EPL - 2018/19 - Game Week 4

Funny and shocking things are happening early in the season. It has been quite full of surprises. Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea have perfect results and Liverpool have perfect clean sheets having not conceded a goal. Th surprise I am talking about are Watford who are supposedly thought to be having a very tough season but look what they have done. Meantime, West Ham was promising under Pelligirini and with their players but are languishing in last place. Huddersfield was expected to find it tough and even their previous experience has not helped. Burnley's start has been truly not as expected. The international break would be here next week. That makes it even more important to get a positive result this weekend. The opener will see leaders Liverpool visiting Leicester. 

Leicester City v Liverpool - Harry Maguire struck a stunning winning goal at Southampton that were left with 10 men. He made the difference for the Foxes. They have added another victory 4-0 over Fleetwood Town in the League Cup. They are playing well but Jamie Vardy's suspension will disadvantaged them as he has scored often whenever he played Liverpool. He is their most potent weapon. Can Klopp get the Reds to make it 4 out of 4? Will their perfect start come to an end? Will the spell of clean sheets be broken? Alisson Becker has a big say. They will hope to finish in style as it would be international break. Klopp stuck to the same players for 3 matches. Will Captain Henderson come in to rest James Milner? What about Fabinho? So far, Salah and Mane have scored. Alisson has been awesome as his save against Brighton proved. Virgil van Dijk has been colossal. Naby Keita looked like has has always been there. Earlier, Milner was birllinat but last week Gini Wijnaldum was solid. He is keeping other players out and is an important player against Leicester. Liverpool looks like a possible contender to City. This is another chance to deliver. Brighton was an exception as their play was set up to make it difficult for Liverpool's front three. Liverpool are playing differently this season. They have hit 4, 2 then 1 goal. I would think Leicester at home would be more daring therefore easier to counter. Time for Firmino to score. He should have but for the Matt Ryan save. Away win with another clean sheet. 0-2.

Brighton v Fulham - The Seagulls were brilliant when they defeated United and were once again very organised at Anfield. They are capable of better things thanks to Chris Hughton. They looked dangerous on the break. However, their streak ended when they lost 0-1 at home to Southampton in the League Cup. Fulham continued where they left off with a 2-0 win over Exeter City in the League Cup. Their 4-2 win over Burnley at Craven Cottage was impressive. Welcome to the Premier League where the competition is really very tough and it is so hard to maintain consistency. Do not write off Brighton. If they could beat Manchester United then they could beat anyone. Or could they? Fulham are a good passing team and they could score. Draw. 2-2.

Chelsea v Bournemouth - Chelsea's playing Sarri-ball. They have actually been impressive. Besides Alonso, Eden Hazard has shone. Bournemouth were impressive as they cancelled out Everton's two goals. Richarlison was so impressive in his first tow matches that I bought him fro Fantasy Premier League and he got sent off. I am going to have to sell him for his silly antics! Meanwhile, Callum Wilson has been outstanding! Now they have beaten Milton Keynes Dons 3-0 in the League Cup, another feather in the cap. Bournemouth are having a great start to their campaign and they have scored a minimum of two goals a match and Fraser and Callum Wilson are in fine form so they will score against the host's back line that has conceded three goals in their last two but Chelsea are still too strong. Moreover, Sarri is a genius. Chelsea could be the biggest surprise package this season. 2-1.

Crystal Palace v Southampton - Palace have been playing well and could get better. Southampton like last season if they do not draw have been losing by the odd goal but finally reversed it with an away win over Brighton in the League Cup. This was a feat that even United could not do. Palace won 1-0 away against Swansea in the League Cup. The Saints are struggling after playing three matches with a return of one point. Danny Ings signed from Liverpool has been outstanding and he scored when the Southampton won 1-0 in the League Cup away to Brighton. The Saints could surprise but Crystal Palace are strong at home. 2-1.

Everton v Huddersfield - The Toffees are on the right track. They should have a promising season ahead. Another win albeit a League Cup 3-1 over Rotherham has probably pleased all their suffering fans as much as they are looking quite steady and solid. Huddersfield have serious problems. After an encouraging off season friendly 3-0 win over RB Leipzig, they have lost to Chelsea (0-3), Manchester City (1-6), held Cardiff (0-0) and lost to Stoke (0-2) in the League Cup. Their season has already been difficult. Unless they shocked Everton, it is a home win for me. 2-0.

