EPL 2017/18 - Game Week 3

After two weeks, there have been more revelations. A few are marching on, some experienced reversal of fortunes, others have gotten worse. You may also say the same of the players and the managers. Based on two matches Manchester United should be champions. Eight goals scored with two clean sheets plus Ibrahimovic is back and now will have to fight for his place. He has predicted a six horse race and included Everton but omitted Tottenham. 

I shall be out and probably miss the early games on Saturday but two stand out games should not be missed. Chelsea v Everton at Stamford Birdge and Liverpool v Arsenal at Anfield. Good luck to you and all your teams!

Bournemouth v Manchester City - Eddie Howe and Bournemouth have been a revelation themselves in the past few seasons having created their own fairy tale. Two matches gone and you are asking what went wrong? Two matches does not make a season but with two defeats and playing City and Arsenal next does not make for good reading too. I had predicted that City would draw 1-1 at home to Everton. Rooney has proven to be bang for the buck  when he scored his second goal in two matches when City went down to ten men after hard work done by England U-21 youngster Calvert-Lewin. He has pace and strength. Jordan Pickford made a few good saves and Raheem Stirling equalised late with a first-time volley. The Cherries need at least a point to prevent a straight third loss and this is the kind of matches City must win. At the same venue last season, City won 2-0. If the Cherries get a good result here it would be a big upset. City dominated EVerton but had to contend with a late but very good goal but Stirling to save the blushes. Bournemouth can get better but not this week. 1-3.

Crystal Palace v Swansea City - Palace played well and made it difficult for Liverpool but lost 0-1 narrowly. Last season, Palace crashed 1-2 to the Swans at home. Frank de Boer's side need to win to play catch up or will other prop up the table. Swansea played well against United last week but conceded after 45 minutes and then crumbled in the second half after 80 minutes. Both have uninspiring starts and have yet to score. They must both fancy their respective chances against each other and perhaps during this seventh month, the hell gates may really be opened. 2-2.

Huddersfield Town v Southampton - Huddersfield are living a dream right now. Two wins, four goals scored and two clean sheets. The Saints are unbeaten after two home matches and displayed a gallant fight back to beat West Ham 3-2 with a 90+3 minute penalty goal. This one will be close. The bubble will burst some time soon but the Terriers have been biting at their opponents ankles. At home, they do stand a chance. Huddersfield are in form but the Saints won't be easy. 1-1.

Newcastle United v West Ham United - This should be a close match. In 2015 and 2016, the Magpies won at ST. James Park, 2-0 and then 2-1 but lost both their away ties. Newcastle were scoring quite freely in the lower division Championship but yet to register a single goal. Both sides are on the back of successive defeats, a win will be a morale booster. I thought Liverpool have been poor at the back but West Ham are worse. Can they even tame a weak Newcastle who is playing at home? Christian Atsu may just start scoring. 2-2.

Watford v Brighton - The Hornets are doing surprisingly well while Brighton are no where there - haven't scored a goal and conceded four. Their star man could be Andre Gray. Watford are in goal scoring form. Home win surely. 2-0.

Manchester United v Leicester City  - The Red Devils are red hot and overwhelming favourites here needless to say. When they last met at Old Trafford in September, United won 4-1 but the Foxes held them 1-1 in May last year at the same venue. United have been ruthless and I do not consider the Foxes strong enough to avoid defeat. Should be quite easy for the home side. 2-0.

Chelsea v Everton  - In the last meeting at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea gave the Toffees a masterclass display winning 5-0 in November 2016. Chelsea were impressive at Wembley where they have beaten a very good Spurs team. They shall be looking for the momentum to forget their poor opener. However, they are hosting an Everton side that is really good looking where even City could not break. The Toffees' performances have been disciplined and measured. Ronald Koeman's rebuilding is bearing fruit. On Wednesday's Europa League against Hajduk Split, Jordan Pickford saved a penalty and new recruit Gyfli Sigurdsson open accounts on his debut with an incredible 45m goal! The incredible thing is not just the distance but he conjured the shot while he was falling backwards. Amazing!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_bau9Fyjxs (Sigurdsson's goal)

Wayne Rooney netted his 200th Premier League goals and has proven to be a very shrewd signing by Ronald Koeman. One point at the Etihad was a good result. Rooney was truly so good in 2004 as a youngster but after that I found him overrated despite his goal scoring records  but now he is the Renaissance Man. 

For Chelsea, I found Willian to be their best player. If they could beat a very good Tottenham team then they could beat anyone including Everton but Everton are really good and I think not many teams will beat them this season. They will be a handful. Draw. 1-1.

WBA v Stoke City - Since 2015 Stoke have never won at the Hawthorns and have lost both by a close single goal margin. The Baggies have 100% win thus far and yet to concede a goal. Stoke City are unpredictable. They could be found wanting and yet the next match they can be very good. Last week's home win over Arsenal was no small matter. As Robson-Kanu is on red card suspension this is a chance for Jay Rodriguez to shine. 1-1.

Liverpool v Arsenal - This is going to be delightful. Two pure attacking teams and nobody should miss it. In their last match at Anfield Liverpool won 3-1. In previous years, it was 3-3 and 2-2. With both being attacking side, expect a thrilling match with lots of goals. Will Liverpool will be fresh and could be weary after Wednesday's game vs Hoffenheim which they won in a thrilling 4-2 match. This is what Liverpool should be about on European nights. If Liverpool reproduce the mesmerising attacking performance vs Hoffenheim, then they could win. But if they bring along the poor defensive play especially of Dejan Lovren then they would be punished. With Mane, Firmino and Salah, Liverpool will punish any team. Those flips, back heels and on-twos were a sight to behold but there is no point in scoring three and easily concede 3 with glaringly poor defensive play. Klopp has to do something immediately before they self destruct. Liverpool were 3 up before half an hour and the panicky Lovren so simply gave the ball to his opponent like in a school boy match. Even Emre Can was outstanding with a brace. So too was Firmino who is now the main man as Coutinho gets forgotten for now. It was a magical night at Anfield. 

The Gunners are a very good team and Lacazette is a fine goal scorer so too Alan Giroud, Mesut Ozil and could all trouble Liverpool. At Stoke, Arsenal showed they could be beaten. Maybe it will be a high scoring draw. Or Liverpool may just edge past them. One thing is for sure. There will be goals. It looks like 2-2 but could go either way. When Liverpool is on attacking form, few teams could stop them from scoring. Watching Liverpool is liken to some women watching a horror movie. It is always exciting but when the ghosts are about to appear (when opponents attack them), you cover your eyes and leave just a little gap to have a peek. It is a little less frightening this way I supposed. 3-2.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6A31L6iGX2Q (Liverpool v Hoffenheim)

Tottenham v Burnley - Tottenham are strong favourites but beware Burnley what they did to Chelsea on opening day. Last three encounters at home for Spurs were victories (2-1, 4-2, 2-1) but Wembley saw Spurs snooked by Chelsea last week despite domination. Wembley curse for them? Pochettino and his boys must be waiting for a week to bounce back. Wembley is no excuse. Today could be the day where last two seasons' top scorer open his accounts and end the jinx. Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Kane must shine! 2-0 to the Spurs.