EPL 2016/17 - Game Week 12

The dust has settled a bit. City has stalled after a ground-breaking victory over Barcelona in the Champions League. Their neighbours bought some time for their forlorn manager with their best display thus far. North London brawled to a halt sharing the spoils. Chelsea is now Conte-gious with a most solid display yet, crushing Everton 5-0. This was a much better Chelsea than the one Mourinho fathomed. Solid defence, clinical finishing and Eden Hazard like you have never seen him this good before. A revolution has taken place at Stamford Bridge? If it were so, have the power changed to anther shade of blue and red? If you have been watching Liverpool, it has clearly shown where they could end up if they sustain theor belief and performances. Asked Watford. 

Liverpool were unplayable. It was the most authoritative onslaught to date. Their credentials have gone up a few notches. Unbeaten since that terrible day at Burnley, they have now scored 36 goals more. Liverpool was a wrecking ball out there at Anfield on a demolition! Watfords previous three consecutive clean sheet made for meaningless reading. By now, Wenger, Conte, Ranieri, Pulis and Pardew must surely acknowledged it is very difficult to stop Liverpool. What is special is their attack is so varied, unpredictable, quick and vicious that you know how fast are their thoughts and actions. If they are kept together and kept on, something special is bound to happen. I though only the great Brazilian team on 1982 could play like that. But be careful that great Brazilian team did not win the World Cup.

Manchester United v Arsenal - Match of the day this weekend. Mourinho's Red Devils are 6th with 18 points while his bitter rival Wenger's Gunners are 4th on 24 points. He can't lecture Wenger to save his own life and that must be painful. Though they could not finished Tottenham at the Emirates (1-1), they have been unbeaten for a long time and these days they have some steel in them. While United dominated Swansea away, could it be that Swansea were really poor than United being brilliant? The last three times they have met at Old Trafford, United lost 1-2, drew 1-1 and won 3-2. If United win here, it could mark a new beginning. 

There was a time at Chelsea where Mourinho berated Wenger: "He's a specialist in failure". When it was uttered in 2014 he was not wrong. Partly because Mourinho was doing well. Partly because Arsene Wenger was stubborn in his utter belief in purity in his soccer. In the digital age of technology, Wenger seemed outdated. Besides tactical flexibility, today's best soccer teams must have physical and mental strength. For Arsenal, think Tony Adams and Patrick Viera. If Wenger were outdated, then Mourinho is a total dinosaur lacking ideas. Even Conte, his successor at Chelsea us using a 3-4-3 with great results. Pep Guardiola's City may appear like a 4-1-4-1 but in reality, they do not really have a set formation. 

Having said that, United have lost just once in their last ten matches against their old enemy - a 0-3 loss at the Emirates last year. The last time Arsenal won at Old Trafford, it was ten years ago. It could be said that whenever United play Arsenal they raise their game and this time with Mourinho in charge, they may set up to negate the Gunners just like they did against Liverpool and hit them with a sucker punch then close the game. Wenger should know well. United have looked tentative when defending set pieces so it may well be good for Oliver Giroud to start or for Wenger to spring a surprise over his old nemesis instead of naming and playing the usual suspects. Both sides can't afford to lose and a win will bring them up a notch the table. I'll say a draw here. But it is a match that United could potentially lose. When that happens, it could be the beginning of a specialist in failure for Mourinho. It comes full circle. Injuries to United could cost them here. Arsenal can nick it unless United put out a special performance. 1-2.

Crystal Palace v Manchester City - Palace are getting back into trouble and Alan Pardew must be concerned. With 4 straight losses and hosting 3rd placed City, they must be hoping to do a Middlesborough who held City 1-1 at the Etihad. Their last 5 head-to-head were straight losses except a shock win in 2015. An unlikely shock win or even a draw here will immediately sent shock waves and shivers into Guardiola's future and ability to cope with the EPL. Surely City must be expected to win. They cannot afford the same result as the previous match. 1-3.

Everton v Swansea - The Toffees have stumbled, quite badly. No team of Ronald Koeman plays like they did in the last match where they were walloped by Chelsea 0-5. Thankfully, they are hosting one of the teams in their worst form. Everton were doing quite well till tha fateful trip to Stamford Bridge. Though at home, EVerton have not beaten Swansea in their last 5 meetings. Swansea may remain in their winless streak here as even Manchester United could beat them. Haha. EVerton must win here at Goodison Park which they should as they at least have Lukaku. 2-1.

