started the season performing way beyond expectation, with both currently sat in the top 6! Palace have dropped just 5 points through their last 5 league games, and Bournemouth only 4! So form-wise they are very even as well. Hence why I’ve chosen to go for a draw, I hope it pays off!
Birmingham vs Hull - Draw
Hull have really impressed me this season. Pulling out results even with a transfer embargo. They have managed to string together a pretty strong team. They have only lost one of their last 5 games. Birmingham however have really dropped off in form. I’m expecting them to really fight to turn that around after the international break. So I’ve backed a draw for this one as well.
Wigan vs Port Vale - Away
Port Vale are unbeaten in 5 league games, only dropping 4 points. Whereas Wigan have lost 5 of their last 6 games in all comps and only drew the other! So they’ve been in pretty shocking form really. So for those reasons I’ve backed an away win and it’s probably my most confident pick of the week!
Tottenham vs Aston Villa - Home
Villa started the season off pretty slowly but seem to be starting to turn things around. Winning 4 out of their last 5 games in all competitions. But Spurs do currently sit 3rd in the league which is hard to ignore. I think Frank has done a great job at Spurs so far. They have scored in all bar one game this season and I’m hoping the home advantage will spur them on to a win on Sunday.
Will
Cambridge vs Bromley (BIG BET) - Home
This is a tough one to pick and after reading the big bet preview for this game it doesn’t make it any easier to decide who will have the edge. The only stat that edges in it Cambridge’s favour for me is they have won their last 3 games at home. With a very poor display against Shrewsbury last week Cambridge will want to redeem themselves in front of the home crowd.
Southampton vs Swansea - Home
Southampton are having a pretty hard time so far this season with many predicting them to be around the play offs they are way off it at the moment. The saints haven’t won at home since the opening day against Wrexham, they are due a win at home this weekend.
Crystal Palace vs Bournemouth - Draw
This could go either way with both teams enjoying good starts to the season. I can’t decide who will grab a winner and with Palace not losing at home so far this season I don’t think this changes here. The quality from both sides is going to make this close encounter and I need the extra points with a draw.
Birmingham vs Hull - Home
Well Hull are having a very strong start to the season considering I had them predicted to finish in the bottom 3. They will have a hard trip to Birmingham this weekend having not won on the road this season and Birmingham not losing at home. I am worried that Mcburnie will add to his impressive 6 goals already this season and this is by far my least confident pick but I’m backing Birmingham to get the 3pts.
Newport vs Cheltenham - Home
Yes I know Newport haven’t won a game at home yet this season losing 5 and drawing 1 but Cheltenham haven’t won away yet and both helping to prop up the league. This could be a very high scoring game as both defences this season have let in a combined 46 goals. Now Newport might be hitting a tiny bit of form with two away wins in the league and Cup in the their last two. Just have a feeling the home side can clinch it.
Burnley vs Leeds - Away
This is a game both teams will be thinking we can get the 3pts. I’m thinking Leeds will win this as long as they can convert their chances especially after all the opportunities they had against Spurs. This will be a tough game for Burnley, they will be right up for it but that could be their downfall trying to attack Leeds and being caught on the counter.
