GW 19 – Ones to Watch
Matt: Business as usual last weekend after the midweek ‘blip’ shall we say! With a full programme of fixtures to go at across all nine of our usual leagues, there should be plenty of scope for your selections here.
My opening tip is going to have to be a reborn Arsenal side, as they take on the Terriers from Huddersfield at the Emirates. The Gunners look a completely different team under Unai Emery and are unbeaten in all competitions since August, having scored in every league game since losing 2-0 to Manchester City on the first weekend of this season. That doesn’t bode well for David Wagner’s men, who will surely see staying up again as their main goal for this campaign. Despite a three match unbeaten run in November, this month has not started well for the Yorkshire side as they have suffered back to back defeats against Brighton and Bournemouth and, simply put, i can only see another loss for them here. Arsenal’s potent strike-force of Aubameyang and Lacazette will both be eyeing up this as a potential goal-fest……….and so am i!
In a move that i’m not entirely comfortable with, i’m going to tip Norwich City next. It’s not so much that i’m unsure about the Canaries’ ability in front of goal, 7 goals in their previous two home games suggests they have no problems in that department, more that from a personal point of view i’d prefer them not to win! However, impartiality in this section must be maintained at all times, so on that basis i’ll be picking the East Anglians in their game against lowly Bolton Wanderers. The Trotters are second bottom for a reason, having not won (or more importantly kept a clean sheet) since a 1-0 victory over Derby County way back in September. A trip to Carrow Road to face the flying Canaries could very well result in another tough day at the office, although in fairness to Bolton they’ve not been getting beaten heavily anywhere. A 4-3 away win would suit me just fine! 😉 Good luck to you all.
Ally: My first tip this week is from Scottish League Two, where Elgin City host bottom side Albion Rovers. Elgin are by no means in form, but it is the record of the visitors that has drawn me to this tie. Elgin have lost on their last 3 outings at Borough Briggs but have at least scored in two of those games, and have an unenviable record of having lost more games than they’ve won at home this season. Albion’s away record meanwhile is even worse, as they have just a solitary point to show on their travels way back in September. They have also conceded in every away game this season, and despite their recent home struggles I still think Elgin will find a way past Albion.
Next up is another team that has struggled at times this season, but finally are showing some consistent form. The side in question is National League outfit Dagenham & Redbridge who face a home game against FC Halifax. The Daggers had a terrible start to the season and were rooted to the bottom of the league, but have since embarked on a terrific run of 6 wins in 7 matches to propel themselves up to 15th place, one above the visitors. They have also won their last three home games, scoring 7 goals in the process, while Halifax were thrashed 4-0 at Ebbsfleet last time out on their travels, and so I fancy the hosts to get another victory to climb further up the league.