EPL - 2018/19 Game Week 26

Tottenham moved up to second albeit temporarily as Newcastle could not repeat their great feat of defeating City a week ago. Brighton and Watford played to a predictable, boring draw. I shall coined it a 'braw' which is a boring draw. Burnley rescued a point with a 90+4 minutes penalty against Southampton. Crystal Palace defeated Fulham whose great effort last week against Brighton has come to nought.

Chelsea crushed badly by Bournemouth a match ago bounced back to 4th with great conviction crushing Huddersfiled. Everton were humiliated at  home by Wolves while Cardiff shocked Bournemouth who were so brilliant against Chelsea in their previous match. Solsjkaer and the Red Lucky Devils had their unbeaten run extended with an away win at Leicester and Manchester City piled on the pressure on Liverpool when they had Arsenal beaten to 5th place ( now behind United by a point).

Liverpool did not capitalised when they were held to consecutive 1-1 draws by Leicester at Anfield and now West Ham at the London Stadium. So out of six, they got a meagre two points and now are behind City (on goal difference) who levelled on points by beating Everton 2-0 though they have a game in hand. How will things be in Game Week 26?

Fulham v Manchester United - Manchester United will be looking to extend their unbeaten run since Solskjaer took over. Under Mourinho, United dare not play thus many teams sensed they could get a result against them and they did. They did the same things now but Solskjaer was willing to unleash the attacking instincts of his players and that sense of liberation has lifted them but like attending a power-packed motivational seminar where on could walk on charcoal there may come a time where things get tougher. Fulham's revival in that 4-2 win over Brighton was short-lived as Palace defeated them (2-0). United got lucky twice when they trailed Burnley but scored in the 87th and then 90+3 minutes to secure a draw and won 1-0 at Leicester where they escaped a quite torrid second half. Fulham are fighting for survival so they shall go all out but the Red Devils are just going to be a shade too good. 1-2. 

Crystal Palace v West Ham - Palace are now unbeaten in three matches and showed they could battle the best. The Hammers played so well against Liverpool and you may not believe that prior to that they have lost all three of their previous matches. West Ham have a good chance for something here but only if they repeat their performance against Liverpool. Palace are at home and on a good run so they have expectations for full points. It could be a scoring draw or a tight win for the home team. 2-2.

Huddersfield v Arsenal - Arsenal will be eager to recover when they travel to Huddersfield. Huddersfield probably do not remember when they last won a match and are last with only two wins with eleven points, six behind second last Fulham. Arsenal are going through a very inconsistent phase where they have brilliantly beaten Chelsea, crashed to United, got a tight win over Cardiff and then surrendered to City. They are now a point behind United and need every point available to climb back up. Their leaky defence is a concerned and must hope for Rob Holding to be back soon. The Gunners should be too good for Huddersfield even away from home. 1-3.

Liverpool v Bournemouth - The Reds welcome Bournemouth to Anfield. Liverpool must be desperate to retain their grip at the top. Two points out of a possible six is a worry and they were poor against West Ham. It is surely a point gained then two lost. They should thank the Hammers for a wake up call. Last season, Firmino, Salah and Mane were scoring goals for fun making them the most awesome attacking force not just in the EPL but also in Europe. Even City feared them when the attack and they had a weak defence. This season they have the best defence but it seemed their changed system of 4-2-3-1 and playing in a most pragmatic way while giving them better results has also created problems in attacking terms. The final third where the impact is has gone missing. Now with half of their reliable defence (TAA and Joe Gomez) injured, they have struggled as Virgil van Dijk seemed overworked. It was made worst when Klopp made the decision to loan out Nathaniel Clyne which will haunt him now. Should he not put Fabinho at right back where has has also played  and install James Milner back to midfield. Both Leicester and West Ham have suffered consecutive defeats prior to playing Liverpool and they both got 1-1 draw. It is either Liverpool's level has dropped or both played extremely well as Liverpool is the leader. Liverpool need to learn that they have not proclaimed that they will be champions as the press made them out to be and that they have made strides and improvement from being 4th and qualified for Champions League and Europa Runners-Up to Champions League Runners-Up. At the same time, it is not easy to win the League title but this season presents a great opportunity.

