EPL Game Week 21

I was fortunate to be too busy from Christmas to the New Year and all the parties to have enough time to give you the EPL heads up. Thankfully so and as I have advocated previously that the EPL is probably the most exciting league in the world, you can now see why, especially during this part of the year. Predicting soccer results is like being an economist. You can hardly be right.

Suddenly, Manchester United has been indifferent. Never have they done so badly during Christmas to the new year. First, they lost at home to bottom team Blackburn 2-3. When Manchester City did not take advantage by losing 1-0 to Sunderland's last gasp goal, United was downed 3-0 by Newcastle. Back to back defeats conceding six goals is hardly championship material. If you are a Man U fan, I figure that you would have chomped off half of your finger nails. These were horrendous results! Chelsea was equally bad going down 1-3 to Villa at home. Sunderland continued their wondrous run winning 4-1 at Wigan. The magic of Martin O'neill inspiring his charges. All form books have been thrown out the window.


Game Week 21 - Ball Gazing

Villa v Everton - The 13th and 11th placed teams battle this one out. Both are having an indifferent season. They both win by the odd goal but this one to me is a draw written all over. 1-1.

Blackburn v Fulham - Blackburn propping up the table from the bottom deep end shocked United. Another win could see them going outside the bottom three if the others lose. We are slightly more than half-way through the season with no time to lose. Fulham is behind Villa on goal difference. 2-2. Yakubu to score for the home team and Clinton Dempsey for the visitor.

Chelsea v Sunderland - An interesting pairing here. Chelsea has been faltering but recovered slightly while Sunderland continued to do no wrong under O'Neill and suddenly now in 10th position. It should be a tough game. With Chelsea slackening a bit and the Black Cats's propulsion and growing confidence, it could be a surprise draw. 1-1.

Liverpool v Stoke - Liverpool has a very poor scoring rate - 24 goals after 20 games. Only 9 other teams are worst but they have the second best defence. You need a solid defence to start with but if you don't score you won't win. Fortunately, this is soccer where you have a 90-minute game and not badminton. I have always said Stoke isn't all that bad and they have comeback to proof me right and now in 8th position. Expect Peter Crouch to score against his old team after his brace last week. Stoke is a hard team to play and Liverpool's style won't be easy to prise them open. 1-1.

Manchester Utd v Bolton - A draw with Wolves and an away win over Everton left them 3rd from bottom. Meanwhile, United has lost theri last two matches and a 3rd loss would be disastrous. They are fortunate to be meeting Bolton. Their 3-2 win over City in the F.A. Cup has halted the bad streak and they are looking sharper. 2-0.

Tottenham v Wolves - It will be difficult for Wolves despite their recent improvement. To me Tottenham has been the most exciting team of last season as well as this. There is a renaissance and new cockiness about them as they are playing with a swagger and confidence. 3-1 and Bale to score.

WBA v Norwich - Two consecutive 0-1 losses got them down to 15th. Result-wise, Norwich are the best of the newly promoted and the weaker teams in 9th position. 2-2. WBA to bounce back a little as the Canaries are playing away.

Newcastle v QPR - I think if you can beat Manchester United, you can beat anyone except Barcelona. The Magpies did not jst beat Man U, they got them humiliated 3-0. The problem now is that their 15 goal machine Demba Ba is now away for the Africa Nations Championship. Shoala Ameobi and the rest have to step up but they should win this one as QPR has jsut sacked their manager Warnock. 2-0. 

Swansea v Arsenal - Swansea plays attractive soccer so Arsenal may breathe easy they have a game on. The Gunners do not seem to thrive playing against teams that dished out ugly football. Robbie van Persie should add another goal. 1-2 to the Gunners.

Wigan v Manchester City - I am no referee and the rule may have said red card for two legged tackles. City captain Vincent Kompany was red carded in the F.A. Cup tie versus Man Uted. I saw Kompany going in for that tackle on Nani. He went in with his right foot and got the ball not the man and later as he went down his left foot came along. I would have interpreted differently. 


The rule book says: A player is guilty of serious foul play if he uses excessive force or brutality against an opponent when challenging for the ball when it is in play. Any player who lunges at an opponent in challenging for the ball from the front, from the side or from behind using one or both legs, with excessive force and endangering the safety of an opponent is guilty of serious foul play.


So it does not matter if one leg or eight legs were involved when the opponent is an octopus. Was the force deemed excessive?  Was brutality used? So early on in the game so would a yellow suffice? Zan, if you are reading this, please give you views.


Kompany is one of the reasons Man City defence is holding up so well. Should City now move the in-form Micah Richards to the centre and use Kolarav as full back to swing in another one of those wicked free kicks like the one he scored v Utd.? Wigan can sometimes surprised with doggedness but I do not see it here. 0-2.


Vincent will at least have company on the bench in Suarez  whose language proficiency got him into trouble. Well, whatever you do, just do not concede a goal like that:


http://1045theteam.com/embarrassing-goalkeeper-error-leads-to-goal-video/


Always watch your back for you know not what lurks behind.