Hi everyone! I'm back after a long 2 week hiatus. I guarantee you guys that there will be a slew of entries coming up your way.
As usual, today being Saturday, it's time for Soccer Saturdate. And this week's features sees two derbies in play: the North London derby between Spurs and Arsenal, as well as late kickoff, the Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool. Of course, there are other games happening as well, with Villa taking on Chelsea in a repeat of the infamous tie in which Villa won and Chelsea had 2 players as well as Jose Mourinho sent off. Additionally, relegation 6 pointers are at stake for Leicester and Crystal Palace, and QPR seeks to win at home once again against a Southampton side reeling from a surprise defeat last week. Other games include 2nd place Man City taking on Hull, and Swansea taking on Sunderland.
Do hit the comments and let me know what you think of my predictions, or you can include your own predictions as well :) Stay tuned tomorrow for my coverage of the other 3 games. Cheers!
Soccer Saturdate: Week 24
Spurs (6th) vs Arsenal (5th) Singtel TV Chn102, StarHub TV Chn227, 2045
Form
|
|
Spurs
(12-4-7)
|
Arsenal
(12-6-5)
|
Last 5 games: DWLWW
Last 5 home games: WWWWL
|
Last 5 games: WLWWW
Last 5 away games: DWLWW
|
Injuries/Suspensions
|
|
Spurs
|
Arsenal
|
None
|
Injuries: Oxlade-Chamberlain (ankle),
Wilshere (ankle), Arterta (ankle), Diaby (calf) and Debuchy (shoulder).
|
This match is once again proving to be the battle for the coveted 4th spot, with both Spurs and Arsenal hitting top form at the right time, getting 10 & 12 points out of 15 respectively. Harry Kane is proving to be the revelation for Spurs this season, further boosting Pochettino's credentials as a manager who places form above reputation. Bentaleb is likely to return to first team action after coming back from AFCON, while Arsenal's new signing Gabriel Paulista is likely to start from the bench, given Koscielny and Mertesacker's imperious form of late. Alexis Sanchez faces a late fitness test, and I believe that whether he plays or not could well determine the outcome of this game. Such has been his form that Spurs fans would definitely heave a huge sigh of relief if he isn't fit in time to feature. Then again, Arsenal have such depth in midfield, Santi Cazorla, Ozil or Walcott can step up and take up the mantle of leading Arsenal's charge.
You can never truly predict a derby game, and with so much at stake, this could well be a draw, but expect some fireworks as usual.
Prediction: 2-2 draw
Key men: Harry Kane, Santi Cazorla, Theo Walcott
Form
|
|
Villa
(5-7-11)
|
Chelsea
(16-5-2)
|
Last 5 games: DDLLL
Last 5 home games: DDWLW
|
Last 5 games: DLWWD
Last 5 away games: WDLWD
|
Injuries/Suspensions
|
|
Villa
|
Chelsea
|
Injuries: Kozak: (broken leg), Senderos
(calf)
|
Injuries: Filipe Luis (calf)
Suspensions: Diego Costa
|
Yes, Aston Villa have been playing so bad lately I didnt see the need to include any players in the pictures above. One can only wonder how Villa isnt in the relegation zone even after only scoring 11 goals, although the last Villa goal scored in the league was a beauty. Ron Vlaar could feature after resuming training.
As for Chelsea, Fabregas returns from injury, but given that his partner in crime (Diego Costa) is still serving his suspension, Loic Remy would have to come up with the goods to stop the wretched from Mourinho has at Villa Park (played 5: win 0, draw 3, lose 2) Who could forget what happen last season here, with Chelsea down to 9 men, Mourinho sent to the stands, and Chelsea losing their momentum to Man City in the title chase. Kurt Zouma is likely to start once again in front of Cahill, given his awesome performance against City. Courtois, on the other hand, might be dropped after his mistake against City. Chelsea's new signing Juan Cuadrado might feature at some point during the game.
I expect Mourinho to end his amazingly poor record here at Villa Park with minimal fuss, but do not expect a goal-fest here. A workman-like performance, typical Mourinho style will take place, with a single goal separating the team.
