EPL 2014/15 - Game Week 2

If you like me have watched most of the opening day matches, you will probably have an idea how the season may pan out. The top teams got results as expected save for Manchester United. The other teams including the smaller ones did exceptionally well even some did not get their desired result. They played with fervour and purpose. However, the season has just begun and may struggle later on. The transfer window is still open so there are still businesses to be done. How will this weekend matches unfold?

Villa v Newcastle - Very few teams can go to the Britannia and get a result against Stoke. Given their dismal form last season and turmoil of the club being sold, Villa, a once great European Champion achieved the unexpected and this will inspire them somewhat with a good start. The Magpies whose second half last season was nothing but a downward free fall actually played well when they hosted Man City. If they could play like that often they should have a reasonably good season but Newcastle have not been scoring enough so they have to start now. 1-1.

Chelsea v Leicester - Chelsea showed their title credentials early with an emphatic 3-1 away win at Turf Moor with Diego Costa scoring his debut goal in the EPL. Schurrle as expected did his part and in my book he is a very good player and will play an important role for his team in this campaign. Ivanovic once again showed his quality and he should be confident that he should not get bitten again this season. Cesc Fabregas return to the EPL and his performance showed he has lost none of his class. Maybe Arsene Wenger did not need an other midfielder in his mould. Fabregas could prove a most important buy for Mourinho. Leceister City played a very good Everton side and was not cowered taking the game to the visitors.Chelsea should not expect a walk in the park at Stamford Bridge but should still walk away with a comfortable win. 2-0.

Palace v West Ham - The sudden departure of Tony Pulis after such a fine season last year could have hurt most teams but not Crystal Palace. They gave Arsenal as good as they got but Ramsey's late winner killed all their hopes. The Hammers held out well at Upton Park in their London derby with Tottenham last week but they missed a penalty by Mark Noble and conceded in injury time and ended up losers. Big Sam Allardyce have already been facing pressure since last term as West Ham fans did not like what they saw of their team and the way they played. Another loss will pile on the pressure. The visitor need a result, at least to avoid defeat. 1-1.

Southampton v WBA - The Saints were such a pleasant and welcome surprise last season and after selling so many of their best players, you would expect them to be rudderless but new Dutch manager Ronald Koeman can be optimistic. Southampton played with style and confidence and even dominated for periods in the second half against Liverpool and could have drawn or even won the match. I think on one expect them to be able to regroup and play like a team so quickly. The Baggies almost ended up in a lower division last term but they nearly started with a win over Sunderland. This match would probably be close but the home team could just ace it. 2-1.

Swansea v Burnley - The Swans must have been the happiest team on opening day causing the most unhappiness at the Theatre of Dreams. They shocked Manchester United at Old Trafford debunking all talks about the imminent great revival of the Red Devils and asked even more questions for the Man Utd board and their manager Loui van Gaal. Swansea played with confidence and aggression, much more aggressive than before. Burnley have their first taste of EPL when they got dumped 1-3 by Chelsea at home. They may think Swansea are not as strong as Chelsea but the home ground will help the Swans achieve another win. 2-1.

Everton v Arsenal - Everton remained very much the same side and it is good and with Martinez at the helm, you can expect them to develop. Ross Barkely's injury is a setback but still they are mostly a difficult team to beat especially at Goodison Park. The Gunners showed their strength in set pieces when they beat Palace. Arsenal continue to play with style but I think they need a solid holding midfielder to break up the opponents' play and distribute the ball. They may also need to chase a top striker. These may be the difference between being champions and just among the top four. Everton can frustrate and even surprise Arsenal. To win Arsenal have to play above themselves here. It is a match to display their title credentials which they failed last time around. 2-2.

Hull v Stoke - Steve Bruce's Tigers did very well winning at Loftus Road being an away game since QPR actually looked better than before their promotion. Stoke was in a strong position but lost at home. Can Hull register another win on the trot? I think they will both cancel each other out. 1-1.

Tottenham v QPR - The Cockerels escaped by the skin of their teeth winning away at Upton Park at the last minute. QPR suffered the opposite fate. QPR will not make it easy as this is another London derby. The visitors should not wait too long to pick up points or else they may go through another season of struggle but Spurs should be stronger then them especially at home. 2-1.

Sunderland v Man Utd - Sunderland were one of the best teams in terms of results towards the end of last season. It was miraculous that they survived and they could have won their opener. Normally it would be straight forward to predict this match but Manchester United proved that they could be beaten even at home once again. They have lost that aura of invincibility. Once everyone knows that they could actually be beaten are beating them. It will not be easy at the Stadium of Lights because doubts would have crept in.

If anything, this Man Utd team looked worse than the dismal team of last season. Without Vidic, Ferdinand and Evra and playing to a new system, they were tentative and without penetration making a mockery of their successful pre-season tour. Even the genius of Louis van Gaal could not save them for now. With no big time players joining the ranks they are going to have a hard time. Even if they could get a few top players they may not by then have the luxury of time. It does look like a long season ahead. 2-2.

Man City v Liverpool - City proved their pedigree once again when they visited St. James Park against a much improved Newcastle. Sergio Aguero if injury free will play a big part in them retaining the title. Liverpool started well but looked threatened in the second half by Southampton but still squeezed out a win. Luis Suarez scored 31 league goals for Liverpool last season which when analysed and translated into points gave 16 points with those 31 goals. However, not many people know that Daniel Sturridge's 21 goals secured 20 points for Liverpool, more than any other player in the league. He put in the all important winner over Southampton for another 3 points in the bag. So he is the key that unlock doors for the Reds. This one should be close where both could win but City is at home and have a deeper team. A good result here is a title aspiration. A draw would be a good result for Liverpool. 2-2.

This aside, is Mario Balotelli a good acquisition for Liverpool? Depends on how you look at it. Balotelli is talented and can be superlative but he is no Suarez. He can be a bit lazy even if he could be spectacular. That is why few teams took any risks of signing him but for 16 million pounds it seems reasonable. Perhaps Brendan Rodgers feel that if he could manage Suarez then Balotelli is an angel.