EPL 2020/21 - Game Week 31

8 matches to go, no time and points to lose. Whatever your ambitions or lack of. The main question is not if but when Manchester City will lift the league title trophy following their 2-0 win at Leicester. Neighbour United's 2-1 win over Brighton kept them in second while Leicester remain third. Chelsea were stunned 2-5 by bottom dweller WBA at Stamford Bridge and stayed in fourth on 51 points, five behind Leicester. Tottenham were dismal as they let slip and drew 2-2 at Newcastle. Liverpool made the most of the situation to win impressively at Arsenal 3-0. Manchester United won 2-1 versus Brighton with a late winner from Mason Greenwood. While Everton were held 1-1 by Crystal Palace, West Ham shone once again in their best season yet with a fine 3-2 win over Wolves and who else was so brilliant but Jesse Lingard who scored first and provided an assist and makes you wonder why Solskjaer let him go. 8 games to go. Do or die. 

Fulham v Wolves - Fulham crumbled 1-3 at Villa Park though the proceedings looked quite equal and that was a setback to avoid relegation. Depends on how badly affected were the Cottagers by last week's defeat as Wolves have not won a match in 5 attempts drawing twice. Fulham need the points more than Wolves and can become vulnerable as they need to be brave and that is where Wolves can exploit but Wolves own struggle means it will end a draw. 1-1.

Manchester City v Leeds - No team can stop Pep Guardiola's boys this season. Leeds included. Leeds can be unpredictable but City have been very good. Guardiola may even rest some players for Champions League action next week but it will not make a big difference. They have such luxury. City often win by scoring 2 or 3 goals each game and they shall do so again but Leeds may get one back. 3-1.

Liverpool v Aston Villa - The Reds' horrible spell seemed to be over. The wobble is gone as they won four games straight with four clean sheets. A season ago, it was the norm and they were so badly hit no one knew how they could be back. Liverpool controlled the entire proceedings from the start but were just lacking a goal. Then in came Diogo Jota in th 61st minute. It took him merely 3 minutes to show his absolute class when he darted between two Arsenal defenders to power home a bullet header. The cross that was delivered was as good if not better. It was a message from Trent Alexander-Arnold to England manager Gareth Southgate who has hastily left him out of his squad. There is no one in the EPL or England that could deliver a cross so wicked. Only David Beckham could do that. Both David and Trent could cross a ball without beating defenders and getting behind to get to the bye line for such a cross but then again has has a poor outing at Real Madrid and SOtugate may be right after all as he has many choices in that position and TAA just sucks at defending. He often stands tall while defending and that makes him easy to beat without any knee bent. He is not quick and also not a tackler like Walker or Wan-Bissaka. Jota got his second to continue his red hot form and Salah goal was also quite something as he shirked off a strong challenge, raced through and nutmegged Leno to find the net. It has been different because as I have been saying for a long time that Fabinho has to stay in midfield. There is none like him. If you read comics, there are some super hero stories where there is a gatekeeper to prevent and stop anyone from passing. "You shall not pass" and he is that super hero. Then came the horror show where they were beaten 3-1. Now as in before, only the most faithful and the brave will start thinking back to Istanbul where they overcame the greatest AC Milan side and Barcelona at Anfield and hope for a miracle. Rafa Benitez was right when he said to stop Real Madrid you have to stop Toni Kroos and Luka Modric and Liverpool failed to do that as both provided an assist each. Now Klopp has more questions than answers. I felt Klopp should have played Thiago than Keita who has hardly featured. 

Villa recorded their first win in 5 attempts with 3 late goals against Fulham last week. The last tie at Villa park was a shocked 7-2 in for Villa. It will be a huge 3 point for Liverpool at Anfield. They cannot slip. It sahll also be a huge morale booster to welcome Real Madrid to Anfield next week. Kabak and Philips partnership that yielded 4 clean sheets came toll thrive. The Reds must win to try for top four at least. 2-0. 

