EPL 2015/16 - Game Week 27

It was the first time I remember that the top four teams played on the same weekend. I predicted 2-2 draw for both matches and it was close so it could have been. Not one experts from the press gave Sunderland any hope against Manchester United - one predicted a 2-1 win and three others said 2-0. I felt bad for the Red Devils and predicted a 1-1 draw but Sunderland went one better to win 2-1. At the beginning of the season, I have said finally Arsenal could have a say as they have the most settled side and they have narrowed the gap to two points by beating Leicester, so too Tottenham who won at Manchester City too. 

I find things rather strange and disrespectful when Manchester City or Pep Guardiola announced about his appointment after Pelligrini. Technically City are still in the hunt in all four competition. Under Pep in future, Yaya Toure may be affected in his performance now as he left Barcelona when Pep was there. So too, Juan Mata at Manchester United if Jose Mourinho takes over. MOurinho may be very successful. Credit to him but he has never joined an ordinary team and make them great or exciting like Claudio Ranieri or Arsene Wenger. This week's biggest match will be at Anfield where the Merseyside Derby between Liverpool and Everton will take place.

West Ham v Sunderland - The Hammers were shocked when Norwich took a 2-0 lead but came back to steal a draw the other week. The Black Cats have been in inspired form too. After losing narrowly to Manchester City, they held Liverpool and beat Manchester United. Past results and scores between have been pretty close. Sunderland are on the up trend while West Ham have weakened. However, anyone who has watched their F.A. Cup win over Palace will throw their hats in with the Hammers. What a team display and what a player Payet is. Just so wonderful. How could Sunderland stop them if they play the same way. Draw. 3-1.

Stoke v Aston Villa - Stoke have been on a losing sequence until they got Bournemouth where they won. Villa's previous 2-0 win over Norwich meant nothing now as they got crushed 0-6 by Liverpool. Besides, Stoke are not Villa's favourite opponents. Stoke scored 3 times away at Bournemouth and will do so again at home. Home win. 2-0.

Watford v Bournemouth - The Hornets are still doing very well. Watford have been winning or not losing except the narrow 0-1 loss to Tottenham. However, the Cherries are ripe for the picking. Bournemouth's unbeaten streak came to an end both on home soil. This could end in a draw but Watford will have the edge. When will Ighalo score again after being so regular at it? Now. 2-1.

Southampton v Chelsea - The Saints are in sixth position and Chelsea 12th. In the last two years Southampton have  improved their records against Chelsea, drawing 1-1 twice and winning 3-1 away. Though Chelsea may have stabilized, Southampton are on a great run. They have kept quite an amazing run of clean sheets of six matches. Why can't they continue'? Home and saintly win. 1-0.

Leicester City v Norwich - There is every chance that the Foxes could land the title. Leicester did not match the Gunners in possession or passing yet led through the irrepressible Jamie Vardy. The loss to Arsenal was just a blip. The Canaries are unlikely to be able to stop Vardy, Mahrez and company especially with what their notorious and fragile away record suggested. If Vardy and Mahrez are on song, I can't see how Norwich could cope plus Norwich only score every third game. I would like to see the Foxes chasing the title. They will be playing teams from the lower half in their next three matches so they should go out to cement their position. Keep up the fantasy! 2-0.

(Arsenal v Leicester City):
https://www.facebook.com/sportnewsfeed/videos/830606350381670/?pnref=story

WBA v Crystal Palace - The Baggies are created not to loose rather than to win. Meanwhile, Palace seem to be in free fall having not won for a long time except for their exploits in the F. A. Cup where they last had even Tottenham beaten away (1-0) as their salvation but they have not been firing while WBA floundered at Reading (1-3) in the Cup. Looks likely to be a draw for me. 1-1.

Liverpool v Everton - Liverpool have to wait for next season for Klopp to ring in the changes needed. They are blowing hot and cold not knowing when is hot and when is cold. The 6-0 away thrashing of Villa was quite impressive but they went to Augsburg  and drew a blank. Based on each of their last five matches played against all other opponents, Everton are in better shape with their results. With this being a hot-blooded Merseyside Derby, adding their last three head to head meetings where they all ended in draws, this look like another draw especially with Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku hot on the score sheet. The good news for the home side is the availability of Coutinho, Firmino and Sturridge. They will make a difference. 2-1. (Remarks: This match shall be postponed due to the League Cup Final on Sunday between Liverpool and Manchester City). 

(Aston Villa v Liverpool):
https://www.facebook.com/sportnewsfeed/videos/830676853707953/?pnref=story

Newcastle v Manchester City - The Magpies are a conundrum but there is some hope in that before City's emphatic 3-1 away win at Dynamo Kyiv, they lost three previous matches - 1-3 at home to Leicester, 1-2 at home to Tottenham and 1-5 away to Chelsea in the F.A. Cup. I found it silly to announce Pep Guardiola's arrival when Pelligrini is still in charge as it may affect team performance but Pelligrini should go all out for European glory but win or lose he is leaving. He is a good and respectable man who plays attacking soccer. Another EPL team should snatch him for next season. Vincent Kompany is back so Newcastle at home can only get a goal at most but City, even as they are tired from the mid week trip are still too strong. 1-3. (Remarks: This match shall be postponed due to the League Cup Final on Sunday between Liverpool and Manchester City). 

(Manchester City v Tottenham):
https://www.facebook.com/sportnewsfeed/videos/830722227036749/?pnref=story

Manchester United v Arsenal - This is the worst Manchester United team for a long time. Although they won 3-0 away at Shrewsbury Town in the F.A. Cup, I am sure everyone felt jittery before the game. This sums up their current plight. The sacking of LVG is too expensive so they are waiting. They have even lost to a Danish team called Midtjylland in Europa. The Gunners are not better in that in Europe they just can't go further than the quarter-finals. Barcelona tore t hem apart in the final twenty minutes. Wenger so focus entirely to win the league title rather than try to win at Nou Camp in the return leg. Maybe a team like Tottenham could surprise Barcelona than Arsenal who have become too predictable in my books as they are over dependent on Mezut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez. Their record at Old Trafford is not good so a draw is very possible but Arsenal must start winning now if there is still any hope of landing the title then this is the type of must win match that will boost confidence. Arsenal to win as United is worse. 1-2.

(Arsenal v Leicester City):
https://www.facebook.com/sportnewsfeed/videos/830606350381670/?pnref=story

Tottenham v Swansea - Tottenham is a Swansea killer. Though the Swans have made some decent recovery, I do not think that Tottenham would slip again like they did against Palace in the Cup. Swansea plays a passing game and will make things a bit tougher for the hosts but no team has recovered more points than Spurs from losing position, coupled with the fact they could smell the title from a near distance that means they would not let slip up the opportunity at White Hart Lane. Being out of the F.A. Cup could be a blessing in disguise. 2-1.

(Manchester City v Tottenham):
https://www.facebook.com/sportnewsfeed/videos/830722227036749/?pnref=story