Premier League Picks Of The Week 15

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 15

The 15th week of the Premier League action saw:

30 goals - most by Brighton, West Ham, Liverpool and Tottenham = 3 each

274 shots - most by Fulham = 25

113 on target - most by Liverpool = 12

124 corners - most by Everton = 14

203 fouls - most by Newcastle and Wolves = 18 each

35 bookings - most by Newcastle = 5

1 red card - Duffy for Brighton

3 penalties - 2 scored (Murray for Brighton, Milivojevic for Palace)

What a game! It was a good old clash between rivals Manchester United and Arsenal on Wednesday night, first half more than the second, with bookings galore! I don’t know how all 22 players stayed on the pitch after a brutal first 45 minutes, which saw six bookings (three each), none after the restart! The clash had everything, howlers, bangers, smashers, grabbers... Each time the Gunners took the lead, thanks to Shkodran Mustafi's tame header (26') and Marcos Rojo's own goal (68'), the Red Devils hit back promptly, through Anthony Martial (30') and Jesse Lingard (69'), both pouncing on keeping and defensive errors respectively. After Alexandre Lacazette's cheeky header off keeper David de Gea's loose gloves was disallowed in the last couple of minutes of the match, many followers and the MOTD commentator pointed out Gary Crosby’s goal that stood much in contrast to this decision. A big and crucial call. It meant it stayed at two all and one point each. Shared spoils. It was the first time José Mourinho saw real fight in his side, whilst Unai Emery was happy with the performance but will still have been gutted to have seen two points dropped.

Tuesdays matches were madder than expected! Bournemouth’s “mojo” has returned according to their boss Eddie Howe after their 2-1 against Huddersfield, who threw everything at the Cherries (6-23 shots, 2-6 on target), but it was just not enough. Brighton crushed Crystal Palace 3-1 despite being down to ten men for over an hour after Shane Duffy was sent off for a stupid headbutt (28’). Chris Hughton’s side did brilliantly well keeping control, scoring some beauties, and can be very happy about the three points. Sour for Roy Hodgson though after his side had double the chances (9-18) and with the extra man, but couldn’t make anything of it.

What a team! Abdoulaye Doucouré scrambled one over the line in the 85th minute for Watford to make it a nervous finish for Manchester City at Vicarage Road on Tuesday night. Both sides recorded the same number of shots on target = seven each, the home side pushing and creating most in the dramatic final minutes. But Leroy Sané (40’) and Riyad Mahrez (51’) had done enough each side of the interval to bag yet another win and keep the Citizens at the top, five points ahead of Liverpool before the Reds played the next day, Burnley did get them worried as well, more to their win below.

What a man! New Fulham boss Claudio Ranieri's pre-match programme notes, facing his former side Leicester, beat them all! So touching and true after the tragedy that hit his ex-club. The one-all draw was a fair result, in the end, although James Maddison's equaliser (74') must have hurt after the hosts looked on course for a win after Aboubakar Kamara had given them the lead before the break (42'). The Cottagers's unwanted record of no clean sheets this season continues... They had 25 chances! But just seven on target, and one scored. The result keeps the London side at the bottom of the table. Worrying for their Italian boss.

Sub Lucas Pérez came off the bench to score two goals in five minutes to bank a very special win for West Ham against Cardiff. It ended 3-1, thanks to Hammers keeper Łukasz Fabiański’s first-half penalty save as well, denying Joe Ralls and any chance for the Welsh side to take the lead. The win takes the London club up to 12th, whilst Neil Warnock’s men have only taken one point from seven away games this season and are just two points above the drop zone.

What a goal! James Milner’s equaliser for Liverpool at Burnley was a fine low finish and crucial as hell (62’). The home side had taken a shock lead thanks to Jack Cork capitalising on Alisson’s blunder, unable to gather the ball off a corner (54’). Jürgen Klopp had named a much very different lineup after the Merseyside derby on Sunday, but that was changed after the break, Roberto Firmino’s first touch put the visitors ahead, the second goal just as banging as the first, a decisive tap in (69’)! And Xherdan Shaqiri added an extra boom late on (90’+1) to make it 1-3 and keep the Reds in the title race, two points behind league leader City. The only downside to the comeback was the injury blow to Jo Gomez, who had to be replaced halfway through the first half and will be out for over a month with a fracture.

