EPL - 2018/19 - Game Week 14

Last week threw up some surprises here and there or else much remains the same. Fulham won 3-2 at home and that was some Dilly Ding Dilly Dong stuff from Claudio Ranieri as I predicted. Manchester United limping to a 0-0 draw at the Theatre of Dreams against lowly Crystal Palace no longer have any effect on their fans because it is no longer a shock as it is a new low. Arsenal won 2-1 away to in-form Bournemouth stretched their record of being unbeaten since having lost their opening two matches. Manchester City's 4-0 away win at West Ham and Liverpool's 3-0 away win at Watford meant they are the only unbeaten teams till now. It is like let us see who will blink first. Tottenham's 3-1 win over Chelsea showed something different as both were good to win but it was the way Tottenham played and the way Chelsea meekly surrendered and conceded two goals in the 8th and 16th minute and by the 54th minute it was game over that gave us all something to ponder. Wolves's 0-2 home loss to Huddersfield also meant Wolves have lost quite some confidence as Huddersfield even have 55% of possession and could you believe it that Newcastle won 2-1 away to Burnley? That was their third straight win in a row. It is what you do or make do or change your fortune between the then and the now that will define the end. 

Jurgen Klopp said that he had drinks with some German coaches after the Fulham match where he had 20 German coaches watching the game and they all told him what a player Roberto Firmino is. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QycoySrRU0I (Bobby Firmino)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hK0C7w7SyEY (Ground backheel)

There were even more last season.

Cardiff v Wolves - Cardiff are on two wins and one place above last placed Fulham by goal difference but they are hosting a Wolves side so impressive earlier on but now have not won in their last five matches and at their weakest. It is important for any team not to get into a slump or to get into a good run as it boosts confidence. Wolves are currently lacking it and Cardiff could sniff a point or maybe even pile on the misery if they smell blood. 1-1.

Palace v Burnley - Both sides are just a point above relegation zone. Palace at least held Manchester United 0-0 away and lost narrowly (0-1) to Spurs. Burnley have been losing almost to every team by now. Where defence was once their forte, now it is their curse leaking goals everywhere. Of course Burnley could scramble to a draw since Palace have been toothless but if Palace wanted a win it is now. 2-1.

Huddersfield v Brighton - Huddersfield are on the up. Unbeaten in three and won their last two the last, a 2-0 win away to Wolves must have inspired them. They even dominated possession against a team that dominates possession. Brighton's recent results aren't that bright but they are still fighters and will give the Terriers a run for their money. But when confidence grows, better things should happen. 1-0.

Leicester v Watford - The Foxes have not won or lost in three matches but the last match in the League Cup was over penalty kicks. The Hornets have not won in three matches too and lost two of them but did gave a good account in their first half against Liverpool. This could end as a draw but Leicester could get a win here. 2-1. 

Manchester City v Bournemouth - City could not stop winning but in the Champions League they were held 2-2 by Lyon. The Cherries have lost all their last three (all 1-2 to Manchester United, Newcastle and Arsenal) putting a halt to their very good run. This is a tie they do not need. It has been tough for them. At some point City will drop points but the way they have been playing, it looks like Bournemouth won't be able to stop them. 3-1.

Newcastle v West Ham - The Magpies are on a roll with three wins in a row. Rafa has done some magic where once they could never win. The Hammers were hammered 0-4 by City last week. West Ham are not at their best but they could steal a point but Newcastle are in such form, you forget that they haven't won a game before the last three. 2-1.

Southampton v Manchester United - The Saints have not won for a very long time such that even Fulham could beat them but they did gave Fulham quite a scare. The Red Devils had just won 1-0 over Young Boys or a bunch of young boys but lat week were held 0-0 in a poor display at Old Trafford. It appears United will struggle to win and quite often could not so Southampton could something here to steal a point. Former United old boy Mark Hughes may create a new unwanted record as the only manager to be sacked twice by two different clubs in the same season if things do not improve fast. You can say United is lucky to be playing the Saints. Maybe they will just do the same they did to the young boys to an old boy. 0-1.

Chelsea v Fulham - Chelsea now face question marks after they were soundly beaten 1-3 by Spurs. They should be happy to face another London neighbour Fulham to restore their own faith. Fulham did well to finally taste victory again under new boss Claudio Ranieri who is immediately facing his old club. Sarri has to decide where he should play Jorginho and where to play Kante, two top defensive midfielders. If Chelsea falters again, more question marks would be raised. I think it would be too soon for Ranieri and his team to be facing Chelsea. 2-0.

Arsenal v Tottenham - Top game of the week features this London derby that could be an exhilarating match. After having lost their first two the Gunners are unbeaten. They are three points behind Spurs and could swap places if they won. Tottenham are in fine form with Harry Kane scoring again for both club and country. They have also just beaten Inter. Spurs have just punished unbeaten Chelsea last week with a solid 3-1 win and can do similar damage to Arsenal's porous defence but Arsenal attack is flowing and could also trouble Spurs. Either team could win this one but it is likely to end as a draw. 2-2.

Liverpool v Everton - Liverpool scored five goals and kept clean sheets against Fulham and Watford. The Toffees have not won at Anfield since 1999 and it has been nearly two decades. This is a passionate Merseyside derby. Everton have held Chelsea 0-0 away just two weeks back. They do have the resources to make it tough for the Reds at Anfield. A fine keeper in Jordan Pickford, quite good defence and midfield and Richarlison. The Reds were once again poor in Paris where they have just lost 1-2 to PSG. A season that promises much may end up flat as they will need to beat Napoli by two goals at Anfield later to be sure of qualification. Klopp's 4-2-3-1 has failed to work in Europe even when he switched to the old 4-3-3 even they they have amassed ten more point in domestic league at this point over last season. 

Liverpool have the most awesome attack last season, not just in the EPL but in Europe. Everyone loath to face them. This season, they have a superb goalie and a solid defence. All they needed was a midfield in control to pace the game, further tighten the back or launch attacks but it was not to be. Klopp and Liverpool need not attack with wild abundance as before but they do need to increase and sharpen that attack which will keep their opponents on their toes while having confidence in their back line to keep the peace and the midfield needs to be faster in their build up. The current Liverpool are lacking the element of surprise. Klopp and Liverpool need to get their season back in place starting with a daring win over Everton at Anfield and another daring win over Napoli again at Anfield and by two goals. A very tall task no doubt but they have done it before when needing miracles. Liverpool have been too cautious in their play this season. Their season had better start now. 2-0.