EPL - 2018/19 Game Week 21

It is the toughest league in the world for sure if you do not agree it is the best. It is during this period from Christmas to the New Year that make or break and could make grown men cry. It is fast and it is furious and you are just halfway there. Every team is clinging to a hope, a dream or to forsake a nightmare. Some are changing or have changed horses at mid-stream. Out goes the saying that one should not change horses at mid-stream. Some have actually benefited while others continue to flounder. It is a time where the body is tired and out goes the mind. Where every sinew is being stretched.

Now for the New Year and new beginning what is in store for soccer fans and EPL  fans? The main event will be Liverpool visiting Manchester City. Lose and the Reds still have a four point lead but will that cushion be enough? Draw and status quo is maintained and a win will stretch that lead to ten points. Hang on to your seat and hold your breath. I wish you a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

Everton v Leicester - The Toffees was on high after an emphatic 5-1 away win at Burnley only to crash at Brighton (0-1). Opposite results. Then you look at Leicester who won against Chelsea (away) and Manchester City (home) and then lost to Cardiff (at home). Go figure. Even top six teams can crash. Both sides' form look topsy turvy so it is even-steven here with Everton having home advantage at Goodison Park. Draw. 2-2. 

Arsenal v Fulham - The Gunners have tumbled. After the shock defeat to Southampton, they lost to Spurs in the Cup, won against Burnley and were held by Brighton then got spanked by Liverpool and now have a depleted defence as they lie in fifth place with a revived Manchester United just slightly behind. This will be a real test for Emery but I admire the philosophy of Emery and the spirit of his team committed to attacking soccer. They didn't hide against Liverpool. So I would like to see them getting good results. Fulham have been undefeated in the last three matches and after the home win over Huddersfield, they will see their chance visiting the Emirates but a Fulham win here would be rare and perhaps a first ever. Rainieri has instilled a tighter defence to cope but Arsenal will still be too strong unless they do a Brighton. 2-1.

Cardiff v Tottenham - Cardiff were undefeated in their last two matches and even got a win at Leicester. They are fighting back. Tottenham's winning run came to an abrupt halt in their home game against a pack of Wolves. They should have been holding and controlling the game while leading 1-0 but allowed Wolves to hit back with three. That was shambolic for a very good Spurs team. Harry Kane's goal - his 13th of the season to be joint top scorer with Salah and Aubameyang was something to savour. Harry Winks blocked a pass and Son release the ball to Kane who was between the halfway line and the top of the penalty box. Kane ran straight towards the penalty box, turned Boly at the edge and smashed a curling left foot shot to the the top right hand corner of the net. Such a goal from a right-footed player must be awesome! He must have been inspired by his MBE award. Spurs also have the best away form but Cardiff is tough at home. As Tottenham could not afford to slip farther behind, they have to have a solid response but it will not be a stroll in the park. Cardiff can score but I imagine a close win for the away team. 1-2.

Bournemouth v Watford - The Cherries have been in decline. From early pace setters, they have now won only once in their last five matches, scored only three and conceded twelve. The Hornets meanwhile could not win at Vicarage Road against a stubborn Newcastle. It was also at home when Watford last met Bournemouth and got thrashed 0-4. As both sides are scoring teams, I expect goals. Watford have the edge in current form but the Vitality stadium at Dean Court is home to Bournemouth. A draw is on the cards. 2-2.

Chelsea v Southampton - After their shocked 0-1 home defeat to Leicester, Chelsea have clawed back with two away wins against Watford and Crystal Palace but both were narrow wins. The Saints two brilliant wins under new manager Ralph Hasenhuttl came to a halt when they lost both their home matches,  1-2 to West Ham and  1-3 to Manchester City but their display against City was bold and the Saints have been scoring. While Chelsea are still strong they are but eking out narrow wins. Trouble with narrow wins is that sometimes you may get caught. I reckon Chelsea has a 60% chance for a home win but like I said, they could be caught as their last four wins were two 1-0 and to 2-1 victories. 2-1.

