EPL 2020/21 - Game Week 16

The Christmas to the New Year period is the most brutal part of the English Premier League and even more so in Covid year. It makes or breaks teams and players. Even the fans could be left breathless with games coming and going furiously. There will be some surprises coming...or maybe not.

A Supercomputer has predicted for example that Arsenal will get worse...but they will avoid relegation. How about the others? Before the year is through and a few games short of the halfway line how do you think your teams should be graded? Here is what I think (current position):

A Teams - (1) Liverpool, (2) Leicester, (4) Everton, (5) Chelsea, (6) Tottenham, (7) Southampton, 

B Teams - (3) Manchester United, (9) Aston Villa, (10) West Ham, (14) Leeds, 

C Teams - (8) Manchester City, (11) Wolves, (12) Newcastle, (13) Crystal Palace, (16) Burnley, 

D -  (17) Brighton - (18) Fulham, 

E - (19) WBA,

F - (15) Arsenal, (20) Sheffield United.

Liverpool are A + because except for a terribly strange result at Villa they are still tops despite many injuries. That solid 7-0 win may be of more to come. Leicester should be A but have now lost 5 times so they should be A-. 3rd place Manchester United are at B+ as they could go up to somewhere on A depending what they do in the next half or so. Everton has dropped off a little but they are much better this season, probably same level as Leicester and now back to winning. Chelsea was A initially but a bit higher than B so between B and B+. Tottenham are the same as Chelsea so the same marks. Southampton gets an A for me as I admire how Ralph Hassenhuttl made them into such a good team. Manchester City are a A+ team but this season for their performances and results are a C+ to B but with the squad they have will surely bounce back soon.

Aston Villa started as A but now about B. West Ham and Villa are very similar. This season, Wolves are different and are C to C-. Newcastle was B for awhile but now surely C to C-. Crystal Palace was B+ but have dropped to C or C-. Leeds are a B+ team but results are not coming their way but are attractive to watch so they are a B-. Burnley had a miserable start but have since moved from F or E to C. Brighton play like C+ or B but results are almost E so they are a D. Fulham was like Burnley moving from F to E to now D+ or C-. WBA are a D-E. 

Crystal Palace v Leicester - It is now obvious that the 7-0 hammering by Liverpool has affected the Eagles. They worked hard, had 61% possession against Villa and lost 0-3 after trailing 0-1 and allowed Villa to score twice with 10 men. The Foxes on the other hand played competitively and came back twice to equalize against United and what a goal from 23 year old winger Harvey Barnes. How did he score when he was surrounded by 3 men and even find an angle for a glorious belter past De Gea. Yet again Jamie Vardy proved that he is one of the best. The 33 year old had few chances and whenever he gets one or half, he puts it away. Palace will have to brace themselves because Leicester are a very good team. 0-2.

Chelsea v Aston Villa - Villa must beware as Chelsea looked good when they trounce the Hammers 3-0. While Villa are just a point above West Ham by game week 14, Villa are better attackers these days, scored more goals and have a better defence. In fact, Villa have been the most exciting team going forward - such attacking verve. With 10 men after silly Tyrone Mings got himself sent off, Villa found not only the resolve but the attacking verve to score two more. To me, once again Jack Grealish was outstanding. He could have scored at least once and provided 3 assists but for the woodwork and Vicent Guaita who saved quite a few. Ollie Watkins was also outstanding as he could have scored a hattrick. Just what else he had to do to score and when almost did the goalkeeper saved and when beaten the post came to their rescue. Villa have been the most improved side in the premier league. Meanwhile, Chelsea had the biggest stumble when they not only lost their London Derby 1-3 but to an Arsenal side lacking confidence prior in their game. Big question marks as Lampard must be scratching his head. Villa as level on points with Chelsea with a single goal better goal difference but two games in hand. This showed how far the Villans have come. By no means will Chelsea have it easy. 2-2.