Newcastle’s great counter equaliser spoilt the night for Everton, who rued lots of missed chances,to then drop two points (19-8 shots to be exact, and 14 corners!).

Charlie Austin’s goal for Saints against Spurs was just a consolation as they lost 3-1 at Wembley, but it was top quality and worth a smile for their new manager Ralph Hasenhüttl (I had to Google the name, it's a funny one and I am half German!).

What the hell?! Wolves 2-1 Chelsea, yes, you read right! What a comeback it was by Nuno Espírito Santo’s men... I was surprised not too see this surprise on first on MOTD! The Blues had dominated with 70% possession and 17 chances in total and it was no surprise when Ruben Loftus-Cheek 25-yard effort was deflected in and gave Maurizio Sarri's men the lead they deserved (18'). But everything changed after the restart, with two goals in four minutes, Raul Jiménez (59') and Diogo Jota (63') turning the game and Molineux on its head. The win takes Nuno's men up to 12th, just four points behind Everton in sixth, whilst Chelsea have suffered back-to-back league defeats on the road and drop to fourth, level on points with Arsenal in fifth, ten points off the top.
And an interesting final note, for the first time in eight years, every single team scored!

My Predictions - Actual Results

Bournemouth 0:0 Huddersfield* - 2:1

Brighton 0:0 Crystal Palace* - 3:1

West Ham 3:1 Cardiff - 3:1

Watford 1:2 Man City - 1:2

Burnley 0:3 Liverpool - 1:3

Everton 3:1 Newcastle - 1:1

Fulham 1:2 Leicester - 1:1

Wolves 0:2 Chelsea - 2:1

Man United 2:2 Arsenal - 2:2

Tottenham 2:0 Southampton - 3:1

*prediction failed to save, damn it, was doing so well!

Click here for last week’s Premier League Picks.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match reports, MOTD, Twitter, and RMC Sports coverage.

Premier League Picks Of The Week 13

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 13

These are the Premier League Picks Of The Week 13:

27 goals - most by Man City = 4

251 shots - most by Arsenal = 20

86 on target - most by Tottenham = 9

95 corners - most by Man United = 10

197 fouls - most by Tottenham = 19

25 bookings - most by Brighton, Cardiff, Southampton & Chelsea = 3 each

2 red cards - Maddison for Leicester, Henderson for Liverpool

1 penalty - 1 scored (Vardy for Leicester)

What a game! Claudio Ranieri’s first match as Fulham boss after replacing first sacking of the season Slaviša Jokanović had everything in it, the best and worst, the ups and downs, leaving Southampton reeling and losing 3-2, their manager Mark Hughes on very thin ice wondering what the hell his side have to do to get a win. Stuart Armstrong had given the Saints the lead (18’), but Aleksandar Mitrović’s brace (33’, 63’) ended his six-game league goal drought and completed the perfect comeback with André Schürrle (43’), nullifying Armstrong’s equaliser in-between all of that (53’). It was an eventful encounter between the two struggling sides, Craven Cottage a very relieved and much happier and more hopeful place with their new boss, reducing the climb to safety to barely a point.

What a team! Liverpool are nowhere near their best (yet) but are still unbeaten after ending 0-3 winners at Watford, thanks to Mohamed Salah’s opener (67’), Trent Alexander-Arnold’s stunning free-kick (76’) and Roberto Firmino’s tap-in (89’). It was far from comfortable for Jürgen Klopp’s men though, with captain Jordan Henderson sent off for two daft yellows (82’) and Andy Robertson escaping a penalty shout after fouling Will Hughes as the score was still level. But the records keep tumbling for the Merseyside club, unbeaten after 13 league games with 33 points, only five goals conceded, just two points behind leaders Manchester City, the only other unbeaten side left in the league and country, who thrashed a sorry West Ham side 0-4 at the London Stadium. Chelsea meanwhile, totally derailed and crashed against Tottenham, just 3-1 at Wembley, it could and should have been 7 or 8-1 to Mauricio Pochettino’s side. The result sees Spurs replace the Blues in third, two points ahead of their London rivals, three points behind the Reds.

