EPL 2015/16 - Game Week 20

What a season this is going to be! It has never been better. Stoke 2 Manchester United 0, Liverpool 1 Leicester City 0, Chelsea 2 Watford 2, Southampton 4 Arsenal 0! Wow! 

https://www.facebook.com/premierleague/videos/1242662372424842/?pnref=story

West Ham v Liverpool - For a start, the Hammers are more consistent than Liverpool or anyone else. 5 draws in a row, two of them 1-1 and three 0-0 followed by a good 2-1 win over Southampton. Liverpool are facing a physical Hammers side at Upton Park with Andy Carroll a big threat in set pieces - Liverpool's chink in the armour but Klopp's side silenced league leaders Leicester City last week and kept a clean sheet against the prolific pair of Vardy and Mahrez. Liverpool leads 3-2 in win/loss (no draw) when they previously met but the last time in August and at Anfield, Liverpool got a real 0-3 spanking. Liverpool must win this one if they want to be a serious top four contender plus they need to summon their best to address the pain of their last trouncing. Liverpool need a solid game plan to win. Probably a draw but I believe Klopp can summon something special to win. However, I have also learned that captain Jordan Henderson is injured. He is crucial to Liverpool's plan as I thought he was outstanding in their last match. 1-1.

Sunderland v Aston Villa - The Black Cats are hovering a few points above Villa but their form are far worse having lost 4 on the trot and to make things more discouraging, in previous 8 meetings with the visitors they failed to score in 6 of them. Villa have also not lost to Sunderland in the last 9 times they have met (W4/D5). It does look highly probable that both teams may be meeting each other in a different division next season unless they start pulling rabbits out of their hats. Getting single points may still help but playing to a draw do not serve them well but it looks that way. 1-1.

Leicester City v Bournemouth - Regardless of the outcome, the Foxes will have a place in all our hearts for defying such great odds to be where they are now. Despite a few great results against the big boys, the Cherries are still 3rd from the bottom and in their last 5 head-to-head, Bournemouth have never won and lost 4. Leicester are at home and must recover from their Liverpool loss which is only their second defeat all season. If Vardy is fit and plays, I reckon they should be back to their best to win and get back to pole position. After all, City could not beat them and though they now lie second they are only behind Arsenal in goal difference. Mahrez and Vardy looked subdued last week. They should bounce back this week.  2-1.

Arsenal v Newcastle - In the previous 14 meet ups, the Gunners won 11. But all Steve McClaren needs is to take a leave from Southampton. The Gunners did show character by bouncing back to beat Bournemouth 2-0. It is hard to see Arsenal throwing away this one when they should be baying for blood. The only way is for the Magpies to make things a bit harder but Arsenal will be too good. Mesut Ozil is not only the best in Europe with his assists but he is also banging in the goals. 2-0.

(Arsenal v Bournemouth):
https://www.facebook.com/SoccerHighlightsToday/videos/1041505215892069/?pnref=story

Norwich v Southampton - The Canaries seldom win against the Saints, exactly once in their last ten. Shane Long is in a hot streak now with that performance against Arsenal and he likes to score against Norwich - 6 in 9 games. The Saints could not repeat that shocker of a win against Arsenal and found themselves beaten by West Ham. Norwich found their feet again after that Spurs' trouncing and beat Villa 2-0. Southampton's form have been patchy at best. Draw. 2-2.

WBA v Stoke - The key to this match could be Baggies' manager Tony Pulis. He was previously Stoke boss and he made them hard to beat and now he has done the same to WBA. As Stoke boss he won 5 out of 8 and as WBA boss he won 2 out of 2. So it could be that victory follows him in this tie but he has lost WBA's last 2 matches. WBA have not won until they met Newcastle at home but look at Stoke who have beaten Manchester United 2-0 at home and promptly went away to Goodison Park and beaten a very good Everton side 4-3. They are on song now and should get a result here especially so that Shaqiri is showing his magic and Arnautovic is banging in the goals. 1-2.

Manchester United v Swansea - The Red Devils are in relegation form. 4 on the trot including 3 league matches against Bournemouth, Norwich and Stoke. What dreams are you talking about? They are in shambles. LVG and his team looked downtrodden and bereft of ideas. Swansea have an excellent record against United. In fact, Swansea are their boogey team. The last 5 times they have met Swansea four (all 2-1) and lost once (0-2). They have also stopped the rot and are now unbeaten in three matches. I am picking an away win. 1-2. 

Watford v Manchester City - The Hornets excellent run ended with a 1-2 home defeat to a pressing Tottenham. They do have an equal historical record against City in 13 meetings raking up 5 victories each but in their last 8 encounters in all competitions they have lost 6 and drawn 2. City can be awesome but this is a highly demanding period and they could lose some steam. A surprise draw perhaps. 1-1.

Crystal Palace v Chelsea - Palace are on a 6-match unbeaten run but their last 2 ended 0-0 and they must be encouraged by their good record against Chelsea as in the last 5 head-to-head, they won 2 and lost 3 with all scores at 1-0 or 2-1. There were no draw. Historically in their last 5 head-to-head, Chelsea are ahead 3-2 and all scores were 1-0 or 2-1. Chelsea have shown some improvements but their momentum seemed lost. I won't be surprised Crystal Palce win this one. 2-1.

Everton v Tottenham - Everton were hard done at Goodison Park by visiting Stoke even as Lukaku continued his inspired form with a brace as he equalised twice and despite taking the lead, Everton failed to protect it and ended 3-4 losers in a pulsating game. In their last 5 meetings, Tottenham secured 4 clean sheets and won none of the matches. It will come down to two top scorers - Lukaku and Harry Kane. With their goalie Hugo Lloris in solid form and Spurs defence one of the best, it will be hard even if Everton are playing at home. I see a Tottenham win. 1-2.

(Everton v Stoke):
https://www.facebook.com/SoccerHighlightsToday/videos/1041200609255863/?pnref=story