EPL 2016/17 - Game Week 13

The best form of defence is attack. But without a mean and solid defence, your strike force will be constantly under pressure to deliver more. No matter how good that attacking force is, there will be days where you may be a little off or the opponents somewhere figured out how to stop you and succeeded. Irresistible force versus immovable object. In this respect, Chelsea seemed to have it right under Conte - balance. In fact, I have never liked Chelsea even if at times in the past with Terry, Lampard and Drogba they have been very good but this Chelsea is very likable and have title credentials in their make up.

Liverpool on their day are unplayable, meaning they could beat anyone, score lots of goals and from everywhere. They just have to plug their defence a bit more and surely be fighting for their title. Klopp is the kind of manager and personality that most people love - passionate. Their soccer is frankly scintillating! City and Pep meanwhile is finding life unpredictable both domestically and in Europe. Their defence need some fixing too and you wonder if Joe Hart might after all be a better keeper than Claudio Bravo. Wherever Pep succeeded in the past, it was different from the EPL and the tools are different too. 

Arsenal's sparkle has lost some bubbles. They have been trudging of late and seemed to have fallen back into their old self. Is it a lack of self-belief and conviction that are they conspiring to hurt themselves? Tottenham are still hard to beat but have lost their winning touch. They just need a little more and that is for Dele Alli and Harry Kane and a few  others to bring back that effervescence. 

Much as one could laugh at Manchester United, they probably put on their best performance to date when they routed Feyenoord 4-0. It was so good that even Pogba scored and Rooney played his best match for the longest time. Even Henrikh Mkhitaryan featured and showed what he is about. Even as Mourinho continued to buy success instead of building one, you just cannot rule the Red Devils out. 

Burnley v Manchester City - Burnley had just won once out of twelve meetings with City, hardly encouraging but that only victory (1-0) came just in 2015 at Turf Moor but to go down 0-4 last week to WBA at the Hawthorns meant something went seriously wrong somewhere. Though City struggled and laboured away to breakdown Crystal Palace (2-1), they have shown a different side that is necessary in this league. Long forgotten hero Yaya Toure came back with such purpose and intent he netted a brace but I am not sure about goalie Claudio Bravo who have dropped a few high profile clangers. However, nothing should be taken for granted as Burnley must try to understand how they could have held Manchester United at Old Trafford then got thrashed by WBA. City will probably ring in more changes come January. In the meantime, City would still be too strong. 0-2.

Hull v WBA - As fara as both sides are concerned, Hull have never lost to WBA in the Premier League. Hull busted Southampton 2-1 at home then crashed to bottom side Sunderland 0-3 away last week while WBA have beaten Leicester away (2-1) and crushed Burnley at home (4-0). These are contrasting form and fortunes. Tony Pulis has not built a side that is tough to beat but also are winning now. Can the Baggies make it three in a row? That depends on which Hull is turning up. The Tigers could halt an on form WBA at home but given the circumstances do not bet against WBA winning away. 1-2.

Leicester v Middlesborough - Last week in the EPL, the Foxes lost 1-2 away to Watford. They proceeded to host Brugge and won 2-1 to top their Champions League group and are officially the top 16 teams in Europe. Their their domestic league form has taken a beating so bad they are just a couple of points above relegation. Jamie Vardy who made a record of scoring in eleven consecutive matches in a single season last year has gone thirteen without a goal. His England goal with a flying header against Spain was nice. Having qualified, can Leicester now focus on surviving their Premier League status? However, Leicester have just surrendered their unbeaten home record to WBA the previous week and Middlesborough looms large having shown they could take on the big teams. It will need a master class performance from the home side to absolutely make this one a victory. Leicester's favourable records means nothing if they do not transform their Champions League form to their domestic. Mahrez, Vardy and the rest must step up. 2-1.

