EPL 2021/2022 - Game Week 15

I have to skip Game Week 14 played so soon after the weekend and at ungodly hours which means I do not get to watch. While I was watching Game Week 13, it was hard to watch in a few matches let alone play because of the heavy snow so much so that the Burnley v Spurs match had to be postponed. 

Game Week 15

West Ham v Chelsea - West Ham missed the opportunity with City missing a few key players. Manuel Lanzini's goal was a thing of beauty but scan consolation but they did compete well. The Hammers are having a little slump having lost twice and drew once in their last three games. Chelsea dominated United but have nothing to show for at the end. I thought Antonio Rudiger was quite outstanding but the usually excellent keeper Eduoard Mendy has a poor game. However, they were lucky to have stole three points at Watford as the Hornets dominated them with more shots and chances and higher xG. Both sides are tough to break down and unless Chelsea continue their trend of winning when not playing well it may end as a draw but West Ham have to stopped Lukaku who may be back. For the Hammers, Declan Rice has been very good and need to halt Jorginho while Antonio need to be back among the goals. He has been a revelation. 1-1.

Newcastle v Burnley - With slightly more than a third of the season gone, the Magpies are still without a win even when they played Norwich at St. James Park and even with new manager Eddie Howe. Burnley are currently draw specialists as their last 3 games were 1-1, 3-3 and 0-0. The Magpies too with 1-1. 3-3 and 1-1 except for a 0-2 deficit to Arsenal. The richest club must stop the rot here as they may just end up building from scratch a division lower. History suggests that till now Newcastle are undefeated at St. James Park in their last eight meetings. Burnely are quite solid at the back but lacks creativity going forward and Sean Dyche will look to exploit their opponent's vulnerability. Though a draw looks likely, I think its time the home side win for the first time. 2-1. 

Southampton v Brighton - Southampton played a good game as they led Leicester twice. Forget that game where to lost 0-4 to Liverpool as the Reds were simply too good. Brighton are toothless up front and are back to being the draw specialist and it has continued with 0-0 with Leeds and 1-1 at West Ham. The Seagulls have 7 draws, the highest in the league just like Crystal Palace but the Saints have six draws. Brighton are winless in nine matches and the Saints must feel confident here. 1-1.

Wolves v Liverpool - Liverpool have been rampant. They have now scored 43 goals in 14 games. In the Champions League they scored 15 goals in 5 games. Just last week, they became the first team to have scored 2 goals or more for 17 games in a row since 1927 achieved by Sunderland and after hammering Everton 4-1 at Goodison Park with another 2 goals from Mohamed Salah, he now leads the Premier League top scorer chart with a ridiculous 13 goals! 19 goals in all competition this season and rated 7th best in the world? Jamie Vardy has 9. Even Diogo Jota is third with 8 and Sadio Mane in fourth has 7 goals! Salah's and Jota's goals were so well taken and even Captain Jordan Henderson has started to score of late. Jota's goal was of elite class! Henderson's was sublime and one touch soccer at its best! Watch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJP9Ba8J7ew (Everton v Liverpool)

Salah's goals/assists and fantastic performance has made a mockery of the Ballon d'Or for he is the best player on the planet right now. Period. Wolves are having some problem lately. They did not score for two games but they can be tough to break down. Liverpool have been scoring early these days and if they continues, it is possible for another win. Salah, Jota, Thiago, TAA  and even Henderson are all peaking nicely. 0-3.

Watford v Manchester City - If Watford play like they did Chelsea they could give a proper match here but then City are too and somehow could win games like they did at Villa Park. Bernado Silva's goal and performance has been nothing short of outstanding. It looks bleak as Watford have not beaten or even draw City forever more. Just in their last three meetings City have won 6-0, 8-0 and 4-0. 1-3.

Leeds v Brentford - Leeds were as toothless as Brighton that was why they played to a goalless draw and got a Raphinha penalty at the death to beat Palace 1-0. Brentford may have lost to Spurs but they will keep coming at you. I see them level at the go. Maybe even till the end. 1-1.

Manchester United v Crystal Palace - It was kind of strange when their interim-interim manager Michael Carrick left Ronaldo on the bench. Firstly, he was the interim of interim manager Ralf Rangnick. It was clear he planned to have an extra defensive midfielder in  the middle but opted instead for Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho. Even when Ronaldo came in later, he did nothing but only to earn a yellow card. Surprisingly Fred was quite outstanding, perhaps their best player. Jadon Sancho is flying and they should build the team around him. A player with 18 goals and 18 assists while he was with Borussia Dortmund is phenomenal. Interim interim manager Michael Carrick has done well with a draw at Chelsea and a win over Arsenal before announcing that he was leaving. Now Ralf Rangnick takes charge for the first time. Palace have recently slipped a bit but remember what they did to the other Manchester team City when they won 2-0 at the Etihad. The Eagles actually have a good record versus the Red Devils. The last four times they met, Palace have won twice - 3-1 and 2-1, lost once 1-2 and drew 0-0. More interestingly, will you see how Ralf Rangnick stamp his mark on his team so soon. Most may think it will be an easy win for the home side but I think Palace can be very good. 2-2.

Spurs v Norwich - Spurs visit to Burnley was postponed due to heavy snow and followed up with a 2-0 win over Brentford but with Conte you could actually see their work and progress and are now in 6th with 22 points and a game in hand behind Arsenal (5th - 23 points) and West Ham (4th - 24 points). Norwich are on a nice uneaten run of four games (winning twice). Spurs struggled to beat Norwich the last 3 times - 1-1, 2-1 and 2-2. Spurs have superior quality and a few players who could change a game. 2-1.

Aston Villa v Leicester City - Steven Gerrard has got Villa two wins including an away one over Palace after they haven't won for so long so he is ahead of schedule and and brought some magic. Losing to City narrowly with a good performance was no shame. Leicester have to come back twice to get a draw at Southampton but somehow was able to go up to 8th place. The Foxes are not winning enough but James Maddison and Jamie Vardy have been excellent. Gerrard will be facing his former Liverpool boos Brendan Rodgers. Draw. 2-2.

Everton v Arsenal - Everton's strong start has withered like flowers in winter. They could not crack Brentford and left pointless. Before that, Rafa's team melted under the Liverpool  heat. A defeat here will spell big trouble. There was a joke on the red side of Merseyside showing Rafa shaking hands with Klopp with the caption: "Thank you agent Rafa". Everton need a big restart having lost six and drew twice in right games. Arsenal look the better side but past meetings have often been close with the last time favouring the Toffees. 1-1.