EPL - 2018/19 - Game Week 9

UEFA Nations League and International Friendlies are hurting the clubs. Some are questioning if both were necessary especially the new UEFA Nations League. England lost narrowly to Spain at home in their opener and then drew with Croatia. When they visited for the return tie, not much was expected from them and Southgate fielded some different players. By now, you know that England won 3-2 against Spain away from home. Spain of course dominated possession but it was the first time ever that Spain concede three goals at home and the English rained in the goals all within the first half. Nobody should be singing its coming home but there were some interesting takes.

Jordan Pickford may not be the world best keeper or even the premier league. In fact, he fumbled with a 'Cruyff' turn but he has a left foot that could really wallop a ball not just very long but also accurately. You could say two of England's goals were launched by him. Liverpool's Joe Gomez's stock continued to rise. He is easing into the role for both club and country. Outstanding again was Leicester's Ben Chiwell at left back. Comfortable and adapt at both defence and attack. Eric Dier's simple game has always draw criticism but he was colossal highlighted by that fantastic tackle on Sergio Ramos who has met more than his match. Dier took the ball like a golf club head onto a golf ball and Ramos flew and fell in a heap like a divot! Tottenham's young Harry Winks at 22 showed maturity and courage. Chelsea's Ross Barkley is in fine form and is back. United's Rashford has pace and now a goal. Raheem Sterling has never played a better  game for England when he bagged a brace ending his international goal drought.Harry Kane was also outstanding without scoring showing a new dimension to his game with two assists and especially the one he created for Rashford. As Pickford made a regular save, Kane pointed where he wanted the ball and Pickford obliged by picking Kane out. Within a few touches, first killing the ball, he left Sergio Ramos in the lurch and swept past Busquets and Nacho to make an exquisite diagonal pass to Rashford to sweep home. Just remember that Ramos, Nacho and Busquets are all European Champions and World Cup winners. It was the finest I have seen in an England striker for sometime.

Back to the premier league. Liverpool versus Manchester City at Anfield felt somewhat anti-climatic. Sometimes it happens in a big match like this. Too much was at stake and both Klopp and Guardola have too much respect for one another. Liverpool started on the front foot but they were not as effective as last season in attack, midfield was tentative and it was a surprise that Klopp played Gomez at right back instead of keeping him in the middle where he has excelled and Lovren played the first time. It was a gamble but Lovren surprisingly played well. City's strategy was simply to slow down play so Liverpool could not get into their usual speed. While the Reds remain unbeaten, they surely need to pick up their season where they have by now not won a single match in four games.

The best two teams now are also equally surprisingly Arsenal and Chelsea as they were the teams left hanging in the balance at the end of last season as both managers left. Sarri came to Chelsea and immediately made them better where they now shared top spot and are still unbeaten. Arsenal lost their first two matches and their demise looked written on the wall but have now won nine matches straight. What a refreshing revival! This season will be very interesting! There is now not a single way to win a match, a Cup or the League title. May all attacking soccer teams flourish!

Chelsea v Manchester United - Chelsea are playing very good football. You could see when their game ended with Liverpool, Sarri and Klopp hugged like old friends. Both deserve a pat on the back for entertainment and attacking soccer. Now Jose Mourinho visits his old club with a small hope in that His United team finally won with a good fightback after four matches without victory after they conceded two early goals to Newcastle. Chelsea are a way better team right now with everything clicking and Eden Hazard in superb form. The Red Devils boss is under tremendous pressure at the moment and worse if he could not get his team to play well or get a result here. History and current form favours Chelsea. A strong performance by United and better still a victory will help to heal. Knowing Mourinho, he will be cautious and tight and make themselves hard to break down. It will need to take a moment of magic to turn the match and no one is more well equipped than Eden Hazard who is flourishing under Sarri as he has now eight goals in ten games. If United's defence is sloppy they will be humbled. No, buried. So Mourinho may play 5 defenders and hope that Pogba and Sanchez have a bit of magic too. 2-1.

Bournemouth v Southampton - The Cherries are sixth. They have won three matches straight and their last game was a highly impressive 4-0 away win at Watford. The Saints played well at times but have not won for sometime and are two points above relegation zone. Bournemouth are having great momentum at the moment and it will be a big surprise not to get a win at home. Ryan Fraser is on form and forwards Callum WIlson and Joshua King are firing. Another win. 2-0.

