EPL - 2018/19 - Game Week 12

Last weekend everywhere, soccer officials, players and fans paid their last respect to Leicester City boss Vichai. The most solemn of solemn occasion was of course found at Cardiff where the Foxes played away. The entire Leicester team looked sad in particular as the camera zoomed in on Jamie Vardy and especially Kasper Schmeichel who was tearing. Even the Cardiff bench looked sad. As the camera shifted to the crowd in the terraces, many were red-eyed. After all, soccer cannot be more important than life. It was very emotional and when Leicester won 1-0 it was befitting the occasion. What marred the event was when Demarai Gray scored and removed his top to revealed a tribute "for Khun Vichai" and the referee booked him with a yellow card which is correct according to FIFA rules but even as the referee looked gutted for his decision, may have criticised him. Could he not have made an exception? On the other hand, what if some one else also remove his top in future to reveal a message for a sick child or for some other events? Demarai probably knew he would get the yellow but decided that he would do it anyway.  

Manchester City have started where they ended last season - unstoppable.  Chelsea have shown that Sarri-ball is in its full effect and they are even looking attractive in their play unlike those Mourinho and Conte years. Arsenal has continued their unbeaten run and Unai Emery has certainly got the entire team to play in his image. It was a terrific match against Liverpool. It was match that either side could have won but the Gunners have 62% of the ball. Arsenal have 12 shots and created 13 chances while Liverpool have 13 shots and created 11 chances. It could have ended 3-3 or whatever. What I saw of this match was that Arsenal are really good and was awesome and free flowing in attack. They could have won any match that day. Lacazette's goal was fabulous. Liverpool have the clearer chances. Mane's goal should have been allowed after Firmino's touch ricocheted off the post. Virgil van Dijk could have scored a hattrick that day. What stood out for Liverpool was their defence. They showed that they could handle anything. Alisson Becker made some important saves and proved that the Reds' goalkeeping problem is finally solved. Andrew Robertson worked furiously and ferociously. Joe Gomez will certainly be a top top centre back and Virgil van Dijk is totally outstanding and is one of the best if not the best defender in the world. He was glorious. The chin in the armour and their weakest link is Trent Alander Arnold. His talent and young age is a plus but he is now a liability to the team and will be exploited just like Arsenal did to good effect. He was often caught out of position and needed Gomez and van Dijk to save him on a few occasions. Liverpool's midfield was overworked and their attack has been poor compared to the last season. 

The situation is now exacerbated when they were shocked to a 0-2 defeat by Red Star in Belgrade. Liverpool had 72% possession, 23 shots to their opponents' 10 with 18 chances created to the other team's 9. They still sat at the top with six points to second place Napoli's six (scored a goal less) and PSG's 5 since both these teams drew 1-1 at Naples while Red Star have four. Liverpool have still to play PSG away and Napoli at home. If they do not get back to form, they may even find themselves out of the Champions League. Liverpool exciting, swashbuckling, high intensity has changed to one where they dominate with control. This may have to do with the confidence with their new found solid defence so perhaps they will conserve energy and wait for the right time to hit and score as the season is long and they are fighting on several fronts but do it wrongly and you have eggs on the face. City is still the team to beat, Chelsea and Arsenal are seriously good and so to Tottenham are coming back. It will be an extremely tough season indeed. 

Cardiff v Brighton - Cardiff were the first of the teams that haven't won a match this season when they whacked Fulham 4-2. Then they lost to Leicester at home in an emotional match. Brighton were really good when they won three matches straight before crashing 1-3 at Everton but that was because Everton were in top form. Cardiff will be physical but Brighton can win away. I say it will be a draw. 1-1.

Huddersfield v West Ham - Huddersfield were the last team to finally win a match and they did so just last week. As I have said Fulham were there for the taking as the Terriers were at home and the Cottagers were the team having the most rotten form right now. Take note of the way West Ham came back to thump Burnley 4-2 last week. Twice their lead were cancelled out and yet they bounced back to win with Felipe Anderson outstanding. Unless the Hammers can be at their best they may find it tough here especially after the Terriers first win. 1-1.

Leicester v Burnley - Leicester will hope to be continued to be inspired by the untimely demise of their owner and they could build on from here. Burnley are back to leaking goals as they have conceded 13 goals in their last three matches. Their defence was their forte last season. The FOxes have sufficient quality to win this one. 2-1.

