EPL Game Week 15

A brief on the Suzuki Cup. Singapore lost to Indonesia in a match they could have won. Duric hit the stanchion with his header, Amri seemed to have been fouled in the penalty box but was given the yellow card for simulation instead although there was contact made. Why did Irwan Shah make that rash tackle to get a second yellow and promptly sent off when the Indonesian player was at the bye line with no imminent danger present. 

Better than this was an article posted on the NST where the writer mentioned about "Singapore having a fast-aging population with many of the country's young shunning marriage and this apparently led to a rise in gay culture. Also that we are turning into an emotionless breed and yet Malaysia had to lose to Singapore in the soccer match." This prompted Mr. Brown to post on his website "Eh, your letter no link one leh". For some one to write that and for the other to publish it. Haiz. 

Meanwhile, I was in better form last week just like WBA and Southampton having gotten 7 correct WxDxL and one exact score. Unfortunately, I was out of town on work travel, so I was unable to be in time or have time for Game Week 14. For the Sunderland v WBA match, six press experts predicted 2 draws and 4 Sunderland wins. I was the only one who got it right for the WBA win. The one and only true guru. You won't know what you are missing until it is gone. Alright, this is your weekly fix.

Game Week 15 will hold great significance to each team as they enter into almost the first half of the league season and the defining Christmas period. 

West Ham v Chelsea - The Hammers could not cope with Spurs and duly lost 1-3 and then again lost narrowly 0-1 to Man Utd but there is no better time to play Chelsea. Chelsea has suddenly not won since their loss to Man Utd. and it seemed summer has turned to winter. Can Benitez reverse it? Or will West Ham fancy their chances? The Hammers best record against Chelsea is a 1-1 draw and losses that more often than not were by 2-3 goals. This is the match that Chelsea must reverse their slide as they are now seven points adrift from the league leader. Chelsea will throw everything in to win this. Maybe Benitez may field himself. 1-2.

Fulham v Tottenham - Fulham's 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge must be creditable following the away 0-1 loss to Stoke and Craven Cottage is quite a fortress. However, after convincing 3-1 and 2-1 wins over West  Ham and Liverpool respectively with Defoe, Lennon and Bale in fine form you must surely fancy Spurs but then again this is a London derby. In five previous meetings, Fulham won only once and Tottenham four times. In my opinion, Tottenham can beat anyone on their day with their speed and swagger. They are picking up momentum and this is their day. 1-2.

Man City v Everton - Everton has become a draw specialist. They drew four times, won once, suffered a loss and followed up with two more draws. In their previous five match ups, you will be surprised that Everton is Man City's bogey team winning 4 to City's 1. Meanwhile, City while not playing that well has been winning and they can't let go their sight on the red side of Manchester. City should squeeze out a win. Just. Mancini will have focus now as their European dreams are in tatters. 2-1.

WBA v Stoke - After their wonderful 4-2 away win over Sunderland, the Baggies folded up at Swansea. They were on a five game winning streak and suddenly halted. History favours Stoke who won 3 out of 5 previous matches losing only once. Stoke themselves are not doing too badly having beaten Fulham and then Newcastle. Can WBA bounced back to play their finest yet again? Will Stoke continue their winning streak? I think a draw suits this tie. 1-1.

Arsenal v Swansea - Is Arsenal overrated?  They are now a draw specialist and looking a bit ordinary. When everybody was beating Villa they could not and were just held by Everton. Swansea meanwhile is having a mini revival especially after that morale boosting 3-1 win over in-form WBA and they have been unbeaten for five matches. In their previous two meetings, they won one apiece 1-0 to Arsenal at the Emirates and 2-3 at Swansea. They both are ball playing sides that play an open game. The Gunners lack confidence to kill a match when they dominate and with the visitors in good shape this one will be close with Arsenal having a slight edge. 3-2.

Liverpool v Southampton - Liverpool has improved, evidently more confident with their passing and so on but they lack a cutting edge to win matches. When Suarez has been scoring all their goals you know they have a serious problem. Pool's defeat by Spurs was their first in five matches. Southampton has been undefeated in four matches including two back to back wins recently. Liverpool has an advantage here, not just home ground but that the Saints play an attractive open game. Luis Suarez could prosper here and possibly too for Southampton's Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert who are both in scoring form. Liverpool should prosper here. 4-2.

QPR v Villa - QPR is propping up the table. Harry Redknapp's first match in charge was a decent away 0-0 draw at Sunderland - a good point and a halt to a string of losses. Do not underestimate Harry for he is not your usual manager but more one from the School of Hogwarts and is his own magician who knows how to go about things as he has proven many times but this could be his most challenging yet. I do not think that Villa is better than Sunderland and in their to previous meetings both were draws (1-1 and 2-2). QPR must take advantage of their Loftus Road home ground to grind out a win. It must surely start here. I pick QPR for their long awaited first win of the season. 2-1.

Reading v Man Utd - If Reading is reading this, they won't know whether to laugh or to cry. Don't get me wrong, you should love watching them play because in almost every game, they can score from one to four goals but they do not seem to know how to win doing it only once at home to Everton. Man Utd is not exactly scaring other teams off even if Sir Alex Ferguson's statue stood proudly at Old Trafford. Sir Stamford Raffles has stood even longer here. Did we scare anyone? Its the same as Liverpool's Anfield sign these days - "You'll Never Walk Alone". Reading must watch the Norwich game to see how the Canaries had the Red Devils defeated. Reading may need to wait a bit longer for their second win. 2-3.

Norwich v Sunderland - Norwich isn't doing too badly except that they drew too many matches but they are giant killers having sent Arsenal and Man Utd packing. They have even beaten Spurs in the League Cup. Sunderland is not in scintillating form and it is this kind of match that Norwich must take points from. It could all end up as a draw but if the Canaries can beat Man Utd and Stoke what is Sunderland. Our former S-League strike Holt to score. 2-1.

Newcastle v Wigan - In their last five matches, Newcastle has lost four. The Magpies are no longer flying. Have they over achieved last season. What happened to the talented Ben Arfa? The unstoppable Demba Ba (well he is still scoring actually) and the prolific Papiss Cisse? Their decline was rapid. Are they no longer a happy team? They are both even Stevens in their last five meetings having a draw and winning two each. Newcastle is at home but they have been losing at home too so this could be a draw but Newcastle need to rescue their season and have the better strikers. 2-1.