EPL 2019/20 - Game Week 37

You woke up to the news that Manchester City's original two-year ban from the Champions League has now been reduced to a fine. What does it tell us? I am happy that a team like City could be playing in Europe and also if they were to play only in the EPL with such a deep and excellent squad with limitless dollar to buy more star then the EPL title is as good as theirs. Playing in Europe will make things on a more level playing field. Haha, level playing field is an important term in soccer and even politics as in life. I mean, if your goal posts you are protecting is so huge and your opponents' so small, even if the field is level you will still end up poorer. So is there still fair play now given that revised decision? Disgraceful? How will other clubs now treat fairplay?

Meanwhile, other than challenging for third and fourth, who do you think are going down other than Norwich's confirmed case? I like Norwich. They were very good in the lower division the previous season and they have spent very little accepting and expecting the realities and still play good football but somehow they kept losing games they should have won and found short at both ends. Aston Villa were the same and have to host Arsenal and visit West Ham with both opponents still having something to fight for. 

Bournemouth have to welcome Southampton and visit Everton. What can they get out of it? Watford are at home to City and travel to London to play Arsenal at the Emirates. West Ham have to visit Old Trafford to play United and end with a home game against Aston Villa. The Hammers have the best chance to stay up. They have a home game versus Villa to decide.

From the Championship an old name familiar to many will be coming back - Leeds United guided to the highly rated Marcelo Bielsa. Welcome back.

Norwich v Burnley - Norwich may have lost 0-1 when they visited Stamford Bridge but were completely dominated by Chelsea. Burnley are showing great strength and consistency and their 10th position level on points with Arsenal says something. With the good teams they drew 1-1 and with others they often win 1-0. They have just held Wolves 1-1 with a late equaliser. Norwich score only once in every 5 or 6 games. Another win for Burnley. 0-2.

Bournemouth v Southampton - Bournemouth's last couple of play and results were quite good and even losing to City by 1-2 at the Etihad ain't too shabby but it is a little too late I supposed. Though City had 73% of possession, the Cherries had 15 shots to City's 8. In their last 5 matches, the Saint won the first two and drew their last three. In these times, Southampton had beaten City 1-0 and held United 2-2. Bournemouth have to win their 2 remaining matches and hope West Ham and Watford drop points. 2-2.

Spurs v Leicester - Spurs are now unbeaten in four matches and an away 3-1 win at Newcastle meant that they are really back as Harry Kane bagged a brace and Son scored again. Leicester's topsy-turvy return makes this match unpredictable. Their last 5 matches were mixed - LWDLW but it was a good rseult when they defeated Sheffield United 2-0 in the last match. Leicester lead Spurs by 7 points but Spurs are still competing for place in Europe and Leicester for Champions League. Leicester crunch match will be the next one because United's next game is a home match against West Ham and they are level on points. United van overtake them if they win and Leicester do not so this is an important game. So the last match where Leicester host United will be like a cup final. 2-2.

Brighton v Newcastle - After a fine run Newcastle have lost their way with 3 defeat in 3 games. Brighton got a point after visiting Southampton and are almost safe but they won't want to drop points here to be sure. 2-1.

Sheffield United v Everton - The Blades' fine unbeaten run came to an end at Leicester (0-2). Everton have been patchy with a WLDLD sequence in which they have not won in their last four matches. Both sides are compact and do not socre too many so I guess a draw is on the cards. 1-1.

Wolves v Crystal Palace - The fact that Wolves are still in 6th is testament of their fine squad all round. They also have to keep Raul Jimenez and Adam Traore for next season. They were better before the lockdown but Crystal Palace are worse and have not won for quite sometime. 2-0.

Watford v Manchester City - When you are fighting against relegation and then you have to face City and after that visit Arsenal. Very tall order indeed. City have been relentless registering two 5-0 wins over Newcastle and Brighton. City have the F.A. Cup 3 days before and Guardiola may use different players but will be too strong. The Hornets 1-3 loss at West Ham meant that they will need Herculean efforts and incredible results to stay up. 1-3.

Aston Villa v Arsenal - Villa have finally displayed some resolve and steel as they remain unbeaten in their last 2 matches but it seems a little too late. Like Bournemouth, they need to win the remaining ties and hope others drop points to survive. The Gunners bounced back from a 1-2 defeat to Spurs to defeat Liverpool 2-1 with two gifted goals. I expect Arsenal to win this and their next match against Watford. 1-2.

Manchester United v West Ham - The Red Devils have been looking good especially with Rashford and Martial scoring regularly but West Ham are fighting for points to survive. Still United are too strong in this match up and yet West Ham can spring a surprise but can they do a Southampton. That 3-1 win over Watford was an indicator. United must win to overtake Leicester. If the Hammers do not take at least a point here they will have to do so in their last match against Villa perhaps but I think West Ham have been in good confident form. If United slip up here, Leicester await them for the final battle. I give United a win. 2-1.

Liverpool v Chelsea - Liverpool seemed to have imploded after the restart. Having won the title with 7 matches left was a relief and yet a curse. They dominated Arsenal at the Emirates with 69% possession , had 24 shots against 3, created 20 chances and lost 1-2. No more new record to overhaul City's 100  points of last season and if they win their next two will equal their own record of 99 of last season. That in itself is a great achievements but of all people Alisson and Van Dijk made uncharacteristic errors and gifted the goals. Were they down to bad luck, fatique or complacency or all of them? If they do not improve and are wasteful then a repeat against Chelsea may happen. Still it has been a wonderful season for the Reds who have been crowned European Champions (Champions League), Champions of Europe (Super Cup) and World Club Champions and finally English Champions. An incredible achievement. Liverpool should pick up full points fromtheir last 2 matches to equal their previous season's 99 points. 2-0.