Though Bournemouth surprisingly lost 0-2 at Cardiff they have thrashed Chelsea 4-0 just before that. The Cherries could score and create more problems if Liverpool allow them but Bournemouth is a teams that plays forward soccer and not park a bus. Liverpool must win this one especially at Anfield. An early goal will calm the nerves, a second goal will ensure victory but they should try to get a clean sheet which they have been doing so affirmatively when Liverpool were almost impregnable with Gomez and VVD together but not recently. Three points ahead with thirteen matches to go, a lot can still happen. Do not just look a City and Liverpool. Spurs and Chelsea are close. Manchester United too but they have 48 points, 14 from Liverpool's 62.  A resounding win for Liverpool will go a long way to boost their morale and bring back belief. In their last three meetings, Liverpool have won all 4-0, 3-0 and 4-0. This is Liverpool's best chance for the title and they must not waste it. 2-0.

Southampton v Cardiff - The Saints are doing well and are unbeaten in three matches. Under Ralph Hassenhuttl they have become a very decent team that is hard to beat and could win games. Cardiff have been poor but bounced back with a 2-0 win over an improving Bournemouth. Expect a closely fought match with not many goals but I pick the home side to prevail. 1-0.

Watford v Everton  - Its 8th placed Hornets v 9th Toffees. Watford have regained their form the 1-2 defeat by Spurs aside they have been largely unbeaten. Everton manager Marco Silva is under pressure to deliver after their recent poor form. The 1-3 home defeat by Wolves has not gone down well. To go to Vicarage Road to win now may be a tall task but surely they to get a point which is not beyond them. 1-1.

Brighton v Burnley - The Seagulls have not won in their last five matches, a complete down turn from earlier on. Burnley is just slightly better with one win in five (they have lost their last four). Based on their current form, I suspect the match will play to a draw. 1-1.

Tottenham v Leicester - Tottenham will attempt to keep pace with the top two when they host Leicester. For a team that has not added to their squad they have been doing brilliantly well even with Kane, Alli and a few others out injured. Results may not have come Leicester's way but they played very well against Liverpool and Manchester United. So Spurs will need to be at their best. They did that against Newcastle to somehow squeezed out a winner. The Foxes could yet surprise Tottenham so do  expect a tough match but Spurs could still find a winner. 2-1.

Manchester City v Chelsea - City are in hot pursuit of Liverpool. Pep Guardiola's team have up the ante. City are good enough to take the title race all the way as Sergio Aguero is back with his hattrick against the Gunners. Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling can create havoc. City has shown they could even grind out results when not playing as well as they have demonstrated against Everton away. Chelsea have fully recovered from the 0-4 routing by Bournemouth as they have shown with a 5-0 victory over Huddersfield. Sarri has gotten to grips with things. Is this visit too soon for Sarri? City are in form and capable of winning to put more pressure on Liverpool but will Chelsea be easy meat or could they conjure a surprise win? You saw how Gonzalo Higuain stole two goals last week to show why he is a top striker for Argentina and Athletico Madrid. He has been a prolific striker and has previously played for Sarri at Napoli. Eden Hazard is also back to his best. Individually and combined, both can be more than a handful for City if they get clinical. This is going to be an interesting match as both teams have players who could win matches on their own and the result has bearing on the title. Chelsea needs the points themselves to ensure top four. 2-2.

Wolves v Newcastle - Wolves are in 7th and are playing very well with four wins and a draw in their last five matches. The Magpies only lost narrowly to Spurs away (0-1) and had beaten City (2-1) previously. Matt Docherty has been in inspired form as he scored twice int the F.A. Cup and has been great all season. WIth Jota and Jimenez in the thick of things they could extend their winning run for sure unless Newcastle have other plans. From their last two matches Newcastle have proven they are tough (v Man City 2-1 and v Tottenham 0-1). 1-1.