EPL 2015/16 - Game Week 8

What another weekend of exciting soccer. Tottenham's astonishing 4-1 mauling of Manchester City, Arsenal's 5-2 away thrashing of Leicester City, Daniel Sturridge's wonderful brace to beat Aston Villa, West Ham's last ditch equaliser to save a point at home to Norwich, Manchester United going to the top of the table, Newcastle nearly had Chelsea beaten. 

But English teams were horrible in Europe. Arsenal who lost away to Dinamo Zagreb were beaten 2-3 at home by Olympiakos while Chelsea lost 1-2 away to Porto in yet another defeat. 

Crystal Palace v WBA - Although the Eagles are flying, the Baggies need are surely aware that history have been equally favourable to them when they have met. Both sides have beaten each other home and away an drawn once in their last five meetings. While Palace have won their last two matches, WBA have lost both and have been poor visitors to London having won only twice in 14 visits to London. The home side's Puncheon, Bolasie, Cabaye and Zaha could create trouble while Berahino could score for the visitors but take note that Palace have gone 20 matches without a draw. 2-1.

Norwich City v Leicester City - The Canaries have shown that they are no pushovers as they dominated West Ham last week. Both met twice in the Premier League a long time ago with each winning at home. Norwich suffered only one defeat when they played Leicester in ten outings. Leicester has been fighters and playing confidently with last week's defeat by Arsenal the only blip. As both are scoring, there will be goals. I especially like Jamie Vardy and think he will score more. Vardy and Mahrez can score here. Draw. 2-2.

Manchester City v Newcastle - City are on the decline after a perfect start of five straight wins without conceding a goal. Just when you think they are going to be runaway champions, they repeated their poor European pedigree and lost to Juventus at home. The slump continued as they lost 1-2 to West Ham at home before thrashing Sunderland 4-1 in the Cup and then got a shocking 4-1 thumping by Tottenham last week but no team had a better record than City against Newcastle - 17 matches unbeaten and had always scored two or more goals against the Magpies. 

The Magpies were on a losing streak so bad we thought they would get into trouble with Chelsea. For those who watched that match, you would have asked yourselves why is Newcastle languishing at the bottom from last when they could cause Chelsea so much trouble. It should have been their first win but they let Chelsea get away. If they could repeat that performance, it won't be easy for the Citizens at the Etihad. They had only beaten City once in five meetings, lost the rest (2-0 x3 and 5-0). City bounced back in Europe and will not wish to concede more ground to United. It is tough one for the visitors who just clawed their way back. 2-0.

Aston Villa v Stoke - Villa had beaten Stoke only twice in eleven meetings and Stoke are getting better results now. Both sides have just won one apiece this season. Villa are struggling as they have lost too many players like Fabina Delph, Christian Benteke and Tom Cleverly. Stoke have yet to replicate last season's form. It shall be two apiece. In their last five meetings there were no draw. This shall be their first. 2-2.

Bournemouth v Watford - Bournemouth have won only one of their last six matches against Watford. In their last 13 home games, the Cherries have only lost once while the Hornets have the lowest conversion rate of 5 goals with 63 shots. Callum Wilson is injured an could be six months out and this is bad news for not just the player but his manager and team as he was heading the scoring chart. What a pity. Watford's Odion Aghalo has a chance to replace him in the chart with four goals now. The home side's teamwork and spirit should see them at least get a draw. 1-1.

Sunderland v West Ham - The Black Cats have only won one of their last six matches against the Hammers and have been winless this season and winless for ten matches. West Ham have only lost once in six meetings with Sunderland. The Hammers player to watch is Frenchman Dimitri Payet who has three goals and three assist. The home team's last four matches read LLLL. West Ham seem to find it hard to win at home even against weak opposition but always brilliant away. Ask Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City. Another win for C'mon You Irons!' 1-2.

Chelsea v Southampton - Jose Mourinho has never lost a match to the Saints but their poor start to the season have sapped all confidence from the once might Blues even at Stamford Bridge. That draw with Newcastle was lucky and the lost to Porto asked more question marks. I do not remember Mourinho having experienced such situation before so it may work against him. The pressure is on Chelsea while the Saints are back to business but Ronald Koeman's men are on a poor run of away form. Graziano Pelle has already scored more goals for Southampton than any Chelsea players so he could give the home side's defence a real test. The last two times they have met home and away were 1-1 draw. Draw. 1-1.

Everton v Liverpool - Everton have gone nine matches without beating Liverpool in their Merseyside Derby and Liverpool have only lost once at Goodison Park in their last eight meetings there. These two teams have chalked up the most red cards in premier league history. Daniel Sturridge likes to score against Everton and already has five. Their current form - Liverpool = DDWWD, Everton - DWDWW favours the blues team of Merseyside. In the last five times they have met, there were four draw. Ross Barkley is in great form and Liverpool has no Jordan Henderson. Brendan Rodgers has failed to ignite the team from Anfield. Draw. 1-1.

Arsenal  v Manchester United - Undoubtedly the match of the week! Arsenal's win rate against Manchester United is not good at only 24% and is the lowest against any team. Can they overcome their psychological effects. One win in 13 matches against the perennial enemy is not a good morale booster. No matter how weak you say each United team was, the Gunners find it hard to break them. Their trump card could be Theo Walcott who has been firing and Alex Sanchez is back to his brilliant best. Though United won against Wolfsburg in the European tie, they remain unconvincing. Both sides need a resounding performance here. 1-1.

Swansea v Tottenham - Swansea have taken only a point in eight matches against Tottenham, the rest being victories for Spurs. The Lily Whites are purring at the moment with that hard to forget 4-1 mauling of Manchester City while the Swans are having their down time. Swansea started so well this season but are now without a win in four matches (lost 3) and in the process managed only one goal in the 1-3 loss to Southampton. This will be tough as Harry Kane has started scoring. Not only that, watch Eirk Lamela who seems unstoppable with his recent form. 1-2.