EPL 2015/16 - Game Week 4

Look at the League table now - Manchester City played three and won three matches, scored eight goal with none conceded including three scored against rival Chelsea without reply. Their play has been impressive. I should have bought the Leicester City jersey when I was last in Bangkok at the airport with the words ''King Power'' on it. They are in second place with exciting displays and I wish Claudio Ranieri and the Foxes well. Liverpool are a different team as they have not conceded a goal yet! Think the last two seasons. Rodgers is plotting a different game. Manchester United are having problems. When they could not beat Newcastle at home, the Magpies have improved a bit but the Red Devils have become worse. They have a long way to go yet.

Arsenal so good towards the end of last season and promising during pre-season did show flashes of brilliance but four points from three would be considered poor by their standard. Old enemy Chelsea and Mourinho are languishing at the same level. Chelsea are the worse having already conceded seven goals! Wow! What a season so far and it has just started.

Newcastle v Arsenal - The Magpies were so poor towards the end of last season. Steve McClaren has done reasonably well especially when they could hold the Red Devils at Old Trafford. I think Newcastle will be a better team this season with a few interesting signings but then again I expected the Gunners to be roaring away. I cant fault them for not beating Liverpool and they played well at Palace but having not won at home twice is not championship form. 

This team can win matches playing pretty but they need tough guys in the middle on rough days and a killer striker. The good news is that the Magpies have lost all their matches the last five times they met home and away. The Gunners are a stable team with little changes. Arsenal should get a slim win. Newcastle are Oliver Giroud's favourite team to score against. He hit them for eight in six games. Expect him.  1-2.

Chelsea v Crystal Palace - It shall be Mourinho's 100th home game in charge of Chelsea. All is not well at the Bridge but in all these times, Chelsea have won 76 and lost just one match. In 5 previous meetings, Palace won only once at home and lost the rest. However, their matches tended to be close calls with scores of 1-0 or 2-1. Crystal Palace have already scored 6 goals in three matches and with Chelsea's defence leaky they could surely add one or two like WBA did last week. 

I was actually more impressed with Palace than Chelsea but Pedro has brought an extra dimension to Chelsea's play and paid his first instalment with an important goal last week. With that less than impressive start, everyone must fancy their chances against Chelsea so I expect the visitors to make it tough but at the end Chelsea to prevail on the special day. 3-1.

Bournemouth v Leicester - When Bournemouth lost only 0-1 to Liverpool folks may have thought that it was because Liverpool did not play well but then Bournemouth went to Upton Park and won 4-3, eyebrows were raised. Eddie Howe knew how to knit a team and he did not do it anyhow. The Foxes were even better and are on a roll. The last four times they have met, Leicester won all four. Previous eight head to head meetings were all won by a single goal margin. Leicester seem quite irresistible. Away win. Oh yes, watch out for Mahrez. 2-3.

Aston Villa v Sunderland - Villa's opening games have been victory (1) or losses (2) by single goal margins. The last five times both teams met, they drew twice while Villa won three times. Worse news for the Black Cats are the they have failed to score against Villa the last four times. Dick Advocaat is an unhappy man but they did improve against Swansea last week. I feel Villa will seize the home advantage to win it. 2-1.

Manchester City v Watford - Although it has been only three matches into the new season, City are the team to beat. They have plundered eight goals without reply with Vincent Kompany, Kolarov, Yaya Toure, David Silva and Sergio Aguero looking sharp. Last two years when they met, City had beaten the Hornets twice and scored 7 for and 2 against. It is hard to picture any upset here so I say a another clear and resounding win. 3-0.

Stoke v WBA - Stoke did not have a great start. WBA are worse. The Baggies have not scored at the Britannia in four of their last six visits including the last three. Stoke should an even better team this term and should win this one at home. 2-0.

Liverpool v West Ham - Liverpool have not conceded a goal yet this season after three matches. That was very impressive considering recent history but they have not scored an awful lot too though they seemed much more confident and organised. If you thought young Jordan Ibe was very good then you had better take a closer look at the even younger Joe Gomez. Liverpool will get better. The Hammers shocked the world out of the opening win away to Arsenal but have since lost their next two at home against weaker opposition. For the record, West Ham have never defeated the Reds since 1963. 

Kevin Nolan has left the club and Andy Carroll is still injured. The visitors will not have enough fire power against their host's improved defence. Home win with Benteke to score. 2-0.

Tottenham v Everton - Tottenham is having a poor start having not tasted victory yet and have a difficult game hosting Everton. Harry Kane has not scored and he is due a goal but Christian Eriksen is injured. For Everton, they have in form players in Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku. Based on their history, Everton have not beaten Tottenham in five games stretching back to 2013 and have not won at White Hart Lane since 2008. Because young John Stones is distracted by Chelsea's big offer, he may not play and Everton may suffer. I have not seen such a young player who is also calm and collected throughout the match. He will be moving up the England rank. Home win and time for Harry Kane to begin scoring. 2-1.

Southampton v Norwich - The Saints were one of the most surprising and most improved sides of last season. How are they now in 18th position while the Canaries are in 8th? They have overtaken West Ham as England's best producer of English talents but are all playing elsewhere now. Southampton cannot drop any further. History favours the home side who lost only once in nine meetings. Norwich's victory at Sunderland was their away win in 12 attempts but I do not think they can do it again at the St. Mary's. Ronald Koeman's brilliant last season is threatening him now and it goes to show it is tough to maintain that certain edge and level. Time for the Saint sot return to winning ways. Home win. 2-0.

Swansea v Manchester United - The Swans are in fine form and last season did the double over the Red Devils. United have not scored away this season and must be relieved with Rooney's hattrick in Europe. In the last four meetings, Swansea won three times and all by 2-1 scoreline. Swansea can take on most teams without fear because they are really able. The question is have Manchester United turned the corner with that European performance? If they continue then it is possible but returning to the EPL after a mid-week match in Europe sometimes throws up a lackadaisical performance. Draw. 2-2.