How many of you are as excited as i am about tonights EPL games?. Well, my darlling team is at sixes and sevens right now but show must go on.
i therefore present to you, my take on the day's games.
Comments, criticisms and.... yes, likes are welcome.lol.
Lets go!
ARSENAL V SOUTHAMPTON
This match presents an exciting match up given the 4-0 drubbing received by the Gunners in the reverse fixture last time out when the Saints were even out of depth and short on confidence. The Gunners would however be buoyed by the return to action of their Chilean talisman in Alexis Sanchez and Mezut Ozil to nick this one against the Saints. Remarkably though, the Saints have been in an impressive resurgence winning three of their last league games including the very recent and memorable defeat of Manchester United at Old trafford and would understandably be in great confidence. The arrival of Charlie Austin has also increased the spring in the steps of the entire team and would bouy them to fancy their chances against their hosts.. Arsenal on the other hand, has not been in impressive form . They have won just two out of their last 6 games. Losing two and drawing two including the predictable defeat at the hands of Chelsea. i guess we are set for a frenetic match-up as the game between these two have always produced goals. Arsenal would however take consolation in their superior head to head having won 3 out of their last four outings against the Saints.
Verdict: i expect a a slim Arsenal victory.
WEST HAM V ASTON VILLA
West ham are 6th on the log and have seen an improved fortune under manager, Slaven Bilic who has taken the scalp of the likes of City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool already this season and would be hoping to make a mince meat of Aston Villa. Upton Park remains a fortress for the Hammers who would be hoping to bounce back quickly from their disappointing draw with Liverpool in the FA Cup with a victory. West ham have won an impressive 3 out of their last game, losing only once and must have counted themselves unlucky not to win against City. Villa on the other hand, are rooted to the bottom of the league and have won just once in 6 games. having been demolished 4-0 at home by City in the FA Cup, the team would be understandably short on confidence and would be banking on their survival instincts to remain afloat in the league.The head to head record between the two is also firmly in the Hammers' favour with the West London club winning two out of 4 and drawing twice against the viiilains.
i reckon a comfortable Westham Victory.
LEICESTER CITY V LIVERPOOL
A match between these two back in December, saw a slim Liverpool victory. Remarkably, Leicester were flying high at the time and were the bookies' favourites to win. Liverpool Orchsetrated an upset. A lot has changed since then though in the fortunes of the two teams. Leicester have Vardy back and firing again, with a very strong home support and with the news of an impending contract extension for Vardy, there is nothing more to say about the team other than positives. Liverpool on the otherhand, have serious defensive problems which the cleverly ochestrated and unexpected comeback win against Norwich City has done very little to conceal. Lovren is back and available and hopefully, he brings back some solidity. There are still question marks over Migniolet but the Reds just have to stick with him anyways. An inconsistent forward line of Firmino & Benteke remains a worry. They have shown against Norwich that they can sting anyone on their day, but Leicester's defence remains solid. Given the penchant of both teams for attacking football, we have an interesting match in our hands.
Verdict: A score draw.
SUNDERLAND V MAN CITY
The Citizens are second on the log and 3 points adrift of the leaders and would fancy their chances to go top tonight especially if Leicetser slip up at home. As easy as this game looks on paper, the fixture presents a familiar banana peel for the Etihad outfit. Remember when everyone expected Aston Villa to be demolished by City in Remi Garde's first game in charge and they came out with a disappointing draw? Aguero seems to have found his scoring boots again while Silva is gradually rediscovering his silky touch to pull the strings again. The head to head between the two teams is quite slim and it would be interesting if Sam Alardyce's men can pull off an upset.
NORWICH V TOTTENHAM
The canaries would be relishing this test against their North London opponents especially following their disappointing loss to Liverpool in their last league game. The North London club are however very high on confidence and would break little or no sweat to win this one. Spurs have won four of their last six games losing only once to Newcastle back in December. They are 5th and just five points adrift of the leaders and two below Arsenal to stay comfortably in 4th place. Norwich are 17th and precariously flirting with relegation.. A comfortable Spurs win, i reckon.
MANCHESTER UNITED V STOKE CITY
Loius Van Gaal got the much needed reprieve from the FA Cup win over Derby. Fans however remain unconvinced over his capacity to steer the club to the desired spot on the log. The reverbrating rings of boos at Old Trafford in the defeat to Southampton underline the fans' discontent with their gaffer. An improvement in fortunes is necessary if not expedient for the Dutchman. Wiinning just twice in 6 games is hardly the kind of form a team with United's clout and ambition should aspire to. Van Gaal got a stay of execution with the win over Derby but the test, and i dare say, the real test starts tonight for him and his men. Stoke came out deserved 2-0 winners in the reverse fixture and would relish another opportunity to take Van Gaal's scalp. Am going for a score draw or a slim Stoke Victory.
CRYSTAL PALACE V BOURNEMOUTH
Crystal Palace have not won in 6 games but having won the FA CUP duel against Stoke, Alan Pardew's men would certainly fancy their chances in this one. Bournemouth are 16th and have won just once in 6 games. A potential attacking cracker of a game which could affect the fortunes of both teams in the coming weeks. Crystal Palace have been blunt in attack and have been drawing blanks in recent weeks and would be relying on the experience of Emmanuel Adebayor to get some reprieve.
Verdict: A score draw.
WEST BROMWICH ALBION V SWANSEA
Tony Pulis' men were disappointing in the FA Cup against Peterborough United and would be fancying their chances to bounce back. Swansea though would be buoyed by two wins on the bounce since the arrival of their new manager to upset the apple cart here and would want to consolidate their survival chances being 15th on the log. The Hawthorns however, remains a very difficult place to visit and could scupper their chances.
Verdict: West Brom Win.
EVERTON V NEWCASTLE
Both teams made deadline day signings to address problems in their squad. Everton though have been at the butt of criticism for the brazen way they surrender leads to opponents with the inexperience of John Stones showing. A key factor in the outcome of this game is the way the defences of both teams shape up.Goals are assured in this fixture as both managers would be embroiled in a battle of wits on how to ensure maximum points.
Verdict: An Everton win.
WATFORD V V CHELSEA
Chelsea won two games in a month in January since August and have shown vast improvement since Hiddink took over the helm and are steadily building the momentum for a push in the run-in. Who knows? with the crazy results already recorded this season, Chelsea could still make it in the European places. Quique Flores' men are however no push overs as the reverse fixture between the two showed when they settled for a draw. Though they have suffered a dip in form of late, Watford have demonstrated intent in the league this season. The aquisition of Mario Suarez from Fiorentina is a boost. Smarting from a 5-1 demolition of MK DONS in the FA CUP, Chelsea would certainly want to continue their progress under Hiddink with a win albeit a hard fought one.
No comments:
Post a Comment