EPL - 2018/19 - Game Week 13

The International break for friendly internationals and the European Nations League is or is not a welcomed relief? It offers a break to do other things other than sitting in front of a TV. Stars of the Premier League are all over the planet. The English had a good friendly win over the USA by 3-0. Jesse Lingard scored a wonder goal that resembled the one he scored in the World Cup. Liverpool's young right back Trent Alexander Arnold scored his first international goal and was named Man-Of-The-Match. Wayne Rooney got his final and 120th international cap and realised how time quickly eclipsed all of us when 18 year old Jadon Sancho gave another impressive display despite his tender age just days after helping Borussia Dortmund win 3-2 against Bayern Munich. Callum Wilson - Bournemouth's top scorer had a dream debut when he scored the third.

More on Jadon Sancho - he left Manchester City because he wanted to pay first team football. Admirable and brave decision for one so young and the what might have happened had he stayed working under the guidance of the finest coach in Pep Guardiola and a big club like City. If Sancho keeps his head he could develop into a world soccer star. He already has 5 goals and 7 assists for Dortmund this season

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYssvhZcUnY (Jadon Sancho)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9k8eVIthoc

Then there is another 18 year old wonderkid in Phil Foden of Manchester City. He plays like a magician and has enormous potential. In 2017 he won the FIFA Under-17 World Cup Golden Ball (best player) and he tormented among them the Spain and Brazil teams.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uM9tfCUqv0Y (Phil Foden)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afdsZsnwvy0

Also special is 19 year old Mason Mount who plays for Derby on loan from Chelsea.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0RWpQ1x-Iw (Mason Mount)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCad3ocT3HM

Over at Liverpool, they have 18 year old Rhian Brewster who won the Golden Boot award as top scorer for England in the the FIFA Under-17 World Cup. He is so fast, clinical, scores lots of goals and makes them too. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLIi6NRowRE (Rhian Brewster)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PHU_6ufRo0&t=27s

We hardly see striker Dominic Solanke playing for Liverpool but he has  great international records for the various Youth groups. In 2014, he was the tournament top scorer when England won the UEFA U-17 Championship. In 2017, when England won the U-20 World Cup, Solanke was awarded the Golden Ball as the player of the tournament. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=si0h1ryfFqE (Dominic Solanke)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixAiy-iTxZM

No, England is not going to win the World Cup soon but they do have what seems like a plan and they have the right coach in Gareth Southgate who was a youth coach. To me, Southgate has the courage to drop players and to play young ones. When needed, he recalls those in form. England recently won away to Spain (3-2), won against USA in a friendly (3-0) and beaten Croatia (2-1) to top UEFA Nations League A Group 4 ahead of Spain and Croatia. I see good morale, confidence and belief. Back to the Premier League. 

Brighton v Leicester City - The Seagulls are doing well in 12th. Win this match and they go up to Leicester's 10th. The problem is they have lost their last two games even though they scored a goal every match in their last five. The Foxes played their last two matches in an emotional state and they should be more settled by now. The Foxes have good players and in most recent times it has been Ben Chilwell. He never looked out of place playing for the senior England team against Spain and Croatia, etc. Brighton is a methodical team and can be difficult at home. 1-1.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fD6466Bq6s (Ben Chilwell)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCwtyd3ZneA

Everton v Cardiff - The Toffees have been impressive and are in a good moment where even Chelsea could not beat them at Stamford Bridge lat week. Cardiff themselves did very well when they got their second win. This match could get physical but Everton should have the upper hand. In Jordan Pickford, they have a keeper who has been defying the standard. Few people thought he would be England No. 1 in the pecking order of things. This is why Southgate is brilliant and brave. Pickford is as agile as any goalie and he could make saves with his hands but not only that, he is very good saving shots with his feet too. He has added more special skills in saving penalties but no one comes close to him when launching the ball in attack! He has a very long goal kick and is the most accurate in picking his players and setting them on the way to goal and even into the opponents penalty box and this is not easy to defend. He has done that so well with both club and country. He is unorthodox and unusual with a strange gait even but stupendous. Only he could make himself the best. At six foot one, he was even laughed at for being short as a goalkeeper. Home win. 2-0.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilC3aaeMyGo (Jordan Pickford)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQ9KT0LDNw4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6NWS6ri9OE

