EPL 2019/20 - Game Week 31

The return of the EPL did seemed a bit strange after a long lay off. First of all, the empty stadiums and the fake crowd noise seemed like canned laughter in a TV comedy sitcom. Then it also produced some lackadaisical performances. Arsenal succumbed so easily to Manchester City at the Etihad. Tottenham v Manchester United (1-1), Watford v Leicester (1-1) toiled and drew their matches. Arsenal completed their misery when they lost 1-2 at Brighton to a 95th minute goal by Maupay. 

West Ham crumbled 0-2 at home to Wolves, Bournemouth suffered the same fate at home to Crystal Palace (0-2), Sheffield United, so confident with an almost impregnable defence, battling midfield and forward line that usually score that one winning goal to win matches floundered at Newcastle (0-3) where Stevens fell over the ball when he attempted to clear it to comical effect. It was like us coming back to play after a few years lay off. Everton denied and delayed Liverpool's joy in their Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park in a drab 0-0 draw. where Mo Salah and Andy Robertson were recovering from injuries and did not featured. To make things worse, Joel Matip and James Milner are now injured. That sums it all up. Perhaps every team needs a couple more games to get into stride. Don't laugh at them. When golf courses open, there will laughter all round too for comic relief. Only Manchester City did not showed any ill effect as they blasted Burnley with an emphatic 5-0 thrashing.

Leicester City v Brighton - The Foxes were held 1-1 by Watford last week scoring late through Ben Chiwell with a fine 90th minute goal and conceding even later in the 93rd. The Seagulls stunned Arsenal with a 75th minute Lewis Dunk goal and a 95th minute Maupay winner leaving Leicester in 3rd place with 54 points 3 ahead of Chelsea in 4th while Brighton are in 15th with 32 points just 5 points ahead of the relegation zone. Time for Jamie Vardy to add to his tally. 2-1.

Tottenham v West Ham - Tottenahm are in 8th, 9 points from 4th. If they don't pick up from here - no Champion's League. Last week they led Manchester United with a superb Steven Bergwijn goal but drew 1-1 while the Hammers lost 0-2 at home to Wolves leaving them hanging precariously by a thread in 17th with 27 points, just ahead of Bournemouth by goal difference. Spurs have been bang average after Pochettino left. West Ham was supposed to have a good season but has since switched gear to David Moyes. Even a not so good SPurs at home will beat them. 2-0.

Manchester United v Sheffield United - The Red Devils draw at Spurs meant that they remained in 5th with 46 points, 5 points behind Chelsea and 8 points behind Leicester. AFter being held by Villa away (0-0) the Blades who were so awesome before lockdown came crashing down at St.James Park as they got whacked 3-0 by Newcastle leading them in 7th with 44 points which is 7 points from 4th. Last time they met, they gave the Red Devils a hard time but their crumble at Newcastle means Manchester should win. 2-0.

Newcastle v Aston Villa - The Magpies seemed safe in 13th with 38 points and gave a solid performance in the 3-0 trouncing of Sheffield United. They should survive the season. Aston Villa have not won a match for some time while Newcastle are undefeated in 4 winning their last 3. Home win. 2-1.

Norwich v Everton - The Canaries' season may be well over. So good were they in the lower division last season but they just could hardly win. The 0-3 thrashing from Southampton means they have to start winning each match from now to stay alive but if you have won only 5 and lost 19 all season with 8 remaining matches, the odds are heavily stacked against them. Everton have no such problem and played well against Liverpool in a drab 0-0 draw but have largely under-performed this season and now lies in 12th but they shall not be defeated by Norwich. Richarlison looked sharp and so do Dominic Calvert-Lewin whose flick shot produced a superb save from Alisson in the last match. 0-2.

Wolves v Bournemouth - Wolves 2-0 win at West Ham kept them in 6th and level on points with 5th placed Man Utd. This presents an opportunity to leapfrog for Champions League qualification. The Cherries lost 0-2 at home to Crystal Palace. What chance do they have away to Wolves while dangling dangerously in 18th. Bournemouth is in bottom three form while Wolves are strong as they have been. Jimenez and Traore are likely to score, even Jota. 2-0.

Liverpool v Crystal Palace - The table after 30 matches stands with the Reds at 83 points leading by 20 points from 2nd place Manchester City level in goal difference of 45. Second highest goal scorer after City with the best defensive record. The performace at Everton was nothing to shout about. Liverpool needs just 2 wins from the remaining 8 matches to seal the title. A win here and City win at Stamford Bridge would meant status quo. If Liverpool win and City lose to Chelsea, then the title could be decided when the Reds visit the Etihad. Even at Anfield, this will be a tough match as Palace have won their last 4 games - 1-0 x 3 and 2-0 keeping 4 clean sheet. The reverse tie ended with a 2-1 win for Liverpool. Liverpool clearly need to raise their game if they wish to seal the title earlier than later. It could be a battling match. 2-1.

Burnley v Watford - Burnley have actually not done too badly until the 5-0 trouncing by City. Heck, they are even one place above Everton in 11th and more than safe. Watford are just one point above water level and barely breathing. Getting a point here is a big thing. 1-1.

Southampton v Arsenal - The Saints can be very good on some days. Their 14th position means they are almost safe. Yu may also not believe that they are just 3 points behind Arsenal in 10th. The Gunners lost their last two matches 0-3 at City and 1-2 at Brighton. This is their 3rd away match. Arsenal have scored 41 goals but also shipped 41 goals, not a good defensive record. The Saints could get a point here to inch even safer from the rest of the chasing pack. 2-2.

Chelsea v Manchester City - This will be your top match of the week. Chelsea have won their last 3 games. City their last two, banging in 8 and conceded nothing. Chelsea in 4th are 12 points behind City. Don't think the rest could can City but City  are appealing a ban from the Champions League so the rest from 3rd to 6th all stand a chance should the appeal fails. City are back to their best and it is hard to see them beaten. Phil Foden displayed his true ability and scored twice in their 5-0 trouncing of Burnley and was named Man of the Match. A few years ago, I mentioned him on many occasions and why he is going to be a top player. He is still a teenager mind you. Can Chelsea play above themselves to win or get at least a point? I believe City will just nick it. 2-3.