EPL Game Week 25

The Englishmen are doing some fine stuffs over the last weekend and Roy Hodgson in attendance must have felt good. Adam Lallana, Jay Rodriguez and Ricky Lambert starred for Southampton. Even Andy Carroll created some threat and assists for West Ham and Sturridge scored again and shall be a very important player for England, may be more important then Rooney. Then there was young Oxlade Chamberlain who got a brace for Arsenal in a 2-0 win. Adam Johnson came alive for Sunderland and scored 7 goals in 7 games. They have to play their way into contention. This is World Cup year!

Liverpool v Arsenal - Liverpool looked lethargic against WBA but took the lead due to the genius of Suarez who hooked the ball to Sturridge who simply tapped in but lost control in the second half and what a boo-boo by Kolo Toure. Precious points lost. Meanwhile the Gunners played at measured pace to win 2-0 over Palace with a brace from young Oxlade Chamberlain. This match up will favour the rest of the pack whichever it goes. Last time they met at the Emirates, Arsenal won 2-0. Before that, Liverpool won once, drew once and lost twice. Liverpool was excellent against Everton but jaded at the Hawthorns. Arsenal's fluidity remain but at Anfield Liverpool may just hold them. A potentially great match is on the cards. Arsenal must avoid defeat to pull away from City and Chelsea is looming large. I do not know about you but I am staying home to catch it. 2-2.

Villa v West Ham - Villa's improvement was short-lived and halted by Everton. The Hammers frustrated Chelsea at Stamford Bridge to pull off a draw where others could not. It boosted their morale and they went on and pounded Swansea 2-0 and now Michael Laudrup has lost his job. Will Laudrup gives up soccer and join Maersk Line instead? Andy Carroll's return was effective as he nodded 2 assists for Kevin Nolan to score but his flailing arm got him red-carded. If Chelski could not break the Hammers can Villa do it? I wanted to say Hammers' win but they are playing away so I doubt so. Draw. 1-1.

Chelsea v Newcastle - You will be surprise to note that in their last 5 meetings, Newcastle won 3 times to Chelsea's 2. There were no draw. Newcastle is suddenly going through a dry patch made evidently worse by the absence of Yohan Cabaye who was sold to PSG. You have to give it to Mourinho as I told you that if any team can upset Man City, it is Chelsea. City pounded Chelsea with their attacking prowess initially but Mourinho's boys absorbed everything and when City found no way through they got disheartened. That was when Chelsea's master-class showed with their brilliant counter-attacks. Mind you Chelsea hit City's woodwork 3 times and did not park a bus. Eden Hazard was brilliant and so was Ivanovic's great goal from his other foot. Chelsea have created doubts in City's quest and must be one of the hot favourites from now. They also showed other teams how to handle City. Chelsea was actually magnificent! Chelsea to beat the Magpies. 2-0.

Palace v WBA - Both are losing away games but while Palace are winning their home games the Baggies are drawing at home. In this type of game, you probably think it will end a draw. I say Palace to win. 2-1.

Norwich v Man City - The last time they met at the Etihad, City thumped the Canaries 7-0. City have been on a roll until they hit Chelsea's brick wall. They certainly cannot make another mistake by not winning this match which is theirs for the taking. On the other hand, Norwich may be in danger of a backlash by City due to that defeat. Their last 5 match ups ended with a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 7 goals each match. It will be a big scoreline. Norwich scored twice in their last 5 matches while City scored 16 goals in 5 games including an away 5-1 thrashing of Spurs at Whit Hart Lane. 0-4.

Southampton v Stoke - The last 3 times they have met all ended in draws. Stoke was on a terrible LLLL sequence until they met man Utd. and they won 2-1. Lol. Serious! The Saints are WDWDW. Stoke's fortress is the Britannia. Southampton have been playing brilliantly holding Arsenal 2-2 and trouncing Fulham 3-0 away. A Saints win. 2-1.

Sunderland v Hull - Gus Poyet has done a miracle at Sunderland. They are in winning form and that away 3-0 trouncing of Newcastle has given ample warning. Hull would have been encouraged by their own performance having held Tottenham 1-1 at home last week but this is an away game and the fact that in 5 outings they have beaten Sunderland just once means even history is against them. 2-1.

Swansea v Cardiff - This is an all-Welsh derby. Cardiff is currently slightly better than Swansea in that they have Solskjaer on board and settling down while the Swansea camp is experiencing turmoil with Michael Laudrup's departure. Despite this Swansea is at home. The Swan above water looks elegant but below, paddling like mad. Draw. 1-1.

Tottenham v Everton - Tottenham was having a revival under Sherwood. That home 1-5 whacking by City and away draw at Hull took their steam. Everton shared similar fate when they got a 4-0 hiding from Liverpool. Their matches were often close with either team winning by a goal or draws. Draw. 2-2.

Man Utd v Fulham - I have been too kind to Man Utd. predicting better results for them than the actual. Meantime, Fulham seem to be in really bad shape. Fulham have been losing to everyone. Of late, Utd. seem capable of losing at home or away to anyone too. If they dare lose to Fulham at Old Trafford, I dare not think of the consequences. I am still kind to the Red Devils. 2-0.