EPL 2017/18 - Game Week 38

Bye bye EPL after this week, then the Champions League Final and in June the World Cup. Liverpool are flirting with danger as usual. Their sexy, heavy metal swashbuckling attacking soccer aside, they could end the season with nothing. They could have finished it but allowing WBA to level 2-2 at the Hawthorns after comfortably leading 2-0 was bad and then followed that with a 0-0 home draw against Stoke and defeated by Chelsea 0-1. If you add that 2-4 Roma defeat, Liverpool have not won in four matches and Salah has suddenly stopped scoring in three. Could it be fatigue or could it be their minds are on the Champions League final or fearing injuries.

Whatever it is, they may end up with nothing to show meaning 5th in the league and missing out Champions League next season and silver medalist to Real Madrid. The only good things left is that their fate in their own hands. They could still get both achievements and their next two matches are the final of finals. Al they need to do is to win against Brighton this weekend and fourth would be the worse case scenario due to their superior goal difference. Beat Real Madrid and they will be European Champions for a record sixth time. 

It is also intriguing that Rafa Benitez, the ex Liverpool and ex Chelsea manager has a hand in their fate as his Newcastle took on Tottenham Hotspurs and then Chelsea. Not only that, Klopps' good friend - fellow German David Wagner took his boys to Chelsea after doing themselves a great favour by holding champions Manchester City to a goalless draw, a feat no one else has achieved at the Etihad - not allowing City to score. This week, every team play their last match on the same day and at the same time. There shall be no more soccer save for the Champions League Final and the coming World Cup in June.

Burnley v Bournemouth - Sean Dyche and Burnley have done very well in 7th. Eddie Howe and his Bournemouth too have recovered to get to 12th. Both managers are English. Burnley were soundly spanked at the Emirates over the weekend on a special day due to Wenger's swansong. Bournemouth did well to win narrowly at home putting Swansea in danger. Led by Ben Mee and James Tarkowski, they have a mean defence fashioned by Dyche. Last week's thrashing by Arsenal was an exception. I reckon Burnley should bounce back at home with a narrow win. 2-1.

Crystal Palace v WBA - Both sides have been in remarkable form with identical result in their last five matches - DWDWW. Impressive! Some despised old man Roy Hodgson but he was the one that got Palace to where they are  - 11th. They have won twice a 5-0 rout of Leicester and an away 2-1 win at Stoke which sent Stoke down. In that same time, there was also no better manager than their ex player and interim manager Darren Moore who oversaw those matches when before that they have not won for ages and they included an away win at Old Trafford, holding Liverpool 2-2 after being 2 down, winning by a goal away to Newcastle and another famous win over Tottenham at the Hawthorns. What else must they do. But When Southampton won 1-0 away to Swansea, the Baggies was going down without the next match. They should persist with Darren Moore and he was the only one who won the team over with such great results. If they had started the season this way, they should among the four six. Both Roy Hodgson and Darren Moore were the perfect choices for both sides. 2-2.

Huddersfield v Arsenal - David Wagner and Huddersfield has done his friend Klopp a small favour, holding Chelsea to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge and in doing so confirmed and preserved their Premier League status next season. It was not supposed to be like this. Arsenal has just given their long serving manager Arsene Wenger a fitting sent off with the 5-0 thrashing of Burnley. Burnley do not get thrashed like that and it was a special performance. Though the entire match was a farewell for him, Wenger showed his class when the first words he said was wishing a speedy recovery for Sir Alex Ferguson. Arsenal should have enough and the players would give Arsene Wenger a fitting farewell. Au Revoir Monsieur Wenger. 1-3.

