EPL Game Week 9

EPL continues to win fans because of the passion of the fans of each club and the players and its competitiveness. Just look at the frenetic pace the games are being played and those crunching tackles. Last week I managed only 5 correct prediction in WxDxL including one perfect score between Sunderland and Newcastle. What will Game Week 9 be like? Let us try some crystal ball gazing if you have one.

Game Week 9

Villa v Norwich - Just when you thought the Canaries were bad our former S-League striker Holt threw a spanner in the works when he helped Norwich to gun down the Gunners with an unlikely but superlative soak and strike performance. Villa has been toiling without much result and have not won for a long time but this time at least they are at home. Villa was once a great club but now they are struggling. 1-1.

Arsenal v QPR - Based on the way they play, Arsenal should win often but they do not and seemed to lack confidence. They could not even overcome the Canaries and despite the fact that Norwich crowded their penalty box Arsenal continued to weave intricate patterns hoping to get close. They ought to have some other ways like taking some shots outside the penalty box. Now they have lost at home for the first time in a European match at the Emirates to Schalke. The consolation is that they are at home to QPR who has lost four and drawn two matches. If you think your job is bad, spare a thought for Mark Hughes. This is a London derby and if Arsenal don't win this one they may be heading for another mediocre season. With their kind of passing game, they should be bossing every match. They are in need of a leader to show the way. 2-1.

Reading v Fulham - Reading can give anyone a hard game but they have yet to win. The Cottagers has been doing really well and know how to get a result. Martin Jol's men do seem to be happy despite reports of some players falling out with him. Fulham can win this but I think Reading can get a point here. 2-2.

Stoke v Sunderland - In case you are not aware, both sides are the draw masters of the EPL. Not only are their game about the same, they have an almost identical home kit. They seldom win but are so hard to beat. It is going to be a physical game in what appear like a highly probable draw. Beanpole Peter Crouch does not look like a soccer player but he is really quite good and could make a difference. 1-1.

Wigan v West Ham - Wigan looks like doing what they did last summer. They are capable of much better stuffs but they waited till the very last moment. West Ham is a better team than most people would give them credit for. Wigan may find it hard to get past a team well drilled by big Sam Allardyce. Kevin Nolan, Andy Carroll or Mark Noble may just give them a slight edge. Having hammered  The Saints 4-1 they are now thirsty for blood. 1-2.

Man City v Swansea - It will be a good match to watch for both are good passing teams. City at the moment are not really themselves as they have just fallen 3-1 to Ajax Amsterdam who themselves haven't won in Europe but at the Etihad, City should still prove too strong for the visitors. Has Mancini been tinkering too much with players and system? Edin Dzeko is in great form. Is he the new David Fairclough once of Liverpool? 
4-2.

Everton v Liverpool - This is a good time for Everton to do it to Liverpool in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park. The blue side is in better shape and confidence. An important factor could be whether Maruone Fellaini would be back from injury. Liverpool has little variation and even fewer choices to make and may have to make do until January. Would it be too late after Christmas? Or could it end up as a scrappy draw? A scrappy draw it will be. Jelavic to score for Everton while Gerrard scores for Liverpool. Throw in a few yellow cards too. 1-1.

Newcastle v WBA - Newcastle would be facing FC Brugge on Thursday so Alan Pardew has to choose who to lead the forward line - Cisse or Ba? WBA is a more than decent team and Shane Long can score but Newcastle can be capable of much more but they will need to find the rhythm and confidence of last season. They may just have the slight edge at St. James Park. A Magpie win if Demba Ba do not pop up and score another own goal. 2-1.

Southampton v Tottenham - And when the Saints came marching in.....I like Southampton from the days they were called Dad's Army and featured Mick Channon and even Kevin Keegan. Their style is attractive, they can score but they leaked in more. A case in point - that 1-4 loss at Upton Park. They can catch teams napping. It also depends which Spurs is turning up. This match could be high-scoring and Jermaine Defoe is in stupendous form. The Saints could surprise but Tottenham's overall quality will be too much. 2-3.

Chelsea v Man Utd - There is no bigger match this weekend than this. After that superlative performance winning 4-2 at White Hart Lane despite trailing they came crashing back to earth when they lost 1-2 to Shakhtar Donesk and now has Frank Lampard doubtful but Juan Mata was in fine form at Spurs. Man Utd won 4-2 against Stoke and were trailing Braga by two goals before a comeback 3-2 win. How will Chelsea cope with Rooney and van Persie? How do the leaky Red Devil defence face up to Torres and Hazard? Utd has a better head to head record but those were different teams. I Hazard a guess: a Chelsea win at Stamford Bridge (possibly a draw). 3-2.

Wishing all Muslim friends and readers Selamat Hari Raya Eiduladha!