EPL Game Week 19

Last weekend was a defining week. Liverpool went to the top of the league on goal difference with Suarez unstoppable. Can they sustain it? What if Suarez got injured or suspended? Mighty Arsenal have not won in 3 matches. Why was Ozil quiet and Ramsey stopped scoring? Do they need another top striker in January? Can they regain their great start to this campaign? Manchester United seemed to have recovered from their poor start. Can they claw their way back? Manchester City have out-gunned every team and showed better away form now. Can they stamp their authority from now on? Chelsea are still there or thereabouts but not as clinical as before. Can they switch gear now? They said that the team at the top during Christmas went on to win the title in the last four years. Will it happen again? Watch the top 5 goals of week 17:
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 These are the reasons why I love soccer!

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Meantime, while the rest of Europe rested for Christmas, the EPL became the busiest period of the business. Here are the best of the EPL so far:

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 West Ham v WBA - The Hammers have not been doing too well and their only recent claim to success was the shock 2-1 away win over London rivals Tottenham but who could not beat Tottenham these days? WBA lost many matches, sacked Steve Clarke and then managed a home draw with Hull and now hovering just 2 points above West Ham. Is is important for West Ham to win this at Upton Park and move above them in the table. The Hammers started very well against Arsenal and got the Gunners worried until Theo Walcott showed up with his own plans and a brace. West Ham v WBA matches mostly ended in a draw in the past. WBA played very well away to Tottenham holding them to a draw. 1-1.

Villa v Swansea - Villa have lost their last 4 matches including to lowly Fulham and then Crystal Palace and are now slightly behind Swansea in the standing so are not in good shape. They are still in 13th because others are in worse shape. Fortunately they are meeting Swansea who themselves have not won in 5 matches with 3 losses. It will end a draw. 1-1.

Hull v Fulham - Hull are better than you think. After beating Liverpool 3-1 they only lost once to Arsenal and drew their next three. They even have Man Utd by the throat when they led 2-0 and was unlucky to have lost 2-3. Fulham experienced a short recovery when they beat Villa but have since lost 2 matches but they managed to put 2 passed Manchester City and have just won 2-1 away to Norwich. However, this is away from home so Hull may be somewhat just a little stronger than Fulham. 2-1.

Man City v Crystal Palace - City scored 17 goals in their last 5 matches including 6 against Arsenal and 3 against Bayern Munich. It looks another steam-roller at the Etihad where Crystal Palace as the first three letter suggest will cry? Palace's position is 3rd from the bottom and scored 11 goals in 17 games while City's record showed 51 scored in 17 matches. City's hit rate is 3 goals per match while Palace's is at 0.60 per match. Since Palace have scored 2 matches ago, they won't be scoring here. Aguero is injured so that goals may come from elsewhere like Yaya Toure, David Silva. Negredo is a regular goal scorer at the Etihad and could add on. Joe Hart marked his return (2nd match) with a crucial save from Coutinho and several other stops against Liverpool and Vincent Kompany was outstanding too. 3-0.

Norwich v Man Utd - The Canaries have recovered and remained unbeaten in 3 matches but surprisingly went down to Fulham at home. United are back to winning ways and with a bit more conviction. Welbeck has been looking sharp and he and Rooney could score again. Especially Rooney. 0-2.

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Cardiff v Sunderland - Cardiff are now embroiled in internal politics and turmoil between its owner and their manager. The distraction can cause them to be dispirited. Sunderland have been improving losing narrowly to Chelsea and Tottenham and now unbeaten for 3 matches including a famous Cup win over Chelsea. Still Cardiff can be tough at home although they failed miserably and went down 0-3 to Southampton. Meantime, Sunderland went to Everton and did what no other could. They ended Everton's 10 match unbeaten run and also their home record in an epic struggle. Sunderland could either be very inspired by it or become very tired. Have they turned the corner? 1-1.

Everton v Southampton - Everton remained unbeaten for 10 matches and have lost only once this season and are just 2 points off the top. They are the most difficult team to beat. Tim Howard is probably the best goalie in the EPL this season for consistency. The entire team is playing with great conviction. The two most impressive for me are two young English lads, right back Seamus Coleman and midfielder Ross Barkley. Coleman is one of the best fullbacks in the EPL this season and Ross Barkley will develop into a top top player. Already some are comparing him with Paul Gascoigne and his free kicks to David Beckham. This boy will be big because besides his obvious skills and ability, he has great energy, power, determination  and super industry. They must be on that plane to the World Cup and they will be elements of surprise. Watch no. 23 Coleman with that first goal and then no. 20 Barkley with that free-kick. 

 But their unbeaten run and home record went down the drain to Sunderland when Tim Howard made an uncharacteristic pass to Leon Osman who was robbed and Howard was sent off for bringing down a Sunderland striker. It was an epic struggle then on.


Meantime, the Saints brilliant start to their campaign has stuttered a bit recently with erratic results of LLDDL which means they have not won in 5 matches but they could take heart that despite those results they are playing well and better days shall return if they have the belief. They did not play badly against Tottenham over the weekend but lost 2-3. In Adam Lallana and Jay Rodriguez, they have 2 interesting English players especially Lallana. Obviously manager Pochettino has done well but he need a bit more luck for his team. They proceeded to cruise to a comfortable 3-0 away win at Cardiff.

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Everton's home advantage will make them even stronger. On current form it should be a home win but I think Southampton can hold them. 2-2.


 Newcastle v Arsenal - The Magpies form has been quite impressive. They have gotten past whatever problems and are happy and stable. They will give the Gunners a good game. Arsenal who looked quite invincible has lost twice - 2-0 to Napoli which caused them top spot in European qualification and then 6-3 trouncing by Man City. They dominated Chelsea with possession but never looked like breaking them. Are the Gunners tired? Other than Giroud they need a real goal getter. It would be such a waste if their season got derailed again. This is the last of their tough Christmas campaign and they know they need a good result here. Arsenal to win. Their 5-1 destruction of Stoke should not be taken lightly even as Stoke have 2 players red carded. Arsenal have Theo Walcott purring and Lukas Podolski is back and they are now top of the table. 1-2.
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Chelsea v Liverpool - Mourinho knew Chelsea could not play Arsenal at their game so they defended and then counter-attacked and at times looked dangerous. Chelsea are no longer the all conquering team during Mourinho's first term in charged. There is no more Drogba and Terry and Lampard and got on in age. This time they are home and have advantage but Liverpool are so on song that any team playing them must feel some tension. Chelsea is worth a goal at home. Even Man City would admit that Liverpool have been their most difficult opponent thus far. Liverpool was unlucky as poor decision by officials that ruled Suarez's pass to Sterling offside otherwise it would have been a goal and the whole complexion of the match would have been different. I have said from earlier on that Mignolet is possibly Liverpool's weakest link and it was his mistake that led to Negredo's goal. The last 2 times they met ended in draws. Chelsea is tough to beat especially at home. Can Liverpool bounce back? 1-2.

Tottenham v Stoke - Tim Sherwood have been confirmed as Spurs manager for the next 18 months. Adebayor has been restored to the starting line up and repaid that faith in him with 2 goals and an away win at Southampton. When was the last time Tottenham scored 3 goals in a match? But then they have just been held 1-1 at home by WBA. However, Tim Sherwood should get his second win. 2-1.


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