EPL Game Week 28

There will be some disruption to scheduled EPL matches due to the Capital Cup and the F.A. Cup. So some teams may not feature in a couple of weeks.

Meantime, Man Utd crash-landed horribly in a Greek tragedy when they got shot down 2-0. Rooney has become their talisman, he chased after the ball, create and score goals and is an important and top player but was he worth and obscene 300,000 pounds a week? 

The EPL is the most successful, richest, exciting and best branding as a soccer league and best TV soccer in the world - yes. The same cannot be said of the current state of their standard. 

Everton v West Ham - Everton have dropped a notch in their results though they are playing okay. LWLWL was a drop from their early season for but what the Hammers have done have been incredible. From losing hopelessly to DWWWW is nothing short of highly impressive. Mind you they won those 4 matches by 2 goal margins. West Ham have never beaten Everton in their last 5 face-to-face meets drawing the first 2 and lost all of the next 3 matches. But with West Ham's good form, it would be hard for Everton to claim full points. 1-1.

Fulham v Chelsea - Fulham had a good away point at WBA last week but they are right at the bottom and time is not on their side. They lost both their matches to Chelsea last season but if they could summon their old form of 2012 they held them. Chelsea got away when they hosted Everton and got that last gasp goal but they would have just returned from meeting Galatasaray. Can Felix Magath inspire them to get something here. 1-2.

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Hull v Newcastle - The Tigers are back a bit and that 4-0 away win at Cardiff was impressive. The Magpies made their own comeback after a long time with a narrow 1-0 home win over Villa. Newcastle have never beaten Hull in 5 meetings and could only draw 3 times. The best result for Newcastle should be a draw and they may just well play for that. 1-1.

Stoke v Arsenal - You saw how Stoke almost snuffed out Man City away to eventually lose 1-0. In their 5 previous meetings, Stoke lost thrice and drew twice with both drawn games at home. Arsenal could not afford to drop any more points and it is games like these that they have to win. After meeting Bayern Munich a second time they may be left with the EPL and F.A. Cup to focus on. It will be a tough examination of what the Gunners are made of. If Arsenal can put on a steely performance they win. 1-2. 

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=677827572259837&set=vb.266828596693072&type=2&theater 

Southampton v Liverpool - Liverpool has the mentality of the old Brazil. If you score 3 I'll score 4. That was how the match was at Anfield when Swansea visited. Credit to Swansea for the thriller. Liverpool have such an awesome attack but they need to improve defensively if they were to life the title or go get Europe. Skrtel was a comedy. Why did he hauled down the opponent when Agger has it covered? Suarez was on fire with his haul of 23 goals but have stopped for a few games though nobody works harder than him and he still created chances. I

t was once again Sturridge who at this moment could be the world's best goal scorer as I heard the commentator saying that he is now ahead of even Ronaldo, Messi and Ibrahimovic in goals per game ratio. Roy Hodgson must be very pleased as Sturridge now only 24, will lead the England front-line in Brazil come June and will meet Suarez at the opposite end. You have to give credit to Brendan Rodgers as he turned Suarez from a disaster into a hero and developing Sturridge into what he is now. 

Only a great manager could build trust with his staffs and with the trust, the staffs will naturally respond in a highly positive way. With no mid-week European or F.A. Cup matches to distract them, do not be surprised if Liverpool create a shock at the end of the season but before that Rodgers has to stop the comical defence of Skrtel.

Meanwhile, the Saints have lost their way twice in a row and now hosting a visitor with an awesome attack. Can they hold the fort at the St. Mary's? Southampton have beaten Liverpool twice and lost once in their previous 3 meetings. Liverpool will not want to lose ground as they are now only 4 points from leader Chelsea with 11 matches to go. The Saints could surprise but Liverpool is "in the moment" and will score a few. Question is how many they may concede. 2-3.

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Villa v Norwich - In their previous 3 meetings, Norwich have lost all of them but Villa have not scored in 3 matches while Norwich managed just one in 3 matches and that was enough to see them beat Tottenham 1-0 which must somehow inspire them. 1-1.

Swansea v Palace - Swansea could have beaten most teams last week but their fight back was futile as Liverpool eventually turned out 4-3 winners. Their sinew would be stretched after meeting Napoli and if Palace apply the right tactics could get something out of the trip. Palace was no slouch last week and finally went down 2-0 to Man Utd through a RVP penalty and a Roonet scorcher. Draw. 2-2.

Tottenham v Cardiff - Tottenham have suddenly lost twice in a row, in Europe and then 1-0 to Norwich away. They may be worn out by the time they meet Cardiff and are fortunate they are meeting Cardiff who have not won since 1 February. They have not scored in 3 league matches. Their recent losses even at home to Hull (0-4) were bad. Solskjaer have done little to changed their fortune. Tottenham are 5th and six points away from Liverpool and need to close the gap if they were to continue to chase their dream of Europe. 2-0.