EPL Game Week 30

The EPL is not the best league in the world if you go by the latest Champions league results. Both Arsenal and Manchester City were dumped by more illustrious opponents. Of course things could have been more different for both their respective home matches against Bayern Munich and Barcelona both of whom are great champions past and present. No point in arguing about dubious penalty awarded or others.

Arsenal's purist game style lost to Bayern Munich's pressing game and City slickers could not match a Barcelona in relative decline by their own high standards. However, the Premier League is still the most watchable and most competitive league in the world simply because Bayern Munich were winning 4-0, 6-1 and 5-0 week in and week out, probably too for Barcelona and Real Madrid, the EPL throws out more surprises such as the improbable victory by lowly Wigan over Man City in the F.A. Q-Cup final. That is romance or the many weekly surprises and upsets.

However, there is promise when you look at young Alex Oxlade Chamberlain's solo and unstoppable run at Bayern Munich before he was check mated. This boy is the future and and must be on that plane for England to Brazil.

Can City and Arsenal bounce back now that they can forget Europe and focus on local issues? Chelsea seems to be peaking at the right time and Mourinho has cleverly shielded his players by frequently saying they are not ready to win the title this season thus relieving the pressures of expectation. There are not too many matches left with two thirds of the season gone. Two great matches this weekend would be Man Utd v Liverpool and Tottenham v Arsenal. Chelsea will have a relatively easier game at Villa as Man City travels to Hull.

Hull v Man City - Hull usually do well against City. Last August the Tigers lost 2-0 away but won 2-1 at home in 2010 and prior to these drew twice and lost once. Last week Hull got thrashed 1-4 by Newcastle at home but bounced back to beat Sunderland 3-0 in the F.A. Cup. City got their first title as winners of the CCup when they had Sunderland beaten 3-1. So Hull actually did better than City against the same opponent so do you still think City will swarm all over Hull? Hull had beaten City when they hosted their game twice. Can they surprised their more tired visitors who just got kicked out of European soccer. Man City was originally chasing 4 titles and they have won one and in danger of losing them all by winning nothing if they are not careful. In their respective previous 5 games, Hull actually have a better record than City having scored 11 goals against different opponents while City only hit 6. It is a good time for the home side to take on the giant. Or will Hull receive a backlash? 1-2.

Watch City v Barcelona:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=687023518006909&set=vb.266828596693072&type=2&theater

Everton v Cardiff - Everton were emphatically dumped 4-1 by Arsenal in the FA Cup. Cardiff who have not won for so long, hardly scored or when they do with just a goal but had Fulham well beaten 3-1. Are Everton in a slump? Or are Cardiff on the rise? Even then Everton is too strong for Cardiff to take points off them. A home win for Everton. 2-0.

Fulham v Newcastle - Fulham are in dire straits even with Felix Magath on board. Meantime, Newcastle have since won 2 in a row and last week's away 4-1 win over Hull was impressive. The Magpies have not won at Craven Cottage over many years but this Fulham are the weakest which means if they show that same form as last week at Hull they can get 3 points. Away win for the Magpies even as Alan Pardew got ban for 7 matches for headbutting a player. What was he thinking? 1-2.

Southampton v Norwich - The Saints has returned to winning ways and it was not surprising that Ricky Lambert, Jay Rodigruez and Adam Lallana were selected for England. Lallana has been outstanding and should make it to the World Cup for his skills and creativity. The Canaries are poor travellers. In the reverse meeting at Carrow Raod, Southampton lost 1-0. The Saints will have their revenge at St. Mary's. 2-0. 

Stoke v West Ham - In 5 matches they have last played they had a loss and 3 draws and their only win was over Arsenal at home. The Hammers was on a four win on the trot form winning all 4 matches by 2 goal margins until they lost to Everton narrowly (1-0) at Goodison Park. When both met 5 times previously, each won twice and drew once. West Ham are on winning form but Stoke can be mighty at home. Draw. 1-1.

Sunderland v Palace - Both teams' form have slacken after some good results. Sunderland may be heart-broken having lost to Man City in the CCup. Sunderland's home advantage gives them an edge but Palace will fight hard. Draw. 1-1.

Swansea v WBA - Both teams are in wretched form. Their previous records against one another favours Swansea who won four and lost one. Can Gary Monk bring a home victory or can Pepe Mel's Baggies at least hold the Swans? A Swansea win. 2-1.

Villa v Chelsea - Villa are hosting the in-form potential EPL Champions. Chelsea are getting all the right results and peaking nicely and have only lost to Villa once and that was in 2011. In their last game, Villa surprised Norwich last week in a crushing win (4-1) but Chelsea was even more powerful when they whacked Tottenham 4-0 plus Chelsea have a good defence. 0-2. 

Man Utd v Liverpool - Without doubt the match of the week. Expect a thrilling match each time Liverpool play. In their last 5 meet up, there were 3 scores at 2-1 and 2 at 1-0. It reads 4-1 in favour of man Utd. There were no drawn games but things have changed beyond recognition and the only blip was Liverpool's 0-1 loss at Old Trafford in the CCup. On current leanings, Liverpool are the much better team. It is just that whenever Man Utd takes on Liverpool, they usually raise their game. Question is can it actually be raised presently? Liverpool's only chink in their armour is in defence but Utd.'s may be worse. It will be tight and a drawn game is quite possible but with the speed of Liverpool's play and Brendan Rodgers directing traffic, there is a sense of expectation that they can bring a result with the irresistible strike force of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge. Can they be stopped by United's weekend back line? Liverpool are second and if they could continue their very positive progress they could technically win the league but it is big matches like this one that they have to have the belief. 1-2. 

Tottenham v Arsenal - Tottenham have lost twice in a row shipping in 7 goals in their 0-4 loss to Chelsea followed by a 1-3 home defeat by Benfica. Arsenal thrashed Everton 4-1 and held Bayern Munich 1-1 and is now out of Europe. In both their last 5 meets, Tottenham won only once having lost the rest. Arsenal will now focus on the domestic league while Spurs struggle to attain fourth place. Tim Sherwood was a hero not so long ago. It may be tough for Tottenham to win this when Bayern could not but then Bayern did not need to win it to qualify. So unless Spurs put on a surprise performance, they may get a point at best. The Gunner to win. 1-2.

Watch: Bayern Munich v Arsenal

v Bayern
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=686553474720580&set=vb.266828596693072&type=2&theater
That incredible solo run by young Alex Oxlade Chamberlain before he was hacked down.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=686646708044590&set=vb.266828596693072&type=2&theater

Enjoy what will hopefully be some cracking matches!