Southampton v Liverpool - After an impressive win over Inter at the Europa, the Saints surprisingly fell to Hull. Visiting Liverpool won their last four cleanly and scored 14 goals averaging 3.5 goals a game. The manner which they dismantled Watford must be the reason why we want to watch soccer. Historical records and current form strongly favours the Reds but Southampton can make it difficult. Liverpool's fire power is simply too awesome. They are scoring from everywhere and from everyone. Loris Karius too showed for the first time what he could be in future. Joel Matip has been a revelation. When you look at Firmino, Coutinho, Mane and Lallana - they could possibly be the best out there with their constant movement, running, touches and both Lallana and Sturridge scored with sublime headers for England in their 3-0 win over Scotland.  Unfortunately, Lallana, a most unqiue English talent will have to sit out due to an injury. Klopp can use a different player and add a different dimension to their game. Liverpool have such belief in them now that away games do not mean they have to be subdued. Liverpool win. 0-2.

Stoke v Bournemouth - Their fortunes have reversed. While Stoke City looked totally different now as compared to the beginning of the season, Bournemouth so solid early on have fumbled in their last two, falling to weaker opposition. Stoke City are favourites based on form but the Cherries can play very good football and need a good result to bounce back into the fray. Draw. 2-2.

Sunderland v Hull - The battle for relegation candidates has begun. Both registered great results over the other week when the Black Cats won at Bournemouth while Hull pulled one over Southampton  in front of their home crowd. The last two visits by Hull to Sunderland yielded two good wins for the Tigers - 0-2 and 1-3. Meanwhile, Sunderland gave themselves a glimmer of hope when they beat Bournemouth away! Hull seemed to get the better of Sunderland in their previous meetings but I would think they will play to a draw. 1-1.

Watford v Leicester City - Despite that 1-6 thrashing by Liverpool, the Hornets are still doing fine at 8th but the Foxes need to worry lying in 14th with only  12 points but they are just 3 points behind their host. While they topped their Champions League group, they floundered in the league and have been rather poor in away matches this season. Even they proud unbeaten home record was up in smoke last week when they surrendered 1-2 to WBA! But Watford have never beaten Leicester n the Premier League. After 11 matches, the Champions Leicester must start to claw their way back to be in a more respectable position. The Foxes must not wait too long or run the risk of an unwanted record of being Champions followed by relegation the next season. The good news is that Jamie Vardy scored for England while Watford have not really been scoring. I am going for an away win. 1-2.

Tottenham v West Ham - Though they are in 5th, Tottenham are still the only unbeaten side with the best goals against. Harry Kane's return may be a boost for them while the Hammers after picking up 3 wins, fumbled again. Tottenhma have not won again since 7 matches ago after beating Manchester City in an impressive 2-0 win and have ssen them dropped to 5th in the table. West Ham have only won once at White Hart Lane in 14 visits. You can say both sides are struggling in different ways and for different reasons. Still Tottenham have been the more resilient side. The fact it is a London Derby shall add spice and flavour. Home win as Harry Kane is back. 2-1.

Middlesborough v Chelsea - Middlesborough need to be respected for their defensive nous but you may not know that Chelsea have scored 26 league goals, second only to Liverpool this season and have the second best defensive records. I say Boro could surprise simply because in their last 3 matches they have held Arsenal 0-0 away, defeated Bournemouth 2-0 at home and held Manchester City 1-1 away. It is highly impressive! Chelsea were too awesome crushing Everton 5-0 at Stamford Bridge. Question is can Chelsea do what two other great attacks could not? In all five previous meetings Chelsea won all the matches. Grim prospects for Boro but they have survived against City and Arsenal. I just feel Conte's Chelsea are too strong overall. Watch Eden Hazard and Diego Costa. 0-2.

WBA v Burnley - Both side are on form with the Baggies having won 2-1 at Leicester but Burnley were even more impressive - won 2-1 over Everton, held Manchester United 0-0 away and then a 3-2 win over Palace has propelled them to 9th but Burnley have not won at the Hawthorns since most of us were children in the 60s where some of you were not born yet. I do not expect WBA to lose but yet I expect Burnley to do enough to hold the fortress. A draw is most likely here. 1-1.