An Americans perspective on the Beautiful Game

Match Day 25

Opening Thoughts: A short turnaround between games can be a blessing or a curse. For some
teams, it allows them to carry forward the momentum gained just days before. For others, it
allows them to quickly move on from the disappointment of dropped points or a tough loss.
Not only are these short weeks physically demanding of the players, but they are also a great
test to a managers resolve and game planning. The onus will be on the bosses to juggle the
weeks matchups and decide when to rest his players, pull it off and theyll call you The
Special One, screw it up and youll get embarrassed by a lesser club, just look at some of the
FA Cup results. Without further ado, lets take a look at the midweek fixtures.

Fixtures and Predictions

Featured Matches
Liverpool vs Tottenham
What more can you say about Harry Kane? The kid is having an unreal year only
dreamed up for fantasy novels and movies. To bag a brace against Arsenal, your biggest rivals,
and do so in your first North London derby? That is the thing of legends, and Harry Kane has all
the makings of a Spurs legend. If any team will be riding high on momentum, it is Tottenham.
Liverpool will be disappointed to come away from Goodison Park without three points.
Credit to Everton for playing them very tight, but it would be hard to say Liverpool werent the
better side on the day. There is one huge positive for Liverpool heading into this match, the
last three fixtures against Tottenham they have a combined score line of 12-0.
Tottenham will come to Anfield and I wouldnt expect any changes to be made. They
played wonderfully against Arsenal, so the best advice for the Spurs would be If it aint broke,
dont fix it. Liverpool, on the other hand, will be forced to make some changes. I would
expect to see Jordan Ibe again after his man of the match performance. Moving him up the

pitch to link up with Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge could be a grouping that terrifies
defenses with pace. Playing players like Coutinho, Lallana, Henderson and Gerrard with their
exceptional passing range and ability could see Liverpool move back to the form we saw last
season.
The biggest question going into this game is how Brendan Rodgers will deal with the
injury to Lucas. His form in the center of the pitch has been wonderful since returning to the
side. His physicality and ability to break up attacks has been crucial to Liverpools return to
form. Moving Emre Can into midfield would seem the like for like switch, but this opens up a
hole at right back. Glen Johnson or Dejan Lovren could fill that slot, but the shaky form of both
players could leave Liverpool exposed.
Prediction: Harry Kane will look to keep his incredible form and goal scoring record on the rise.
Stopping him will be crucial as always when playing against Spurs. Daniel Sturridge could make
his first start since returning from injury which could give Liverpool the final piece they have
been missing this season. Its going to be an incredible game but I think with the Kop pushing
them on, Liverpool will have enough to see the game out.
Liverpool over Spurs 2 1

Hull City vs Aston Villa

The battle for Champions League places gets all the attention but at the other end of the
table, the relegation battles can be just as entertaining. Aston Villa and Hull City are separated
by two points, with the latter in the uncomfortable position of being in the relegation zone. A
win would see Hull City jump Aston Villa in the table and out of the relegation zone, although
not out of the battle. Six points is the difference between going down and the illusion of safety
in 13th position, but one bad stretch of games and it can make for a very uncomfortable run
into the end of the season. No one wants to be constantly check over their shoulder looking at
the relegation line.
Hull City came away from a game against Man City with a point. If it wasnt for an
amazing free kick from James Milner they could have had all three points. This should boost
spirits around the grounds. Any time a team can take points away from a title contender it will
give a squad some confidence.
Against Villa I would expect Hull to press them high up the pitch. Hull have the players in
midfield to cover the high press in Livermore and Huddlestone but they need to press as a

