We have entered the business end of the Premier league and it’s been a wild season. No pre-season, COVID-19 scares, injuries, managerial changes, ESL but three things that remained consistent are racist fans on social media, poor officiating despite the use of VAR & people scheduling football matches who have never played a game of foosball in their life..
Another all English Champions League final was confirmed with classy performances by City and Chelsea. The Europa League finals could have also been an English affair if the real Arsenal showed up at their own turf. It wasn’t to be and the Europa specialist, Unai Emery and his Yellow Submarine will battle Ole’s Red Devils at Gdansk to lift this trophy. So let us move our focus back to the PL with predictions 🔮 for this game week:
Leicester vs Newcastle
Leicester were held to a 1-1 draw by a 10 man Saints side. When Vestergaard was shown his marching orders, BR and his team must’ve thought that another easy win incoming but that wasn’t the case. Vardy needs to get back to this ruthless best to help Foxes stay in the top 4 as Chelsea and West Ham are hot on their heels.
Newcastle, much to the surprise to most; didn’t really trouble Arsenal. They sat back, tried to soak up the pressure and allowed the Gunners to mount sustained attacks & finally succumbed to a 2-0 loss. Bruce will be hoping that his players give this game a go as mathematically they are still not safe.
Bawa’s Verdict: A straightforward Foxes win.
Leeds vs Spurs
Leeds oh Leeds! The moment one feels that this team is gaining consistency they play poorly and lose. Bamford and Rodrigo need to stamp their authority on such games but the game passed them by. Kalvin Philips was a big miss but it wasn’t the usual full throttle Leeds performance, maybe the team is finally running out of steam. Or Raphinha might just pop back into the starting XI and things might return to normal.
Ryan Mason must be thinking what’s the fuss about managing in the PL. The baby faced Spurs interim manager has 2 wins out of 2 after beating Saints and hammering the Blades. While a poor team was in front of them, Bale and Son ran havoc and were rewarded with goals and fantasy points in an otherwise miserable week.
Bawa’s Verdict: An entertaining draw.
Sheffield United vs Crystal Palace
This snooze fest doesn’t warrant any attention from Bawa. Good luck to anyone who wants to watch what might be the most boring game in the PL this season.
Bawa’s Verdict: A Palace win.
Man City vs Chelsea (Match of the Day)
Clinical performances against Palace and then PSG puts City closer to another PL trophy and a first ever UCL final. Football experts are waxing lyrical about this team’s performance and one has to give credit where it’s due, money definitely buys trophies. Pep roulette will be back in action and this is a curtain raiser to the UCL final to be played in Istanbul in a few weeks.
Chelsea outclassed Madrid and Thomas Tuchel will be the first manager to take two different teams to a UCL final in consecutive years. We speak of City’s squad depth but forget that Chelsea isn’t too far off. They have a World Cup winner in Giroud warming the benches and beds of many fine ladies in London and players like Alonso/Emerson/Abraham/Hudson Odoi with another 45 loaned out across the globe.
Bawa’s Verdict: A draw in the battle of whose squad depth is better.
Liverpool vs Southampton
While the last minute postponement of the game wasn’t ideal for Liverpool, they won’t mind playing the Saints this weekend. Anfield isn’t the fortress it used to be anymore and Klopp will be hoping that his forward line can re-discover some of the form that had helped them win the PL last season.
Ralph must’ve thought “Here we go again” when Vestergaard was shown a really harsh red card against Leicester but thankfully this side played well to rescue a draw and maybe his job. The red card has since been rescinded and Saints will hope that they can do the double over the reigning champions to add a little sheen to their season.
Bawa’s Verdict: A Liverpool win to raise hopes of a top 4 finish.
Wolves vs Brighton
Wolves did their Wolves thing and drew with West Brom guaranteeing their stay in the PL and mostly relegating their opponents. Apart from Fabio Silva scoring, there isn’t much to write about this Wolves team that has flattered to deceive its fans this season.
The Seagulls are one win away from securing another year in the PL and Potter will hope Dat Guy Welbz can produce another M.O.M. performance to ease the nerves at the Amex. Defensively they have been strong all season so its up to the lads upfront to do the business.
Bawa’s Verdict: Brighton win to extend their stay in the PL.
Aston Villa vs Man Utd.
Goals from Watkins and El Ghazi give Villa a chance to end the season in the top 10 and that would be a great achievement considering they were relegation favourites before the season started. Dean Smith, the board and the owners must be given credit for making astute signings to compliment the existing players and retaining Grealish who has been their kingpin this season.
Match#2 in 3 days against a motivated Villa team is just plain cruel. Without causing another uproar/ fan backlash, the FA have penalized United in the worst way possible for their fans staging a protest at Old Trafford before kickoff. It will definitely take a gargantuan effort for Ole and his squad to get through the next week.
Bawa’s Verdict: An entertaining draw.
West Ham vs Everton
Michail Antonio, you beauty! The Hammers must be wondering where they would’ve ended up had Antonio not missed a few crucial games this season. Moyes needs his side to win as Chelsea could potentially drop points this weekend.
