EPL Game Week 12

Cristiano Ronaldo showed bravery when he put his head where angels fear to tread helping Portugal beat Sweden 1-0 in the 1st leg World Cup play-off. France limped off the pitch at Ukraine with great uncertainty of their chances. What can Zlatan Ibrahimovic do over there? While Ronaldo is the supreme athelete, Ibra is a spectacular goal-scorer supreme. Nobody does it better. Watch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENhxnsPY81A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6Xh2YFphR8

If you ask me, Messi is really good too in a much different way but Ronaldo was pipped to the Best Footballer title by him several times and now Messi is out injured and having an indifferent season, I really thought Ronaldo should finally bagged the Ballon d'Or European Footballer of the year award. However, some times these awards are given to players in winning teams of the season but Real Madrid didn't win anything despite Ronaldo's bravado so it could be Frank Ribery of Bayern Munich who may win it. 

Coming back to France, it was a fantastic result for them to bounced back to winning ways with an epic 3-0 win over Ukraine. Ukrainian hearts must be broken as they came so close. Meanwhile, it must have been a game to remember in Sweden when Portugal triumphed 3-2. The scoreline actually read Ronaldo 3 Ibrahimovic 2 as all the goals came from these 2 players. At 32, it is unlikely for Ibrahimovic to feature in future World Cup. Such a pity. That is life. I would certainly vote for Ronaldo to be the best footballer on planet earth this time! Well, let us welcome back the Premier League...

Everton v Liverpool - Liverpool was the only team that maintain their fine form last week with a thumping 4-0 win over Fulham and Suarez was the only player that maintain his superb form. Everton was blunt against Palace in an away 0-0 draw.They could have won to keep pace with the rest. When both Merseyside teams last met, they drew twice but going down further Everton suffered 3 losses to the Reds. While Everton could not win, they are tough to beat and this is a home game full-blooded Merseyside derby at Goodison Park where Everton will give their all for bragging rights. Other than Man City and Arsenal, Liverpool gave most bang for the buck. If Everton play a tight game the match may end in a draw. 2-2.

Arsenal v Southampton - Arsenal have been all the rage this season but Man Utd put a halt and asked them some questions. Utd played above themselves and were biting at Arsenal's heels throughout snuffing out the supply line from Ozil and Cazorla. Moyes was tactically astute. Mertersacker's sudden absence may have contributed to their uncertainties as Vermaelan played his first match. The Saints themselves are going great guns and was a joy to watch. They have the capacity to surprise and have been surprisingly fearless even when playing away, remember that they had Liverpool beaten at Anfield and have been scoring. The Gunners lead have been cut to 5 points after the defeat at Old Trafford and have to come back strongly to reignite and not falter. It will be a close and exciting match. Arsenal can't afford to drop points at the Emirates but Southampton won't lie down for them without another good game and fight. 2-1.

Fulham v Swansea - By the time I publish this, I am not sure if Martin Jol would still be in charge. Fulham have been looking anything but good. Swansea have their own demons to conquer as they have not won in their last 5 outings in all competition. Between them , they have never played a draw in 5 meetings with Swansea leading 3 wins to Fulham's 2. This could be their first draw. 2-2.

Hull v Palace - Hull have been a better team than Palace whenever I saw them and their results backed them. Their past duels were at one apiece in W-D-L. But on account of their last match, Hull melted in the heat at the St. Mary's to Southampton while Palace held their head high when they held Everton at home. If Palace hope to take some points, it will be games like this. Draw. 1-1.

Newcastle v Norwich - Besides, Liverpool, Newcastle is easily the team of the moment. Alan Pardew has done wonders to rejuvenate his charges with a famous 2-0 over Chelsea and then playing out of their skins to win 1-0 at White Hart Lane and Dutch goalie Tim Krul gave a 5-star performance and the match of his life. The Canaries have been bad but had their own comeback with a 3-1 win over the Hammers. Magpies v Canaries. Which bird will win? The Magpies to fly. 2-0.

Stoke v Sunderland - Stoke have been scoring like never before. They put 2 past Man Utd before losing 2-3. They held Birmingham 4-4 in the Cup them came from behind when they held Swansea 3-3 away. Sunderland have since beaten an in-form Newcastle, an in-form Southampton and Man City all at home. Who else can't they beat? This time they will be away to Stoke. If Sunderland win this one, I'll be extremely impressed and short of saying they will win the title, I'll say they will avoid the drop! Their last two meetings ended in draws. 2-2.

West Ham v Chelsea - The Hammers are not in great shape. The only good news for them are that this is a derby played at home at Upton Park and Chelsea themselves are not in great shape in a different way. While West Ham was surprisingly beaten 3-1 by Norwich at Carrow Road, Chelsea was shocked 2-0 by Newcastle then allowed WBA to comeback to hold them at Stamford Bridge. Can the Hammers upset like they did against Tottenham? Or will Chelsea return to winning ways? In their previous meetings, there were no draws and all scores were by 2-goal margins with West Ham having won only once. Chelsea are now not as much feared. 1-2.

Man City v Tottenham - Both sides got identically bad results in their last match. City was shocked 0-1 away at Sunderland while Spurs were stunned 0-1 at home by Newcastle and as a result both City and Spurs lost their positions allowing Man Utd to rise. Both sides were unfortunate not to have won. Spurs in particular saw Tim Krul made superlative saves after saves from a marauding Spurs. History does not favour Tottenham here as they have won only once in 5 meetings previously but they never drew. Both sides need to bounce back but drawing is not an option. While City have been inconsistent, Tottenham seemed to have lost their way. City is playing at home. 2-1.

Cardiff v Man Utd - In the beginning I had felt that Cardiff were better than Palace and Hull but I was partly right on Palace but Hull is just 2 points above them so Cardiff could still get stronger. But it is bad timing to face Man Utd who may have turned the corner after beating leaders Arsenal. Moyes got all his tactics right as Utd bit at Arsenal's heels and harassed the Gunners and even though Arsenal dominated the 2nd half, they could not find a way to goal. It was an important win to restore their belief and then to leapfrogged City and Tottenham who both lost. If you think this is just a walk in the park for Utd, think again - Cardiff had City beaten 3-2 and some times it is easier to play Arsenal than teams like Cardiff. Still Utd should win. 1-2.

WBA v Villa - WBA was solid away to Chelsea in a 2-2 draw and at level with Villa on points now so the winner here will push the other a little behind. In their last 3 meetings they drew 0-0, 1-1 and 2-2. Before these, WBA won 2-1 twice. This match could be close but WBA's form is rising and with home advantage. 2-1.