EPL 2014/15 - Game Week 6

What an EPL weekend it was! The smaller teams are having an uprising of sorts and this season they will have a big say who could win the title. I know people who actually wagered on Southampton and now they are second against all odds! The EPL is indeed not just the most competitive league in the world but the best and most exciting! Last week Real Madrid strolled past Deprotivo La Coruna 8-2 away and Barcelona waltzed past Levante 5-0 also away.

In that same week, Aston Villa had Liverpool beaten 1-0 at Anfield. Southampton followed up on their 4-0 home win over Newcastle with another win, 1-0 away to Swansea. West Ham turned the tables on Liverpool and inflicted them 3-1. Crystal Palace went to Goodison Park and had Everton duly beaten 3-2. WBA travelled to White hart Lane and won 1-0. Leicester was the best with an emphatic 5-3 home win over Manchester United!

Liverpool v Everton - No Suarez, no Sturridge and Liverpool floundered and have already been defeated 3 times in 5 matches. With more than 60% of the ball, West Ham's aggression took its toll on Liverpool who were not effective in their final ball. This match will be equal of sorts as Everton were also defeated 2-3 by Palace. It is now more than a derby as both must win to resuscitate their season. Everton have not won against Liverpool in 2012 and 2013, in fact they held Liverpool at home 3-3 and lost 0-4 away. Everton have just slumped to a 0-3 defeat to Swansea in the CCup while Liverpool battled Middlesborugh 2-2 before winning incredibly on penalty kicks 14-13 for an overall score of 16-15! Both sides have defensive issues and their firing squad not effective. It should be very close. 3-2. 

Chelsea v Villa - The last 3 matches between them were close. Villa lost 1-2 home and away and earlier this year won 1-0 at home. Chelsea are still the team to beat but they have drawn their last 2 matches. Will Diego Costa be rested or fielded? Chelsea ironically allowed old boy Frank Lampard to equalise for Man City last week. That was uncharacteristic. Villa doing so well, tumbled at home 0-3 to Arsenal but still lying third in the table. Things are getting tough out there for Villa as after this game, they will host Man City. A Chelsea win. 2-0. 

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=791786424197284&set=vb.266828596693072&type=2&theater

Palace v Leicester - I watched in disbelief as Crystal Palace came back with a 3-2 win over Everton away from home. Leicester were even better battling to a fantastic 5-3 win over Manchester United and they were trailing twice, 0-2 and 1-3. Ulloa and Vardy suddenly looked like high end big signings. They were aggressive and courageous in their display. Leicester tore Man Utd apart! They are equal in recent historical records with both winning 2 matches each and their last meeting being a 2-2 draw. If both maintain their form it will be a cracking match. Draw. 2-2.  

Hull v Man City  - Hull have improved with 2 draws in their last 2 matches but the Tigers are facing a hurt Man City side that lost 1-0 to Bayern Munich and could only get a draw at home against Chelsea. Last season Hull lost both matches to City 0-2. It will be a City win. 0-2.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=791786424197284&set=vb.266828596693072&type=2&theater

Man Utd v West Ham - Despite a much poorer season, the Red Devils still had the Hammers beaten 3-1 and 2-0 last year but West Ham must fancy their chances now since they were very impressive having beaten Liverpool while they saw Utd humbled by Leicester. Another battling performance from them could get them a result and have the Irons fans loving Sam Allardyce again perhaps. Manchester United were like a sports car in front but a saloon car at the back. Angel Di Maria remain their greatest bright spot when he created one and scored another to cap another incredible performance. United have now scored 9 and conceded 8 goals in 5 matches.  All is not well. You have to remember that Angel Di Maria cost Man Utd 60 million pounds while the entire Leicester City Squad cost under 46 million pounds. The question that remains is will Utd outscore the Hammers? If they score more than they concede, they win this one. 3-2. 

(Leicester v Man Utd)
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=791714344204492&set=vb.266828596693072&type=2&theater

Southampton v QPR - The Saints are on a fairytale. Southampton have won all of their last five matches in all competition. Ronald Koeman must have been the best manager out there. Fonte, Schneiderlin, Tadic and especially Graziano Pelle have been the reasons. They have even beaten Arsenal away in the C Cup. This is a great chance to extend their stay at the top in second place. Although QPR got a draw at home to Stoke, have they improve or are Stoke in decline. Home win. 2-0.

Sunderland v Swansea - Sunderland have not beaten Swansea in the last couple of years. Last season was bad as the Black Cats lost 1-3 at home and crashed -0-4 away. Swansea recovered from their 0-1 home loss to Southampton to win 3-0 over Everton in the Cup. Like Villa, after the exciting start, the days ahead get harder. A draw is possible but I am taking a Swansea win. 1-2. 

                                                                                                       

Arsenal v Tottenham - The Gunners has gone topsy turvy. They have just lost at home to Southampton in the Cup but of course they fielded different players. Tottenham have not been much better. They lost at home to WBA. Their record against Arsenal was poor having won once in five meetings. Last season Arsenal won both matches 1-0. This is a derby with bragging rights for whoever wins. It shall be an open game knowing both managers and their style of play. Tottenham faded after that impressive thumping of QPR. Will they revive their season here? It may be too early. A home win here. 2-1.

WBA v Burnley - WBA may have turned a corner after winning at White Hart Lane followed by a 3-2 win over Hull in the Cup. Burnley's last 3 matches were goalless draws. 3 clean sheets are good but not being able to score spells trouble. With better form and home advantage, the Baggies should fancy a win. 1-0.

Stoke v Newcastle - Both are facing defining season. Early season promise have fizzled out. Stoke were held away by QPR last week while Newcastle were held at home by Hull. Both bounced back in the Cup, Stoek won 2-1 away to Sunderland while Newcastle won 3-2 at Crystal Palace. Have their fortunes changed? In all their last 5 meetings, both teams won at home and lost away. A draw is likely. 1-1.