EPL 2020/21 - Game Week 7

Its already Oktober but no Fest as human kind continue its battle with a deadly pandemic. Soccer stadiums are still empty and all businesses fight for survival. Soccer is the same. In a most baffling and traumatic season, everything has been somewhat topsy turvy. Though we are still in early day, just take a look at the table.

(1) Everton, (2) Liverpool, (3) Aston Villa, (4) Leicester, (5) Tottenham, (6) Leeds, (7) Southampton, (8) Crystal Palace, (9) Wolves, (10) Chelsea, (11) Arsenal, (12) West Ham, (13) Man City, (14) Newcastle, (15) Man Utd. 

Now look at the top scorers chart:

(1) Son Hueng-Min (Spurs) - 8 goals, (2) Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton) - 7, (3) Patrick Bamford (Leeds) - 6, Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) - 6, Jamie Vardy (Leicester) - 6, (6) Harry Kane (Spurs) - 5, Wilfried Zaha (Palace) - 5, (8) Danny Ings (Southampton) - 4, Raul Jiminez (Wolves) - 4, Sadio Mane (Liverpool) - 4, Neal Maupay (Brighton) -4, Callum Wilson (Newcastle) -4.

Just go over to the Italian Serie A and have a look at Zlatan Ibrahimovic. He was born in October 1981 four months after I started work. Like me, he is still going strong, very strong. He is the current top scorer in Serie A with 6 goals after bagging a brace against Roma. At 39, he showed no signs of slowing down. He has been doing some of the most amazing stuffs on a soccer pitch for all his clubs and his country Sweden. The 1.95m giant is blessed with some of the most sublime skills and there is none like him. He is ever so confident that some may equate as arrogance. Even Covid hit him and was defeated. All aspiring soccer players should learn from him as to how he could keep his standards so high for so long and yet still so fit. 

Now back to the EPL, let us amble through the fixtures which have been so jam-packed for some teams, it makes you wonder how things will ride out.

Wolves v Crystal Palace - Wolves are finding themselves in that previous season where they drew many games. Wolves need to score more and not just rely on Raul Jimenez after a string of 1-0 victories which can be tricky. They could beat the best but drop points against lesser teams. Hail Wilfried Zaha, a player deemed not good enough for the Red Devils after Sir Alex signed him. Meanwhile, he continued to be a bright spark for Palace and has certainly been the best player in the league when taking on defenders and will be huge for any team. This match has the potential to be a dull affair. Perhaps, either Raul Jimenez could score late for Wolves to win by a solitary goal or Wilfried Zaha to do the same. So I could also imagine it to ember to goalless draw even as we are in a high scoring season but I think more likely that Jimenez and Zaha will get each a piece.  1-1.

Sheffield United v Manchester City - Life is tough. It could be the second season syndrome as I have earlier suggested. The Blades just could not get results despite playing well. They have just given Liverpool a real test at Anfield but still without a win in 6 matches. They have not won a single league game in 9 attempts. Next, they have to visit Chelsea  and host in form West Ham. How long will their winless streak last? Can you imagine Man City in 13th position with only 2 wins, 2 draws and a defeat? And now they have to host City who had just trounced Marseille 3-0 away in the Champions League. With Sterling scoring again and Kevin De Bruyne back, it is going to be a very tough time for the very good man and coach Chris Wilder. The Blades need sharpening while City have been blunt. Sander Berg and Ethan Ampadu were very good when they palyed Liverpool so they can have a big say here. United have not been good at defending crosses while City have been weak at crosses of late and only their possession play have been the same. Sterling could be their hero again but he could be outmuscled. Perhaps Kevin De Bruyne who has been unusually quiet will have a big say. 1-2.

Burnley v Chelsea - So Frank Lampard have learned not to be gung ho and were probably playing for a draw against United. He got his clean sheet for Chelsea. Was it a manifestation for fear of losing? Burnley are still winless in 5 matches. They played well and at times looked the better team than Spurs. They are just like Sheffield United - playing well without getting the results. Chelsea were very good winning away games much of last season but later in the season till now they have not having won only one of their last 5. Six wins and one draw in their last seven meetings for Chelsea and Chelsea scored four in their last 2 visits. The Blues have also just visited Russia and beaten Krasnodar 4-0. That was a solid away win where Werner, Pulisic, Ziyech and Hudson-Odoi scored. Turf Moor is a tough place to visit but the Clarets have not have good record against the big six clubs as they do not counter at speed and they did held out well against Spurs till late and ended 0-1. If they could repeat that Chelsea may find it tough too as Spurs have been great scorers. Big and strong Chris Wood may cause a bit of trouble for the Blues but with Werner, Ziyech and Pulisic or even Mount, I expect Chelsea to win. 1-2.

