EPL 2014/15 Game Week 22

In our younger days, we never had the chance to purchase original soccer jerseys of our favourite soccer teams. Not only because we were poorer, the country was poor so nobody brought in anything. Who to sell to? So we made do by buying some shirts and shorts that resembled our favourite teams at least from a distance. Some boys from the better off families wore colourful jerseys, real jerseys and soccer shorts. 

One day when I was doing my weekend run at a park I saw a father brought his two boys decked in Real Madrid white and Chelsea blue with a ball. Original kits probably but they were kicking the ball between themselves. It gets lonelier. Those days when we found a ball there would be a crowd eager to play.

Promoting soccer here would be a challenge. There are too many distractions for young people today. Then there are those who refused to give up as you can see the pix below. Old men doing futsal on a hot afternoon.

I absolutely love soccer and I have jerseys of my own but since I have retired from playing soccer, I have decided to give my jerseys away recently. Starting with Frank Lampard. The 'D' has came off and it may be mistaken for a bad word in local dialect.

Then there was a Zidane's famous no.5 of Real Madrid.

Newcastle's famous black and white strip. The Magpies were every neutral fans favourite under Kevin Keegan with their swashbuckling, breathtaking attacking play. 

Classic Glasgow Celtic colours since 1888.

And of course Liverpool, the away strip - YNWA! A friend asked me why I bought a jersey? I told him I am wearing it to play soccer. He looked at me again in disbelief and I said "play Xbox soccer''. Can?

 

Those were the days when I used to torment opponents. I trimmed off the edges for this one as the opponents were children.

Now I fantasise through Xbox. The child inside the man is ok which means you are mostly man and once awhile child and the child means you have imagination and wonder.

The man in the child means you are mostly child and seldom man. Now that is trouble.

FIFA 15, a gift from loved ones.

I must say their game play has improved tremendously but I have not tried Winning Eleven 15 yet. 

Meantime, I have been helping Liverpool...

Playing brilliant soccer and scoring goals.

This should be a good stress-buster.

And now back to serious business. Cristiano Ronaldo has won the FIFA Ballon dÓr. This time he deserved it as the planet's best player but he should also be awarded the Fallon d'Floor. Haha. Last week I predicted 4 perfect scores. I have beaten the best forecasters in the newspapers. Hope I could keep up with myself. Now for the weekend's EPL matches:

Villa v Liverpool - Villa managed to haul themselves away from trouble after some good results but they have just lost to struggling but improving Leicester and scored just a goal in five outings. Their visitors are on a 5 match unbeaten run including playing much better then their early season. Liverpool lost only once at Villa Park in 16 visits. Villa must play Benteke who scored four against Liverpool in four appearances. Villa are not scoring while Liverpool are playing better and even eking out 1-0 wins. Away win. If Sturridge plays after a long layoff, there will be more sparks. 0-2.

Burnley v Palace - Burnley are doing very well recently and are out of the relegation zone. Even City, Newcastle and Tottenham could not beat them. Alan Pardew left Newcastle and in his first match in charge of Palace brought the house down with his magic wand inflicting a surprise defeat on in-form Tottenham. Draw. 1-1.

Leicester v Stoke - The Foxes are right at the bottom but they have strung together four matches undefeated (won 3 drew 1). At the other end, Stoke surrendered meekly to Arsenal. This should be a battling game. Home win. 2-1.

QPR v Man Utd. - QPR have the tendency to play better and get better results at Loftus Road and they score more goals too. Man Utd's unbeaten run came to an abrupt end at home to the Saints and now the knives are out for LVG. But they met 5 times and Utd got 5 wins 13 goals to QPR's 1. Will QPR create another shock or will they get a backlash? Will Harry Redknapp pile on more misery on LVG or vice versa? A goal from Charlie Austin may not be enough. 1-2.

Swansea v Chelsea - The Swans are a good side unbeaten since that drubbing by Liverpool. Chelsea are back since the 3-5 drubbing by Spurs. In their last 7 meet up, Chelsea won 5 and lost none. But Swansea have lost their top striker Wilfried Bony sold to Man City for 27 million pounds and may not have enough bite now. Away win as few team can conquer Chelsea. 0-2.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=856356681073591&set=vb.266828596693072&type=2&theater

Tottenham v Sunderland - Tottenham so in form slumped to a 1-2 defeat at Crystal Palace despite having taken the lead through who else but Harry Kane. Sunderland themselves need points as one point separates them from the relegation zone. Tottenham must summon their strength to win this home tie. In their last nine meetings, Tottenham have never lost. Home win. 2-1.

Newcastle v Southampton - The Magpies have lost momentum with two straight losses and not having scored in their last two matches and no manager. Meanwhile their visitors The Saints came back marching in. That 1-0 away win over Man Utd will have boosted their belief. Head to head results favoured the Saints. 0-1.

West Ham v Hull - The Hammers were unbeaten in four matches and are full of confidence, scoring in every game. The Tigers are have suffered two straight losses and have not scored in four matches. The last five times West Ham hosted Hull at Upton Park, they have won all five. It is a no brainer to pick West Ham for a clear win. 2-0.

Man City v Arsenal - This is of course the highlight of the week. City fell off the perch last week while Arsenal stock rose a bit. A draw will not be good for either if Chelsea continue to fly. In 7 matches played between these two at the Etihad, there were 28 goals. Alexis Sanchez will be a key player, currently the most effective player in the EPL with his goals and assists. Expect goals. Aguero was back last week  but drew a blank. He is prolific but often injured but Moneybags City have just signed Wilfried Bony from Swansea and he shall provide some muscles . They may end up even Stevens. I believe. 2-2.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=856802737695652&set=vb.266828596693072&type=2&theater

Everton v WBA - From their perch in the previous season, Everton have become strangely disappointing. They have not won in five matches having lost 3 and drew 2. Meanwhile, the Baggies, after having lost twice, drew one and won twice suggesting an up tempo to their game. WBA have not won at Goodison Park for some time. Unless Everton can come up with something special, it could be a draw. I am taking the home side to come around and rally for a win. In their last 5 head to head meetings, there were never more than 3 goals. Berahino is scoring again and he may get one here. 2-1.

Have a great soccer weekend!