EPL 2020/21 - Game Week 5

Welcome to pandemic soccer. We have never seen anything like it and it gets interesting. High scores are the order of the day. No advantage for home teams except having to travel a bit for away teams and a wee bit less familiar with the turf. Perhaps lack of a proper vacation, shorter pre-season and signings of better attacking players have changed things. The big boys have been stunned and an emergence of teams who have not been doing too well in recent seasons or the smaller teams are making an unprecedented thrust into the limelight. The big scores and and upsets were already happening.

There have been warning signs and the first big shocker was when Leicester had Man City beaten 5-2 at the Etihad. Manchester United followed and was gunned down 6-1 at Old Trafford by Spurs and Liverpool formed the shambolic trio when they were thrashed 7-2 by Aston Villa. Now they could hold hands and say We'll never walk alone. These are records they never wanted or anybody would believe could happen but they are happening with impunity. Predictions on soccer are no longer necessary so I may just as well put my articles on sleep mode till we are over it. Otherwise, I would just give all the big scores and see which ones turn out right. The high scores in soccer right now is just like my golf during a pandemic. City, United and Liverpool have suffered big shocking defeats. When is Chelsea's, Arsenal's and Tottenham's turn? Leicester's home 0-3 defeat while not as big was almost equally bad. Arsenal's 2-1 win over Sheffield United was my only correct prediction. I think I would like to switch to weather forecast. This season go big or go home. Haha.

Meanwhile, the top scorers so far:

1) Dominic  Calvert-Lewin (Everton)-6 goals. Son Heung-Min (Spurs)-6, 3) Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)-5, Jamie Vardy (Leicester)-5, 5) Neal Maupay (Brighton)-4, Callum Wilson (Newcastle)-4, 7) Patrick Bamford (Leeds)-3, Jarrod Bowen (West Ham)-3, Jack Grealish (Villa)-3, Danny Ings (Southampton)-3, Harry Kane (Spurs)-3, Sadio Mane (Liverpool)-3, Alexander Lacazette (Arsenal)-3, Jorginho (Chelsea)-3, James Rpdriguez (Everton)-3, Ollie Watkins (Villa)-3, Wilfried Zaha (Palace)-3.   

Everton v Liverpool - Derbies are huge and the Merseyside ones are even bigger because they were once separated after birth. Everton originally played at Anfield but later moved a mile away to Goodison Park in 1892 when Liverpool FC were formed. When Everton were formed in 1878 they were known as St. Domingo FC which was the name of a local chapel but were renamed as Everton a year later and were founder member of the League in 1888. A year after they won the First Division title in 1891, Everton directors had a disagreement with president John Houlding who was the owner of Anfield so Houlding founded Liverpool. Liverpool joined the Football League in 1893 and have played at Anfield since. 

The Toffees are in the form of their lives and top of the table after four games with four wins. There is no better time to topple their Merseyside rival. Klopp has been faithful and loyal to his players as with Adrian and in the past Dejan Lovren. Both are capable of good performances but they come once in awhile and they are error prone. Adrian was superb playing for West Ham when he was first choice. His big error led to the Reds succumbing to Athletico Madrid in the Champions League last season and on several other occasions and the howler against Villa. If Adrian is not good with the ball at his feet then he must know and Klopp must tell him to play to his strength. He should just hoof the ball far away. At least it may not lead to an immediate goal. Klopp has till 16 October to sign a decent goalie and there are many he could sign as there are really better number two goalies around. Alisson is out for six weeks and things could get a lot worse added by their injury list and those tested positive for Covid. 

How Liverpool respond to the shocking spanking by Villa will determine the course of the season. From the all powerful showing lauded by all against Arsenal to the horrow show at Villa Park. You either become lame and go downhill from here or you show great strength with a strong recovery. A Merseyside derby is always a big battle. It is their first face off of the season. Obviously Everton are in greater form and must surely fancy their chances. Liverpool's high defensive line is always going to be prone to some good counters but when they are playing with great confidence they could snuffed out those times that they were breached. At least, there will be a couple from the back that could come to the rescue. It is their offside traps that could backfire. Everton's front line of James Rodriguez, Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin can do some serious damage. Everton's 4-2 win over Brighton was impressive. DCL could no stop scoring now and is the hottest number 9 in Europe's top 5 leagues with 10 goals in 7 matches as he has just scored a dream debut goal for England against Wales in a 3-0 friendly win but Jota got 2 goals for Portugal and Firmino has 2 goals for Brazil too. Even Neco Williams starred for Wales as MOTM with a goal. Liverpool have not lost to Everton since 2010 so could this be the time? In this match, it shall confirm if Everton have reached new heights and are the real thing as they have so appeared to be and if Liverpool's demise at Villa just a one-off. Everton are the hottest team right now and Liverpool were the hottest last season. It is a good chance for Everton to get their first win in ten years. It may also depend on whether Thiago and Mane are back to play. It's gonna be a good game. 3-3.

