EPL 2019/20 - Game Week 4

The surprises are flowing in early. I was in good early season form predicting correctly four out of ten perfect scores. It is always treacherous predicting the score. I go it perfect with Norwich 2 Chelsea 3, Sheffield United 1 Leicester 2, Liverpool 3 Arsenal 1 and Bournemouth 1 Manchester City 3.

Nice surprises were found when Aston Villa defeated Everton 2-0. Chelsea's first win must been a relief for Frank Lampard. Southampton's 2-0 away win at Brighton must have caught many off guard. The biggest upset was Crystal Palace turning the Theatre of Dreams into nightmare. It prompted quite a few jokes on social media such as: "Man Utd fans: "We will smash Palace. Palace: Ayew sure?" "Guys please check up on your Manchester United friends. It looks like they 1-2 Cry. Ask them Ayew okay?" And finally a photo of two soldiers checking on things in a jungle which went: "That's a a negative!!! No sign of United fans on any social media." Leicester underlined their new ambition with a hard fought 2-1 away win at Sheffield United, West Ham woke up with a fine 3-1 away win to Watford. Yes, away win and 3-1!  

The usual suspects Liverpool decimated Arsenal 3-1 at Anfield with intensity and a big statement of intent. Manchester City made it  looked easy having won 3-1 at Bouremouth. Tottenham suffered the worst with a 0-1 home defeat to lowly Newcastle and Wolves survived with a late late penalty goal to draw 1-1 against Burnley at the Molineux.

Now for the top scorers. Teemu Pukki has been steamrolling opponents with Norwich with 5 goals now in 3 matches. So too Raheem Sterling. Sergio Aguero has 4 and so too Ashley Barnes (4). Mo Salah with 3, the rest with 2 and a few were nice surprises are: Tammy Abraham (Chelsea), Aubameyang (Arsenal), Sebastian Haller (West Ham), Daniel James (United), Harry Kane (Spurs), Anthony Martial (United), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Marcus Rashford (United) and Harry Wilson (Bournemouth). 

This week's matches are important as the EPL takes a break for Euro 2020 qualification international matches:
Southampton v Manchester United - Both the Saints and the Red Devils have false starts. I never doubted Ralph Hasenhuttl from what I saw of Southampton last season but their start was dismal then they came alive when they won 2-0 away to a good and winning Brighton side. That was something. When United won 4-0 against Chelsea, it flattered them and later found they could not overcome Wolves and a new nightmare overtook their Theatre of Dreams at Old Trafford when they crashed 1-2 to Palace. There will be trepidation on both sides with contrasting fortunes. Solskjaer must been wondering if he should continued as temp manager as since he signed long term, things are not as well. He has to sort out his midfield and is their defence really good now? Draw. 1-1
Chelsea v Sheffield United - Frank Lampard is brave and had belief in youngsters especially n Mason Mount and Tammy Abraham and they have repaid him handsomely. Do not forget they also have Christian Pulisic. But the Blues are leaking goals at the back. N'Golo Kante and Jorginho shall be key here as Chelsea seeks their second win. What better place to do so than at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea win. 2-1.

Crystal Palace v Aston Villa - Now what is in store for these two resurgent sides? Will their latest achievements and wins boost their morale and charged their belief? Palace could not socre against Colchester in the Carabao Cup at home and crashed out on penalties while Villa went on a 6-1 away rampage against Crewe Alexandra. So this mixed form provides an interesting preview. I wil go for a draw. 1-1.

Leicester City v Bournemouth - The Foxes are undefeated after three matches. Just a point separated these two sides in 4th and 11th position. Callum Wilson, Ryan Fraser have been quiet while David Brooks is injured for the Cherries. The Foxes at home look far more capable of winning here. Brendan Rodgers can make the most of it. Vardy and Maddison has tasted blood and they shall be key. 2-1.

Manchester City v Brighton - City are of course scoring and  winning again but they are conceding goals. Brighton's bright start to their campaign melted in a 0-2 home defeat by the Saints making it a bad time to visit the Etihad. Last season Brighton lost 1-3 and 0-1 in the league and the FA Cup respectively at the Etihad. Seems like a no brainer. Raheem Sterling has been in sterling form, no pun intended and could add to his current five. 3-1.

Newcastle v Watford - The Magpies achieved the greatest result of the week when they won 1-0 at Tottenham and are now hosting the worst team Watford, the Hornets without sting having stung their opponents once and got stung seven times in three matches. Watford scored just once and conceded seven. All it not well. 1-0.

West Ham v Norwich - This is a match that both could win and it should be enjoyable to watch. The Hammers did not do too badly except that they were swept under by City in their opener. Haller has scored twice and just won away to Newport County in the Carabao Cup. The Canaries scored in their three league matches but wee undone in the Cup by Crawley Town. There will be goals. 2-2.

Burnley v Liverpool - Sean Dyche has brought Burnley back to their best and Ashley Barnes is scoring for fun with four goals in three matches now. I am going to buy him! Despite Liverpool's very impressive and intense 3-1 win over Arsenal, this will be a tough trip to Turf Moor. Burnley is physical and direct and shall pose another type of question for Liverpool to answer. The key to unlocking Burnley will be Roberto Firmino who is an absolute gem of a player. The Clarets have improved this term at the back after they shipped 68 goals last term. They also have an astute signing at left back with Erik Pieters. How he handle Mo Salah is another key. While Pieters is doing well, Salah is red hot now. The Dutch defender must avoid giving away a penalty like he did against Wolves at the last minute. Liverpools' have extended their club record with 12 wins in a row against Arsenal. Will they make it 13? Can Liverpool keep a clean sheet as Virgil Van Dijk returned with the Men's Best Player Award beating the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. He has been really something but they have to watch Ashley Barnes. Wow! 0-2.
Everton v Wolves - Everton looked promising before the season started but the Toffees need to sort out their defence. Wolves are doing well in Europe and though they have been undefeated, they have not won a match yet in the league. If they could just snatch a win like they did Torino in both legs. The thing is that when you are also playing in European games, it can take a toll on you. So its all square for me. 2-2.

Arsenal v Tottenham - Match of the week as both London teams set to outdo the other as they hope to vie for honours and both teams suffered losses last week. Another defeat will be disastrous. The Gunners were crushed 1-3 at Anfield and hope to rebound. Spurs were at the wrong end of a 0-1 defeat by Newcastle and the Lilywhites will travel to the Emirates with lots of questions than answers. Harry Kane should have been awarded a penalty against Newcastle but it is water under the bridge now. Kane has a good record when playing Arsenal. Arsenal have the potential to win here and they did not play badly against Liverpool. Spurs need to sort out Erikson. He pulls the string for them. Their performance against Newcastle was poor. Home win if Spurs continue in that vein but they are a strong team and capable of holding their own as the Gunners will not defend like the Magpies. Tottenham have not won at Arsenal for a long time. It was 1-1 in 2014, 2015 and 2016. 2-0 in 2017 and 4-2 in 2018. So Arsenal fans and most would pick Arsenal to win given their attacking power imitating Liverpool's fearsome front three. Aubameyang, Lacazette and Pepe are worth goals but none scored against Liverpool. So if Spurs defence turn up it is a draw for me in this London derby. 1-1.

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