EPL 2016/17 - Game Week 22
After a breather from the Cup, we are back to quite a critical stage of the EPL having just crossed the half way mark. It is still Chelsea's title to loose but it is hard to tell what happens in the forward fixtures but they look solid and really good. Tottenham have bounced back and showing how good they really are and are certainly in there with a shout, hey! They have even beaten the leaders. Liverpool have stopped winning in a few matches, a dry spell but they should get better especially with Coutinho and Mane back. Arsenal lost some zest but are coming back quite strong. Manchester United are on a good run and playing a lot better. Manchester City are finding the going really tough!
Liverpool v Swansea - After beating Manchester City 1-0, Liverpool have not won a single match in both league and cup games. The 2-2 draw at Sunderland was unnecessary after they have led. Mane is away in Africa playing for his country. Matip faces club/country dilemma but the good news is Coutinho is back! The other positive is that Simon Mignolet is back at his best. Lying third and playing at Anfield in the first match this weekend, they have an excellent chance to make amends especially as Swansea have never won at Anfield and is looking (not just the current position) like the strongest relegation contender though they were once playing beautifully under Michael Laudrup and even Gary Monk but something is wrong, it is their fourth manager in a year.
The Reds must be careful not to do a Sunderland, Burnley or Bournemouth again. They are in a good position but is is getting really tight at the top with more than half a season gone. Time for Firmino and Lallana to be on the score sheet again. Lallana was in La La Land for sometime for both club and country and must aim to be back to hie best. 3-0.
Bournemouth v Watford - The Cherries led Arsenal 3-0 before the match ended 3-3 but since then they have lost 0-3 to Milwall in the F.A. Cup and 1-3 to Hull last week. Though at home, they have only beaten the Hornets once in nine outings and in all three times they have met as premier league teams they have drawn all 3 times 0-0, 1-1 and 2-2. The last time Watford won here, Hong Kong was just returned to China. Watford too have declined and has gone even below West Ham. As home ground goes, Bournemouth must make full use of that advantage. I expect Eddie Howe and his boys to bounce back. 2-1.
Crystal Palace v Everton - Big Sam Allardyce is still awaiting his first league victory at Palace. Well, at least they finally won against Bolton in the F.A. Cup. Historical news favours Palace who have lost just once in seven meetings with Everton with the last three times ending as draws. Everton too have not lost at Selhurst Park since the mid-90s but their awesome display at Goodison Park last week - routing Manchester City 4-0 will inspire them to even greater heights. If they defend like they did at West Ham then Big Sam must wait. 1-2.
Middlesborough v West Ham - Boro are winless against the Hammers in eight attempts. Similarly, West Ham have not won at the Riverside in eleven trips there. Even without want-away Dimitri Payet, they won quite brilliantly downing Palace 3-0 with Mikhail Antonio providing two assists and what an awesome goal from Andy Carroll!!! A contender for goal of the season! Andy Carroll is an enigma, unwanted at times, often injured but when he decides to play his goals and his headers are brilliant. This bicycle kick volley is one you will remember for a long time. It is a sign the the Hammers have gotten over the Dimitri Payet issue. However, Boro can stifle. 1-1.
Stoke v Manchester United - Till now, I have not been convinced by Paul Pogba. He is actually Carlton Palmer in disguise. I am left wondering why so much was paid to bring him here and I am probably in the majority. He used his hands and gave away a penalty, he grabbed Henderson by the neck and wrestled him to the ground and he gave the ball away often. Certainly the Red Devils have improved but when Jose Mourinho called Liverpool defensive, it is laughable but I understand we know of friends we talk like that because they have selfish and selective memory i.e. when he was doing it, he did not know or he has valid reasons but not for others. Stoke were quite impressive at Sunderland and remained unbeaten against Manchester United in their last three meetings here. If United have Ibrahimovic, Stoke have Arnautovic. Some people are saying the United are back to their best just like those days under Sir Alex but I beg to differ. Even Plymouth Argyle manager Derek Adams who played Liverpool in the F.A. Cup said that he should buy Fellaini and then pump in the long ball. That summed up Mourinho's style of play. Stoke have Shaqiri, Crouch and Arnautovic all on form. If they lose focus United will punish them especially Ibrahimovic but if they play it right they could get a draw here. Unnited has shown somewhat more fighting spirit of late with their late goals to salvage points. 1-2.
