EPL Gameweek 36

It is destiny. The football gods wanted it perhaps. Everybody is helping Liverpool. Even when Liverpool was not playing. Manchester City so dominant even against the big teams and so unbeatable at home almost lost but was saved at the last minute from the jaws of defeat when they equalised against Sunderland and the Black Cats went to Chelsea where Mourinho has never lost at Stamford Bridge as a manager and won. Liverpool's Italian loanee scored from the penalty spot. Precious points lost by City and Chelsea meant advantaged Liverpool.

Earlier, everyone was saying Liverpool must win every match. They still should but it looked less daunting now after that nervy 3-2 win at Carrow Road over the Canaries. Norwich put on a tremendous fight and if only they had played like this all season. They have a tough run in to stay alive as after this match, they travel to Old Trafford followed by Stamford Bridge and then host Arsenal. They are 17th with 32 points then we have Cardiff and Fulham with 30 points and finally Sunderland with 29 points but a game in hand. Others above them  like WBA and Villa may not be entirely safe yet.

Liverpool host Chelsea then visit Palace with a grand finale at Anfield to meet Newcastle. Chelsea go to Madrid to meet Atletico before visiting Anfield and then return to host Atletico at Stamford Bridge. Then they host Norwich and visit Cardiff. Theya have a major distraction in Europe. City will be away to Palace then Everton, host Villa and visit Upton Park. Arsenal host Newcastle and WBA and finally visit Carrow Road. Everton visit Southampton, host City and visit Hull.

You don't want to close your eyes and miss a thing now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vo_0UXRY_rY 

Southampton v Everton - The Saints are great advertising for the brand of soccer they are dishing out but their result form have been patchy. They have never beaten Everton the last three times they have met. In their current position there are no incentives for them as compared to Everton who will be at their hungriest as they are just a point behind the Gunners for a lucrative spot in Europe. At the St. Mary's, they can hold the visitor to a draw but I am taking Everton to win by a close margin. 1-2.

Fulham v Hull - The Cottagers have beaten Hull only once in five meetings. After this they visit Stoke and host Palace. They are last but one in the current standings. Stoke is a difficult place to go to and Palace are in superb form. Even though they came up with two wins in their last three matches it may be just too little too late. Hull are no easy meat. Arsenal won 3-0 because they finally played at their top. A draw here. 1-1.

Stoke v Tottenham - Against other opponents in their last five matches both have identical three wins, a draw and a defeat. Their historical record of their previous five meet up are about level. Tottenham may though it is a big "may" to qualify for Champions League but besides having to win they have to depend on others to drop points so this is a must win and then hope. Stoke at home at the Britannia is like meeting some burly guys in a back street. A tough one for the visitors. 1-1.

Swansea v Villa - They are all even from their five old meet up with scores of 0-0, 1-1, 2-2 and 2-0 but the Swans have the better form and they have just won at St. James Park. Villa have just held the Saints 0-0 at home and lost all four previous matches. 2-1.

WBA v West Ham - Their meetings usually end in draws with 4-6 goals amazingly. After two wins the Hammers lost thrice so WBA besides having a home game are in better form. I pick a draw. 2-2.

Man Utd v Norwich - Poor David Moyes. It is not my business to defend him but I thought he was a good manager at Everton. Now he has broken every new record for Manchester United and I could no longer defend him but like everywhere else, he has been made the scapegoat. They could have put you and I there and we might have gotten a few more points, get sacked and then live happily ever after. 6 years worth of contract and gone in 10 months. Life is fickle. The knives are out everywhere. The consolation here is Norwich have only beaten them once in five outings and that was in 2012 but then this presents a chance as everyone is these days having a go at the Red (faced) Devils but alas the Canaries themselves still lost against Liverpool despite playing with such guts. Four defeats in their last five makes it more difficult. Utd have nothing to play for except their pride and may just pip them.  2-1.

https://sg.sports.yahoo.com/video/singapore-musicians-sing-song-sacked-074058779.html

Sunderland v Cardiff - It is a must win for both teams as only one point separated them at the bottom but Sunderland a point behind have a game in hand. Incidentally in their last two matches both did well especially the Black Cats. Cardiff have beaten Southampton away and held Stoke at home. Sunderland were even better breaking two records by having held City to a draw and then having Chelsea beaten at Stamford Bridge. When they last met at Cardiff in December it ended 2-2. I take Sunderland to repeat their performance of the last matches by recording a win. 2-1.

Liverpool v Chelsea - This could be the title decider. Liverpool were greatly helped by City and Chelsea dropping points. In fact, they could draw Chelsea, win their next two matches and still be champions but they had better win this match to be sure. Do not believe Mourinho that he wanted just Champions League and giving up the EPL title. He was merely playing to everyone including his own boss to protect himself and to hoodwink others. When they previously met five times, Chelsea  won 2 times, Liverpool once and drew twice. Chelsea won't be so easily prised open like others as Atletico Madrid found out on Tuesday's 0-0 draw in Spain but Chelsea has Eden Hazard, John Terry and Petr Cech injured now and they have to also think about next week's return leg in London so Mourinho may keep some key players safe. Anfield will be roaring this weekend. The match will be tension-filled. Liverpool must stay calm to win as they have three cup finals to play to clinch the title. It will be a crying shame if they were to slip now. Raheem Sterling is red hot and will cause problem to any defence. If Sturridge recovers and play and scores he brings even more pain to Mourinho who had him all the time but never gave him a sniff of a chance. May be sometimes in life, we really have to leave to seek greener pastures or at least someone who believe and treasure you like Brendan Rodgers. Suarez deserve at least another goal to equal Alan Shearer's and Cristiano Ronaldo's record or two goals to set a new one. Gerrard will be saying to his boys..."Sunday, Chelsea, we go together, we go again. C'mon!" A Liverpool victory. Why not? They deserve it playing such awesome and adventurous soccer. 2-1.

Will Liverpool be celebrating like this?


(Norwich v Liverpool) 
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=706824502693477&set=vb.266828596693072&type=2&theater

(Chelsea v Sunderland)
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=706473112728616&set=vb.266828596693072&type=2&theater

Palace v Man City - Palace were once dying and Tony Pulis worked his magic. They have won five in a row including having beaten Chelsea and then Everton away. They will give City a run for the money. At 11th position they have nothing to lose nor gain so they could play freely and enjoy. City only beat them 1-0 at home in December and now are without their two best players in David Silva and Yaya Toure. Without these two, City becomes less effective. City could still win this one as they are a strong side but do not be surprise if Crystal Palace produce a giant killing act. Any more points drop by City will only push Liverpool nearer the title. 2-2.

Arsenal v Newcastle - Arsenal showed their real ability and strutted their stuffs when they trounced Hull 3-0 away. Hull is a good team under Steve Bruce. You saw that the real Arsenal movement is back. Last four times they met, Newcastle have lost all. The Magpies have lost their way and lost all 5 matches before visiting the Emirates. No chance for the visitors. A win for the Gunners. 2-0.