EPL Game Week 19
While you are basking in glory after Singapore's AFF Suzuki Cup triumph, enjoying your parties with turkeys (not referring to people but real turkeys) and thereafter Boxing Day, spare a thought for these poor rich millionaire soccer professionals who have to toil for your enjoyment n the EPL.
Everton v Wigan - Everton is giving the Goodison Park faithfuls lots of joy for tis the season to be jolly! Though Wigan did not get mauled by Arsenal losing by a penalty at home was painful. Not many people remembered that their Spanish manager Roberto Martinez was the one who started the beautiful game at Swansea before Brendan Rodgers and Michael Laudrup. Towards the end of last season they have beaten even all the big boys one by one. Everton could not claim to be conquerors of Wigan as they only had them beaten once in five attempts but did so well away to West Ham with that 2-1 win. Wigan is languishing again in relegation zone. Their next matches are away to Villa and home to Man Utd. At the rate they are going, you must expect Everton to win. 2-1.
Fulham v Southampton - Fulham has been in rapid decline. The good news is that Martin Jol has no more hair to loose. That 4-0 thrashing by Liverpool was a pathetic showing. Southampton for all their entertaining play is mired in dire straits level on points with Wigan having just lost 0-1 to Sunderland at home. Craven Cottage was once a tough place to visit but not so much anymore as recent results suggested. Their last meeting ended 2-2. It'll be again. 2-2.
Fulham v Southampton - Fulham has been in rapid decline. The good news is that Martin Jol has no more hair to loose. That 4-0 thrashing by Liverpool was a pathetic showing. Southampton for all their entertaining play is mired in dire straits level on points with Wigan having just lost 0-1 to Sunderland at home. Craven Cottage was once a tough place to visit but not so much anymore as recent results suggested. Their last meeting ended 2-2. It'll be again. 2-2.
Norwich v Chelsea - The Canaries has been a revelation. They have snuffed out a few big teams like Man Utd, Arsenal and Spurs. I thought they played well but fell 2-1 to WBA away. They haven't beaten Chelsea for some time having lost 1-3 away, managed a goalless draw at home and then losing 1-4 away. If they can play at pace like they did against Man Utd and Arsenal to nullify the midfield then they may have a chance to surprise but then Chelsea have just romped to a 8-0 thumping of Aston Villa. Depending on how you see it, Chelsea have vented their anger on Villa and are cooler now or do you see another repeat? The best I think is a surprise draw but Chelsea is in rampant from so it'll be a Chelsea win. 1-2.
QPR v WBA - QPR suffered their first loss under Harry Redknapp when Newcastle pipped them with a goal from Shoala Ameobi. Is this the end of a nightmare or the beginning of a new one? Meantime, WBA came back with a new resolve when manager Steve Clark threw in four attacking players in the second half. That is bravery for me. WBA's 2-1 win over Norwich at home was their first reverse in four matches. A draw is possible and this is Christmas - a tough period where presents and gifts are given or exchanged. QPR's record with WBA in away games were poor but at home they were better. A surprise in store? 2-1.
Reading v Swansea - Reading may be propping up the table but they are like battling rams and are at home and they often do score quite a lot. The problem with them is not in scoring but defending. You saw how they contained Man City until that late controversial half-foul goal by Gareth Barry. The elegant Swans fine display got them a big point from Man Utd. How many teams can get a 51% possession play in the first half when facing Man Utd? After that battling match Swansea will be tired travelling to Reading. I suspect a draw is on the cards. 2-2.
Sunderland v Man City - The Black Cats cast their spell at Southampton winning 1-0 just like City did. In their last five meetings they were equal each winning twice and drawing once. The winning margins were either very big scoreline like when City won 3-0 and 5-0, drew 3-3 but both home matches Sunderland won were 1-0. However, in soccer as in life, once can't cling on to past glory and it is true for both teams who are not the same as what they were. City has just closed the gap with Utd from six to four points so they can't afford to drop any more. Sunderland will score a goal every two matches and since they have just scored at Southampton's St. Mary's they have to wait for the next match. 0-2.
Villa v Tottenham - Villa is like a meteorite that came crashing to earth. Winning 3-1 at Liverpool was quite a feat but they were knocked out cold and not knowing what hit them when Chelsea gave an eight star performance. There won't be a better time to visit Villa Park but Tottenham for all their grandeur and ability were halted by draw master Stoke City. Sorry to say that Villa has a poor record against Spurs mostly 1-2 or 0-2. It shall be 1-2 this time.
Stoke v Liverpool - It is difficult to watch Stoke but they were ubnbeaten in eight matches. Liverpool have just given us a four star display whacking Fulham 4-0, possibly their best to date. In their last five matches Liverpool won twice (both 2-1), drew te\wice (both 0-0) and lost once (0-1). They have not beaten Stoke away for some time. It should be a draw. 1-1.
QPR v WBA - QPR suffered their first loss under Harry Redknapp when Newcastle pipped them with a goal from Shoala Ameobi. Is this the end of a nightmare or the beginning of a new one? Meantime, WBA came back with a new resolve when manager Steve Clark threw in four attacking players in the second half. That is bravery for me. WBA's 2-1 win over Norwich at home was their first reverse in four matches. A draw is possible and this is Christmas - a tough period where presents and gifts are given or exchanged. QPR's record with WBA in away games were poor but at home they were better. A surprise in store? 2-1.
Reading v Swansea - Reading may be propping up the table but they are like battling rams and are at home and they often do score quite a lot. The problem with them is not in scoring but defending. You saw how they contained Man City until that late controversial half-foul goal by Gareth Barry. The elegant Swans fine display got them a big point from Man Utd. How many teams can get a 51% possession play in the first half when facing Man Utd? After that battling match Swansea will be tired travelling to Reading. I suspect a draw is on the cards. 2-2.
Sunderland v Man City - The Black Cats cast their spell at Southampton winning 1-0 just like City did. In their last five meetings they were equal each winning twice and drawing once. The winning margins were either very big scoreline like when City won 3-0 and 5-0, drew 3-3 but both home matches Sunderland won were 1-0. However, in soccer as in life, once can't cling on to past glory and it is true for both teams who are not the same as what they were. City has just closed the gap with Utd from six to four points so they can't afford to drop any more. Sunderland will score a goal every two matches and since they have just scored at Southampton's St. Mary's they have to wait for the next match. 0-2.
Villa v Tottenham - Villa is like a meteorite that came crashing to earth. Winning 3-1 at Liverpool was quite a feat but they were knocked out cold and not knowing what hit them when Chelsea gave an eight star performance. There won't be a better time to visit Villa Park but Tottenham for all their grandeur and ability were halted by draw master Stoke City. Sorry to say that Villa has a poor record against Spurs mostly 1-2 or 0-2. It shall be 1-2 this time.
Stoke v Liverpool - It is difficult to watch Stoke but they were ubnbeaten in eight matches. Liverpool have just given us a four star display whacking Fulham 4-0, possibly their best to date. In their last five matches Liverpool won twice (both 2-1), drew te\wice (both 0-0) and lost once (0-1). They have not beaten Stoke away for some time. It should be a draw. 1-1.
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