EPL 2020/21 - Game Week 12

 After 11 games, Tottenham sit proudly on top of the table with 24 points jointly with Champions Liverpool with better goal difference. Surprisingly, Liverpool are the league's highest goal scorers with 26. Chelsea 2 points behind are looking like the real thing and up for the challenge. Leicester who have not won in 3 matches finally did with a final minute goal by who else but Jamie Vardy to be in 4th. Southampton are so good that they climbed to 5th with an away 2-1 win over Brighton. Manchester United are 6th with a game in hand but 5 points behind the leaders while City are 7th a point behind their neighbour also with a game in hand. West Ham have been very good and deserved their 8th position. Everton after a blistering start have dropped to 9th and Wolves made up the top ten. You are wondering where the other Big Six Arsenal are. They are languishing in 15th with a deficit in goal difference 10-14. This is troubling.

The latest top scorers are:

(1) Dominic Calvert-Lewin - 11 goals, (2) Son Heung-Min -10, (3) Mohamed Salah - 9, (3) Jamie Vardy -9, (5) Patrick Bamford - 8, (5) Harry Kane - 8, (7) Bruno Fernandes - 7, (7) Calllum WIlson - 7, (7) Wilfried Zaha - 7, (10) Ollie Watkins - 6. Amazingly, DCL, Son and Bamford have no penalty goals at all. That is how good they have been. 

Leeds v West Ham - You can never fault Leeds United for not trying. They are a very committed and exciting side. As good as they have been they are finding the Premier League a tough place to get results and in their last match were beaten 1-3 by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge despite having 54% possession. West Ham like Southampton are the most improved sides and seemed to have added belief and consistency this season. They even took the lead against Manchester United last week and could have scored again to turn the game but eventually lost to a similar 1-3 score line due to the brilliance of Bruno Fernandes once again. However, history favours Leeds especially at Elland Road. Based on how they have both fared this season, it could be a pretty interesting game. 2-2.

Wolves v Aston Villa - Wolves have never lost to Liverpool 4-0 for the last few seasons and this to a weakened Liverpool side have asked them some questions as to how they will progress from here. Aston Villa's match with Newcastle was postponed due to a Covid-hit Magpies giving them more than sufficient rest. With Jack Grealish showing week in and week out to be among the league's most outstanding players so far plus being a star for England, there is no stopping him getting even better. Wolves won both of last season's ties and also their last 3 home games but this season Villa are a way better side and advantage to them if Raul Jimenez remains injured or not match-ready. There is enough quality around even for neutrals to watch and could end up level but I pick Villa to win if Jack Grealish once again comes up with something special. 1-2.

Newcastle v WBA - Newcastle rested well as their match against Villa was postponed as they were hit by Covid. You may never know too well how they have recovered but based on how they went to Palace and won 2-0 and how WBA capitulated 1-5 at home to Palace, it may lead you to think this could be a walk over. The Magpies form at home is patchy and looks like a WLWLW pattern. With Callum Wilson back they will start to score again as he has scored as many for his team as the entire WBA team. This match could also potentially be a dull match. Newcastle wo tin by a goal margin. 2-1.

Manchester United v Manchester City - This derby is obviously the match of the week. In a derby anything could happen. United suck at home this season but winning away. City are having an indifferent season but in their last match they  completely destroyed Burnley. A draw here is not good for both as they have already been trailing the leaders. Last season, the Red Devils did the double over their neighbours winning 2-0 at Old Trafford and 1-0 at the Etihad so they are capable of doing it again. I marvel at the prospects of Marcus Rashford at only 23 and Mason Greenwood at an even younger age of 19. These two have a bright future at United and with England. Rashford is exciting and Greenwood a superb finisher. However, after a good start and needing just a point from 2 games to qualify in the Champions League, the Grim Reaper came and brought them back to where they belong - in the Europa. RB Leipzig put the final nail in the coffin and United learn that their comebacks are often against lesser teams. Better teams make sure you don't return. City on the other hand cruised to a 3-0 victory over Marseille. United will fight harder for the derby's bragging rights. After a poor outing with RB Leipzig, Solskjaer may not be really looking forward to this tough test but United do have some ability to push this one to a draw. 2-2.

Everton v Chelsea - Everton have to quickly sort out their defensive frailty or else Chelsea's potent attack may cause further embarrassment. The Toffees attack have been quite prolific with the goal-getting feat of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, the aggression of Richarlison and skills of James Rodriguez, they will be quite hard to handle for any team but unless their defence holds tight they are going to be left undone. Chelsea's attacking prowess and deep squad will make them one of the favourites this season and the weak defence has grown in stature and Kurt Zouma has improved beyond belief. Besides clean sheets, Zouma has scored an incredible 4 goals now from set pieces. Thiago Silva has given them experience and calmness and Reece James and Ben Chiwell are equally adept at defending as well as attack. Reece James, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker will ensure Gareth Southgate and England are blessed with plenty of choices in this position but Reece James looks ahead of the pack this season. However, Chelsea won only once in six visits to Goodison Park. 2-2.

