EPL Game Week 9
That Jack Wilshere opening goal that had everyone purring looked deceptively simple but yet it took every sum of its part to effectively worked out to result in such beauty. Speed, understanding, teamwork, double one-twos, supreme confidence were required to achieve it. No wonder Arsene was salivating. At the end, all Wilshere had to do was to tuck it in. Otherwise, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
Crystal Palace v Arsenal - Palace is facing serious troubles. The last was a 1-4 whacking from Fulham. Obviously they haven't won for a long time. Now to face the Gunners who are roaring away is like jumping from the frying pan into the fire. Arsenal came down to earth when they lost 1-2 at the Emirates to Dortmund. It could make matters worse as they will be even more determined to win and win good at Palace. Rumours of their manager Holloway's future does not help things and it finally came to a head. Arsenal must keep up the momentum to stay on top. Another away win for the Gunners as it is hard to see Palace creating an upset here. 0-2.
Aston Villa v Everton - Villa are no lame duck that was how they could beat Man City. They were playing a very good Tottenham side. Aside from the 3-1 defeat to Man City, Everton are flying. Past encounters between the two sides are close affairs with mostly draws of 1-1, 2-2 (x2) and 3-3 with Everton havng won once 3-1 away at Villa Park. Everton are playing well so you will tend to think they can win but this is away at Villa Park and Christian Benteke is back. I say draw. 2-2.
Liverpool v WBA - Liverpool is finding that no European distraction means better focus on domestic issues become blissful. It was a good game at St. James Park last week but credit to Newcastle for fighting with only 10 men but Liverpool gave away soft goals and were guilty of ball watching. However, coming back being twice down showed character. Sturridge is proving unstoppable and you have a sense that he or Suarez will score or both but there is a predictability if the goal scoring do not spread out among the team. WBA have quietly eased back and have been unbeaten for some time. It will take a very determined performance from the home team to break them. There have never been a draw in their past 5 meetings as they took turns to win or loose. It was 0-2 to Liverpool, 0-1 to WBA, 3-0 to WBA, 1-2 to Liverpool then 0-2 to WBA. It is Liverpool's turn for a win. YNWA. 2-1.
Manchester United v Stoke - Sir Alex was the original hair-dryer turned author. So David Moyes must be his own man and be the deep-fryer. Which is more fearsome? Dry hair or crispy hair? Sir Alex is a man of contradiction. Most people in power are. They can say or do the same things and get away with it. I am going to write an awesome autobiography too some day and I shall name everyone including the office lizard. Should his book about the people who won him titles? Utd are not out of their slump except for a slim 1-0 win in Europe over Real Sociedad. Stoke themselves have not scored in 3 matches while they lost 1-0 twice and drew 0-0 with WBA last week. Can the Potters surprise the Red Devils as Utd are not scoring that many lately? In 5 previous meetings Stoke drew one and lost four. Man U to win so their fans will be relieved. 2-0.
Norwich v Cardiff - The Canaries did not just took it sitting down although they were dominated by the Gunners. That was why they could still pinch a goal in their 1-4 defeat. That was unfortunate that they met Arsenal after being beaten by Chelsea where they also got a goal. This means Norwich can score. Meanwhile, Cardiff have been a mixed bag of results - shocking Man City, lost narrowly to Spurs, again lost narrowly to the Hammers, bounced back to beat Fulham away and then thrashed 4-1 by Chelsea and they too scored in most matches. Both teams are not at the top of their game and though away, Cardiff can eke out a draw. 1-1.
Southampton v Fulham - I have been singing the Saints' praises since last season even when the results were against them. I expected them to play well and potentially threaten Man Utd but still expected Man Utd to win narrowly but Southampton had other plans. Southampton's last 5 matches were an impressive W-W-W-W-D. Fulham have been inconsistent. They beat Everton in the CCup then lost at home to Cardiff but may have turned the corner having beaten Stoke and then went away to Palace and cruised to a 4-1 win. Their head to head matches were 2-2 at the St. Mary's and 1-1 at Craven Cottage. It may turn out tight for a draw but I am picking another Saints victory, narrowly. 2-1.
Sunderland v Newcastle - The Black Cats seem to need some voodoo to get over a very difficult period. Gus Poyet could do nothing as their good first half performance against Swansea evaporated into a disastrous 4-0 trouncing. Meanwhile, the Magpies are soaring a little as they took the game to Liverpool last week leading twice. They seemed to have stabilised and more confident. It is hard to expect Sunderland to register a win but that is exactly what they need. Do not forget this is their local derby and if past meetings have a bearing, it would be close. There were three 1-1 draws with Newcastle having won 1-0 once at the Stadium of Lights and if there is any consolation, Sunderland won the tie 3-0 at St. James Park in April. I like to give underdogs hope by suggesting a draw here for the home team. 1-1.
Chelsea v Manchester City - This week's biggest match .Chelsea won 3-0 away to Schalke 04. City did their stuffs against CSKA Moscow. City are back to winning ways after that home defeat by Bayern Munich. They have a superior record against Chelsea only held once at 0-0 and the rest of the other four both home and away but Captain Vincent Kompany is out. Chelsea themselves have not lost for sometime and are improving. Blue v Blue so who will end up getting all the blues? A draw would mean that they will both slip with the possibility of others catching them and Arsenal and Liverpool tearing away. It will probably be a tight game but both will share the blues. 1-1.
Swansea v West Ham - Swansea continues to pass sweetly but they have a mid-week European game while the Hammers rested. Last season Swansea won the tie 3-0 at home and lost 1-0 away. Both teams in are somewhat of a LWLWL sequence. Swansea can play a good game but West Ham can play a tough game. I feel that it would be a draw. 2-2.
Swansea v West Ham - Swansea continues to pass sweetly but they have a mid-week European game while the Hammers rested. Last season Swansea won the tie 3-0 at home and lost 1-0 away. Both teams in are somewhat of a LWLWL sequence. Swansea can play a good game but West Ham can play a tough game. I feel that it would be a draw. 2-2.
Tottenham v Hull - Spurs are no longer that team that play swashbuckling soccer to only loose or draw most of the times. They are now a solid compact team that is not so easy to break down and could play patiently before striking with 1-0 or 2-0 wins and Soldado has not peak yet. Hull have surprised many with their tenacity and results so far. It will be tough for the Tigers at the Cockerel's coup. Expect another workman like win. 2-0.
What ever it is, enjoy another weekend of soccer. Life is short - work hard and play hard. Just pray that something like this do not happen.
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