First; Bawa wishes you all a Raapchik & Raawas New Year! This new year doesn’t really need to do much to be better than 2020, so 2021 you better not f*#k this up!
In true 2020 fashion, the last GW of the year poured cold water on all expectations. 2 postponed games, 2 goalless draws and Bielsa running the Baggies into the ground. Here’s hoping that there are no more postponements in 2021 and a lot more of Bielsa and his murderball please. However, in what is typical of this season, the postponed fixtures helped Bawa touch the 50% mark for the first time this season, in his predictions. So cheers to that, and onto the first set of fixtures in 2021:
Everton vs West Ham
Everton’s legal team would probably be more primed to strike than their actual strike force – on current form. The postponement of their game against City just 5 hours before kickoff came as a surprise to all, as Everton were apparently not consulted on the matter. However, the return of Richarlison should bode well for the Toffees this year. Their defence; inspite of the absence of Digne & Coleman, seems to be able to hold itself, but will it manage to do the same against West Ham’s mean machine is what we will have to wait and watch.
When a manager is relieved that ONE striker is back from injury and believes that it will help them score goals – it is definitely not good news. Despite wonder goals and a bully of a midfield, the Hammers have found it hard to put goals into their opposition’s nets. The return of Antonio should change that!
Bawa’s Verdict: Everton to clinch this one.
Man Utd vs Aston Villa
3 points off the top, with a game in hand at the turn of the year, and a possibility of going level on points with Liverpool at the top of the table; United fans would have most certainly taken this especially after their wretched start to the season. However, the level of reliance on Bruno is alarming and having barely managed to win when Bruno is off the pace, this does not reflect well on the rest of the squad and this needs to change with games coming thick and fast.
Dean Smith has had a dream run in the first half of this season, and after barely staying up, Villa fans would have accepted mid-table mediocrity, forget being in the running for the European spots at this stage of the season. However, the rise of El-Ghazi has seen the attacking threat of Grealish fall sharply. Martinez and Co. will definitely have a tough 90 minutes in seeing off wave after wave of United’s attack.
Bawa’s Verdict: United for the win.
Spurs vs Leeds
Mou Mama was unhappy that even with less than 6 hours to go for their game, he was not being told if their game against Fulham was on or off. Spurs in essence have had an extended rest before coming up against a bundle of energy that is Leeds. Will Mou Mama park the bus, or look to activate the counter through Son and our beloved MC Kane.
As Bawa rightly predicted, Leeds ran the Baggies into the ground slamming 5 past Big Sam. Leeds will now have to break through the ‘two banks of four’ that Mou Mama will be placing in front of them a.k.a the bus. In Lloris, they will also be up against one of the PL’s more accomplished and experienced keepers. We will have to wait and see, if they can buzz their way past Mou Mama’s Night’s Watch.
Bawa’s Verdict: Spurs to take this one.
Crystal Palace vs Sheffield United
Palace seem to be in all sorts of trouble most of the time, yet manage to pull out a point here or three there and continue their journey towards safety. Uncle Woy would have been delighted with the point against the Foxes, and even the Palace attack should definitely find a way against relegation bound Sheffield.
You can only feel bad for Chris Wilder. Sheffield’s attack has turned out to be bewilderingly impotent that is not even able to score anymore! Ramsdale who was one of the better keeper’s in the league last season, is just not able to keep a shut out this season. Wilder’s men desperately need some magic potion. And they needed it yesterday. The Championship beckons for the Blades, unless they can go on a massive winning run.
Bawa’s Verdict: Hard to see beyond Palace!
Brighton vs Wolves
Brighton cannot blame their bad luck any longer. Someone needs to tie up their laces and start scoring those goals. Potter has tried all sorts of combinations, and nothing seems to be giving way. And as is the case always, and across clubs, just when he smelt form – Dat Boy Welbz pulled up injured. The Seagulls need goals, and what better time than the turn of the year to set them goals, and achieve it too!
After losing track, Patricio seems to have taken control and tightened the Wolves’ defence to make it difficult for opponents to score. However, that isn’t the case with their strikeforce. The absence of Jimenez is most telling when everyone calls Harry Maguire’s performance against Wolves, a masterclass. There might be an unknown Portuguese striker or two, that might land up in England this January 😉.
Bawa’s Verdict: Wolves to take this one.
