NewySports Match of the Round
Chelsea's start to the season has hit an all-time low in my opinion. More than a quarter of the way through the season and Mourinho's men sit in 16th with 11 points, Manchester City are top with 22 points. Along with goalkeeping coach Christophe Lollichon and Silvino Louro, Mourinho was sent to the stands after his sides 2-1 loss to West Ham over the weekend. Mourinho was sent to the stands for reportedly trying to enter the referees room at Half Time, Mourinho may also face a ban. If that wasn't bad enough for Chelsea, midfielder Nemanja Matic was sent off late in the first half which consequently lost them the match in my eyes after Andy Carroll's late header cancelled out Gary Cahill's equaliser.
For me, I don't think Mourinho will get sacked. Not for the time being anyway. Don't get me wrong he will cop it from the press for the next couple of weeks but for now, I think his job is safe, permitting this situation does not go from Terrible to a crisis.
Steady. That's my outcome on Jurgen Klopp’s time at Liverpool so far. Klopp has managed Liverpool for 3 games now and drawn all 3. Everybody at Liverpool Football Club and not forgetting the fans will be very disappointed after not managing to hold onto all 3 points on Sunday after Sadio Mane's late goal ruled out Benteke's supposed winner. Liverpool dominated possession and shots but still could not manage to get Jurgen Klopp his first win.
However I will give credit to Klopp. With star players like Christian Benteke, Daniel Sturridge, Roberto Firmino still not 100% fit and forcing to play the likes of Adam Lallana at Striker and Emre Can at centre attacking midfield (after he had played a left wing back under Rodgers) he has done a very good job. Maybe not this season, but next season I can easily see Liverpool pushing for that top 4 spot.
This game will be a good one, however I can't tip Chelsea at the moment. Something's not right at the club and it needs to be resolved before things get out of hand. Liverpool are getting better every week and I think they might pip this one.
Alex's Tip: 2-1 Liverpool
Keegan's Tip: 2-1 Liverpool
Ty's Tip: 2-1 Liverpool
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Swansea
got back to winning ways after a 2-1 away win over bottom place Aston Villa.
Goals from Gylfi Sigurdsson and Andrè Ayew saw the Swans lift up to a
respectable 12th of the ladder.
I think
it's safe to say that Swansea will not be a team that will make the top 6 this
year. Too many silly losses at home have cost them in my eyes.
Arsenal
continued to impress in the league form after a 2-1 win against Everton. The
Gunners secured the win thanks to goals from Olivier Giroud and Laurent
Koscienly. Arsenal are now level on points with top place City and certainly
title favourites.
Arsenal
didn't have it all their way this week though. The Gunners were played off the
park by Championship Side Sheffield Wednesday beaten 3-0. After watching the
game, half of Arsenals squad were reserve players meaning 2 things in my eyes.
First thing, Arsenal needs to invest into some quality youth or reserve players
and secondly the Championship is a very strong league.
Still
can't go past the men in red this week.
Alex's Tip: 3-1 Arsenal
Keegan's Tip: 2-0 Arsenal
Ty's Tip: 3-0 Arsenal
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I'm
really enjoying watching West Brom play, over the past few weeks they have
shown me that they are definitely not a club that will be going down. The
Baggies managed a 1-0 away win at Norwich. It may not seem like a massive
result but trust me when saying this, those 3 points will most certainly have
an impact on Norwich or West Brom’s fight for relegation if they are there come
the end of the season.
Leicester,
a club who many predicted to go down this season. Haven't they proved the
critics wrong? Leicester started the second season of their stint in the
Premier League and nobody expected them to achieve what they have done so far.
A 1-0 home win against Crystal Palace thanks to a 59th minute goal from Jamie
Vardy has pushed the Foxes up to 5th on the ladder only 3 points behind 1st
place City.
Is this
the year where the likes of West Ham or Leicester could make the top 4?
This will
be a good game to watch in my eyes so with both teams in flying form I can't
predict a winner, maybe Leicester but I'll stick with the draw.
