EPL 2014/15 Game Week 38

One last one for the road. No, I am not talking about drinking. This Saturday, all matches commence at the same time: 2200 hour Singapore time. Bill Shankly once said that soccer is not about life and death, it is more than that. Nobody else has anything to play for but for Newcastle and Hull it it certainly life and death.

The thing is that there were teams that drop down and never recovered. It will be a shame for the passionate Toon Army. 

Arsenal v WBA - Arsene Wenger needs a rethink about signing new players after the Gunners were held 0-0 by the Black Cats. They won't catch City now and will finished 3rd. Arsenal have always been good but injuries or drop in player's form or suspension can hurt. They have a very good team and have done well but you can't stay still as Chelsea, City and United will splash some cold hard cash. 3 marquee players will see them challenging for honours. First and foremost a defensive midfielder of the highest quality as one Coquelin is not enough. A top notch goal-scorer that could guarantee 20 goals a season and a rock solid defender in case Mertesacker or Kosciely are injured. 

Take Arsenal to won this one. WBA are already safe and the Baggies have only scored twice after playing them five times. They have never kept a clean sheet when they faced the Gunners in the league. In six previous meetings, Arsenal won 6 and lost none. Yes, WBA shocked Chelsea 3-0 last week and have not lost for a while but it does not mean they will go on winning and start challenging for trophies. Yes Arsenal have slowed down but they will win and end with 75 points. 2-0.

(Manchester United v Arsenal):
https://www.facebook.com/SoccerHighlightsToday/videos/924584957584096/?pnref=story

(WBA v Chelsea):
https://www.facebook.com/SoccerHighlightsToday/videos/924172460958679/?pnref=story

Aston Villa v Burnley - How did Villa cracked so badly after such fine form before last week when they lost 1-6 to the Saints and trailed 0-5 at half-time? Because there was no more life and death. Burnley did not deserve to go down. They have always played their game with passion and mostly lost by an odd goal of 0-1. They have even gone to Hull and won and Stoke could not beat them. Villa's fire have been put out but Burnley will take sometime to be back to Premier League so might as well go out in style but they have never beaten Villa for the longest time. Draw. 1-1.

Chelsea v Sunderland - What a shocker! Chelsea not only lost at the Hawthorns but lost by 0-3. So they are really beatable or was it because they have taken their foot off the pedal? This will provide a ray of hope for Sunderland but now after Sunderland held Arsenal 0-0, they are safe. Mourinho will be telling his players take it easy but not that easy like they did against WBA. Chelsea will go off in style. 2-0.

(WBA v Chelsea):
https://www.facebook.com/SoccerHighlightsToday/videos/924172460958679/?pnref=story

Crystal Palace v Swansea - Soccer can be strange. Palace was doing so fine then lost four in a row and when faced with a Liverpool (who should be inspired) bidding their legend Stevie G farewell won 3-1 at Anfield. Now they face Swansea whom they have not beaten in seven games (D3 L4) and have only scored twice in as  many. The Swans won all three matches at Selhurst Park when they previously visited without conceding a goal. Palace shall score again but Liverpool was poor. Though Swansea lost 2-4 to Man City, they put out a good show. Palace must wait for next season to try again. 1-2.

Everton v Tottenham - Everton did well to come back against the Hammers last week. They also have a very good record against Tottenham having  gone seven matches unbeaten at Goodison Park (W3 D4). Last two times at Goodison Park were 0-0 and 2-1 in Everton's favour. After not having won in three matches including two losses, Tottenham returned to winning ways at White Hart Lane against Hull. I hope to see Harry Kane signing off with at least a goal. What a season he has had. 2-2.

Hull v Manchester United - The Tigers need a win here and for others to falter to have a chance of avoiding relegation. Their historic record against the Red Devils are awful. Played seven, lost seven and conceded 21 goals. Rooney love to score and has scored seven goals against Hull. Among those fighting relegation, Hull have the most difficult tie. Nothing more than a miracle can save Steve Bruce and his boys. A home tie is good but they are facing Manchester United not Geylang United. They will still go down even if they won and Newcastle also win. 1-2. 

Leicester v QPR - The Foxes were deserving of staying up. Their late run was quite incredible. QPR despite being already down showed the Magpies the door. Their head to head meetings are quite equal. There is nothing here to play for except for players to hope to keep their jobs. 2-1.

Manchester City v Southampton - City displayed their master-class thumping Swansea 4-2. Alfried Bony's goal was clinical. He, Aguero and City will combined into a great force next season. CIty are flowing at the moment. The Saints were floundering before that but dished out a scintillating first half to take Villa to the cleaners with a 5-0 lead including a Sadio Mane hattrick being the fastest hattrick in the EPL history in 2 minutes and 56 seconds. He has beaten the previous record held by Liverpool's Robbie Fowler by 97 seconds. City have a superior 3W1D1L record over Southampton. Last two time they met, City torn them apart. 3-1.

(Swansea v Manchester City):
https://www.facebook.com/SoccerHighlightsToday/videos/924429764266282/?pnref=story

(Southampton v Aston Villa):
https://www.facebook.com/SoccerHighlightsToday/videos/924172460958679/?pnref=story

Newcastle v West Ham - The Magpies have been unbelievably poor. The Hammers were not a lot better but West Ham are already safe not so Newcastle. With with the the Toon Army behind them at St. James Park, it is still hard to fathom a home win but Newcastle may just stay up as a result of other's misfortune. The Magpies have a goal difference of minus 25 against Hull's minus 18 but are 2 points ahead. This means at least a draw may be enough but if Hull wins against the odds, Newcastle will drop down if Newcastle lose. The Magpies should just save themselves by a feather. Newcastle could not have hope for a better tie than a home game here. 1-1.

Stoke v Liverpool - The last three time both teams met, Liverpool won all. Stoke were not all too bad staying at 9th position. They have impressively beaten Tottenham 3-0 but could not beat Burnley. Meanwhile, Liverpool went to Stamford Bridge and held Chelsea but were crushed 1-3 at Anfield to Crystal Palace. Even Gerrard's farewell home game last week with the Kops could not inspire them. 

Liverpool have not been helped by Raheem Sterling insisting on leaving. I would never keep anyone who insist on leaving. At his age he should be happy to be playing first team football. What makes him think that If Real Madrid or Man City sign him he will enjoy first team soccer? You will be earning more sitting on the bench and at the end your game will suffer. What is he even talking about wanting to win trophies? Only Steven Gerrard , Messi or Ronaldo could say that. It was Brandan Rodgers who gave him the chance. Yes, Stirling can be exciting and give an effective edge but he has not been a proven goal scorer or have many assists. When one has learned, earned and master a certain level, your time will come. You can't keep a good man down.

Liverpool need to do better after spending so much, now that they have a deeper squad, they must go for a few key players if they hope to challenge for honours next season. In the meantime, with or without Stirling Liverpool could still win. 

This will be Steven Gerrard's last game for his beloved Liverpool. The very last time he is walking out the tunnel that says "This Is Anfield". I will also walk out that "tunnel"some day in my life. I will have to learn what and how Gerrard handles it. For Gerrard's sake, let me pick a Liverpool win. 1-2.

(Liverpool v Crystal Palace):
https://www.facebook.com/SoccerHighlightsToday/videos/923838444325414/?pnref=story