Huddersfield v Burnley - The Terriers defeat to Fulham meant lost opportunity to get ahead of other bottom clubs. Burnely themselves surprised when they had West Ham beaten but they have been poor travellers. However, Huddersfield have the worst home record and are in dire straits having lost to everyone including their fellow strugglers. Sean Dyche must see this as a great opportunity for three points. Huddersfield may need some new signings to boost their squad for survival. 0-1.

West Ham v Brighton - The Hammers became themselves all too soon. They lose when you expect a win and won when you thought they would lose. West Ham have not beaten Brighton since the came back up but with the quality of their players they ought to. Brighton are back to their own level and can be hard to beat especially for an inconsistent West Ham side. Felipe Anderson rescued them once but could not repeat it and Chris Hughton has made Brighton a tough team. 1-1.

Wolves v Crystal Palace - Wolves continue back where they belong and that 3-1 away win over a very impressive Spurs was really something. I consider Wolves to be the best of the rest. Palace need to play like they did when they provided the shock of the year defeating City 3-2 at the Etihad to get something here but sine then they did not score in their last two matches. Wolves have a more consistent approach and a confident way of playing with patience and some style to boot. Expect the home team to get three points. 1-0.

Newcastle v Manchester United - Since Mourinho has gone, the sunshine came back to Old Trafford. The Red Devils have been liberated. Marcus Rashford showed his worth of talent when his rubbery legs and footwork took him past Ake and another defender before releasing for Pogba to score. That was brilliant! Three wins and a G/A of 12/3 are big improvements. In their meeting at Old Trafford earlier, the Magpies raced to a 2-0 lead if you remember.  Rafa Benitez is no fool and at St. James Park, Newcastle will play  to a plan of containing their visitors. Except for the Liverpool 0-4 trouncing, Newcastle has done alright keeping things tight. United will be encouraged with 5-1, 3-1 and 4-1 wins but there are no clean sheet for a long time.  If they have their way early on, it could be 3-1 to the Red Devils but if the home team hold their ground  and pegged back their opponents, I will not be surprised Newcastle may get a point. Solskjaer's effect may not last forever as they have longer terms issues to change and build. 1-2.

Manchester City v Liverpool - The Citizens steadied their ship with a clear win against Southampton (3-1) so you could say they are back to their best. The Reds have been in superb form as you could see from them them outplaying Arsenal 5-1. Ferdnandinho was the key to City's return to winning as he protected their defence. City would not like to lose this one. Liverpool's answer could be the man who many had earlier doubted - Fabinho. He started slow against Arsenal but ended with a solid performance. Not many people notice that Gini Wijnaldum who often slip under the radar gave a masterclass performance. Really huge. He was everywhere robbing a ball at defence, stealing a pass in tight spaces and pick-pocketing his opponents all night. We all know about City's and Liverpool's attacks but be prepared for an interesting midfield battle. 

With only half a season gone, will the outcome be a deciding factor on the title race? Yes and no. The season is still a long way to go. Liverpool understood they have a big job to do at the Eastlands. There have been pundits suggesting a 2-1 win for City and even a 3-1 win for Liverpool. The pressure is for City to win to close the gap. This game may be decided by an error or a moment of genius. I would think it will end as a high scoring draw and hope that it will not be a drab tactical game. The reasons are City are firing and Liverpool are back to their attacking best. Firmino's was monstrous against Arsenal firstly with a no-look goal and then opened the defence right in the middle with an awesome dribble and second goal but it was the third confident perfect penalty goal that is the best of the lot simply because the usual penalty take Mo Salah gave it to Firmino for his first hattrick! Take note that Salah himself was gunning for the top scorer competing against Harry Kane and Aubameyang which made it even more selfless! Salah himself was back to his best. Therefore, it should be a salivating contest come Thursday in the UK Eastlands. 

City need the points and must attack to win and when you attack you will open up and that is when Liverpool are at their most dangerous. Liverpool's attack against Arsenal was fearsome and if they can keep it tight at the back and weather the storm a 2-1 win is possible but let's show City the respect they deserve for always playing wonderful football. 2-2.