EPL Game Week 11

My first brush with the English League was way back when I was a kid and one of my uncles was a soccer fanatic. It harked back to the days of black and white TV and this uncle also love watching wrestling and in wrestling, the good wrestlers often dressed in white while the bad ass wrestlers were often draped in black. So one day while watching soccer with him I asked if the team in white was the good one.

One thing I never forgot was that there were no live telecasts back then and there was only an one hour highlight featured every Sunday during lunch time called Star Soccer. Here is the theme tune and then the voice of the legendary Hugh Johns who was well huge at the time. Also the Pele header and the unbelievable Gordon Banks' save. Today's soccer cannot be compared due to the lack of character and elegance. There were Roger Davies, Frank Worthington, John Richards, Charlie George, Jimmy Greenhoff, George Best, Bobby Charlton, etc. and yes Hugh Johns has his beers. Do not miss these!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0akdHSw-8c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnvS7HnBrSg

Last week, I suffered a lapse in form with my predictions getting only 5 correct in WxDxL and two perfect scores in Fulham v Everton (2-2) and Liverpool v Newcastle (1-1).

Arsenal v Fulham - The Gunners escaped with a light 1-2 loss to Man Utd at Old Trafford. They led Schalke 04 but conceded two goals suggesting they have issues with their defence. Fulham is quite unbeatable at Craven Cottage and is still decent when playing away. In their last 5 derby encounters, there were two draws of 1-1 and 2-2. Fulham won once at home (2-1) and Arsenal twice (2-1) and (4-0). This one could be close with 2 to 4 goals. I pick Arsenal to win 2-1.

Everton v Sunderland - Everton is better than many think. They will be even better at Goodison Park. Sunderland scored few goals and conceded even less. In their previous encounters, thee were two 1-1 draw with Everton having won 3 times - 2-0 twic and 4-0. If Sunderland plays their rigid game successfully it will be for a draw but I feel Everton could ace this if they take their chances well as Sunderland will go in with fast and furious tackles. 2-1.

Reading v Norwich - Reading, QPR and Southampton do not deserved their league position for the way they play but that is life. Sometimes, we get the crumbs even when doing all the right things. It is the same I should be managing Man City. Norwich could score mostly just a goal if they do score but Reading are great scorers and they can easily score 2 or 3 goals per match. Heck, they even scored 5 past Arsenal! It could be a draw but I think Reading deserve to win this 3-2.

Southampton v Swansea - As I said they do not deserved to be bottom. Problem is they do not know how to win. Time for the Saints to raise their game at home and Swansea's open game can suit them. If they can beat Villa and drew Fulham they can do something here which is important because they next face they next face fellow struggler QPR at Loftus Road. 2-2.

Stoke v QPR - Stoke surprisingly went down 0-1 to Norwich last week. They are hard to play against. QPR are above Southampton on goal difference as even though when they have lost they have often lost so narrowly by an odd goal. However, Stoke has a poor record QPR having lost their last two. May be the loops on the jerseys made them giddy. Stoke are draw specialist playing at home but has a poor record against QPR. I say draw. 1-1.

Wigan v WBA - My oh my, this is tough. Wigan is on the back of a solid 1-0 win at White Hart Lane. Roberto Martinez had a brilliant game plan but WBA is a very well organised side. This could go either way. Head to head they are almost equal in their wins and draws with each other and they averaged 3 goals in total. So it could be 2-1 either way. I say draw 1-1.

Villa v Man Utd - Villa stunned draw specialist Sunderland 1-0 at the Stadium of Light while Man Utd dominated Arsenal and cruised to a 2-1 win. United is on song now and their defence has tightened up and leading the table. Manc City and Chelsea has more difficult tasks this weekend. They must want to seal t clear lead badly. In their last 5 matches, the number of goals scored were 3,4,4,1,4 and Villa could hold them to a draw or lost narrowly when playing at Villa Park (0-1, 2-2, 1-2). United should win this one. 1-2.

Man City v Tottenham - By their own high standards and resources they have, Moneybags City is doing badly both domestically or in Europe. Mancini needed relief and may be relieved if they continue going down South. City should then appoint me. Then I will splash the logos of Breadtalk, Kopitiam and Old Chang Kee onto different parts of their kit. AVB himself is not far from trouble as Spurs lost at home to Wigan continuing their topsy-turvy form. They have played to 0-0 draw and 1-0 wins either side but in their last two matches, City won 5-1 and 3-2 respectively. Defoe is on song having just scored a hattrick against Maribor. I pick City to win narrowly in a possible high scoring game. 3-2.

Newcastle v West Ham - The Hammers has only beaten Newcastle once (at home) in their last four outings, drawing once. They lost once at Upton park (1-2) and 0-5 at St. James Park. This West Ham side is made of sterner stuff under Sam Allardyce having just held man City 0-0. Newcastle may have a slight edge here to win it. 2-1.

Chelsea v Liverpool - Other than City and Spurs this is the big one this weekend. While Liverpool were held at home by Newcastle Chelsea surrendered their no.1 position to Man Utd. after being held 1-1 by Swansea. Chelsea is currently much stronger than Liverpool but Pool has a good record against them. Liverpool had beaten them 1-0, 2-1, and 4-1 losing 1-2 once. 12 goals in four matches averaging 3 goals per game. I pick Chelsea to lick their wounds and bounce back with a win. 2-1.

Have a great EPL weekend and Happy Deepavali!