EPL 2017/18 - Game Week 26

There is a new trend in the English Premier League. It is called swapping. Is the soccer world running short of players, too many overpriced players bought in a rush and under pressure? Alexis Sanchez crossed over to United and Mkhitaryan moved over to the Gunners. Alain Giroud was surprisingly sold to Arsena's London rivals Chelsea and I thought he has been an asset having scored late goals to rescue his team on many occasions. Arsenal sold off Theo Walcott too, to Everton. Some folks were laughing about Theo but he was the only exception when he scored both Everton''s goals in their 2-1 win!

Mkhitrayan went to Arsenal and Arsenal lost. Sanchez went to United and United lost. Giroud went to Chelsea and Chelsea lost. What is happening?

This week, runaway leaders Manchester City visits a demanding venue at Turf Moor, neighbours Manchester United could save some embarrassment when they host Huddersfield, Chelsea have the opportunity to redeem themselves, Liverpool and Tottenham play each other in a top of the table clash where the winner could cement themselves a Champion's League spot and Arsenal could unleash their new attacking lineup. 

In the current scheme of things, the significant signings (or lack of signings) of each club that may play important roles going forward are worth watching. For Arsenal, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan to Arsenal and loss of Alexis Sanchez, Olivier Giroud, Francis Coquelin, Theo Walcott. Chelsea's addition of Olivier Giroud and Ross Barkley and the loss of Michy Batshuayi. For Everton, in comes Cenk Tosun and Theo Walcott but out went Ross Barkley, Kevin Mirallas. Liverpool bought only Virgil van Dijk but sold Philippe Coutinho, Daniel Sturridge (loan), Manchester City added Aymeric Laporte, Manchester United now have Alexis Sanchez (swop deal with Mkhitaryan) and Tottenhma added BrazilianLucas Moura.

Burnley v Manchester City - Burnley's form has dropped a bit but they are at home at Turf Moor and do have a formidable defence of Ben Mee and James Tarkowski but the latter could be doubtful. Burnley lost all their last four matches before they held Newcastle. It will be a tough task but do not forget how Swansea had just recently beaten Liverpool and Arsenal and Bournemouth conquered Chelsea. Never say never. With Leroy Sane and Gabriel Jesus out, City once again looks up to Sergio Aguero for goals. City strolled past WBA 3-0 and looks likely to continue their winning way. It might have been different had Burnley been like they were earlier just like how they played United. City should continue their winning run. 1-2.

Bournemouth v Stoke City - The Cherries shot up to 10th. That 3-0 win at Chelsea's fortress Stamford Bridge was really something. Beating Chelsea away and 3-0. Wow! And Wow! Stoke City have also improved - winning one and drawing one halting all their defeats. Bournemouth are on the mend  and this being at home, should chalk up another victory but they will need to be sharp as Stoke have two clean sheets recently. 2-1.

Brighton v West Ham - Brighton have not much to show recently except a Cup an away win over Boro. However, they held Southampton away last time but then the Saints have been disappointing this season and they should be better on home ground. West Ham meanwhile drew twice at home and their earlier conviction are gone but they will be boosted with the signing of the promising Jordan Hugill from Preston. Long serving Mark Noble has stepped up tho their cause. Brighton may not pose their biggest challenge but current form suggest a draw. 1-1.

Leicester City v Swansea - The Foxes surprisingly went down at Goodison Park. Meanwhile, somebody should give a medal to Carlos Carvalhal who came and conquered. Since he came on board, Swansea have beaten Liverpool 1-0 and Arsenal 3-1. They did it not once but twice over better and stronger teams. Wow!!! For this reason alone, Leicester have to be at their very best if they were to win. But then this is an away game, will Swansea reproduce their performance? Leicester themselves went down the last match and Riyadh Mahrez's head is not clear on his pending transfer to Manchester City. Swansea's addition of Andre Ayew from West Ham and the loan of Andy King from Leicester may help the cause. Swansea could steal a point here or surprise everyone with another win. 2-2.

Manchester United v Huddersfield - Jose Mourinho is having a bad back and it is not from golf. The Red Devils came to Wembley with no goals conceded for six matches but all it took was 11 seconds for Tottenham to destroy them. I read that Jose was given an even longer contract at Old Trafford. This may be good news for the other teams. For all their riches and spending, United dare not play. Sir Alex Ferguson will be remembered and longed for as he dared. They should go on and beat Huddersfield and have their three points but I hardly want to watch them these days. Everyone could see they could be in a respectable position, keep clean sheets against weaker teams but dare not play with other bigger boys. What a shame! 2-0.