team. If only one or two players press and the rest back off gaps will form in midfield and
isolate the central midfielder. You can coup with this happened a few times on a match. If it
becomes continuous then players get pushed back and the midfield and defense are stuck on
top of each other. That is where problems happen.
Aston Villa finally scored after six games without a goal and they did it against the
leagues best defense in Chelsea. Although they werent able to hang out and take any points
away from the game removing that weight from their shoulders will give them something to
feel good about.
I cannot see Villa going through another goal drought like the one they just ended.
Players like Agbonlahor, Delph and Cleverly should have enough to create chances, now they
just need to make sure they stick those chances in the back of the net. The emergence of
Carles Gil as a terror down the flanks should be exploited against Hull. His speed and creativity
can unlock the Hull defense and cause all sorts of trouble for the three Hull City center backs.
Villa like to overload the midfield and against Hull this could help deal with the high
press but it does create concerns about isolating their lone striker. If they cannot get players
forward to link up with Agbonlahor then goals could remain elusive. Paul Lambert should have
identified this issue and will hopefully make an adjustment to give more support in the attack.
Prediction: Hull City will see this game as a chance to get themselves above the relegation
zone. Villa will be hoping to get something from this game but that will only happen if they can
score again. I expect Aston Villa to play it safe away from home and look to grow into the
game. Hull City will need to come out firing, they are at home and they need the points
because the longer you are in the relegation zone the more hostility you will encounter. I see
Hull using the result over the weekend against Man City as a spring board out of the relegation
zone, but they will still be in the battle over the coming weeks.
Hull City win an edgy battle against Aston Villa 1 0

Remaining Predictions
Arsenal vs Leicester City
No team likes to lose their local derby, which goes without saying. It becomes especially
painful when that loss lets your rival jump above you in the table. Arsenal will bounce back

and be thankful that only days after that lose they play last place Leicester City. Leicester City
just fired their manager but that will not solve their problems.
Arsenal win comfortably over Leicester City 3 0
Sunderland vs QPR
QPR have not looked a good team. With the exception of Charlie Austin it is hard to find
something to be excited about. Sunderland have not looked great this season either, but there
are positive notes to take away. Jermaine Defoe will score goals, he just needs to get the
service. Against a poor QPR side he will get the chances.

Sunderland over QPR 2 1

Chelsea vs Everton
Everton played well against a Liverpool side that has been in great form. Chelsea looked
shaky against Aston Villa but managed to still get all three points. Give them credit because
thats what championship winning teams do, they find a way to win. This could be a very
important game for both sides. Jose Mourinho will not allow his team to put in another bad
performance so Everton will need to be strong and disciplined. I think Everton have enough to
come away with a point.
Chelsea drops points at home to Everton 1 1
Manchester United vs Burnley
Manchester United continue to be unconvincing but still find themselves in the top four.
This is most likely due to other teams not playing as well as expected but results are results,
and United are getting them. Burnley had a two goal lead slip away and only managed a draw
against West Brom. They need to stay focused against United or this could be a rout.
Manchester United beat Burnley 2 0
Southampton vs West Ham
West Ham were minutes away from a famous win against Manchester United before
Blinds stoppage time goal. They were the better team in that game so only managing a draw
will sting. Southampton left it late to beat QPR and werent as convincing as they have been
this season. West Ham might be able to take advantage in the Saints dip in form
West Ham steals a win away from home 2 1

Stoke City vs Manchester City

It is always difficult to pick against Stoke at home. Add in Citys recent unconvincing
form and this could be an easy upset pick. Despite that I think City will get back on track and
look to make up lost ground in the title race.
Manchester City win on the road against Stoke 2 0
Crystal Palace vs Newcastle United
This game will be interesting as Allen Pardews former side comes to town to take on his
current side. Pardew has transformed Crystal Palace and has them playing very good football.
Look for that to continue here and we will see an ecstatic manager on the touch line come the
final whistle.
The Pardew saga continue with a Palace win over Newcastle 2 1
West Brom vs Swansea City
West Brom did well to come from behind against Burnley, but Swansea are not Burnley.
Two young players to watch in this game are Jonjo Shelvey for Swansea and Saido Berahino for
West Brom. The player that takes the game by the scruff of the next will be the one that leads
their team to victory. Look for Berahino to bounce back after the recent criticism about his
desire to move to a bigger club.
West Brom over Swansea 3 1