What a man! Man of the match Jamie Vardy was a game changer at the Amex Stadium. Leicester were second best for most of the first hour, not least thanks to James Maddison’s early sending off after two quick consecutive yellows for a foul and a stupid dive (28’). Glenn Murray had put Brighton ahead early on with his 101st goal for the club on his 100th Premier League appearance (15’). But Vardy injected some energy into the Foxes and life into the game after coming on 11 minutes into the second half. His equaliser from the spot, his first goal since September ending a run of 468 league minutes without a goal, earned his side a point on the road, keeping Claude Puel’s men in 10th place, three points clear of the Seagulls in 12th.

What a goal! Gylfi Sigurðsson’s crucial winner for Everton against Cardiff (59’) made it four home league wins in a row for his side and saw them move into the top six, whilst the Welsh side remain in the bottom three.

Bournemouth Jefferson Lerma’s own goal was gob-smacking (30’), banged in, no chance for anyone to stop it, and with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s eighth strike of the season (67’) secured Arsenal’s fourth league away win of the season, stretching their unbeaten run to 17 games in all competitions, but still leaving Unai Emery expecting more. Eddie Howe felt rightly hard done by after seeing David Brooks' strike disallowed and Lerma hit the post (the correct side of the pitch this time), his side not sinking easily after their winning start to the season, but momentum has stalled a bit. After losing just two of their opening 10 league games (W6 D2), the Cherries have lost their last three in a row, dragging them down to 8th, whilst the Gunners sit strong in 5th, five points ahead of Everton in 6th and just one point behind Chelsea in 4th.

What the hell?! Manchester United’s goalless draw against Crystal Palace was hard to watch and takes their run to just three wins out of their nine games at home this season. Roy Hodgson’s men had several chances to make it even worse for the Red Devils, coming close to secure not just their first league point but also win at Old Trafford since 1989. José Mourinho was left moaning about his players’ heart and desire, or more the lack of it. Has he ever wondered why? Has he ever looked at what the reason could be = in the mirror?!?!?!

There were loads of #WTF and #ZZZ moans on social media about the Super Sunday match between Wolves and Huddersfield and not much to be expected from it. Same with the Monday Night Football fixture, Burnley against Newcastle. Fool all of them, both matches were cracking to watch, competitive and entertaining, lots happening. Aaron Mooy’s double (6', 74') helped the Terriers off the bottom of the table, whilst Nuno Espírito Santo has watched his side collect just one point from the last 15, their worst run under the Portuguese. The Magpies secured their third successive league win, Sean Dyche left absolutely fuming about his side’s frailty, having won just one of their past nine league home games (D2 L6) after gifting the goals and result, which takes the sides to 13th and 17th respectively.

My Predictions - Actual Results
Brighton 1:2 Leicester - 1:1

Everton 3:1 Cardiff - 1:0

Fulham 2:1 Southampton - 3:2

Man United 1:0 Crystal Palace - 0:0

Watford 1:2 Liverpool - 0:3

West Ham 1:1 Man City - 0:4

Tottenham 1:1 Chelsea - 3:1

Bournemouth 1:2 Arsenal - 1:2

Wolves 1:1 Huddersfield - 0:2

Burnley 0:0 Newcastle - 1:2

Click here for last week’s Premier League Picks.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match reports and RMC sports coverage.

Premier League Picks Of The Week 26

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 26

The 26th week of the Premier League action saw:

205 shots - most by Tottenham = 21
22 goals - most by Tottenham = 4
187 fouls - most by Watford = 19
26 bookings - most by Watford = 4
2 red cards - Barnes for Burnley, Antonio for West Ham
3 penalties - 3 scored (Huddlestone for Hull City, King for Bournemouth, Deeney for Watford)

What a game! West Brom's comeback against Bournemouth was an entertaining encounter at The Hawthorns. But champions Leicester stole the show, returning to their stunning best we all enjoyed last season, beating Liverpool 3-1 at the King Power thanks to Jamie Vardy and Danny Drinkwater being back on fire. One goal especially wins my vote, see below...

What a team! Everton stretched their unbeaten league run to nine games after beating bottom side Sunderland 2-0 at Goodison Park thanks to Idrissa Gueye and Romelu Lukaku, the latter registering his 60th Premier League goal in 119 games for the Blues, equalling the club record with current first-team coach Duncan Ferguson (60 in 239 matches).