WBA v Sunderland - The Baggies are unbeaten against Sunderland in their last five encounters four of which ended even Stevens from 0-0, 1-1 to 2-2. Even as Jermaine keeps scoring, Sunderland are more like Slumerbland. They are great escape artists for many years and if they hope to do it again, they had better to start now. The encouraging news is that WBA suffered a home defeat to Derby County in the F.A. Cup followed by a whipping by Tottenham but in their last seven visits to the Hawthorns, Sunderland lost six and drew once. Poor David Moyes will have to figure out something here. Essentially WBA are tough to play. It was just that last week Tottenham was simply just too awesome. 2-1.
Manchester City v Tottenham - In the last six times they have met at here, City won five matches but lost in last season's match and Spurs won all their last three games against City. City is still a good team but with ageing legs and Guardiola's stubbornness. Joe Harts must be laughing as Pep probably introduced his methods and players with changes too abstract and too quickly. Claudio Bravo has proven to be a liability. Everton bit them into pieces last week with a superb performance. Everton's Tom Davies at first glance look much older with his Steve Mcmanaman hairstyle and beard but how he danced past Yaya Toure and another player in style and despite falling, picked himself up and ran over to receive Ross Barkley's pass and delicately chipping the ball over Bravo for that wonderful goal! This boy who is England's U-19 captain has a bright future. To rub salt into wound, Ronald Koeman introduced a second 18 year old Ademola Lookman who pounced onto a deflected John Stone's clearance to finish off. The name itself which says "Look man" seemed part of Koeman's plot. Can City bounce back from such humiliation at Goodison Park?
Meantime, Tottenham dominated WBA so much at White Hart Lane such that WBA knew not what hit them and you have to take into consideration WBA are a tough team to beat. Harry Kane's hattrick and a resurgent Spurs with Dele Alli in hot form and a six-in-a-row winning streak will give them such belief to take on anyone and this is after they have beaten leaders Chelsea 2-0. This must be exciting times for Spurs fans. A win here would surely propel them into champions elect while Pep contemplate his future. Mauricio Pochettino's stock is rising. City's defence has been decimated and a goalie lacking confidence. Tottenham are so good now they may even pip them for a win as City is suffering from a lost of confidence. Tottenham's 4-0 demolition of WBA was awesome. It was an almost perfect game for them. 1-2.
Southampton v Leicester City - The Saints have been patchy of late. Beating Liverpool 1-0 in the F.A. Cup followed by a 0-1 defeat by Burnley. Champions Leicester have been really poor. Just like Humpty Dumpty, all the king's horses and all the kingsmen, could never put Humpty Dumpty together again. With their even poorer away form, it has to take something really big for them to win this match. Given both their form and situation, a draw is a big possibility. 1-1.
Arsenal v Burnley - Are you surprise that the Gunners are now fourth? Again. The season is still long way from being over but you get the point. Burnley despite some courageous displays and being in tenth position can make life tough for Arsenal but Wenger's boys have won all their last six meetings. All of Burnely's last five visits to Arsenal were losses. It may not be a stroll but the Gunners are too good and a home win is very strongly in Arsenal's favour. 2-0.
Chelsea v Hull - Chelsea seems quite unstoppable now. It is unfortunate for Hull to be visiting Stamford Bridge after such a good result in their 3-1 win over Bournemouth. Besides, Hull have not beaten Chelsea for almost 19 years whenever they have met. Chelsea looks good for the title but they have to meet the other big boys to decide their fate eventually and with the weaker teams they have to be relentless. Diego Costa issue may affect them but then at Leicester last week, they thrashed the host 3-0 with goals from Alonso and Pedro showing no sign of missing Costa. However, Costa has given them many important points this season and time will tell if they may derail a little. Ah, the rise of China is causing problems everywhere. Get used to it. 2-0.
