EPL 2014/15 - Game Week 19

This is rush hour. The most frantic soccer league in the world continues with their saga into Christmas. It is a commando league. 

They will play on Boxing Day, rest on Saturday, play again on Sunday and on New Year's Day!

Tottenham v Man Utd - Both sides are getting good results. Somehow Utd do not like to play Tottenham or Tottenham always raise their game against the Red Devils. Utd only won once in 5 meetings and that was 2012 at White Hart Lane. The others were 2 draws and 2 wins for Spurs. Their 2 wins were even at Old Trafford. This should unnerve Utd a bit. If they both play an open game which is not unexpected the goals could flow. Draw. 2-2.

Southampton v Chelsea - The Saints were doing fantastically well and then they lost 4 in a row but roared back finally with an emphatic win over Everton. Chelsea fought the good fight against Stoke. Now they visit St. Mary's followed by a London Derby away to Tottenham before hosting Newcastle. This is the time that even the best teams could fumble. Southampton had beaten Chelsea only once if we look at their last 5 meetings. It is a potential banana skin if the Saints play their game right but Chelsea are flying. Interesting to see how the visitors defence cope with Pelle and vice versa how the home defence cope with Hazard and Diego Costa. 1-2.

Villa v Sunderland - Aston Villa had a good outing against Man Utd. where only a late equaliser by Falcao save Utd. Sunderland hit a late great only goal by Adam Johnson to win at Newcastle. This will be a tough match for both but Sunderland have not won this tie since at least 2012. They are both not scoring enough so expect a low score game. Draw. 1-1. 

Hull v Leicester - The Tigers scored only once in their last 5 matches and that is trouble. The Foxes scored 4 in 5 matches but will be encouraged by their better records against their opponents. Ironically, Hull are just 3 points above Leicester and both have to fight real hard for their own survival. Draw. 1-1.

Man City v Burnley - This is a no brainer in terms of quality and form, it can be a mismatch or so you think. To make things worse, City are at home. However, City cannot afford to be complacent after all Burnley did beat Southampton and pushed Tottenham all the way but City have kept 4 clean sheets with their defence solid and Joe Hart in top form. 2-0.

QPR v Palace - QPR are doing much better and play very well at home. QPR have scored 9 goals in their last 5 matches while Palace only had 2 goals in the same number of games. 8 of those 9 goals by QPR were at home. Besides, Palace had never won against QPR way back to 2009. Home win. Expect red hot Roy of the Rovers Charlie Austin to notch his share. 2-0.

Stoke v WBA - Two points separate them. They are scrambling in mid-table. They may be safe at the end of the season if they continue their similar trend. 3 losses, a draw and a win in their last 5 matches but a win will lift them up several places. Draw. 1-1.

West Ham v Arsenal - An intriguing London Derby because West Ham are piling up the points and are 2 places and 4 points above the Gunners so it is a tricky tie for the visitors. Only history strongly favours Arsenal as they won all 5 matches when they met since 2011 with the smallest score being 3-1. Frankly, Arsenal cannot afford to drop more points. Sakho, Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing could trouble the visitors. With so many players injured, I thought Wenger finally know how to play a different game at Liverpool conceding possession to them up to 63%. Alain Giroud is roaring again. The Hammers could get something here but we have to learn from history unless you rewrite it. 1-2.

Newcastle v Everton - The Magpies have lost 3 in a row now. Roberto Martinez was doing such a great job with Everton last season but now finding it hard to win games. Both are down - Newcastle's loss at home to Sunderland was a terrible blow to the Toon Army. Everton's 0-3 loss at Southampton was bizarre. They have to find their way back up. Newcastle have home advantage but they have never owned Everton in the past. Meantime, a draw. 1-1. 

Liverpool v Swansea - The most encouraging thing about Liverpool was their performance against Arsenal. They played with pace, urgency and swagger and their confidence must have returned. They are at home and have a superior head to head record against Swansea. Swansea have never won against Liverpool the last 5 times. Liverpool had better start winning as almost half the season is gone. 2-1.