EPL 2019/20 - Game Week 28

If you are a soccer fan and also a fan of the EPL, you would have realised since a long time ago how competitive this league is. This makes Liverpool's dominance this season even more incredible even as they are less exciting and more pragmatic. They are leading the table by a massive 22 points! There are only eleven games to go. The Reds need 13 points from their remaining 11 games to be crowned Champions no matter what second placed and current champions Manchester City do! So if they keep on winning, there will be early closure and they could focus more on the Champions League if they first overcome Athletico Madrid. Liverpool's last 18 match record - WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!

Meanwhile, the current top scorers are as follows:

1. Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang (Arsenal) - 17 goals

2. Jamie Vardy (Leicester) - 17 

3. Sergio Aguero (Manchester City) - 16 

4. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) - 15
5. Danny Ings (Southampton) - 15

6. Marcus Rashford  (Manchester United) - 14

7. Sadio Mane (Liverpool) - 13

8. Tammy Abraham (Chelsea) - 13
9. Raul Jimenez (Wolves) - 12
10. Dominic Calvert-Lwein (Everton) - 12

Aubameyang was a Klopp product from Borussia Dortmund. Imagine him also being part of Liverpool but Klopp usually do not use back the same players. He has 17 goals in 27 games where Arsenal have scored only 39 and his latest two strikes showed his class. Jamie Vardy has always been prolific and came from a unusual path to stardom and at his age still leading the goal scoring chart spoke volume but since his return from injury has not scored thus allowing the others to catch up. Sergio Aguero is a master of goals. He steals them under your noses and reached this figure even not playing in every game.  

Danny Ings is a terrific goal poacher too. Playing for a less glamorous Southampton, the ex Liverpool striker is holding his own against the best. He could have stayed with Liverpool but wanted to play more football ans is now having the best form of his life. Marcus Rashford was unfortunate. I believed that he would have added a few more if not for his untimely injury at his peak. Mohamed Salah was the outright top scorer two seasons ago with his incredible haul and was also joint top scorer with Aubameyang and Mane last season. He is not even a striker and he is still in it. Sadio Mane is catching up after injury with a haul of 13. Tammy Abraham is having a stellar rookie season. His goals has dried up a bit after his injury but he can still add more. Wolves' Raul Jiminez is a truly fine striker. Expect him to add to his tally. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is a new star and could find himself in the England squad. His manager Carlo Ancelotti thinks he is among Europe's finest. If you saw his goal against Arsenal last week you will know what I mean. It was not just a bicycle kick goal but one that only "Sepak Takraw" exponents could execute! Wow!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1z_Bf7MuyQ (Calvert-Lewin goal)

***The Aston Villa v Sheffield United and Manchester City v Arsenal matches have been postponed due to the Carabao Cup Final between Aston Villa and Manchester City.

Norwich City v Leicester City - Norwich is frustrating. You can see that they play quite well often but they just let in the goals as in their last match against Wolves (0-3). They have won only four matches this season, scored only 24 and conceded the second most - 51 and now anchored at the bottom with only 18 points. They have now fired blanks in their last 3 matches. How will they survive with eleven matches to go? Maybe they haven't invested enough. Their next 3 matches are tough - host to Leicester this week followed by a visit to Spurs and then travel to Sheffield United. Leicester played well enough but were still unable to contain City at home (0-1). Their 50 points keep them in 3rd. The Canaries have not scored in 3 matches. Their only good news is that the Foxes have not won in 3 matches and did not score in their last two. With their porous defence, Jamie Vardy have a big chance to return to scoring form and Harvey Barnes' pace could create problems. Another tough game for the Canaries. 1-3.

Brighton v Crystal Palace - Brighton showed enough gumption to hold Sheffield United 1-1. They are unbeaten in 3 matches now and have a home battle to win here. Palace displayed enough resolve to see off Newcastle (1-0) with a typical performance. In terms of work ethics both teams have it in them and are well organised and play feisty football. The Seagulls have 10 draws now meaning that while they do not win that often, they are not easy to beat. Ditto Crystal Palace. It does not look like plenty of goals but lots of tussle so a draw may be appropriate. 1-1.

