EPL Game Week 13

Fortunes they are a-changing. Christmas is coming and we will see from there on by gazing at the crystal ball what will things be like in the coming weeks and months. Big and important marquee games like Chelsea versus Liverpool can be season-defining. Their contrasting fortunes henceforth may begin from here.

Stoke v Blackburn - I told you that Stoke will lose to QPR. Stoke has been poor while Blackburn scrambled a point at Wigan. Stoke has been much poorer perhaps they have over performed last season. They are due a win but they have not since they lost to Arsenal 4 games ago. Blackburn has not tasted victory for at least six games. Blackburn scored 3 and conceded 3 at Wigan, though Stoke lost at home to QPR, QPR is a much better team than Wigan. 3-2 to Stoke at home.

Bolton v Everton - Bolton is at a time where they mostly lose. They could also win away then lose at home. Thrashed Stoke 5-0 then lose 1-3 to Swansea. It's like playing golf where you hit a dry patch such that you do not know what your score is going to be like this week or next as it ranges from 90-100. Everton's results have been poorer than what they are capable of. Bolton is doing so badly there is a chance they may really drop down this year but Everton themselves has been struggling. 1-1.


Chelsea v Wolves - Cech could do little but Ivanovic was their best defender against Liverpool. David Luiz was poor as he was exposed by Liverpool's pace and aggression. John Terry was more reliable but looked vulnerable. Ashley Cole had a rare off day. Ramires was together with Juan Mata their best players with his boundless energy while Mata was constantly probing and scheming. With Terry and Suarez squaring up that day they could have been the world's best cunning linguists and Sepp Blatter must have been trembling in his seat fearing for his job. Wolves did not do too badly in terms of effort at Goodison Park but yet lost. Still it is the best time to play Chelsea now for everyone. If it were down to free choice many would be queueing at Stamford Bridge. However, Chelsea should still be too strong for the visitor and if they do not get a result to reverse their fortune then they could be really doomed. 2-0.

Manchester United v Newcastle - If I keep saying Lucky Devils rather than Red Devils then Mancunian fans may not be happy for their team has battled well but their early dominance has dissipated. I felt they were extremely fortunate to escaped with a win at Swansea. Swansea dominated the game and had their chances. For a moment you may think that those in white was China and those in red was Singapore. Swansea wingers Dyer on the right and Sinclair to the left caused havoc. Man U was pegged in their own half and their only goal was a gift due to a defensive error. United and Arsenal are now experiencing reverse fortunes. Arsenal are leaders and into the next round of Europe while United are struggling and need to win their last game to even qualify. Newcastle showed Man City too much respect. See what Napoli has done to them. Respect your opponents but never fear them. 1-1.

Norwich v QPR - Norwich held liverpool, beat Swansea, was held by Blackburn and just lost narrowly to Arsenal so they are more than decent. This season's newly promoted teams were a breath of fresh air and both Norwich and QPR, like Swansea are. But they are poorer folks like you and me who can't afford to buy new golf clubs all the time so we have to manage within limited resources and yet do well. Life is not fair but that is the deal. QPR had beaten Chelsea, lost to Spurs, lost again narrowly to Man City and then had Stoke beaten away. I could pick QPR to win again but Norwich is more subtle than Stoke and plays a different game. 2-2.

Sunderland v Wigan - Sunderland's record hardly made for inspired reading. LLDLWDLD. In life, as I have said many times, everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle. Don't believe me, just look at Wigan's record - LLLLLLD. It is going to be very tough for Wigan. If Sunderland do not take full points here, they are really in Slumberland. 2-1.

WBA v Tottenham - At the Hawthorns, WBA is fairing much better because they read - DDDWWLLW. I have always said that Roy Hodgson is a good coach/manager but he just didn't fit Liverpool. Meanwhile, Spurs has been undefeated for 7 or 8 games and their last 5 excluding Europe read - WDWWW. Their 2-0 win over Villa was impressive. Gareth Bale is soaring again and Adebayor seems happy for now. Tottenham can even be a title contender if they keep going and the results keep flowing. If any team can at least hold Spurs, WBA could but the Cockerels are purring at the moment and it takes a greater force to do it. 1-2 to Spurs and Bale or van Der Vaart to score one.

Arsenal v Fulham - Arsenal has been undefeated for a long time since their shaky start - easily undefeated for at least 8 games with EPL results reading WWWWWW while Fulham's read is a mix bag of WLLWLD. Based on current form it is a clear "W" for the Gunners and a"L" for the Cottagers. But hey, this is a London Derby, so it will get closer. Robbie van Persie is the hottest guy in town. You want to bet against him scoring? 2-0. Hail the Gunners. 

Swansea v Aston Villa - Swansea's current form is WLWLDWDL the last loss being that unfortunate game to Man Utd. Villa has been poorer with DLDWLLDW. Villa is not easy to beat, it was just the Tottenham was good. If Swansea can play like they did v Man U, then they will win. How many of you know that Swansea, like Cardiff City is from Wales? That former Liverpool great John Toshack was once their manager? That they have scaled great heights from time to time with some famous scalps in the F.A. Cup. Manager Brendan Rodgers has done a truly great job here. 2-1.

Liverpool v Manchester City - Liverpool can topple Man City if they play like they did against Chelsea for they had raised their game at Stamford Bridge. Jose Reina made an astonishing save from Ivanovic when the game was still at 1-1. Man-of-the-match Glen Johnson (ex Chelsea) took the limelight when the focus was whether ex Liverpool players Fernando Torres and Raul Meireles could do some damage. Johnson' solo goal was sensational. Jose Enrique looked like has been a Liverpool all his life. Agger was stout in defence and Maxi Rodriguez was intelligent and provided the first goal. Lucas could have been MOTM if not for Johnson with his hunger for battle in what was possibly his best game for Liverpool. It was also Charlie Adam's best display in a red shirt and that telling pass for Johnson. Craig Bellamy was clever and his pace and movement caused trouble. And they are doing all these without Steven Gerrard!

Trouble with Liverpool today is that they are doing better away than at home. The "This Is Anfield" sign at the tunnel entrance used to scare visiting teams just like how Malaysia Cup teams visited Singapore at the National Stadium at Kallang. Man City is strong and very good but QPR while they lost showed how they could be hurt and now their latest 1-2 lost to Napoli. City is not likely to be invincible the whole season and Liverpool is peaking. Scaling two mountains in two weeks will give you a taste of rarified air. Dalglish's tactics worked against Chelsea. Liverpool need to boss the midfield to win this game and have Silva nullified for Silva is their best and most important player. This will be the week's top billing. 2-1.



Brace yourself. The ball is round. Oh yeah?! I hate this phrase.