Liverpool v West Ham - Before this match Liverpool have not won in two and were without Virgil Van Dijk. It did not help when Fabinho was judged for a foul on McBurnie. Firstly, the offence took place outside the penalty box and even more importantly, Fabinho took the ball not the man so it was not even a foul in the first place. If you in a team that suffered the cruelty and injustice at Goodison Park against Everton where Pickford was not sent off after injuring Van Dijk and a proper goal by Henderson was not given, you could have lost the plot through frustration but the Reds boosted by the sudden return of Alisson and a strong performance from Joe Gomez stood their ground. TAA had the audacity to hit a free-kick from his own half that had Aaron Ramsdale back-peddling to save a sure goal. Mo Salah could have scored 2 or 3 goals, one was from a forward floater from TAA where Salah controlled with one touch and flicked into goal but unfortunately offside. The other was when he wriggled through and chipped over the goalie only to hit a post. The rapacious forward should have just laid the ball for Mane to his left for a tap in. Firmino finally scored from a rebounded shot by Mane and what a goal from Jota rising up wit a brilliant header from an equally cross from Mane after beating his man. All these summed up Liverpool's hunger and determination. They are still winning and not playing extremely well at times. A second Champions League win over Midtjyland (2-0) was a needed result where Diogo Jota got his 3rd in the famous red shirt which coincidentally was Liverpool's 10,000th goal but the curse continued as Fabinho may have suffered a hamstring injury. If the one replacing Van Dijk and did so well goes out it is going to be tough. However, Joe Gomez has been quite outstanding since and 19 year old Rhy Williams have stepped in very well. 

West Ham are having their best starts for the longest time. Who could thrashed Wolves 4-0? West Ham. Who could go to Leicester and win 3-0? West Ham. Who were down 0-3 at Spurs in the first half within 16th minute and came back 3-3? West Ham. Who took the lead against Man City but ended up 1-1? Yes, West Ham. And did you see that overhead kick goal by Michail Antonio? Besides Antoonio, Jarrod Bowen is another to watch. The Hammers are defensively sound now, have a good midfield and are scoring and winning. Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek has formed quite a formidable partnership and they have the ability and composure to overcome the Reds' midfield. This may be the best Hammers side to face Liverpool yet thus will provide a stern test. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjL3f6q-nwk (Antonio scored)

Liverpool have like 19 shots per game and usually Mo Salah will have quite a few of them. The Reds also remain the top team foe getting points after going behind. 62 games unbeaten isn't easy to achieve but someday may have to end. Many greater teams have tried to no avail. Liverpool are not at their best yet and the Hammers are playing above themselves. Even Spurs and Man City could not beat them. The last 3 times at Anfield were all Liverpool - 4-1, 4-0, 3-2. Liverpool may be more conservative without Van Dijk and now Fabinho so the score may not be big either side but West Ham are keeping it quite tight and are scoring. Salah, Mane and now even Firmino and Jota are scoring and they may possibly find a way past just narrowly. David Moyes is sure to try to exploit the situation without Van Dijk and Fabinho but West Ham have their own problem as the in form Michail Antonio is doubtful. 2-1.

Aston Villa v Southampton - Villa like Everton had their great start halted. Villa's 100% record became ashes when Leeds visited and snatched a 3-0 win.I have been saying Southampton is a good team for a few seasons now and they have definitely better with Ralph Hassenhuttl at he helm. Just look at how they handled Everton so well. The Saints are really marching in! They were so good that they rendered Everton ineffective. This is clear evidence of great coaching and not cheque-book shopping. If you watch them you will like them. Plus Danny Ings continue his brilliant form from last season. He scores for fun and when not scoring, he provides assists. Also the Saints have not lost to Villa in their last 7 meetings. Villa have been looking so good till they met Leeds. Jack Grealish, Ollie Watkins and Ross Barkley have been very good. This tie could go either way. There is a possibility that this could turn out to be an exciting match with some goals in it. 2-2.

Newcastle v Everton - The Magpies literally stole a point at the Molineux against Wolves. Everton are still leaders, joint leaders with Liverpool at 13 points but they were dominated by Southampton in all areas.  Everton had their second red card of the season one week after Richarlison was sent off for chopping down Liverpool's Thiago. It was Lucas Digne this time and both their automatic suspension will made things tougher for the Toffees. It cold have been three had Jordan Pickford not escaped the red but the 0-2 defeat to Southampton could not entirely be blamed on it as they were already 0-2 down. With it all the positive vibes surrounding Everton this season seemed to have dissipated. They are still top of the league level on points with Liverpool with a better goal difference and the Toffees have won 3 out of their last four versus the Magpies. An Everton win if they play like they have been except against Southampton. Newcastle can be dull sometimes but on certain days, they could surprise. Can Callum Wilson score again? Will Dominic Calvert-Lewin score again after last week's blank?Everton need to watch their discipline. Jordan Pickford escaped the red card but Richarlison got it then it was Lucas Digne's turn. 2-3.

