I guessed 4 matches correctly last round with one perfect score, not horrible but there is plenty of room for improvement. The FA Cup is in action this weekend so the EPL games will be played on Tuesday and Wednesday.
January 28
Manchester United vs Cardiff City
Manchester United lost last week to Sunderland in the Capitol One Cup Semi-final but they are still doing a lot better in the league lately. They are beginning to catch up to their rivals and currently sit in 7th place. The Red Devils have just signed Juan Mata from Chelsea but they will probably be without RVP and Rooney. Cardiff lost last week to Man City at Etihad but they showed great spirit and managed to score 2 goals to their 4. Cardiff have signed a couple of players, Eikrom was one of them I think, but basically they haven't got anyone that will make an impact in the starting lineup. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants to bring in players from his native Norway but I don't think he realizes that they suck. If Cardiff give it their all they could end up getting something from this one as Man U are still trying to figure things out, even at Old Trafford.
Prediction: 3-1
Norwich vs Newcastle
Both of these teams showed real resilience in their last matches, both winning their matches. Norwich beat the very impressive Hull Tigers 1-0 thanks to a goal from Bennett in the closing stages of the match. There has been quite a bit of transfer rumors flying around Norwich but it is about clubs coming in for their players like Hoolahan, but I don' think they need to buy or sell in order to survive the drop. Newcastle haven't added anyone yet but they don't really need to right now as well. Newcastle beat West Ham 3-1 away from home, showing great defensive resolve against the physicality of West Ham. Newcastle have a lot of players that are scoring for them right now so I think they are going to win this one, but it will probably be close.
Prediction: 1-2
Southampton vs Arsenal
Southampton's goals in their last match against Sunderland were absolutely exquisite but they still couldn't win the match against Sunderland. Arsenal didn't play their best against a poor Fulham team but thanks to an impressive brace from Santi Cazorla they took all three points. Whenever these two play I can't help but think of the first time they met in the Premier League when Southampton came back up to the EPL, I believe it was 6-1. Southampton are pretty strong at home although they haven't had great results recently and I can't see them taking much from this match too. Arsenal haven't been playing their best but have been getting good results but I think their luck will run out and it will end as a tie.
Prediction: 1-1
Swansea vs Fulham
At the beginning of the season I didn't expect either of these teams to be sitting so low in the table as they are right now. Swansea's defending was absolutely atrocious against Tottenham and lost 1-3 at home. Wilfried Bony scored a great goal and is starting to look like he is worth what Swansea shoveled out for him. Fulham still have a lot of problems to figure out and I hope they do because they don't deserve to go down to the Championship. Fulham have brought back Dempsey on loan and has helped a little bit but it isn't enough. This will be a great and evenly matched match, a truly hard one to call. I am going to go with a win for Swansea simply because they have the home field advantage.
Prediction: 1-0
Crystal Palace vs Hull Tigers
Both of these teams have had their high points this season but are now in a bit of a slump. Palace got a shock win against Stoke at home last week 1-0 thanks to a bad pass from Ousamma Assaidi and a good finish by Jason Puncheon, which kind of makes up for his terrible pk miss two weeks ago. Hull lost 0-1 to Norwich, which is a big blow for them but I don't think it will affect them too much. Hull have made some great deals in the January transfer window bringing in Nikita Jelavic and Shane Long which will really help them up front. I expect them to begin to click with their new teammates and edge this game out.
Prediction: 0-1
Liverpool vs Everton
Here it is! The Merseyside Derby at Anfield! This is one of my most anticipated matches of the season. This derby is one of the biggest and bloodiest of all derbies in world football. Both managers have been preaching more patient passing but all of that goes out the window for this match. Liverpool really needed Lucas for this match but he will be out for a few weeks and Joe Allen is a doubt as well. Everton have just brought in Lacina Traore on loan from Monaco but I think he is basically a taller and less skilled Lukaku. Liverpool struggled last week at home against Aston Villa and ended up coming from behind to tie the match 2-2 thanks to a dive from Suarez to get a pk. This will be a really tough one for Liverpool and Everton have a very good chance of taking something from this one. Only one point separate the rivals so the winner will be much closer to securing a top 4 finish. I of course want Liverpool to demolish them, but I think this will be a very close match. Last time they met it was at Goodison Park and ended 3-3. I am going to go with a narrow Red's win.
Prediction: 1-0
January 29
Aston Villa vs West Brom
Both of these teams are very similar in terms of skill and placement in the table, Villa are two points up on West Brom. West Brom's new manager isn't the greatest and I think they will struggle but barely survive relegation. Villa showed great promise at Anfield last week with Agbonlihor and Benteke impressing and Vlaar did a good job stopping SAS. West Brom tied last week as well to the other Merseyside team Everton 1-1 thanks to a rare Lugano goal. Its weird but I think that Villa are better away than at home so West Brom will have the home field advantage somehow. I am sensing another tie for this match with neither team really having the determination to finish off the game.
Prediction: 1-1
Chelsea vs West Ham
Chelsea have been busy in the transfer window but I don't think it will affect them too much for better or worse though. Chelsea are looking very impressive lately and I expect them to beat anyone right now, they beat Manchester United last week. West Ham are still struggling, even with the return of marquee signing Andy Carroll, who is still trying to get into the swing of things. Samuel Eto'o is the only forward who can score right now and Torres is out injured as well so I think he will score. West Ham games seem to always involve a lot of scoring so I am going for a high scoring affair.
Prediction: 3-1
Sunderland vs Stoke
Sunderland beat Manchester United in the Capitol One Cup this week which will be a huge boost for them as they try to survive the drop. Stoke didn't play a great game last week against a poor Crystal Palace team. Sunderland will be all fired up for this match and I expect it to be very high paced. This is another hard one to predict as these teams can be very hot and cold. I am going to go with a narrow Sunderland victory because if they can keep Manchester United's strikers out they can keep Stoke's.
Prediction: 2-1
Tottenham vs Manchester City
In my mind the EPL title is already going to end up in Man City's hands so I am expecting a good win here. Last time these two met City beat them 6-0 at the Etihad and I expect another win for city, but I'm sure it won't be as big. Tottenham are starting to really mesh together with Eriksen really impressing lately. City are just too good at the moment and I don't see Spurs even scoring, if they do it will be just once.
Prediction: 1-3
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