EPL Game Week 2

Oh what a weekend of soccer! Just in game week one and the EPL rocked! Surprises galore as there were shocks everywhere. This is just the beginning and long may it remain this way each week. In my last column, out of 10 matches, I have 4 correct W-D-L predictions and 2 perfect scores in Reading's 1-1 draw with Stoke and Chelsea's 2-0 win at Wigan. I was also right that Man City scored 3 goals but didn't expect Southampton to put in 2, also all the reported injured Newcastle players played.

Swansea v West Ham - Michael Laudrup achieved the biggest scalp when the Swans thrashed QPR 5-0 away at Loftus Road despite mark Hughes having signed 8 new players and Robert Green repeated his World Cup fumble. Swansea were playing what Brendan Rodgers had envisioned for Liverpool. Michu signed for 2 million pounds repaid a huge part of his transfer. West Ham got off to a good start with that Kevin Nolan tap in winning 1-0 over Villa at Upton Park. With such an inspirational performance, expect Swansea to achieve great freedom playing in front of their fans at the Liberty Stadium. They shall be liberated as I have been when I was introduced to the Liberty Pub last week but do not expect another 5-0 win as Sam Allardyce will try to curtail that. 2-1.

Villa v Everton - Villa manager Paul Lambert's departure from Norwich must have affected Norwich but he could not do much as Villa fell at Upton Park. When I told you that David Moyes has been an excellent manager, you know why now as Everton defeated Man Utd 1-0. Moyes has to struggle every year as his top players were sold like Rooney and now Rodwell and he has even lost Tim Cahill to the MSL. Everton's soccer is always resolute and fully committed. Can they take full points at Villa Park? Yes, if you can slay a giant, you can be David and he is David Moyes. If Phil Jagielka stops Darren Bent, Everton will sneak in by a goal. 0-1.

Man Utd v Fulham - I had wanted to predict an Everton win or a draw but Man Utd usually gets the rub of the green. It is still early days but the Red Devils are no longer the same as they were. Their defence is cracking and they didn't get Leighton Baines and now got Alexander Buttner, a young Dutch left back, their midfield lacks leadership but they do have a fearsome strike force if they perform. Fulham got off to a rousing start at Craven Cottage which Martin Jol didn't quite expect - a 5-0 thrashing of Norwich where there were several scorers when in the past only Clinton Dempsey could. Fulham was quite awesome. This time they won't get all the space but most people will think they could get thrashed by Man Utd. It could be a slow start and a long journey for Sir Alex? 2-2.

Norwich v QPR - You can't ask for a better match than one where both teams got a big spanking by the same margin. When one got spanked, you either wake up and soar or continue to lie down and cry. It is not funny when you got whacked 5 times without reply. They are immediately under pressure and written off as relegation candidates for sure. 1-1.

Southampton v Wigan - Southampton has some famous players who once played for them like Martin Chivers, Ron Davies, Peter Osgood, Bobby Stokes, Alan Ball, Mick Channon, Charlie George, Kevin Keegan, Peter Shilton, Ted McDougall, Matthew Le Tissier, Kevin Philips and Theo Walcott. I like this team when I saw how they took on the Champions Man City for they didn't park a bus but give them punch for punch coming back from 0-1 down to lead 2-1 but finally lost 3-2 narrowly. When their top scorer was not fielded in the first XI, it was a surprise but when he came on he scored in just a jiffy. Watch this guy - Rickie Lambert.  Similarly, I like Roberto Martinez's philosophy for they didn't kowtow to Chelsea going down to 2 early goals. At times, they looked dangerous when attacking Chelsea led by Victor Moses, a Chelsea target. This should be a good game. 2-2.
 
Sunderland v Reading - Sunderland did everything right in preventing Arsenal from playing and winning under O'Neill's astute leadership. Reading having salvage a point from Stoke actually scored 2 against Chelsea only to eventually go down 4-2. This time Sunderland will attack at home but may struggle to score while Reading could score as they have. Home ground advantage will see them just making it. 2-1.

Tottenham v WBA - White Hart Lane will be on fire after their opening loss to the Magpies but the visitors has just humbled Liverpool 3-0 and are inspired with nothing to fear. It will be an interesting contest of contrasting styles. AVB can't afford a home loss but can Steve Clark's WBA cause another upset? Morrison, Gera and Odemwingie await. Will Bale, van Der Vaart and Adebayor score? A high scoring draw is possible and a slow start for Spurs? Tottenham may just edge this one. 3-2.

Chelsea v Newcastle - Chelsea are on song. The workman like 2-0 win over Wigan followed by a 4-2 win over Reading is a very good start. Torres is scoring again and Eden Hazard could be the player of the season if he keeps on with it. I showed you clips of what he is capable of last season. Chelsea will press on for a third win in a row but Newcastle continued where they left off last season and Demba Ba has scored. The Magpies looked good and balance and Papiss Cisse is yet to score. Also watch Ben Arfa. The Magpies can halt Chelsea's march with a confident display. 2-2.

Stoke v Arsenal - Arsenal's problem lies in their own sophistication so they must look to other ways to win a match. Sunderland's tactic was obvious, soak them in and try to snatch a goal on the counter. Domination is not enough, you have to win. Stoke presents a similar style of robust play and a second chance for the Gunners to make good this time. Santi Cazorla will be a star and he played like he has been in the EPL all the time. Can he create for Podolski and Giroud to score? Will Walcott up his game? Arteta, Alex Chamberlain? 0-2. 

Liverpool v Man City - One match into the new season and Brendan Rodger's honeymoon was over. Liverpool's main problem continues to haunt them. They could dominate but could not score. Suarez for all his imagination and skill often needs many chances to convert. Liverpool needs a striker who can put at least 20 goals into the net per season. They are a passing team and Rodger's influence was on display a bit with short passing and quick movements but having lost to WBA on the opening day and by 0-3 is a dampener. If they can get over the loss quickly that it good but the light at the end of the tunnel could be an oncoming train. They will now host Man City at Anfield, play Hearts in Europe, host Arsenal, visit Sunderland then host Man Utd. Their season could be over like Arsenal almost was at the beginning of last season - derailed depending on what they could do to Man City. City easily put 3 past Southampton but also clumsily conceded 2. Aguero is out for a month so Liverpool really need to up their game with play with gusto and confidence. Liverpool also often do better against stronger teams. 1-1.

Have a great weekend!

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