EPL Game Week 19

The Boxing Day curse hath cometh. Manchester City was held to a goalless away draw by WBA. Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal were all held 1-1 at home by Blackburn, Fulham and Wolves respectively. From Christmas, we are heading into the New Year of 2012. Can Manchester City fend off their United namesake? Can Tottenham win the League? Who will be number 4? Liverpool, Chelsea or Arsenal? Or maybe the others currently in the top three. Will you stand up and say: "I am Number Four!" This is what happens when you are number four. You will have to live dangerously, watch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVs6eg8V-AE

Liverpool v Newcastle - Liverpool lost precious points to Blackburn at home. Their first crime was allowing Blackburn to score first and they clawed their way back but it was not enough. If you do not skin Blackburn at home at this point in time, others will. Liverpool was dismal. If they continue in this fashion, they will miss Europe. Newcastle returned to winning ways and of course Ba scored again. Ba! Both Liverpool and Newcastle have decent defence but do not score tonnes of goals. A low scoring 1-1 draw I say. Suarez (if playing) and Ba to score.

Manchester United v Blackburn - The old fox SAF (Sir Alex Ferguson) knows what he is doing. A 5-0 away thrashing of Fulham followed by another 5-0 massacre of Wigan at the Theatre of Dreams have put them back in contention and level on points with their noisy blue neighbour. United always peak during Christmas. It is a crucial period. This is where United excels where the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal failed. Arsenal must learn from United how to tear apart defensive teams. If better teams than Blackburn like Fulham and Wigan can fall into the 5-0 zone, how will Blackburn survive? 5-0 again at Old Trafford? SAF will go all out to secure a solid victory to put the brakes on City, put the pressure on them when they look over the shoulders. 3-0.

Arsenal v QPR - Arsenal could not have hope for a better start when Gervinho scored in the 8th minute with a clever goal but the Gunners do sometimes frustrate themselves with too much intricate passing when a simple and more direct approach will do - like shoot! They must have dominated with some 70% possession against Wolves but their first failing was failing to defend a corner. The second half was played in the Wolves den but the visitors defended resolutely. It's time Wenger drop Song who gave away the ball on numerous occasions causing Arsenal's attack to break down and getting yellow carded unnecessary.


Countless shots were blocked by defenders, saved by the woodwork but mainly it was the outstanding man-of-the-match superlative performance of Wolves goalie Wayne Hennessy who saved with his hand, body, legs and toes. Arsenal can walk all over QPR but this is a London Derby and Arsenal has just been held by a team like QPR in Wolves. So QPR looks like sheep in Wolves clothing. Be careful. 3-1. RVP could have scored a couple against Wolves but the burden of Shearer's record must have weighed on him as he missed a few gilt edge chances. Robbie van Persie to score and equalise or exceed Alan Shearer's record.

Bolton v Wolves - We will always love underdogs. For example watching Rocky being punched to smithereens. Whenever people asked me for my favourite EPL team, I always tell them the bottom team and that I'll buy their jersey. Wolves are just 4 points above Bolton who is second from last and just 4 points behind Fulham and Swansea in 13th and 14th places. Wolves may have a chance to survive if they keep playing like their last 2 matches. Bolton has more serious problems. Wolves will shock Bolton. 1-2. 

Chelsea v Aston Villa - Chelsea drew their last 3 matches an identical 1-1. Away to Wigan, Tottenham and then at home to Fulham. Hardly inspiring. When you see Anelka going to China and may be soon Drogba will be going there too, it means the team has grown old. Although Chelsea is still stronger than Villa, the visitors can frustrate them to a 1-1 draw. 1-1.

Norwich v Fulham - Fulham is the more experienced team but being away, it is always a bit more difficult. Like when you are drinking at home, you can just crawl to bed to sleep. 2-2 with Clinton Dempsey to score for Fulham.


Stoke v Wigan - Wigan was improving till they got crushed by Man U. Stoke must fancy their chances. Stoke was WWWWLD while Wigan was DWLWDDL. It could be a tight game by Stoke should prevail. 3-2.  

Swansea v Tottenham - THis will be a good game to watch as both play open attacking football. Swansea was LDLWDLD while Tottenham was WWWLWDW. They are in 3rd place and 7 points behind the joint leaders with a game in hand and playing with a swagger. 1-2. Gareth to score another or at least an assist.


WBA v Everton - WBA is in 9th position and has shown that they can compete against all including the best holding City to a goalless draw. Everton is in 10th and they haven't been that good or consistent and yet are better than 10 others. This may end a draw but WBA is quite on song and could edge this one. 2-1.

Sunderland v Manchester City - Martin O'Neill has lifted the Black Cats out of their voodoo curse. Their last 4 matches were WLWD. They must be thinking if WBA could hold City so can they. Can O'Neill mastermind this one? Especially when City know their more successful neighbour are level on points. Mancini should unleash 3 strikers in Aguero, Dzeko and Balotelli together. 0-2. Listen to stories about black cats, watch:







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