Another week of football with a lot to write about regarding the ramifications of the short lived ESL experiment. Mou Mama and Ed Woodward are gone, fans of involved clubs protesting at every opportunity they get with even a potential takeover attempt at Arsenal (Daniel Ek, Spotify founder along with Henry, Bergkamp and Vieira). On the footballing side of things City beat Spurs in a one sided Carling, Capital One, EFL Carabao Cup Final. The only good thing to come from the final was the return of fans!
There is the small matter of the Champions and the Europa League semi finals midweek before Bawa gazes into his crystal ball 🔮 to make predictions for this game week; not that it makes too much of a difference as we manage to get most spectacularly wrong! 🤪
Southampton vs Leicester
After another defeat, Ralph is probably counting the days before he is relieved of his duties. The Saints allowed an out of sorts and Kane less Spurs team to beat them. Once Ings was substituted, they lost their sharpness up front and allowed Spurs a way back into the game through Bale and Son’s goals.
Leicester were shocked by a Zaha opener but thanks to goals from Castagne and Kelechi, they continue their march towards a top 4 finish. Vardy Kelechi & Co. will be licking their lips at the prospect of facing a limp Saints defence, and this could again get ugly for the Saints.
Bawa’s Verdict: Foxes to thump the Saints.
Crystal Palace vs Man City
Palace got out of the blocks quickly and took a lead through Zaha only to let in two in the second half to lose another game. While they aren’t mathematically safe, Bawa believes that they will manage to stay in the division for another season. It will be interesting to see if Woy and his backroom staff that also fought the Spanish flu of 1918 will continue next season with plenty of rumors that The Ginger Mourinho has been sounded out to take over the reigns for next season.
While they didn’t really have to break a sweat against Spurs, City had to strain every sinew in their UCL semi-final against PSG. Despite that, their squad depth being utterly ridiculous, one can expect Sterling & Co. to eventually prevail over the Eagles.
Bawa’s Verdict: Another City win to bring them closer to the title.
Brighton vs Leeds
Potter and his men were dealt another blow in their loss to relegated Sheffield. This whole playing decent football but not winning games narrative is getting annoying. Us fans will have to endure another five game weeks of the same nonsense and we don’t even want to mention the FPL players who have been bit badly by this Seagulls team.
Leeds played really well against United and deserved the draw. Since conceding to Arsenal, they have tightened up their defence, without it impacting their all out attacking style of play. Their spine of Meslier, Llorente and Philips will fully carry out their duties without much fuss. Bielsa will be hoping for more of the same given that Raphinha is set to miss this game as well.
Bawa’s Verdict: Leeds win.
Chelsea vs Fulham
Chelsea played really well to earn a draw against Madrid midweek and should have enough in the tank for Fulham. They have such a strong squad that the likes of Tammy, Giroud, Alonso, Hudson Odoi and Kepa don’t get many minutes.
When his side conceded a 97th min equaliser from Eddie Nketiah, Parker must’ve thought that this was the moment that guaranteed their relegation. Losing points from winning positions is a trend he would want to halt but it really is up to the fight left in his players to show how much they want to remain in the “best football league” in the world. A London derby might be a good place to finally start!
Bawa’s Verdict: Another Fulham loss at the Bridge.
Everton vs Aston Villa
Everton did the double over Arsenal for the first time in PL history, thanks to a poor own goal conceded by Leno. The return of DCL did pose a threat up front and Don Carlo will hope that his team can continue their winning record and push for the European spots.
Villa were lucky to score an injury time equaliser through the unlikely, Keenan Davis. They have been conceding soft goals and it was much the same against West Brom. Dean Smith would be pushing his medical staff to get Grealish fit and firing to help them move up the table and gatecrash into European contention.
Bawa’s Verdict: A score draw.
Newcastle vs Arsenal
Steve Bruce’s Black and White Army are on a run and it will take some stopping them. Willock who has been their saviour in the last few games isn’t eligible to play against his parent club and will be missed. Wilson was unlucky to have his goal chopped off by some absurd rule created by people who have probably never played football or also known as VAR.
