EPL Prediction on Oct 29

2 bets for the weekend, 

First up will be,

Sunderland vs Aston Villa

I strongly feel that both teams are experiencing a contrasting experience at the moment. With Sunderland on the ascendancy and the Villain on the drop in form.  From what I have seen so far, Sunderland has been playing quite well with Larsson playing spectacularly. But missing a prolific striker that can put away the chances created. Last season, Gyan was in great scoring form hence Sunderland was in the top half of the table. However all that change once Gyan left the team on loan in confuse fashion.  Recently we have seen a change in form with Bendtner playing much better.

Aston Villa has on the other hand experience a drop in fortune after a solid start to the season. The team is not creating the chances for Bent and Gabby. Maybe is more to the cautious nature of play by the manager Mcleish. In any case, the team has potential to perform strongly however that’s a big IF.

Thus my bet will be on Sunderland due to the fact that Sunderland is on better form, especially the strikers. But I’m not very confident hence a small bet will suffice.

Next up……

Swansea vs Bolton

I’m impress with the Swans so far. A team with no big name but performing strongly and playing with their principle. They are especially strong at home and they are playing with pride, honor and passion. Thus it’s a no brainier to me to bet on Swansea and the decision is made so much easier with Bolton not able to perform on a consistent basis. In addition a sapping game in midweek against Arsenal and now a trip to Wales. Swansea got to win this !!!!

EPL Prediction Oct 22

I don't have any good bet for today. The only possible bet i have is on Liverpool beating Norwich. I just don't see Norwich beating Liverpool at Anfield. The best possible result they can hope is a draw. Then again the odds just seem a bit low to take espcially taking in account the sort of battling display that Norwich constantly offer.

Thus bet at your own risks. Good luck.

EPL review continue...............

Liverpool

Strength           : The team is much balance this year but they are still missing a couple of players. Nonetheless they will still be a force to reckon with this season especially at home. As long as Stevie G can stay fit, their brand of passing, attacking football will cause a lot problem to a lot of team. 

Weakness        : The team seems to lack creativity and consistency. Maybe now that Stevie G is fit again, Liverpool can solve this problem. On the road, Liverpool still exhibits the same problem at last season. Not able to score with the chances created and recklessness with their play. I think the team is still gelling with the various change in personnel. Hopefully they can get better as the season goes by. Lastly, they need to replace Carragher hopefully Coates can step up as Carragher seems to be getting worse from season to season.

Key Players     : Saurez, Kuyt, Stevie G, Skrtel, Adam

Conclusion      : A balance and strong first team but lacking flair. If Bellamy and Stevie G will be able to regain their form I’m sure they can fire Liverpool to a CL place. But both are injury prone so I’m not expecting them to be available all the time. Likewise Carroll needs to prove he’s really the 35M man. As you can’t expect Saurez and Kuyt to score the bulk of the goals as to me they are not out and out goal scorers to me.

Man City

Strength           : The best team in the league with strength in all departments. They also have the best player in the league in Sergio Aguero. They are already playing with 1 of the best defense in the league since last season and they have shore up strongly their attack this season. Players like Silva and Dzeko are playing much better this season and they seem to be gelling as a team.

Weakness        : The uproar and loss of Carlos Tevez to the team may have an unsettling effect. In addition he is their best player last season with 20 goals and 6 assists in the league. So having him around with the likes of Aguero and Silva just sound wonderful for any team. In addition, they don’t seem to be able to maintain their form on away games and also lack the experience to juggle between CL and BPL matches. Lastly, the team still seems to lack a certain grit and determination. 

Key Players     : Aguero, Yaya Toure, Silva, Nasir, Company

Conclusion      : A balance and strong first team with depth, flair and creativity. They are the favorite for the league and rightly so. The only question about the team is whether they have the character to turn draw into win and win while playing badly. The determination and grit to bring them through tough times. In other words, the league is for them to lose.

EPL Review continue.......

Everton

Strength           :Strong, organized and specialist at the counter attacking role. Always seem to reserve the best games against the top teams be it home and away.

Weakness        : No plan B in place and look like a fish out of water if they are the team expected to do the bulk of the attacking. The attacking department seems a bit weak after the sales of Yakubu, James Vaughan and Jermaine Beckford. With Saha the only senior striker and a injury prone one too. Everton has already line up a starting eleven without strikers and expect them to do that more often this season. Imagine, the top goal scorer last season is Cahill who is a midfielder and the assists is from Baines who is a left back. Everton is crying out for new addition to the squad.

Key Players    : Baines, Cahill, Jagielka, Fellaini, Osman

Conclusion      : The team needs a new striker and a new creative midfielder. The team is too workmanlike and lacking a lot in term of flair. The tried and tested counter attacking formation is just not working. May I suggest that the failure is due to a lack of a creative midfielder like Arteta or Pienaar who can provide width to the team and break down the opposition? Unless a new creative midfielder is sign or someone in the team step up. Everton is going to struggle big time unless they can get lucky as they are against Blackburn.

