This season has been relentless with matches coming thick and fast and some fans might be happy to see the end of it! With promotion, relegation and trophies for year already accounted for, the only thing left is qualification for Europe. Mathematically 3-4 teams are in the mix for the Champions League but realistically its between Leicester, Chelsea & Liverpool for the two spots up for grabs.
Leicester winning the FA Cup in front of fans was such a wonderful sight and Bawa hopes that this is the first step towards normalcy as the fans play the biggest part in making football the “beautiful game”.
Talking about football during unprecedented times, there have been some fantastic achievements in the last year, some of which make it to the Leagues of Yonder section of Bawa Says š, so do scroll to bottom of this post and take a look for yourselves. But before you do that, take a look at this week’s predictions, Bawa takes as much responsibility for these as some governments do for the mismanagement of the pandemic:
Man Utd. vs Fulham
After a hellish week, Ole and his squad can focus on the remaining games in the PL as a build up to their match against Villarreal in the Europa League Final. Ole will hope that Harry Maguire can recover in time as despite his faults, this United team is better with him in it. On the attacking front, the form of Bruno, Greenwood and Cavani makes them favourites for any game, especially this one.
It’s not easy being relegated with three games to go, but the Cottagers put up another toothless performance against the Saints. The full debut and goal for Carvalho will come as a boost for Scott Parker who will have to take one hard look at his players as he prepares for life in the Championship.
Bawa’s Verdict: An Easy United Win.
Southampton vs Leeds
Saints controlled the game against a demoralised Fulham and a first goal for Tella shows that their academy is still one of the best in the country. If he had a fully fit squad at his disposal, this Saints team definitely would have finished in the top half with the likes of Ings, JWP and Vestergaard forming a solid spine.
Leeds blew away Burnley in a clinical 20 minute spell in the second half with Rodrigo scoring a sublime double. If Bielsa can hold on to these players and add a little more quality in the summer, Leeds could be competing for a top 6 finish next season.
Bawa’s Verdict: Another Leeds win to push for a top half finish.
Brighton vs Man City
The Seagulls still haven’t won a game in the PL in which their talismanic captain, Lewis Dunk hasn’t played. Dunk was a big miss against West Ham and will miss the game against City also due to suspension. It’s good to see Dat Boy Welbz doing the business upfront and Potter will hope to have him fit and firing for next season if they want to push for a higher place in the table.
While the scoreline might suggest a thriller, City were pretty comfortable in their 4-3 win at St. James Park. Pep outdid himself and played Scott Carson in goal, a full 10 years after his previous start in the PL. Ferran Torres was the hero with a fantastic hattrick and fans can expect a similar team and result against Brighton.
Bawa’s Verdict: City to continue their victory parade.
Chelsea vs Leicester
In a repeat of the FA Cup Final, these two clubs go at each other in less than 72 hours. Tuchel was critical of VAR missing the handball in the build-up to Leicesters goal on Saturday but he is clutching at straws there. There is a possibility that Chelsea’s season could go from a successful one to a bad one if they lose out on the top 4 and the Champions League final.
With the wind in their sails after their narrow triumph in the FA Cup Final, Rodgers will egg on his players to beat Chelsea and guarantee their place in the top 4. Vardy & Co. will have to be at their ruthless best if they are to penetrate this stingy Chelsea defense again. Without Evans at the back, they lose a cool head but Fofana and Soyuncu should be able to handle another rearguard effort.
Bawa’s Verdict: A nervous draw.
Everton vs Wolves
17 year old Dan Jebbison poured cold water on the Toffee’s European hopes in a game where Sheffield United looked more hungry for points than Everton. This also marked their 9th defeat at Goodison Park this season, making it their worst home season in PL history. All this while having a full strength side playing the game, sometimes you just can’t get it right!
A Hojberg goal and assist condemned Wolves to another pointless defeat. This went exactly as Bawa predicted, as MC led an assault on the only notable part of the Wolves’ squad – their defence and managed to breach it twice. Uncle Nuno has some soul searching to do, as without Jimenez, this season has been a horror show up front for them.
Bawa’s Verdict: An Everton win at Goodison for the fans.
Newcastle vs Sheffield United
The Geordies flew out of the blocks and were leading 3-2 before City tightened the screws. Without Wilson their attack gave a good account of themselves and Bruce will be happy to see Joelinton get on the scoresheet. The loan signing of Willock has been a masterstroke in an otherwise poor season. Bruce will relish the chance to secure two wins in the last two games against already relegated opponents.
