EPL 2015/16 - Game Week 13

The International Week is over, Spain cruised past England 2-0 even as the English cruised through their qualifiers. Meantime, in Singapore, we lost 0-3 to Japan. I am somewhat concerned with e trend of our local supporters and fans. When Japan played there may be more Japanese attending the match than Singaporeans. It is not easy for the Japanese to catch their national team play back home but then when Thailand, Myanmar, Philippines, China and whoever plays here, there seemed to be more of them than us.

I am going to do my part. I got tickets to the Japan match but missed out due to other reasons. Now I am determined to go watch the Lions play Syria. Meantime, France had Germany beaten 2-0 in a friendly but many lost their lives to terrorists attacks nearby. Explosions could be heard inside the stadium. What a sad day. 

Watford v Manchester United - Watford have no chance against United. Well that could just be an old statement. The Hornets are sitting just a point and place behind Liverpool. After back to back wins away at Stoke and home to West Ham, they suffered a close defeat away at Leicester. The Red Devils are back to winning after failing to score in several matches but Watford have a dismal record against United having lost in all their last five meetings. Everyone will be picking an away United win and that is highly possible. Watford can play, are at home and are well organised, have a good defence and have Odion Ighalo and Deeny who can score. Rooney started scoring again for club and country and besides Lingard who else? Even ex United players are not impressed. Watford could potentially give them a wake up call. Better now then later but the Red Devils have been having the winner's luck. 1-2.

WBA v Arsenal - The Baggies after two narrow 1-0 wins have dropped back to losing sequence with two defeats. The Gunners did not fare much better as after their 1-5 thrashing by Bayern Munich, they drew Tottenham at home where Spurs looked the better team. With Wenger possibly considering retirement after next year, this is as good a chance for them to land the title and it has to continue and begin here. WBA have never beaten Arsenal home or away in the last five head to head meeting with the last three ended in defeats. Santi Cazorla scored for Spain against England in a friendly and he, Giroud and Sanchez must to do the honours here one way or another. 0-2. 

Everton v Aston Villa - Everton could not repeat the impressive 6-2 showing ovr Sunderland at West Ham while Villa were surprisingly stout-hearted having held City 0-0 at Villa Park under new manager Garde who must have done a good job. That is the beauty of the EPL where the bottom team held the top team. Villa had beaten Everton 3-2 when they last met at Villa Park. Having achieve a remarkable result against City, can they survive Everton at Goodison Park? Add to the fact that Everton lost just once in nine meetings with Villa and you can see it is a daunting task for the visitors. Unless Everton play poorly it is a home win but EVerton concede goals in most games so it is for me: 2-1.

Swansea v Bournemouth - After a bright start including having beaten Manchester United 2-1 in August, the Swans have just won one game from nine. Fortunately for them they are hosting a Bournemouth side in relative decline and without a win since September and lost their last five matches. Swansea have lost just once in their previous six meetings with the Cherries, drawing one and winning four. Though it could turn out bad for both, the Cherries seem right for the picking. No pun intended. 2-1.

Newcastle v Leicester - The result depends a lot on whether Jamie Vardy plays. It is such a pity that he rose from non-League to the highest level leading the scorers chart and achieving new scoring records to be injured just when he got selected for England but has to miss out. The Magpies regained some belief with an away win at Bournemouth and have in fact been playing well but have nothing to show. For the record the Magpies lost just once in eight encounters with the Foxes. In fact, they won all four previous ties with Leicester at St. James Park. I like Newcastle especially when they were under Kevin Keegan and then later Bobby Robson but they have a lousy owner. The passionate Toon fans deserve better. AT best Newcastle could steal a draw but for the way Leicester City have been playing, they should win this one. 1-2.

Chelsea v Norwich - Chelsea have lost three successive matches in the league and must be quite relieved that it is the Canaries visiting. At the rate they have been going, even as the Champions they will feel desperate. Norwich are very much in a similar position but managed that with a narrow win over Swansea in their last match. Chelsea did beat Dynamo Kiev and surely come back with a rebound to win again. 2-0.

Southampton v Stoke - The Saints have a full squad to choose from and are on a six game unbeaten run. Stoke themselves are back and that win over Chelsea must surely inspire them. Both sides have made themlves hard to beat and have maintained good from. Draw. 1-1.

Manchester City v Liverpool - City have not lost to Liverpool at the Etihad in their last six encounters. At the other end, Liverpool have lost just one of their last six away games. Leaders City were held 0-0 by last placed Villa and Liverpool lost at home to Palace before the international break. They were bad results for both teams. In their last five meetings each won two matches at home and drew once at the Etihad. It will be an interesting game as it would be Klopps' first against Pelligrini. It will be a tough match for both sides. I pick a draw at 2-2.

Tottenham v West Ham - This Tottenham team will go places, thanks to Mauricio Pochettino. His team has given England the following players: Kyle Walker, Eric Dier, Danny Rose, Mason, Dele Alli, Andy Townsend and Harry Kane. I am particularly impressed with Alli who is only 19 and just scored a great goal for England. He wins balls with crunching tackles in midfield, distributes confidently and has a thunderbolt shot while Eric Dier is cool and commanding. Harry Kane is back to scoring. They must have a renewed belief and play fearlessly. 

The Hammers have done the most surprising demolition job on all the top teams away from home that included - Arsenal (2-0), Liverpool (3-0), Manchester City (2-1), Crystal Palace (3-1) and at home Chelsea (2-1). If this is not great what is? Spurs are surely aware of that. This is Spurs third best start in a season and whenever they have done that they went on to be fourth. It is  West Ham's best start to a Premier League season now in 6th position level on points with their host. Spurs do not have a great record against West Ham especially at White Hart Lane. The Hammers have stuttered a bit while Spurs are in great form. It could be a draw but I am picking a Spurs win. They have been quite irresistible. Tottenham is a force to watch! 2-1.

Crystal Palace v Sunderland - Palace suffered consecutive losses after a brilliant start in this campaign but are going through revival again as Alan Pardew plotted a 0-0 draw against Manchester United and then a 2-1 win at Liverpool. Sunderland have won just once in 15 games after drawing 5 and losing 9 and are in danger of finally dropping if they do not pick up the pieces now after seveal seasons of escape. The Black Cats could give them a tough game but Palace are big, strong and quick. It is hard to imagine anything other than a home win. 2-0.