What a man! Harry Kane has scored the most Premier League goals since start of last season = 42, three hat-tricks in the last nine games, fourth in the Premier League for Tottenham, a club record, taking him past 100 goals in his club career (102, 86 of those for Tottenham). Cesc Fàbregas marked his 300th Premier League appearance as the man of the match, opening the score for Chelsea against Swansea, Pedro and Diego Costa also on the scoreboard once again, stretching the Blues' lead at the top to 11 points. Utter dominance.

What a goal! Drinkwater's goal for the Foxes against the Reds was a breathtaking smacker to make it 2-0 before the break. Vardy was back with a double-bang, scoring his first and second Premier League goal of the year, pouncing on Jürgen Klopp's mens' weakness at the back. A convincing win, or as the German boss of the losing side put it, it was a bad start, bad middle and bad finish for the Reds. Click here to read my LFC match summary.

What the hell?! Crystal Palace's win against Middlesbrough, served Big Sam only his second win since taking over at Selhurst Park in December. The victory was priceless for the Eagles, devastating for Leicester, dropping into the relegation zone in the process (temporarily). I would have been sad about that, if it weren't for the Foxes' sacking of the title winning boss Claudio Ranieri. But their misery didn't last long as mentioned above, much to Craig Shakespeare's advantage in his bid to take over the job permanently. #hm #suspicious

My Predictions - Actual Results
Chelsea 3:1 Swansea - 3:1
Crystal Palace 0:0 Middlesbrough - 1:0
Everton 2:0 Sunderland - 2:0
Hull City 1:0 Burnley - 1:1
West Brom 2:1 Bournemouth - 2:1
Watford 1:2 West Ham - 1:1
Tottenham 4:1 Stoke City - 4:0
Leicester 2:2 Liverpool - 3:1 or click here for my LFC match summary
Man City P:P Man United*
Southampton P:P Arsenal*
*P = postponed because of the EFL Cup Final (Man United 3:2 Southampton)

Click here for last week's Premier League Picks.

Pictures and stats taken from the BBC match reports.

FT Summary LCFC 3-1 LFC

Sports - Football - PL - LCFC 3:1 LFC

Craig Shakespeare in temporary charge after Claudio Ranieri's dismissal, looking for Leicester's first league win since Boxing Day, Jamie Vardy not on the scoreboard since 10th December.

Liverpool wanting to build on their first win of the year against Tottenham, 16 days ago, Philippe Coutinho having not scored nor provided in the last seven games since his return from injury.

The opening 20ish minutes were all Leicester, 4-0 attempts, 2-0 on target, Vardy coming the closest, one-on-one versus Simon Mignolet, the Belgian stopper's legs denying the striker.

But the 30-year-old forward pounced on Georginio Wijnaldum's giveaway, with enough time and space off Marc Albrighton to compose himself and put the Foxes ahead with his right foot, nice and comfy after 28 minutes, the champions' first league goal since New Year's Eve!

Kasper Schmeichel denied Coutinho just over a minute later after a lovely buildup, first real chance for the Reds.

Nigerian midfielder Wilfred Ndidi fed off Vardy to be denied by Mignolet with just over half an hour gone.

Liverpool producing some quality, but Leicester comfortably on top...

And what a strike it was that doubled the lead for the Foxes, Danny Drinkwater whacking it in with his right foot from distance after James Milner thought he had cleared the danger, no chance for the keeper.

Two minutes added on, The King Power sounding loud and proud, a bit mocking. What crises?!?!?! Nicht gut for Red boss Jürgen Klopp.

Leicester continued on top after the break, Liverpool just curving out but messing up half chances, Coutinho and Sadio Mané looking desperate at the front.

With an hour gone, Vardy headed in his second off a Christian Fuchs cross, the Foxes' third. Oh, just like in the good old days (= last season).

Shortly after Liverpool made a double-change, and Ranieri's name rang around the stadium, the Reds ripped the home side open for the first time, Coutinho pouncing and netting the chance to make it 3-1, his sixth league goal of the season.

Drinkwater put one chance wide not long before conceding a corner which was headed wide eventually by Lucas Leiva.

Vardy received treatment after a clash of heads with Wijnaldum, just under ten minutes left on the clock, Klopp bringing on youngster Ben Woodburn to replace Lucas.

Schmeichel spilled Coutinho's shot out for a corner, which Liverpool could not make much of, keeping the score at 3-1 in the final minutes.

Nathaniel Clyne won another corner for the Reds, blocked out, for Leicester to counter, losing out possession eventually.

