EPL 2016/17 - Game Week 7

Sam Allardyce became the only manager with a 100% win record! To borrow an English quote - penny wise and pound foolish. How will English football progress from here? Who is it gonna be now? Arsene Wenger?

Last week, I predicted three matches 100% - Stoke 1 WBA 1, Middlesborough 1 Tottenham 1, and Swansea 1 Manchester City 3. It is tough. Worse, they are legalising online betting now. Will more people take to gambling because of that? We can say that those who would gamble may already be doing it albeit illegally. But how do we know about the rest who gambles but because it is illegal they do not and when it is made legal, they will?

Everton v Crystal Palace - The Toffees had a dream start for this campaign thanks to Ronald Koeman. Just as the praises flowed in, they got halted at home to lower rung Norwich in the League Cup followed by an away loss Bournemouth. Eddie Howe's stock will continue to rise at Bournemouth. Palace rebounded from their League Cup exit at the hands of Southampton with a come from behind win at Sunderland trailing 0-2 and winning 3-2. For some reasons, Palace are not Everton's favourite opponents and the home side have stuttered of late losing two matches straight without a single goal. Palace's last three visits to Goodison Park recorded two victories and a draw. Draw. 1-1.

Swansea v Liverpool - Swansea's have been falling off the perch. Other than that 2-2 draw with Chelsea, they have lost all the matches there after. Though at this same venue last season they won 3-1 in this tie, we have two very different Swansea and Liverpool this time. The Reds have been in red hot form and with 16 goals in 6 matches, second only to City's 18. If you have been watching the games, Liverpool were at times unplayable, even against the top and better teams. Away at Arsenal 4-3, away to Tottenham 1-1, hoemn to Leicester 4-1, away to Chelsea 2-1, home to Hull 5-1. 

Except for the Burnley blip, they have been irresistible and unstoppable even when playing away. It shall be interesting to see them play the Manchester clubs at some point. They no longer rely on one or two players but from everywhere across the pitch and Daniel Sturridge has not really been playing yet. Based on current form, ability and the way they have been so prolific and free scoring they could be challenging for honours but it would depends on how they defend and their consistency from here on. Watching Liverpool play these days is akin to watching the great Brazilian team of the 1982 World Cup - breathtaking!

Brazil (1982 World Cup)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVA1JHdDTx0

Even skipper Jordan Henderson is leading the Premier League for pass completion leaving the rest in his dust. He has made 499 passes, nearly 100 more than Leicester's Danny Drinkwater who has 403. Even Santi Cazorla has only 399. Swansea's old records agaisnt Liverpool aren't good. Away win because it would be hard to stop Coutinho, Firmino, Lallana and Mane. Maybe even Daniel Sturridge. 1-3. 

Hull v Chelsea - Both sides now shared a same fate as far as their last four matches went. DLWL but it has been far more damaging to Chelsea than Hull. Suddenly, the Blues are no more feared, their defence has been comical, perhaps the remnants left behind by Mourinho who failed to plan the future. Chelsea are in a similar state as Manchester United were after Sir Alex left. Conte is going through a baptism of fire. Any any given day mostly, Chelsea could take full points here but now is not any given day. Meanwhile, the Tigers themselves were given hell by Liverpool and are not in their best frame. Besides, they have never beaten Chelsea. Their best results were two draws in twelve meetings. I would expect Diego Costa and Eden Hazard to score. Maybe Chelsea will respond decisively. 0-2.

Sunderland v WBA - The Black Cats went straight into relegation zone and is now propping up the table. Even Jermaine Defoe's brace last week could not help them as they fell 2-3 at home to Palace despite leading 2-0. The Baggies fought back to rescue a point at the brink of death with a 90th minute equalizer at Stoke. In their last five head-to head meetings they are even Stevens. Likely result - draw. 1-1.

Watford v Bournemouth - The Cherries have not won at Vicarage Road for a long time. As far as league matches are concerned, Bournemouth were unbeaten in their last five versus the Hornets. However, after two good wins especially that 3-1 win over the Red Devils, Watford went to slumber and got slayed 2-0 by Burnley while Bournemouth surprised a very good Everton side 1-0. I feel it could be a high scoring draw. 2-2.

West Ham v Middlesborough - It is hard to fathom that the Hammers are in this situation now. Last season they were so good they were fighting for fourth. This time now they are languishing in 18th with only three points. They are even losing their home games. They were great at their old Boleyn ground at Upton Park. So it could be the curse of their new London Stadium? At one time, Slaven Bilic could do no wrong but suddenly there is nothing right. The only good news for Hammers' fans are that they are meeting Middlesborough who are also not in good shape and because West Ham won all their last seven home matches against Boro. It must be now for West Ham to win before it gets worse and there is no better time. 2-1.

Manchester United v Stoke - The Red Devils bounced back quickly enough after dropping Rooney and Fellaini. There was more pace and it was an impressive win over Leicester despite the Foxes playing well for a 20 minute spell. Stoke managed to stop the rot but a home draw against WBA was not awe inspiring. They are facing a rejuvenated United side that have won all previous eight matches against Stoke at Old Trafford. Stoke managed only to win twice in their last five meets but on home ground. The Potters will find it tough here but the problem was United are just done having beaten at this same venue a Ukranian team called Zorya 1-0 where people are asking who is Zorya. Still I think United are too strong for their old boy Mark Hughes' team. 2-0. 

Leicester City v Southampton - The  reigning champions may be home but their indifferent start to the season and their last match may have a scar on their minds made worse by the Saints excellent win at West Ham last week. However, they have full points from two matches in their new adventure in the Champions League and they have just beaten Porto 1-0 in mid-week. The Foxes have also lost only just once to Southampton on home soil. Somehow, Leicester have the most home wins against Southampton in the competition. They must repeat their performance to topple Southampton. Home win. 2-1.

Tottenham v Manchester City - This will be the top match of the week for the two top teams. The Lily Whites are back just after an away 1-0 win over CSKA Moscow in the Champions League and guess who scored? Son Heung-Min!!! The Son is rising. Tottenham continues to be quietly doing very well indeed but this is their sternest test yet. City were surprising held 3-3 by Celtic in mid-week. Conceding three goals is not a good thing but to equalised three times showed great fighting spirit. Well, City is not perfect and Tottenham seemed to enjoy good results against City. In their last five meetings, there were 22 goals. They will cancel each other out in this one. 2-2. 

Burnley v Arsenal - A superb chance for the Gunners to haul themselves further up the table. Burnely may have tripped out Liverpool and just last week, Watford but they are winless against the Gunners in their last seven times and in fact suffered straight losses the last three times. After that 3-4 Liverpool loss, they have gathered much momentum and remained not only unbeaten but are on a hot winning streak. More than that, it was the way they have been playing, tearing apart Chelsea and Basel with Theo Walcott the hero in the latter match. Can Burnley do at Turf Moor to Arsenal what they have done to Liverpool and Watford? It will be tough. Arsenal are third and a win here is so important as Tottenham and City square off  at White Hart Lane and if it ends a draw or Tottenham loses, the Gunners goes second and if City loses, they inched closer to a two points difference. 0-2.