EPL 2015/16 - Game Week 7

To all my Muslim friends and readers, a belated Selamat Hari Raya Haji. In fact, I wish we can have hari hari Hari Raya! 

The Hammers are this season's king-maker. They went to the Emirates and won 2-0. They went to Anfield and won 3-0 and then they visited the Etihad and won 2-1. I can't wait for them to visit Manchester United and Chelsea. 

Tottenham v Manchester City - Tottenham have been winning matches 1-0 of late and the prolific Harry Kane has yet to score when he was scoring for fun non-stop last season. In all competitions in their last five matches, the home side actually has better results - DDWWW v City's WWLLW. In previous five head to head, City won four with Spurs winning one. The good thing has been that City has suffered a bleep. However, if Aguero plays then it would be different as he has scored ten goals in seven matches against Spurs and the home side has a poor record against City. but Aguero, last season's top scorer like Kane has not added more. Yes, West Ham may have asked City some questions but Spurs unfortunately do not have the steel of the Hammers. The result may depends on Kane and Aguero.  1-2.

Leicester City v Arsenal - Besides West Ham, the Foxes have been my favourite team. In fact, they are having a better record than the Gunners so far in their last five matches. Leicester have WDWDW while Arsenal have WWLLW. Leicester have not beaten the Gunners since their debut season in 1994/95. I would like to say Arsenal to win but Leicester City have played with such joy and belief it is just great watching them play and fight back. As a result of this and the fact they have such a wonderful player in Riyad Mahrez who already has a hand in eight goals consisting five goals and three assists so far this season and more than any other players. Arsenal never learnt how to handle aggressive players like Drogba or Costa. James Vardy may get one here with his. It would be a good and exciting match. Seems like Arsenal could win here but Leicester are now famous for fighting back. 2-2.

Liverpool v Aston Villa - I do not know what to make of Liverpool any more. Their soccer is like my golf game - horrendous. Though Norwich played well last week, Liverpool could not finished them and Mignolet made a mistake with a poor clearance. The team lacks confidence and the final ball in their final third was bad. They have even struggled against Carlisle. Their consolation was that Danny Ings not only scored but showed promise. So too Moreno who was outstanding. Lallana was creative but he must be more consistent. Sturridge's presence was a welcome but he did not appear match-fit. On current form, Liverpool is pathetic as they have not won in their previous 5 matches. Good news is that Liverpool have won 24 Premier League matches against Villa and on  both occasions where Sturridge played he scored. Liverpool must play a good game and win because Villa are not much different from last season plus there is not much time on Rodgers' side. 1-0.

Stoke v Bournemouth - Stoke have been abysmal this season. Surprisingly. Maybe they have been around too long. Eddie Howe has done wonders for Bournemouth. Bournemouth covers every blade of grass on the pitch, more than any one else this season. Their striker in chief Callum Wilson scored five goals with only eight attempts. That is highly impressive. Historical patterns suggest strongly that they play to win when they have met. They do not do draws in the last five times but they have won against each other only at home. Peter Crouch has returned and have scored. I think Stoke still can't win so they shall draw for the first time since a long time. 1-1. 

West Ham v Norwich - The Hammers are third. I like West Ham since the days of Bobby Moore, Billy Bonds, Frank Lampard Senior, Mervyn Day, Martin Peters, Trevor Brooking, Alan Devonshire, Clyde Best and Geoff Hurst. They are to England what Farrer Park was to Singapore. They have been fearless this season but the Canaries played very well at Anfield. What is there to stop West Ham from winning if even Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal could not even draw them at home? The Hammers seemed to be able only to beat the big teams away but they have just lost to Leicester in the League Cup. Norwich hammered WBA 3-0 in the Cup and held Liverpool 1-1 at Anfield so they have found their own form but they have often lost at Upton Park. Home win. 2-1.

Manchester United v Sunderland - United is better as their position seemed to suggest but are largely one man in the form of a 19 year old called Anthony Martial. Can the false fairy tale continues? Yes, because they are hosting the Black Cats whose manager the once famous Dick Advocaat is facing the odds to be chopped. In 26 matches when they have met, Sunderland won only once but the score was often restricted to a small margin. Somehow United seem to win so this will be another. 2-1.

Southampton v Swansea - The scores somehow seems low when these two sides meet but the Saints seem to have the better of the Swans more often. Recent form suggest a Southampton win as they are scoring but Swansea after a solid start seem to be stuttering. They have not scored in three matches after beating Manchester United 2-1. It is like a curse which Leicester faced after beating United 5-3 last season. Mmm...this is why I try not to beat people. Ha. Home win for the Saints but by an odd goal. 1-0.

Newcastle v Chelsea - The Magpies have become a perennial problem. Like my golf clubs behaviour lately, they probably have to change owners. Their opening day performance was quite impressive under McClaren but have since dwindled but their only hope is history as their last three home games against Chelsea were all victories. Funnily enough, Jose Mourinho has never won a game at St.James Park! But Chelsea have now won three on the trot whereas Newcastle have lost all four on the trot. On the last five occasions they gave met there were no draw. All matches were won at home. Diego Costa is feared but he is not only a brute but a thug. He rearranged Koscielny's face twice such that his mother would not recognise him back home. He will not be at St. James Park so the home team could try to savage a point at least as I do not think they are ready to win yet even as Chelsea seem capable of winning. 1-1.

Watford v Crystal Palace - Odion Ighalo has scored 20 goals in 24 matches. The best scorer in all four tiers of league but the Hornets have only won once against Palace in nine matches. Palace are scoring more than Watford at he moment but this is away at Vicarage Road. How will the match pan out? They should cancel each other for a draw. 1-1.

WBA v Everton - The Baggies are in 12th position and Everton in 6th but only one point separated them. WBA can grind out a result but Everton has shown promise. If Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku shines they could get a result. I am pinning for an away win here. 1-2.