Fulham

Strength           : Strong home team with a mean defense. On record, they have the best defense outside the top 4 last seasons with only 4 home defeats. They are continuing the trend this season and they are undefeated at home thus far. A hardworking, solid team with the odd sprinkle of creativity in the team.

Weakness         : The Key first team players are getting old and the squad may need a refresh in a couple of season.  How long can Danny Murphy roll back the years?

Key Players     : Hangeland, Dempsey, Zamora, Murphy

Conclusion      : A balance and strong first team which should comfortably rest in mid table at the end of the season. With a couple of quality additions, I’m sure they can challenge for a place in Europe. If Bryan Ruiz can come good this season, Zomora and Andrew Johnson to stay fit this season. They will be a tough team to beat.

Oct 15 EPL Prediction

Finally the EPL is back again and I have football to watch over the weekend again. These days even international matches need to be on a Friday night and Tuesday night so as to allow players to have more rest for club matches. That’s really say  a lot about the current stature of international matches huh. 

As for my uncompleted review, I will try to complete it in the coming weeks as I’m rather busy for this week. Hopefully I can get it done by next week. 

For this Saturday, I have 2 bets and they are as follow,

Norwich - Swansea 

I’m sure by now we all know what Swansea is all about now. Passing and possession football which are easy on the eyes. Frankly that really impress me and they are really nice to watch. However as all newly promoted team, they all find scoring to be the difficult part.

Well the same can be said of Norwich too, just look at the last match against Man U at Old Trafford. They could easily have drawn the game and possibly with a little bit of luck won the match.

But I will back Norwich though in this match as the Swans are lousy travelers and Norwich always seem pump up to play at Home.  At least I believe they won’t lose the match thus for those punter that err on the cautious. You may like to buy draw to cover yourself.

Norwich to win @2.1 and draw@3.05

Next up…..

Q P R - Blackburn

Again another team that is lousy on their travel. But strangely though QPR has not won at home and have so far only score 1 goal. However QPR impress me with their overall game and their ability to create chances. As for Blackburn, they are a team low on confidence and morale. A under fire manager and time and again look sadly out of depth in this level.

Or  maybe the players are just not playing for him. In any case, I will be against Blackburn until Steve Kean is sack as I really don’t see Blackburn up their game will under his charge.

QPR to win @1.85

Continuing with the team review.......................

Bolton

Strength           : Passing and creative team with the intent to play fluid football. Not afraid to play physical football as team has players like Cahill, Davies, Steinsson etc….

Weakness         : Loss of numerous key players during the off season and start of the season due to expire contracts and injuries. Elmander and Sturridge, scorers of 18 out of the total 52 EPL goals have left the club. CY Lee currently injures and Elmander, providers of total 12 assists deprive Bolton the main source of creativity.  To a certain extent, Matt Taylor sales have also weakened the club further. Frankly since the start of the year which is the later part of the 10/11 EPL season, Bolton form has taper off maybe it’s due to the FA cup or maybe there’s already some disharmony in the team.

Key Players     : Petrov, K Davies, Cahill, Klasnic, CY Lee

Conclusion      : The players brought in have not done their jobs and I’m pointing the fingers at Eagles, Tuncay and Ngog. Owen Coyle may need to go back to the transfer market again if the above mention players underperform. In addition, I’m afraid they can’t sell Cahill in Jan as they can’t afford to.  As the sale will rob the team of morale, leadership and defensive abilities.  

                        They need to have Lee back as soon and Holden too but I’m afraid that would be a long shot as both players are out for 9 and 6 months respectively. Bolton will struggle till the end of the year unless Owen Coyle pulls something of the transfer window. Bolton will struggle and may be relegated come the end of the season.

 Chelsea

Strength           : Strong in depth and able to adapt to different style of playing. With Drogba, the team is able to play route 1 football and with Torres able to play the cut and thrust style of passing football. Of course, Drogba can thread a mean pass too but the team seems able to move faster with Torres. Chelsea is not afraid to play a physical game too and can bully team into submission by playing a power game.

Weakness        : A lack of width and this has been troubling them for a couple of seasons. Ever since the sales of Robben and Duff, Chelsea does not have a natural winger in the team especially in the right side of midfield. Yes Juan Mata is able to play as a winger but he more adapt at playing of the striker. In addition, the team don’t seem to move the ball fast enough. Maybe it’s because the team has been too use to having Drogba in the team, with him holding the ball and waiting for support and midfielder like Lampard to finish off the move.  Lastly Chelsea need to have a good holding midfielder to anchor the team but they have the wrong man (Mikel and Merieles) to do it. Hence JT has been exposed something to strikers with pace which is not an attribute for him.

Key Players     :  Juan Mata, John Terry, Drogba, Lampard, Essien

Conclusion       : A season of consolidation and some success in cup competitions but CL will still be a holy grail. The team need another strong defensive midfielder and a good right winger before they can compete with the likes of Man U and Man City. Or they can rush Essien back who is a hell of a player but injuries stricken for the last couple of season. Lastly, I believe the project on Torres will take off this season for Chelsea. As the team now have players able to play on the same wavelength of Torres and with a little bit of luck maybe they can nick the title under the nose of both Manchester teams.