EPL 2016/17 - Game Week 15

Watford v Everton - The Hornet got stung at the Hawthorns (1-3) and now host the resurgent Toffees who held the Red Devils 1-1 at Old Trafford. Ronald Koeman almost got hung for hanging red balls on his Christmas tree. Welcome to Merseyside. With two straight losses, Watford are in need to rediscover better form while Everton should take heart from a gritty performance against Manchester United. If not for the woodwork, David de Gea and a few blocks, they might even have won the match towards the end. In fact, Rojo should have been sent off for the two legged lunge. Watford can improve as they have shown but it depends which Everton turn up. However, Watford have not won this tie since the late 80s. When it happened, Luther Blissett scored. How many of you true blue remember Luther? Unbeaten in the last eleven times they have met, Everton won nine and drew twice, both in last season. Watford are better at home and Everton have too many draw. Either side could win this and Everton could based on current form but it is likely to end a draw. 1-1.

Arsenal v Stoke - Nobody goes to West Ham and win 5-1 with a Alexis Sanchez hattrick. The contrast is stark and could be translated that Arsenal have become too good or the Hammers have slung to a new low. In the meantime, Stoke City are getting better having won twice in a row. The Gunners have not only overcame their November blues, they went further in Europe to finish off FC Basel (4-1) with a Lucas Perez hattrick. All looking real good for Arsenal as Alexis Sanchez is at his scoring best, Alain Giroud would come in at any time to score and now Lucas Perez is staking a claim for more game time. Arsenal may have the best squad to challenge Chelsea. However, the last 14 times they have met at Arsenal, the Gunners won all 14 and kept 8 clean sheets. It is going to be difficult for the visitors. 2-0.

Burnley v Bournemouth - The Clarets have gone on three losses and still smarting while the Cherries and their manager Eddie Howe made history in their incredible 4-3 win over poor Liverpool. It was their first win over the Reds since 1927, an unwanted record for Liverpool. However, Burnley have never lost to Bournemouth at Turf Moor but then Liverpool have never lost to them too but look what happened! They said Eddie Howe shall one day become Arsenal Manager and then go on to become England Manager. I believe. He is on an incredible journey. Meantime, take not that the Cherries are winless against Burnley in their last six meetings. The home team won't be brushed aside and unless Bournemouth come up with something special, it may be hard to win. 1-1.

Hull v Crystal Palace - The Tigers have at least knocked out the Championship leaders Newcastle in the League Cup after penalty kicks and won. So too Crystal Palace who were even more impressive after a long winless streak of losses. They unbelievably trounced Southampton 3-0! Hull have not won in their last four league matches and Palace even longer before their recent victories. Last season, Hull won this tie twice by 2-0 and the previous season Palace won both 1-0. It will be anybody's game. Palace could actually score against anyone so they just need to defend better and victory is theirs. They have scored 12 goals in their last five matches but Hull is tougher at home. 1-1.

Swansea v Sunderland - After that excellent 5-4 win over Palace which could have been the beginning of their revival, the Swans totally crumbled at White Hart Lane (0-5). They were massacred. Meanwhile, the Black Cats returned to their voodoo best when they had Leicester beaten. The revival has started early and David Moyes may have just succeeded giving them a great chance so stay up. In eight meetings Swansea lost this tie only once - at this same venue last year (2-4). Previous three ties were drawn affairs. Jermaine Defoe is a really fine striker who is in scoring form and love scoring against Swansea including a hattrick in that 4-2 win for Sunderland. A draw would be a good result for the home side but I pick an away win. 1-2.

