EPL 2019/20 - Game Week 17

Leaders Liverpool are on target to land their first Premier League title after 30 years. It is still not won bu they are looking the part and looking good. I am convinced that Leicester City will be their main challenger and shall pushed them to the end. Their stylish win away win over Villa was a strong message as Jamie Vardy scored twice to lead the scoring chart with an amazing 16 goals and also equal Ruud Van Nistelrooy's record of having scored in 8 consecutive games in the same season. This is his second record achieved. Manchester City are still playing well but perhaps most teams have adjusted and knew how to cope better with their play. The Champions are now 14 points off the pace and both Liverpool and Leicester have a slightly better goal difference than them. They may yet bounce back but it is getting harder. 

Chelsea showed their human side and weakness as they were stunned by a previously fading Everton but remained 4th. Manchester United made the biggest progress over the last two matches when they had Tottenham beaten and surprised City with a solid win at the Etihad. Wolves are still playing keepity uppity in 6th while Tottenham had their own resurgence with an emphatic win over Burnley. Watford kept bottom place after holding Palace at home but next travels to Anfield. Newcastle's comeback win at St. James Park saw them climbing up to 10th, one place and 3 points higher than Arsenal at least temporarily but the Gunners' away 3-1 win over West Ham saw them climbing back to 9th.

Game Week 17

Liverpool v Watford - The Reds went to Bournemouth with a rotated squad. Joe Gomez at right back was not as effective till he moved to the centre where he rightly belongs after Lovren was injured. Gini Wijnaldum was rested and James Milner did all the quiet work. Sadio Mane was rested and Alex Oxlade Chamberlain playing in his place (not in his favourite spot) scored first time from a wonderful Jordan Henderson long pass. Mohamed Salah was back to his usual best. You should have seen his cheeky back-heel freeing Keita to flick home. Naby Keita back after such long time injury and sideline was MOTM. He showed true glimpses of what is to come. Besides scoring, he made Salah's goal with a thread through the needle's eye pass that looked so simple to execute. Frankly, after 16 games played where they have won 15 and drew 1, it was from their previous two matches that we saw something different. They have been winning without really being at top gear. That 3-1 Man City win was high octane. So too the 5-2 Everton win with an altered squad where Divork Origi and Xherdan Shaqiri scored and now the 3-0 win over Bournemouth. Klopp has shown his faith on the players and they have responded. They will take some stopping now. Surprising that was only their 3rd clean sheet of the season. Before this, they were ranked 16th in the "clean sheet" league whereas last season they were the best. 

Then Liverpool travelled to Salzburg to avoid not being the second European Champions to be knocked out during the group stage needing a draw to qualify since they drew Napoli away and drew them at home. ONly a win could put them on top but the size of the match was huge because Salzburg is a superb team that have outscored every team in Europe and a super striker in 19 year old Erling Braut Haaland. It was a great match with Liverpool having 57% possession, took 22 shots to Salzburg's 11 and created 17 chances to their 8. Naby Keita continued to show his class after such a long lay off to score yet again this time he planted a firm header from Mane's cross and Salah also showed his return to form with another goal, he rounded the goalie and but was pushed towards the goal line but from that acute angle, he not just scored but with his right foot for an amazing goal! Watch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMJGcNNWIRk ( Mo Salah Scored)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drEl9FM8pKc (Salzburg v Liverpool)

This was a huge hurdle cleared and big question answered with aplomb. With this form and mentality and playing at Anfield, how will Watford cope? Only distraction for Liverpool is that they have to play 10 games in 30 days. The Hornets have only won once this season while Liverpool have dropped only 2 points. There cannot be a greater contrast. Their last 4 meetings at Anfield is equal to a total of 18-1 in the Reds favour. Liverpool now have 2 clean sheets in succession even against the prolific Salzburg. If you can shut out Salzburg you should shut out Watford. They should keep another one and win to go up to 49 points. 3-0.

