EPL 2020/21 - Game Week 13

Fast and furious! Arsenal are in complete meltdown. Liverpool are the walking dead. Newcastle, Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and heck even Manchester United and City are in unfamiliar territory. Everton, West Ham, Leicester and especially Southampton are having new lives after finding their fun packs and life hacks. Its anybody's game. A leveller of a season. 

West Ham winning away over Leeds would have been an unlikely event but it has happened often enough so it is no fluke.  Aston Villa and Newcastle have more wins than losses which were things that even they found hard to believe. That both Manchester clubs were playing for a point rather than to win got even Roy Keane shaking his heads and furious when he saw players hugging one another in such a derby after the game. High-flying Chelsea were knocked off their perch by a resurgent Everton. Southampton have been amazing and deserved their 4th spot, even quietly better than Chelsea in 5th. Tottenham are still the leaders, ahead of Champions Liverpool in 2nd on goal difference. Worst off are Arsenal in 15th just 5 points above relegation zone. Just looking at Southampton and Sheffield United shows us what a difference a year makes.

This season saw the rise of goalkeepers from the smaller teams that should not only keep you entertained but they deserve some pay raise. 3 of them came to mind last weekend - Vicente Guaita kept Palace in the game with some great saves. Fulham's Alphonse Areola was Man-of-the Match against Liverpool and Nick Pope was the same for Burnley against Arsenal. These three could have played for any ot the top teams.

The mid-week games are here at ungodly hours. How to watch? In fact, how to play if you are the players. Even writing this so quickly can cause me an injury. Some publications, media and writers have been conspicuously absent during the pandemic. I hope nothing is wrong there and that they will be back. 

Wolves v Chelsea - Wolves are still a good side but they have not been the same as in previous seasons and it showed they have been over reliant on Raul Jimenez. They should be a top six to eight side but now in 13th. Chelsea have been good away and have been winning all the time till Everton put a stop to them at Goodison Park. 0-4 away to Liverpool and 0-1 at home to Villa have not been typical Wolves. Chelsea were hurt by Everton and will be in the mood. If Wolves score first they may have a chance. I will not be surprise if it ends a draw even as Chelsea are good enough to win. Hey, its pandemic season. 1-1.

Manchester City v WBA - City are in 9th, such an unlikely position for Guardiola's great team. WBA have been a battling team but they allowed Newcastle to score within 19 seconds fought to level and then end up losers by the 82 minute. City have 6 cleans sheets in their last 6 games. City won this tie 8 times when they have met. Sam Johnstone will have a busy night. 3-0. 

Arsenal v Southampton - With just a few thousand fans allowed, Mikel Arteta should feel thankful that it was not the usual full capacity at the Emirates. Otherwise, the heat generated would have been too much. Burnley at home was a game they should have and must win to turn things around but for the excellence of Nick Pope and the Gunners own inability to win where even a top player like their captain Aubameyang who not only have stopped scoring but now putting the ball into his own net must surely be the peak of frustration. It was only Burnley's second win of their season. The Gunners lack discipline, character and are vulnerable and now making history for the wrong reasons that you have to go back to 1959. In their worst form, they now have to host a fantastic Southampton side who Arsenal must be hoping to be like them. Maybe they are looking at Ralph Hassenhuttl. Or at least how he could transform the Saints to play like they do despite having much lesser to spend. Arsenal have lost their last 4 home games while the Saints are undefeated away games. I do not wish to pile more misery on Arsenal but Southampton just looks too good. 1-2.

Leeds v Newcastle - Leeds have faltered since they have beaten Everton away. These days, playing attractive soccer and having possession do not guarantee results but Leeds will play like Leeds under Bielsa. Steve Bruce has got the Magpies flying a bit. Ironically, the Magpies' two previous wins and a single defeat in 5 away show they are in better for than Leeds who lost their last two. Leeds play much better than Newcastle but results have been inconsistent. Newcastle do not win all the time and after and after two wins they are due a defeat and it is likely to be here. 2-1.

Leicester v Everton - Vardy and Maddison were on fire as Leicester cruised to a 3-0 win over Brighton which was certainly an impressive result but Everton is a different kettle of fish as they have certainly improved defensively as they kept a clean sheet against Chelsea's potent attack. Vardy and Maddison destroyed Brighton last week but Brighton could have scored twice before Leicester struck. James Maddison second goal was outrageous as he shimmied and turned before unleashing a curling shot into goal with his left foot. To me, Maddison is as good as Jack Grealish as they could create and score with some outlandish moves. Both would need to win to ensure they are top 4 or 6. It is interesting in that both sides will have a real test fi they are really in the mix and both teams would have been inspired by the performance and result of their last matches. 2-2.