Fulham v Southampton - Dilly Ding Dilly Dong, Slavisa Jokanovic's adventure with the Cottagers are over like a song. In comes the real McCoy - Claudio Ranieri. Will he do a Leicester City in London? Firstly he has to resuscitate Fulham and prevent relegation as they are right at the bottom after previously spent 100 millions pounds in the transfer market.  Since scoring two against Cardiff, they haven't scored in their last four. The only good news is they will be playing Southampton. The Saints are only slightly better having not won once in their last five securing only three points and are having their worst record at this stage of the season. Fulham at home and with a new manager must pounce on this chance and make it a good one. Will Ranieri make an immediate impact? They have to score as they have not registered a single goal for the last four matches. Why has Mitrovic stopped scoring? Rainieri will fix it. 2-1.

Manchester United v Crystal Palace - The Red Devils are in 8th and 12 points adrift of leaders and neighbours City. The impressive 2-1 away win over Juventus was soon forgotten when they got whipped 1-3 by City. Palace are having a crisis this season. All the goodness that Roy Hodgson built seems flat. The winless run looks set to continue but if Palace played like they did Arsenal they could surprise as United have been poor. Not at this moment. The Devils should get lucky. 2-0.

Watford v Liverpool - Watford are a little off form after being defeated by Newcastle and held by Southampton but cannot be underestimated. Liverpool are no longer that swashbuckling team to play on the front foot with real intent. That was a choice that Klopp consciously but the 4-2-3-1 is not great for Salah and Firmino. Perhaps this will help them in the later part of the season. Liverpool players returned from internationals with some good performances where both Wijnaldum and Virgil van Dijk scored for the Netherlands and Trent Alexander Arnold scored for England and that also meant they may be more tired than the Hornets. The Reds cannot afford not to win when City are winning everything. This is a season where having 90 plus points will not guarantee the title. WIll Liverpool bring in changes? Dominic Solanke seems to score freely at England under age level and was in fine form recently and scored  both goals against Italy including an outrageous back heel. Can Watford even breach Liverpools' defence. Most importantly, Salah, Firmino and Mane must do the business at the other end. 0-2.

West Ham v Manchester City  - After a very  impressive win over Burnley (4-2), the Hammers could not repeat it at Huddersfield and were held 1-1. City is going to take some beating as they continued their superb run. City just dispensed with Manchester United last week so we must think West Ham will be of no match for them. They have not slipped and looks to be in rampaging form. Pelligrini was a former City manager who made City play attacking soccer too and his inside knowledge can be a little help. Felipe Anderson has been has been scoring from midfield and has greater potential but it is likely not to be enough unless City have hiccup. 1-3.

Tottenham v Chelsea - Tottenham (4th) and Chelsea (3rd) are separated by a single point. Spurs are on a winning run of four matches after a 0-1 defeat by City while Chelsea were also on a winning run before being held by Everton. A draw won't help their cause and defeat worse. But we have to remember this is a London derby where a win is not just important but the bragging rights. It will be a very interesting game which should be full of action. It is a game where a moment of magic or a single mistake can be punished where at the end a draw may be a likely result. Spurs goalie Lloris, France World Cup winner has been leaving more questions than giving answers. Harry Kane is nowhere near his best form but last week he scored one and provided an assist to help England beat Croatia 2-1. So he could have say here. So too Chelsea's Morata. At that hour's "live" telecast, it had better to be a pulsating match. 2-2.

Bournemouth v Arsenal - Bournemouth are 6th with 20 points and Arsenal 5th with 24. The Cherries lost their last two matches, first to United and then surprisingly at Newcastle but the Gunners have not won in their last three games. The Cherries are different this season and could play their own game against anyone so it will not be a stroll for Arsenal. In essence, both teams are having a small dip in form and unless they rediscover their early form may not find themselves winning here. I would that it could end up a draw. 2-2.

Wolves v Huddersfield - Wolves were playing and doing so well and then suddenly suffered three defeats but came back and held Arsenal last week. The Terriers had their first win but got a home point when they held the Hammers. Huddersfield will make it tough but Wolves should have the resources at home to clinch it. 2-1.

Burnley v Newcastle - Burnley are not the same force even at Turf Moor this season. The Magpies were winless and suddenly won two on the trot and undefeated in three and found themselves one position above Burnley due to goal difference. Newcastle are the better team now but this being away for them, Burnley may just be able to force a draw. 1-1.

Have a great weekend!