Crystal Palace v Chelsea - 14 games unbeaten since he took over from Frank Lampard with many clean sheets, Tuchel found himself stunned at Stamford Bridge as WBA hammered his team 5-2 for a shocker. Mason Mount scored once and did so again with a moment of magic when he scored once again at Porto to help Chelsea with an away 2-0 win in the Champions League. The goal was world class really and would make a top striker envious. Those critics who believed that Frank Lampard gave him preferential treatment and that he is overrated are eating their words now. Ben Chiwell got their second goal and will push Luke Shaw all the way for England's first choice left back. Luke Shaw has been nothing but outstanding this season but Chiwell somehow has more goals and assists for Chelsea. Look at the goal he scored against Porto! Palace are no pushovers and Chelsea will need to work hard. Will they olay like they did WBA or Porto? Chelsea's most frequent winning score have been 1-0 and 2-0. Palace can't compare but they did hold United 0-0 and Everton 1-1 so they can be tricky. 1-1.

Burnley v Newcastle - Burnely led Southampton 2-0 last week but went back empty handed as the Saints hit 3 past them. The Magpies on the other hand stunned Spurs by leading and later with a late equalizer. Both sides need to win to keep safe. Newcastle were quite good versus Spurs but Burnley won't be easily beaten. Newcastle have not won in 7 but drew 4 times. Burnley also drew 4 times in their last 7 and won once. This match looks headed for a draw. 2-2.

West Ham v Leicester - 6 goals, 3 assists in 8 games for the Hammers and a recall to the England squad. Jesse Lingard's fortunes has turned around. Leicester's defeat to City  left them in 3rd place. West Ham are the mot improved team this season but Leicester are different opposition. There will be goals! Both sides are capable of winning but Vardy have not scored for a long time and Harvey Barnes is still out. They are still playing well but West Ham have the edge here with Jesse Lingard looking like a million bucks but the Hammers are conceding goals too. It could end a high scoring draw. 2-2.

Spurs v Manchester United - If not for Harry Kane, where will Spurs be. If his shot did not hot the post he would not only get his hattrick but also save Spurs but they allowed Newcastle to steal a point in the 87th minute. That was not good preparation to welcome the Red Devils. United have improved since they thrashed 1-6 by Spurs. That is why they are 2nd. Another draw or worse a defeat will be a nightmare for Jose Mourinho. Spurs can score 2 or 3 a game with Kane but Son has been a bit quiet. Spurs must attack on ore front than just relying on Kane. United are scoring less these days with 1 or 2. If Mourinho and Solskjaer decide to play it safe it could end up an anti-climax like 0-0 which was what United got 3 games in a row from late February to early March. Or it could end up a thriller. Which do you think it would be? 2-2.

Sheffield United v Arsenal - Sheffield United are goners. A 1-2 defeat at Elland Road showed the same thing for almost an entire season. This is a chance for the Gunners to salvage some pride. A poor result would add more pressure on Arteta. The Blades won here last season but since then both have fallen. Arsenal have their ups and downs, Sheffield United just down with most of their matches ended in red ink o the score line. After being undefeated in 5 Arsenal have now not won in 4 games. I expect them to bounce back this time. 1-2.

WBA v Southampton - Sam Allardyce trained his boys really well as there are no other ways to explain how they tore Chelsea apart when the rest could not, not even teams with European royalty. They were really so good, it must have been their best this season and if they were to play like that each week, they should be in the Champions League. Southampton's win over Burnley was good too. The Baggies' win over Chelsea was stunning while the Saints were gritty. WBA only lost twice and won twic in their last 7 outings. Southampton lost 4 and won 3. Both are hitting the net a few times a game. Could be a thriller at the Hawthorns. 3-3.

Brighton v Everton - The Seagulls are not entirely safe and need to fight for the points. For the way they have been playing and losing 1-2 to United last week was no shame. In fact, they played really well at Old Trafford but still ended with nothing. That summed up their season. Finishing or lack of it. Everton are in a bit of worrying form. 3 defeats and the last one a draw at home to Palace are nothing to shout about but they do carry a game in hand. They have only score 3 in 5 games. Brighton got 7 in 5. I say its a draw. 1-1.