EPL 2014/15 - Game Week 18

The EPL before, during and after Christmas is as frantic as our festive celebration. Too much food, too much to drink and hectic. This is the time to make or break a team. So many games packed into a couple of weeks is like drinking all kinds of beer. Then suddenly the whisky came and tequila came late.

Chelsea v West Ham - Chelsea rules the roost till now. If they win all their remaining matches they are champions. Chelski have won four straight games but the Hammers are no slouch with their record 5 matches of WWWDW. West Ham have never won at Stamford Bridge. In fact, they have never scored there in their last three matches there. West Ham are in form but to overcome their host, they need a bit of luck and 200% commitment. I think West Ham should score as Chelsea concedes a goal every other game and Stewart Downing could make a cross for Andy Carroll but Chelsea will win it though a draw is possible. 2-1.

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Burnley v Liverpool - Burnley's fortunes has improved a bit and are host at Turf Moor but Liverpool palyed their best game yet this season in their 2-2 draw with Arsenal. It was their best first half performance and their best second half I have seen this season. There was one touch and quick passing and they played with pace and urgency. Even Skrtel returned to his best of scoring an own goal and also at the other end. He is to Liverpool what Lim Tong Hai was to Singapore. Raheem Sterling was rampant, Jordan Henderson played bravely, Coutinho scored a beauty, even Steven Gerrard could do back heels. They actually dominated Arsenal which at one stage was having 63% possession. Liverpool need to nick this one to fulfil their ambition. 1-2.

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Palace v Southampton - Palace haven't won in 5 matches, Southampton have lost 4 and now recovery is on the way as they plummet Everton 3-0. History is against Palace. Palace did not score so this time it will. The Saints should have an away  win this time. 1-2.
Everton v Stoke - Every time they played at Stoke they got a 1-1 draw. At Goodison part, Everton always win. Both sides are patchy now but for their home ground, I feel Everton could ace this one for sure. 2-1.
Leicester v Tottenham - The Foxes are in bad shape after a brilliant start. They could not get back after losing all their last five while Tottenham regained their victories and have strung three wins in a roll but they face a Leicester that have a good record against them. I pick Spurs to win this one. 0-2.
Man Utd v Newcastle - The Red Devils remain unbeaten at least in the last five matches. After that famous Chelsea win, Newcastle lost the next three matches, it will be daunting for the visitor. A narrow win for the home team. 2-1.
Sunderland v Hull - The Black Cats gave the Magpies a black eye with a brilliant built up goal by Adam Johnson. Sunderland haven't done too badly with only a single loss in five matches. This is the time in the season where yo make or break and Hull need that quite badly. Sunderland have defied Liverpool, West Ham and Newcastle so unless the Tigers put on a superlative shift, it will be 3 points to the home team. 1-0. 
Swansea v Villa - The Swans have fallen but returned with a slim away win at Hull while Villa battered Man Utd for a raw even with ten men with Christian Benteke scoring a brilliant goal. Why didn't Arsenal or Liverpool sign him? Villa will not relish playing Swansea as they have only won once in six meetings. Swansea have to sweat on the fitness on Gylfi Sigurdsson. 2-1.
WBA v Man City - The last 5 matches comparison - WBA @ LLDWL while Man City @ WWWWW. The statistics are starkly in favour of the visitors who have won 8 and lost none in all previous meetings. But Aguero, Dzeko and Jovetic are all nursing injuries and they are without strikers. However, last week Silva and Tuore stepped up with the goals. The Baggies can make it a tough trip for City just like Leicester did but City shall prevail over 90 minutes. Man City have kept four clean sheets in their last 4 matches. 0-2.

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Arsenal v QPR - In this London derby it is boom or bust. A draw at Anfield was not good for both teams. The Gunners could not afford to lose more ground with each passing week. QPR have Charlie Austin in great form and he will be a threat but QPR are two different team at home and away - winning at home and losing away. This is away so expect Arsenal to win. 3-1.

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