Prediction: 1-0 victory to Chelsea
Key men: Loic Remy, Cesc Fabregas
Man City (2nd) vs Hull City (18th) Singtel TV Chn103, StarHub TV Chn228, 2300
Form
|
|
Manchester
City (14-6-3)
|
Hull
(4-7-12)
|
Last 5 games: DWDLD
Last 5 home games: DWWLL
|
Last 5 games: LWLLL
Last 5 away games: LWLLL
|
Injuries/Suspensions
|
|
Manchester
City
|
Hull
|
None
|
Injuries: Diame (knee)
|
Manchester City comes into this game not having the best of form, only picking up 6 out of a possible 15 points. Although they find themselves still only 5 points behind Chelsea, they are also just 5 points ahead of their rivals Man Utd. Their talisman Yaya Toure, along with Wilfried Bony are still away at AFCON, but do expect Samir Nasri and Eliaquim Mangala to return from their injuries.
What a difference 9 months can be for Hull City. FA Cup finalist (and nearly shock winners of it), they now find themselves being top candidates for relegation. 3 out of a possible 15 points, and winning only 2 of their past 10 league games speaks of relegation form. Steve Bruce needs to find back their winning formula, and fast. Given the appointment of Mike Phelan as assistant manager, could this mark the end of Bruce if things doesn't pick up?
I sense a rout here, given that Manchester City would want to get back to winning ways, and in style. David Silva could have a field day here, with him having scored 5 goals in his last 7 games, and do expect Sergio Aguero to shine as well, given his quiet day previously at the Chelsea game
Prediction: Man City 3 Hull 0
Key Men: David Silva
QPR (19th) vs Southampton (4th) Singtel TV Chn104, StarHub TV Chn229, 2300
Form
|
|
QPR
(5-4-14)
|
Southampton
(13-3-7)
|
Last 5 games: DDLLL
Last 5 home games: WDDLL
|
Last 5 games: DWWWL
Last 5 away games: LWWWW
|
Injuries/Suspensions
|
|
QPR
|
Southampton
|
Injuries: Faurlin (ACL)
|
Injuries: Long
(ribs), Alderweireld (hamstring), Rodriguez (ACL)
Suspension: Bertrand
|
With Harry Redknapp resigning mid-week, QPR is now currently managed by caretaker-coach Chris Ramsey. QPR could have been even worse off if not for their decent home form. As usual, expect Charlie Austin to have a significant impact throughout the game, and Sandro might feature in this game after recovering from a knee injury. Adel Taarabt, once deemed as "three-stoned overweight" by Redknapp could feature as well.
Is this the start of a decline for Southampton? After their surprising 1-0 defeat to Swansea, Southampton now find themselves behind Man Utd, and having Arsenal, Spurs and a resurgent Liverpool snapping at their heels. Southampton welcome back both Morgan Schneiderlin and Victor Wanyama after both recovered from their injuries. Loan signing Filip Djuricic will not play, as he is still awaiting his work permit. Ronald Koeman would seek a reversal in fortunes for his team as Southampton continues their fairytale run and hopefully a Champions League spot. Graziano Pelle has not scored in the past 6 consecutive games
This is an interesting game (other than the London & Merseyside derbies) for the neutrals to look out for in my opinion. One team faces relegation, while the other strives for Europe to cap off an amazing season where many people had spelled doom for them (me included) I expect Koeman's tactical nous to shine through, but do expect a tough fight from QPR, with players wanting to impress their new manager (most likely to be Tim Sherwood, who would most likely be in attendance) Southampton to win, but only just.
Prediction: QPR 1 Southampton 2
Key Men: Charlie Austin, Victor Wanyama
Swansea (9th) vs Sunderland (14th) Singtel TV Chn104, StarHub TV Chn230, 2300
Form
|
|
Swansea
(9-6-8)
|
Sunderland
(4-11-8)
|
Last 5 games: LDDLW
Last 5 home games: WLWDL
|
Last 5 games: DLLLW
Last 5 away games: WDLLW
|
Injuries/Suspensions
|
|
Swansea
|
Sunderland
|
Injuries: Routledge (calf), Emnes
(Hamstring)
Suspension: Bartley, Sigurdsson
|
Injuries: Wickham
(calf/shin), Cattermole (knee), Johnson (thumb), Rodwell (groin), Giaccherini
(bruising)
|
Swansea sees their wretched form of late coming to and end with a away victory over Southampton, but I do expect struggles to continue. Ki Sung-yueng returns after international duty with South Korea at the Asian Cup, and Jack Cork could make his debut after signing from Southampton last week. Leon Britton and Jefferson Montero returns from injury, but sees Gylfi Sigurdsson still suspended.
