EPL Game Week 12

This is open season. The top teams are finding a bit of difficulty to win, no longer a stroll in the park and things are getting less predictable and this is a good thing so much so that I only got 4 right guesses in WxDxL and only one correct score prediction. It is not that I am not that good any more but it was just that the soccer teams are not consistent and playing to form.

At this juncture, perhaps it is easier to predict which manager will get the sack. Those under mounting pressure are Man City's Roberto Mancini, Tottenham's AVB and QPR's Mark Hughes for example. Others like Arsenal's Arsene Wenger and Southampton's Nigel Adkins are frustrated too though Wenger is safe we can't tell about Adkins. Now for the weekend action.....

Arsenal v Tottenham - In their last 5 outings Arsenal has lost twice (2-3 and 1-2) and won twice (4-1 and 5-2) the other being a draw (3-3). Do you see a trend here? Factor in their recent form and it is anything goes. Tottenham is a point above the Gunners and this is a London derby with bragging rights. It means the goals shall flow as the average would be five goals. Arsenal could win this by just a goal in a high scoring match. 3-2.

Liverpool v Wigan - Liverpool hardly wins these days and has drawn 50% (6 out of 12) of their matches while Wigan has lost six. In their last 5 outings Liverpool lost twice and has drawn three times. Matches between them have a maximum of 3 goals averaging into a draw. Suarez to score if not Gerrard. 1-1.

Man City v Villa - Man City by their standard has not being doing well but still they could win. Their strikers Aguero and Tevez are not firing like before. Villa did give Man Utd a scare last week. Man City has been unbeaten at home for a long time. City to win this one. 2-0. 

Newcastle v Swansea - West Ham's victory at St. James Park will give hope to Swansea but for all their passing ability, Swansea does not have the steel displayed by the Hammers. Time for the Magpies to bounce back with a win. Ba and Ben Arfa to score. 2-1.
QPR Southampton - Clash of the bottom clubs. Their records stood at 0-4-7 for QPR and 1-2-8 for Southampton after 11 matches with Southampton or S'oton (not Sotong) leading by a point. QPR averages two goals per game for and against while S'oton's average is four conceding a lot more than they scored and they have never drawn or won away. They have been rather poor away and QPR will not get a better opportunity to get their first win. 3-2.
Reading v Everton - Reading is the other team left without a victory with a record of 0-6-4 after 10 matches averaging 3 goals per game overall while Everton is 5-5-1 after 11 matches averaging 3 goals per game. I am afraid they have to wait a bit longer for a win but there could easily be three goals to come. 1-2.
WBA v Chelsea - In their last five meetings, WBA scored only one victory and scored only two goals while losing four matches and conceded 13 goals but this season they have lost only one home game but they are much better than even last season. After that 2-3 home loss to Man Utd, Chelsea suffered a drop in form having been held 1-1 by Swansea then Liverpool. Their talismanic and influential captain John Terry who scored against Liverpool in injured and will be missed. WBA can surprised but Chelsea should know how to play to win. 1-2.

Norwich v Man Utd - The Canaries scored only 8 goals and conceded 18. Man Utd is in free-scoring mood scoring 3 goals for most matches. Man Utd shall continue to lead the table after this match unless Norwich pull off a major surprise which is highly unlikely. Utd shall stroll to a comfortable win. 1-3.
Fulham v Sunderland - While Fulham drew their last three matches they showed great character against the likes of Everton and Arsenal. Sunderland does not score many goals but they have been poor and no longer the draw specialist we have come to expect having lost two matches in a row. Craven Cottage is not an easy place to go and another loss for the Black Cats is on the cards. 2-1.
West Ham v Stoke - The Hammers  held Man City 0-0 then went to St. James Park and beaten the Magpies 1-0. If this is not form, what is? West Ham is six in the table and Sam Allardyce has made them a more formidable team. Stoke is poorer away and could make it tough for the Hammers and could possibly earn a draw. I feel the in-form team will win here. 2-1.

Well, I do not want to be like Lionel Messi when a gun of a police escort was accidentally pointed at his face during Argentina's visit to Saudi Arabia. I do not want to be famous. Watch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBjlKLC8WrI

Before you go, watch this incredible goal by Zlatan Ibrahimovic:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=az4mFb18DUE

Why is it always England anyway who conceded the best goals? The last time was in the World Cup by Argentina's Maradona.

If you want incredible goals in life you have to try the audacious. When people say cannot, you say why not? However, be warned: When it goes in, you are a hero but if it lands into Row Z, you are a fool. That is life.

Have a great EPL weekend!

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