What a fantastic game week! If it weren’t for the drab draw between Everton and Brighton, we would’ve seen a result in every match. As always the attention seeking VAR and match referees came back into scrutiny when they disallowed perfectly good goals in the United v Spurs and Baggies v Saints fixtures. Bawa has given up on the interpretation and the application of VAR this season and hopes that the FA and the PGMOL can figure out the tech to their and the leagues’ advantage.
So without further ado, let us take a look at the predictions for the week:
Everton vs Spurs
Don Carlo deploying 6 defenders on the field was as big a surprise as DCL’s injury. The fact that they picked up a point and have a game in hand keeps their hopes for a top 4 finish alive. Don Carlo and Big Dunc will have to come up with something special as the players don’t seem too arsed to push for European spots.
In his trophy laden career, Mou Mama has lost 10 games for the first time in a season with a club and it doesn’t come as a surprise, coz Spurs, the joke practically writes itself 😉. Spurs have dropped 18 points from a leading position this season and if this continues they won’t qualify for UCL and another sacking followed by a massive compensation package might be on the cards for Mou Mama. Off the field Spurs had a massive signing in Dulux, their official paint partners who promptly went on to whitewash the club on social media.
Assist: @rohit001
Fun Fact: Did you know Son underwent mandatory military service with South Korea! Bawa refuses to believe this coz surely a proud military man wouldn’t need 10 players to help him up after a light tap to their face.
Bawa’s Verdict: A drab draw to start the weekend.
Newscastle vs West Ham
Brucey’s master plan to use Saint Maximin and Wilson for 45 mins paid huge dividends as “Looney Toon” fought back to win 2-1 against Burnley. They sit 6 points above the relegation zone and are 1 point behind Burnley & Brighton making it extremely interesting at the bottom.
Another 3-0 lead and another scare at the end. David Moyes will be hoping that his team plays out some boring games coz surely his heart can’t take this week in and out. Lionel Jesse just can’t stop scoring and will get rewarded with a night out and stay at the luxurious, Corinthia Hotel by his club captain for his exploits.
Bawa’s Verdict: A Hammer blow to Newcastle’s surge.
Wolves vs Sheffield
A stoppage time winner by Adama Traore will help ease the pain of losing Pedro Neto for the rest of the season. Willian Jose thought he was off the mark for Wolves only for his goal to be chalked off by VAR. Poor chap can’t catch a break (Bawa mischievously smiles).
Another match, another pedestrian performance by the Blades. They are playing piss poor football and can’t manage to even hold the ball and put a string of passes together. While he started off as a liability, Ramsdale is definitely their player of the season but will get relegated again.
Bawa’s Verdict: A Wolves win.
Arsenal vs Fulham
A 3-0 win without any fuss is something Mikel and his team welcomed. Laca took his goals well and there were some encouraging performances. Now with their place in the UEL semi final confirmed after a clinical performance in Prague, Mikel will hope that his team can remain consistent till the end of the season. Yes, hope.
Scott Parker looked a dejected man after his side conceded in stoppage time. After losses to Villa and Wolves, Fulham’s fate is nearly sealed. He will hope that the mid-week game and travel to Prague will help his side cause problems to a jaded Arsenal team.
Bawa’s Verdict: Arsenal to nick it.
Man Utd vs Burnley
Another comeback victory for United, especially one over Mou Mama couldn’t be sweeter for Ole and this team. Despite the suspended Shaw, Maguire and McTominay, Ole’s men beat Granada without breaking a sweat and Ole will hope that the same form is replicated in the PL on the weekend. While United have been killing it away for a while, Ole in the post match press conferences is coming into his own, and Bawa likes.
Two matches lost from winning positions must be making Sean Dyche want to tear his hair out, oh wait 🤔 Vydra scored another good goal but its the defence that couldn’t cope with Saint Maximin. Burnley sit 16th in the table but if results don’t go their way, they could find themselves right in the middle of the relegation battle, one they would want to avoid.
Bawa’s Verdict: A walk in the park for United.