Feisty challenges left, right and centre late on, the referee Michael Oliver let the play flow.

Five minutes added on after the Foxes made their final change, tired legs out there.

A free kick given away by Milner in the final minute, Fuchs tried to beat Mignolet cheekily high from distance, sending the ball out, just.

Seconds later, the whistle went, cheers rang through the King Power celebrating their first win of the year.

Man of the match Vardy back how and where he belongs, on the scoreboard, with two goals, Drinkwater adding to that with a beauty.

Possession may have been dominated by the visitors, but they never took over any control, the hosts bossing it from start to finish.

Or as Klopp put and summarised it for the Reds in the post-match interview, it was a bad start, bad middle, bad end.

The win takes Leicester out of the relegation zone, up to 15th, Liverpool stay in 5th with just one point between them and bitter rivals Manchester United in 6th with a game in hand.

Leicester Pre-Match Form: LLWLLL

Liverpool Pre-Match Form: LLLDLW

Leicester Team: 1 Schmeichel; 28 Fuchs, 6 Huth, 5 Morgan (c), 17 Simpson; 25 Ndidi, 4 Drinkwater; 11 Albrighton (3 Chilwell 90'), 20 Okazaki (13 Amartey 69'), 26 Mahrez (22 Gray 80'); 9 Vardy. 4-2-3-1
Subs not used: 10 King, 19 Slimani, 21 Zieler, 23 Ulloa.

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet; 7 Milner (c), 21 Lucas (58 Woodburn 84'), 32 Matip, 2 Clyne; 5 Wijnaldum, 23 Can, 20 Lallana (27 Origi 66'); 10 Coutinho, 11 Firmino, 19 Mané (18 Moreno 66'). 4-3-3
Subs not used: 1 Karius, 17 Klavan, 35 Stewart, 66 Alex-Arnold.

Leicester Goals: Vardy 28' & 60, Drinkwater 39'.

Liverpool Goal: Coutinho 68'.

HT & FT stats: LCFC-LFC
Score: 2-0 & 3-1
Possession: 38.6%-62.2% & 30.9%-69.1%
Attempts: 9-6 & 13-17
On target: 5-3 & 7-7
Offside: 2-1 & 3-2
Corners: 5-6 & 5-12
Free kicks: 6-4 & 8-5
Yellow cards: 0-0 & 0-0
Red cards: 0-0 & 0-0

Referee: Michael Oliver
Man of the match: Jamie Vardy
Ground: The King Power Stadium
Attendance: 32,034

Click here my HT Summary LCFC 2-0 LFC.

Click here for my previous LFC match report.

Pictures taken from the BBC match report, stats and facts taken from the Sky Sports app and live coverage.

HT Summary LCFC 2:0 LFC

Sports - Football - PL - LCFC 2:0 LFC

Craig Shakespeare in temporary charge after Claudio Ranieri's dismissal, looking for Leicester's first league win since Boxing Day, Jamie Vardy not on the scoreboard since 10th December.

Liverpool wanting to build on their first win of the year against Tottenham, 16 days ago, Philippe Coutinho having not scored nor provided in the last seven games since his return from injury.

The opening 20ish minutes were all Leicester, 4-0 attempts, 2-0 on target, Vardy coming the closest, one-on-one versus Simon Mignolet, the Belgian stopper's legs denying the striker.

But the 30-year-old forward pounced on Georginio Wijnaldum's giveaway, with enough time and space off Marc Albrighton to compose himself and put the Foxes ahead with his right foot, nice and comfy after 28 minutes, the champions' first league goal since New Year's Eve!

Kasper Schmeichel denied Philippe Coutinho just over a minute later after a lovely buildup, first real chance for the Reds.

Nigerian midfielder Wilfred Ndidi fed off Vardy to be denied by Mignolet with just over half an hour gone.

Liverpool producing some quality, but Leicester comfortably on top...

And what a strike it was that doubled the lead for the Foxes, Danny Drinkwater whacking it in with his right foot from distance after James Milner thought he had cleared the danger, no chance for the keeper.

Two minutes added on, The King Power sounding loud and proud, a bit mocking. What crises?!?!?! Nicht gut for Jürgen Klopp.

