EPL 2014/15 - Game Week 17

Ah, Thierry Henry, as a youngster plodding along as a winger at Juventus until Monsieur Wenger brought him to Arsenal and turned him into a truly wonderful striker extraordinaire. In Arsenal colours, he was so outstanding no one at the time could touch him. At his peak, he has no peers. His goals are special. When he played, Arsenal were always good. He made everything looked so simple. Sheer class!

He was unstoppable when he dribbled, he created with his passes, corner and free kicks and he scored abundantly from any angle or distance from open play, free kicks or penalties. There is a sense of expectancy whenever he got the ball. Great footballers are rare. He is one of those. Say no more. See for yourselves. Hail Thierry Henry!

Watch his goals:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wqkykj1tTpE 

Respect:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ejI30Yx6UA

The King!:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxVjd7lcUp0

Man City v Palace - City have been irresistible and invincible of late while Palace have been scrapping for single points. All this while whenever they have met from back in 2004, Palace have never won nor draw against City. While it will be a monumental task for the visitors, Leicester City showed that they could make things tough where City needed old man Lampard to change the game. Unlikely to have any surprises. 2-0.

Villa v Man Utd - Villa ended their unbeaten streak at the Hawthorns and have to host the Red Devils, no wait, the lucky devils who are on a magical run not because their play was magical but no matter how bad they play they win all six times in a row, now that is magical. With De Gea in such fine form and single-handedly denied Liverpool, Villa face a daunting task for they have won just once in 37 meetings in this tie which included 7 consecutive losses in a row. To make things worse, Wayne Rooney is scoring again and he has scored more goals against Villa than any other team. 1-2.

 

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=837884326254160&set=vb.266828596693072&type=2&theater

Hull v Swansea - Hull are in trouble at the bottom and Swansea are in relative decline. The only bright spark is Wilfreid Bony. If you had watched him in the last match, he was a goal scorer waiting to happen. He was simply very good. I would think that Swansea may lose him soon. Somehow the Tigers have a reasonable record against the Swans and Hull have always scored a goal. Draw. 1-1.

QPR v WBA - QPR's last 5 matches record were LWLWL. So they should win now that they are at Loftus Road? WBA have also improved somewhat with LLLDW. The host plays much better at home so they should nick this. 2-1. 

Southampton v Everton - The Saints, so unbelievably good have now gone on four losses in four games. That really hurts especially the loss to lowly Burnley. Evertonians themselves have been patchy at best this season but their season may have been revived by a great Ross Barkely strike. Their matches were close but at the same tie last season, Southampton won 2-0 here. Lack of confidence will stare at them hard. Who will blink first? Draw. 1-1.

Tottenham v Burnley - Nobody picked Tottenham to win at Swansea even among the experts except me. Heck, I have even predicted a perfect score of 1-2. Burnley's form and results were even slightly better than Spurs as they recorded 2 wins, 2 draws and just a loss and now find themselves out of the relegation zone. The very last time these two teams met in 2010, Burnley won 4-2 at Turf Moor. Tottenham have always been surprising themselves but I think they could just get the full points here. 2-1.

West Ham v Leicester - The Hammers are 4th. Leicester are in trouble waters having lost their last four matches. In their last 5 meetings, they have never won against West Ham. Add the fact that West Ham are playing with such confidence, it would be hard to fathom anything than a Hammers win. Andy Carroll looked hot in the last match with a brace. Expect him to cause trouble. 2-1.

Newcastle v Sunderland - This is a derby. The Magpies were doing very well especially that now famous 2-1 win over Chelsea but they just got thrashed 4-1 by the Gunners. Though Sunderland have been just collecting point by point each match, they have been Newcastle's bogey team. You will be surprised to know that the last five times they have met, the Magpies have never won. Their last two home games resulted in identical 0-3 losses with Sunderland winning both ties last year so the Black Cats must fancy their chances. Will Sunderland pull a rabbit from the hat? It smells of a draw for me. 1-1. 

Liverpool v Arsenal - Liverpool could have scored several last week but for the heorics of De Gea but it also showed how they were lacking confidence this season where previously they would have plundered all opponents for fun. It could have been a turning point for their season but alas it was not to be. More misery may come as they now host the Gunners who had just whipped a resurgent Newcastle 4-1 and may be on course to go further in Europe this term by drawing Monaco. Liverpool could still play a good game don't get me wrong but with the defence they have and a complete lack of bite up front, it is hard to fathom them overcoming Arsenal even oh home soil. Except for last season's 5-1 spanking they gave Arsenal, Liverpool's record against are not great. The Reds will need to buy but January won't come soon enough. 1-2.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=837884326254160&set=vb.266828596693072&type=2&theater

Stoke v Chelsea -  In 12 meetings, Stoke only won once against Chelsea and in the last six meetings, Stoke failed to score 5 times plus they will never get to score like they did against Arsenal when they play Chelsea. It shall be a giant surprise if Stoke get a result here. Even a draw is bad for the visitors with Man City breathing down their neck. Probably another clinical display by Chelsea. 0-2.