Alex's Tip: 1-1 Draw
Keegan's Tip: 1-0 Leicester
Ty's Tip: 2-1 Leicester
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Palace
couldn't get anything from last week’s game against flying Leicester and will
be looking to redeem themselves at home against United. Palace
will be looking to get at least 1 win from their next two games, this week they
face United and next week Liverpool away from home.
For me it
just seems like Palace are only really focusing on the league at the moment as
they were battered 5-1 against Man City last night in the League Cup which left
fans wondering if their short stint of fantastic football ended?
After
watching probably the worst ever Manchester Derby in my entire life, United
will be looking to get back on top spot.
United
failed to create any real good chances in the derby last week which was why it
finished 0-0. The best chance of the game fell to Jesse Lingard where his late
shot was denied by the crossbar, but to be fair, he should have scored.
It really
was the week of upsets in the League Cup as Arsenal, Chelsea and United were
all knocked out of the cup. United were knocked out of the League Cup last
night by Championship side Middlesbrough. Middlesbrough are a fantastic side
in the Championship and in my eyes will get promoted this season, this once
again shows me that the Championship is a very good league and can test Premier
League clubs.
United
were beaten on penalties 3-1 after Ashley Young, Michael Carrick and captain
Wayne Rooney all missed meaning the league cup is now a very open one with 3
championship clubs and 5 Premier League clubs.
Back to
this match and I'm going to predict an upset. I can't tip United when they are
in this form at the moment.
Alex's Tip: 2-1 Palace
Keegan's Tip: 3-0 United
Ty's Tip: 2-1 United
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City made
up from their disappointing draw last week against their noisy neighbours by
thrashing Crystal Palace 5-1 in the League Cup.
However,
where does this leave centre back Vincent Kompany. Once again, Kompany did not
play making it his club record for most amount of misses for the club and we
haven't even hit November.
Although
playing in the derby last week, the Belgian captain has only played 6/10 games
in the league this season, not to mention the league cup.
With new
centre back signing Nicolas Otamendi, are these signs that Kompany may be
pipped out of his spot or could their be a potential transfer of him?
Norwich
are slipping down the ladder fast and are in real trouble.
Why? If
you read my article are few weeks ago, I mentioned who Norwich had coming up
towards the months on November. I said it was crucial that the Canaries managed
to get points especially at home as their next few games are incredibly tough.
In November and December, the green and yellow face the likes of Manchester
City Away, Chelsea Away, Arsenal at Home, Everton at Home, Manchester United
Away and Tottenham away.
Norwich
currently sit 16th in the ladder, 3 points above the relegation zone and with
those fixtures I've just mentioned above, I can easily see them slipping into the drop zone
come new year after disappointing results this month.
An easy
tip in this one, it may even be a battering.
Alex's Tip: 5-0 City
Keegan's Tip: 5-0 City
Ty's Tip: 4-0 City
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Win 6-2
one week and lose 3-0 the next to a lower ranked side. That's the life of a
current Newcastle fan at the moment.
Newcastle
were well and truly beaten last week but however I think the ref cost them the
match. Right on half time conceded a penalty. Yes I thought it was a penalty
but no way do I feel Collocini should of been sent off and in my eyes, that
cost them the match.
A loss
this weekend and I'm also certain Steve McClaren will get the sack especially
with Brendan Rodgers currently looking for a managerial role.
Stoke
played fantastic last week. I mean fantastic. They defended a 1-0 lead for
basically the whole game after Bojan scored in the 4th minute.
Butland
was once again strong. In my opinion, Jack Butland is one of the best keepers in
the league. When your team plays Stoke and you're watching the match, you will
know or have know it takes a lot to beat the English capped player.
Newcastle
have not been the same team for a while now and I think it's time for a change.
I'm going to go for Stoke in this one, Newcastle will miss suspended Collocini.
Alex's Tip: 2-1 Stoke City
Keegan's Tip: 1-1 Draw
Ty's Tip: 2-1 Stoke City
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Watford
put themselves 6 points above the drop zone after they beat Stoke 2-0 last week
thanks to goals from Troy Deeney and Almen Abdi.
Watford
are in impressive form however can their consistency continue?
Well my
favourite team in the BPL have done it again.
West Ham
added Chelsea to their collection of wins after a 2-1 win thanks to goals from
Zarate and Andy Carroll.
