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Saturday 21 December 2013

This weekend's EPL matches

Predictions:
Liverpool 4-0 Cardiff City
Crystal Palace 1-1 Newcastle United
Fulham 1-3 Manchester City
Manchester United 2-1 West Ham United
Stoke City 2-2 Aston Villa
Sunderland 2-1 Norwich City
West Bromwich Albion 0-2 Hull City
Southampton 2-1 Tottenham Hotspurs
Swansea 1-2 Everton
Arsenal 2-2 Chelsea

How would the table look like after the results above?
1. Liverpool 36 pts (+25)
2. Arsenal 36 pts (+16)
3. Manchester City 35 pts (+31)
4. Chelsea 34 pts (+14)
5. Everton 34 pts (+13)
6. Manchester United 28 pts (+7)
7. Newcastle United 28 pts (-1)
8. Southampton 27 pts (+6)
9. Tottenham Hotspurs 27 pts (-7)
10. Hull City 22 pts (-4)
11. Swansea City 20 pts (0)
12. Aston Villa 20 pts (-5)
13. Stoke City 19 pts (-5)
14. Norwich City 18 pts (-15)
15. Cardiff City 17 pts (-14)
16. West Bromwich Albion 15 pts (-7)
17. West Ham United 14 pts (-7)
18. Crystal Palace 14 pts (-13)
19. Fulham 13 pts (-17)
20. Sunderland 12 pts (-17)

It's going to be a pretty interesting table based on the results above. This will see Liverpool going top of the league once more since September with a resurgent Luis Suarez wreaking havoc, who had just signed a new contract with them.

Wenger thus far has not been able to defeat a Mourinho side ever since Mourinho joined Chelsea back in 2005. Expect this record to continue, even with an Arsenal side boosting the likes of Ozil and free-scoring Ramsey. Their defence was absolutely shattered in the 6-3 defeat against title contenders Manchester City, who seemed to have finally found form in their away matches, overcoming their road trip blues. For Wenger, limiting the goals conceded would be the priority here.

On the other hand, Everton is going great guns in the EPL this season, thanks in part to the contributions made by Barcelona loanee, Gerard Deulofeu and Chelsea loanee, Romelu Lukaku. Of course, with Deulofeu injured for a month, Martinez may have to rely on the creativity of both Mirallas and Pienaar to break down the Swansea defence, which doesn't look as solid with Vorm injured for 5 weeks. This is a chance for Everton to stay close to the title contenders.

Manchester United seemed to have turned a corner in recent matches with wins in the UCL, league and COC. However, as a Manchester United fan, I have huge concerns about their home form. It seems that the Theatre of Dreams have become a Theatre of Nightmares this season for them. I won't be surprised to see Manchester United struggle against a side threatened by relegation, as well as the familiar face of Ravel Morrison, who seemed to be flourishing under the tutelage of Sam Allardyce, and was instrumental in the destruction of Tottenham in the league when the two sides met. He may look to do the same to his former side.

Southampton has finally halted their losing streak in the league by surprisingly holding Manchester City to a draw some time ago. They would look to take advantage of Spurs' managerial chaos after the sacking of AVB (Another Vacancy Beckons). Pochettino is known for playing a high pressing game, and Spurs should be wary of this threat, particularly the physicality of Adam Lambert and Jay Rodriguez up front. Their defence may struggle, with even Lloris not being able to do much to inspire confidence to his defence.

It's going to be another interesting weekend of football. Cheerio!

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