Everton v Manchester City - Everton must really believe they are going places this season. A difficult away 1-0 win over Sheffield United puts them into 2nd place. Gabriel Jesus and Kyle Walker are out with Covid but City have strength in depth. City are still strong but are not the same as in the last couple of seasons. If the Toffees are really challenging for honours this term, these are the games they must win. In the past, City will dominate and will find a way past Everton but things have changed as City may still dominate possession but they have been less clinical while Everton are now able to hurt more. Everton may surprise. 1-1.

Brighton v Arsenal - I thought Arsenal were impressive in the 3-1 win over Chelsea. If they could keep up that level there is no cause for concern. Arteta's faith in his young guns paid off handsomely. Emile Smith-Rowe not only played well but provided an assist. Bukayo Saka scored an amazing goal! The question left begging now is have the Gunners turned the corner? Brighton played well yet again at West Ham and led twice but allowed the Hammers to level twice and only got a point. If Arsenal do not maintain what they have done to Chelsea then Brighton could get something here. Another win will surely see Arsenal's spirit soaring. 1-2.

Burnley v Sheffield United - Burnley threw everything including the kitchen sink at Leeds towards the later part of the game but just could not get the ball in. Sheffield United fought hard against Everton and still ended in a 0-1 defeat and still without a win in 15 games. Both have had the same luck. At some point the Blades should get a win right? When will it come? Who shall it be against? 1-1.

Southampton v West Ham - The Saints struggled a bit at Fulham as they were without their best defender, midfielder and striker - Vestergaard, Romeu and Ings. Romeu should return from suspension. Both teams have similarly improved much this season as their respective 9th and 10th position lends credence. It should be a good game as both sides plays good football. 2-2.

WBA v Leeds - Sam Allardyce avoided defeat at Anfield on his last four visits there and each with a different club. Only Big Sam can do a thing like that. HIs strategy was simply to defend from the start with all men and hope to survive what Liverpool can throw at them, get a goal from a counter-attack or from a set piece. If he could keep on he could keep the Baggies up. He will set up WBA the same way and Marcelo Bielsa should know well after watching the Liverpool game that is shall not be easy. 1-1.

Manchester United v Wolves - The Red Devils were impressive against Leicester but still failed to capitalize despite leading twice. Bruno Fernandes is in a class of his own for he is often scoring or providing assists. Top class and phenomenal! Edison Cavani made a big impact with that assist and we must not forget how good Marcus Rashford was. Fernandes has been rescuing United on so many occasions and he is a sensational player! United better pray he stays injury-free. Wolves are not as good as they should be but they have just came fighting back against Spurs despite a goal down by the 1st minute. So they could frustrate any team unless United can maintain top form. Just look at their Chelsea win. 1-1.

Spurs v Fulham - Spurs have been stumbling since Jose Mourinho said "the best team lost" and are without a win in four matches gaining only 2 points and now in 5th. Fulham have improved greatly and are unbeaten in four with four draws to Liverpool, Brighton, Newcastle and Southampton with two clean sheets. Spurs have a squad with great attacking qualities so why did Mourinho has his team sit back and continue playing this way? Their motto of "To Dare Is To Do" has not been adhered to. Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min have been rather quiet recently. Was it their form having dropped or Mourinho's stifling strategy? Fulham are unyielding so Spurs can't win without their attacking best. If Spurs dare to do they can win. 2-1.

Newcastle v Liverpool - Allan Saint-Maximin and Jamal Lascelles are out with Covid. The Magpies were easily downed 0-2 by City but Liverpool failed to capitalize on Sadio Mane's 12th minute goal at Anfield which was with sublime control and a deadly finish against Sam Allardyce's WBA who defended deep with 10 men behind their goalkeeper and hoped to score through a counter or set piece. It is always good to have an early goal against such a team and the least they have to do was to keep their lead. The Reds had at least 82% of the ball just in the first half but somewhat lost their rhythm in the second. Liverpool squandered their chance to lead with more points. Sam Johnstone's late save from a Firmino header was crucial. Furhter bad news for Liverpool as Joel Matip who was easily the Man-of-the-Match limped off with yet another injury. He is fragile as he has just came back from injury. Newcastle have lost 3 and drew 1 in their last 4 matches. It was understandable for Klopp to be furious as dropping two points to WBA could haunt them so a convincing win here is much needed. 0-2.