Bournemouth v Chelsea - Bournemouth was fortunate that although they lost badly at Burnley (0-3), their fellow relegation battlers were as bad - Norwich, Watford, West Ham and Aston Villa all lost thus keeping the status quo. You do not have to outrun the bear. Chelsea have been brilliant in one match and then ordinary the next. The exuberance of beating London neighbours Spurs will make them forget the recent home defeat by United who are breathing down their neck 3 points behind for 4th place but then Chelsea were stripped bare at Stamford Bridge for all to see when they crashed 0-3 to Bayern Munich in the Champions League last 16 1st leg where once again Serge Gnabry starred by scoring a brace. To think that he once did not make it at Arsenal was such a pity. People develop at different stages of life. Chelsea is at that different stage as the Bayern lesson looms large. Why is Chelsea so poor at home and better away. 1-2.

Newcastle v Burnley - The Magpies have stop winning in their last four games and now host an in-form Burnley who won their last two and rose to 10th. Newcastle can sometimes surprise you when you do not expect it just as Burnley do when they lost at home to say Norwich and Aston Villa and then beat Leicester and beat Southampton away and held Arsenal. The goals have dried up with Newcastle which will be a concern while Burnley seem to be enjoying themselves in the later part of the season. Newcastle have lost their rhythm so a narrow Burnley win is really possible. 1-2.

West Ham v Southampton - West Ham are badly in need of points. They have all the experience to stay up but they have been in miserable form and have not won in 8 games but I saw West Ham played one of their best games this season at Anfield. Even an early goal in the 9th minute by Wijnaldum from a great cross by Trent Alexander-Arnold could not dampen their spirit as they stormed back to take the lead and scored twice but eventually the winning ways of Liverpool prevailed. Unlucky for the Hammers. The way that the Hammers played at Anfield, they do not deserved to be fighting relegation. They were unlucky not to get something there as not many teams could pinned Liverpool back and score 2 goals. Southampton returned to winning ways with a 2-0 home win over Villa and are comfortably in 12th. They lost 3 matches before that. For most, you would be thinking about a Saints win but I would pick a West Ham win here if they play like they did Liverpool. 2-1.

Watford v Liverpool - Watford are anchored in 19th after a 0-3 trouncing by Manchester United. Maybe if their goal which could have been the equaliser was not ruled out by VAR, the match may have taken a different dimension. They have won in 6 matches and were defeated 4 times. It is not good. When they both met at Anfield in mid December the Reds won the tie 2-0 with two goals from Salah. Liverpool's march towards the title seems inevitable as each game passes. They are the team to beat from early on till now and with games against relegation battlers life will not be easier. There were moments at Anfield where it looked like the Reds may not overcome West Ham's lead at 1-2 with the minutes ticking away despite taking an early lead. Kudos to West Ham. 

Oh, you Man of little faith, how dare you! Liverpool turned the fright around showing the hallmarks of champions. Alisson once again made a huge difference with a most important save in th 89th minute, Salah's shot trickled past Fabianski into goal and Mane finished off from another cross flipped over by Trent Alexander-Arnold who was on song and recorded his 12th assist of the season. The Reds Ultimate Winning Machine came back to score twice and won 3-2 and now equalled Manchester City's record for the longest winning run the Premier League taking their total to 18 successive league wins. which is also their 21 consecutive home win equalling their own English top flight record set in 1972 under Bill Shankly. 21 wins is a new record in the Premier League era. It was as good as what "Thanos" said: "I am inevitable". They keep on and keep up. Don't you marvel at them? Anfield awaits Athletico Madrid which is another big question mark. If Athletico scores first Liverpool will need to score 3 times to win. Daunting. Doubting? Now they need only four more wins from their remaining 11 games to win the title. Liverpool were at time fortunate but you earn your own fortune. Liverpool fans will celebrate soon. It is inevitable. All bets are off. Even my friend stop betting with me against Liverpool anymore. Another win here sets a record 19 straight win. Watch Sadio Mane who likes to score against Watford. The Hornets will have to try to win to stay up so Liverpool need patience where eventually will lead to a win again. 0-2.