Fulham v Brighton - These two teams are identical that they have been playing well without getting the results they deserved. They just have to keep playing the same way and believe. Fulham should be full of vigour after that Liverpool display while Brighton were trounced by Leicester 3-0. Fulham's French goalie Alphonse Areola who has been good this season was outstanding against Liverpool having made so many good saves. In theory, if Fulham can hold Liverpool, surely they could beat the Seagulls. Wrong s Brighton is due a win and Fulham a defeat and they may have overstretched themselves against Liverpool.  1-2.

Liverpool v Spurs - Liverpool were really very poor at Craven Cottage. For like half an hour they were chasing Fulham shadows as they host played like men possessed from the whistle and were first to every ball, made all their crosses dangerous, passes accurate and with very good movement such that you wonder how or why they are languishing at the bottom. With in-form Jota out for two months, Joel Matip's latest injury and evryone else playing quite badly, it took a second half wake up to see them chasing the game. Of course if you had watched the game, Fulham's goal should not be allowed as Salah was first to the ball to clear it but he got a big shove from the back and it was a clear foul that the match officials missed but then Fulham deserved credit for the way they played and their point. Salah of course converted the penalty that was given when substitute Aboubakar Kamara aka AK47 git his hands up in the wall to block a free-kick. 

How then will Liverpool cope now unless they they play to their best and their long standing unbeaten record at Anfield is at threat from the Kane and Son show and Spurs being back to their Spursy best. Spurs have their own issue as they allowed Crystal Palace to come back for a draw as they sat back after Kane's long range goal. 19 year old Curtis Jones is a glimmer of hope as he should have scored against Fulham after running 3 quarter of the pitch in a solo run that saw him beat 2 players but his shot was saved. Klopp must find a way to rejuvenate his players as the famed front three especially Mane has been barren. He has to increase the team's energy level and lift the mood as there is no other way and Spurs are coming on a high with Mourinho. The Reds won their last 5 meetings but this is a different Spurs. It is first v second but Mourinho will be cautious and deploy a soak and strike. Liverpool are very crippled at the moment so its a good chance for Spurs to pull one over but this is Anfield and Liverpool must respond as they often have. Remember, 0-3 down to the great Barcelona with Messi at the Nou Camp, without Firmino, Salah and Robertson - their most important players and they won 4-0 at Anfield. Pep Lijnders have said the young players are stepping up like Curtis Jones. He said young players are like young trees protected by the big trees in a forest and when one big tree or two have fallen the young tree grows up and continues growing inside our forest. A draw is very likely as Mourinho will play his team like he did at Arsenal with only 30% of the ball and won 2-0. When it did not work to plan it ends up like Crystal Palace. Though I think Liverpool could win it as they have always been but that is if they play at their own real level. This match is a statement of intent from the top two teams. 1-1.

West Ham v Crystal Palace - West Ham must not be doubted as they have shown this season they are different and are very good and they have no fear for any team. Palace themselves played to their strength when they came back against Spurs. If Alphonse Areola was the star keeper that stopped Liverpool for Fulham then Vicente Guaita was huge for Palace as he almost single-handedly kept Palace in the game with some incredible saves. Palace did the double over the Hammers last season in the London Derby and it is time for West Ham to reverse that fortune as they are brimming with confidence. Palace may occasionally put in a good shift but West Ham are really good at this moment. Palace could get something here as they can be dogged like last week with Spurs but there is something about West Ham this season. 2-1.

Aston Villa v Burnley - Villa's away win at the Molineux was impressive. If that were the case, then Burnley's own 1-0 win over Arsenal at the Emirates was of equally great value. Villa Park however has not been a fortress as they have lost three in a row contrasting the Clarets' away win at the Emirates and keeping a clean sheet. Nick Pope has been outstanding carrying his last season's form till now. Did you know that West Ham, Villa and Burnley share something in common? They all sport the claret and blue home kits. Such unique, traditional colours. Burnley's result have improved while Villa have regressed. 1-1.

Sheffield United v Manchester United - The Blades have been totally blunt and are still the only team without a win having only scored 5 goals in 12 matches and were torn apart by the Saints last week and then from the frying pan they are now going into the fire as they host the Red Devils. Besides, keeping on going and fighting, their hope may rest with and indifferent United side plagued by their own hosts of issues but Solskjaer and De Gea have made bold statements that United could win the title this season. While it is good to be optimistic, the battle must be won on the pitch and not on paper. United have won 5 out of 5 away and this looks like a perfect chance to rectify their exit from Champions League. In all their 5 away victories they came from behind to win. If the Blades win this one, the Red side of Manchester will burn. 0-2.