EPL Game Week 13

This was an interesting EPL weekend, probably the most intriguing since the season's kick off. It also coincided with my worst prediction to date. Now, it was not because I was bad but it was certainly all the teams are lacking consistency and not playing the way they should and caused such turbulence. I shall be bouncing back like I did for the Fantasy Premier League. I had two right and two rights do not make a wrong. The only way is up!

And I told you that it was easier to predict who gets the sack first and Roberto Di Matteo of Chelsea became the first casualty.

I have also noticed two newcomer countries visited this blog - Yemen and the Isles of Man that would make 118th countries so far. You know where is the Isles of Man?

Sunderland v WBA - Sunderland having lost their previous two matches went to of all places Craven Cottage and won 3-1. Of course it was helped by the sending off of Fulham's captain Hangeland for his two footed lunge at Cattermole. Inspirational stuff from the Black Cats but which is more difficult? Beating Fulham away or Chelsea at home? That was what WBA did 2-1. In five previous meetings they have not lost to Sunderland winning four and drawing one averaging three goals per match (3-0, 1-0, 3-2, 2-2, 4-0). They have won three on the trot. I am tempted to say draw but I'll go for WBA to win. They are a really good side. 1-2.
Everton v Norwich - I knew Reading plays a good game and could score all the time and it was a good result to beat Everton. If that was good then the Canaries surprise win over the Red Devils took the cake! Anthony Pilkington's header to the top corner from a swerving cross was a classic. We shouldn't be surprised because they had beaten Arsenal 1-0 too. Sir Alex might have laughed at that time but now he knew. Norwich is unbeaten in six matches now. Everton is having a great season but with Fellaini suspended they will miss him. Both their previous meetings ended with draws (1-1 and 2-2) and Norwich has yet to win away. Draw because Everton's form has dip a little and Norwich's went up. 1-1.

Man Utd v QPR - The kick off way way too late at 1.30am. I fell asleep and woke up briefly, saw Norwich led 1-0 and decided that it was wiser to snooze. Anyway, Utd will bounce back with 3 goals and the final outcome would turn out as I predicted 1-3. Wrong! I watched the match on the next day's rerun and I thought Utd were in a new away kit of yellow and green. For a team that have yet to win away, I felt QPR has their best chance to resurrect their season but alas it really seemed that Mark Hughes' days are almost over any time soon. His budget air ticket is probably ready in the drawer.  Game over QPR because they lost at home to S'oton so how can they cope at the Theatre of Dreams, worse they may suffer the Devils' backlash. They are the only team without a win after 12 matches having only a draw away conceding 23 goals and scored only 9. I fear for them unless they shock by doing a Norwich. However, their previous three meetings were 2-0, 1-0, 2-0 to Utd. Another win for the home team but they only kept two clean sheets.   This will be their third. 2-0.

Stoke v Fulham - Stoke is strong at home while Fulham has not won in four matches. Stoke showed their strength having just held West Ham away while Fulham crashed at home to Sunderland. Based on their previous 5 meetings Stoke won 3 to Fulham's, all with 2-0 score except one 2-1. Stoke could stake their claim for a win this time. 2-1. 
Wigan v Reading - Poor Wigan. After beating Spurs away they lost at home to WBA and then got a thrashing by Liverpool. Reading often play quite well but they could not win so that win over Everton was a big morale booster. That win was at home and now they travel to Wigan. A win will keep each of them further from the relegation zone. I say draw. 2-2.

Villa v Arsenal - It is the best time to play Villa and the worst to play Arsenal. One just conceded 5 and the other scored 5. So another 5 goals to the Gunners. Soccer does not work out that way. Besides, Arsenal has a mid-week match versus Montpellier. In their last four meetings, Arsenal led 3-1 in winning. Villa is in bad shape so expect the Gunners to win. Their games averaged 3.6 60 3.7 goals. 1-3.

Swansea v Liverpool - Swansea does not loose to Liverpool. Previous meetings favours the home side (0-0, 1-0, 3-1). Swansea averaged 1.5 goals scored per match. Liverpool must have played their best EPL match and result when they trounced Wigan 3-0 finally doing proud to their "This Is Anfield" heritage. Before that they were all 1-0 or 1-1 scores. Have they finally come good? They scored an average of 1.8 goals per EPL match. Liverpool is now trying to play the Swansea way through Brendan Rodgers tutelage which means both are pass masters so you will see both sides passing themselves to death ending in a low scoring stalemate. 1-1.

Southampton v Newcastle - Newcastle is playing badly having just lost two home matches so much so that it seems anyone could beat them plus Southampton has just secured their best result winning 3-1 at QPR. Under normal circumstances Newcastle should win but S'oton has just held Swansea at home and won 3-1 at QPR and are on a roll plus Newcastle has yet to win on their travels. 2-2.
Chelsea v Man City - Chelsea after a great start is faltering. They have already suffered 3 defeats. Meanwhile, City remains the only undefeated team scoring the second highest with 25 goals and conceding the least of 10 goals. City is now leading after Man Utd and Chelsea faltered. Chelsea's trouncing by Juventus was the last straw that broke Di Matteo's back. Pep Guardiola for Chelsea. Can managerless Chelsea handle Man City at home? City scores vs Chelsea is 3-2 in their favour with games ending with socres of 1-0, 2-0, 2-1 and 3-2. City only won once away. I say draw. 1-1.

Tottenham v West Ham - There are lessons here. Never ever field a player who has anger with his previous employer. Scoring a simple goal wasn't exactly brilliant but it was heroic then idiocy followed and all hell break loose but I do not think I have seen a team with ten men playing worse than this. Poor AVB, just when ...
The Hammers have a poor record against their London neighbours having lost 1-0 x 2, 2-0 and 2-1 their last best showing was a 0-0 draw. Tottenham must surely go all out to secure three points at White Hart Lane. Expect Defoe to score. 2-1.

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