Burnley v Newcastle - Burnley actually had more possession than Tottenham but were still thrashed 0-5! The Clarets have lost their way in the last 3 matches and conceded 11 goals and scoring just once while the Magpies have lost just once, drawn 2 and won 4 in their last 7. The momentum is not with the home side. Newcastle's away results aren't shabby and they have won at West Ham and Sheffield United. They have also beaten Man Utd and held Man City. They are in inspired form so I can't see them losing. Pundits expect a Burnley recovery as Sean Dyche kicks backsides. Newcastle are a hard-working side that won't be cowed. 0-1.

Chelsea v Bournemouth - Chelsea's defeat at Goodison Park is a wake-up call despite having 70% possession. It could be the new manager effect at Everton but whatever it is Chelsea need to defend better and their last 5 matches they have won just once and lost 3 times but fortunately they are hosting a Bournemouth side that have lost all 5 of their previous matches. They are Cherries for the plucking. Tammy Abraham scored again against Lille with WIllian in good form to help qualify from the Champions League group stage. Bournemouth could score but fired blanks at Palace and against Liverpool and Chelsea have already conceded 24 goal. A high scoring win for Chelsea is possible especially so as Bournemouth are facing serious injury issues with many key players. Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount and Christian Pulisic could so some damage. 3-0.

Leicester v Norwich - Oh Leicester what a wonderful team Brendan Rodgers has created. They made it looked so simple. Pitting two of Englands' two most exciting, talented young midfielders against each other, Gareth Southgate should now seriously consider these two in his squad even though England's midfield may look competent, it is players like Jack Grealish and James Maddison  whose creative forces could make the difference. Grealish's goal against Man United, from that angle and past David De Gea was not only something to behold but few premiere league players could replicate. He got one more against Leicester, also from an acute angle. He is a specialist of angles. James Maddison himself have scored some wonderful goals too. He was at the heart of the Foxes' movement and oh, Jamie Vardy. He is just unstoppable. Since the 1-2 defeat to Liverpool, the Foxes have won 8 on the trot! Norwich on the other hand have conceded 34 times, only Southampton are worse because of their 9-0 thrashing at the hands of also Leicester. Surely the Foxes at their best will have the Canaries for lunch if  you also look at the 17 goals Norwich have scored (2nd worst) versus Leicester's best of conceding only 10. Janie Vardy is not only the goal-scoring chart, he has 16 goals in 16 games! What an incredible record! Is he not going to have bird feathers in his mouth? Norwich usually concedes 2 goals each match. So far only Wolves are the only one who prevented Leicester from scoring. Vardy is worth a couple of goals here. 3-0. 

Sheffield United v Aston Villa - The Blades won at Norwich and remained 8th with Arsenal, Palace and Newcastle level on points but just behind. Villa have quite often played well but are leaking goals leaving them hovering in 17th. Their progress since promotion has been a stark difference. The consolation for Villa is that Sheffield United have lost a bit of steam recently having drawn with Tottenham, Man Utd and Wolves and lost to Newcastle but just won away at Norwich. The Blades home defeat to Newcastle must surely give Villa some hope of stealing points or at least a point here. If Lys Mousset is injured then Villa's chance increases. Villa had earlier beaten Newcastle 2-0 where Sheffield lost by that same margin at home to the Magpies. Draw. 1-1.

Southampton v West Ham - The Saints had greater possession, took the lead and yet lost at Newcastle so remained in relegation zone. West ham are just a point ahead so this is a very important game for both. The Hammers' performances have been largely poor. Their most impressive was their 2-0 win over Manchester United in September and that 1-0 away win at Chelsea. In between they have lost 7 matches. Southampton ended their losing streak when they held Arsenal 2-2 followed by two 2-1 wins over Watford and Norwich before succumbing to Newcastle away. In other words, while they are not winning against other teams, they are taking points from fellow relegation battlers and Danny Ings has scored a goal in each of their last 5 games. Could be more trouble for West Ham. 2-1.

