EPL Game Week 31

Even if you are a neutral, you'll be singing to You'll Never Walk Alone! The last time I saw a team played such breathtaking soccer was Kevin Keegan's Newcastle. This season is going to be a tight race to the end and Liverpool is certainly one of the contenders. Their fans are screaming bring on Chelsea, bring on Manchester City because they have yet to visit Anfield and these two matches will be huge and significant as the Reds can take points off them directly so their fate is in their own hands. 

But beware those teams fighting for survival starting with Cardiff and Sunderland. They could yet be the king makers. Arsenal displayed their resilience. City showed their mettle but Chelsea playing well and so strong succumbed at Villa Park. Manchester United's fortress was of little protection as Liverpool outplayed the Red Devils. Liverpool have now thumped Tottenham 5-0 at White Hart Lane and at Anfield, thrashed Everton 4-0, Arsenal 5-1 and at Old Trafford trounced United 3-0. 

There is something so refreshing about the way Liverpool have been playing. High quality at such searing pace. The way they move the ball around and the continuous movement of players. The best part is there is not pressure for them to win the title. The victory over their arch enemy was emphatic. Gerrard was commanding (in 2009, Zidane thought that Gerrard might be the best player in the world), Henderson once ordinary was relentless and pressing, Suarez and Sturridge created havoc. 

In his autobiography Sir Alex said Liverpool needed another 8 more players before they could win the title. People blame David Moyes but who has chosen him? Former great Maradona was at Old Trafford and he must have been impressed. Nine more matches to greatness?

You'll Never Walk Alone:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xx0Ru_1zPVk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9sFd3Ennhs

Chelsea v Arsenal - Chelsea are like an octopus to Arsenal's purists culture. In their last 5 meetings, Arsenal only held them 0-0 twice at home, lost twice in the 2012/23 season home and away and also lost again in the Capital Cup. Chelsea continues to be their nemesis despite Didier Drogba's absence. Chelsea has just slumped to a 1-0 away defeat by Villa. Was a slump or will they come back with a vengeance? Meanwhile Arsene Wenger's Gunners were resilient against Spurs at white Hart Lane. A win for Arsenal will bring them to just a point behind leaders Chelsea with a game in hand. So did Jose Mourinho for all his great gamesmanship of playing psychology played his own boys into thinking they are really fake leaders? Chelsea have a tough mid-week match against Galatasary while Arsenal have the advantage of resting but Stamford Bridge is not falling down, falling down. 1-1.

Watch Arsenal goal v Tottenham: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XK9WjokPA4

Villa goal v Chelsea (wonder goal scored by ex England U-21 Fabian Delph):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9mYpLdEUzY

Cardiff v Liverpool - Playing football is simple but playing simple football is the hardest. Simple football was the philosophy of Bill Shankly followed by Bob Paisley and Brendan Rodgers is in the footsteps of giants. Last they met at Cardiff it was 2-2 but in December Liverpool won the Anfield fixture 3-1. The Reds seem to have no problem beating the big boys but it is teams like Cardiff who are fighting for their survival that they must watch closely. Cardiff's only victory recently was over a Fulham side below them losing the rest. If Chelsea lose to Arsenal and Liverpool win then they are just a point behind with a game in hand. Pool must play a good game to ensure victory. Cardiff may run at them harder than Man Utd but Liverpool shall be too good for them. 0-2.

Watch Liverpool V Man Utd: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=688807741161820&set=vb.266828596693072&type=2&theater

Everton v Swansea - Everton have beaten Swansea 4 times and drew once in their last 5 meetings. Their recent form suggested the Swans have forgotten how to win. It is unlikely for Everton to surrender in their own fortress at Goodison Park even if they are not at their best so a home win is on the card. 2-1.

Hull v WBA - Hull in 14th position are only 2 points above WBA in 16th. The Tigers worked their socks off against Man City but a good goal by David Silva and another towards the end by Dzeko put paid to the challenge. They drew 1-1 when they last met in December at the Hawthorns. Both teams can surprise but Hull have better form and home advantage unless WBA's win at Swansea was no fluke. Hull's last 5 matches produced 10 goals. WBA only 5. Home win. 2-1.

