EPL 2015/16 - Game Week 23

Without doubt, the best EPL season ever! England has also benefited greatly this season as the forays of young English players gave a glimpse into the future of the England national team. Arsenal offers Kieran Gibbs (26), Calum Chambers (21), Oxlade-Chamberlian (22), Jack Wilshere (24-injured), Theo Walcott (26), Danny Welbeck (25-injured). Leicester have Benjamin Chilwell (21), Jamie Vardy (29). Manchester City have Joe Hart (28), Raheem Sterling (21), Febian Delph (26). Tottenham and manager Pochettino may probably contribute the most - Eric Dier (22), Danny Rose (25), Kyle Walker (25), Dele Alli (19), Andy Townsend (24), Ryan Mason (24), Harry Kane (22). Manchester United offers Phil Jones (23), Luke Shaw (20-injured), Chris Smalling (26), Jesse Lingard (23), Wayne Rooney (30). Stoke offers one very promising goalkeeper - Jack Butland (22). Liverpool - Jon Flanagan (23-injured), Joe Gomez (18-injured), Nathaniel Clyne (24), Adam Lallana (27), Jordan Henderson (25), Danny Ings (23-injured), Daniel Sturridge (26-injured). Southampton - goalie Fraser Forster (27-injured), Ryan Bertrand (26), James-Ward Prowse (21), Charlie Austin (26). Everton have Leighton Baines (31), John Stones (21), Phil Jagielka (33), Ross Barkley (22). Chelsea - Gary Cahill (30).

No one should be carried away. Just that there was a time where there was almost no emergence of young English talent. The dearth of talent at one time means you cannot have succession. Joe Hart is still good but he will now be hard pressed by Fraser Forster who was outstanding in previous season before his injury. Jack Butland only at 22 can developed into a top goalie. He has been the best in the EPL this season. Luke Shaw was one of the best young left back in Europe before his injury. Eric Dier now converted to defensive midfield is versatile, fearless and can hold the game. Chris Smalling has been Manchester United's best player. John Stones has been outstanding - he could hold the ball, good in the air, fearless, calm and he is only 19. Everybody wants to have him. Oxlade-Chamberlain has potential to become a fine specimen, Jack Wilshere when not injured is a special player, Theo Walcott and Rahim Sterling are speedy Gonzales that can run dead dogs tired. Ross Barkley can go very far and Dele Alli is one of the best to come forth at 19 since the days of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard. This boy can be a great as he wins balls, creates chances and score goals. Jamie Vardy may be older but runs and scores non-stop, Harry Kane is like hurricane. Get the right combination and belief and England can do well at the European Championship. Meanwhile, back to the EPL:

Norwich v Liverpool - The Canaries are just two points off the relegation zone but they can be strong at home at Carrow Road, unbeaten in their last five. They have held Arsenal and Everton. The Reds need to keep watch on their new signing from Everton - Steven Naismith who knows where the goals are but Liverpool have lost none against Norwich in eleven meetings. We saw how Liverpool dominated Manchester United, did almost everything right but score and then conceded another set piece goal which has been their glaring weakness. They have to kiss Champions League bye bye for now but you must expect a backlash from the visitors but they have to take their chances. They created much against United and ended empty handed. There isn't a lot of time left. 1-2.

 Watch (Liverpool v Manchester United): https://www.facebook.com/SoccerHighlightsToday/videos/1053290638046860/?pnref=story
WBA v Aston Villa - The Baggies were walloped 3-0 by Southampton while Villa improved much by beating Palace and holding Leicester recently. Villa have a miserable twelve points and look a certainty for relegation unless they start winning and stop getting beaten and fight for survival. Draw. 1-1.
Sunderland v Bournemouth - The Black Cats are on a LWLWL pendulum. The Cherries will not be cherries for the picking as they have held Leicester away and just last week trounced Norwich 3-0. Sunderland do not normally lose to Bournemouth and the visitors have been pretty good on the road pointing us to a close and physical game which I think will end in a draw. 1-1.
Watford v Newcastle - The Hornets have lost their sting in recent matches while the Magpies are soaring a bit but the home side have already beaten Newcastle twice this season. Newcastle held Manchester United then had West Ham beaten in their last two matches indicating strong improvement. Jongjo Shelvey's recruitment has certainly shored up their midfield. Prior to these, Newcastle lost by narrow 0-1 margins away even against Arsenal. So while Newcastle have started scoring again, Watford have stopped. Ighalo who has 13 goals should start scoring again. 2-2.
Manchester United v Southampton - United are unbeaten but continued to be boring. I saw them played Liverpool and for a moment I thought they were the old Chelsea in red. The Saints are back to winning ways keeping two clean sheets in the process winning 2-0 against Watford and 3-0 against WBA. This tie have traditionally been close ending in draws or either team winning by a one goal margin. The Red Devils may yet again labour for a narrow win. Continuing this trend, they may soon be caught by their own antics. Perhaps it is Louis van Gaal's tactics to make them hard to be beaten. If they could be caught then Southampton can be that team to catch them. United is a big fat yawn and the only team they can beat is Liverpool. 1-1.
Leicester City v Stoke - Their matches tended to be tight ending in draws or close one goal margin. The Foxes seemed to have lost some steam lately but still maintaining their perch at the top level on point with Arsenal but goal difference. Stoke are coming back strongly where even the Gunners could not break them down. Besides, they are good travellers. Claudio Ranieri should be a bit concern as Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez have stopped scoring recently where Mahrez even missed a penalty. Leicester need to win again to sustain their challenge. I believe they have the tenacity. Based on probability Vardy and Mahrez should score again. They have to re-discover their magic to lead the Foxes. 2-1.
Crystal Palace v Tottenham - The Eagles have stopped soaring and the Spurs are flying but this is a London Derby. Tottenham are unbeaten in nine away games and this is solid. Palace seemed to have dropped a notch of late and with confidence growing in the visiting camp, expect an away win. 1-2.
West Ham v Manchester City - The Hammers went to the Etihad and surprisingly won. On home soil, they have not lost in eight matches. West Ham have been doing exceedingly well save for that 1-2 away defeat to Newcastle. If Andy Carroll plays he could trouble City but will the Hammers find a way to stop Sergio Aguero as that would be key. Otherwise City shall take three points. However, in Dimitri Payet, they have someone who could hurt City. If City do not win here, they will drift further apart if Arsenal and Leicester both win. Will West Ham do the double over City like they did Liverpool? 1-2.

 Watch: https://www.facebook.com/premierleague/videos/1255803654444047/?pnref=story
Everton v Swansea - Everton are tough nuts to crack but they could have converted more of their draws to wins. Everton hardly lose to Swansea mostly but the visitors have just got a reviving win in their last match. Both teams somehow do not score frequently or often against one another. Swansea are still in danger of relegation and Everton look good for a win here especially with Romelu Lukaku heading the scoring chart. 2-1.
Arsenal v Chelsea - The Gunners may be topping the league table and playing well while Chelsea flounder. The problems is no one remembers when was the last time Arsenal scored against Chelsea. That kind of summarize the match. The good thing going for Arsenal is that they have not lost at the Emirates for nine games plus the fact that Chelsea have not won their two home matches drawing 2-2 with WBA and 3-3 with Everton may put things in perspective. But then Chelsea has often been Arsenal's nemesis and causing their downfall. Interesting how this one will pan out.  This is a chance for Petr Cech to prove Chelsea wrong to make Tibault Courtois their number one over him. Arsenal look the more convincing bet. 2-1.

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