Liverpool v Sunderland - The Reds looked a bit jaded when they were held 0-0 but Southampton. The international break and long flight back by Coutinho and Firmino could have taken its toll. Still Liverpool created enough chances to seal the win but the Saints played a very good game. Coming into this match, Liverpool have never lost a match to Sunderland in the Premier League and unbeaten in all 18 home games but the Black Cats have improved much with two straight victories - 2-1 away to Bournemouth and then 3-0 at home to Hull. These were very good wins and Liverpool cannot afford to slacken. The home team has to take note that despite their good records against Sunderland, the margin has always been close. Liverpool will have to step up and get a good win here to show that "This Is Anfield". Sunderland are boosted by their own good form and must fancy themselves getting at least a point here but Liverpool are without European distraction and Klopp will have prepared them well to be at their best again without questions to their pedigree. This makes for a pulsating match. At Anfield, scoring two is not a problem for Liverpool but they could easily score four or more but Sunderland has been tough so three goals for Liverpool and one for the visitors as Jermaine Defoe is a top act. 3-1.

Swansea v Crystal Palace - It is all about survival and they have better be prepared. Swansea is doing just a wee bit better but are anchored right at the bottom. Palace are just a point above relegation in 16th place and their from has slackened unbelievably having lost all their last five matches. Their past life record are about the same as most meetings between them ended in draws. Both sides are suffering but Swansea are doing a bit better and they must make full use of home advantage. 2-1.

Chelsea v Tottenham - Match of the week. League leaders Chelsea are in great form and better than ever. Tottenham in the meantime are suffering from a bit of doubt. This is a big London derby, as big as they come and have significance to the other teams too depending on the result. Last season, Tottenham could beat any team but this time around, that description befits Chelsea more and at Stamford Bridge, it is a fortress. Eden Hazard is on fire and Diego Costa has proven to be the best striker in the league plus he is so well behaved now. in fact, Marcos Alonso, David Luiz, Pedro and Victor Moses, the last three unwanted by Mourinho have proven to be the new heroes. It shows that sometimes you are not as bad just the boss do not know how to play to your strengths. Chelsea certainly have the mojo to win this match but Tottenham have the ability to do more and get a result but they should get at least a draw here. 1-1.

Watford v Stoke - Both teams share identical results in their last five matches not necessary in the same order. The Hornets have the home and historical advantage over Stoke City but the Potters have somehow been victorious in four of their last six visits to Vicarage Road. There have been a few draw and couple of wins either side with slim margin. Watford did not wallow in the crushing defeat by Liverpool and bounced back to beat Leicester while Stoke's winning run came to an abrupt end when they crashed 0-1 at home to Bournemouth. This match looks a draw to me. 1-1.

Arsenal v Bournemouth - The Gunners have stopped winning for three matches in all competitions. In the last two times they have met Arsenal won both 2-0, home and away. The Cherries own good run ended but last week recovered to win 1-0 away at Stoke. Bournemouth plays good football and can always surprise especially with Arsenal now needing conviction again as they have seemed lethargic at best. This match showcase the to longest serving managers in the EPL. Arsene Wenger at 20 years and Eddie Howe at 4 years. The Gunners have too much in store and it is a must win for them in such a match. Why is Giroud not playing more as time and again this season he has come to their rescue. 2-0.

Manchester United v West Ham - The Red Devils are in 6th position and nine points away from leaders Chelsea but boast an impressive record against the Hammers. West Ham have not won at Old Trafford since 2007 but last season they held United twice at the same venue. West Ham are just a point above the other relegation candidates currently and really need the points as badly as United and Jose Mourinho. Something is not right for Bilic and hie men since they moved to their new ground. Mourinho must be biting his finger nails to repeat that performance and this is a good time to play the Hammers. They have to keep watch on Payet and Mikhail Antonito who has been the Hammer's best player - strong, quick, powerful, is a great header of the ball and in goal-scoring form. 2-1.

Southampton v Everton - Romelu Lukaku loves scoring against the Saints and Everton registered a knockout 3-0 win on their last visit to the St. Mary's. Prior to this, Everton lost 0-2 and -03 respectively on previous visits. Ronald Koeman visits on the opposite side this time with his Everton found wanting and all the early conviction they have seemed to have dissipated while Southampton are doing just fine with their 0-0 draw with Liverpool last week but lost 0-1 to Sparta Praha in the Europa in mid-week. Charlie Austin is a dependable striker and so is Lukaku. Draw. 1-1.