EPL 2014/15 - Game Week 33

Five more matches and it will be all over. Millions have been spent, sleep have been lost and blood has been spilled. Did anything surprised you like how Arsenal have been doing even better than previous seasons now that their injury list has been resolved? Were you surprised how Manchester United won big with an emphatic performance over their noisy neighbours?

Whether United could be back is a matter of time with their resources, types of manager or players they could hire, etc. To me, it has to do more with City themselves. When they won the title last season, good as they are, they did not win it. It was given to them by Liverpool. Not that they do not deserve it but there were chinks in their armour that was evident, just like United but many could not see because we may be blinded for whatever reasons. We have to go in anywhere with open eyes. 

Last week the man of the match and top winner was me. My prediction was pretty good. Swansea 1 Everton 1, Southampton 2 Hull 0, West Ham 1 Stoke 1 were perfect scores. The rest of the home or away wins were mostly correct. Better boast while you can. I wanted others to join me in prediction but no one has taken up the offer. Let's see this week's prediction.

Crystal Palace v WBA - A prophet is never appreciated in his own home town. Haha. That is Alan Pardew for  you. Crystal Palace is one of the most motivated team playing with so much confidence and belief now. In their London derby they had QPR beaten 3-1, travelled to a very hard place and beaten Stoke 2-1, hosted Manchester City and busted them 2-1 and last week went to Sunderland and crushed them 4-1. These are what dreams are made of. I wan to go buy a Crystal Palace jersey now. WBA are going in the opposite direction. Tony Pulis' team were crushed 0-3 by City, were thrasehd 1-4 by QPR at home and went down to Leicester 2-3 in front of their home fans. I know some times the opposite could happen here but unlikely. Palace have a good record against WBA especially at Selhurst Park. Glen Murray is in hot form and Bolasie scored a hattrick last week. More misery for WBA. 3-1.

Everton v Burnley - Everton are getting better albeit too late. Aaron Lennon was a shrewd signing as he netted twice in three matches after failing to score in his last 32 matches since 2013! Head to head, Burnley have only won twice in five meetings way back in 1976 and then in 2009. The greatest obstacle against them is that they have not scored in five of their last six matches but they can give you a bruising encounter and surprise not just Everton but even better teams. Just ask Man City. 1-0.

Leicester v Swansea - The Foxes can score for sure. They have scored two or more goals in their last three matches. The Swans are unbeaten in their last three games. Both sides are in better from now. So maybe even Stevens here. Leicester are still right at the bottom? They have won their last two matches. Will they survive? Strangely, when they both meet, the home side always wins. Swansea does not need the points that much. I shall give the three points to Leicester. 2-1.

Stoke v Southampton - The Potters are in bad shape. Three losses and a draw were all they could muster since their last win. The Saints are still winning every other game. The last time they met at the Britannia Stadium, Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic scored a goal in the opening minute from his drop-kick. Historically their matches tended to end in a draw but last season Southampton won both times. The Saints should go on marching in. 1-2.

Chelsea v Manchester United - Chelsea are at the top because they have been the most consistent and after being held to a 1-1 draw by Southampton have won the next three but narrowly against - Hull (3-2 away), Stoke (2-1 home) and QPR (1-0 away). In their last twelve home match against the Red Devils, they lost only once. In 47 matches this season , Chelsea have already scored 100 goals but now slightly blunted by the absence of Diego Costa through injury but Eden Hazard could be on course to be named player of the year. 

Manchester United have won four on the trot impressively after the Arsenal loss. I think they have been finally cured of their illness when they perhaps played their best game in the 4-2 win over their fierce rival City. Ironically, it was the David Moyes signings that were giving them their best values yet. The ungainly Maroune Fellaini and the diminutive Juan Mata. I am certain that the Devils are back. Even Rooney have been brilliant. This should be a cracking game! Unfortunately, United's record against Chelsea are not good. In their last five matches head-to-head, they drew twice and lost thrice. This shall be their truest test yet if they are going to be title contenders again. Man Utd fans should not be too elated as Chelsea are no Man City. Maybe next season. 2-1.

(QPR v Chelsea):
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=904753876233871&set=vr.904954262880499&type=2&theater

(Man Utd v Man City):
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=904830519559540&pnref=story 

Manchester City v West Ham - City's record recently looked like a bottom half team - LLWLL. Even West Ham's were slightly better - LLWLD. City are in danger of not qualifying for Europe if they do not pull up their dress...er... I mean socks. They no longer could defend. They have lost to Palace and Burnley. Maybe Singapore should invite them for a match. We can register a famous win too. It is getting tough for them because in such situation, you can quickly lose confidence. I feel City failed to reinforce themselves appropriately. Mangala still runs around like a baby giraffe. Yaya Toure from a colossal has become a wimp. The Hammers are capable of upsetting when they are playing but they are not. But City will be made to labour. Or will there be a back lash? 2-0. 

Newcastle v Tottenham - The Magpies are on a complete meltdown and they were all losses in their last five games no matter who they play or where. They are nine points away from relegation. Fortunately, their visitor offered a little relief. Tottenham have been more stuttering Hotspurs recently. 0-0 away to Burnley and 0-1 away to Villa meant that suddenly they could not score. Where is our favourite hero Harry Kane. Base on probability Kane shall score here and also based on probability, Tottenham should win. No, it should be said Newcastle should lose. Newcastle have not scored for along time, much longer than Spurs. This is the chance. Time for Erikson and Kane to score. 0-2.

There are a few lesser games this week and more next week. 

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