Everton v Manchester United - Everton took the game to Arsenal and scored in the very first minute through Dominic Calvert-Lewin but still ended losers to Arsenal (2-3). It was the brilliant performance of Arsenal custodian Bernd Leno that prevented a better result for the Toffees. Manchester United gave a good account of themselves trouncing Watford 3-0 to go up to 5th with 41 points, just 3 behind Chelsea but Tottenham and Sheffield United are just one point behind, Wolves 2 and Arsenal 4 behind. One defeat and the positions all change again. This is Snakes and Ladders all over. In Bruno Fernandes, they finally have someone who could make things happen. Everton's loss at the Emirates was the only one defeat in 6 matches so Goodison Park will not be an easy visit for the Red Devils who themselves have not lost in 6 matches where they have won four. Everton have scored in all their last 6 games hitting 2 or 3 goals in their last four. They have goals in them. United kept 3 clean sheets in their last 3 league games. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is living up to the billing of Ancelotti that he could be a top striker in Europe. Not only did he scored, he has some near misses. United themselves will not be short on confidence. New signing Bruno Fernandes will once again play a key role and Mason Greenwood continues to show great potential while Anthony Martial can be a top player if he shows commitment and consistency. Like that cheeky goal he scored. Oh but Everton are scoring quite freely these days. Take a look at Dominic Calvert-Lewin's sepak takraw bicycle goal. Draw. 2-2.

Spurs v Wolves - Spurs were frankly awful! Even their own fans said so. They managed only 5 shots at Chelsea and Chelsea could have scored a few more and I asked where will their goals come from. They needed on own goal by Rudiger to lose 1-2. Before that , they have also crashed at home to RB Leipzig inthe Champions League. Wolves are getting even better now especially in the red hot Diogo Jota. Their 4-0 thrashing of Espanyol in the Europa where Jota got a hattrick and he followed up with a brace against Norwich both at the Molineux. He was brilliant and unstoppable so Spurs will be having a hard time. This will also bring about a clash or Portuguese masterminds and tacticians in Jose Mourinho and Nuno Esprito Santo. When they last met in December at the Molineux Spurs won 2-1. Watch Diogo Jota for he has really been back to his best. Jota now has 10 goals in 12 appearances. Red  hot! Without Pochettino, Spurs have become tepid, flat and much less exciting. This makes it awfully difficult to predict a Spurs win. Jose Mourinho plays a tight game always. SPurs could still score but not as clinical as when they have Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min but are conceding goals. Wolves have scored 9 goals in their last 3 matches. Draw. 1-1.

Arsenal - The Gunners are undefeated in 10 matches in all competition and had three wins in seven days. Arteta has revolutionized Arsenal.  They showed character and determination to beat an in-form Everton with the sheer brilliance at both ends of goalkeeper Bernd Leno and striker Aubameyang. The major improvements were clear to see. Their recovery is on the way. Aubameyang is of course their most important player with 17 goals now. Arsenal now face a battle to save their season after crashing out of the Europa. Leading with an away 1-0 win over Greek side Olympiacos, they crashed 1-2 at home.

Aston Villa - Villa were never really in the game against Southampton. Despite more possession at 54%, they allowed the Saints to rain 28 shots at them  9 of which were on target and where their opponent also created 21 chances. They have a Carabao Cup Final to play against City. How will they cope? Villa have now last their last 3 matches,  their game with Sheffield has been postponed, plays the Cup Final and then visit Leicester City and host Chelsea. Tough life ahead. 

Manchester City - City visit the Bernabeu to play Real Madrid in the Champions League followed by the Carabao CUp FInal against Villa then a F.A. Cup visit to Sheffield Wednesday after which a travel to Old Trafford to play their derby game against Manchester United. It it the Champions League they want and they need a really good results against Real which they did by stunning Real Madrid 2-1 at the Bernabeu. Kudos to the Citizens where once again Kevin De Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus shone. Its now a tall task for the Spanish side who need to score twice without conceding to go through. Sergio Ramos got his just dessert when he was recorded and shall missed the return tie. Manchester City look a good bet to win the Champions League this season as another favourites Juventus drew a blank and was also stunned by French side Lyon 1-0 where even Cristiano Ronaldo and Paulo Dybala could not score.

Sheffield United - The Blades are having a stellar season. Undefeated in their last 3 league matches and in 7th, their postponed game against Aston Villa will mean their next tie is the F. A. Cup match with Reading (away) then they return to Premier League action to host Norwich.