Newcastle v Bournemouth - The Magpies picked up their first win of their season when they had Watford beaten 1-0 which was a bit of surprise considering Watford were in good form with two wins prior to this match. Meanwhile the Cherries have been dong very well and unbeaten and their attack was all over United but the Red Devils got a lucky break to win. Newcastle must build on this and get a result here  but it will be tricky indeed as the visitors are playing very well and Callum Wilson has hit top form with his goals. If Bournemouth play like they did United in the first half, Newcastle should be happy with a draw. A win may be tough but if their defence plays as well and tight a draw will not surprise. 1-1.

Southampton v Watford - The Saints are without a win in four attempts. Their 1-6 thrashing last week by City last week puts Mark Hughes back in danger again as they  dropped to just above relegation zone. Fast improvements through better results are much needed. Hughes didn't get the sack but his VP did. Watford hope to count their narrow defeat at Newcastle as a one-off. Southampton have held Everton, Bouornemouth and Newcastle so they can do so again at the St. Mary's. Funny thing is that Watford do not do draws, they either win or lose. This could be their first draw in a while. 2-2.

Crystal Palace v Tottenham - Like Burnley, Palace have lost their mojo relying just for Zaha to score and have not won for a long time. Tottenham have lost three matches so far, the last one at home to City and have now bounced back with three wins (3-1 away to West Ham), (3-2 away to Wolves) and 2-1 at home to PSV Eindhoven and Harry Kane scored and was Man of the Match. So it does not augur well for Palace even at home to play Spurs now as they are nowhere near their best of last season. I see Spurs coming back strongly. 1-3.

Liverpool v Fulham - Fulham finds themselves right at the bottom now and conceded 15 goals in five games. They will play a tight defensive game here at Anfield. The Reds themselves are not firing. They cannot afford not to win this one as they at playing at Anfield with Fulham at their weakest frame of mind. This is the time to stamp their class and get back to their best and scoring more is very essential here even if they could match City for points. Liverpool's draw at Arsenal is considered two points lost than a point gained. This is why they have to be at their clinical best like last season. Once their attackers clicked again then they are on to better things. Will you see a timid Liverpool that have lost its mojo or will Fulham get a backlash? Will compound the Reds'misery? 

The problem is Klopp's new style for Liverpool to control matches has become too predictable. Every opponent knows now Liverpool no longer goes in with guns blazing. Even Chelsea, City and Arsenal found out. In other words, there is no element of surprise. Liverpool's forwards were the best front three in Europe last season. Now they have shown they have a defence that could cope with the best attacks (save for the embarrassing 0-2 defeat to Red Star). Winning 1-0 games is dangerous and not enough. They need a resounding win here to keep the faith. Klopp must unshackle his attackers and unleash their might. The balance in this Liverpool is lopsided and must be re-calibrated to fire from the start and bring back the faith and the joy. 3-0.

Chelsea v Everton - Chelsea are playing very well, attractive to watch and now consistent and unbeaten. Moreover, Morata has scored a brace last week. It will be difficult for anyone visiting here and certainly including Everton but the Toffees just won 3-1 against Brighton in an impressive way with Richarlison in awesome form having scored a delightful brace. It is possible for Everton to steal a point here if thy could repeat their performance. 2-2.

Arsenal v Wolves - Arsenal have been very good and showed against Liverpool they are going to give many teams problems with their attacking play. It was only Liverpool's solid defending that made the difference. Wolves meanwhile are in a diffident moment - the worst of their season so far. Not only have they lost three in a row but they are facing the stronger teams now just like the Gunners in great form and being an away game too. Wolves will need to regain their own belief like earlier in the season where they held City and United. Emery has done such a fabulous job that the Gunners believe they could win each time. They may well be right. 2-0.

Manchester City v Manchester United - City are nine points ahead of their hated rivals. From here you could see the real gap and gulf in their performances so far. A true reflection. The Sky Blue side of Manchester are averaging 3 goals per game and only conceded 4 goals in 11 matches. The Red Devils are now more red faces than devils as they have shipped in 18 goals probably better than than those in the relegation zone and were very fortunate to escaped Bournemouth with a win. City's own 6-1 demolition of Southampton last week is a very serious warning to their rival as they won't be like Bournemouth as the Citizens have been ruthless. If United go down in the first half it will probably be too late to salvage anything. United when they won were just scrapping to a single margin win even against weaker opponents. It would be like the strongest City team playing against the weakest United side this time. An upset here would be a great surprise but this is a fierce local derby. Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal perhaps even Tottenham would give Jose a wine if they do. Do take note of City's powerful 6-0 thrashing of  Shakhtar Donetsk but also note of United's fine away win over Juventus. A pulsating match is on the cards? Could be but Mourinho do not excite. The game could only explode if City score first. If United lead, Mourinho will close shop and go home. 3-2.