EPL Game Week 18

Manchester United have the easier games around Christmas while Tottenham has sacked AVB. Manchester City are in form, Chelsea are still around but not very exciting and Arsenal have a difficult run in. How will the table look like after Christmas and on Boxing Day and then after the New Year? 

Was it AVB's fault for it was the agents, media and soccer clubs that cannot build and wait. The fact remains that AVB is a one season wonder at Porto and he followed the footsteps of a giant in Jose Mourinho in nationality and CV. Money cannot buy experience. There is no short cut. The quality of certain products can only be achieved after a long time treatment in the furnace. If you take a short cut, you may end up with half baked cookies. Watch out when certain people are being promoted too fast. This is not a criticism of AVB, this is just a thought on today's world. Instant gratification.

Hull v Man Utd - Hull's best results have been draws. Utd who played away gave Villa no change with a solid display but Villa has been rather poor of late. Hull may offer stiffer opposition? Utd have all the experience to win such games at this time of the year to come back to the race but do have they regain their confidence. Except for that shock 3-1 win over Liverpool, Hull has been ordinary and scored just one more in the next 3 matches. A United win here. 0-2.

Villa v Palace - Despite some better performances, Palace is still third from bottom. Villa have not been great and Benteke has not reached his level of yesteryear. Unless each team can play above themselves or offer something special, I can't see it better than a draw. 1-1.

Cardiff v Southampton - Cardiff are just a few points above the bottom three. Southampton reversed 3 straight losses after such a good season before that to hold Man City and Newcastle. The Saints could just nick this one with Jay Rodriguez in fine form. 1-2.

Chelsea v Swansea - Chelsea got stunned 1-2 by Sunderland in the Cup. They are still a strong team but no longer the same one that Mourinho once built. Swansea is going through the same thing as Michael Laudrup tries to keep up their momentum. If both teams were down a notch from previous years, Chelsea is still the stronger of the two. So Chelsea should bounce back to win this. 2-1.

Everton v Sunderland - Everton have been growing from strength to strength and on home ground will be hard to defeat even by the better teams. Sunderland will be boosted by the fine win over Chelsea in the Cup but Everton will be too strong. 2-0.

Newcastle v Stoke City - Newcastle have been above expectations in their play, results and position and will have a fine season. The Magpies' game today is confident and steady. Mark Hughes' men will put up a good fight but I expect Newcastle to win at home. 2-1.

Norwich v Fulham - The Canaries have not been the same this season but Fulham are worse. It is not easy for these mid-tables or bottom clubs to survive and it is all about deep pockets. Even deep pockets can't guarantee success. I see both playing out a draw. 1-1.

Tottenham v WBA - Tottenham will be lucky to be meeting WBA who have been as troubled as they were. Even if they were the in the same condition, at least the Spurs will have home advantage but there again they lost at home to Liverpool in a big way and then to West Ham too. Well, I think they do at least have the talents to do the job for a win. 2-1.

West Ham v Arsenal - The Hammers enjoyed victory over London rival Tottenham recently but this will not be enough to help them overcome Arsenal. The Gunners will not want to waste an opportunity to get maximum points. Walcott was impressive and will bring a different dimension to Arsenal's game. 0-2.

Man City v Liverpool - This will be a cracker! The two most in-form teams meet in Blue side of Manchester where the hosts have been fabulous but Liverpool are back at their best with the unstoppable Suarez in top form. City's back line have been strengthened by Kompany's return but they conceded 3 goals to Arsenal. City have done damage to Man Utd., Arsenal and Tottenham. Will they also do the same to Liverpool? Or could Liverpool play like they did Tottenham? In fact, they looked better without Steven Gerrard. I pick a draw with goals. 2-2.