EPL 2015/16 - Game Week 34
If Liverpool gives you a spine tingling rendition of their Anthem "You'll Never Walk Alone" anywhere especially at Anfield:
You'll Never Walk Alone (Gerry And The Pacemakers)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9sFd3Ennhs
Here is Gerry:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV5_LQArLa0
Then Leicester City should take up this song as their Anthem:
If We Hold On Together (Diana Ross)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGVQJKgqgY8
Up to now, to me, the Foxes are already the Champions, they do not even need to win the title. Winning it would be just the icing on the cake. Take manager Claudio Ranieri. He is of international pedigree with a wealth of experience but he was with twelve clubs including Valencia, Athletico Madrid, Chelsea, Juventus and Milan and suffered seven sackings! He has never won any title in the top flight. Look at the Leicester City team which costs only less than 30 million pounds to assemble. Star players Jamie Vardy was a factory worker playing non-league soccer just a few years back and costs only 1 million pounds. Then you look at the number of goals he has amassed and the way they were scored including that goal against Germany against the best goalie Neuer and followed that with another against the Dutch. His partner Riyad Mahrez cost only almost half of a million pounds.
So how did this fairy tale happened? Ranieri is 64, he was closed to winning on several occasions but he has a passion and he had belief. He kept plugging away and he met and then created a bunch of players who believe in him. The Foxes are top of the heap because there is not a better team than them in the league in terms of desire, team work and playing together. Belief and holding on together. Leicester City have given hope to all that when you have faith and do all the right things you can achieve anything.
The most in-form team today is of course Leicester City, followed by Swansea, Liverpool, Manchester United (before their destruction by Spurs), Bournemouth, West Ham and Tottenham with the worst from the bottom - Aston Villa, Newcastle, Watford and Sunderland. My guess is the table for top seven will look like this: (1) Leicester (2) Tottenham (3) Arsenal (4) Manchester City (5) Manchester United (6) West Ham (7) Liverpool and the bottom three are: (18) Norwich (19) Newcastle (20) Aston Villa.
Norwich v Sunderland - This match could decide who goes down. Only one point separated both sides but the Black Cats have a game in hand. Norwich have a superior record when they play Sunderland and showed resolve when they held Manchester City bit last week succumbed to Palace while Sunderland have lots of fight drawing four matches before Leicester destroyed them. Both sides will fight tooth and nail which will probably end in a stalemate. 1-1.
Manchester United v Aston Villa - United bounced back with a lifeline when they defeated West Ham in the F.A. Cup. Marcus Rashford looked like a real find of the season for them. Villa's dismal record against the Red Devils makes their trip to Old Trafford even more daunting and could confirm their drop. 2-0.
Everton v Southampton - Everton are in a bit of a slump dropping to twelfth. Historical encounters were even Stevens but in twelve meeitngs they have only lost twice in this pairing. Everton can be capable but the Saints have been more consistent. Lukaku tends to score more at Goodison Park. He has not scored for a few games now and it is about time but Southampton are no easy meat. It will probably be a draw even as their last five meetings all ended with an outright winner. 1-1.
Newcastle v Swansea - The last time the Magpies won a match it was in early February at home to WBA. Before that they had held Manchester United and beaten West Ham in January. These are anxious moments for the Toon Army indeed. With so few games left can Benitez get a first win and spark a revival and survival? It does not help that they have a poor record against Swansea. Newcastle's hope is that Swansea do not win many matches away from home. Swansea are safe but but their host are fighting for survival. Perhaps a surprise home win even as Swansea had beaten Chelsea just last week? 1-0.
WBA v Watford - In 14th and 15th in the table and 2 points apart, this mid-table fight has little significance other than playing for pride and players for their future. The Baggies are the bogey team for the Hornets. In fifteen matches they have never lost. Both teams are not having their best form of late but at the Hawthorns, expect WBA to win. 2-1.
Chelsea v Manchester City - Chelsea have a proud record against their visitors at Stamford Bridge but are n poor form having won only once in seven matches. City have bounced back after their derby loss to United and beating PSG and becoming the 10th English club to have qualified for a semi-final of the Champions League. It was their first time there. Based on current form and boost, it may be hard for Chelsea to defend their home record of 11 wins and one defeat against City. This could be the second home loss to City. Expect Kevin de Bruyne to shine again. He is an amazing player. If not for his long lay off from injury, he would have helped City and Pelligrini immensely. 1-2.
Bournemouth v Liverpool - The Cherries are not dong too badly but in their last four encounters they suffered four losses to the Reds. Liverpool is now the most unpredictable team in the league plus maybe even Europe as you could see from their most recent comeback in the Europa Leagues against a very good team in Borussia Dortmund, going 0-2 down at home then to 1-2, 1-3, 2-3 and 4-3 is just crazy.
You have to take note that Liverpool are in scoring form. 4-1 over Stoke last weekend and then 4-3 against a strong team like Dortmund. Klopp now has options. He played Firmino, Coutinho, Lallana and Origi. Sturridge is very fresh and raring to go. Some of their youngsters like Ojo are doing incredibly well and Klopp is not afraid to play them. I see a win here as they seems to be picking up momentum. 0-2.
(Liverpool v Stoke):
http://www.90min.com/posts/3108254-video-all-goals-as-liverpool-run-riot-against-stoke-city
(Liverpool v Borussia Dortmund):
http://ourmatch.net/videos/14-04-2016-liverpool-4-3-borussia-dortmund/
Leicester City v West Ham - The Foxes could inch closer and eventually seal their historical feat. Seven clean sheets in their last eight games is legendary. The Hammers are back to playing to draws. The last three meetings ended with Leicester winning 2-1. Slaven Billic is quite a tactician and he will try to prise apart the Foxes'defence so well led by Wes Morgan and Robert Huth. Besides, Payet, watch out for Andy Carroll whose hattrick last week against Arsenal was truly brilliant! Nobody has a better header than Carroll. Win this match and the title will probably be theirs. There will be fireworks! They will do it once again and win it. 2-1.
(Varday - Sunderland v Leicester)
https://www.facebook.com/SoccerHighlightsToday/videos/1114836628558927/?pnref=story
Legendary Free Kick Takers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dYgz8R0RFU
Arsenal v Crystal Palace - The Gunners blew it once again this season. Next season could be Wenger's last. He will probably have to splash some cash. Why did he build up and save so much for another to squander? He could have won a few titles over the years had he installed a few key players and a leader. In their last five meetings Arsenal never scored more than two goals each time in this tie. Palace will be safe from relegation but could offer little resistance to their host. Ozil and Sanchez would destroy them. Palace's collapse has been quite spectacular. 2-0.
Stoke v Tottenham - The Potters face a stark truth. Tottenham have won at the Britannia than any other team but there were occasions Stoke had beaten Spurs. Not now, not this time. Harry Kane is now one of the world's best strikers. Tottenham actually deserved to be champions only to have Leicester around. Who knows they still might. Away win. 1-2.
(Tottenham v Manchester United):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_IXG4PtuxU
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