Gameweek 18 - FPL

West Brom 1-2 Middlesbrough
Falcao -------- Dybala
------------------ Cavani

Mascherano in a back 2 with Pepe is asking for trouble, but I am sure TAB is aware of this. However, Middlesbrough had too much going forward for West Brom. That front 4 is devastatingly good and will stand TAB in good stead to retain the title next season, but urgent work is required at CM and CB. West Brom look a good side and with a sprinkle of world class talent from the draft, anything can happen next season.

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Hull City 0-0 Stoke City

Another defensive masterclass which will give Tino a wet dream, but his side didn't have enough creativity for me going forward to threaten Stoke's comparatively weaker defence. This led to both sides nullifying each other and an ultimately tedious game.

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Burnley 2-0 Swansea City
Nainggolan
de Bruyne

Lubo likes Ward-Prowse but unfortunately he is nowhere near good enough to be in midfield in this league. Nainggolan had a field day and got on the scoresheet. Burnley are a great side with no noticeable weaknesses, but I am still not entirely sold on a Nainggolan-Castro pivot in midfield. One of them could be sacrificed for a more conventional DM. It'll be interesting to see who Lubo opts for in the draft, as Neymar/Bale would fit perfectly into his system and really elevate the side.

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Bournemouth 0-1 Watford
----------------------- Costa

2 title challenges next season you would suspect, but Bournemouth continued to miss Messi today. The formation will work for them when Messi returns and they have a formidable base other than that, with no real weaknesses. The same obviously applies to Watford, who will be feeling very aggrieved they just failed to snatch victory - and the title - last week.

WBA vs Boro

I think Cav is a great addition to this Boro side, a very hard working front-man with goals in him as much as I rate their side though, they have a fair whack of work to do going forwards as they'll need some fresh legs soon. Albion have a better side than perhaps their results reflect and their back four is pretty solid, but for me it's an away win

Albion 1-2 Boro
Falcao
Cavani, Ronaldo

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Palace vs Sun

This game for me hinged on balance and I preferred the Palace side slightly more, with Ibra and Robben you always have a chance, and with Eriksen and Modric in there as well, Sunderland will feel a tad hard done by. just feel Palace's midfield trio offer more and the pace and movement of PEA swings the game

Palace 1-0 Sun
PEA

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Burn vs Swans

I know it's picky but oh well I've had it all season - Burnleys CB's are the wrong way round
Lubo has been plugging away all season and I think this containing formation does enough to stifle Burnleys front-four and Kane nicks a winner at the death

Bur 0-1 Swa
Kane
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B'mouth vs Watford Gap

B'mouth look really strong now and with Messi to return that front three will be pretty potent. The back five is strong and Cech is still good enough.
Watford for me have it all and I'm struggling to give any major feedback for either side it's that close

B'mouth 1-1 Watford
Totti
Costa

Hull City v Stoke City

Tino finally gets to unveil his dream back 3 and it’s like watching poetry in motion with a masterclass given in the art of defending. Stoke on the other hand are blessed with one of the finest attacks in the league which made this an entertaining clash to watch. Hull for me have a solid foundation to build on and I’m a fan of this formation which is not only solid defensively but offers a real threat going forward, they’re dare I say it a Fabreg-esqe signing away from being real contenders. On the flip side I’ve always been a fan of Stoke’s attacking philosophy and have them down as dark horses for next season. A real clash of styles as this one ended all square.

Hull City 1-1 Stoke City
Belotti : Reus


Crystal Palace v Sunderland

Really like the balance of the Palace midfield trio and as always they look strong going forward. I’d probably look to bring in an out and out right winger to complete the attack and possibly a top class keeper. Hard to pick many faults in this Sunderland side. Romero can be improved whilst Lahm and possibly Ibrahimovic may need to be replaced soon enough, however I like their current balance. I thought the visitors edged it in terms of overall quality as they just shaded the tie..

Crystal Palace 1-2 Sunderland
Aubameyang: Robben, Eriksen


Burnley v Swansea City

Burnley look set for a well-placed finish which bodes well for next season. Castro could be replaced for a more of a natural DM whilst Alonso was given a tough afternoon by Son. You have to admire Lubo for sticking to his principles of investing in youth and I have no doubt they will be much more competitive next season. A big name signing will certainly elevate this side with rumours of Neymar reportedly being spotted strolling around Swansea high street intensifying speculation that the Brazilian may be plying his trade at the Liberty next season. The formation of the visitors helped stifle the Burnley attack and with the threat posed on the counter I can see this one ending all square.

Burnley 1-1 Swansea City
De Bruyne : Kane


Bournemouth v Watford

I’ve been saying it for a while now but this Bournemouth side have a real swagger about them and with a couple of top class signings in the pipeline they will undoubtably be title contenders next season. Watford were imo unfortunate not come to come away with the win last week and I’d have had no complaints had they taken all 3 points. Extremely hard to critique this side other than potentially a top class GK to match their formidable defence. Difficult to separate these two heavyweights as the Bournemouth defence lived up to the hype against a top Watford attack whilst Jesus sent a message to his manager that he might just be worth keeping after all...

Bournemouth 1-1 Watford
Jesus : Alli

WBA 1 - 2 Boro
YFC ; Ronaldo, Dybala
The away side just had too much class here. The home side don't have any weaknesses as such, but up against such a top attack I could only see one winner. No weaknesses in the away side either, although against some of the top sides can see the setup being too attacking.

