EPL 2019/20 - Game Week 16

This is crunch time. The Christmas rush in the EPL is here. It is relentless, fast and furious, jam packed and can make some teams and players suffer, make or break them. We are into Game Week 16 so quickly and just almost immediately after the mid-week games of Game Week 15. From here on it will just be three matches more to half the season. The January transfer window shall be open soon. There may be some big name signings by some clubs and others to address signings as back up or as replacements for injuries.

Crystal Palace started with a 1-0 win over Bournemouth which shot them up to 5th position at least temporarily. That was a nice present for Roy Hodgson. Manchester City bounced back with a vengeance and rekindled the kind of form that made them Champions last season. Watch out Liverpool and Leicester! Chelsea retruned to winning ways with Tammy Abraham  and Mason Mount outstanding. Leicester have 7 wins on the trot and are serious challengers. Solskjaer could prolong his job with that win over Spurs. Liverpool maintained their 8 point lead with an awesome display at Anfield and won 5-2 and ended Marco Silva's reign. 

The more shocking results were at Bramall Lane where Sheffield United lost 0-2 to Newcastle and worse when Arsenal lost 1-2 to Brighton at the Emirates. Will there be more surprise this weekend in Game Week 16? The match of the week must be at the Etihad where City takes on United in the Mancurian derby. 

Everton v Chelsea - With Marco Silva sacked, Duncan Ferguson has taken over but things cannot change so fast unless the players had not wanted to play for Silva but it did not look like the case so maybe it is a system or tactical problems. Chelsea have none of that as they seemed to be having so much fun playing for Frank Lampard. They may have lost two matches recently and not kept many clean sheets but look very good. Tammy Abraham and Mason Mount were good in their last match. 1-2.

Bournemouth v Liverpool - Liverpool are still comfortable for now at the top. The 50-2 win was reminiscent of those days of swashbuckling football on the front foot with real intent. Sadio Mane confirms his world class status as he tormented Everton and the reason why GOAT Lionel Messi voted him for the best player. His measured pass to Origi was as brilliant as Origi's perfectly-timed run where he sneaked behind a defender and just before the goalkeeper to slot home cleverly. Mane did it again as he did something like a no look pass, moving to his right, he released the ball to his left and Shaqiri ghosted in behind the line to score. Their third goal was simply marvellous. Dejan Lovren made an incredible long range pass from defence to Origi who depsite being between defenders got the ball under control with a single touch and floated the ball over the goalie for goal. What is soccer without Origi? He loves scoring at night in late kick off. Mane then received a fine pass from TAA and hit a low shot first time and Roberto Firmino has his revenge on Holgate. Last season he was pushed onto the billboards. This time, Firmino twisted Holgate inside out and released a perfect ball for Gini Wijnaldum to score. Mane could have scored two more. Liverpool were without Alisson on suspension. Fabinho is out injured and yet Jordan Henderson so in came Xherdan SHaqiri and Adam Lallana. Even Mohammed Salah was left out. Even Liverpool fans' jaws may have dropped when they saw the lineup but not Klopp. That performance was a big signal of their intent that despite injuries and suspension, they have the players and the depth to cope. Klopp's gamble has paid off handsomely. After beating Manchester United, Bournemouth have lost four matches and now hosting leaders Liverpool in top gear. 1-3.

Tottenham v Burnley - It was not a good return to Old Trafford for Jose Mourinho but despite the defeat, Dele Alli has once again confirmed that when he wants to play he is right up there with the best. He  was sandwiched by two defenders and yet he nonchalantly flipped the ball over, turned and scored! What a goal! Burnley have lost twice after two fine wins. Spurs should nick this one. 2-1.

Watford v Crystal Palace - Watford are still right at the bottom and have already sacked two managers and we are not even at the halfway mark yet. That is the state of the affair and it is the worst time to face Crystal Palace who have win their last two and now in 7th! Morale ha been low at Vicarage Road and Palace look good for a win. 1-2.

Manchester City v Manchester United - Gabriel Jesus has shown he is a capable replacement for Sergio Aguero and has a tendency to score in away games. The Red Devils are not at that level but though they may fare poorly against teams in lower position, they often raise their game against top six teams. Marcus Rashford has been their chief scorer and he could so some damage. This may be his break out year in his career. Like Liverpool, City have not been able to keep clean sheets. Weaker teams like Norwich and Wolves have beaten them. United are better than Norwich and well are two points behind Wolves. The Red Devils have beaten Chelsea and Spurs, drew Liverpool but all at Old Trafford. They have only won away at Norwich. That is cold comfort. In this Derby, I expect United to up their ante. If they play like they did Sheffield United they will be dusted. A more inspired performance like they did Liverpool I do think they could get a point. This tie seldom ends in a draw. It was 0-1 in 2016, 0-0 in 2017, 2-3 and 3-1 in 2018. SO United's record at the Etihad is not too shabby. 2-2.

Aston Villa v Leicester City - Leicester are on a hot run. 7 continuous wins. Teams will by now be designing ways to stop them winning. Villa have actually been playing well. It just that they do leak goals. Keeping things tight and unleashing Jack Grealish will serve them well. Like Liverpool, Leicester have been scoring late and decisive goals. Villa could hit them like they did Manchester United. I feel the Foxes can still win this one with their real tests coming on 22 Dec. v Man City away and 27 Dec. v Liverpool at home. 1-2.

Newcastle v Southampton - Can you believe that Newcastle are level on points with Arsenal? No one believed that Steve Bruce could do a good job. Saint Maximin is an exciting player. Jonjo Selvey has scored again - against City and Sheffield United. That was two goals in two games. You can't write off the Saints though as they have their own revival. They held Arsenal away and had beaten fellow strugglers Watford and Norwich. At St. James Park with their loving fans Steve Bruce and his boys might do the trick but they have to watch Danny Ings and James Ward-Prowse. 2-1.

Norwich v Sheffield United - Norwich was just looking good again recently with Teemu Pukki and Todd Cantwell scoring. Sheffield United's loss at Newcastle should be just a blip because they are simply a good team. Playing away too has no issue for them. Its an away win for me. 1-2.

Brighton v Wolves -  Wolves are a very well-drilled side as they have hardly lost and that is why they are 5th. Brighton can cause problems though. Just ask Arsenal. The Seagulls are good to hold on to a point here I believe. 1-1.

West Ham v Arsenal - Arsenal are suffering from nightmares. The Gunners were held 2-2 by Norwich and lost at home to off-form Brighton. That was nine games without a win in all competition. After Unai Emery's sacking, it has not got better. Arsenal are not a happy camp right now. They are free-falling and now lacks confidence. A big performance is needed. So it is winnable for the Hammers provided they turn up for a big performance at home as they have been rather poor after a good start. That 1-0 away win at Chelsea was followed by a 0-2 defeat by Wolves. Good thing is most teams could get away with something playing Arsenal these days. 2-2.