Southampton v Sheffield United - Southampton have been excellent this season. They used to show that but were not consistent and not getting the results they deserved. VAR penalty surfaced again and marred the game versus Brighton at the Amex. The Saints did what Liverpool could not so while Brighton prospered the last time this time they suffered. Giant defender Jannik Vestergaard has been masterful at the back and has now even scored 3 times for the Saints and with the return of Danny Ings, Southampton should be even more confident so this is bad news for the Blades. Sheffield United are having the opposite of them where they were so good just last season but now the only team without a win. The last gasp goal conceded to Jamie Vardy last week broke their hearts especially after a gallant display. With Danny Ings back and captain James Ward-Prowse playing his best soccer, a home win is imminent. 2-0.

Crystal Palace v Spurs - Crystal Palace went crazy with an emphatic 5-1 away win at the Hawthorns. It was a timely result and performance as they now welcome the table topper. Spurs demonstrated their combined ability of consistency, resilience and proficiency in scoring not just goals but very good ones. Jose Mourinho seemed to have every position right now and you could see how each player knew what and how to play and they have the best pairing of Kane and Son. I have said much earlier Spurs could be challenging for the title even as Mourinho said they are just a pony not a horse. While Palace have been over reliant on Zaha, Benteke grabbed two which means Palace could be more potent but time and again Kane and Son have ben unstoppable. Currently, Kane could be the best player out there. He was everywhere, defending in his own box, heading away clearances and it was once again his brilliant pass from midfield that released Son who ran at pace on the left with three strides, then cut and shunted right in two strides and unleased such a glorious shot into the net where even a fully stretched Leno could not reached. Wow! Son returned a favour later from the left and as he cut in to the right, Kane moved to the left from the middle and from a difficult angle powered his shot that ricocheted into goal from the underside of the crossbar. Wow! That were what have Arsenal undone! Breath-taking stuffs! I do not think that Palace are better or have a more solid defence than the Gunners. So the Eagles will know this is where Eagles dare. Spurs also defended so stoutly, Mourinho-resque. Hojbjerg, the Great Dane was a masterful signing. He stops everything from the opponent. Spurs now boast the best defensive record. When Mourinho came, many expected Eric Dier to vanish as his form for club and country was not good. Now he is entrenched at the heart of Mourinho's defence and watched him in the last two games and thought he was really good. Spurs fans will have high hopes and are singing. Spurs are so good with defending now and Mourinho has removed that weakness that has plagued them. Welcome to the Kane and Son show. That is worth 2 goals. Oh yes also to the Zaha show that is worth a goal. 1-2.

Fulham v Liverpool - Fulham's defeat to City at the Etihad was no shame. I thought they played really well. They could have gotten something had it been another opponent but unfortunately they are now hosting a Liverpool side written off many times for various reasons and in this season ravaged by too many injuries and where even pundits and experts predicted they will be frustrated by Wolves but they promptly came up 4-0 winners. Again Salah was brilliant and even Matip scored. The toast must go to Gini Wijnaldum for all he did and oh that goal! The Reds are joint-leaders behind Spurs on goal difference. Salah scored again in the Champions League. Klopp made many changes for that trip to Midtjylland and fielded a very young team where 19 year old Leighton Clarkson and Rhys Williams and later even 18 year old Billy Koumetio played with Kelleher continuing in goal. This will give the other players sufficient rest and rejuvenation to visit Craven Cottage for full points. 0-2.

Arsenal v Burnley - The Gunners were trapped at Spurs in the first half and only came out with more direction and purpose in attacking flow and eventually had 11 shots to Spurs 6 and 70% possession overall and yet defeated by two brilliant goals. While Son Heung-Min has scored 10 goals for Spurs, Arsenal has the same amount for the entire team, so you can figure out the difference and where they have been short. Arsenal's poor form cannot drag on and must win a game like this at the Emirates. If the Gunner should turn the corner it must be here. It does not matter how it is done or what the score reads, it must be a win. It must not get worse. 2-1.

Leicester v Brighton - Leicester have lost some sparkle. Despite dropping points they are still in 4th and that was due to their early season form. How good was Jamie Vardy? He can be kept quiet for 89 minutes and then if he gets half a chance, he scores. Brighton continue to play well without getting the results they need but the Foxes are undefeated in 6 games to Brighton. Brighton could surprise or be stubborn on the day but they have been playing well without getting the deserved results. 2-1.