EPL 2017/18 - Game Week 16

City are run away leaders with an eight point lead after 15 matches. United kept up a bit with an important 3-1 away win at the Emirates. Chelsea kept pace with a 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge and Liverpool climbed up to 4th with an emphatic five star performance away from home. Arsenal slipped to 5th and Tottenham have been tottering and now lied in 6th without a win in three matches. 

Among the beleaguered clubs, Everton, with two wins, scored six goals without reply in their last two matches and now shot up to 10th. Bournemouth have improved but Huddersfield's early season form has fizzled. Palace (18), West Ham (19) and Swansea (20) formed the bottom three. A lot can still change with 23 more matches to go. This week shall bring forth more changes as each team face their own demons, angels and fate with mid-week European games that may affect them while others rested. 

West Ham v Chelsea - Sometimes life is just so tough - to face Manchester City and then Chelsea when things are not looking up. David Moyes and Stuart Pearce did something right last week when the Hammers almost stopped City getting their new record. Though City controlled possession, West Ham did not parked buses and actually troubled City on their ground at times and even had the audacity to take the lead. Watching the game, I felt for them and their fans. It was a courageous and encouraging performance perhaps their best this season. If they repeat the performance, there is no guarantee that Chelsea will win here. Meanwhile, Chelsea gave their own indication to counter this argument that they may not win here with a solid performance themselves as they attempt to continue their good form with a short trip to East London. Only something spectacular from the Hammers could them from another defeat. Chelsea is too strong. 1-2.

Burnley v Watford - This match is interesting as both sides have been stellar this season not what most people would expect as they are in 7th and 8th position respectively  and only separated by 3 points. Both were difficult to beat, played consistently well and even threatened the bigger teams at times. However, both also have not got the right results of late with a couple of defeats. Burnely have been playing their best football in Premier history in 7th position and level on points with Spurs. Watofrd in 8th are also at their best and this should make for a lively showdown. A draw may be a fair result. 2-2.

Crystal Palace v Bournemouth - The thing is Palace and Bournemouth and the rest at the lower half are not bad teams. They are just not consistent enough, lack fire power, defensive nous or just short on confidence and then you find yourselves struggling. Palace haven't lost in four. The Cherries recovered for a few games but slipped again. Every team is trying harder. Draw. 2-2.

Huddersfield v Brighton - Huddersfield started the season with vigour and grit and grinded out good result but have since faded. Brighton too are in a bad phase but will hope to turn the tables. Huddersfield have the home advantage. It is a tough call to say for sure which is the better team right now and a draw is the most likely. 1-1.

Swansea v WBA - Swansea have hit rock bottom. They can't afford not to win. Can Baggies' new manager Alan Pardew inspire them for a win on the road? Pardew has done well in previous stints in his managerial career but never lasted. In their current state, both sides may just cancel out each other. 1-1.

Tottenham v Stoke City - Tottenham won once and lost twice in their last five matches and this is their worst form this season. Stoke City must improve as they have been poor this season. Tottenham must win now especially at Wembley to stop the rot and not waste another season with their immense potential. The problem is confidence is a strange thing. Having too much or lack of it can make things difficult, so confidence alone is not enough. You need belief and mental strength. At home and  in this moment, Tottenham cannot afford not to win. 2-0.

Newcastle v Leicester City - Like a few others, the Magpies started well but have succumbed and fallen off the perch. They have not won since Week 9. The Foxes will be determined to add on to their previous two wins. St. James Park may be more difficult for Leicester but the Foxes seemed to have rediscovered their true confidence again. Their gung-ho spirit is back. Rafa knows that he must pick his team up soon and not get into deeper troubles as a few bad results could get one into relegation fight zone. 1-1.

Southampton v Arsenal - The Saints won just once in their last five matches. The Gunners have a large squad and could even afford to field different set of players such as Debuchy, Wilshere, Walcott and Giroud and experiment a different formation. This means that Lacazette, Ozil and Sanchez will come in fresh this weekend. All of them scored and shone especially Man-of-the-Match Wilshere and it is a shame he is unlikely to go to the World Cup. Southampton displayed some good attacking play but Arsenal have been brilliant recently so the Gunners could continue their fine form. 1-3.

Liverpool v Everton - The Reds continued their fine form to not just overcome but obliterated Brighton 5-1 away from home then promptly hosted Russian champions Spartak Moscow in their last match of Champions League group stage with an awesome attacking display that obliterated their opponents 7-0! Liverpool are the only club to at least 7 goals in a game three time in the Champions League and the only one to do it twice in one season! All these happened without their captain Jordan Henderson and Philippe Coutinho revelled in the midfield role and as captain flanked by Emre Can and Georgino Wijnaldum. If Liverpool defend well they can beat anyone. It is hard to cope with their front line. On a cold night at Anfield, the Fab Four of Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah gave us the most energetic, intuitive, cutting edge and hypnotic soccer that devastated their opponent.  The pace was blistering and the finishing lethal. When they bring it on, they are unstoppable and unplayable. 

https://www.thisisanfield.com/2017/12/watch-goals-highlights-liverpools-7-0-thrashing-spartak-moscow/ (Seventh Heaven)

The mid-week win for Liverpool may have given rise to tired legs but what a preparation for the weekend Merseyside Derby against Everton at Anfield. Will Liverpool be as ruthless and at their rampaging best to halt Everton's back to back win for the first time this season? What happens when Adam Lallana returns? The Fab Four may become disrespectful as Lallana can walk into any boy band and make YNWA even more beautiful! But Liverpool have to watch Sam's pragmatic soccer and well honed set pieces.  3-1.

Manchester United v Manchester City - This is big and could be a game changer! The Mancunian Derby. Win at the Theater of Dreams and the points get narrowed to 5, lose and it stretches to 11. Manchester City have been unstoppable this season but their title aspirations will be put to the sword this weekend when they travel to Old Trafford. It is still City's title to lose but United are difficult to beat. If Mourinho parks buses they can't win and will get a draw at the most. If caution is all you do against City, you may be murdered. The game must be won if United fancy their chances for the title. This match has big implications for everyone elsewhere. It questions belief and confidence. For the consistently brilliant soccer played each week, I would like City to win as a testament of good attacking soccer. Like many others, I would like United to win for the sake of the league. However, reading Mourinho's mind, he is going the typical way of trying to win with a counter attacking game and if it does not work then get a draw. 2-2.

It shall be a good weekend of soccer especially with a Merseyside Derby and a Manchester Derby on.