EPL 2014/15 - Game Week 10

What a season this is going to be! Southampton in 2nd, West Ham in 4th and Newcastle suddenly jumping up to 14th. The smaller teams beating the big boys, a league where any team can beat the other. You never really know how things will stack up at the end of the season.

Game Week 10

Newcastle v Liverpool - Newcastle finally showed some teeth and balls to boot away from home when they had Tottenham beaten. This was their second straight win and they now go into a home match even confident after defeating Man City 2-0 away from home in the League Cup with City fielding a strong line up. Liverpool meanwhile looked worse than their previous match when they struggled to a goalless draw with Hull at Anfield. They are at best ordinary. In fact, many more teams are more exciting to watch this season. If the Magpies fly again, Liverpool will be in trouble and I think the Magpies are really finding their wings. Wrong time for Liverpool to visit St. James Park. Only if Sturridge plays and is full fit do they have a better chance. I won't look at the stats but just the form. 2-1.

Arsenal v Burnley - Alexis Sanchez paid back a huge instalment when he poached a brace out of nowhere and gave Arsene Wenger's Arsenal some breathing space. The last time the Gunners played Burnley was a 3-1 home win in 2010. Burnley after firing blanks actually scored in their last 3 matches. It is matches like this that Arsenal must win but they do sometimes trip when meeting more physical teams. Burnley's brawn will not be enough to stop Arsenal as they have already faltered 1-3 to West Ham and then Everton. 3-1.

Chelsea v QPR - Life can be cruel. After playing so well against Liverpool and lost, Harry Redknapp's men finally triumphed over Aston Villa by 2 clear goals to nothing and though in better shape they have to visit table toppers Chelsea. But this London derby tie usually produce few goals with the narrowest margin. In their last 5 meetings, Chelsea won 1-0 twice, won a 6-1, drew 0-0 and when they last met in 2013 Chelsea lost 0-1 at home. This Chelsea side is playing like a well-oiled machine. I am tempted to say that QPR can surprise but it is hard to see that happening. 2-0.

(Man Utd v Chelsea) https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=810810122294914&set=vb.266828596693072&type=2&theater

Everton v Swansea - Everton are deservingly climbing back up the charts. I could not understand their poor start. Roberto Martinez deserved better. Old man Samuel Etoo at 33 some say 36 scored two superb goals to let Chelsea regret letting him go for free. Gary Monk and his Swans deserve no less. Their 6th position is testament of their good work but this tie favours Everton historically with a 3-1-1 record of win/draw/loose. At Goodison Park and with better current form, a win will see Everton leapfrog over Swansea in the table. A home win here. 2-1.

Hull v Southampton - The last time Hull beat Southampton was in 2008. The other past four meetings were all losses home or away. Even though the Tigers held Liverpool at Anfield, the Saints are a more potent force than the Reds are these days. In a long season, only injuries or suspension could trouble this Southampton side. Heck, they are even ahead of champions Man City. They opened with a narrow loss to Liverpool then a home draw with WBA and had since notched 9 wins except a rare 0-1 defeat to Spurs. They now have an infectious winning habit and are irresistible. Away win. 1-2.

Leicester v WBA - Leicester have not won since that epic win over Man Utd., like a curse. Watch out for this young 21 year old English lad Berahino. He has a good potential and a bright future having already scored 7 goals playing in an average side. The Foxes have not scored in their last two matches and though playing at home, they have a poor record against the visitors. 1-2.

Stoke v West Ham - Stoke's season is topsy turvy. The Britannia is a tough place to visit but Southampton had them beaten 3-2 in the League Cup but they do have a good record against the Hammers and last season they won both matches. However, the much hated Sam Allardyce is now much loved. Everything is going roses for him. If you had watched that 2-1 win over Man City you will realise that they are now brimming with confidence. Their aggression troubled City and were even playing with a certain cockiness. They have belief now and they deserve it. I say an away win. 1-2.

Man City v Man Utd - City's season is getting from bad to worse. First, they still could not get a result in Europe. After that 2-1 loss to West Ham, they fielded a strong team at home against Newcastle in the League Cup and lost 0-2. Now, Silva is injured and Yaya Toure has not been as dominant as in last season. This is good news for the red side of Manchester whose team have not won in two matches but they have an interesting attack with Angel Di Maria always a danger and RVP now scoring. Last season, City thrashed Utd 3-0 and 4-1. In their past 5 meets, Utd won only once. I think both sides will cancel each other out in a draw. 2-2.

(Man Utd v Chelsea)
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=810810122294914&set=vb.266828596693072&type=2&theater

Villa v Tottenham - Villa were once a great team and European champions and they have even defied the odds by starting so well this season but all have crumbled. They have lost all their last 5 matches without even scoring a goal. To make things worse, even history frowns on them as in the last five times they met, Villa have not scored a single goal against Tottenham and their best result were 0-2 losses and their worst being 0-4. It will take a brave heart or a nut case to defy the odds. 0-2.

Palace v Sunderland - Only two places and one point separates them. Both have patchy form but Palace have prove to be a little better in their battles and they are at home this time. The last few times they have met with Palace at home, Palace won. Crystal Palace are still scoring and even got one against Chelsea but Sunderland have gone dry in two matches. Palace to win. 2-1.