Everton doing Everton things! Don Carlo must be extremely annoyed at his side losing their way come the business end of the season. It looks like another season without European football for the Toffees.
Bawa’s Verdict: Antonio to the rescue.
Arsenal vs West Brom
The same old story for Arsenal at home with another match at the Emirates where they failed to score. The ramifications for the loss to Villarreal are unknown still but one can’t help but think that the fans, players and board are questioning “the process” Mikel is trying to build. There is no shame in losing a football match but the lack of effort, game plan and commitment is unacceptable.
Big Sam and his lads must take this opportunity of a downbeat Arsenal to try to boost their slim chances or survival. AMN will not be available as he can’t play against his parent club but Big Sam will hope to inflict more pain on Arteta and his team.
Bawa’s Verdict: A scratchy Arsenal win.
Fulham vs Burnley
This is the last class that Fulham will get in their battle for survival. Parker should ask his team to try to impose themselves and play with freedom. Good teams make their own luck and the Cottagers need to do the same and set the cat among the pigeons at the bottom.
Sean Dyche will remind his team that are not out of trouble yet. After their 4-0 win against Wolves, a loss to West Ham means there is a small chance they could get dragged into the relegation fight especially if Fulham can win this game. Chris Wood is the man in form and Dyche will hope that his striker puts away the chances that he might get.
Bawa’s Verdict: A Fulham win to make things interesting at the bottom.
Man Utd. vs Leicester (Match of the Day)
Match #3 in 5 days and playing another team chasing a top 4 finish won’t make it any easier. Poor Ole has already expressed his unhappiness with the people created this schedule and he is 100% right that player health doesn’t even remotely feature in their thoughts.
A better rested Vardy & Co. might have enough fuel in the tank to win this game to continue their quest for Champions League football. BR has done a miraculous job with the Foxes and securing a UCL spot it would be another feather in his hat.
Bawa’s Verdict: A narrow win for Leicester.
Southampton vs Crystal Palace
Ralph and his team get another chance to propel themselves further up the table after a dismal few months. While they have struggled with injuries to key players like Ings, Vestergaard and Romeu, Saints will do well to hold on to these players next season.
Zaha & Co. will want to end the season on a high for Roy Hodgson’s faith in them. Palace might have secured their place in the PL but will have to do a lot more to remain competitive next season as half of their squad are at the end of their contracts.
Bawa’s Verdict: A Saints win.
Chelsea vs Arsenal
After two tough games against Madrid and City, Chelsea will play against a tetchy Arsenal team. Tuchel has the players at his disposal to cause damage but it will be interesting to see what combination he will go with to ensure a top 4 finish to guarantee UCL qualification.
Arteta couldn’t ask for a tougher fixture to save his teams season and his job. He might have to rely on the youngsters again as the senior statesmen in his squad don’t seem bothered. Considering their away record, Mikel will hope that his team can score a goal or two at least.
Bawa’s Verdict: A routine Chelsea win.
Aston Villa vs Everton
There is a small chance that Grealish might take a small part in this game. He has been a big miss for the Villans and Dean Smith will hope that their talisman can help them move up the table for an unlikely top 7-8 finish to qualify for Europe.
Don Carlo will need his players to step up and try to win their game in hand if they are to habor any hopes of plying their trade in Europa. Pickford has picked up form at the right moment and will be wary of Watkins and El Ghazi.
Bawa’s Verdict: Aston Villa to do the double.
Man Utd. vs Liverpool (Match of the Day)
Match #4 in 8 days and it being against your fiercest rival, isn’t what Ole would have hoped for. One can only wait and see the player rotation as it is unimaginable to see a player play all the games.
Klopp and his men might be happy that they play a jaded United side as it gives them a chance to not only beat their rivals but also give them a chance to finish in the top 4.
Bawa’s Verdict: A Liverpool win thanks to the PL scheduling team.
FPL Corner:
Goalkeepers: Lloris/Guaita
Defenders: Castagne/Dunk
Midfielders: Bruno/Salah/Bale
Forwards: Kelechi/Kane/Cavani
Leagues of Yonder:
It took Mou Mama less than 2 weeks to con Roma into another high profile job. Bawa feels for AS Roma fans and players like Smalling, Pedro and Mkhitaryan who can’t seem to catch a break.
The war of words between two fine strikers continued before their UCL semi final and it was the Chelsea marksman who had the last laugh despite not even making an appearance over the two legs.
Ex-Arsenal goalkeeper, Jens Lehman was sacked from his role at Hertha Berlin for sending a Whatsapp message to Sky pundit, Dennis Aogo calling him a “token black guy”. While he has apologised and stated that he miscommunicated and his intention wasn’t to be racist, ‘Mad Jens’ embodies his nickname but fans don’t condone this behavior.
Now that you have reached the bottom of the post, do comment and don’t forget to subscribe (we get to know the numbers easily). Also please do share a word about good ol’ Bawa with folks around you. Cheers 🍻
Bawa Says 