EPL 2016/17 - Game Week 9

The previous week I predicted 100% scores in four out of five matches on a Saturday. Well, that was 80% of all matches that day. This could happen when all the stars align themselves so it could be once in ten of fifty years. 


Last week, we saw some great goal keeping heroics. Starting with Joe Hart for England who made a couple of world class saves in particular the one where he dived to reach the far left top corner and with his strong left hand pushing the ball to the underside of the cross bar and while the ball in that split second was still dipping down and going in, his right hand made sure it didn't. Never seen a save like that before. (He has even landed on support base of the goal post and got injured.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7J0mK51muxc (Hart saves)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3OTfzEce4k

I knew Burnley have a good goal keeper and when he was playing in the lower division, he was sometimes selected for England. This season, I saw him made many good saves but not was better than this when he saved a sure goal from Southampton's Charlie Austin, turning it just around the post by the smallest margin. Bravo!

http://www.90min.com/posts/3959824-video-burnley-s-tom-heaton-puts-himself-forward-for-save-of-the-season-against-southampton ((Tom Heaton save). Tom, the heat is on.

Then as Jose Mourinho parked the bus, he still needed David de Gea to make saves especially two that were going in. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zkJtl4j0Gs (David de Gea)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iff0Ohsgts
Menawhile, Gianluigi Buffon saved Juventus from Lyon:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVTf8pHoS4E (Buffon)

Finally, the name maybe Bravo but his action was anything but that. Claudia got a red card when he so far out and make an error pass to Suarez and used his hands to block Suarez's lob. He was the very reason Joe Hart lost his place and went to Italy as Pep's preference. What irony!

https://au.sports.yahoo.com/football/a/32956314/football-bravo-howler-gives-man-city-hart-palpitations/#page1 (Bravo)
https://www.facebook.com/Channel4/videos/vb.273250047329/10153770883922330/?type=2&theater (Bravo)

Bournemouth v Tottenham - The Cherries probably had the best scores in the Premier League, 6-1 thrashing of Hull. Eddie Howe's stocks are rising even further. This coincided with Tottenham's worst result for a while, a 1-1 draw at the Hawthorns with WBA with Dele Alli saving them with an equaliser in the 89th minute followed by a mid-week goalless draw at Bayer Leverkusen. In other words, they haven't won in two matches despite an impressive 2-0 win over City. This does not augur well for Tottenham but in their last three face to face matches, Bournemouth have been thrashed by 3-4 goal margins. It does not augur well for the home team too. While Bournemouth have improved much, Tottenham while still very good have not been as swashbuckling as last season. This could be tricky. 1-1.

Arsenal v Middlesborough - It will shock many if the Gunners do not continue their winning streak. Of great significance is that the match is being played on Arsene Wenger's 67th birthday! The last time Middlesborough won at Arsenal was not that long ago but was in 2001. Just comparing their last five performance results in all competition - Arsenal with WWWWW and Boro with LLLDL. Though Boro could score, it is unlikely for them to breach the Gunner's defence. Besides, Theo Walcott is back with a vengence and so is Mesut Ozil who now is not only continuing to make goals but scoring them as well including three against Ludogorets. This new resilient side to Arsenal could see them really as title contender. Happy birthday Monsieur Wenger. 3-0.

Burnely v Everton - Burnley have won just once in the last five meetings with the Toffees and just got burned 1-3 by Southampton while their visitors held City 1-1 at the Etihad. Burnley suffered three straight defeats in consecutive games with Everton and have lost their last four matches prior to this match. Everton did not score plenty recently but are impressive under Koeman. All they need is for Lukaku to pop up and score one. 0-1.

Hull v Stoke - The Tigers win rate versus Stoke City is just 12% in the league but they did have Stoke beaten away from home in the League Cup in September (2-1). Stoke City's stocks are rising again since they held Manchester United 1-1 away and won 2-0 over Sunderland last week while Hull slumped to a 1-6 mauling by Bournemouth making it like a toothless tiger mauled by potent cherries. Unless they pull themselves together, it shall be 3 points for Stoke. 1-2.

