EPL 2017/18 - Game Week 37

Liverpool have the potential to be crowned European Champions by the end of May. Real Madrid have won the most European Cup - 12 times. If Liverpool wins it will be their sixth. Real Madrid, Liverpool and AC Milan have the most. Real Madrid will win this time because they have not been that good and yet they are here. This is why quite many are saying it is their year. Frankly, Real have been a more  pragmatic team these days. 

Liverpool's high pressing is the modern answer. The mantra is you must dare to play. 

Both Real Madrid and Liverpool do not have the best defence. Both are attacking forces especially for now the Reds' attacking trio have hit the net 29 times in Europe alone, the highest trio ever. When Liverpool decides to go for the jugular, they will score first. This season's campaign has proved that they are among the top European teams and the way they went about the business has given them conviction. Real Madrid have the greater experience in recent years playing in the final and Cristiano Ronaldo while not as fast as before is still a highly potent force. The final will not be irresistible force versus immovable object. Maybe it would be irresistible force versus unstoppable force. That would be an explosive collision. It could be a high scoring final. I suppose neutrals and soccer fans would want a Liverpool win. Real Madrid do have their own young talents but they are always just splashing the cash to buy the world's best players at the time and try to gel them into a team. Klopp is doing the right thing in developing a team and his passion and conviction is infectious giving belief to his team. 

Back to the Premier League, Liverpool will get closer as title contenders next season but they would need to beef up their team by improving their strength in depth meaning that if any one of their players were injured or suspended, would his replacement be as good and potent? City has it now for example alternating Raheem Stirling and Bernardo Silva. Augero and Gabriel Jesus. It is hard to compete with the Moneybags City or United and what not. So you have to work harder to spot talents like Andrew Robertson or young talents like Rhian Brewster already in their ranks. They are in the right direction.

Recently, our telcos started offering June World Cup packages. They are of the same father but different mothers. It took them so long to come together after making Singaporeans paying through their noses and their asses for years. Sigh. Then I have friends who do not really follow soccer and they started signing up. Maybe friends like these will make them raise prices again? Sigh.

Brighton v Manchester United - Game would have been played at 3am this morning. Game over. Brighton won 1-0.

Stoke City v Crystal Palace - Stoke City has played 36 matches and has 30 points and in 19th position. That is precarious. For the next 2 to 7 points more above them, they have done only 35 matches. Despite halting their losses with 3 draw in a row, it is not enough. Meanwhile, Palace has been unbeaten in their last four, their last match was a resolute 5-0 thrashing of Leicester City. Palace have old man Roy Hodgson to thank. Stoke's determination alone is not enough and has come too late. Palace's turn around has been amazing and now in 11th.  Liverpool could not breach Stoke last week. 1-1.

Bournemouth v Swansea - The Cherries looked doom earlier in the season but Eddie Howe has revived his team that climbed to 12th. Swansea had their own change of fortunes from quite a hopeless situation but not dropped to 17th one point above Southampton. Bournemouth have not won in five and lost all the last three. Swansea are in quite a similar situation. I feel the Swans can get their away point. 1-1.

Leicester City v West Ham - The Foxes are safe in 9th. The Hammers are in 15th the highest position for those on 35 points so not out of the woods. In their last 5 matches, Leicester lost 3 and drew one with the last match being a sound 0-5 spanking by Palace. West Ham are the same. The Hammer usually do not score more than a goal but the Foxes are leaking goals. It is also time for Vardy and Mahrez to score again. 2-2.

Watford v Newcastle - The Hornets have not won for the longest time but the Magpies winning run has come to a halt. For Watford, it was their early season performance and results that saved them. The Magpies last two defeats were by a goal. I pick Newcastle to win by a goal. 0-1.

WBA v Tottenham - The Baggies are doomed and if Tottenham win this they leapfrog Liverpool into 3rd and 2 points ahead. WBA have been impressive unbeaten in their last four, beaten United away, held Liverpool at home and beaten Newcastle away. Tottenham have a WLDLW trend. Do not be surprised if WBA win or draw here. There is something happening here at the Hawthorns. Of course I think Tottenham should win but are fighting back even if it was too late. Unless Kane, Alli, Erikssen or Son have other ideas. 1-1.

Everton v Southampton - LIke Hodgson, Sam Allardyce has saved Everton's season. The Saints at 32 points are just above the bottom two with a match in hand. A win will bring them above Swansea so it is a crucial match. The Toffees have not lost in their last four. At Goodison Park, Everton could add another win but the Saints need points and I hope to see them staying up. 2-2.

Manchester City v Huddersfield - City buried Spurs, Swansea and West Ham. They are out of Europe and left with going for new scoring records and maximum points. Huddersfield will battle hard for survival but it may be too difficult to over City at home. IN their last 3 matches City scores 12 goals. 3-1.

Arsenal v Burnley - No more titles or Cup for Arsene Wenger and he shall leave on a blank note. They lost their last 2 matches, 1-2 to United and 0-1 to Atletico Madrid but last week Wenger put on a young team that showed great promise such that their loss to United was unfortunate. Burnley can be tough to beat. Now with all their focus here, Lacazette and Aubameyang should get their goals here. But Burnley have a tough defence. It could end as a draw but for Wenger's sake, please win it. 2-1.

Chelsea v Liverpool - This is the biggest match of the week. Chelsea's recent upturn and Liverpool's 2 drawn matches has made the game of significance for top four finish. Liverpool have been playing fearlessly so Chelsea while tough at home are not unbeatable and Salah needs just one goal from the remaining two matches to break the record 31 in a 38 game season held by Alan Shearer, Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Suarez. Liverpool's league form suffered as a result of their Champions League matches and they may even be a little tired from mid-week while Chelsea in fine form has a full rest. I am sure some folks are going for a home win. Liverpool could surprise too as they re-focus. They have beaten City haven't they? It will not be easy for the visitor but I just have a feeling they could ace this one. 1-2.