EPL 2015/2016 - Game Week 36

In the last few years, whenever I was at the Bangkok Airport returning to Singapore, I always see a shop called "King Power" and of course there are Leicester City FC jerseys and kits sold there with other memorabilia of the Foxes. Often, not many people are found in the shop or buying Leicester's kits. Today, all Leicester City's kits are sold out worldwide. What does it tell you about the world? That it is fickle and everybody loves a winner. Few are truly loyal. They only like you when you are successful but there are those truly loyal people out there. I have friends who still thinks Derby County or Leeds United are the best.

"You can see the evening glow all over the sky. It'll soon disappear like mist; so do fame and fortune." Who said this? Samuel Hui in his song "Heart Of A Loafer". Isn't that true about life too. So Leicester will have to take heed but before anything else, Tottenham have done them a favour by drawing at home to WBA. This means the Foxes are just a win away to the title with three matches to spare. First if they could win away to Manchester United this weekend they shall be crowned champions! If not there will be a home game with Everton and finally away to Chelsea. They must do it! Why not at Old Trafford and beat them in their game again without Vardy? 

It was reported that King Richard III who died in battle has his skeletal remains found at a Leicester car park and the the Queen is not rightful heir to the throne. How ironic. All others including Manchester United, City, Chelsea and Arsenal were all pretenders to the throne. Everyone should step aside and bow to the new King - Leicester City! They did it amazingly from start to finish! Probably this is one of the greatest story ever told in soccer annals. 

Watford v Aston Villa - The Hornets have not been good like their early season form. Even Ighalo has stopped scoring like he used to do so almost non-stop. But nobody loses to sad Villa even more so playing at home. How did a once great club like Aston Villa come to this grief? This match will attract little interest this week. 1-0.

Everton v Bournemouth - Everton and Bournemouth have been on identical free fall after starting brightly. Even Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaka have stopped scoring. Manager Roberto Martinez may face pressure on his future at the club. The good news for the Goodison Park faithfuls is that Everton have never lost to Bournemouth. Martinez is a good manager and Everton should reward him with a win here. 2-1.

Newcastle v Crystal Palace -  What are the Magpies doing in the relegation zone? They do not belong there. Their last three matches were impressive after losing for so long. 3-0 at home to Swansea, 1-1 at home to City and 2-2 away to Liverpool. With Sunderland visiting Stoke City away and Norwich travelling to Arsenal, Newcastle knows that a win could get them out of the bottom three.
Home win. No time left. Do or die. 2-1.

Stoke v Sunderland - The Potters are in bad shape. All their mid-season's superb form has dwindled into abysmal results, 1-4 to Liverpool away, 0-4 to Tottenham at home and 4-0 to City away. Sunderland's 3-0 win away win over Norwich and 0-0 home draw with Arsenal were huge. I do not see Stoke suddenly winning but they should have enough pride to bounce back somewhat from the last few weeks' humiliation. 1-1.

WBA v West Ham - The Baggies were on three losses in a row when then visited Tottenham, a seemingly hopeless situation but they did Leicester City a big favour by holding their host to a 1-1 draw. After a series of draws, the Hammers won again. This tie has a tendency to end in a draw. Except for last week's win the Hammers have been drawing but Andy Carroll is on song and Payet could have been Player of the Year so he will play a part for a goal or a hand in it. 1-2.

Arsenal v Norwich - The Gunners' season has collapsed again. Managing just two wins in their last five matches cannot be championship form. Arsenal have to do more and get better from now or they may be in danger of missing out Champions League soccer and being over taken next season as other teams grow in strength. It will be Wenger's 750th game in charge. Arsenal must hope to sign off the season in imperious style. Next year could be Wenger's last. I wish him success but he must buy a few really great players where it matters. 2-0.

Swansea v Liverpool - Liverpool were in fine form but once again let down by their defence. The consolation being that their head-to-head meeting the last five times were Liverpool wins. Swansea had just conceded seven goals without reply in their last two matches, 0-3 to Newcastle and 0-4 to Leicester. Liverpool scored six goals in their last two matches, fifteen in their last five but have an error-prone and porous back line. Swansea have a poor record against Liverpool. Sturridge has score six goals in seven matches suggesting he is really close to his best. Liverpool need a good win to prepare for Villareal's visit soon. 1-3.

Manchester United v Leicester - United's results have been good and back to winning ways so they could pose a problem to the Foxes ambition of getting all three points. Leicester need three points from the remaining three matches to clinch the title. The Red Devils themselves need the points to get into Champions League. This will be tension filled. Again without their top scorer Vardy but they showed no signs of waning when they hit Swansea 4-0. A draw would only postpone the anxiety so winning here would see them crowned champions and I like many would hope it would be that way. The Foxes have some of the fastest players in the league and will have no fear for United. 

Did you notice that champions are those teams that showed confidence, tremendous spirit and belief. Look at the old Liverpool, Manchester United, City or Arsenal and Chelsea. Now look at Leicester City. It is not the size of the dog in the fight but the size of the fight in the dog! In this case, the fox. They have been courageous all season and last week triumphed emphatically without Vardy. To win the the EPL is extremely tough even when you are rich and big so this could be the only chance. You have been fearless all season, be fearless again. Kante and Drinkwater will stop the supply line of Rooney and Carrick then Martial and Rashford will have less to do. Ulloa showed his class and aerial threat and together with Morgan and Huth can hurt United's weakness in defending set pieces. Finally for Mahrez to weave his magic. I like many want a Leicester win to make it a super duper weekend! 1-2.

Southampton v Manchester City - The Saints have recovered some lost ground but their record against City is not encouraging. Joe Hart could be making his 300th appearances if he plays after starring in their away 0-0 draw with Real Madrid. City has returned to winning ways. 1-2.

Chelsea v Tottenham - Chelsea have nothing to play for except pride or future contract. Tottenham can still be champions if they will all their remaining matches and Leicester falters. However, Tottenham do not have a great record against the Blues especially at Stamford Bridge where they have not won since 1990. Really, if not for Leicester's amazing season, Tottenham could have been rightful champions. But they will be without Dele Alli. 1-1.