EPL Game Week 23

I saw a report in the papers that said: Pay-TV: Consumers should let retailers know what they want. I think consumers and readers were shocked that it is the view of the authority. The questions remain why can't we just pay for what we want instead of choosing bundles? When we buy vegetables, they don't ask you to take bundles. They won't say oh if you take kang kong, it is packaged with kai lan and lettuce and the vegetable sellers won't tell how how tough their life is so they can't sell you single items.

I am now paying more than double from since Pay-TV started. I don't need much. I love the Discovery and National Geographic, sports, entertainment. Then soccer especially the EPL was separated and I had to pay more. Then it was switched to another provider and I had to subscribe separately. Why are we always paying more for the same things than others and we are pleased with it? I am certain things can be done in a much better way. How do we signal to these Pay-TV retailers acceptable price and preferred offerings. Why do we have to pay for channels we do not want?  How have all these benefitted consumers? Maybe it is better to spend $90 on life insurance or something else?

Last Game Week 22 was my most dismal prediction to date but it was not my fault. It was just that the EPL soccer teams mostly misbehave. Now and then I do get people buying me a free lunch or a beer here and there probably because they made some money. The good thing has been that they didn't kill me for getting it wrong. At least not yet. 

It is a precarious life predicting soccer but I do so because of my passion for writing and a passion for soccer, so one plus one = 1-1. It's a draw. Nevermind, whatever. I do realise that most people who bought a ticket were more likely to be gaming than gambling and like success and failure is a thin line, the difference in gaming and gambling are just the the letters "b" and "l". They are not gamblers but they love taking on Singapore Pools!

Game Week 23

Liverpool v Norwich - Liverpool have been on a LWWWL sequence while the Canaries are on a LLLWD. Liverpool fans are nowadays more on Liver pills than Liverpool as they drown their sorrows. Head to head they were on 1-1 at Anfield in 2011 but Liverpool won 3-0 and 5-2 in 2012. I am not sure if the current Liverpool team can do any damage to Norwich. The Canaries could surprise but Norwich away are quite a different team. 2-1.

Man City v Fulham - With Utd running away, City have no option but to win if they hope to stay within a breath. In thier last five meetings, City won three and drew twice averaging 3.4 goals. City's sequence was LWWWW and Fulham was DLWDD. Fulham have become a pale shadow of themselves scoring four goals in five matches against mostly weaker opposition. If Arsenal can't get past City, it will be hard for the Cottagers as they are not great travellers. 3-1.

Newcastle v Reading - The Magpies have been in trouble for some time such that theyir away 0-0 draw with Norwich was considered a relief. Last time they met in 2012 they drew 2-2 at Reading. While the Magpies' sequence was LLLLD, Reading have been on song with a DWLWW. Their come from behind 3-2 win over WBA after trailing 0-2 in the last 10-15 minutes was impressive but like most teams they are not great when travelling. Still, this is a great chance to collect at least a point. 2-2.

Swansea v Stoke - Swansea have been unbeaten in six matches. Stoke have declined since that 3-3 draw with Southampton as if their confidence has been shaken as they haven't won since culminating in that 0-4 home destruction by Chelsea. If the old Stoke return, it will be tough for Swansea if not the Swans will swarm all over them. Sometimes, the pretty teams suffer when they meet one that can play ugly. This is one of those. 1-1.

West Ham v QPR - When Sunderland whacked three past the Hammers without reply, who was being hammered? I was surprised by their meekness which is so unlike a Sam Allardyce team. Sinc elosing 0-3 to Liverpool, QPR have been unbeaten. Heck, they even beat Chelsea. Harry Redknapp nullified the Spurs flying wingers Aaron Lennon and Gareth Bales and West Ham have nothing like these two to offer. This is a London derby but both teams will be tired after their FA Cup adventure in mid-week. It could well end up a draw but I will pick QPR for a win. 1-2.

Wigan v Sunderland - As usual, Wigan is suffering at this time of the year. Sunderland climbed up with a morale boosting 3-0 win over West Ham. Sunderland's results have been a roller-coaster - winning one and losing next but they had Man City beaten. Wigan scored 1.125 goals for and 1.625 against on average per game but  Sunderland seemed getting back to form. 2-2.

WBA v Villa - Just how did they let go a 2-0 lead and fall 2-3 to Reading? Poor Villa are in bad shape. Head to head five times they drew twice in 2012, won once and lost two all with scoreline of 2-1. Villa is now worse than 2012. They have even lost to Southampton at home. Both are in poorer form but with home advantage I fancy WBA to win. 2-1.

Chelsea v Arsenal - After a brilliant start and intermittent scintillating performances, Chelsea are not the same team anymore. Better to watch - yes but they no longer smother and kill off opponents. Chelsea's sequence was LWLWD while Arsenal was WDDLW. Their previous results head to head was: Chelsea 0 Arsenal 0, Arsenal 3 Chelsea 1, Chelsea 3 Arsenal 5, Arsenal 0 Chelsea 0 and Arsenal 1 Chelsea 2. Both are patchy plus being a London derby with bragging rights pile on the extra pressure. Looks like a draw here because Chelsea would have a slight edge but they let slip their lead to allow Southampton to draw 2-2 while Arsenal overcame Swansea 1-0 in the FA Cup. 2-2.

Tottenham v Man Utd - Tottenham (WWWWD) continues to be a very attack minded team so lovely to watch especially their flying wingers. They do not really have a great track record against Man Utd having lost three matches by two or more goals and held 0-0 once but last September they went to Old Trafford and turned the Theatre of Dreams into a nightmare with an emphatic 3-2 win. There is no reason why it cannot be repeated at White Hart Lane even though Utd (WWDWW) have been going great guns. Utd may be weary from the labour of a narrow 1-0 win over the Hammers in the FA Cup. Tottenham will come out charging but go flat towards towards the end. Man Utd has made winning a habit but they will slip a little along the way. This could be one and it will make the competition hotter.  2-1.

Southampton v Everton - Southampton have really learned how to play in the EPL. They have held Arsenal, beaten Villa away and held Chelsea away in the F.A. Cup. They are on a DDLWD sequence while Everton was WLWWD. Everton won 3-1 at Goodison Park when they met in Sep. Everton have rewritten their own chapter. You must also fancy The Saints. 2-2.

Arsenal v West Ham - Arsenal can sometimes strangely perform nervoulsy at the Emirates. West Ham was bad when they lost 0-3 to Aston Villa then they did well to only loose to Man Utd 0-1 in the F.A. Cup. This is a London derby but if Arsenal do not lick this, they will be also ran. 2-1.