EPL Game Week 23
It is turning into a two-horse race. I hope there will be more surprises in store right up to the wire!
Swansea v Chelsea - Norwich played stoutly to hold Chelsea 0-0. At times, they were inspiring. Some of you may not know but Norwich should be special to Singapore because former national coach Barry Whitbread who won us the Tiger Cup has a teenage son training with Geylang at the Bed Ok stadium. You don't know? Ok, it's the Bedok Stadium. His name is Zak Whitbread. Later he moved with his dad to Liverpool and is now plying his trade with the Canaries. Zak was a giant that day against Chelsea as he marshalled the defensive line. Another connection we had is that Norwich striker and Captain Holt used to star in our very own S-League. Swansea was awesome against Arsenal but lost 2-0 to Sunderland away. Can Swansea surprise another London visitor? Chelsea's last 7 games: away to Wigan 1-1, away to Spurs 1-1, home to FUlham 1-1, home to Villa 1-3, away to Wolves 2-1, home to Sunderland 1-0, away to Norwich 0-0 and now away to Swansea? I pick Swansea to win 2-1.
Tottenham v Wigan - Tottenham lost 2-3 to Man City narrowly and this is an almost last second goal from the penalty spot after Ledley King was adjudged to have fouled when the score was 2-2. And did you see that Gareth Bale goal? With such an inspiring goal you shouldn't loose a match. Watch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp1hzMkdw38
The Welshman has now moved more into the centre of midfield from left back when he started to left winger and now this. Glimpses of his ability became concrete when he played Inter Milan in an European game. The world took notice because he tored Inter's famed defence apart single-handedly and he took Maicon for a ride. It became a folklore chant "Taxi for Maicon" as Brazilian Maicon was considered the best right back in the world but was made to look like a novice that day. Spurs manager Harry Redknapp described Bale: "He's 6ft 2in, he can head the ball, as strong as an ox, can run, dribble, shoot, he can do the lot." Bale is athletic pyrotechnics in motion.
Wigan is in bad shape. They have held Liverpool and Chelsea in the past but now last in the table. They may get a backlash from Tottenham. 2-0.
Wolves v Liverpool - Wolves played well and nearly got a point with Villa (2-3). Liverpool looks set to take 3 points from this match or is it? They were completely inept against Bolton. The same people who wanted Kenny Dalglish back may soon be baying for his blood. I said that if Liverpool could not beat Bolton they do not deserve to be in the top six let alone top four and then went forth and promptly lost 1-3. They were completely outplayed by Bolton. Something is not right. Liverpool's stats of DDWLDL is of concern while Wolves record of DDDLDL is almost identical but their loss included one to Chelsea but they have held Arsenal and Spurs to 1-1 draws away. Wolves are improving while the Reds are declining. The Reds pain may be prolonged as they have distraction in the League and F.A. Cup. 1-1.
Everton v Man City - You see when one cannot win one must at least draw. In this area, Everton is an expert and WDWLWDD wasn't exactly bad. For Man City it was WDLWWW, still very good but of late a little less convincing. Everton can surprise with a draw to do Man Utd a favour. You need to watch this video on how Lionel Messi was double-teamed ending with Real Madrid's Portuguese international Pepe stamping his boots on Messi's hand.
Then let Everton be warned that if he has still not been banned, Man City has an even more vicious player who stamped on heads:
Accidental or with malice? You decide. If you have been a victim of such dirty players who go in with violence, malice and intention to hurt then you will know what I mean. 1-1.
Man Utd v Stoke - Stoke is at WLDDWDL. Man Utd is at WWWLLWW and looks to be back but they have growing injury list like Arsenal. Hopefully, Sir Alex won't get injured. Stoke can sometimes be stubborn but I think Utd should cruise. 2-0.
Villa v QPR - Villa fought so well at the Molineux to beat Wolves but this QPR with Mark Hughes at the helm performed very well to beat Wigan clearly 3-1. It will be a tough one here but being away QPR should be able to get at least a point or maybe a surprise. 2-2.
Blackburn v Newcastle - Blakcburn's record this season is like reading a horror story. LLDWLLWD...so the next ones look like LL or a continued revival like like last two? Newcastle has their own problems with DLWLWWL especially in their last match which was a 2-5 thrashing at the hands of Fulham. I say 1-1.
Bolton v Arsenal - Bolton is at LLDWLW and has been a bottom dweller all season and I'm not talking about fish but the EPL. The Gunners' at LWDWLLL - terrible by Arsenal's standard. A breath of fresh air was when Wenger finally introduced Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who tormented the Man U defence and created their only goal. What was surprising was when Wenger took him off as he was the most effective player for the Gunners, better than Walcott. Unless he was injured? With him around, England will have a bright future. Arsenal is at a low now and Bolton is capable of shocking if you saw how they whacked Liverpool 3-1 but it is a match Arsenal must win. 1-2.
Fulham v WBA - Fulham is flying at the moment with their 5-2 victory over the Magpies. Their WLDDWWW is superb and Dempsey hit a hattrick and on song. WBA's WWDLLLW. Their last match win over Stoke away was impressive and is capable of holding Fulham but Fulham is in a vein of fine form where they can beat almost anybody now. 2-1.
Sunderland v Norwich - Sunderland's LWDWWLW was hard to fathom until Martin O'Neill came along. That's what a man mover can do. Meanwhile Norwich took on and held Chelsea at home. Norwich is the best team based on their results from Liverpool downwards and two points ahead of Sunderland. Like I said before, you don't have to outrun a hungry bear, just outrun the rest. An opportunity to watch Zak Whitbread and Holt in play. 1-1.
In the New Year of the Dragon, anything can happen. Those who win may lose and lose may win. There will be disasters like players stomping on other players' hands or heads. The Dragon will breathe fire and burn the economy of the EPL such that they have to bring back Thierry Henry and Paul Scholes and the terrible news came that Carlos Tevez's deal broke down and he is to remain in the EPL with City. Who do you like most? Pepe, Balotelli or Tevez? Or hate least?
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