Leeds vs Liverpool
Bielsa beat Guardiola for the first time in his career and it was such a typical dogged Leeds performance. Despite being a man down for 50+ minutes against the league leaders, Leeds found the energy and resources to counter attack in stoppage time for Dallas to slot past Ederson. What a magnificent sight!
A come from behind win against Villa has given Liverpool hope of UCL qualification. Salah is back to doing what he does best, score goals. With the attacking talent at their disposal it is still a mystery how they went through a bad patch in the middle of the season. Like the first game of the season, Leeds will give them a run for their money and Klopp better be prepared.
Bawa’s Verdict: A game high on octane but ending in a draw.
Chelsea vs Brighton
Chelsea thrashed Palace and eased their way into the semi finals of the UCL after a solid display against FC Porto. Werner didn’t feature in either and Havertz as a false nine seems to be doing the trick for the Blues. They sit 1 point behind West Ham in 5th and would want to do their best to secure a spot in the UCL without needing to win it.
As seen a lot this season, Brighton dictated much of the play and created the better chances but could only come away with a point against Everton. They are 7 points clear of Fulham but will fully know that anything can happen.
Bawa’s Verdict: Another Chelsea win.
Spurs vs Southampton
After Everton, playing the Saints won’t be easy especially since they come off a FA Cup Semi Final. Mou Mama will be hoping to rest some of his players for the Carabao Cup final so it will be interesting to see how his team lines up.
Saints were outplayed by West Brom and were lucky to to concede just the three. JWP’s penalty miss wouldn’t have altered the result but they go to the FA Semi Final in poor form. They are missing Romeu’s presence in the middle and will do well to beat Leicester to reach the finals.
Bawa’s Verdict: A Spursy win.
Aston Villa vs Man City
Villa were unlucky to not come away with something from Anfield. They have seen a dramatic shift of form since their captain and talisman, Jack Grealish got injured. With a season ending injury to Trezeguet and some patchy defensive work, their work will be cut out against a City team that would want to get back to winning ways to clinch the PL title.
Their midweek triumph over Dortmund means that Pep’s team continues its fight for four trophies. What a team the Sheikhs have assembled! Phil Foden is finally getting the minutes he deserves and is oozing confidence and class. Dias and Stones have forged a great partnership at the back and seems to have resolved the only issue they had (not Ollie Watkins).
Bawa’s Verdict: City to beat Villa and inch closer to another PL title.
Leicester vs West Brom
Brendan was extremely disappointed with Maddison, Choudhury and Barnes attending Perez’s party despite COVID restrictions and was right to drop them against West Ham. While some are saying that the decision backfired and there is a chance that the Foxes might lose out on the top 4 like last season, Bawa believes this was the right thing to do. Players need to be held accountable for their actions and well done BR 👏🏻.
When the chips are down, Big Sam comes out to play! His team have produced two fantastic performances in the last few weeks and given them a glimmer of hope. The Baggies have found a steeliness to their performances and if they keep this up the relegation battle will be the most interesting part of the season.
Bawa’s Verdict: A Leicester win to ease the pressure.
FPL Corner:
Goalkeeper: Mendy/Patricio
Defenders: Shaw/James/Coady
Midfielders: Bruno/Lingard/Son
Forwards: Ings/Kane/Lacazette
Leagues of Yonder:
Forbes has released its World’s Most Valuable Clubs list and the top 10 clubs that feature 6 from England, 2 from Spain, 1 from Germany and France. Italians club owners will hope to feature on this list sooner rather than later. Man United have dropped out of the top 3 for the first time in eons.
PSG upset Bayern Munich to reach the Semi Finals where they will face Man City for a place in the UCL final. Can we term this the Middle East derby considering the geo-political turmoil between Qatar and the UAE. 🤔
The road to Gdansk (Poland) is hotting up with some tasty fixtures in the semi finals. Man Utd play Roma and Arsenal play Villarreal (currently managed by the serial UEL winner and their ex coach Unai Emery). Good Ebening!
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