Leicester Pre-Match Form: LLWLLL

Liverpool Pre-Match Form: LLLDLW

Leicester Team: 1 Schmeichel; 28 Fuchs, 6 Huth, 5 Morgan (c), 17 Simpson; 25 Ndidi, 4 Drinkwater; 11 Albrighton, 20 Okazaki, 26 Mahrez; 9 Vardy. 4-2-3-1
Subs not used: 3 Chilwell, 10 King, 13 Amartey, 19 Slimani, 21 Zieler, 22 Gray, 23 Ulloa.

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet; 7 Milner (c), 21 Lucas, 32 Matip, 2 Clyne; 5 Wijnaldum, 23 Can, 20 Lallana; 10 Coutinho, 11 Firmino, 19 Mané. 4-3-3
Subs not used: 1 Karius, 17 Klavan, 18 Moreno, 27 Origi, 35 Stewart, 58 Woodburn, 66 Alex-Arnold.

Leicester Goals: Vardy 28', Drinkwater 39'.

HT stats: LCFC-LFC
Score: 2-0
Possession: 38.6%-62.2%
Attempts: 9-6
On target: 5-3
Offside: 2-1
Corners: 5-6
Free kicks: 6-4
Yellow cards: 0-0
Red cards: 0-0

Referee: Michael Oliver
Ground: The King Power Stadium

Click here for my previous LFC match report

Pictures taken from the BBC match report, stats and facts taken from Sky Sports app and coverage.

Premier League Picks Of The Week 23

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 23

The 23rd week of the Premier League saw:

236 shots - most by Burnley = 24
19 goals - most by Man City = 4
267 fouls - most by Palace = 23
33 bookings - most by Palace & Hull = 4 each
0 red cards
3 penalties - 2 scored (Negredo for Boro & Yaya Touré for City)

Mourinho storms out

Big Sam celebrating groovy style

Crouch dances to his 100th goal

What a game! It was not a good day to be an East-Londoner! Arsenal were shocked 1-2 by Watford for the first time at the Emirates (the Hornets' first league win against the Gunners since 1988), Tottenham frustrated in a goalless draw at Sunderland and West Ham absolutely taken to bits and thrashed 0-4 by Man City at the Olympic Stadium. And there was me thinking Chelsea might be worried after dropping points at Anfield... Pfff...

What a team! Burnley were and are on fire! Ok, they beat champions Leicester just 1-0, but the way they pushed and dominated the game, chance after chance was enthralling. And even more impressive is their home form, having recorded a club record of five consecutive home wins in the top league, last done in 1966. The Foxes in total contrast now have the worst record after 23 games by defending champions, beating Ipswich's miserable form of 1962-63.

What a man! It was a good weekend for goalkeepers, especially spot king Simon Mignolet and rock-solid Eldin Jakupovic. The prior stopper has saved 6 out of 12 spot kicks for Liverpool, an impressive 50%-record, denying Chelsea the three points at Anfield. The latter kept a rare clean sheet for Hull City, frustrating the hell out of United and their boss at Old Trafford and bagging a point as a hard earned and well deserved reward.

What a goal! Gylfi Sigurdsson's winner for Swansea was a beauty, in the build-up, counter and sprint as well as conversion, the striker set up nicely by debutant Luciano Narsingh, condemning Southampton to yet another defeat. This win makes it three wins out of four for the Welsh side, back-to-back wins keeping them out of the relegation zone in 17th, two points clear, from doom and gloom, to boom.

What the hell?! Claudio Ranieri was not happy - unlike some other managers, it was very unusual to see the charming Italian not smiling and complimenting. The champions' boss was complaining about referee Mike Dean not seeing a blatant hand ball. This blatant error - one of many, I am sick and tired of the video ref argument, but it cannot and does not cover up or excuse the Tigers' miserable form and season.

My Predictions - Actual Results
Arsenal 3:0 Watford - 1:2
Bournemouth 1:1 Crystal Palace - 0:2
Burnley 1:0 Leicester - 1:0
Middlesbrough 0:0 West Brom - 1:1
Sunderland 1:3 Tottenham - 0:0
Swansea 0:0 Southampton - 2:1
Liverpool 1:4 Chelsea - 1:1
West Ham 1:3 Man City - 0:4
Man United 3:1 Hull City - 0:0
Stoke City 1:1 Everton - 1:1

Click here for last week's Premier League Picks 

Pictures and stats taken from the BBC match reports 

Premier League Picks Of The Week 14

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 14

The 14th week of the Premier League action saw:

