In less than 24 hours since United committed the cardinal sin of letting the Scousers take a vital step towards securing Champions League football next season, their city rivals and pizza guzzling mathematical champions take on Newcastle in GW36 of the Premier League.
Lionel Jesse completed a stunning double of Player of the Month (April) and the Goal of the Month for his stunning solo goal against Wolves.The bottom of the Premier League table has failed to deliver this year with Fulham, West Brom and the Blades booking their tickets back into the Championship. The race for European spots though is well and truly on with 3 of the 6 English Super League wannabes facing a massive battle against Leicester, West Ham and Everton to keep their continental spots.
Before Bawa gets on to important life decisions such as whether to take a -4 hit or a -8, or altogether give up on FPL this season, let’s look at what he thinks of the fixtures:
Newcastle vs Man City
The Magpies were on a mission – to secure their position in the Premier League. Steve Bruce seems to be joining a legion of legendary managers such as Big Sam, Uncle Woy, Nigel Pearson and the likes to keep teams in all sorts of trouble up in the PL. We could have been forgiven to expect the old Newcastle back, after securing promotion but the Geordies flew out of the blocks and blitzed their old boy Ayoze and his team mates leaving everyone including Brucey dumbstruck. With the certainty of Pep Roulette coming into play, the Geordies can back themselves for an unlikely three points here.
After their across the city rivals literally handed them the title by making ten changes to their team, Pep was left amused by the party culture in England. First they forget to order a cake for Yaya Toure, then they forget to order food for their manager. Pep would be more forgiving though. Meanwhile, City would be preparing to emulate Ole’s boys from across town in making changes, as Pep will prepare to play panenka Aguero and 10 men to complete matches in the PL.
Bawa’s Verdict: City to win with ease.
Burnley vs Leeds
Chris Wood is one of the most inform attackers in the league at the moment. This is going to have Dyche scratching his head. Where was the Kiwi’s scoring boots when he needed them all these years. Wood and Westwood put Fulham’s survival hopes to bed. Burnley have nothing to play for, but pride, like their opponents.
Will this be Bielsa’s last season or will the Chilean wizard continue in office for another season is a question on everyone’s mind. Leeds have done the brilliant first season – one would hope for the sake of football that they don’t do a Blades and implode next year. Stuart Dallas can’t stop giving and was instrumental in Leeds’ schooling of the Spurs.
Bawa’s Verdict: Leeds to take it by a goal.
Southampton vs Fulham
At this point of time Ralph must be relieved that they are staying in the Prem come August 2021. The injuries to Danny Ings were crucial blows to his individual and the team’s collective form as well. They never saw the highs of Project Restart. With Ings back and scoring, the Saints should look to a decent finish.
The Cottagers had pathetic defense to start the season with. Then they signed Andersen which shored the defence up. Unfortunately, they never found an inspiring signing in attack, who could ensure that they score goals. At the end of the season, the lack of goals and the numerous 0-0’s is what cost the Cottagers their place in the Prem next season.
Bawa’s Verdict: Saints to take a free-flowing game with both sides having nothing to lose.
Brighton vs West Ham
The Seagulls finished the last game with 9 men! They will play West Ham without their pivotal man at both ends – Dunk. And Maupay. Brighton should really be thanking the Gods for not having to be in a relegation battle right now. How bad is the scene, if Dat Boy Welbz needs to bail you out time and time, again. If Potter doesn’t get lured by Levy, signings in attack is vital!
The Hammers will still believe that they have a fair shot at the top 4, and will not give up on chasing Chelsea. However, suddenly, they find themselves in a 3-way race for that spot. Moyes would be up against a familiar foe in Liverpool alongwith Chesea. Amidst all this, he can only wish that Antonio could have been fit, a couple of games earlier. In bullish form, Antonio seems to have now stepped into a Jesse Lingard shaped void.
Bawa’s Verdict: West Ham to keep the pressure on Liverpool and Chelsea.
Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa
Palace started as early season relegation contenders to a safe mid table position. First it was Zaha, then Eze and now its Benteke. They seem to be finding that one man who can score a goal or two and enable them to pick an odd win here and there to propel them to safety. The Palace management would need to sort their priorities. The biggest question of them all is, if they want to continue with Uncle Woy?
Aston Villa on the other hand started as early season pace setters. Around the halfway mark, you would have given the Villans a better shot at top 4, than the North London European Super League -rs. Grealish got injured and the wheels came off. Jack made it back to the bench, and Dean Smith would be hoping that his side puts on a better performance against Palace, than they did against United and Everton.
Bawa’s Verdict: Villa to take the win.
Spurs vs Wolves
Spurs are facing a massive battle to keep hold of their Europa League spot. After being hammered by Leeds last week, the London Whites need a win against the Wolves. Caretaker Mason is going to have unleash his complete arsenal consisting of MC Kane, Son and Bale, in the hope that one of them fires past the Wolves defence.
If there is one thing that has been helping the Wolves get along, it is their defence. The defence would have their task cut out here though against MC Kane & Co. If the Wolves attack can pull a rabbit out of the hat against a usually clueless Spurs defence, we could see them set in motion, a North London battle for the 7th place!
Bawa’s Verdict: MC to deliver a captain’s performance and ensure 3 points.
West Brom vs Liverpool
In Klopp’s first season, the Baggies were witness to that moment where Klopp gathered his boys and ran to celebrate with the away fans after a momentous draw. Things are going to be different this time around though. With relegation confirmed, looks like Pereira will be playing to salvage some FPL points for himself.
Salah, Jota and Bobby scored to suddenly put the Reds in the running for a top 4 spot, out of nowhere. They visit the Hawthorns knowing they are in pole position in this round of fixtures. They could get within 1 point of Chelsea. With comparatively easier fixtures, Tuchel must not be the only manager eyeing the 4th position.
Bawa’s Verdict: Walk in the park for Liverpool.
Everton vs Sheffield United
While Arsenal blank and Spurs play Wolves, the Toffees would be delighted to be playing the Blades. The Blades have conceded 6 goals in their last two fixtures, which must leave DCL and Don Carlo purring. The return of their preferred midfield pairing should also bode well for Everton.
There has been nothing much to write home about the Blades for a while, and that really stays. The Blades have a good chance to spoil Everton’s chances here before they roll into two meaningless fixtures against Burnley and Newcastle.
Bawa’s Verdict: Everton to take home the points.
FPL Corner
Goalkeepers: Pickford/Martinez/Forster
Defenders: TAA/Digne/Dallas
Midfielders: Mo Salah/Bale/Mahrez
Forwards: DCL/Antonio/Ings
Leagues of Yonder
Ajax, deservingly are the talk of the football world. As they wrapped up another Eredevise title, Ajax decided to melt down the trophy and create an invaluable piece of memorabilia for their 42,000 season ticket holders. Now that’s a lesson that most football clubs can learn.
In international news, the depth of the French international squad seems to be rankling a fair few including aspiring French footballers. Here’s Man City’s Aymeric, all set to switch nationalities to Spain – so that he has a better shot at an international call up.
Meanwhile the Government of UK has issued what is called an exclusion order, allowing the Premier League to renew its existing broadcast deals on same terms for a 3-year period ending with the 2024-25 season. In return for this order that exempts the Premier League from putting out a tender, the league has offered to invest 100 million pounds in areas of the game that have been most affected by the pandemic.
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