EPL 2014/15 Game Week 37

Two more matches and a three months wait for the next high save for Arsenal and Sunderland playing another match followed by the F.A Cup Final featuring Arsenal again versus Aston Villa.

 This week, we should pay a special tribute to Steven Gerard, the former England Captain and Liverpool Captain is one of the reasons we watch soccer. He came to Liverpool FC when he was 8 years old and this remained his one and only club despite the temptation of more money, titles and everything else to stay with his love and passion.

 You just do not get this any more in the modern days. In a way, Stevie G's career mirrored mine except that I have been longer. Good luck Stevie and fare thee well!

 (Steven Gerard - Top Goals):
https://www.facebook.com/LFCTransSpec/videos/vr.10153450757942573/983572221674787/?type=2&theater

Southampton v Aston Villa - The Saints are having a poor run of no wins in four matches and drew only once. In their last six meetings with Villa they won just once. Its not a good sign especially when Villa lost just once and won four in their last five matches and are still in great form. Trust Benteke to score again. Away win as Villa need to be sure of staying up. 1-2.
Burnley v Stoke - Stoke have gone to Turf Moor and remained unbeaten three times with two clean sheets. Burnley can hold their heads high with the way they play with passion and commitment but alas it was not enough. They just did not know how to win having lost many matches 1-0. Stoke have just given Tottenham a surprise spanking last week and should be in good spirit. This will be their last hurrah at Turf Moor for their fans. Burnley have a long history and I would to see them stay. 1-1.
QPR v Newcastle - QPR are another old team I know well going down. It is also their last hurrah for their fans at Loftus Road but QPR have such a poor record against the Magpies having failed to score against them in five of their six meetings. Newcastle was in terrible shape but stopped the rot by rescuing a point last week. The last nine times they met, the Magpies won seven and drew two. Both set of players will cancel each other out. 1-1.
Sunderland v Leicester - In terms of survival fortunes, the Black Cats are on a roll. They have since held Stoke away, had Southampton beaten and even the audacity to visit Everton and won 2-0 and now even perched atop Newcastle with a game (against Arsenal) in hand. The Foxes were even more impressive with a WWLWW record. Draw. 2-2.
Tottenham v Hull - Tottenham have slowed down recently even crashing 3-0 at Stoke surprisingly. The Tigers look a strong candidate to go down unless Newcastle or someone else trip up. After beating Liverpool, Hull lost twice including at home to Burnley. In five previous head to head meetings, Tottenham won twice and drew the rest. Hull will have to fight very hard. Harry Kane came in second behind Eden Hazard in the Footballer of the Year awards and should look forward to adding a couple more goals for the season to his current 20 league goals (more if you added cup matches). 2-1.
West Ham v Everton - The Hammers have lost each of the last five matches to Everton (13 without a win). Everton is not their fave team especially Romelu Lukaku who likes to score against them. Watch out for the Everton defenders who have scored the most goals this season (10 altogether). Everton is actually 3 points behind them. Home ground advantage may not be enough for West Ham as they have not scored for four matches. Meanwhile, Evrton have lost twice consecutively leaking 5 goals. 1-2.
Liverpool v Crystal Palace - Liverpool's record against Palace at Anfield reads P14, W-11, D-2 L-1. Palace were in a rich vein of form but have now crashed four times. Liverpool may want to exact a revenge after they suffered at Palace in a 3-3 draw putting paid their hopes of the title in 2014. This will be an emotional match and Anfield will be abuzz as it has always been but more as they bid their favourite son farewell. This is Stevie's last league match in front of the Kop! There will never be another Steven Gerrard because no one is in his class. Remembering Istanbul is just one. No one has done that kind of inspriation.  So we should expect Liverpool to be inspired. 3-1.

 (Steven Gerrard's goals):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH6xY01jp5A

 (Milan v Liverpool - Impossible Is Nothing):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPEmC3vN-bQ

 (Chelsea v Liverpool):
https://www.facebook.com/SoccerHighlightsToday/videos/921143354594923/?pnref=story
Swansea v Manchester City - The Swans are back. 3 wins in 3 matches including away to Arsenal. Goalkeeper Fabianski is in great form. He single-handedly save Swansea and help then defeated the Gunners. Can the home team throw a spanner in the works? Unlikely, if you have seen the total destruction of QPR last week with Sergio Aguero in superb form. Swansea have a poor record against Manchester City. City players are playing for their contracts next season. 1-3.


(City v QPR):
https://www.facebook.com/SoccerHighlightsToday/videos/921037314605527/?pnref=story
Manchester United v Arsenal - Match of the week. Since 2006, United have been undefeated here by the Gunners plus Rooney almost always score against them but their results are often close. United suffered 3 straight losses before winning at Palace while Arsenal were winning and undefeated for a long time till Swansea sunk them. Unless United play like they did Manchester City, Arsenal are the better team. It is a good test to see how these teams square up and they may be like next season. The winner may secure automatic qualification in the champions league (but Arsenal have a game in hand). Watch out for Alexis Sanchez. Draw. 2-2.


(Arsenal v Swansea):
https://www.facebook.com/SoccerHighlightsToday/videos/921572981218627/?pnref=story
WBA v Chelsea. - The Baggies were undefeated for 4 matches now that included a famous 1-0 win at Old Trafford. Chelsea have nothing more to play for so Mourinho is likely to use his charges that have been warming the bench, a good way to benchmark his team against the competition. Draw. 1-1.
Arsenal v Sunderland - This is probably a postponed match due to earlier cup ties. Both side have much to play for, Arsenal to go into Europe with the play off ties and Sunderland for Premiership survival. It also depends on Arsenal's visit to Old Trafford and Sunderland hosting Leicester. Arsenal win. 2-0.

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