Leicester v Crystal Palace - The Foxes are having a hard act to follow after last season's incredible championship winning run. Their 0-3 trouncing by Chelsea was abysmal. However, somehow, they have been rising to the occasion in Europa league winning all three games and keeping a 100% win record to top their group table after beating Copenhagen 1-0. he good news for them was that Palace themselves slumped to a home 0-1 defeat to off-form West Ham. Leicester have not been as resilient in defence this season and expect Palace to score. Mahrez, last years Player of the Year is back on the score sheet in the 1-0 win over Copenhagen. Jamie Vardy has been strangely subdued. Maybe he should have really gone over to Arsenal? But he has been a loyal servant and surely be on the score sheet again pretty soon. Why not now? 2-1.

Swansea v Watford - Swansea are in very bad shape even as they gave the Gunners a scare last week. They are last but one and two point above Sunderland and have to save their season now. No one should and could afford to allow bad things to linger too long as it could lead to depression. The only good news is that The Hornets won only once in six meetings with Swansea in the past and Watford's recent form has been patchy at best but they won by a single goal away to Boro last week. The Swans have been losing by the odd goal suggesting a lack of confidence rather thei an inability to play. New Manager Bob Bradley has a giant task ahead. Good to and within them to get at least a home point for a start. 1-1.

West Ham v Sunderland - The Hammers are unbeaten by the Black Cats in their last six meetings. This should be a welcome fixture for West Ham fans as their team has just finally won against Palace away last week. Nothing seems to be going right for David Moyes and there are rumours of Sam Allardyce coming back. Surely West Ham must grab the game by the collar to get another three points. All their previous matches were mostly close affair so the home side should be pleased just to win. 2-1.

Liverpool v WBA - When Manchester United and Jose Mourinho visited you and played a park-a-bus 6-3-1 formation, you have gained huge respect and instilled some fear. It is a compliment. For the first time, The Reds kept a clean sheet when even Burnley could put two past them. It was a wasted opportunity for Liverpool who still might have won if not for two exquisite saves from David de Gea and it was the first time they did not scored. Liverpool are unbeaten in six games against the Baggies but four ended as draws. As for WBA, after losing 1-0 to Bournemouth, they have beaten West Ham and drew the next three matches last one against Tottenham making them draw specialists. As I have said many times, it is a typically efficient Tony Pulis team. This season Liverpool have shown that they could bounce back quickly after a not so good game and they would probably have a fully fit squad to choose from. At their best, they have been unplayable. Pool shouldn't miss this chance to win as the other teams may drop points.  2-0.

Manchester City v Southampton - City are on a downward spiral and the purple patch has gone pale. After being held 3-3 by Celtic, they were defeated 0-2 by Tottenham followed by a 1-1 draw at home to Everton and finally a destruction 0-4 by Barcelona. Not only are their European chances dimmer, will they bring up the level in the league? They host the Saints who are undefeated in their last seven matches and now in eight position. No small achievement for Southampton. Only history stands against Southampton who lost every match in their last five head-to-head by 2-3 goal margins. A very interesting encounter indeed. Are the Citizens suffering a loss of confidence? Southampton can be stubborn and may surprise. There seems to be problems at City beginning with Claudio Bravo. Pep Guardiola may be too good for his own good. Was Aguero dropped for tactical reasons. It is hard to believe when he is your top scorer and you are playing Barcelona. I think this time City should prevail. 2-0.

Chelsea v Manchester United - To truly know Jose Mourinho you need to watch this, a must watch. He puts on a public persona when in business mode. Watch and laugh along:

Chelsea is hosting a second home game after an impressive 3-0 win over Leicester signalling their return and Diego Costa has proven that he is invaluable. The Red Devils have not won in two matches and will Jose's men park their bus at Stamford Bridge where he used to park the bus? Chelsea have not lost any of the last seven matches they have played United. There is no other team that had beaten United more than Chelsea. It will be quite a battle as Mourinho knows the opponents well and there is the matter of and about his sacking. I think it will be tight. Chelsea knows how to park a bus but at home and with Diego Costa in fine form may add a bit more adventure but United is now an expert in bus parking. Draw. 1-1.