Cardiff v Fulham - Cardiff at right at the bottom and manager Neil Warnock and his team are winless. Fulham are only two points better and despite their potential and nice passing game are finding life is tough. The Welsh team just could not win matches and for sometime now could not even get a draw. This is a serious problem. Fulham's promise has somewhat fizzled. They were trounced 0-3 at Everton and steamrolled at home 1-5 by Arsenal. Something has gone wrong. Lacking in confidence? Cardiff could get a point at least. 1-1.

Manchester City v Burnley - City are the team to beat but Burnley seemed to have pick up the pieces of late but they could not breakdown a battling Huddersfield but the Clarets are unbeaten in their last three Premier League outings. City could welcome back star man Kevin De Bruyne who shall surely add another dimension to their game. This will be a big boost. His drive, creativity and shooting will power the home team. Anyhow, City have too much superiority and should easily win this one. Raheem Sterling has been superb. 2-0.

Newcastle v Brighton - Like Cardiff and Huddersfield, the Magpies are without a win. They have played all the top teams save for Liverpool and lost just narrowly by a goal and were so unlucky not to get a result against United the previous week after a 2-0 lead. A win is imminent and well deserved but has been elusive. Brighton can be tough to beat. So a draw is a real possibility but I am taking Newcastle to finally win their first match. 1-0.

West Ham v Tottenham - The Hammers were so impressive when they had United beaten 3-1 that you believe they could beat anyone and then they slumped 0-1 at Brighton. Tottenham are back to winning ways save for that defeat by Barcelona in the Champions League but were made to sweat it out for a 1-0 home win over Cardiff. This is a London Derby and West Ham certainly have what it takes to spring a surprise if they target with their set pieces. Local boy Mark Noble and Felipe Anderson have been awesome this season. While Harry Kane did not score in the now famous 3-2 away win over Spain he made two excellent assists. With Alli and especially Eriksen injured and if they do not make it back in time, West Ham has a chance. 2-2.

Wolves v Watford - Wolves sit proudly in 7th while Watford aren't too bad in 9th. While Wolves are a model of consistency playing some really good football, Watford's early season fire has fizzled out. A case in point was their last match where they got thrashed 0-4 by Bournemouth. Unless the Hornets play out of their skins, it is hard to fathom a very good Wolves team getting anything than a steady win. 2-0.

Huddersfield v Liverpool - Two good friends meet again and both are facing different problems from one another but each facing their own set of issues. The Terriers were rescued at the end of the season with some fine fightback but are now languishing again. Both played against each other the first time in 1920 and did not meet since 1972. When they met again last season Liverpool won both home and away ties by 3-0. While David Wagner faces the same problems, Klopp has a reversed problem. Liverpool were prolific in attack and scored many fine goals last season but played with a dodgy defence and this year, they have been solid defensively but the best attacking force in Europe are not firing. Huddersfield can take heart that they are playing at home and Liverpool has not won in four matches. Liverpool cannot afford anything than a win better still a resounding one. Normally, it is easy to pick a Liverpool win here but the European Nations League and international friendlies have brought unwelcome injuries to the Reds. Mohamed Salah scored direct from a corner for Egypt but has some thigh injury. Virgil van Dijk has rib problems, Sadio Mane has a broken thumb and now Naby Keita also suffered a thigh problem. VVD the man mountain seems to have his ribs protruding out from his muscles as he often gets injured there. Maybe at 6'4" opponents are often ramming his ribs with their heads. He has been playing with two broken ribs. James Milner has already been ruled out for a month with a hamstring injury. IN this situation then Sturridge, Shaqiri and the back from injury Adam Lallana may feature. 0-2.

Everton v Palace - The Toffees are not doing badly but slipped to 11th and they shocked Leicester away from home. Palace have not won in their last three and have question marks as they were really good towards the end of last season. Palace seemed to be slightly off the mark so far this season and need to make a quick recovery and not leave it too late. I see Everton clinching a win here but they have to work for it. 2-1.

Arsenal v Leicester - The Gunners are having a really good time. No one would believe they are just two points from the top after having lost twice in their opening matches and now they have won every match thereafter. Unai Emery has done some great stuff as is team is now purring and scoring freely evidenced in their last match - a 5-1 mauling away against Fulham. Arsenal will be attempting ten wins in a row in this match and that is no small achievement. While Leicester are improving, they have not been as consistent. A home win at the Emirates should be expected. It could even be a high scoring and exciting match. 3-2.