Chelsea v Southampton - Chelsea came back strongly with a convincing 4-0 trouncing of Crystal Palace after being held 3-3 by WBA. I noticed Jorginho's penalty kick style is quite similar to Bruno Fernandes. They run to the ball and take a hop before shooting. Maybe these two can be among the top scorers due to the amount of penalty kicks given. The Saints seemed to have gotten over their string of defeats coming back with an away win over Burnley and then a clean 2-0 win over WBA. That is two clean sheets. Can they now keep Chelsea at bay. Ben Chilwell has indeed been chilling really well. His goal opened the floodgates after first half ended 0-0. Not only that, he added with an assist paying back a chunk of that 50 million pounds transfer fee. Danny Ings is playing his career finest scoring many goals in the top flight for the Saints and has just scored his first for England in the 3-0 Wales win. Can you imagine with more chances created playing for a top six team how many more he could have scored? Chelsea hit Palace 4-0 in their previous match which was impressive while Southampton won twice away and home while keeping clean sheets. Ralph Hassenhuttl's team is capable of creating the next shocker absorbing the Blues' attacks with sucker punches. Chelsea's defence can be suspect but with Reece James showing for England and the EPL that he is possibly the most complete full back Chelsea may do better. Trent Alexander Arnold has no peers in attacking power but he is not a great defender. Aaron Wan Bissaka is a great tackler but Reece James is the most complete. 5-3.

Leicester v Aston Villa - We would have thought that after hammering City 5-2 away, Leicester would have damage to West Ham but instead they went down 0-3 at home. Aston Villa was almost relegated last season saved by some Jack Grealish heroics and were 64 points behind Liverpool but what a whipping they gave the Champions! Again it was Jack Grealish who was MOTM. Villa is 2nd in the table with 100% wins in three games with a game in hand over leader Everton. Grealish has been at his best starring for Villa and yet again for his England first full game. Does Southgate have the belief, trust and boldness to build his England team around Jack Grealish? He should. Why persist with a workmanlike team without imagination? This game is interesting in that Leicester crushed City 5-2 at the Etihad and then came crashing down with a 0-3 home edficit against West Ham. So will Villa be at the receiving end or continue to surprise? Villa could win becuase they have Jack Grealish and they have beaten Liverpool 7-2. Which way shall it go? You have to remember that Villa are the most improved side from last season. 2nd in the table with 3 straight wins. Jack Grealish, Ross Barkely and Ollie Watkins seemed to have formed something special. Watch out Leicester! 2-2.

Newcastle v Manchester United - Frankly, few expected Newcastle to win 3-1 against Burnley the other week. What a signing Callum Wilson have been! Manchester United, oh Manchester United. Whenever there are problems, they went on to sign a few players. They have just done that again. They have added Porto left-back Alex Telles and 33 year old ex PSG and Uruguayan forward Edison Cavani who in his prime is one of the world's best. United's problems are not with the goal scoring and for so long they have persisted with Paul Pogba and David De Gea. Dean Henderson was superb on loan to Sheffield United last season and he should come on. Eric Bailly and Harry Maguire? While Rashford and Greenwood are fine strikers, they do nt track back and often leaving Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka exposed. An astute coach like Mourinho would know exactly to exploit it. United continued to be linked with the best and most expensive players everywhere with the likes of Jadon Sancho and even Erling Braut Haaland. Can you imagine that the Magpies are in 9th while United are in 16th? United have a very good record against Newcastle overall but in the last four home games against the Red Devils, the Magpies have lost just once and United have Harry Maguire who cost them in the thrashing by Spurs and who again cost England against Denmark by getting two yellows in the 5th and 31st minutes and saw red. I like to watch Allan Saint-Maximin. 3-2.

