EPL Game Week 20

The EPL is going real tight this season. Leadership position changed from Liverpool to Manchester City and then to Arsenal. We are exactly at the half way point. Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea or Liverpool are looking good but Liverpool are thin on their squad. Do not rule out Manchester United but it may not be likely. Everton may surprise but it is a long shot. 

Arsenal are still looking good but have not been as prolific recently. Losing big to Man City raised some question marks but they are coming back and more injured players are coming back. They need a prolific scorer. Ozil has lost some steam and both he and Ramsey are injured. Manchester City seem the best team at the moment in terms of form and they have a really deep squad. To win the title and compete in Europe you need quality in every position so that suspension and injuries will not hinder as the quality gap between players are not that wide. Chelsea needs strikers that keep banging in the goals. Only Eden Hazard have been a regular scorer. Will they start to peak in the second half? They have not been impressive but they know how to get a result against Arsenal and then Liverpool. How they must have wish to have Suarez.

Everton have been a revelation. Stout at the back and now playing more attractive soccer and could win more matches with promising youngsters. They need another striker other than just on loan Romelu Lukaku. But like their neighbours Liverpool they will be caught thin as the season wears them out. For the Reds, they have over relied on Suarez. Steven Gerrard and Sturridge are recovering and need to be back soon. Jordan Henderson is finally playing to his potential. I was impressed with how fast he could string his passes meaning he is thinking ahead of his action but Liverpool needs reinforcement if they were to continue where they have started. At least they are playing the swiftest soccer that will give other teams problems.

Manchester United may not in all probability retain their title this year but who knows if they can make a mighty come back? However, to do that they really need new blood at the back, in midfield and a striker. At least three very good players in each department. Otherwise, they may even struggle to make the top four as their performances so far are not that convincing. Tottenham continues with their saga. Tim Sherwood has just given them a breather. After blowing everything from such a great sale of Gareth Bale, it appears even more difficult for them to make the top four this season. They definitely cannot be buying any more but depends on how Sherwood picks his team and motivate them. Some times buying too many new players can be a problem. 

Besides Christmas, while we also enjoy the new year, the highly paid professional soccer players of the EPL goes to work. The January Transfer Window have never been more interesting.

Swansea v Man City - Swansea are floundering not having won in the last 6 matches. Michael Laundrup is finding it hard after a great outing last season and Michu is not scoring. City are on a great run and unbeaten for some time and have actually beaten all the top teams they have met. However, they found it hard even at home to Crystal Palace. Swansea's style of play suit City and this means another win for formidable Man City. 0-2.

Arsenal v Cardiff - Arsenal are back to winning ways and they showed character to win at West Ham after going down first and then fought to win narrowly over Newcastle at St. James Park. Cardiff let slip a 2-0 lead for Sunderland to recover at 2-2. With their internal conflict, Cardiff are distracted and probably no longer be the same force that was able to shock some top teams earlier. The Gunners will win their first match of the new year and stay on top. 2-0.

Liverpool v Hull - Liverpool perch on at the top was short-lived not unexpectedly. They are playing some of the best soccer and certainly the swiftest but two tough away matches and similar 1-2 losses to Man City and then Chelsea saw them dropped to 5th one place below Everton. Liverpool have a over reliance on Suarez and the squad is thin, not enough to mount a sustained challenge. Hull was their nemesis not so long ago when they beat Liverpool 3-1 and the Tigers are on form banging 6 past a helpless Fulham. Liverpool need to reaffirm their original belief to come back strongly as they certainly could not afford another slip. Mignolet spilled twice ion both matches giving away winning goals for their opponents. Will he make amends? Liverpool must beware that the Tigers hit 2 goals past Man Utd with a short time. Hull's six goal haul against Fulham was because Fulham was awful but kudos to the Tigers. Liverpool should come back with a home win. 2-0.

Southampton v Chelsea - The Saints are an entertaining team with a bright future with their youth policy. They were unfortunate to have lost to a very good Everton. Chelsea is boring and struggled against some of the smaller teams but in typical Mourinho and Chelsea fashion, they rose to the occasion and played very against Liverpool. Chelsea also have an over reliance on Eden Hazard to deliver the goals. I do not think Southampton would go down easily and if they could put a good game together may even surprise the visitors and make Mourinho sulk. I like Jose in that he makes the game interesting with his way of looking at things or at least they way he comes across with his messages. He would make a great wrestling manager. 1-1.

Man Utd v Tottenham - Man Utd are on a great run and you may not notice it because this season they are chasing the pack. They have been winning and even winning ugly like their last match 1-0 away to Norwich. Tottenham under Tim Sherwood have recovered very well with 2 wins and a draw and playing with more verve. Both are now at 37 points in 6th and 7th position. Utd are slow at the back and their fire power weakened by injuries to RVP and Rooney. I pick a draw. 2-2.

WBA v Newcastle - The Baggies improved a little turning their losses into draws. The Magpies are now a happy team with great results only have just been beaten by a very good Arsenal side. WBA should score one but Newcastle will score too and the question is whether they will score one or two? 1-1.

Stoke v Everton - Stoke are like playing snakes and ladders and have getting and sliding down the ladder. They have conceded 8 goals in their last 2 matches and a very good Everton who had beaten a good Southampton outfit must fancy their chances though Stoke are slightly better at home. Watch Lukaku, Seamus COleman and Ross Barkley. 1-2. 

Sunderland v Villa - Sunderland was unbeaten for five matches Villa lost four before holding Swansea in theirs. Sunderland to win. 1-0.

Palace v Norwich - Palace gave Man City a good fight and a good fright. Joe Hart was man of the match said it all and got six stitches in the eye. Palace win. 2-1.

Fulham v West Ham - Fulham was completely wasted by Hull at home. Craven Cottage is no longer the fortress it used to be. One point separate them at the bottom. It is games like these they have to win. Both team will score but they will struggle to win. 2-2.

Happy New Year!