EPL Game Week 6
Many Man U fans were infuriated by their team's disastrous result when their noisy blue neighbour crushed them 4-1. It wasn't just the result but it was the way they were destroyed that caused concerns. The Red Devils were leaking at the back and limped up front except for another wonder Rooney free kick. Some even started blaming David Moyes. Talking about free kicks.
If you had read my previous columns, I have clearly stated that Man U was not great last season. They were champions because the rest of the chasing pack self-destruct. Sir Alex knew it so he retired while still at the top leaving the new manager with an ageing team. Nobody could emulate him now. Haha. Others slighted Fellaini too but Fellaini is a good player and Moyes is a good manager and I have said this several times last season. While Moyes was at Goodison Park, Everton play very well and he did it with a shoestring budget. Have you forgotten how Sir Alex's Man U got walloped 6-1 by the same team under Mancini?
All great teams can bounce back even after a mauling. This is a real test of character. It is definitely tougher with RVP out of action. Why didn't Moyes use Kagawa? Why wasn't Hernandez sent on?
Tottenham v Chelsea - This London derby could not get bigger. The Cockerels are on the rise and
Chelsea have stumbled of late. While Mourinho does not know his first XI, AVB
has conjured solid if not spectacular performances from his team. The Cockerels
are perched at the rooftop of the EPL and in unfamiliar territory. Meanwhile,
Chelsea’s best player has been purged. Will he be fielded? Chelsea have been
tentative if anything. In their last 5 meetings, they drew thrice, 1-1, 0-0 and
2-2. Twice at home Spurs lost 1-5 and 2-4 but this is a new era and Tottenham is
playing to a different beat. They could now eke out the small wins and looked
solid at the back. This is a real test for both teams. 1-1.
Villa v Man City - After that impressive 3-1 win over Arsenal on opening day it has gone downhill and with Benteke out and a 0-4 spanking hosting Tottenham, how will they face a rampant Man City who had torn apart Champions Man Utd 4-1 and then a 5-0 romp over Wigan in the league Cup. Pelligrini’s team has suddenly up the ante with their incisive play. What are the possibility of Villa pulling a surprise and bring the Citizens back to earth? Judging from both teams’ last two games, Villa is in for more trouble. In previous meetings, Villa won only once 4-2 in 2012 but lost all four, 1-4, 0-1, 0-5, 0-1. How about this time? 0-2.
Fulham v Cardiff - Fulham overcame Everton 2-1 in the League Cup at Craven Cottage after suffering
poor form this term. For a newbie, Cardiff have been good for the way they have
been playing. At home and in previous seasons Fulham could win this one but this
time around, I do not see them beating even Cardiff unless Berbatov and Bent could repeat their League Cup performance. 1-1.
Hull v West Ham - Hull have surprised lots of people the last one being the people from Tyneside
coming from behind to clip the Magpies’ wings away from home was indeed an
achievement. The Tigers flashed their claws but the Hammers themselves bounced
back from a home defeat by Everton with a win over Cardiff. In head to head
meetings, Hull won only once against West Ham (1-0) and drew once (3-3) having
lost the other 3 by 2-0, 3-0 and 2-0. This will be a tight game but it could
also be high scoring with 3-4 goals. I pick a draw at 2-2.
Man Utd v WBA - Question marks are hanging over Old Trafford after the way they were thrashed by
City. A leaky defence, non-existent midfield and toothless attack. Yes, they
have bounced back with a 1-0 win over Liverpool in the League Cup. WBA seemed to
be picking up a little after a disappointing start. They trounced Sunderland 3-0
and caused Paulo Di Canio’s job, then held Arsenal in the Cup only to lose on
penalties. Man U did not turn stale overnight and though the weaknesses are
there, it is possibly a blip needed to wake them up – a kick up the backside. An
upset here will turn The Theatre of Dreams into A Theatre of Nightmares. WBA
never won this tie in 5 attempts and in their last meeting drew 5-5 in May 2013,
suffered 2-0 losses twice at Old Trafford and 1-2 (x2) at their home ground.
Only a convincing win will take some pressure off the defending champions.
2-0.
Southampton v Palace - The Saints go marching in…Southampton have been a good team even last season but
they could not convert. It was like golf where their pars became bogeys and
bogeys became double bogeys. Their 1-0 win away at Anfield was emphatic and not
just the result but they way they played. Better things are bound to happen if
they keep up and keep on. Palace are not grinding out the results they need and
their hope remains that they have beaten the Saints once and lost the other in
their previous meetings. I expect a Southampton win. 2-0.
Swansea v Arsenal - The Swans have been impressive following 3-0 and 2-0 away wins over Valencia and
Crystal Palace but it ended at Birmingham City when they lost 3-1 in the Cup.
The Gunners are um…going great guns sitting pretty at the top of the table. In
2012 arsenal lost twice to Swansea (3-2 and 2-0), they drew once (2-2) and in
2013, Arsenal won (1-0 and 2-0). Both play an open passing game and Swansea is
actually capable of a result like they did Liverpool with a draw but Arsenal are
in irrepressible form right now. I pick the Gunners to shoot down the Swans.
1-2.
Stoke v Norwich - Stoke are actually in good form thanks to Mark Hughes. The Canaries have been
inconsistent. In previous head to head meetings, they drew once at 1-1. All 3
other matches ended 1-0 with a victory for Norwich and two for Stoke. Stoke won
both at home. I will dispense with history and go for a draw in this match. 1-1.
Sunderland v Liverpool - Sunderland is in bad shape maybe because the players were unhappy. Now if they
are happier can they come out and play well? Liverpool are suddenly no longer
breathing fresh air at the winning top. They have lost twice now by 1-0 to
Southampton at home and then to Man U away in the Cup.
There
were two 1-1 ties in their previous matches and Liverpool won 3 matches the last
one being 3-0. The Reds need to reassure themselves with a win. Oh yes, Suarez is back to to give them more "bite" (pun intended) and sink his teeth. 0-2.
Everton v Newcastle - Take note of this: Everton is the only unbeaten team in the EPL and they have beaten Chelsea but have just lost 1-2 to Fulham in the CCup. The Magpies were in a bit of a row with two successive wins and was doing okay only to crash 2-3 at home to Hull but recovered to beat Leeds 2-0 in the CCup. In five previous meets, Newcastle won only once, drew once and lost the rest to Everton. There were three 2-1 scores, one 2-2 and one 3-1. Newcastle did not win at Goodison Park. Everton to win. 2-1.
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