EPL 2015/16 - Game Week 6

I hope the entire season would throw up more upsets and surprise results like Everton 3 Chelsea 1 and please include that wondrous come from behind 3-2 win by Leicester over Aston Villa. Nobody would believe Everton could beat Chelsea and by 3-1 and at 0-2 down Leicester came back with such passion and belief and with such determination playing as if their lives depended on it. If only our local footballers could learn that.

Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham and even Manchester United could take a leaf from the Foxes. Though the season has a long way to go, Chelsea and Liverpool cannot afford to lose another match soon or their season is over. 

Chelsea v Arsenal - How could Jose Mourinho be arrogant now? This is the time to borrow from election jargon "ownself check ownself". He has no one to pick a fight with. Just only last season they were so good people expect them to champions again this year but it is looking increasingly difficult and they have a meagre four points from five matches and eleven off Manchester City. The Blues looked pedestal and subdued where none were outstanding. Maybe Mourinho need a fresh challenge. Steven Gerard said he is good for Liverpool. It will not be easy for them in this state to take on the Gunners. Arsenal seemed to have recovered from the Hammers' setback but are often guilty of not being more clinical in front of goal despite the number of chances created. In the past they found it hard to get past their arch enemy so surely this is their chance. Or will Chelsea somehow revive themselves from this match after making some changes from their line up to haunt Arsenal again?

It is interesting to note that Chelsea have not lost to Arsenal in seven league games and Arsenal has not scored against them in four. Arsene Wenger succeeded finally with the Community Shield win. The home side are low on confidence while the visitors are profligate in front of goal but Chelsea is normally extra motivated when they play Arsenal plus Arsenal have travelled far to play Dinamo Zagreb. Though Chelsea played Maccabi Tel Aviv, they were the hosts and what a goal Diego Costa scored! The same cannot be said of Eden Hazard who skied his penalty in the most horrible way and as for Cesc Fabregas, did Wenger actually know that he was past his peak powers when he did not sign him back? Is Chelsea back with the 4-0 romp? Despite Arsenal having lost 1-2 to Dinamo Zagreb away, I say they will cancel each other out to draw. To get something Arsenal must play Walcott as Giroud has been carp. 1-1.

Swansea v Everton - The Swans gave Watford their first goal in the top flight and went on to lose the match. They should recover to take on Everton. Gomis should roar again for Swansea. I do sometimes wonder why Liverpool release Jonjo Shelvey as he has been outstanding for club and country. Everton are certainly now inspired by that Chelsea win. Ross Barkley is having an outstanding season and Naismith with that hattrick is now giving Roberto Martinez a selection headache. John Stone will continue to be a reminder to what Chelsea is missing. 2-2.

Stoke v Leicester - The Potters have not won a single match yet. They were even beaten by WBA at their fortress the Britannia. This is a slump from last season's high. In the meantime, the Foxes are in second position and judging from what I have seen it was no fluke. Leicester City are really good especially Algerian Riyad Mahrez and James Vardy. Their performance against Aston Villa was highly impressive coming from behind (0-2) to scored three goals to win the match. Stoke have not scored for two matches while Leicester could not stop scoring. Mahrez, the 24 year old right winger is a sight to behold. Past encounters between have been close. Sometime a team playing so well could suddenly lose but after having watched the last game, I feel Leicester have what it takes to surprise yet again. 1-2.

Bournemouth v Sunderland - The Cherries have never beaten the Black Cats. In the last two clashes, Bournemouth did not even score against Sunderland and Sunderland won the last three away to Bournemouth by 1-0. They played well against Tottenham but fell to a late goal. So history is the consolation for the visitors. Expect Callum Wilson to score for the home side.  I expect a home win at 2-1.

Newcastle v Watford - The Magpies actually played well when I saw them. I thought Steve McClaren bought a few interesting players and his team was looking good and he is no longer the Wally with the Brolly. The good news for the Toon Army at St. James Park is in their past 16 meetings with the Hornets, they lost just once. But Watford knows how to keep a clean sheet. They have three. But then Watford have just beaten Swansea with a Odion Igahlo goal. He is a nippy and regular scorer. Newcastle have to start clawing their way back but may have to wait a bit longer. 1-1.

Aston Villa v WBA - Villa have a good record against WBA at Villa Park. Vill hve won two of their last three leagues games against the Baggies but WBA have lost just one of their last six games on the road. They are both about equal in their strengths and weaknesses. Last three matches played at Villa Park were all won by Villa. 2-1.

Manchester City v West Ham - It is impossible to predict the Hammers. They have lost playing the easier teams at home and then went on to beat Arsenal and Liverpool away. They bucked the trend when they had Newcastle beaten at Upton Park. And if we need someone to halt the Citizens unchecked march to make things interesting, West Ham could be the team to do it. City won eleven league matches in a row since last season and Aguero is back. In ten meetings, West Ham had beaten City just once. In their last five, they managed only to score once and conceded ten to City.

The task is a mammoth one. But then West Ham had not won at Anfield since the Beatles sang in Liverpool and looked happened. City played in the Champions League at home in mid week while West Ham rested. Bilic's team can surprise but City are still the best team in the league right now so a draw would be a great performance for the visitors so if the Hammers can delay conceding the first goal and try to stun their host with a quick goal they are in with a chance. 2-1.

Tottenham v Crystal Palace - Tottenham have become dull while Palace is now an exciting team with speed and power. Alan Pardew has gotten most things right. Though Spurs have lost just one of their last seven league matches they are drawing too often but in six home matches and derby with Palace they have only won once. Palace are no easy meat but Spurs goal machine Harry Kane has yet to register one. I feel a draw is likely unless Spurs play to their real ability. 1-1.

Southampton v Manchester United - The Saints are solid at home having won five and lost only once at the St. Mary's and expect Southampton to score as United have not kept a clean sheet against them in seven league matches. Though United looked good against Liverpool I thought it was more that Liverpool made them so. These are the results the last five times they met: United 0 Saints 1, Saints 1 United 2, Saints 1 United 1, United 1 Saints 1, United 2 Saints 1. I think Ronald Koeman has the team and tactics to nullify United who crashed 2-1 to PSV. Draw. 1-1.

Liverpool v Norwich - Liver Bird eats Canaries could easily be the headlines but those were when a Mr. Suarez was around. Norwich played their best game when they had Bournemouth beaten 3-1. The Reds too showed some semblance of a better team when they held Bordeaux away in the Europa. History frowns on the visitors as Liverpool won nine and drew once in ten outings in the league. In their last four meetings, there was a minimum of five goals scored per match. No team has scored as many goals as Liverpool against Norwich (39). 

If Liverpool want to be considered a serious contender, they have to win such matches and play convincingly. If Rodgers and Liverpool want to salvage their season, it has to begin here. Their defence is not happening and they had better bring back Sakho who was outstanding as captain at Bordeaux. Lallana had a great goal too and is useful to pry open defences. Liverpool must do what they do best. Attack. There is immense pressure on Rodgers. Bookmakers are betting on him getting sack instead of soccer. Liverpool should win here. 2-0.