Liverpool v Brighton - This is the first of two final for Liverpool, again wasting precious points by getting only 2 points in their 3 matches. It a must win at Anfield even as a draw is enough helped by Huddersfield's result. Champions City have just beaten Brighton 3-1. Brighton are already safe with 40 points but Liverpool must win to confirm qualification for Champions League. Other than that great 5-2 Roma rout, there were little cheer. Do not discount as they had the Red Devils beaten recently. Mo Salah needs one goal in the last match of the season to beat the record of 31 goals scored by Shearer, Ronaldo and Suarez. He already has the PFA Player of the Year and the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year, most goals scored in a single season, most Premier Player of the Month awards, blah, blah blah. His goals will flow if he were to be more relaxed. My favourite player has to be Firmino, the complete master as I have said before. He is at the forefront of geggenpressing. He is unbelievably important. Wait a minute and before we go further, you need to read Juergen Klopp's speech at the Football Writers Awards which he could not attend but a must read:

https://www.thisisanfield.com/2018/05/jurgen-klopps-superb-speech-at-football-writers-awards-is-an-absolute-must-read/

This is Liverpool's final competitive match before meeting Real Madrid. Brighton may frustrate them but Liverpool should do what they have done most part of the season - to win in style. Just hope that none of their key players are injured in doing so. 3-1.

Manchester United v Watford - Manchester United had been poor over the last two matches. They have been unceremoniously beaten by Brighton and held by West Ham. They may be safely in second but under Jose Mourinho, United are really playing very boring soccer. Ships are safe in harbour but that is not what they are built for. Watford halted their poor results with quite an impressive win over Newcastle. David De Gea is the most remarkable goalkeeper in the world. His saves have earned United many points and United may not even have been second. He has rightly won the best goalie award. United are a long way from winning hounours and big changes must be expected this season. Still they are too strong for Watford. 2-0.

Newcastle United v Chelsea - The Magpies' wins have all turn to defeats, four in  row, all by a goal. This is where an old friend of Liverpool may play a role for his old club - former manager of the Reds Rafael Benitez. Chelsea's winning streak also ended when they were held 1-1 by Huddersfield. If Chelsea wins and Liverpool lose, Chelsea will play in the Champions League. Chelsea are good enough to win this one but Newcastle are not weaker than Huddersfield. Benitez may just devise a plan to frustrate them. 1-1.

Southampton v Manchester City - A win here would see City as the first team ever to reach 100 points in the Premier League. City already have a 105 goals scored record. They also have the most consecutive wins - 18. They have already equalled Chelsea's most away wins at 15. A win here will set another new record. Their average possession stood at a massive 71.3 per cent, probably another new record on the way. City amassed 26,084 passes with 84 per cent accuracy achieving yet another record. Pep Guardiola has his own record of 4 Manager of the Month but Huddersfield halted their wins and became the first team to stop them scoring at the Etihad. The Saint only came back to life in the last three matches. They must have seen the light. They are all but safe at the eleventh hour. The Saints' recent improvement may not be enough. 1-3.

Swansea City v Stoke City - The Swans made a very strong attempt and fight to avoid relegation and they three points behind Southampton but lost their four matches and have an inferior goal difference. They are a good soccer team and a good passing side. It is unfortunate that despite their brave attempt they will probably go down. We hope they shall return to the top flight. For their home fans, a win. 2-1. 

Tottenham v Leicester City - Tottenham need to win to remain 3rd as anything less than this and Liverpool wins, they will climb to 3rd with a better goal difference. It is achievable as Tottenham can beat anyone on their day. Leicester were poor in their last four matches but roared back with an emphatic 3-1 win over Arsenal. Tottenham have shown they are a real force to be reckoned with. Hope the team stays intact for next season. A good home win for their fans. Perhaps Harry Kane will score a few more. 3-1.

West Ham v Everton - West Ham can play freely as they are safe and just held Manchester United 0-0 and boy did you see that Mark Noble goal against Leceister? It was such a wonderful goal scored by the Hammer's favourite and loyal son. For those that missed, here it is. Watch it yourself to understand:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7643mffjdD0 (Mark Noble goal)

Noble must be the best player not playing for England. It looks like a draw here for me but West Ham would like to give their fans a good ending to the season. 2-1.