EPL 2014/15 Game Week 5

The League table tells an interesting story. Chelsea are showing their mettle even as they have conceded goals they have scored more and they are actually looking more exciting. Fabregas and Diego Costa have already paid back some of their instalments. Aston Villa have been amazing considering last season's and the business woes, thanks to Paul Lambert. Swansea are still third after losing for the first time and they actually played well against Chelsea, so Gary Monk is actually a better manager. Southampton played like champions despite having lost so many key players, kudos to Ronald Koeman. Poor Man City, Tottenham, Arsenal, Liverpool and Man Utd are lower down. 

English teams despite some high quality displays are left floundering in Europe and coming back with a couple of days rest may affect their performance. How will this weekend's matches fare? Read on but before that watch the top goals recently:

(Best Goals!):
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=788747197834540&set=vb.266828596693072&type=2&theater

QPR v Stoke - QPR was clueless when they faced a resurgent Man Utd. at Loftus Road. They started off okay even as the visitors dominated. Then they crumbled. In 2011/12, QPR had Stoke beaten but in 2013/14, Stoke have the upper hand but their recent results have been poor. QPR must be as desperate to win and it seems Harry Redknapp has lost some touch or Air Asia is not pumping more money. The team is looking uncomfortably like dad's army. Can they do better at home against a less inspired Stoke? Looks like a draw to me. 1-1.

Villa v Arsenal - Villa defied logic. They were so bad last season it ain't funny. Then there were rumours of their sale. Guzan has been the top goalie. Delph go stellar for club and country. Villa have 10 points after 4 matches. By contrast, Arsenal only have 6. Though Liverpool dominated Villa in their last match, give credit to Villa for their stout and determined display. Arsenal played a high quality game versus Man City but they gave away easy goals. Though they showed their intent from the first whistle and pinned back City and missed several chances, it was City who drew first blood with a counter.When the Gunners went down 2-0 to Dortmund, Immobile who was so mobile did the same thing to score his goal. The Gunners are missing a quality defensive midfielder who could destroy and build up play. While Villa have a good chance to remain unbeaten and their perch, Arsenal must surely look to win again. Last season, Arsenal won 2-1 away and lost 1-3 at home. Can Villa stand their ground again? Arsenal are still guilty of over playing at times with their passes but the good news is we are seeing the real Jack Wilshere but Ozil has been anonymous, has he been played out of position? Arsenal win. 1-2. 

(Arsenal v Man City):
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=787884427920817&set=vb.266828596693072&type=2&theater

Burnley v Sunderland - Burnley scored just one goal in 4 matches and they are not just draw specialists but 0-0 specialists based on their last two matches. Sunderland have also become draw specialists having drawn 3 matches. They last met in 2010 where Sunderland won 2-1 at home and then in 2011 Burnley won 1-0 at home but the past results were long ago and will have no bearing in this match. What do you expect from this match? A draw. 1-1.

Newcastle v Hull - The Magpies are right at the bottom with only 2 points from 4 matches. The thrashing suffered at the hands of Southampton last week could mean that Alan Pardew's time may be up soon if Newcastle do not save their season from this match. Last season, Newcastle lost 2-3 to Hull at St. James Park but won 4-1 at Hull. Save for winning their open match away to QPR, Hull have not won and drawn the other two. Newcastle must go all out to win this one to pull level and save their season. A narrow win for the magpies. 2-1.

 

Swansea v Southampton - Other than Villa, these are the two most interesting teams. Swansea have been solid and they took the game to Chelsea especially in their first half. The Saints tore Newcastle apart thanks to Pelle. Both are playing with freedom and imagination and seems to be enjoying themselves. Swansea have not beaten Southampton in the last two seasons, Southampton won both matches last season. There will be goals, quite a few and as both are equally strong and in form, a draw looks likely. 2-2.

West Ham v Liverpool - The Hammers have been inconsistent. The good news is that they will be playing at Upton park and Liverpool are not the same high scoring team as last year. With Sturridge out and Sterling rested, Liverpool looked ordinary as they dominated Villa last week and yet ended losers at Anfield. The final ball was never there but Balotelli has scored his first goal for his team against Ludogorets and Liverpool have won their first match in Europe after a long absence. Brendan Rodgers will have to come up with something special to get them back on the road to victory. In the previous season, Liverpool won 4-1 at Anfield and 2-1 at Upton park. A Liverpool win is likely but I pick a narrow one. 1-2.

(Hull v West Ham)
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=788961027813157&set=vb.266828596693072&type=2&theater

(Liverpool v Villa):
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=787955237913736&set=vb.266828596693072&type=2&theater

Leicester v Man Utd -  QPR was clueless when they faced a resurgent Man Utd. at Loftus Road. They started off okay even as the visitors dominated. All Man Utd fans were nervous as they could not find a way past the home team. Although Moyes have been criticised, he did not pick himself there and I wonder if he got the same money and same players as LVG, could he not have done better? Alas! Life is never fair. Although Rooney scored, he and RVP did not impressed me. Ironically, Rooney is now captain for both club and country. The single most impressive player was Angel Di Maria. He was everywhere and at the heart of every Utd move. He crossed the ball high and low and with deadly accuracy. His movement allowed him to conjure things to his imagination. He destroyed Bayern Munich in the Champions League last season. Man Utd is purring again and even LVG said the season has just begun. With No European distraction, they are well rested and focus. Falcao should be ready to start to bring more quality and excitement but Leicester went to a difficult place and won against Stoke. The Foxes can score but it won't be many but the firing power for the Red Devils are potent. Away win. 1-3.   

Tottenham v WBA - Tottenham seemed to have been affected by the Liverpool result. Are they now lacking belief? But WBA is there for the taking but Spurs failed to beat WBA over two ties last year with 2 draws, 1-1 and 3-3. I believe Spurs should be even better now and WBA not as good. Lamela, Eriksen and Chadli have been quite a revelation. Home win for Spurs. 2-0.

Everton v Palace - Everton have been good for a long time. Martinez attacking pressing game will put pressure on Palace who themselves have improved but Palace is a bit of a bogey for Everton. Last season Everton drew them 0-0 away and lost 2-3 at home. In a way Palace is Everton's bogey team. However, it will take some extraordinary for Palace to get a result at Goodison Park as Everton have scored a minimum of two goals in every match even against teams like Arsenal and Chelsea. Everton win. 2-0.

Man City v Chelsea - Match of the day. The top two potential champions matching up so early in the season. City are now on 7 points while Chelsea with 100% wins are on 12. I am not sure City's away loss to Bayern Munich or Chelsea's home draw with Schalke was worse. Last season, Chelsea were City's bogey team. They lost 1-2 away and 0-1 at home but in the F.A. Cup City won 2-0. If Chelsea aspire to win the title this is the match to be won. City's last 5 matches were WWLDL, not exactly gold standard while Chelsea have been impressive with  WWWWD and remained unbeaten. Victory for either team will turbo-charge them. Vincent Kompany v Diego Costa, Yaya Toure v Cesc Fabregas, Aguero v Demichilis, Silva v Hazard. There will be goals! Fireworks! 2-2.

(Chelsea v Swansea):
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=787936714582255&set=vb.266828596693072&type=2&theater