We had a good day yesterday hitting 5/7 correct predictions giving us a +2 for the season but today's games I feel are more open and it will be more difficult to predict. We are going to need some luck to get these results correct.
In game comments:
Post game comments: I had predicted that these games would be hard to call. We finish with 1/3 giving us a (-1) for the day and +1 for the season.
We were seconds from getting the draw in Manchester and were really fortunate to get the point in the Everton game as they scored 2 to win in injury time. We were looking good in the West Ham game but somehow Liverpool contrived to score 3 away goals without Suarez to win. Football is a funny old game. See you again soon.
Man City Vrs Man Utd.
The striking stat that stands out for this game is that Man Utd's 7 victories coming from behind is already a Premier League record! Some people are saying that Utd. are psychologically now waiting to fall behind but anyone who has played football would disregard that. No team goes out to wait to fall behind. This trend speaks of a lack of application by the staff and players. The great Liverpool teams of old would just tick along until December, keeping within touching distance and then becoming fully focused on treating every game as if it was a cup final until the league and whatever else was available was won. United have been doing the same for the last 20 years. There was a time when Chelsea and Arsenal were at their peak that you had to focus from August as you could not afford to lose more than 2/3 games in a season. Standards have slipped a bit again so cruising along is OK again. The fact that United have been able to turn it on as required is ominous for the rest of the league.
Man City can also claim to have been picking up points without having played anywhere near top form. There is a lot to say for a team that might not currently have enough desire to win every game but that will most certainly not lose that game. They know that they are good enough to not allow that to happen. Neither team will want to lose this game and I think both would settle for a draw at this stage of the season. Both teams have the confidence to come back from falling a goal behind so I am going for a scoring draw in this game, probably 1-1.
Prediction : Draw
City started with all the possession but Utd and Rooney have caught them twice with a suckerpunch. 2-0 to United. City have also lost their inspirational captain Kompany and I blame Toure, who has replaced him, for the 2nd goal.
Half time and 2-0 it remains. I still won't write off the draw. City will surely come out all guns blazing in the 2nd half and if they score 1 goal then anything could happen. Having said that we know Utd will be hoping to hit them on the break again. One more goal from Utd you feel would be game over.
Just after Utd had a goal incorrectly disallowed City go up the other end a pull one back through Yaya Toure 2-1. 35 minutes to go and our prediction of a draw is still on.
The game has really heated up. Full of passion and commitment. The referee is also finding it hard to keep up making some very poor decisions against both teams.
City's pressure finally paying off. 2-2! Zabaletta firing in from a cleared corner. Hold your horses now boys. Take it easy!
United looking nervous now. Can City snatch a winner?
No they can't because Utd go ahead 3-2! Van Persie from a deflection off Nasri. So close to our prediction...but no cigar. This was always going to be a game that was going to be hard to predict.
Actual: Man Utd win 3-2 (-1)
Everton vrs Tottenham;
This is a very interesting game where anything could happen. Both teams are capable of winning the game comfortably.
Everton's great start has been tempered somewhat by a drawing streak. 7 out of the last 9 league games have been draws. Mirallas and Coleman could be fit to play and if Mirallas especially makes it it will be good news for the Toffees as he adds another dimension from the right side to a team that predominantly attacks from the left side. In Fellaini Everton have a free scoring midfielder and it is his partnership with Piennar and Baines that has been their prime source of goals.
The big news for Spurs is that their man in form, Bale, is out injured. This will be a big blow to their attacking threat as he has been the reason they have won 4 on the bounce. Another issue is that Spurs played in midweek in the Europa League so Everton can expect to be that much fresher. On the plus side Dembele is back in their midfield and he will always cause problems with his direct style. His return has also seen Dempsey strike some form. The American seems to enjoy playing with the Belgian. The big worry for Spurs is their defence who are the 5th worst in the league and are especially prone to losing games in the final 10 minutes. On balance it seems to be more plusses for Everton.
Prediction: Everton win
Everton have been on top and have had the better chances but it is their same old failing. They need 3/4 chances to score 1. Will Spurs make them pay in the 2nd half?
Everton continue to be wasteful. Tottenham will be happier with the draw if it stays like this.
It is one of those games you feel that Everton could play until tomorrow and wouldn't score! Let's call it 0-0 and go home and save us all some time..and money :(
That Leon Osman made it into the England squad recently just shows how poor the pool of players to choose from is.
I hoped I was tempting fate but not in this way! Tottenham 1-0 up.
Forget about Everton's early season form as it is offially finished. I hinted in previous posts that they could be doing the reverse in what they do normally by starting well and finishing badly. Themselves and West Brom are two teams I will not be seeing as winners in their next few games no matter who they are playing.
There is a stat that Tottenham would be top of the table if games were to finish after only 80 mins and it will continue for another week as Everton are now 2-1 ahead with 2 goals in injury time! Great news for us and our predictions. I never had a doubt really :)
Actual: Everton win 2-1 (+1)
West Ham vrs Liverpool:
West Ham could go as high as 6th today with a win. Who would have believed that at the start of the season? Big Sam has got a team who are strong of spirit and will give 100% commitment. In this age of sensitive millionaires playing football that is worth a few points. You don't beat West Ham unless you really want to. The question is how much will Liverpool fancy going head to head, literally, with the Hammers on West Ham's own patch, especially as they have only one away win to their name? I think not much. If Liverpool win, however, they could move above West Ham so there is incentive for both teams. Some of Liverpool's players will have played mid week against Udinese so West Ham should be that bit fresher. Also West ham will be buoyed by the absence of Suarez through suspension. Liverpool fans will be asking the question who can score goals in his absence? Who can Liverpool even call upon to replace him? The enforced absence of Andy Carroll from West ham's squad as part of his loan agreement will not trouble Liverpool fans too much as he has not been as prolific as West Ham fans hoped he would be. Big Sam also loves upsetting the big names to bolster his own belief that he is good enough to manage a top four side so he will have his charges fired up. Everything really points to a home win. Liverpool without Suarez will not I feel score more than 1 if even that. I fancy West Ham to get at the Liverpool defence and cause them and Reina, who has not been at his best, some aerial problems. Kevin Nolan, a Scouser himself, has been the engine of the Hammers team and he will be especially eager to make his presence felt.
Prediction: West Ham win
Liverpool take the lead 1-0. Glen Johnson with a cracker by all accounts. West Ham were a goal down against Chelsea at half time last week and came back to win so hope is not lost yet.
Some good news at last. Mark Noble converts a penalty for West Ham 1-1.
And things get even brighter. An own goal from Gerrard puts West Ham 2-1 ahead.
Liverpool have been so poor that West Ham must have lost concentration at the back because Joe Cole has equalised 2-2. You would think it has been a great game but it hasn't...up until now anyway.
And the drama goes on. It is now 3-2 Liverpool with Shelvey scoring. What has caused Liverpool's comeback? Was it the loss of Diame for West Ham or the introduction of Henderson for Liverpool? Ten minutes ago I was feeling very smug with my predictions as we were heading for 2/3. Looking more like 1/3 now.
Actual: Liverpool win 3-2 (-1)
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