EPL 2016/17 - Game Week 32

First instinct. I should always go by first instinct. When the last weekend kicked off with Liverpool v Everton, I looked at the injured players and form from both sides and penned in 3-1 in Liverpool's favour then weighed in the possible tired pair of Firmino and Coutinho and revised it to 2-1. It is like golf putting, go for your first instinct.

Arsene Wenger's Arsenal and Pep Guardiola's Manchester City did themselves no favours when they drew 2-2. Yes, City showed attacking fervour when they drew first blood and led twice and yes, the Gunners responded twice to level and that is character. Arsene Wenger is a respected and great manager and  you can't take anything away from him just like you can't take anything away from Leicester City. Wenger came from Nagoya Grampus Eight and no one have heard about him and yet he came, he saw and he conquered. He introduced things to Arsenal and to the English Premier League that no one ever did. He changed the diet and he changed the philosophy. He did not just splash the cash but talent scouted young and unknown players and developed and turned them into international and world stars. A great example is Thiery Henry and many more. He created the invincibles who went undefeated the entire season! Arsenal in full flow is a sight to behold but alas all good things will have to come to an end. I would love it that Wenger leaves and start again somewhere. There will be no shortage of suitors.

A German training guru has said that Pep Guardiola has only trained very successful teams in the likes of Barcelona and Bayern Munich but not others. I understood his points. Now Pep is innovative and a purist so to him soccer has to be played only in a certain way. In the same vein, then Jose Mourinho is much the same but worse. Mourinho is a respected and successful manager but he always go to the already successful and big teams where he inherited big, successful teams with star players and with deep coffers to buy even bigger stars. He is always defensive minded and devising ways to stop his opponents from playing rather to the other way. So it is strange that he is suddenly criticising WBA and other teams for parking the bus. That is double standard and double standard often applies to people who think they are God only that God do not do double standard. Those who practise double standards in life are seldom happy. The fact that Manchester United remain unbeaten for the longest time is kudos to him and his defensive nous and for the same reason they have not been winning more especially at home is down to the same thing. Will these so called top managers even survive any tenure at a smaller and poorer club struggling to keep afloat each season? Mourinho's record is not only worse than Louis Van Gaal, it is also worse than David Moyes. He used to call himself the Special One and they called Arsene Wenger 5-1 but now Mourinho is being called 1-1.

The enigmatic late and legendary Brian Clough comes to mind. Clough brought a local provincial team Nottingham Forest from the lower ends of the old Second Division to the First and went on to win the League Title. He added a greater feather to his cap when Forest won the European Cup at the time when only true and real champions from each country could play there and he won it twice. This was a feat that has not been and may never be equalled. 

Meanwhile, on the home front, the FAS has been compelled by FIFA to hold its first open election for the longest time. This is a chance for Singapore soccer to go forward with BOLD changes. Disrupt or be disrupted. Do a Leicester City fairy tale. Bring back some glory and dignity. If soccer stake holders vote in the wrong people then stop complaining again. 

Tottenham v Watford - Tottenham is ready to be crowned champions if Chelsea were to falter. In fact, Tottenham are good enough to have won the title last season but for Leicester and this season but for Chelsea. They look incapable of losing any match now in fact, they do not draw matches in recent times. Though the Hornets are back to winning ways with two wins in a row, they are visiting White Hart Lane where are steam-rolling over everyone and considering Watford's 100% losses to Tottenham in their past five encounters, we should see Tottenham continue their momentum. Their last six visits to the Lane were also losses. Besides, Swansea were leading Tottenham 1-0 till Dele Alli equalised in the 88th minute and they popped in two more over injury time. Tottenham have to win every game and pounce. 2-0. 

Manchester City v Hull - It is going to be a battle of the Titans for 3rd and 4th places this season. Like that other contenders, City's own could easily derailed. City's last win was away to Middlesborough in early March. They have not won since. Hull are finally playing as their name suggests, Tigers and registered two straight wins over West Ham and Middlesborough but they have never beaten City in the past five ties. The fact that City are struggling do give them some hope but Guardiola's team are too strong for the day but then Hull could surprise. 2-0.