266 shots - most by Tottenham = 28
37 goals - most by Arsenal & Tottenham = 5 each
223 fouls - most by Swansea & Liverpool = 17 each
42 yellow cards - most by Chelsea, Saints, Swans, Arsenal, Hammers, Sunderland, Stoke & Man United = 3 each
3 red cards - Agüero & Fernandinho for Man City & Pereyra for Watford
3 penalties -  3 scored (Kane for Spurs, Baines for Everton & Wilson for Bournemouth)

Thumbs up, happy Pardew 👊🏻😉👍🏻

Jolly, chatty Mourinho 😑😑😑

Taxi for Forster ⚽️😱🙈😱⚽️

What a game! There were plenty of goals and talking points again this weekend, but the clash at the Etihad gets my vote. It had a little bit of everything. Gary Cahill's own goal opened the scoring for City. Kevin De Bruyne was made to pay for his miss right in front of goal when stubborn Cesc Fabregas levelled the score minutes later. Willian's counter break, run and take and Eden Hazard's whack made it 1-3, another counter, winner and devastating statement that crushed Pep Guardiola's men, mourning all their earlier misses dearly. And the mayhem at the end that saw Sergio Agüero sent off for his outrageous scissor tackle on David Luiz and Fernandinho walk off with him for his chokes and push on Fabregas just topped it all off, the latter lucky not to end up in the books too for his cheekiness. Although, I am sure the FA will pull up, question and punish both sides for the teams clashing as they did, either way, Antonio Conte's men ended up on top of it all, with or without outstanding class or quality.

What a team! And Leicester's downfall continues. Their defeat at Sunderland sees Claudio Ranieri's side hover two points and two places above the relegation zone having taken just 13 points from the opening 14 games, 14 places and 16 points worse off than at this stage last season. David Moyes will be a much happier man seeing his side record their third win in four games thanks to Robert Huth's own goal and non-other than Jermain Defoe, plus great late saves by Jordan Pickford, taking the Black Cats up to 18th, one point behind West Ham in 17th.

What a man! Alan Pardew was all smiles and thumbs up to chairman Steve Parish, thanking his boss for backing him up against the pressure and scrutiny of the board and lack of form, and paying him back with a win, a comfortable and confident 3-0 against Southampton. The win takes the Eagles up to 14th with a nice little three-point cushion to the relegation zone. Claude Puel's side meanwhile crumble down to 12th continuing their poor away form with a win rate of just 14%.

What a goal! Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's cracker to make it 1:4 for Arsenal destroyed any hope the Hammers had of a comeback after Andy Carroll had headed one back. And man of the match Alexis Sánchez's cheeky step, tip and tap dummy up and in (looked offside but) sealed the thrash 1:5 and his 14-minute hat-trick nicely. This confident win sends the Gunners shooting up to second place, three points and two goals behind the high-flying Blues.

What the hell?! That's what Jürgen Klopp must have thought seeing his side give away a two-goal lead at the Vitality Stadium. The Reds led comfortably at half-time, 2-0 up thanks to Sadio Mané and Divock Origi, in total control and dominance. After the break, Bournemouth hit back from the spot, Callum Wilson converting the penalty. Emre Can restored that two-goal cushion but super-sub Ryan Fraser turned the game around, scoring in the 76th, providing for Steve Cook to equalise two minutes later, and helping in the buildup before Nathan Aké netted the winner in stoppage time. Breathtaking and mind-bending stuff! It was only the 23rd time in 1,062 occasions that a team that was 2-0 up ended up losing = 2.1%, nearly unique! Unglaublich! Click here for my full match report.

My Predictions - Actual Results
Man City 2:2 Chelsea - 1:3
Crystal Palace 0:1 Southampton - 3:0
Stoke City 1:2 Burnley - 2:0
Sunderland 1:2 Leicester - 2:1
Tottenham 2:1 Swansea - 5:0
West Brom 0:0 Watford - 3:1
West Ham 1:3 Arsenal - 1:5
Bournemouth 1:2 Liverpool - 4:3 or click here for my full match report
Everton 2:3 Man United - 1:1
Middlesbrough 0:0 Hull City - 1:0

My worst prediction week yet!!!

Click here for last week's Premier League Picks

Pictures taken from the BBC match reports

LET THE NEW SEASON BEGIN...