West Ham v Wolves - The Hammers are in trouble so early in the season. Arnautovic continued his fine from by scoring first for West Ham and you thought it was going to be different. He will make a difference against any team. After a 3-1 away win at Milton Keynes Dons in the League Cup, have the Hammers really turned a corner? Wolves hunted in packs and played with gusto at the Molineux. Willy Boly's goal was controversial as it appeared later to have hit his arm but Laporte rescued a point for City. Wolves gave City problems all night and showed the rest how to play. Nuno Espirito Santo must have the biggest contingent of Portuguese players in an EPL squad and it is a very good squad as I have mentioned from the onset. Rui Patricio is a very good and seasoned goalie for Portugal and wondered why no team has signed him till Wolves. Another win 2-0 away to Sheffield Wednesday in the League Cup have boosted them even more. Although I last saw that Solves were better, this is the Premier League and Wolves are away. Perhaps West Ham are truly back. 2-2.

Manchester City v Newcastle - Rafa Benitiez was criticised how he set up his team and despite some battling display they have been found short. Another defeat this time 1-3 in the League Cup to Nottingham Forest has spelt doom. It is tough for Benitez and his boys for the lack of signings and a difficult fixture list. Even if the Magpies set up the same way to sit deep and defend, it is even harder. People are expecting City to win 4-0 or 5-0. Newcastle is capable of popping in an odd goal. City to win and the Magpies' difficult season has just got harder. 3-1.

Cardiff v Arsenal - Cardiff for all their hearts are finding the going tough. To make matters worse, they have just crashed 1-3 at home to Norwich in the League Cup. They will be among the scrappers for the season as evident so far. Unai Emery got his first Arsenal win finally but his team also got the most shots fired at them. As the Gunners adjusts they becomes vulnerable. Just like lobsters out of their shell. Cardiff is a hard team so Arsenal need to show some hunger. Neil Warnock has offered Ozil to be his star midfielder if things do not work out at Arsenal. 0-2.

Burnley v Manchester United - Burnley is having a rather poor start to the season given their character and true quality. Meeting Manchester United can be a bad choice or a great choice if they perform out of their skins. Last season at Turf Moor, they lost 0-1 and held United 2-2 at Old Trafford. United themselves have some demons to exorcise starting with their chief. An impressive win after that big 0-3 loss to Tottenham is a much needed tonic. One more misstep and they shall be left so far behind so early in the season. Mourinho is a man in crisis because he has never really handled a crisis before or he has left crises behind him he has never really experienced or succeeded in overcoming one. This is the same for any leaders be it soccer, business or even government. Forward thinking and progressive managers of lower placed clubs should be given a chance to prove their mettle. United may not be the force but they would still be able to win here if not trouble awaits. United are letting in goals and so do Burnley whose real strength has been their defence. But still Burnley defender James Tarskowski has outscored Romelu Lukakau. 1-2. 

Watford v Tottenham - The Hornets have been overlooked and underrated by many but they have confounded one and all with their performances and results thus far. Impressive! They followed up their league form with a 2-0 away win at Reading in the Cup. Roberto Pereyra has been in imperious form. The 27 year old Argentinian has been such a great signing and is a danger man to Spurs. Troy Deeney has been such a good example of a pro soccer player even at 30. This season he already has a goal and an assist to his name. He too could hurt Spurs. Tottenham are 2nd and will not wish to slip. The Hornets are ion awesome form and must believe they could beat any team but the Lilywhites are an excellent team and the best Watford has yet to play. WIll Watford's new found confidence be pricked and burst like a balloon? Harry Kane's headed goal against United last week was the work of a truly class striker. A looping header that got de Gea rooted. What a goal! Kane has busted the ghost of August and now it is September! Wake me up when September comes. There could be goals aplenty. Lucas Moura has found his true calling and is the danger man. Its a 2-2 draw for me unless Kane pops up with another for 2-3? I'll go for 2-3.