EPL 2016/17 - Game Week 17

They are playing soccer in the EPL faster than I could write. What's with these people? Two weeks ago, I shared my concerns on the state of Singapore soccer and last Sunday, the Strait Times carried a report with interviews with Patrick Ang and R. Sasakumar. I share and agree with many of their views. Maybe we could learn a bit from the Indonesians. So how now Singapore? 

Back to the EPL. Last week threw out some funny results - Swanseas 3 Sunderland 0, Leicester 4 Manchester City 2, Liverpool 2 West Ham 2. Again more from Gameweek 16 - Bournemouth 1 Leicester 0, Everton 2 Arsenal 1. It is going to be very tight this season and a roller coaster ride. Put on your seat belt and hang on tight! Christmas is coming!

Crystal v Chelsea - Palace's home loss to United the other day (1-2) was narrow after a cracking 3-3 draw away to Hull and a 3-0 home win over Southampton. Surely no harm for another home match except their visitors are Chelsea who are in the winningest form of their lives including the last two 1-0 victories. It has been a perfect ten for Chelsea.This is Championship form and not only Eden Hazard and Diego Costa are firing but Cesc Fabrgas is back! In their last five meets, Palace have actually won twice. Except for last season, both teams took turns to win 1-0 and 2-1 but ten straight wins is massive! Just three more matches to lead them into the new year. Easy but this is the EPL and tiredness and complacency can creep in. Without Champions League is a blessing. Palace scores most of the time so it would be interesting to see if Chelsea can keep another clean sheet. Palace lost to City and United 1-2. Chelsea could do the same. The real test for Chelsea will come over the Christmas and New Year period. 1-2.

Middlesborough v Swansea - It is a rare meeting for both in the top flight since the last time they met was 1982 when they were in the top flight together. Never shall the twain meet? Swansea's recent victories were short lived as they came crashing back down while Boro slumped to to two losses. Three points separated them and you can consider this a dog fight against relegation. You do not need to outrun the bear, just the last man. Forget the 0-3 loss to Liverpool as the Reds were just too good. Unfortunately, it is likely to end a draw. 1-1.

Stoke v Leicester - Stoke are going through the same pattern, started poorly, picking up form and then mediocre again. The Foxes have serious issues - a home draw, away loss to lowly Sunderland, a sound spanking by Porto (away) then an incredible 4-2 win over City with a Jamie Vardy hattrick followed by a 0-1 defeat at Bournemouth. This is yoyo but they have been poor away and are four points above the relegation zone by virtue of the fact that the others are worse in the last match. The Foxes are lacking the same spark and belief of last season and Danny Drinkwater, Mahrez and Vardy must come back to their best as you have seen him against City. 1-1.

Sunderland v Watford - Both sides have almost identical results in their last five matches. Sunderland are WLWLL and Watford are WLLWL but the Hornets are 11th and the Black Cats 20th. Jermaine Defoe has been prolific but drew a blank for two matches now but, he has scored against 35 teams in the league but yet to score against Watford (3 games, no goals). Losing 0-1 to Chelsea is no shame. They will probably share the spoils. 2-2.

West Ham v Hull - The Hammers are still not safe despite holding Liverpool then having beaten Burnley. Have they really turn the corner? This is a very good chance to extend their lead with another win. The good news is that they have won six times successively against the Tigers but they have not been as convincing yet. Still West Ham should get full points here. 2-1.

WBA v Manchester United - At one time, the Baggies went 18 matches without a win over the Red Devils but in their last six encounters, they have won three times. Tony Pulis' WBA have been a very good team. United have improved recently but so too WBA. It should not be easy for Mourinho to overcome the home team to get full points unless they out in a special performance. If the Red Devils win here it will boost their standing, morale and belief but I think the Baggies can snatch a point here. 1-1.

Bournemouth v Southampton - Eddie Howe's Cherries have beaten Liverpool (4-3) and Leicester (1-0) while the Saints have been unbeaten in three matches in all competition. Many matches in the past between them ended 2-0 in favour of the home side. The Saints will not be easy defeated but Bournemouth is a good side and playing at home. Based on Southampton's normal game they do not concede a lot of goals so it will be close and both are level on points. A home win will see the Cherries leapfrog their opponents. 1-0.

Manchester City v Arsenal - Two of the biggest favourites for this season's title have fallen from their lofty perch in recent times. When they have met, goals will flow. While City fell, Arsenal aroused affirmation that they have conquered November and soon they have reversed fortunes in their last match. The Gunners are unbeaten in the last six meetings with City and winning three. Pep Guardiola is still smarting while learning about the EPL, his toughest challenge yet. The Gunner's defeat at Everton showed once again their physical frailties but this is a different match with two managers obsessed with playing good attacking soccer. So it will be a mouth-watering and absorbing encounter. This is a match where John Stones must play. The last time you see such a talented defender was Bobby Moore, Alan Hansen and Rio Ferdinand. When you are a ball player playing from the back, there is a possibility for mistakes and it will be glaring. Stones must learn well and fast and be given the confidence. You will then see a giant of a player in future years. Not winning here would see Chelsea possibly leaving a bigger gap at the top. 2-2.

Tottenham v Burnley - Tottenham have bounced back from defeat by United to win 3-0 against Hull with Erikson in fine form and have won their last five encounters against Burnley at White Hart Lane and Burnley have been on a losing streak except they had Bournemouth beaten. It is hard to fathom that they could get a result here especially when Tottenham have won their five matches against the Clarets but Burnley can be stubborn and cause a few troubles at times but the Spurs are recovering and discovering their powers again. 2-0.

Everton v Liverpool - Everton came back from the dead to upset Arsenal 2-1 few days ago. This will be another fierce Merseyside Derby but the Reds are unbeaten in eleven league derbies but Goodison Park can be a difficult place to visit especially for Liverpool. However, Liverpool are the most fearsome attacking force in the EPL this season. If not for their defensive frailties they might have done a lot better than second place. Also Karius has been doubtful with his displays and was awful in the last two matches. Why was he positioned so much to his left unless he was preparing to force Payet's free kick to his right but that seemed too much space left for him to cover and that was a weak goal to concede on his part. Simon Mignolet's return could give him a second chance to reclaim his place at goal. Liverpool need to beef up their quality at the back to ensure their attacking prowess do not go to waste. Their attacking play resembles Brazil at their best and at times are really unplayable. Watching them on TV feels like me playing Xbox soccer. 

Adam Lallana is enjoying a purple patch and has been simply brilliant. Mane continues to be an awesome player and Divorck Origi has been scoring non stop since he came on and Daniel Sturridge may sit out longer even as he recovers from injury. If Liverpool can hold out at the back, it is going to be a win for them here. Ronald Koeman has surprised Arsenal a few days ago and could do the same to Juergen Klopp unless they tighten up. Going forward Liverpool will score. Unless they do it they may end up second best again just like during Brendan Rodgers era. 1-3.