EPL Game Week 31

Tribute To Michael Owen

Have you heard that Michael Owen is retiring at the end of the season? How quickly you have forgotten him. He's now at the grand old age of 33. Back in the 1998 World Cup, as an 18 year old prodigy, Owen came on the world stage to announce his arrival with that unforgettable great solo goal against Argentina. 


Beckham floated the ball to Owen who flicked it with his side foot and then he turned his marker in the centre circle who was trying to grab him but to no avail. He was too fast. Another Argentinian defender was  retreating to the edge of his penalty box confidently waiting and in position to pounce at him but as the "Owen" Express approached the Argentinian was grasping thin air. Two other defenders went to the left as Owen veered right simultaneously crashing his shot to the top left corner. Goal! 

Owen was goal scorer par excellence. Even though his spell at Real Madrid was short and he didn't play in every game, his goal rate was higher than anyone else for the minutes he appeared on the pitch. Michael is also a single handicap golfer. He has also avoided all the drinking and womanising culture of some famous footballers. He was at his best with Liverpool. YNWA.

Sunderland v Man Utd - The Black Cats have not won in 7 matches drawing 3 of them. Contrast that to the visitors 18-match unbeaten streak where they won 7 on the straight and drawing only once in between and you will know black cats alone aren't enough, you may need voodoo dolls. Even a less glorious 1-0 home win over Reading is good enough. Sunderland held Utd once in 5 meetings losing the rest. With Utd out of Europe, they can now focus on the EPL and that is bad news for Martin O'Neill. Previous winning scores for Utd were 2-0, 1-0, 1-0, 3-1. Super human efforts will be needed as Sunderland in 15th position at 31 points are just 4 points clear of 3rd from last Wigan at 27. It didn't help that Utd have kept 5 clean sheets in EPL action and scored an average of 2 goals in their last 10 matches. 0-2.

Arsenal v Reading - The Gunners are coming back to winning ways after winning 2-0 away against Bayern Munich followed by an away 2-0 win over Swansea. Despite the criticism, they may find themselves in contention for fourth place after the Spurs tumble. They are 4 points behind Tottenham with a game in hand. Reading having won for the longest time and and second from bottom level on points with QPR. Reading can score against any team but Arsenal have scored 2 or more in their last 5 matches and kept clean sheets in the last two. It does not make for good "reading", no pun intended for in their previous 2 encounters, the Gunners won an unbelievable 5-2 and 7-5. What should it be this time? 3-1.

Man City v Newcastle - The blue side of Manchester have been stuttering. That 2-0 humbling by Everton must have served as the the straw that broke the camel's back. This may have been that last straw. Osman's goal for Everton was one hell of a cracker that had Joe Hart deceived with that wicked swerve. Even the off-form Jelavic came on to receive the Fellaini pass and lob a beauty into goal. David Moyes must be lauded for building this team on a shoestring. The Magpies fight back was short lived as Wigan put on  a magnificent performance to win 2-1 as Newcastle's topsy-turvy season continues. In 13th with 33 points, their perch are within reach of predators and poachers. Worse, their record against City are 5 straight losses in previous meetings almost all by 2-goal margins. City are 2nd , 4 points clear of 3rd placed Chelsea and 15 points adrift of leader man Utd. They have to fight for their pride alone if anything. There could be a clear out whoever will be in charge. 2-1.

Southampton v Chelsea - The Saints went marching in. You have to love Southampton. Only they can beat Man City and Liverpool 3-1. They are 16th level on points with 15th placed Sunderland. Now Chelsea's scalp is on the line or is it? Lampard's glancing header opening goal and Hazard's shot was enough to end the Hammers' fight. Their last 2 meetings was 2-2 at Chelsea and 1-5 at the St. Mary's. Southampton scored 12 goals in their last 7 matches but also conceded 12. Chelsea's score was 12-8, not exactly great. Southampton seemed to excel against the big boys. 2-2.

Swansea v Tottenham - The Swans have just lost 0-2 at home to Arsenal. That was 2 straight losses and another London side visits. They are sitting comfortably in 9th position but their most dependent player Michu has stopped scoring for free resting with 16 goals in the chart equal to Gareth Bale whom Tottenham also depended on most. It was 3 straight losses for Spurs after being edged 3-2 by Liverpool, trounced 4-1 at Inter and then succumbing 1-0 to London neighbour Fulham who finally figured out how to stop them and Bales. Form-wise both are equal. In 3 previous meeting there was a 1-1 draw with Spurs winning the others. With both sides losing some steam a draw could be likely. 1-1.

West Ham v WBA - Both sides can pack in a good fight. It is not the size of the dogs in the fight but the size of the fight in the dogs. In recent matches, the Hammers lost narrowly and won away at Stoke but they are not far from danger at 33 points on 14. WBA are one of the best fighters despite limited budget. Do you know they are sitting pretty on 8 with 44 points? In 5 past meetings, WBA won only once with the rest being draws from 0-0 to 3-3 totalling 15 goals averaging 3 per match. I'll go for a draw at 2-2.

Wigan v Norwich - Wigan was magnificent when they won 2-1 over Newcastle but their position remain precarious being 3rd from bottom with 4 points more. They actually play good soccer. The good news is that the Canaries have not won in 7 attempts - losing 2 and drawing 5 matches scoring only 4 times. 34 points in 12th position can quickly change overnight but Norwich have a slightly better record against Wigan but they are not playing that well as compared to the early season while Wigan tend to peak at the last third of the season. Wigan to win. 2-1.

Everton v Stoke - Everton's season has tapered off a bit but what a comeback! leaving Man City scratching their heads. They are 3 points ahead of Liverpool with a game in hand. Stoke have slided down to 11th with 34 same as Norwich and have not won in 4 outings scoring only once so this is trouble for the visitors. Their saving grace could be their good record against Everton - winning twice, losing once and drawing twice but the home team is back on form. 2-1.

Villa v Liverpool - Villa is coming back. They have lost narrowly to Man City and Arsenal then bounced back with wins over Reading and QPR but still hovering in 17th with 30 points. Meanwhile Liverpool have been quite irresistible but suddenly crumbled at Southampton. Villa's record against Liverpool is almost level. With Liverpool's form dipping and Villa coming up, I expect a draw here at Villa Park. 2-2.

Fulham v QPR - Fulham is now unbeaten in 4 matches and are usually strong at home in Craven Cottage. They are doing fine in 10th position and not many teams could have beaten Tottenham in recent times let alone at White Hart Lane. QPR was remarkable fighting for their lives but would that Villa loss affect them? Their past records are quite equal but the visitor must scramble for at least a point. 1-1.

There are nine matches left. Who will be third and fourth to qualify for Europe and who are the three to be relegated?

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