The same thing is happening for Sunderland as well, with a victory over Burnley their first in 5 games. However, they do have a lengthy injury list, which sees many regulars missing in action. Jermain Defoe is proving that he still has it after returning from MLS, scoring in the Burnley game, and according to his manager Gus Poyet, has "reinvigorated the strikers"
Sunderland might not have been in their lowly position of 14th if they had converted more draws into victories, having drawn a total of 11 times, a league high. I always believed that Swansea was more than just Wilfried Bony, but i guessed I was wrong about that. Goals have been of a premium since his departure, with Gomis not having proving his worth yet. However, i regard Ki's role to be equally important as well, and Swansea have sorely missed him. With his return, I expect a tighter game. But do expect Jermain Defoe to have an impact as well. I sense a draw here, and probably a dull one as well.
Prediction: 1-1 draw
Key men: Ki Sung-yueng, Jermain Defore
Leicester City (20th) vs Crystal Palace (13th) Singtel TV Chn106, StarHub TV Chn231, 2300
Form
|
|
Leicester
(4-5-14)
|
Crystal
Palace (5-8-10)
|
Last 5 games: WDWLL
Last 5 home games: LLWWL
|
Last 5 games: DDWWL
Last 5 away games: DDWWW
|
Injuries/Suspensions
|
|
Leicester
|
Crystal
Palace
|
Injuries: Schmeichel (foot), Wood
(ankle)
Suspension: Huth
|
Injuries: Thomas
(muscular injury), Chamakh (nose)
|
Leicester City now find themselves rooted at the bottom of the table, a far cry from the gloried days of the comeback victory against Man Utd. Riyad Mahrez returns after international duty with Algeria. Robert Huth, their new loan signing is suspended after breaching rules related to social media.
Crystal Palace under Alan Pardew have been a different team altogther, with their good form broken with the loss against Everton last week. New signing Pape Souare could make his first appearance after signing from Lille. Their inspirational captain Mile Jedinak sadly would miss out after returning from Asian Cup duty with Australia, having a sore ankle. Marouane Chamakh would miss out after breaking his nose.
Leicester City definitely would hope for the new signing Andrej Kramaric to settle down into the rigours of EPL as quickly as possible, as goals have dried up for them. Whereas for Crystal Palace, they have been revitalized since Alan Pardew's arrival here, having won 3 out of their past 4 games. Yaya Sanogo have been crucial in Palace's revival (yes, im right to all you Arsenal fans). This has a relegation 6-pointer written all over it, and both teams would not want to risk losing this. Hence, do expect a cagey affair, with both teams not being fully committed to attacking.
Prediction: 1-1 draw
Key Men: Andrej Kramaric, Yaya Sanogo
Form
|
|
Everton
(6-8-9)
|
Liverpool
(11-5-7)
|
Last 5 games: LLDDW
Last 5 home games: WLDDD
|
Last 5 games: WDWWW
Last 5 away games: WWWDW
|
Injuries/Suspensions
|
|
Everton
|
Liverpool
|
Injuries: Pienaar (knee), Howard
(calf), Osman (foot)
Suspension: Huth
|
Injuries: Leiva
(thigh), Markovic (back), Lallana (groin)
|
Everton will welcome back James McCarthy from injury, and Aaron Lennon will likely feature as well, after his loan move from Spurs. Everton look to have their fortunes reversed after a less than decent first half to the season, and seek to build on from their 1-0 win against Crystal Palace.
It seems that Liverpool have found a winning formula, and with Daniel Sturridge a possible starter, Liverpool will want to carry on this momentum of winning games. Lucas, Lazar Markovic and Adam Lallana are doubts for this Merseyside derby.
As usual, do expect a feisty Merseyside derby full of fireworks and interesting events. It seems that Liverpool have finally found a formula/solution to both their attacking play and defensive frailties, with Coutinho now having the ability to "emulate Suarez", according to Neymar of all people. This derby sees both teams having a less than decent first half to their season. But with Liverpool being in superb form of late, winnng games and keeping clean sheets, do expect them to win this derby, and I will go out on a limb to say that they will win rather comfortably. Everton have been struggling of late, and therefore i don't see them putting much of a fight, especially now with concerns that Kevin Mirallas might leave for greener pastures.
Prediction: 2-0 win for Liverpool
Key Men: Romelu Lukaku, Philippe Coutinho
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