EPL 2014/15 - Game Week 20

Chelsea finally dropped points but Man City at home against lowly Burnley could not close the gap. As you go round wishing evreyone you meet a Happy New Year, the EPL footballers are slogging it out there for your viewing pleasure.

Stoke v Man Utd - Robbie van Persie is the most likely candidate to score against Stoke. Stoke is back with a banana skin because in 12 meetings with the Red Devils they have only won once and lost 11 with RVP scoring 10 times against them in 10 appearances. But Stoke's stock has soared with 2 straight wins while Utd were ordinary at White Hart Lane. This is the famous post Christmas and New Year period where the best teams have been known to falter. It happened to Chelsea and man City in the last match. Stoke could be a banana skin here. 1-1.

(Man Utd  v Newcastle):
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=844884835554109&set=vb.266828596693072&type=2&theater

Villa v Palace - Villa only managed 2 goals in 5 meetings with Crystal Palace. Palace visited Villa Park 4 times and scored only once. Worse, their manager Neil Warnock has departed. Villa have never lost on New Year's day for the last 6 seasons! It should be a low scoring win for the home team. 1-0.

Hull v Everton - The Tigers are toothless and in the relegation battle but fortunately they are facing an Everton side who has suffered 3 straight defeats which is unthinkable just last season. Everton's only consolation rest on the fact they won here 2-0 last season. Their season is already in tatters thus far. In this tiring period they may drop further points but Hull could not even master  a win at home. 1-2.

Liverpool v Leicester - Is the Reds thrashing of Swansea out of the blue an indication of better things to come or just a one off? This ia Anfield and because the Foxes have been in poor shape until that surprised 1-0 win away to Hull. Since 2001, Leicester best result against Liverpool was 0-0 in 2004. Liverpool have been given yet another chance to extend their winning run. They should take it with both hands or rue and regret. With Lallana and Sterling on song, they could do some damage. 2-0.

(Burnley v Liverpool):
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=844904558885470&set=vb.266828596693072&type=2&theater

 (Liverpool v Swansea):
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=847690148606911&set=vb.266828596693072&type=2&theater

Man City v Sunderland - City's record of wins were quite frightening until they got held 2-2 by Burnley after leading 2-0. The odds are heavily stacked against the visiting Black Cats as City won 8 and drew 2 in 10 meetings at home in Manchester. Sunderland are not doing too badly having lost only once in 5 matches. When Sunderland do score, they do score more than one. Not against City's defence so I see a home win. 2-0.

Newcastle v Burnley - Can you believe that they have not met since 1982! Plus the Magpies have not lost any game on New Year's day in the last five times at St. James Park. They have reversed their recent bad run of 4 losses by beating Everton. Now that Alan Pardew's love-hate relationship with the Toon Army is coming to an end possibly rejoining Crystal Palace and with Burnley buoyed by their 2-2 draw at Man City but that could be due to the snow that prevented City from playing their game. Home win. 2-1.

 (Newcastle v Everton):
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=846396965402896&set=vb.266828596693072&type=2&theater


QPR v Swansea - QPR play well only at home making Loftus Road a fortress but they could not win their last match at home against managerless Palace. The Swans tend to get good results when they met QPR. But Swansea were hit badly by Liverpool in their last match. Home win. 2-1.

Southampton v Arsenal - The Saints have not beaten the Gunners in 10 games but they have just recovered their form with 2 wins and a draw and getting a point from leaders Chelsea must be inspirational. Arsenal themselves are marching up nicely with a draw 4 wins. Their last 2 matches at the St. Mary's ended in draws (1-1 and 2-2). If Southampton play like they did against Chelsea they may get a draw but this match is likely to be more open so Arsenal may get a win here, barely. 1-2.

 (Southampton v Chelsea):
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=846285318747394&set=vb.266828596693072&type=2&theater

(Arsenal v QPR):
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=844991675543425&set=vb.266828596693072&type=2&theater

West Ham v WBA - The Hammers have only lost twice to the Baggies in 12 EPL meetings. WBA have just sacked Alan Irvine this week. In this situation, the visiting team could either respond strongly or they are disheartened. West Ham have lost two matches now and will be eager not to spoil their chance and returning to winning ways but their last two matches were against Chelsea and Arsenal. An Upton Park win. 2-0.

 (West Ham v Arsenal):
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=846366118739314&set=vb.266828596693072&type=2&theater


Tottenham v Chelsea - Both have identical records in their last 5 matches in their London derby - WWWWD. Tottenham have been impressive in grinding narrow 2-1 wins while Chelsea were doing 2-0 wins. In their last match Tottenham were held 0-0 by Man Utd and Chelsea had a 1-1 draw at Southampton. Chelsea escaped the last time because Man City drew their match too. It will be an interesting match but Tottenham needs great discipline to get a result. away win. 1-2.

(Chelsea v West Ham)
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=844772128898713&set=vb.266828596693072&type=2&theater

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