EPL Game Week 37

Rafa Benitez may not be every one's favourite cup of tea but he did a good job at Chelsea but is some how unappreciated. Not that I like him in particular but I thought he deserved better. Meanwhile, there was a sudden announcement of Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement. Was it planned? If SAF stayed on longer perhaps they may not get a right replacement at the right time? Is Jose Mourinho the right man? He seemed so with his CV but his stock has fallen in recent times and Sir Bobby Charlton may not like his abrasive style plus Jose is a rolling stone lasting 3 years at one place. SIR lasted almost 27 years. Only I have lasted longer than him at one place.

Sir Alex is taking on a new role as Ambassador and Director so he is still around to guide the next manager and David Moyes is Scot, determined and quite a bit like him when he was younger. But being around can actually be a good or bad thing unless Moyes is his own man. Moyes has built Everton with limited budget into a very strong team and do not forget SIR himself was almost sacked before he started winning.

Give Moyes a chance. Some are already shouting that he will fail. What if you are in a same situation as Moyes in your job? Just that managing some stars with big ego will be somewhat different from Everton. It looks like his first signings will be England left back Leighton Baines and Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini (both from Everton) to replace Patrick Evra and Man Utd need a marauding midfielder who scores goals. Whether you like SIR or not, he has been great! The only happy people would be from Chelsea and Man City.

Aston Villa v Chelsea - Mathematically Villa could still be relegated but they are in fighting form and hosting this match on home soil. Chelsea have been in winning form and Villa's record against Chelsea have been rather poor loosing 4 and gaining 1 draw in 5 meetings. Chelsea need to win this one to be sure of going to Europe next season as they are on 69 points two ahead of Arsenal and 3 ahead of Tottenham and their match has Everton visiting. Villa must try to at least get a point so that their last game visiting Wigan would be easier. Chelsea has a date with Benfica 4 days later in a Europa Final and will find a tough balancing act. 1-1.

Stoke v Tottenham - Stoke have finally stemmed the tide of losses having drawn 1 and won 2 of their last 3 matches. Stoke can still get relegated if they do not win their next 2 matches. After hosting Spurs they will visit Southampton. Spurs need a win here after which they will host Sunderland and yet cannot be guaranteed a place in Europe even if they win both because if Chelsea and Arsenal won both of their remaining games Spurs would be stuck in 5th which is unfortunate so they need favours from the others. Spurs do not have a great record against Stoke but they should at least justify with a win and not rely entirely on other results. 1-2.

Everton v West Ham - Everton are 6th on 60 points 5 ahead of 7th place Liverpool. They just need 2 points from 2 draws or a win to remain there. Their remaining matches are West Ham at home and Chelsea away. Rumours are that manager Scotsman David Moyes is on the way to Old Trafford. For little money, Moyes has done wonders at Goodison Park. The Hammers have never beaten Everton in 5 meetings previously having 3 draws and 2 losses. Big Sam Allardyce has done a good job keeping them in 10th position but may not be enough on this visit to Goodison Park. 2-1.

Fulham v Liverpool - Fulham have lost their momentum having lost 5 of their last 6 matches and without a win. Liverpool have been unbeaten in 6 games. In their last 5 meetings the score was 3-2 in the visitors favour. They have never drawn. Based on recent form, it has to be a Liverpool win. If Reading could score 4 at Fulham Liverpool could score a couple too. In their last 5 games against all competition, Fulham was DLLLL while Liverpool was DDDWD. You do the maths. Besides, Fulham could not score against Chelsea, Arsenal and Everton. Based on probability they should score now. 1-2.

Norwich v WBA - From 12th with 40 points to 17th with 38 points all are not above water even as Wigan lost with that game in hand match against Swansea 2-3. Six teams above Wigan have to work really hard since if Wigan win both their next games they would go to 41 points. The Canaries won only once in their last 8 matches. The Baggies have been doing very well but lost in their last two. Their records against each other are equal. Romelu Lukaka and Shane Long could threaten and if Lukaku on loan from Chelsea can keep his head down, he could be a Didier Drogba. Draw. 1-1.

QPR v Newcastle - QPR are just fulfilling their obligations but for the Magpies it is life and death. QPR have never won in 3 previous meetings where there was a draw and 2 wins for Newcastle. Wigan is meeting Arsenal away and need a massive result as a win would see them level on 38 points with Newcastle in case the Magpies loose. So too are Norwich, Sunderland. Newcastle host Arsenal in their last match. They are not winning now a a draw is likely. 1-1. 

Sunderland v Southampton - Sunderland is just a point above the Saints. Next week they visit White Hart Lane. Southampton host Stoke in their final game. Both are not safe a need a result and they will struggle to a draw. 1-1.

Man Utd v Swansea - Swansea finally won a match at Wigan and Wigan have done themselves a disservice. Utd have got nothing to prove or show but if they loves Sir Alex, there are only 2 matches left for them to enjoy the historical moments as their last match is away to WBA this is Utd's final home match of the season. For this reason, the Red Devils will in probability wish to pay a tribute to such a great manager by giving themselves a personal best to give the man a salute and there is no better way to display it on the pitch. Rooney should enjoy himself too as he could be finding his way out to a new club. There are already rumours that Rooney may leave for Chelsea or Arsenal. 3-1.

Arsenal v Wigan - Arsenal charged their way back in contention like Anwar coming back from behind. They trailed Chelsea by 2 points and led Tottenham by one. If the Gunners win both their remaining matches starting from here then away to Newcastle, they are through to Europe. Previous records for both were 3-1-1 in favour of Arsenal. But it could be tense as the pressure mounts for both sides and do not forget that last season Wigan beat all the top teams towards the end to survive and had beaten Arsenal 2-1 at the Emirates. Arsenal conceded only a few goals recently and it will be tough for Wigan this time I feel. 2-0. 

Reading v Man City - No matter what Man City do they can't win the title and they have to lose both their remaining games against here and at home to Norwich to lose to Chelsea by goal difference provided Chelsea win both of theirs. They are on holiday mood while Reading surprised Fulham last week with an unlikely 4-2 away win. 1-2.

Please get ready and prepare for life after the EPL season ends soon.

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