Manchester United v Arsenal - This makes for an interesting game. United had PSG beaten 2-1 in an away game and kept their fans purring only to play a drab 0-0 draw against Chelsea at Old Trafford meaning they have dropped points at home in three successive matches thus achieving a new record of being their worst start to a season on home soil for 48 years! Meanwhile, just when Arteta has made more believe in the Gunners did they show a real glimpse of how much more needs to be done. The addition of Thomas Partey has increased hope but their top scorer Aubameyang has now gone 5 league matches without a goal and suddenly they have become the same old Arsenal. The Partey has ended? With David Luiz and Gabriel injured, how will Artetat reshuffle the pack? 3 at the back? Still they can be optimistic when visiting Old Trafford, now seldom referred to as the Theater of Dreams. A look at Solskjaer's lineup against Chelsea and it was a side selected not to lost and not one chosen to win. The Gunners have not won at Old Trafford since 2006 and have just lost to Leicester at home while the Red Devils have just cruised past German leaders RB Leipzig with a 5-0 blitz with red hot Marcus Rashford getting a hattrick. This could have been Solskjaer's greatest moment yet. Martial and Greenwoood got the other 2. However, United have not won in their last 5 home games. Surprisingly, this is the 15th positioned team v the 11th but still the match of the week. Aubameyang faded with a dry patch after signing a new contract. It is not a good sign for the London club but they did get a 3- win over Dundalk in the Europa. Two ex legends of their respective club but who will triumph? Some quarters may also be thinking Man Utd for the title? Wait, you need to sustain it in a league. Like Mike Tyson has said "everyone has a plan until they got punched in the face." Solskjaer may yet again set up not to lose than to win and Arteta may get too pragmatic such that a potentially exciting game could become a boring one. 2-2.

Spurs v Brighton - Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min once again combined to down a stubborn Burnley 1-0 at Turf Moor. The duo have now scored a combined 29 goals as a pair just 7 behind the most prolific pairing in Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba in the history of the competition. They are also currently the top pair in Europe. After being defeated by Everton on opening day, they are now unbeaten in 10 matches in all competition with Son leading the goal chart with 8 goals and Kane with 5. Harry Kane is even leading the assists chart with 7! Kane even headed off the line and denied Tarkowski a Burnley goal. Brighton are still playing well even as results did not favour them. Just unfortunate that they have to visit Spurs now. 3 reasons why Spurs will win - (1) Harry Kane, (2) Son Heung-Min, (3) Spurs but Spurs have not won at home this season yet with 2  defeat and a draw. Kane and Son are the best duo now. I still think that if Spurs could keep scoring as they have been and keep it tight at the back, they could win something this season. The Spurs are flying. 3-1.

Fulham v WBA - Both sides are without a win. Fulham crashed at home to Palace despite dominating. WBA fought tooth and nail at Brighton to salvage a draw. The Baggies have not won at Craven Cottage since 1967! Which means in 16 outings! The last 4 times ended as draw. Fulham may pass the ball around nicely but they lack the cutting edge to win matches. WBA are much the same and that is why both have not won yet but the Baggies have a bit more resilience and I feel WBA may get a new record of winning here. 1-2.

Leeds v Leicester - Patrick Bamford had a great hattrick at Villa. Villa shipped many goals last season but this year they have just conceded 5 - the current best and yet it took Bamford just 19 minutes to get his hattrick in the 55th, 67th and 74th. Two of the goals from Bamford were really amazing especially the last one when surrounded by at least three opponents. Watch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAXGTsuSL8I (Bamford's goals)

Jamie Vardy was out for two games, came on in the 60th minute against Arsenal and it took him only 10 minutes to score his 11th goal against Arsenal. He also inspired his team to a 2-1 away win over AEK Athens in the Europa. So two players on fire and to watch - Leicester's Vardy and Leed's Bamford. This match could yet be the most exciting one for the week. To beat Arsenal for a 1-0 win at the Emirates meant the Foxes are quite capable of defending and sneaking goals for wins. That was three wins in a row (2 in the Europa). Leeds are an exciting team an up till last week no team could have won 3-0 at Villa Park. In this match up, there will be goals! Vardy and Bamford will say - expect us! 2-2.