West Ham
are my team of the year so far after rising to 3rd on the Barclays Premier
Ladder and have no signs of slowing down.
I would
not be surprised in the slightest if someone from the future told me West Ham
would make the top 4 come the end of the season because some of the football
they have played has been extraordinary and you only have to go and look at the
teams they have beaten.
West Ham
for me in this one.
Alex's Tip: 2-0 West Ham
Keegan's Tip: 3-1 West Ham
Ty's Tip: 3-1 West Ham
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Everton
were unsuccessful in picking up points at the Emirates last week as they were
defeated 2-1 by a well organised Arsenal side. The Toffees were also reduced to
10 men in the last minute as a clumsy challenge from Gareth Barry earnt him a
second yellow which obviously resulted in a red.
Everton
did however have something to cheer about mid-week as they defeated Norwich 4-3
on penalties after a 1-1 draw in normal time in the League Cup. Everton now
face Middlesbrough in the quarter finals.
After 10
games, Sunderland finally got their first win of the season and didn't it come
in style? The Black Cats beat their rivals Newcastle in an impressive 3-0 win
at the Stadium Light thanks to goals from Adam Johnson, Billy Jones and Darren
Fletcher.
Sunderland
produced the goods for new boss Sam Allardyce and it's safe to say, his respect
from the fans has been approved. The main things for Sunderland now is to get
out of the drop zone, and to do that they need to be consistent.
After an
impressive win for them last week I'm going to tip an upset and go for the away
side.
Alex's Tip: 2-1 Sunderland
Keegan's Tip: 3-2 Everton
Ty's Tip: 2-1 Everton
Ty's Tip: 2-1 Everton
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Southampton
picked up a point last week at Anfield after a very late Sadio Mane goal. Mane
went from hero to zero after he got himself 2 yellow cards amazingly after his
goal to get himself sent off.
Southampton
have been playing some smart football lately which has affected their position
on the ladder (8th).
Don't get
me wrong by saying this. Southampton are doing really well this season however
they are nowhere near as good as they were last year. Towards the half way
point of the season last year, Southampton were in the top 4 and having the
time of their lives but this season it's a bit more realistic for them.
Bournemouth
need to start getting points and fast. The Cherries sit in 17th position, 1
place above the drop zone and are in danger of slipping into it.
Bournemouth
have the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea coming up in the next
couple of months making it adamant that results against middle positioned teams
are shown.
With
striker Callum Wilson basically ruled out for the season other forwards such as
as Matt Richie, Glenn Murray and Joshua King need to be inform by either
assists or scoring goals.
This is a
tricky one to predict, I really want to say a draw for Bournemouth's sake but I
just have to go with Southampton.
Alex's Tip: 3-1 Southampton
Keegan's Tip: 2-2 Draw
Ty's Tip: 2-0 Southampton
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Playing
Bournemouth of the park last week, Tottenham came from 1-0 down to thrash the
Cherries 5-1. Harry Kane was back to his scoring ways as he netted a hattrick,
whilst Moussa Dembele and Erik Lamela also got on the score sheet.
Now
undefeated in 9 games, Tottenham are showing a real stance this year in the
league and are showing they are a team who also want to make that top 4.
Tottenham
have got the potential to be playing Champions League football next season but
the question is? Are they strong enough to do so?
After I
correctly predicted Aston Villa to lose 2-1 and also have Tim Sherwood sacked
after the game, it was a disappointing week for Villa. The Villains have hit an all new
low as they sit rock bottom of the ladder with only 4 points from a potential
30.
Caretaker
Manager Kevin Macdonald wants more out of his players and wants them to show
pride in the club, the jersey and the fans.
It's been
quite a dismal few years for Villa fans and they want answers and actions from
the club to help their team battle out of this awful situation that they are
currently in.
Due to
the fact that the Villa players are fighting for their spots to stay in the
team I'm going to say they will get something out of this one but I don't think
they will beat Spurs’ backline.
Alex’s
Tip: 0-0 Draw
Keegan’s
Tip: 2-0 Tottenham
Ty’s Tip: 3-1 Tottenham