Liverpool v Swansea - After beating Manchester City 1-0, Liverpool have not won a single match in both league and cup games. The 2-2 draw at Sunderland was unnecessary after they have led. Mane is away in Africa playing for his country. Matip faces club/country dilemma but the good news is Coutinho is back! The other positive is that Simon Mignolet is back at his best. Lying third and playing at Anfield in the first match this weekend, they have an excellent chance to make amends especially as Swansea have never won at Anfield and is looking (not just the current position) like the strongest relegation contender though they were once playing beautifully under Michael Laudrup and even Gary Monk but something is wrong, it is their fourth manager in a year.
The Reds must be careful not to do a Sunderland, Burnley or Bournemouth again. They are in a good position but is is getting really tight at the top with more than half a season gone. Time for Firmino and Lallana to be on the score sheet again. Lallana was in La La Land for sometime for both club and country and must aim to be back to hie best. 3-0.
Bournemouth v Watford - The Cherries led Arsenal 3-0 before the match ended 3-3 but since then they have lost 0-3 to Milwall in the F.A. Cup and 1-3 to Hull last week. Though at home, they have only beaten the Hornets once in nine outings and in all three times they have met as premier league teams they have drawn all 3 times 0-0, 1-1 and 2-2. The last time Watford won here, Hong Kong was just returned to China. Watford too have declined and has gone even below West Ham. As home ground goes, Bournemouth must make full use of that advantage. I expect Eddie Howe and his boys to bounce back. 2-1.
Crystal Palace v Everton - Big Sam Allardyce is still awaiting his first league victory at Palace. Well, at least they finally won against Bolton in the F.A. Cup. Historical news favours Palace who have lost just once in seven meetings with Everton with the last three times ending as draws. Everton too have not lost at Selhurst Park since the mid-90s but their awesome display at Goodison Park last week - routing Manchester City 4-0 will inspire them to even greater heights. If they defend like they did at West Ham then Big Sam must wait. 1-2.
Middlesborough v West Ham - Boro are winless against the Hammers in eight attempts. Similarly, West Ham have not won at the Riverside in eleven trips there. Even without want-away Dimitri Payet, they won quite brilliantly downing Palace 3-0 with Mikhail Antonio providing two assists and what an awesome goal from Andy Carroll!!! A contender for goal of the season! Andy Carroll is an enigma, unwanted at times, often injured but when he decides to play his goals and his headers are brilliant. This bicycle kick volley is one you will remember for a long time. It is a sign the the Hammers have gotten over the Dimitri Payet issue. However, Boro can stifle. 1-1.
Stoke v Manchester United - Till now, I have not been convinced by Paul Pogba. He is actually Carlton Palmer in disguise. I am left wondering why so much was paid to bring him here and I am probably in the majority. He used his hands and gave away a penalty, he grabbed Henderson by the neck and wrestled him to the ground and he gave the ball away often. Certainly the Red Devils have improved but when Jose Mourinho called Liverpool defensive, it is laughable but I understand we know of friends we talk like that because they have selfish and selective memory i.e. when he was doing it, he did not know or he has valid reasons but not for others. Stoke were quite impressive at Sunderland and remained unbeaten against Manchester United in their last three meetings here. If United have Ibrahimovic, Stoke have Arnautovic. Some people are saying the United are back to their best just like those days under Sir Alex but I beg to differ. Even Plymouth Argyle manager Derek Adams who played Liverpool in the F.A. Cup said that he should buy Fellaini and then pump in the long ball. That summed up Mourinho's style of play. Stoke have Shaqiri, Crouch and Arnautovic all on form. If they lose focus United will punish them especially Ibrahimovic but if they play it right they could get a draw here. Unnited has shown somewhat more fighting spirit of late with their late goals to salvage points. 1-2.