Man City v Fulham - City have no more distraction but after chasing 4 trophies they may well end up with only one which they have won in the CCup. They have also since stopped scoring goals in half dozens. They are facing a desperate Fulham who have just beaten Newcastle last week. It was their first win since quite some time. History favours City who won 4 and drew 1 in previous encounters. City win. 3-1.

Newcastle v Palace - The Magpies will be alright this season though not as brilliant as last. Palace sit just above the drop zone and are not out of the woods. Both teams scored only 5 and 4 goals respectively against their last 5 opponents. They will both labour to score. Draw. 1-1.

Norwich v Sunderland - The Canaries are poor away from home but at home they can be quite good. Sunderland are the same. Historical records showed Norwich have won 2-1 but in the last two meets in 2013 they drew twice. For the last 5 matches Norwich scored 5 times while Sunderland scored 3 times. 1-1.

West Ham v Man Utd - Based on current form West Ham are better than the Red Devils or red-faced devils. In their past 5 encounters there were two 2-2 draws and two 1-0 wins for Utd and in the last meeting it was 3-1 in favour of Utd at Old Trafford. Take note that all Utd victories were at Old Trafford while the draws were at Upton Park. Their form have been reversed now. Utd are in a very tricky situation where they have been very low in confidence. Andy Carroll is playing for his England World Cup place and may be inspired to score. Draw. 2-2.

Tottenham v Southampton - Both are in completely reverse situation. Tottenham was in a sequence of WWLLL while the Saints are LLLWW. Tottenham have hardwork in mid-week to try and reverse their 1-3 home defeat by Benfica. Only history is on  Tottenham's side where they won in all three previous meetings but the Saints are are quite a different team now. Draw. 2-2.

Villa v Stoke - Both are in fine form now. Villa shocked Chelsea with ex England U-21 Fabian Delph superb goal. Stoke came back from behind to beat West Ham 3-1. Draw. 2-2.

Arsenal v Swansea - The Gunners are still in the fray. A real pity they have Ramsey, Walcott and some others out. Out of Europe, Wenger must decide if he should focus on the EPL or the F.A. Cup or both. Swansea are not out of the woods in 14th position on 29 points, just 5 points clear from bottom side Fulham and are no longer the same team they were last season. Arsenal should win this comfortably. 2-0. 

Man Utd v Man City - Everyone continues to blame Moyes. He merely applied for the job or he was head hunted. Who picked him? Whoever picked him was equally culpable. The Red Devils were left astounded by Liverpool and being 0-2 down to Olympiakos came back from the dead with a RVP hattrick to win 3-0 at Old Trafford and qualified for the Q-finals. That was great character. Man City are watching as Utd could play king maker in this Manchester derby. If Utd win, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool will hug them and kiss. City no longer score goals for fun and things can't get worse for Utd. Above all, this is a Manchester derby and RVP is back. 1-1.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=690504990992095&set=vb.266828596693072&type=2&theater
(Man U v Olympiakos)

Newcastle v Everton - The Magpies have been too inconsistent but they should be safe. It seemed they never really recovered since Yohan Cabeye's departure. Everton's results have been mixed too. Probably a draw here. 1-1.

West Ham v Hull - At this moment both teams are about equal. The Hammers winning streak ended followed by  2 losses. However, at Upton Park West Ham can claim full points if they play up to scratch. 2-1.

Liverpool v Sunderland - Another match the Reds have to watch out for going into the final stretch as Sunderland is fighting for survival. At the moment, the way Liverpool are playing, it is hard to imagine that they can lose a match too easily. The "This Is Anfield" sign is beginning to create fear into opponents again. In the past, Liverpool would possibly struggle and stumble in this type of match. When you are enjoying yourselves, positive and confident, you can perform wonders. It is all about belief. 3-1.

It will be getting even ore exciting in the next few weeks. Enjoy!