EPL Game Week 20
This is the critical stage of the EPL where you separate the men from the boys. If you have a deep and balanced squad it helps more than just having deep pockets. This is where consistency is key and the ability, experience and determination to turn losses into victories. This is why Manchester United is leading the charts by seven points much as I hated it as I prefer more competition to make it more interesting but I will give credit where credit is due. If the Red Devils stay there and continue to do what they have done, they will win back the title.
Sunderland v Tottenham - The Black Cats cast a spell on Man City and continued their revival with their second win in a row. Can they make it three with this home game? The last time Sunderland beat Tottenham was in April 2010 by 3-1. After that they have lost twice and drawn twice and had not beaten the Cockerels again. Among the Hokkien speaking punters locally Tottenham is also known as "tua tua hum" which sounded like Tottenham but in dialect it's meaning is a very big cockle. Tottenham have just put up a scintillating display thrashing Villa 4-0 away with goals from Gareth Bale's hattrick and Jermaine Defoe. Will they be Cockerels or cockles this time as Sunderland regained confidence especially that morale-boosting win over City? To me Spurs could win any game with their attacking play but Sunderland will negate them as their form improves. 1-1.
Villa v Wigan - Poor Aston Villa. They are like "live" chickens watching chickens being roasted while being spinned in a toaster at a supermarket. In other words, horror movies. After getting thrashed 8-0 by Chelsea they were trouncved 4-0 at home by Tottenham. All these after that brilliant away 3-1 win over Liverpool. Have mercy, send us Wigan! Wigan has a poor record against the Villans having lost thrice and drawn twice in their previous five meetings. Villa has been in bad shape, so bad that a draw would have been a good recovery. 1-1.
Fulham v Swansea - Fulham is not exactly in good shape too. After losing to bottom club QPR, they got whacked 4-0 by Liverpool and even at home they struggled to a 1-1 draw with the Saints. In the last two years Fulham has not beaten Swansea or ratther lost in both meetings. Worst, they have not scored against them. After that famous 2-0 away win at Arsenal, the Swans have not won in four matches for all their pretty play. With a bit of history behind them and if Michu is not injured, they stand a chance with their host in poor form. Their last meeting at Craven Cottage was 0-3 in Swansea's favour. 1-2.
Man Utd v WBA - Sir Alex Ferguson was left fuming after Swansea captain Ashley Williams slammed the ball at close range into RVP's head while clearing it claiming it could have killed him and which led to a fracas as RVP confronted Williams and finally both received a yellow card. SAF was all drama and I thought he was ore concerned about the two points dropped then van Persie's head or neck but Robbie van Persie showed just how important he was as Man Utd came from behind to beat Newcastle in an enthralling match. WBA themselves clawed back some points and are now unbeaten in three matches. Can they hold Utd at their own fortress, the Theatre of Dreams? Quite unlikely. They have only drawn once in five meetings and lost the rest. Steve Clark may have a game plan but any restriction would only reduce the scoreline in Utd's favour. 2-0.
Norwich v Man City - The Canaries has lost twice in a row but they restricted Chelsea to one goal but still on fine team on their day and City must watch out. Man City has been struggling compared to last season. Their strikers are not firing and banging in the goals. Even David Silva seemed more subdued. If they do not pcik themselves up immediately from that Sunderland loss, they will be further adrift from their neighbours by 10 points. This is giving Macini extreme stress and he may again be reported to be losing his job. The good news is that Norwich is now not at their best and in their last few meetings Norwich has lost all. 1-2.
Reading v West Ham - That Reading held Swansea was testament that determination and purpose can help even against superior opponents. This West Ham team may prefer playing teams like Swansea. Expect this match to be physical. In their previous match in Dec. 2011 Reading won 3-0 but West Ham is now sitting prettier in 12th opposed to Reading's 19th. Time for a Reading win. 3-2.
Stoke v Southampton - Stoke has been unbeaten for nine matches and beating Liverpool 3-1 was impressive and they are now just slightly behind Arsenal. Southampton lost twice in their last nine matches and not doing too badly. Stoke is a tough team to play and unless Southampton pulls off something really special I do not expect them to win away but they could give a good fight. 2-1.
Villa v Wigan - Poor Aston Villa. They are like "live" chickens watching chickens being roasted while being spinned in a toaster at a supermarket. In other words, horror movies. After getting thrashed 8-0 by Chelsea they were trouncved 4-0 at home by Tottenham. All these after that brilliant away 3-1 win over Liverpool. Have mercy, send us Wigan! Wigan has a poor record against the Villans having lost thrice and drawn twice in their previous five meetings. Villa has been in bad shape, so bad that a draw would have been a good recovery. 1-1.