WBA v Sunderland - The Baggies are unbeaten against Sunderland in their last five encounters four of which ended even Stevens from 0-0, 1-1 to 2-2. Even as Jermaine keeps scoring, Sunderland are more like Slumerbland. They are great escape artists for many years and if they hope to do it again, they had better to start now. The encouraging news is that WBA suffered a home defeat to Derby County in the F.A. Cup followed by a whipping by Tottenham but in their last seven visits to the Hawthorns, Sunderland lost six and drew once. Poor David Moyes will have to figure out something here. Essentially WBA are tough to play. It was just that last week Tottenham was simply just too awesome. 2-1.
Manchester City v Tottenham - In the last six times they have met at here, City won five matches but lost in last season's match and Spurs won all their last three games against City. City is still a good team but with ageing legs and Guardiola's stubbornness. Joe Harts must be laughing as Pep probably introduced his methods and players with changes too abstract and too quickly. Claudio Bravo has proven to be a liability. Everton bit them into pieces last week with a superb performance. Everton's Tom Davies at first glance look much older with his Steve Mcmanaman hairstyle and beard but how he danced past Yaya Toure and another player in style and despite falling, picked himself up and ran over to receive Ross Barkley's pass and delicately chipping the ball over Bravo for that wonderful goal! This boy who is England's U-19 captain has a bright future. To rub salt into wound, Ronald Koeman introduced a second 18 year old Ademola Lookman who pounced onto a deflected John Stone's clearance to finish off. The name itself which says "Look man" seemed part of Koeman's plot. Can City bounce back from such humiliation at Goodison Park?
Meantime, Tottenham dominated WBA so much at White Hart Lane such that WBA knew not what hit them and you have to take into consideration WBA are a tough team to beat. Harry Kane's hattrick and a resurgent Spurs with Dele Alli in hot form and a six-in-a-row winning streak will give them such belief to take on anyone and this is after they have beaten leaders Chelsea 2-0. This must be exciting times for Spurs fans. A win here would surely propel them into champions elect while Pep contemplate his future. Mauricio Pochettino's stock is rising. City's defence has been decimated and a goalie lacking confidence. Tottenham are so good now they may even pip them for a win as City is suffering from a lost of confidence. Tottenham's 4-0 demolition of WBA was awesome. It was an almost perfect game for them. 1-2.
Southampton v Leicester City - The Saints have been patchy of late. Beating Liverpool 1-0 in the F.A. Cup followed by a 0-1 defeat by Burnley. Champions Leicester have been really poor. Just like Humpty Dumpty, all the king's horses and all the kingsmen, could never put Humpty Dumpty together again. With their even poorer away form, it has to take something really big for them to win this match. Given both their form and situation, a draw is a big possibility. 1-1.
Arsenal v Burnley - Are you surprise that the Gunners are now fourth? Again. The season is still long way from being over but you get the point. Burnley despite some courageous displays and being in tenth position can make life tough for Arsenal but Wenger's boys have won all their last six meetings. All of Burnely's last five visits to Arsenal were losses. It may not be a stroll but the Gunners are too good and a home win is very strongly in Arsenal's favour. 2-0.
Chelsea v Hull - Chelsea seems quite unstoppable now. It is unfortunate for Hull to be visiting Stamford Bridge after such a good result in their 3-1 win over Bournemouth. Besides, Hull have not beaten Chelsea for almost 19 years whenever they have met. Chelsea looks good for the title but they have to meet the other big boys to decide their fate eventually and with the weaker teams they have to be relentless. Diego Costa issue may affect them but then at Leicester last week, they thrashed the host 3-0 with goals from Alonso and Pedro showing no sign of missing Costa. However, Costa has given them many important points this season and time will tell if they may derail a little. Ah, the rise of China is causing problems everywhere. Get used to it. 2-0.
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