EPL Game Week 34

I managed to catch the Singapore v Perak game on TV the other day. Congrats to our boys for leading the table! It must have been tiring and gruesome. Kudos for their bravery and team spirit. It was a dare and a masterstroke from V. Sundramoorthy when he sent Safuwan upfront which led to his header to Irwan Shah who scored with a cool and exquisite finish. When you made brave decisions on the soccer pitch or golf course and pull it off, you are a genius or you fall flat on your face. That was the case when Bubba Watson, the long hitting giant who is not coached pulled it off at the Augusta Masters.

In soccer, golf, a marathon or in life, it doesn't really matter how you started. A good start is fine but it is always the recovery and the finishing that has the greatest impact! Manchester United is very likely to do it again because the old fox Sir Alex Ferguson has the ability to condition his team of players to not only peak at the right time but also to be unnerving in their application. They have gone golfing!

Meanwhile, the most important upset of the season came when Wigan beat Man Utd 1-0. The City v Utd derby is now important again as City could smell blood but they should have beaten Stoke at home then derby game would have been the defining match of the season.
Arsenal just had a little blip losing 1-2 to QPR but continued to be going great guns. 10 points behind City may be hard to overtake but still in-form they look a sure bet to stay third. Despite their heroics, Tottenham's recent form has been dismal. They are tottering and not so hot Spurs. Newcastle is now level on points with them and may even go to Europe at their expense if they do not start picking up points. Chelsea have to rebuild and they may not go to Europe. Everton has overtaken Liverpool while Fulham and Norwich levelled them. Liverpool is in danger of slipping further down.

Norwich v Man City - Norwich surprised Tottenham in their impressive 2-1 away win. City has not won in their last three matches drawing twice meaning 2 points out of a possible 9. Any distant hope will be completely diminished if they do not win this one. Though City has been in slumber, they should be too strong for Norwich. Man Utd's loss to Wigan gave some hope no matter how small. What if they beat Man Utd at the Etihad and the Red Devils lose another? 1-2.

Sunderland v Wolves - Wolves escaped relegation the last time. I like their history but they have not won for such a long time they have forgotten how. Sunderland has been in Slumberland and had their awakening in that 4-0 thrashing by Everton, a team in form but does not score many so the home team should be relief they are meeting Wolves. A home win 2-1.

Swansea v Blackburn - Blackburn was unfortunate to have lost to Liverpool 2-3 in their quest for survival. Since their impressive 3-0 away win over Fulham, Swansea has lost their way losing four in a row. Either one could win it but I say a draw. 1-1.

WBA v QPR - WBA is harder to beat than Swansea. QPR is on a one win one loss pattern and a little better at home. It would be greta for Mark Hughes to get at least a point here and eventually beat the dreaded drop. 2-2.

Man Utd v Aston Villa - Only the great teams like Liverpool and Everton are playing in the F.A. Cup. Villa are draw specialists and can be stubborn. They are capable of drawing the game if Utd is not careful. I think Villa will not be a banana skin for Utd. The banana skin comes in the form of Everton when they visit another week, then the derby with City and their last game v Sunderland. 2-0.

Arsenal v Wigan - Wigan had put themselves in contention to quit the drop. They drew two, beaten Liverpool away, beaten Stoke, lost narrowly to Chelsea away and beaten Man Utd. The belief has completely returned at Arsenal. Their dismal early season jitters prevented them for challenging the two Manchester teams but nothing of it was evident for a long time now. They are singing praised of Mr. Wenger again. Wigan's form has been good so it may be a little closer with the Gunners to win 2-1.

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