Hull 1-1 Stoke
Belotti ; Suarez
The home side shoring up their defence made the difference here, as only conceding one against the Stoke attack is good going by me. I don't get playing Pasalic though, I've possibly not seen enough so might be ignorance but he sticks out like a sore member. Stoke closer to the win as I can't pick any weaknesses, although I can see Peres being improved on soon but I couldn't see enough to give the win against the Hull defence.

CP 1- 1 Sunderland
Hazard ; Ibrahimovic
Two strong sides, but I think both centre forwards would have joy in this game, as two top class strikers come up against cbs that for me aren't quite at the same level in their position. The only weaknesses as such I would say in either side is the goalkeepers. I couldn't seperate the sides here.

Burnley 2-1 Swansea
Aguero, Mertens ; Kane
I think the Burnley midfield would win the midfield battle, and although a strong outfit I can't see the Swansea attack creating as much as Burnley. For that I had to go for the home side win. I'd personally look to get a more defensive midfielder over Castro to get the best out of Radja.

HULL vs STO

Hull have the better balanced side here and are capable of thwarting an excellent Stoke front line whilst penetrating as well. Hull are very well balanced throughout, a top Italian side has been built here. Pasalic and Dzeko for me need improving on in that side though. Stoke again very good going forward and are definitely getting there now. Improved at the back as well now, full backs are solid for sure but stand out as the weaknesses here.

Score: 2-1

CP vs SUN

The away side claim the points here with better experience and talent in their side. Palace are improving at the back and look solid now for sure. Not sure about Dani Alves as a winger and that for me stands out really there. But will get goals going forward in CP's team. Sunderland have good quality and experience within the side, but need to replace Lahm which will be a struggle and I think they'll need to replace the likes of Ibrahimovic and Romero soon as well. But other than that, a good side.

Score: 1-2

BUR vs SWA

The home side definitely the stronger of the sides here giving them the victory. The home side have an excellent spine, but for me I think they need more natural and trusted full backs in their side. The away side, good players individually, but this formation doesn't suit the better players in their side really and Kimmich and JWP has potential in midfield, but they need a seasoned professional in there for me.

Score: 2-1

BOU vs WAT

2 teams I expect to be at the top end next season with their current teams. Bournemouth need Messi back in that side for goals, but still have the ability to score up top, but need maybe a natural finisher of goalscorer in that side for me. Watford are excellent all over the park really, no obvious weaknesses other than Reina for me in goal. Strong side, but not enough to sneak a winner against Bournemouth.

Score: 1-1

West Brom 0-2 Middlesbrough

Crystal Palace 2-1 Sunderland

Burnley 1-0 Swansea City

Bournemouth 0-1 Watford

West Brom 1 - 3 Boro

West Brom looked better with an AM behind Falcao, but there side in general wasn't proven enough up against a very strong Boro attack.

Hull 2 - 1 Stoke

Stoke did a very good job of pegging back Hull's wing backs, but Hull won the midfield battle, and with some good combinations in attack it was enough to grab a win.

Crystal Palace 1 - 2 Sunderland

I really like this Sunderland time. Romero and Ghoulam could be improved on, but in midfield and attack they are very impressive. They were too good for Palace today, who, whilst a strong team in their own right, couldn't stand up to the visitors. I would look to improve Alves on the RW, Semper, and Bertrand.

Bournemouth 1 - 2 Watford

Bournemouth lacked any sort of figurehead in their attack, whilst Watford have plenty of attacking flair, with a strong defensive setup too.

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West Brom vs Middlesbrough
That Boro' front four is pretty terrifying, and individually I love them all - but they just don't gel for me. I get that Alonso and Vidal are at CM, but I'd probably consider getting another CM and playing 4-3-3. I'm not a fan of Mascherano and Pepe at the back. West Brom have a solid side - Mendy and Fabinho are probably the two I'd upgrade. Tempted to give a draw but Middlesbrough get the narrowest of wins.

West Brom 1-2 Middlesbrough
Costa; Alexis Sanchez, Cavani

Hull vs Stoke
Great defense that Hull have, I'm not sure about Bernadeschi and Pasalic though. The Stoke front line gets them a point but I'm unconvinced by the CM pairing.

Hull 2-2 Stoke
Marchisio, Dzeko; Reus x2

Crystal Palace vs Sunderland
Not a fan of Dani Alves at right wing myself, play wing backs to fit him in. Centre backs aren't bad but aren't great either. Sunderland get a narrow win as their side has developed but I'd have to ask questions about Zlatan and Lahm for next season.

Crystal Palace 0-1 Sunderland
Robben

Bournemouth vs Watford
An interesting game this. I love Totti, but is he at the standard required for this game? Also Jesus will split opinion - but otherwise it's a solid team. Watford have a very strong side with Kroos and Kante in the middle who are a step above Wanyama and Thiago. Tricky game to call - I'm still begging to see a false nine system with Jesus and Messi as wingers.

Bournemouth 0-1 Watford
Alli

WBA 1-2 Boro
Unfortunately for WBA their good side is just outdone by Boro having a much stronger front six. Not a lot in terms of feedback than "sign galacticos".

Hull 2-2 Stoke
Can't separate these two teams, both very good all over and I see this being an entertaining game.

Burnley 1-2 Swansea
Burnley have a strong side but I think the pace of Swansea's front three will cause a lot of problems for the suspect Burnley defence which has gone dramatically backwards since the season began.

Bournemouth 0-1 Watford
Bournemouth have a very good defence which nullifies the Watford attack somewhat, but don't have that much of an attacking threat without Messi so Watford have an easier day. Bournemouth with Messi will be definite title challengers next season.