Manchester United v Everton - Solskjaer and the Red Devils have now outfoxed Jose Mouruinho/Tottenham and Pep Guardiola/City. To have won both in particular at the Etihad is a huge morale booster. They have also won at Chelsea. The very fame fans clamouring for Solskjaer's blood are now singing his praises and calling him a hero. They are out from their cave-hiding. What we saw over those two matches were commitment, aggression and passion. That was the difference. Marcus Rashford has been absolutely brilliant! Even Jesse Lingard was impressive. But the team must offer consistency and sustain it. Everton's 3-1 win over Chelsea was good but was it a new manager effect. Duncan Ferguson was a battler in his days and his ball-boys hugging on the touchline was good to watch as the Toffees' fans smiled. Now will Nigel Pearson and Craig Shakespeare offer the same or something more to surprise the Red Devils? Marcus Rashford is in red hot form and could continue his scoring spree against a leaky Everton defence. Rashford has 10 goals now in 16 matches. Did you see his pace to receive Fred's pass last week? His trickery and dribbling and cutting in to shoot with either foot terrifies defenders. While United have been good against the top six teams, they have fared less well against other teams but their momentum at the moment is good having just beaten Spurs at home and Man City away and then strolling past AZ Alkmaar 4-0. This is a huge game for both as United (6th) chase for top 4 and Everton (14th) are just a point above relegation zone. 3-2.

Wolves v Tottenham - Wolves are 6th just a point above Tottenham, have lost only twice but have the highest drawn games at 9. Look at how Spurs destroyed Burnley over the last weekend. Harry Kane quiet for a few matches burst back to live with a Man of the match performance with two great strikes and two assists. Dele Alli continued his rich vein of form with two assists but the wonder goal from Son Heung-Min will be etched in memory forever and could be the goal of the season as he received the ball in near his own penalty box and raced and dribbled past 6 Burnley players to the other end to score! Unbelievable! That was the moment and that was the game changer for Tottenham's season! Watch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjJyA19URHY

Jose Mourinho rested Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Son and Spurs lost to Bayern Munich 1-3. While Spurs could repeat a Burnley performance, Wolves are a different type of animal. They know how to contain and restrict your play. Nuno Espirito Santo is a very good coach. Jimenez is a fine striker who knows where the goal is and they are also spreading the goals coming from different players plus Spurs haven't been that good away from home. While Spurs lost 1-3 at Bayern Munich, Mourinho rested Kane, Alli and Son. Wolves shone as they crushed Besiktas 4-0 at the Molineux with Diogo Jota making history coming on as a substitute to score 3 goals. There will be goals here. 2-2.

Arsenal v Manchester City - This is a match that both teams cannot afford to drop points or they shall be left behind and make it more difficult for themselves. In City's case, the retention of their title. History favours City in this tie which they have won on their last 3 visits without conceding a goal. I expect goals in this match as both do have potent attack but porous defence. City have just thrashed Dinamo Zagreb 4-1 away with a Gabriel Jesus hattrick and a Phil Foden goal and it was golden boy Phil Foden who changed the face of the game. How long more will Pep Guardiola keep him on the bench. He needs more game time and City needs the boy genius. Even as Arsenal won 3-1 at West Ham, they were without a win in all competition for 9 matches. City won 3-0 and 2-0 in their last two league visits and 3-1 at the Etihad when they last met. It could be an exciting match to watch. 2-3.

Crystal Palace v Brighton - Palace is in 10th for a reason. Roy Hodgson may be the Eagles' hero now but were toothless when they visited Watford in a 0-0 draw. Brighton's form has improved so this makes it a bit harder even for the home side in this match. The Seagulls are just 3 points behind in 12th and have just beaten Arsenal and held Wolves so they wouldn't be out of place at Selhurst Park. 1-1.