West Brom vs Arsenal
Big Sam started off on a stunning note by unravelling Klopp at Anfield and leaving with a point. And then all hell broke loose, with Leeds smashing 5 past his team. The Baggies however would hope that the tie against Arsenal is a breather, keeping in mind the poor attacking form of the Gunners.
A visit to the Hawthorns can’t come at a better time for the Arsenal. They have finally pieced together 2 wins in a row, and will want to continue the streak against a hapless West Brom side. Lego Hair would want to see his side get out of the bottom half of the table at the earliest, and this could be the first step of many in that direction.
Bawa’s Verdict: 3 points to the Gooners. AFTV to have a happy start to 2021.
Burnley vs Fulham
The Clarets’ win against Sheffield sees them climb over Brighton to 16th. Dyche would want to put as much distance possible between the relegation zone and his boys, as possible, in this stretch. The injury to Charlie Taylor could have an impact on the attacking end for Burnley though – it will have to be seen if they can find a like for like from their endless stream of defenders.
Fulham had built up a solid defensive form with consecutive draws before Covid hit them hard. It was unfortunate that the game against Spurs had to be postponed, because that game could have determined how this season would progress for both the sides, and a potential upswing for the Cottagers.
Bawa’s Verdict: A home win to impress the new owners.
Newcastle vs Leicester
Bawa has time and again pointed out the unpredictability of Newcastle. Led by Darlow, the Magpies stunned the English football fraternity and held Liverpool to a goalless draw. However, it would be completely in character, if they deliver a catastrophic performance that would see Vardy and Co. run amok at St James.
Rodgers would be loathing himself for resting key players and dropping points against Palace, which sees United gain a step on them with a game in hand. Having Vardy back can only be a good thing for the Foxes as Ilheanacho is simply not good enough. The new year should also see their first choice wing-backs returning in the form of Pereira, Castagne et al, which would provide Schmeichel with a stronger defence to marshal.
Chelsea vs Man City (Match of the Day, if it happens)
The jury is still not out on Frank Lampard, inspite of an uninspiring start to the season which sees them at 6th on the table. Werner, Havertz and to an extent Ziyech have failed to deliver the adrenaline rush and zip that they were supposed to provide. Instead, Lampard has had to resort to good ol’ Olivier Giroud to deliver the goods.
While it still stuns everyone as to how Man City couldn’t put out a playing squad including U23s against Everton, one can only send good wishes and hope that all infected at the City training ground are on the road to recovery. Pep’s troubles over a misfiring attack would now be replaced by putting out a strong XI to face Chelsea who would themselves be looking to start afresh.
Bawa’s Verdict: An entertaining draw.
Southampton vs Liverpool
Southampton didn’t quite Wreck-It-Like-Ralph with Ings back in the lineup. While everyone expected them to win, the Saints played out a goalless draw. While being able to keep a clean sheet inspite of the absence of Vestergaard is heartening, Ralph would want his attack to get back in form at the earliest, especially against Liverpool who haven’t scored in 2 games.
When was the last time in the Premier League that Liverpool went without scoring 2 games in a row! Big Sam stunned Klopp with the formation he unveiled, and then Darlow led Newcastle shocked both Brucey and Klopp. Southampton wouldn’t be a defensive affair and there could be goals. The Reds would be well aware that if they don’t take three here, they’ll be playing for the top spot against United at Anfield.
Bawa Says: Liverpool to edge this.
The FPL Corner:
Goalkeepers: Pope/Guaita/Leno
Defenders: Chilwell/Robertson/Dallas
Midfielders: Maddison/Zaha/Aubameyang
Forwards: Vardy/Kane
From the Leagues of Yonder…
In an astonishing record, Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid continued their streak of not having conceded a goal against Getafe for the last 9 years. A Suarez header was enough to give the Rojiblancos the 3 points.
January 1 also means that the transfer window is now open. Below are some players that will soon be out of contract and could prove to be a bargain.
The turn of the calendar also means that the winter transfer window opens. It’s that time of the year when @FabrizioRomano’s words turn gospel for football fans across the world. Apart from confirming the New Year, Fab more importantly confirmed the loan arrivals of Radja Nainggolan to Cagliari and Sead Kolasinac to Schalke.
Staying with transfers on Fabrizio Romano, a love story came to an end at Atletico as well.
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 