EPL Game Week 16

Advantage Man Utd.! Among all the top teams they have the least of problems at least result-wise but their defence are often hit by flash flood of goals from their opponents and their only grace thus far has been to outscore their opponents.

Last week I mentioned that Game Week 15 was important as it was almost at the half way mark of the season with the treacherous Christmas period looming. It is like fighting the flu virus, you have got to be strong in order not to go under. Once you got weak and went under, fever sets in and you will shiver and tremble. That is not a good way to start a new year. All teams are preparing for their Christmas best and Game Week 16 shall be as interesting.

Arsenal v WBA - Arsenal has hit a new low and are just not good enough while WBA has suddenly lost two matches in a row in a superb season. History favours the Gunners who won three out of their last five meetings with a draw and a loss ranging from two to five goals in total. Both teams will feel a sense of despair and yet hope facing each other at this point in time. Arsenal are in greater need to turn around their dismal season especially after losing 0-2 to Swansea at home and the only way is to win this one. WBA has lost form too and is somewhat a little weaker away. They will be made to labour for a win. 2-1.

Villa v Stoke - Villa has only won twice at home and once away while Stoke is on a roll with three straight wins. In five previous meetings, they drew four times (0-0 x 2) and (1-1 x 2) with Stoke having won once (2-1). I say a draw is on the cards and I often find it hard for a soccer match to end 0-0, I'll say 1-1.

Southampton v Reading - This is an important match for both teams to distance themselves from each other at the bottom of the table. Southampton was in better from having not lost in four matches until they lost 0-1 to Liverpool. While Reading lost to Man Utd. 3-4 it was no shame to have scored three goals past their formidable opponent. Both sides deserve better  and I hope they do stay up in the spirit of the game. Maybe we should go buy their kits.
They last met and drew 1-1. Both teams play openly and can score goals and could end up 3-3 or 4-4. I will pick a draw here. 2-2.

Sunderland v Chelsea - Both have declined rapidly. Chelsea are getting results like Arsenal and Sunderland are like QPR so much so that you can't fathom what's up next? If one can only rely on their past results between them, it says Chelsea won four and lost one versus Sunderland. There were no draws between them. Benitez needs a win badly and Torres cuts a strange figure in blue but he came storming back in mid-week Europe with a  brace. Changing job can be haphazard even if the money is bigger elsewhere as Torres would testify. It is a must win for Chelsea for after losing 1-3 to West Ham, what else is there left except to go all out for a win? 1-2.

Swansea v Norwich - Both sides are in good form. Swansea has WWDWD while Norwich has WDDWD, both unbeaten in their last five matches. Swansea was impressive winning at Arsenal while Norwich famously claimed Man Utd's scalp. Their historical meetings favoured Norwich who won 3-2 and 3-1 respectively in two previous meetings. Michu must surely be the signing of the season so let us see if he could add another goal. A draw may be a good and fair result for these two in form teams this time. 2-2. 

Wigan v QPR - Wigan is not doing too well but they are unpredictable. Meantime, QPR while having not won has also not lost in two matches under Harry Redknapp thereby halting their losing streak. These one pointer crumbs can be crucial eventually if they were to survived a the end of the season. It is a tall order at this time expecting QPR to win especially away from home but this is just the tonic they need. Their record stood at one apiece of victory when they last met. I think it could be a draw but based on probability it is just about time that QPR should get a win even a lucky one? Give Tony Fernandez a break. He is my neighbour across the causeway. 1-2.

Man City v Man Utd. - There is no bigger match this weekend. Cancel all your appointments to catch this Manchester derby. This one could decide many things that will happen later. City has just been bundled out of Europe but don't read too much into this. Utd has been conceding too many goals even against teams like Reading. In their last five meetings (all competitions oldest to newest), it was City 1 Utd 0, City 2 Utd 3, Utd 1 City 6, City 2 Utd 3 and City 1 Utd 0 with the tally 3-2 int City's favour. I wanted to say a draw here but as you can see, they don't do draws. Except for two 1-0 games, the rest were 5 to 7 goals. This one is really between the Devil and the Blues. There is not a better time to claim supremacy. I say 3-2 for the home side.

Everton v Tottenham - Everton although still strong and playing well has not won in four matches while Tottenham have been in scintillating form having won three in a row. They are level on past records both having won twice and drew once. Based on current form, nobody would wish to meet Tottenham. Their thumping 3-0 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage was something to take note of. Tottenham is on the rise but Everton just held off Man City away. It could be tight but Tottenham have the spurs now and could win this match. However, after the mid-week European adventure, even dead dogs can be tired. 2-2.

West Ham v Liverpool - Whatever you may say about Sam Allardyce, he got West Ham results. Just ask Chelsea what happened. Liverpool continued to be mediocre and not much in the news despite winning 1-0 over Southampton and stuck in 11th position. The Hammers has just well "hammered" Chelsea so why can't they do the same to Liverpool? The Hammers's confidence are soaring while Liverpool has just returned from a 1-0 win at Udinese - confident too but tired. Of late, Liverpool is a bit harder to beat then say Chelsea so a draw would be a good and fair result and Liverpool usually draw at 1-1.

Fulham v Newcastle - Fulham caved in surprisingly to Tottenham (0-3) and conceded bragging rights to their London neighbours but Tottenham was rampant and clinical. Newcastle came back and did themselves justice having won 3-0 over Wigan with Ba almost the one man scoring machine. Fulham will be weary a "Tottenham" may happen to them again while Newcastle is hoping for exactly that but it won't. Why? If the same thing happens again, it is really your fault but the most important point being Fulham is Newcastle's bogey team. In five matches, the Magpies won only once, drew once and lost three. Fulham has not won in seven matches and Newcastle 0-2 European loss must have given some hope. I can't decide so a draw it will be with goals to boot. 2-2.

We are entering the crucial period. Depending on which team you support, after Christmas, you will either dance like Psy or you "kena sai". Have a great weekend!