EPL 2020/21 - Game Week 37
Wow! Oh wow!
Manchester United v Fulham - Manchester United in 2nd place and in the final of the Europa should see Solskjaer keeping his job despite many who have written him off. I like this kind of story for the underdogs. United are no longer underdogs and they could build from here. Fulham meanwhile should keep Scott Parker as their manager as they have often played well but without results. Such is the contrasting fortune of both teams. The Red Devils have slackened off as they have lost to Leicester 1-2 and Liverpool 2-4. Fulham have lost all their last 3 matches. With United leaking goals Fulham could get one here but Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood its a home win. 3-1.
Southampton v Leeds - Both teams are hot now. Southampton had two 3-1 wins at home over Palace and Fulham. Leeds were even more impressive with a 3-1 home win over Spurs and an away 4-0 routing of Burnley. Expect goals here. 2-2.
Brighton v Manchester City - Graham Potter is a fine manager and you could see it in the way the the Seagulls play. They just do not have enough quality upfront to convert. City have always been at another level. Before the season kicked off, I have said they are the favourites. City will likely use different players but will be too good. 0-2.
Chelsea v Leicester - They have just met in the F. A. Cup recently in which Leicester won 1-0. Before that Leicester had also earlier beaten Chelsea 2-0 in the league in January. Leicester have been Chelsea's jinx team. This match has huge bearing on top four finish. Leicester have 66 points, Chelsea 64 and Liverpool 63. If the match ends in a draw and Liverpool wins, Liverpool go to 4th. If Chelsea win they 67 points and go to 3rd and if Liverpool wins they go to 4th over Leicester over goal difference. In other words both can only afford to win just as Liverpool do. Chelsea have lost their last 2 games 0-1 to Arsenal and Leicester (F.A. Cup) just as they were looking so unbeatable. If they lose top four and the UCL final they could suddenly end up with nothing. The Foxes may spring another surprise. 0-1.
Everton v Wolves - Everton and Wolves can be said to have a poor season. Everton based on the high quality of the manager in Carlo Ancelotti and their investment plus solid start to the season and Wolves on their results in the past seasons. At this point, both sides are struggling a bit. Draw. 1-1.
Newcastle v Sheffield United - The Magpies have not only survived but have been putting on some scintillating displays with impressive results such that Steve Bruce won manager of the month recently. The Blades may have been relegated but they went to Goodison Park and had Everton beaten. No stroll in the park here but Newcastle looks good for a win. 2-0.
Spurs v Aston Villa - Spurs are still inconsistent and unpredictable but at least they are a bit more fun to watch now. Dele Alli's return to their lineup seems like the expression. With a new hairdo that has his hair braided and sporting a moustache and with the way he runs, he is a spitting image of Johnny Depp in the Pirates of the Caribbean. Mauricio Pochettino was still the best manager by a mile. This could be Harry Kane's last season as he may seek greener pastures to win trophies. It was reported that United, City and Chelsea are interested. Wow! Imagine Kane with these teams. Kane and Son are Spurs' best players. The Kane and Son show was so evident earlier in the season and they will do it again. Score and Kane will lead the goal-scoring chart. 2-1.
Crystal Palace v Arsenal - Roy Hodgson still got his tricks as he led Palace to a fine win over Villa after coming back three times. The last 3 games between then in this London Derby eneded in draw. Palace's 3-2 win over Villa was impressive but the Gunners are now 4 undefeated. They have even beaten Chelsea (1-0). It can be a typical London derby game but Arsenal should edge it and get a win. 1-2.
Burnley v Liverpool - Magic! Alisson Becker became the first goalkeeper to score a headed goal in stoppage time with a last chance saloon corner in EPL history which was a last gasp win to keep the Reds' chances of a top four finish alive! However, this will be useless if they do not win their last two matches. Against a team like WBA, you should not allow them to score especially to take the lead. That was poor defending. Salah's sublime leveler helped to equalize and also level Harry Kane as top scorer with 22 league goals. Liverpool as usual dominated with 76% possession, had 26 shots after creating 26 chances but scored only twice. That has been their problem. The clock was ticking away, the hopes diminishing and out came Alisson for the corner where in most cases hardly result in anything. Alisson leapt like a seasoned forward and headed TAA's left wing corner with a perfect header into the corner of the net. They cannot let this go to waste. Liverpool like to give their fans heart attack! Alisson could not go back to Brazil on his dad's passing just like Klopp could not return to Germany on his mum's passing as they were locked down at the time. Liverpool must learn to lockdown their borders and stop giving away goals through defensive errors. Some governments have to learn that too and once you let your enemy leaks in, it is always be too late. Prevention is better than cure. Funnily, Liverpool are the most in form team in the last six matches as they remain unbeaten. Burnley are 8 games winless at Turf Moor and gave problem to Liverpool previously. It is a must win for Liverpool or their top four finish will go up in smoke. Burnley need to watch the man wearing number 1 who may score for Liverpool but if Liverpool depended on that again it means trouble. 0-2.
WBA v West Ham - The Baggies once again gave Liverpool some hell with an early goal and played everyone at the back and kept their opponents at bay with some good goalkeeping by Sam Johnstone. If only big Sam Allardyce came earlier. By any measurement, West Ham and David Moyes have been a huge success with their style and results throughout the season and it is only in their last 5 results where they won once and drew once. Time for a Hammers win. 1-2.
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