Sheffield United v Fulham - Poor Sheffield United like Fulham and Burnley are without a win or a point but at least they have finally found the net against Arsenal with a very nice goal from McGoldrick but lost 1-2. This was the only score I predicted correctly. Facing Fulham at home in this tie present a great opportunity to get their first and full points as Fulham are right at the bottom with a worse goal difference. The Blades are lacking goals and the signing of Rhian Brewster could solve that. Brewster was the U-18 world cup top scorer and was tipped for big things at Liverpool but with their champion team it has been hard for a breakthrough. Selling him with a clause for Liverpool to buy him back was a sensible thing to do to provide him first team action and further his development. Why Sheffield United can win? Because they have Rhian Brewster. 3-1.

WBA v Burnley - If things do not change much, this is like a relegation battle from the start. Nick Pope was probably the best goalkeeper in the EPL last season based on the saves he made and has also shown at England level when he featured against Wales. It is very clear what a good goalkeeper brings to the team - confidence and stability. Gareth Southgate should keep Nick Pope as number One ahead of the error prone Jordan Pickford. The Baggies won the last time they visited the Hawthorns. 3-2.

Manchester City v Arsenal - City must have felt angry and hurt, just like their neighbours United and Liverpool but Arteta has gone on to sign Thomas Partey to Arsenal's midfield which is where that is needed and Partey will add steel to the Gunners as he has done for Athletico. Besides Spurs, I thought Arsenal have become better than they were and could pose a real challenge. In pandemic season, every team like Arsenal, Spurs, Leicester, Everton, United and Chelsea all have a chance. Felix Magath has said that Pep Guardiola's taki taka worked before because they have Lionel Messi at Barcelona but isn't really working these days. Besides, their best player Kevin De Bruyne may not recover in time from injury for the match and the last time out they were held 1-1 by Leeds. CIty shoudl be also without Raheem Sterling, Aguero and Jesus. Guardiola will have to come up with some plans as CIty have only won once, drew one and soundly chopped to pieces by Leicester. The Gunners will probably be without Aubameyang. Where will the goals come from? Arsenal did shocked City 2-0 in the FA Cup semi. Will new signing Thomas Partey feature. Welcome to the Partey!  4-3.

Crystal Palace v Brighton - After a great start especially that 3-1 win over United, things have fizzled as they have been gunned down twice. Brighton too started well and put out good performances but the results have not been there. Palace were looking quite good holding Chelsea 0-0 by half-time but crumbled in the second. The Seagulls have been playing well without much luck but their striker Neal Maupay has already got 4 goals to his name. 2-3.

Spurs v West Ham - This will be an interesting London derby based on their last performances. Some have said Mourinho is now outdated but he seemed to have unlocked Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min to get Spurs firing. We all know Kane is a superb striker but did you see his passing range and creativity of late and the assists he has provided? He is now the complete player! If you have been watching them, you know that they have been quite a team. They may even surprise everyone by giving a title shot. Gareth Bale has yet to feature and when he is ready can you imagine what he could bring to the team? Problem is that he has been playing more golf than soccer in Madrid for quite long. Spurs are definitely dark horses. The Hammers have shown they can keep clean sheets and also score goals. This match will show that both teams can do a lot better than last season. Spurs are scoring freely while West Ham could keep clean sheets. The Lilywhites have won four out of five meetings with the Hammers. Spurs are flying at the moment! 5-3.

Leeds v Wolves - Leeds United will have a very good first season back in the Premier League based on what I have seen them so far. Initially dominated by City, they came back dominating in the second half out possessed City in the end and what a sublime substitution by Marcelo Bielsa when Rodri scored the equalizer. Not many teams could do this to City. Wolves were made to work real hard for their 1-0 win over Fulham and Leeds are even tougher. Wolves defender and Captain Conor Coady has come a long way and scored on his debut for England. He has been outstanding for a long time. Again will Southgate play the players in form for his country or go back to Harry Maguire who is anything but good. Leeds are a breath of fresh air and they will do well this season. They played very well against Liverpool and Man City so they can handle this. 3-2.

There you have it - big scores to light up your weekend! Go big or go home.