EPL Game Week 2

The opening week of EPL soccer got off and over quickly. Was it the same old thing? I thought so. I told you not to be carried away with pre-season results. Arsenal had a perfect start when Giroud scored and they dominated but finished upended but there were controversies but at least I got the score correct. 

Liverpool and Tottenham got off with a win by the smallest margin. Can they last? Write off Man U at your own peril I have warned and they came off big winners and so too City while Chelsea strolled through easy winners. How now for the second matches?

Fulham v Arsenal - Fulham surprised with a 1-0 away win over Sunderland. They can be really tough at Craven Cottage. Arsenal knew they must have a good start going into the opening match against Aston Villa to banish their bad old habits and had a perfect start but as usual they floundered. It made me wonder why they didn't sign Asmir Begovic (Stoke) and Christian Benteke (Villa). Wenger is under pressure but the 3-0 away drubbing of Fenerbahce will offer temporary relief. He is in a no win situation. There is nothing wrong with the way they played but they definitely lack a leader. This London derby has previously seen 3 draws and a victory each the last one played at Craven Cottage saw a 1-0 Arsenal victory. I want to say it will be a 1-1 draw as derbies are different but bouncing back in style is character. 1-2.
Everton v WBA - Everton was their usual self when they went to Norwich and grabbed a 2-2 draw with Fellaini and Baines, subjects of transfer targets by Man U not hitting top form yet. WBA did themselves no favours going down 0-1 at home to The Saints. In five previous matches, WBA won only once by 2-0 with Everton winning 2-1, 1-0, 2-0, 2-1. Everton can give a run for anybody's money and right now they should be confident to achieve home victory. 2-1.
Hull v Norwich - Hull's loss to Chelsea was expected and typical Mourinho efficiency. Meanwhile, Norwich played well against Everton and banished their previous opening day blues. It would be difficult to see Hull compete at this level. In golf, you can ask for strokes even one but not soccer. It is such games that Steve Bruce must win if they hope to stay up. A good result if Hull could hold the visitors but I see a win for the Canaries. 1-2.

Newcastle v West Ham - The Magpies carried last season's blues into the new one. Injuries, a dismissal, a 4-0 thrashing by City is giving Alan Pardew sleepless nights. The Hammers were effective against Cardiff and can pound on more misery. The only hope for Newcastle is to get a good result but West Ham is a soccer team not a type of ham. St. James Park is a great venue but the Magpies seemed to have gone soft. A draw is on the cards. 1-1.
Southampton v Sunderland - The Saints showed a lot of promise last season as I have always mentioned. I feel that this year they can be more confident as they have shown by going to WBA to win 1-0. WBA is not an easy team to beat at home. The Black Cats themselves eneded up like WBA losing 0-1 at home. When they both met last season, Southampton lost at home and drew away. I just feel Southampton can nick this tie. Bring on Rickie Lambert. 2-1.

Stoke v Palace - The complexity of the match at Anfield could have changed has Stoke scored. Asmir Begovic was man-of-the-match as he kept Stoke going till Sturridge's strike. Palace were not too bad as they restricted Tottenham going down finally by 1-0. Though Mark Hughes will slowly change their game, it won't be so soon but still they should be strong enough at home to Palace. 1-0.
Villa v Liverpool - Benteke's 3rd goal in 2 matches but not enough to see his team through having been downed 1-2 by Chelsea who now lead the chart after 2 home matches. Villa has shown they can compete with the best after beating Arsenal and losing narrowly to Chelsea. They were unfortunate to line up against stronger teams all at one go. Liverpool did enough, dominated Stoke and got the 1-0 win. With Benteke continuing his superb form and Villa playing well they must fancy their chances. You will need a superb Liverpool to win this one. In their past 5 meetings, both won 2 matches each and drew one. This is going to be a draw. 1-1.

 Cardiff v Man City - Cardiff fell 2-0 to the Hammers last week and play their first EPL home match now but they are welcoming Manchester City to the fold who have just walloped Newcastle 4-0. I read all about the superlative display of City and even the seasoned folks at Newcastle were torn apart what chance Cardiff? 0-3.

Tottenham v Swansea - Tottenham are getting real serious and ambitious in the transfer market. Swansea is a good team and should be getting better this season as Michael Laudrup rebuilds. Tottenham's 5-0 away destruction of Dinamo Tbilisi must be noted and Soldado has repaid a huge chunk of his transfer fee by netting twice against Dinamo and one on Palace. Swansea may have to wait a bit longer for a victory. They started strong against Man U and then faded. In their encounters, Swansea have never beaten Tottenham, holding them once but straight losses in the last 3 meetings. The goals could flow here. 3-2.

 Man Utd v Chelsea - Game of the week. A test for Moyes and Mourinho. It could be any one's game and it will be massive because whoever wins this takes the lead in the table. Their last five meet ups were Chelsea 2 Man U 3, 5-4, 2-2, 1-0, 1-0. The goals get smaller and favours Chelsea. Moyes and Mourinho teams do not concede many goals. Draw. 1-1.

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