Leicester v Manchester City - When Claudio Ranieri said that last season was exceptional and a one off, he and us knew and understood what it meant. By now, nobody could imagine their plight. We know they may not be among the top five, but their current 15th position made them looked better than they really have been. It is a terrible time to face City who are looking to bounce back with a convincing performance after the Chelsea failure. However, both sides are in poor form - Leicester having lost 0-5 to Porto but still top the Champions League group table while City got held 1-1 by Celtic at home. Of course both side fielded a makeshift team as they kept players to re-focus on the EPL but City will be without top scoring Sergio Aguero who will be suspended four matches for his knee high lunge at Chelsea's David Luis (what was he thinking or through sheer frustration). Fernandinho too was red-carded for grabbing Cesc Fabregas's throat (kudos to him for not retaliating). Leicester are just two points above relegation so both sides could not loose any more points. City could have beaten Chelsea had they taken their chances with the many chances created in the early of last week's game. With both sides showing weak defences, it could be a high scoring draw even without Aguero. Kelechi Iheanacho must seized his chance to cement his place in the side. 2-2.

Chelsea v WBA - Chelsea are undoubtedly the most balanced team in the EPL now. A solid defence, great midfield and firing and fiery strikers. Conte did not change last season's team mostly. The Baggies will provide a different kind of test though. The last ten times at Stamford Bridge, they remain unbeaten against WBA but the Baggies are one of the most resilient teams in the EPL and will make things difficult for the home team. For the way they are playing, Chelsea looks unstoppable. 2-1.

Manchester United v Tottenham - The Theatre of Dreams no longer holds an aura over opponents for now so it is not a bad time for Tottenham to visit after an all conquering 5-0 victory over Swansea even as their 301 win over CSKA Moscow meant little as they were already out of the Champions League meaning they could now totally focus on domestic issues with Harry Kane back in the hunt. United have been playing a bit better but they could hardly win while Tottenham seemed to have found their way back of late. It could go either way but United won 1-0 at the same venue last year but were crushed 0-3 at White Hart Lane. Manchester United seemed to be cursed with being the draw specialist and I have a feeling that it is going to be a draw. If this happens, Mourinho's ears would be ringing with the words - "specialist in failure". 1-1.

Southampton v Middlesborough - The way the Saints went down to Palace last week was nothing short of stunning. Often the superb goalie, Fraser Forster must have suffered the greatest humiliation of his career when his mistimed kick (totally missing the ball) resulted in that first give-away goal. It was shocking and we be in soccer goof compilation. Both sides are jostling for position (Southampton 12th and Boro 13th) and separated by two points. How did the Saints collapse after beating 2-0 in the Cup? Before this calamity, both sides are playing well. A match that can go either way but most likely yo be a draw. 1-1.

Liverpool v West Ham - The way Liverpool collapsed (3-4) at Bournemouth after taking a 2-0 and even 3-1 lead was spectacular and unbelievable. If I were Klopp I would be very angry! I would also be equally angry if I had been Slaven Bilic for West Ham to cave in 1-5 at home to London rival Arsenal. Two angry and upset managers and teams are meeting at Anfield this week so will sparks fly as they heal their hurt. Karius was certainly at fault at goal but a striker can miss several chances and all a keeper need is to make one mistake and get prosecuted. Fair statement? Or is Karius really not cut out for it? Remember Bruce Grobbelaar, the legendary Reds goalie who was gaffe-prone and brought in to replace the irreplaceable Ray Clemence. He was eventually brilliant. 

I could only read that at 2-0 up early on and even at 3-1, Liverpool became complacent. Complacency is something that could easily slip in even despite all reminders. The thing is how do you play when leading 2-0 or 3-1? They overcame Arsenal, Chelsea and held Tottenham so how was Bournemouth allowed to do that - to score 5 goals? The defence is a concern and certainly need immediate remedy and I feel Lucas Leiva should never be the 3rd choice centre back. 

Liverpool is still stronger than the Hammers but last season West Ham did the double over them and in four matches they have met, Liverpool never won. So even at Anfield, Liverpool need to understand this and never to repeat what both Burnley and Bournemouth were allowed to do to them if they harbour intention to be Champions. The Hammers will score here as they have scored in almost every game against all opponents so Liverpool need to keep it tight at the back as they have no problem in the scoring department. 3-1.