EPL 2015/16 - Game Week 26

The Foxes are not just everybody's second favourite team. They are entertaining, enterprising, they fight in every inch of turf, they are confident, they have belief, they are fearless and run themselves to the ground. They are supreme underdogs made into a supreme team. There must be method in the madness. First of all, they have the right management team in place. Their Thai owners must have known how to connect with their history, tradition and know how to pick the right manager and trainers and from there on found the right players, on the cheap at that and transformed them into ''a team'' who fought for one another. It begins at the top. Who would not love an underdog. That is what life is about too. Money can't buy you success.

The old tradition of hard work in itself is humility. Not a get rich quick scheme. Not about one famous manager nor a few famous players. Leicester City have given hope to all that we can dream and despite the unfair advantages that life and circumstances have given us all, we can all dig in deep and and achieve the impossible. In fact, Leicester do not need to win the title. I and I am sure many others are converts. But still I am rooting for them all the way as many others would to win the title! Go Foxes!!! 

Sunderland v Manchester United - Just quite recently, the Black Cats held Bournemouth, lost narrowly to City and held Liverpool after trailing 0-2. Its either they have improved or Liverpool was very bad. Meanwhile, the Red Devils are paying a bit more exciting and scoring but they allowed a very late Chelsea equaliser and the the heroics of de Gea to thank. They have just 32 goals to their credit this season, better than just seven other teams but second best in terms of goals conceded which means they have not taken much risks. It is a game that United should win but last time in 2014 at this venue it was 1-1. Do not despise the strugglers they may surprise. The news of Mourinho coming to Old Trafford should be frowned upon but welcome by rivals. His is not the type of soccer that Manchester United should play but if he comes will he continue to rub salt into his rival managers'wounds. 1-1.

Swansea v Southampton - The Swans have been on a good run since losing to Sunderland at home - winning two and drawing two. The Saints were even better winning four and drawing one away to Arsenal including defeating Manchester United away. Swansea could play for a draw but I see Southampton winning again. 1-2.

Bournemouth v Stoke - The Cherries have picked up the pieces while the Potters have been on a dismal run of five continuous loss. There were three 0-3 losses to Leicester, Man Utd and the last one at home to Everton. Bournemouth were undefeated till they lost at home to Arsenal. The last five ties ended with the home team winning. Besides, Stoke have not scored for a long time save for that Cup match against Liverpool. I take Bournemouth to win. 1-0.

Crystal Palace v Watford - Both teams are suffering from patchy to poor form. Odion Ighalo has stopped scoring who once could not stop scoring that was why they have not scored in their last two matches. He should score again and Palace will score one too. 1-1.

Everton v WBA - The Toffees are better than Mersey side rival Liverpool albeit on goal difference and are back to their best again with three straight wins all by 3-0 last against Stoke away. Romelu Lukaku likes to score against the Baggies. WBA are the way they are built - to be difficult to beat which means they do not often win. With three draws and a loss to Newcastle this appear a grim trip to Goodison Park. It should be a good home victory. 2-0.

Norwich v West Ham - The Canaries are in trouble and could be a serious contender for relegation as they have lost all their last five matches conceding 16 goals! The Hammers are going great guns and they are taking on the big boys without losing save for that 0-1 away to in form Southampton. They came back with an extra-time reply win against Liverpool. There should be sufficient rest for now till the weekend to recuperate. I do not expect a surprise here but a reasonably comfortable away win for West Ham. 0-2.

Chelsea v Newcastle - Once mighty Chelsea are languishing in 13th position. When you thought they are going to suffer their first defeat under Guus Hiddink, they clawed back to level the Red Devils at the eleventh hour. So they do not lose so easily now. The Magpies have improved a bit in 17th position but just six points behind. Newcastle can be a bit of a bogey team for Chelsea as they have taken more points from the Blues than any other team in the last few seasons. Problem is they only beat or draw Chelsea at home, mostly. They could surprise here but I feel Chelsea will take full points here. 2-1.

Arsenal v Leicester City  - The Gunners have not been in great form and have dropped points, only defeat to Manchester City by their visitors this weekend and the last away win at Bournemouth kept them in 3rd position. The Foxes are seemingly unstoppable at this moment in time. They have the momentum and the belief. I mean what is there to fear when you have just conquered Manchester City 3-1 at the Etihad. So why can't they do so at the Emirates? They could even play at the Pyramids and win. This will be an open game with goals. Expect Vardy and Mahrez to score. Go Foxes! King Power! I am going to buy their jersey. Draw. 2-2.

Aston Villa v Liverpool - I do not like to say this but Liverpool are bad. I am sure the axe will be wielded soon by Klopp. Mignolet and the defence gave away goals too simply when they have to work so hard to get goals at the other end. You are at home and leading comfortably 2-0, then they conceded two goals in the last eight minutes. Villa won their last match but that was Norwich. History strongly favours Liverpool as their last four visits to Villa Park ended in victories and lost just once in 18 visits there. Though Villa seldom score they could get one here because their visitors are so poor in defending. It could end a 1-1 draw but Liverpool strikers are back so they may just secure a close win. 1-2.

Manchester City v Tottenham - City stuttered against Leicester last week and cannot afford to drop any more points if they were to fight for the title. They are now in fourth. If not for Joe Hart, they would have gotten blue and black. Make that double black. The days when City could thrash the Spurs are over. City will find it hard to cope with Tottenham. Usually and for quite sometime now this tie do not end in a draw. City's defence is leaky while Spurs have the best defence in the entire league having conceded only 19 goals. This is championship form. I will not be surprise if they win the league. 2-2.