Middlesborough v Burnley - Boro remained unbeaten by Burnley but then have not been able to win their last three. Most of their matches are very close ending in 1-0 win for either side. There was a 1-1 draw in between. Of the two Burnley have a slightly better results in their last three league matches and managed to beat Stoke but this being away for them it could probably be a draw. 1-1.

Stoke v Liverpool - Should you blame Jurgen Klopp. At the attacking end, the soccer is breathtaking and at the opposite end, the number of goals they have let in left them in 11th position. After falling to a goal they recovered to lead Bournemouth and then conceded in the 87th minute. Their fixtures are favourable in that they have played and are unbeaten against the top teams and are next playing WBA (away), Crystal Palace (home), Watford (away) and it is these teams that are troubling them and all these without their two top players Sadio Mane and Adam Lallana. They just can't defend and equally bad at set pieces. Is is because Klopp's high pressing style often leaves gaps? Why was it not fixed for almost an entire season now? I am afraid they might just miss out on top four if they do not buckle the trend. Only history is good news as Stoke have lost six of their last seven encounters and are currently on a poor run. Recently, I saw a lion from a lion dance troupe tha has Liverpool colours and a logo like that of a liver bird. It may be a good sign. Haha.

Liverpool's last two visits to Stoke were 1-0 wins but the last two meetings were 4-1 in Liverpool's den. Even Chelsea found Stoke tough recently so Liverpool have to summon their best efforts. 1-2.

WBA v Southampton - The Baggies have failed to score in 5 of 7 outings against the Saints. Southampton have only scored once at the Hawthorns in a few years and are currently playing better than WBA. This looks like a low scoring affair. 0-0.

West Ham v Swansea - Bilic's job may be on the line despite last season's heroics and the Hammers are in a very bad moment since they have lost all their last five matches. One or tow more trips and he may be gone. Swansea's recovery has since stopped too. Swansea are desperate for points and West Ham are not too far away from danger. Their historical results are close. Nearly half of their last five were draws. They need to win and a draw may not be good enough for them. 2-2.

Bournemouth v Chelsea - Bournemouth have lost all their 8 matches against Chelsea and won only 2. It is a tall task for the Cherries even if Cherries could bite like they did Liverpool. They have been unbeaten and fully recovered from their earlier slump. The reason why Chelsea are doing so well is that they have stuck to the straight and simple and in their last five matches all their results read 1-0 and 2-1 home and away except for that shock 1-2 loss at home to Palace. It is probably a Chelsea win for most but if any team can hold Chelsea it could be Bournemouth. 1-1.

Sunderland v Manchester United - Sunderland have not lost to any team more than Manchester United. The only hope for the Black Cats is that United have not won at the Stadium of Light on their last three visits and the Red Devils have have drawn their last two matches. Sunderland may have used up their nine lives finally after years of last minute Houdini escapes. They certainly need to win this one. It was about this time last year that they started to pick up beating even the stronger teams. Can they do it again this time? Will it start with United? You may note that United's strike force are not at their best. May I even suggest a cheeky draw. 1-1.

Everton v Leicester City - Everton have only won this tie twice at Goodison Park. 62% of the time their meetings would end in a draw. However, recent results have favoured the Foxes. It is interesting to note that Leicester City have won every match since the appointment of Craig Shakespeare. Everton blows hot and cold but Lukaku can score. Unfortunately, the potential of Ross Barkely at one time a very bright prospect may not be going on as well. The belief that Leicester is back and Vardy is scoring regularly again. Their goals in the last two 2-0 wins were great. Away win. 1-2.

Crystal Palace v Arsenal - Palace's record against the Gunners are abject - winless in twelve and won once in 15. Arsenal haven't lost away in this tie since nearly forty years ago. Prior to last match's loss to Southampton away. Sam Allaryce showed his magic again leading his team to various wins before that and keeping Palace above the dreaded zone. Arsenal packs to much firepower having fired 3 past West Ham the other day. The last two visits for this tie ended 1-2 to Arsenal. I think it shall be again. 1-2.