WBA v Southampton - The Baggies must be remembered for their 3-2 win over Liverpool recently but they are stuck right at the bottom. The Saints are just three points better in 18th which means they are real relegation candidates. The Saints may not have been inspiring but they have not lost in their previous five matches. An odd goal may decide this match but it may well end up a draw. 1-1.

Arsenal v Everton - To say the Gunners were shocked by Swansea would be an understatement. Wenger sold their three most prolific scorers - Alexis Sanchez, Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud. I could not understand why Giroud was sold and sold to their London rival Chelsea. So too Theo Walcott unless Arsene Wenger is looking to revamp their attack which has the potential to be awesome now that Mesut Ozil has signed a new contract, Henrikh Mkhitrayan has joined, Alexander Lacazette is still there and the addition of new record signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who could quite readily combined with ex team mate Mkhitaryan from Borussia Dortmund. Or is it too late to save Arsenal's season? 

They have to hit the ground running. Arsenal could be back in business if Aubameyang could reach his scale with his free scoring at Dortmund. He is not just a poacher but he is blessed with pace and movement and can be to the Gunners what Thiery Henry once was. Everton will suffer if they can't cope with him. Aubameyang has scored 100 goals for Dortmund 15-16 season for Dortmund. Sanchez has 55, Giroud 47, Walcott 32 and Ozil 24. At the other end, departed hero Walcott revisits in Everton blue and may be inspired to score against his old team after a dream debut for Everton after he scored a brace with an assist. According to Opta statistics, in this one match Walcott has scored or assisted 11% of Everton's goals this season. He could be a real danger as most ex players are. 

Arsenal are rebuilding somewhat but from midfield and attack but the lack of a solid defensive midfielder, a weakened defence and the unusual errors of Petr Cech are of concern. 3-1.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXDeIrs8h5c (Aubameyang)

https://www.facebook.com/TheArsenalTimeline/videos/1904315746250960/ (Alain Giroud)

Crystal Palace v Newcastle - Roy Hodgson's Palace are on a yoyo form. Win one lose one type of run but their last match was a draw. Thankfully they are hosting the Magpies without wings and finding it hard to win. They are just two points apart and a win for either side can be significant as they are just a couple of points from relegation zone. Home advantage could be important here. 1-0.

Liverpool v Tottenham - Two players could define the game here. Mohamed Salah and Harry Kane. Yet it is not only these two that will make it a very exciting match to watch. Liverpool showed character to bounce back from back to back defeats by bottom teams Swansea and WBA to win 3-0 at Huddersfield and you should have seen that Roberto Firmino's goal which was genius and sublime. They were crushed 1-4 by Spurs earlier in the season but are undefeated at Anfield where they have conceded only 7 goals. They got thrashed by City but had sweet revenge over them recently. How will they respond now? Can they do that to Tottenham? Imagine if Liverpool have not sold their top players and if they were to line up now - Suarez, Sturridge, Sterling, Coutinho.

https://www.footbie.com/video/roberto-firmino-scored-a-cracking-goal-against-huddersfield-town

Spurs were impressive and very well organised when they hammered Manchester United 2-0 at Wembley. It took all 11 seconds when the ball was delivered to Kane who got it to Alli and then Eriksen scored. If they could reproduce that performance they could trouble their host at Anfield that has a leaky defence. But the Reds play high up with constant pressing so it will be a different type of game unless silly mistakes crop up. Andrew Robertson should secure his spot at left back and help the cause. Who will partner Virgil van Dijk? Likely Dejan Lovren who had a good game is his last match. Spurs will offer a very tough opposition the quartet of Kane, Son, Eriksen and Alli could be more than a handful. A win for either will be a very important three points but they may just cancel out each other in an entertaining game. 2-2

Watford v Chelsea - The Hornets are only in 11th position because the rest are facing their own problems. Just by being a bit better than the rest can make a big difference. Watford got only two points from four league games which sums up their present situation. Chelsea were stunned 0-3 at home to Bournemouth. There is a chance for the host to get something here and ask some questions but Chelsea should prevail as Waatford have not scored in three matches. 0-2