The same old story for Arsenal at home with another match lost after controlling much of the game. This team has a mistake or two in them every game and it will take a Herculean task to keep a tricky player like St. Maximin quiet. It will be interesting to see what team Mikel puts out after their loss to Villarreal on Thursday Ebening.
Bawa’s Verdict: Arsenal to win.
Man Utd. vs Liverpool (Match of the Week)
Man United had a few chances but couldn’t break down the resolute Leeds defence. Their midweek match against Roma might just be a factor but Ole knows the importance of this game better than anyone and after smashing Roma (again) he and his team will be well up for this one.
After scoring a brilliant goal, Liverpool took the foot off the pedal and allowed Newcastle into the game for them to equalise in stoppage time. Salah, Mane and Jota missed a few gilt edged chances and Klopp will remind them that they need to be brutal and less selfish in front of goal if they are to compete for the top 4 spots.
Bawa’s Verdict: An engrossing game ending in a draw, as they tend to normally be after the hype dies down.
Spurs vs Sheffield United
After adding another bottle to their trophy cabinet, Spurs will try to focus their energies on trying to finish in the top 4. Kane is back and with Mason as interim manager, the shackles might have been lifted and we might finally see some entertaining football from this talented Spurs side.
Sheffield United won a game finally but broke a lot of FPL hearts in doing the same. They didn’t really play well but took the one chance that came their way and defended resolutely. Rhian Brewster is probably the worst transfer of the season; while he is still very young, he should be able to bounce back and carve out a good career.
Bawa’s Verdict: Spurs to light up White Hart Lane.
West Brom vs Wolves
Big Sam and his lads must be extremely disappointed to have conceded in injury time and lose two points to Arsenal. He has done a fantastic job and its the winter signings of Yokuslu, Maitland-Niles and Diagne that are shining along with Pereira.
Wolves had a match to forget against Burnley’s afternoon Wood. It was such a poor performance that there’s nothing much to write about the Portuguese B team. They can only play better & surely they must turn up for the local derby as their fans would rightly demand, in a match where local bragging rights are at stake.
Bawa’s Verdict: A boring draw.
Burnley vs West Ham
A Chris Wood hat-trick, who would’ve thought! The Clarets scored 4 for the second time this season and Ginger Pep must be guffawing away at his Lancashire home. Mathematically they aren’t safe still and playing against European football chasing West Ham won’t be easy.
While the FA has rescinded the harsh red card brandished to Balbuena the decision didn’t help in a game against a fellow rival. There are reports that Lionel Jesse is carrying an injury and this is the sort of bad fortune David Moyes would have wanted to escape.
Bawa’s Verdict: An entertaining draw.
FPL Corner:
Goalkeepers: Lloris/Mendy
Defenders: Castagne/Dallas/Rudiger
Midfielders: Pereira/Son/Saka/St Maximin
Forwards: Kelechi/Kane/Diagne
Leagues of Yonder:
If it’s LoY, its Zlatan time. The King of Sweden is now being investigated by UEFA for alleged ‘active financial interest’ in Bethard. If held guilty Z could be suspended for upto 3 years in addition to a financial penalty.
The La Liga is heading to a thrilling finish. With 5 matches to go and three points separating 1st from 4th, it will be intriguing to see who comes up trumps. Bawa hopes that Sevilla wins the La Liga, so that the clubs wanting to be part of ESL clubs can eat cake with goo on top of it.
Edwin Van Der Sar seems to have done well to tie down their manager upto 2023. Rumour has it that Spurs’ rumoured interest in Ten Haag forced him to sign the dotted line faster.
Meanwhile in Europe, Manchester United seem to be the only side with a foot in the door of the final of the competition they are in. Chelsea and City are in the driver’s seat with 1 and 2 away goals to their respective credit. Good Ebening to Arsenal.
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