EPL Game Week 29

Not only did Nani saw red against Real Madrid. Many Man Utd fans were infuriated and Rooney did not start. No player is bigger than the club. Period. At one time, Rooney probably thought that he was bigger than Utd. Now they have RVP. Things are somewhat different.  There'll be a power struggle but the management at Old Trafford - read "Sir Alex Ferguson" has never lost. Let me dedicate this song to Nani: I Saw Red by Warrant: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dh79Ggx9Js

This week, there'll be only six matches with the most mouth watering tie between Liverpool and Tottenham.

Norwich v Southampton - Norwich are no longer the same team. Although they held Spurs, they got thrashed 5-0 by Liverpool and then 4-0 by Man Utd. Southampton are also finding the going tough. They had beaten Man City 3-1 but slumped 2-4 to Newcastle and then lost at home to bottom team QPR 1-2. It is cruel to pit both teams together as I like the way they have been playing. The Saints are a scoring team scoring 1 and 2 goals in alternate games while the Canaries are having trouble finding the net. If they don't find the net, the net will find them. It is Southampton's turn to score 2 but they'll be away and Norwich is capable of blocking some of the teams in their many 0-0 draws. I pick a draw similar to their previous encounter at St. Mary's. 1-1.

QPR v Sunderland - QPR have been scrapping the single points barely enough to keep them up. I was expecting to win a couple of games here and there but they only just managed it last week winning 2-1 away to Southampton. Sunderland have not won in 5 matches with only 2 draws at best and will be poorer away. This is one of those matches where Harry Redknapp and QPR must pile up the points so that Tony Fernandez will not wish to leave. Their previous meeting at the Stadium of Lights, home of the Black Cats ended 0-0. Can The Loops do it? Yes I think. 2-1.

Reading v Villa - The second last and third last teams in the table battling it out. Reading after a short recovery and respite and finding it hard to cope again at this level. Things have improved a bit for the once great Aston Villa as their losses were close. Reading have now lost their last four matches and lost both their encounters with Villa previously. Vill scored 7 goals and conceded 9 in their last 5 matches. For Reading it was 6 for and 12 against but don't read too much into this. It will be a draw. 2-2. 

WBA v Swansea - WBA losses are by a goal. They have even beaten Liverpool away. The Baggies are coming back a bit. Swansea have already done well where they are. WBA at hard to beat especially at home but the Swans are flying. They will play a good passing game. All they need is for Michu to restart his scoring streak. Both teams are at 40 points, just 2 behind Liverpool and are in 8 and 9 position respectively. If they keep their postion, it would have already been a good achievement. 2-2.

Newcastle v Stoke - The Magpies recovery can continue with their French flair but hovering in 15th position at 30 points, 3 behind Stoke. Stoke who started brightly have declined and lost their last 2 matches 1-0 to Fulham (away) and West Ham (home). Newcatle should ace this one at St. James Park. 2-1.

Liverpool v Tottenham - Match of the week for sure. Liverpool have beaten Swansea 5-0 and Wigan 4-0 away. Very impressive as they have scored plenty and kept clean sheets but Tottenham is on song and unbeaten in 8 matches in all competition. They have just conquered Inter Milan 3-0 with of course Bales scoring again. Few teams can beat Tottenham right now and don't bet against Bales scoring but will all good things come to an end as it must? If so, will it be now? Liverpool are at  home and Spurs are more in-form than anyone right now. Liverpool are the fresher team with more rest. Liver Bird or Cockerel? It shall be a draw. 2-2.