Fulham v Swansea - Fulham is not exactly in good shape too. After losing to bottom club QPR, they got whacked 4-0 by Liverpool and even at home they struggled to a 1-1 draw with the Saints. In the last two years Fulham has not beaten Swansea or ratther lost in both meetings. Worst, they have not scored against them. After that famous 2-0 away win at Arsenal, the Swans have not won in four matches for all their pretty play. With a bit of history behind them and if Michu is not injured, they stand a chance with their host in poor form. Their last meeting at Craven Cottage was 0-3 in Swansea's favour. 1-2.
Man Utd v WBA - Sir Alex Ferguson was left fuming after Swansea captain Ashley Williams slammed the ball at close range into RVP's head while clearing it claiming it could have killed him and which led to a fracas as RVP confronted Williams and finally both received a yellow card. SAF was all drama and I thought he was ore concerned about the two points dropped then van Persie's head or neck but Robbie van Persie showed just how important he was as Man Utd came from behind to beat Newcastle in an enthralling match. WBA themselves clawed back some points and are now unbeaten in three matches. Can they hold Utd at their own fortress, the Theatre of Dreams? Quite unlikely. They have only drawn once in five meetings and lost the rest. Steve Clark may have a game plan but any restriction would only reduce the scoreline in Utd's favour. 2-0.
Norwich v Man City - The Canaries has lost twice in a row but they restricted Chelsea to one goal but still on fine team on their day and City must watch out. Man City has been struggling compared to last season. Their strikers are not firing and banging in the goals. Even David Silva seemed more subdued. If they do not pcik themselves up immediately from that Sunderland loss, they will be further adrift from their neighbours by 10 points. This is giving Macini extreme stress and he may again be reported to be losing his job. The good news is that Norwich is now not at their best and in their last few meetings Norwich has lost all. 1-2.
Reading v West Ham - That Reading held Swansea was testament that determination and purpose can help even against superior opponents. This West Ham team may prefer playing teams like Swansea. Expect this match to be physical. In their previous match in Dec. 2011 Reading won 3-0 but West Ham is now sitting prettier in 12th opposed to Reading's 19th. Time for a Reading win. 3-2.
Stoke v Southampton - Stoke has been unbeaten for nine matches and beating Liverpool 3-1 was impressive and they are now just slightly behind Arsenal. Southampton lost twice in their last nine matches and not doing too badly. Stoke is a tough team to play and unless Southampton pulls off something really special I do not expect them to win away but they could give a good fight. 2-1.
Arsenal v Newcastle - Arsenal's three consecutive victories saw them climbing up the table to joint fourth last week. Previous meetings between them yielded 2 draws, two wins for the Gunners and one loss. Newcastle had a pulsating game against Man Utd which they could have won but for Utd's tenacity. Sir Alex was complaining to officials so often especially that Johnny Evans own goal. Newcastle was not interfering with play when Johnny Evans kicked into his own goal. I think the match officials were right. If he had known City's result maybe he would be more relaxed. Newcastle would be tired and drained after that match while Arsenal rested. 2-1.
Everton v Chelsea - Unbeaten for seven matches Everton claimed their last scalp over Wigan even as they were without Fellaini and stayed in fifth position while Chelsea furthered their own ambition with a resounding comeback thrashing Villa 8-0 and 1-0 away to Norwich. Both look assured and confident. Everton would be a tough nut to crack especially at Goodison Park and Chelsea would go nuts and want to win this one bad enough to keep pace with the two Manchester teams and go for a big shopping spree in January. It is within Everton's capability to win but more likely to force a draw but I think during this period of the year, Chelsea's squad has more legs to win. 1-2.
QPR v Liverpool - QPR suffered their second defeat under Harry Redknapp after they won their first after 17 attempts. In their last meeting at Loftus Road, QPR actually had Liverpool beaten 3-2 while the Reds won 1-0 at Anfield. QPR are not settled and lack some confidence to win while Liverpool can turn euphoria to despair having trounced Fulham 4-0 and then losing 1-3 to Stoke. They are on a roller coaster win/lose ride. Liverpool fans will suffer from bad liver from drinking too much alcohol after they have finished chewing their nails. Based on such trending, it should be a Liverpool win but I beg to differ and shall pick a draw. 1-1.
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