EPL Game Week 35

It was an epic game at Anfield last Sunday. Commemorating Hillsborough was emotional, the match itself was huge and the fact that it played a big part with both contenders taking points off one another and a step closer to the title. Is it going to be fated for the title to go back to Merseyside? Brendan Rodger's team was in 7th position last year. He has transformed Liverpool FC. No one could stop them from scoring. Suarez and Sturridge did not score this time. Skrtel has been both erratic and heroic. Gerrard was a great leader. Sterling twisted and turned at will confusing all opponents around him and he is only 19. Coutinho was not so well known then. Suarez is from another planet outscoring Ronaldo and Messi and he does not take penalties which Ronaldo and Messi do. Destiny is on Liverpool's side.

The soccer the Reds dished out this season is nothing short of swashbuckling - fearless and exciting. The last time I saw a team like that was Newcastle United under Kevin Keegan but they collapsed towards the end. Liverpool is 4 matches away from a title after 24 years if they win them all then they do not need to wait for other results or hope for others to falter starting with Norwich at Carrow Road, Chelsea at Anfield, Crystal Palace away and finally Newcastle at home. Norwich will put on a fight as they are not safe from relegation yet, Chelsea shall be another epic match as they are in contention but have the distraction of Europe and Atletico Madrid looming 5 days before and 2 days after meeting Liverpool, Palace is relatively safe but in reasonable good form and finally the Magpies who have been in bad shape going to Anfield. Liverpool seem unstoppable. 

Merseyside will have double celebrations if Everton join their neighbour and rival into Europe if they get into 4th place. Their application have been consistent, their performances were mostly stout and effective. If they go there they deserve their place. 

Tottenham v Fulham - Tottenham have been inconsistent. After beating Southampton 3-2 in a match they nearly lost, they were outplayed by Liverpool 0-4, thrashed SUnderland 5-1 and were 0-3 down to WBA  before they fought back to draw 3-3. In their last 5 matches they won 3 (including 2-in-a-row) and lost two to Man City and Everton but they have a poor record against the Cockerels having won only once by 1-0 at White Hart Lane last year out of last 5 meetings. Tottenham need maximum points to try European qualification while the Cottagers needed them for survival. 2-1.

Villa v Southampton - Villa is not entirely safe yet and is in the worst form of their life havin glsot their last 4 matches home and away after the curse of beating Chelsea. The only consolidation going into this match is that although the Saints are still playing so well they have not been ablke to turn it into favourable results having jsut lost to Cardiff at home. They won one apiece when they last met last year bothe teams winning away from home. It is hard to see Villa winning this one and I think Southampton will just nick it. 1-2.

Cardiff v Stoke - Both teams won, Cardiff after a long time and Stoke regained their winning ways over Newcastle after the Chelsea loss. Stoke like Southampton are in mid-table crisis - neither here nor there with not much to fight for while Cardiff are dying not to die and drop dead down below. Cardiff is at home and Stoke who are very strong at home are a little less convincing away. Draw. 1-1.

Newcastle v Swansea - Only the Magpies could match Aston Villa on form having also lost four on the trot. This may be good news for the Swans who are just slightly better. Historical record favours Swansea as in 5 meetings Newcastle won only once and drew once. Even home form at St. James Park may not be enough for Newcastle. Draw. 1-1.

West Ham V Palace - The Hammers are safe in 11th postion with 37 points from 34 matches. Palace are level on points with a macth in hand. West Ham after winning twice have just also lost twice but their defeat were due to playing Liverpool and Arsenal. Palace are in great form winning 3 times consecutively. I would pick a Palace win but the match is at Upton Park so I would say a draw. 1-1. 

Hull v Arsenal - The Tigers are in 13th position on 36 points having played 33 matches. They can't be complacent but they can be tired after that 5-3 victory over Sheffield United in the F.A. Cup semi-final. If you look at the Gunner's record in their last 5 matches you would recognise it - LDDLD, no wins in 5 matches, zilch! But their last 5 meet up, all were Arsenal victories. Arsenal are one point ahead of Everton but have played a game more and if they harbour hope of qualifying for the Champions Leagues they can't afford to drop any more points and must win them all starting from here. This will be a dress rehearsal of the F.A. Cup final. 1-2.

(Arsenal v West Ham)
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Norwich v Liverpool - The Canaries at 34 points in 17th position are not out of the woods and may end up belonging there. They have lost 3-in-a-row to weaker teams home and away without scoring once. Liverpool may miss Jordan Henderson due to his suspension. He has been not just an ever-present, he protects a sometimes shaky Liverpool defence and does most of the work for Gerrard and grew into a very important player. Either Lucas or Joe Allen have to bring their game to that level to continue Liverpool's dominance. Liverpool are even more fired up now after that epic win over City and have since won 10 games on the trot scoring a massive 35 goals. In the last 2 years when they met, Liverpool won 3-0, 5-2, 5-0 and 5-1. Worse, Luis Suarez likes to score hattrick against them. I fear for Norwich. One small step but another giant leap. 0-3. 

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=703255196383741&set=vb.266828596693072&type=2&theater

Philippe Coutinho with Gerrard. They came to ask for my autograph and to thank me for years of walking alone.

Chelsea v Sunderland - Chelsea could yet still steal the thunder from Liverpool and Man City. After two defeats they came back with three wins. Anything that comes from behind is dangerous. The Black Cats are right at the bottom with 25 points but from 32 matches, two games in hand over several rivals who are 2-7 points more. They may still be lucky and find their way back but looking at their current form of five straight defeats, they need more than a miracle. They need a Black Cat voodoo to overcome this one. They defeated Chelsea the last time they met in December but lost the other four. The margin were usually small by a goal - 1-0, 2-1,4-3. Chelsea to win. 2-1.

Everton v  Man Utd - Everton are on 7 straight League wins and in the form of their life with qualification for Europe looming but it will not be an easy ride as they have just lost to Palace at home and now hosting the Red Devils followed by a visit to Southampton then hosting Man City. Everton are now a point behind Arsenal. Their historical record against Man Utd for their last 5 meetings were even and they won 1-0 at Old Trafford in December. Last time they met at Goodison Park Everton won 1-0. Utd have only pride to play for. 2-2.  

(Everton v Palace)
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Man City v WBA - City have been psychologically affected by the defeat by Liverpool. Though there are still some games to go, their home draw with Sunderland may spell disaster now as they still have a game in hand but are six point behind Liverpool and four behind Chelsea. A bird in hand is worth two in the bush. They surely can't repeat the Sunderland result and they just need to play to win on their favourite hunting ground. WBA have lost just once in five matches and they ran Tottenham to the ground nearly winning it but allowed Tottenham to come back. 2-1.

(City v Sunderland)
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It is going to be an exciting finish.