There has been nothing much to write home about the Blades for a while; they did put in a good performance against Everton, but it has come around 30 games too late. The only good thing for Blades fans is that some players are still fighting for the club which should serve them well in the Championship if they were to stay.
Bawa’s Verdict: Another Newcastle Win.
Spurs vs Aston Villa
The Hojberg that Mourinho had in mind at the time of signing finally turned up. Spurs picked up a regulation win, as Europa League definitely seems certain. While it’s still mathematically possible, a Top 4 finish seems highly unlikely. If the rumour mills are right, and MC is actually fed up with Levy and the Board, we could see some scintillating football from England’s main man as he puts himself in the shopping window.
Villa’s implosion continued with a loss at Selhurst Park. Even a top half finish looks unlikely for the Villans now. The only good news for Villa is Grealish’s consecutive appearance off the bench. Europa chasing teams will hope that VIllans show up and give Spurs a tough game.
Bawa’s Verdict: Spurs to take the win.
Crystal Palace vs Arsenal
Palace probably played one of the best bursts of attacking football in their win against Villa, the kind of burst that could send Uncle Woy’s pulse dangerously racing! With no relegation threat to worry about, Palace threw caution to the wind and played like they had nothing to lose. Expect more of that at home as they square up against fellow top 10 contenders. With Palace announcing the departure of Uncle Woy at the end of the season, the Eagles would be hoping to give him a better send-off from the bench than the one Pep has got going for Aguero.
Arteta’s boys would be well rested with no games over the weekend. The blank game week would have however been something that Arsenal did not want – helping them carry on the Smith-Rowe led momentum to finish the season strong and give them a fighting chance at Europa league football.
Bawa’s Verdict: Arsenal to scrape to a victory.
Burnley vs Liverpool
Sean Dyche will be extremely disappointed in the manner in which his team’s defense was penetrated by Leeds. And some good blocks ensured that the loss wasn’t worse. Vydra missed a good opportunity at 1-0 but thats something they will need to improve upon next season.
Klopp played a blinder by announcing Jota’s injury just before kick-off and breaking a few hundred thousand FPL hearts. The Hawthorns turned out to be a difficult place for them to visit again, with Allison rising highest to score a stunning header in stoppage time to keep them in the race for top 4. Klopp would want his men to be more clinical as they take a rightful swing at the Champions League places.
Bawa’s Verdict: A Liverpool win to keep the pressure on the teams in the top 4.
West Brom vs West Ham
Like their fellow Championship bound side from Sheffield, the Baggies turned in a brilliant performance against Liverpool. They were hard done by losing to a last minute header by the opposing goalkeeper. Hal Robson Kanu looked lively and seemed to take advantage of Liverpool’s attack minded full backs. Big Sam may be going down, but one can never count him out!
While Moyes will rally his troops, he knows that the Hammers have lost the chance for a top 4 finish. He will rue the chances missed by Fornals and Antonio but that’s the beauty of football. His team possesses enough quality to come through this test and guarantee their Europa League participation next season.
Bawa’s Verdict: A routine West Ham win.
FPL Corner
Goalkeepers: Pickford/Dubravka/Carson
Defenders: Digne/Cancelo/Dallas
Midfielders: Fernandes/Son/Greenwood/Salah
Forwards: Antonio/Rodrygo/MC Kane
Leagues of Yonder:
Robert Lewandowski, take a bow! The Polish striker has to be one of the most underrated players in the football world. We rarely hear about his greatness but year after year he produces the goods for his team with this season being no different. He equaled a 49 year old record held by Gerd Muller by scoring 40 goals this season in 6 games fewer and can do one better if he scores in the final game of the season against Augsburg.
While the Scottish league doesn’t set the football world alight, Rangers F.C. did the unthinkable and went the whole season unbeaten amassing 102 points under the stewardship of Steven Gerrard (his first league title š±), a truly remarkable feat!
In some news from Turkey, it was goal difference that decided the Turkish SĆ¼per Lig with Besiktas pipping Galatasaray to the title. Talk about fine margins š±
Luis Suarez was considered surplus to Barcelona’s requirements at the beginning of the season, so it is befitting to see him score the goal that ended Barca’s hopes of winning the La Liga. Atletico scored 2 goals in the last 10 minutes making them favourites to secure the La Liga on the final day over their city rivals.
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