Sports - Football - Premier League

Well, well, well. The new season is upon us. I don't know about you, but I still can't quite believe what happened last season! I'm still reliving, digesting and trying to make sense of it, pinching myself to check it did really happen, and loving the fact that it did! Unpredictable! Unforgettable!

So, if you go by last season, then the title favourites this campaign would be Burnley! Or Sunderland! Better: Bournemouth! No, but seriously, I will put a cheeky pound on each of them. After last season, you just don't know! 

I hate the fact that everyone is writing off Leicester's chances (AGAIN!)! It will be difficult to repeat last season's surprise heroics, but that doesn't mean we're back to the old and obvious top picks. Just because they spend most, does not mean they will do most nor best, far from it! That was more than proven last season! 

Anyways, enough of my thoughts and takes, here is a good overview of the main changes, stats and facts, a good appetiser to what awaits us in the Premier League 2016/17...

New Bosses: 

Big names, big clashes, big results, the challenge, show and pressure are all ooooon! With lots of hoo and plenty of ha! Who will last the season? Who will see Christmas? Who is overrated and will flop? Who is king and will be top? Only time will tell...

Antonio Conte at Chelsea: The temperamental Italian was very entertaining to watch during Euro2016 and is expected to make a great impact. That's what he was chosen for, to drag the Blues back up. (Win% 55.66)

Ronald Koeman at Everton: His departure from Southampton surprised many after he frowned upon those who leave their clubs mid-contract time. Interesting season ahead, especially against his former club.(Win% 54.88)

Caretaker Mike Phelan at Hull: A tough (temporary) job on his hands with the club in turmoil after his ex-United team mate Steve Bruce's departure. Nothing to envy. (Win% N/A)

Pep Guardiola at Man City: The Barcelona legend will not be remembered for much at Bayern and has a point to prove in his first Premier League job. (Win% 72.87)

Jose Mourinho at Man United: And the Special One is back, with more than a point to prove after leaving Chelsea in the bottom half of the table last season. (Win% 66.1)

Claude Puel at Southampton: The one-club-man Monaco legend has a lot to learn and prove in his first job outside of France. (Win% 42.49)

David Moyes at Sunderland: The former Everton and Man United manager is happy to be back, back with a vengeance I am sure. (Win% 43.79)

Walter Mazzarri at Watford: The 12th boss at Vicarage Road in the last decade, the Italian will know this job is not an easy but usually short and bumpy ride. (Win% 40.03)

Old Bosses:

Déjà vu? Under pressure? Who? Where? Never! These ones have been there, done that and are back on their old seats for more. Or maybe less. Hanging in there. We will see...

Arsene Wenger at Arsenal since 1996: In his 21st season at the club and final year of his contract, there is a more sick and tired feel to the Gunners. (Win% 54.1)

Eddie Howe at Bournemouth since 2012: The Football League Manager of The Decade is certainly enjoying his second stint with the Cherries in the top flight. (Win% 46.7)

Sean Dyche at Burnley since 2012: Winning promotion to the Premier League for the second time in three years, he will hope the spell will last longer this time. (Win% 40.6)

Alan Pardew at Crystal Palace since 2015: Never without some controversy and will be under pressure after a disappointing end to last season. (Win% 42.5)

Claudio Ranieri at Leicester since 2015: The charming Italian will have to prove all the doubters wrong again after the sublime last season, no one seeing a repeat possible. (Win% 46.37)

Jürgen Klopp at Liverpool since 2015: The Normal One won over the Red hearts very quickly last season, now the question is whether he can win enough points, and trophies. (Win% 48.6)

Aitor Karanka at Middlesbrough since 2013: The Spaniard has had his ups and downs and crises with the club but has not looked back since his return and Boro's promotion. (Win% 52.5)

Mark Hughes at Stoke since 2013: Finishing 9th the last three seasons, the Potters will feel too comfortable for their own good. (Win% 39.7)

Francesco Guidolin at Swansea since 2016: Taking the job in January with the Swans just two points from the drop, the Italian has taught the Swans how to win and smile again. (Win% 43.8)

Mauricio Pocchetino at Tottenham since 2014: Had made Spurs title contenders last season but left disappointed losing the edge at the end and no trophies. This season will be crunch time for the Argentine. (Win% 39.6)

Tony Pulis at West Brom since 2015: The former Stoke and Crystal Palace manager certainly knows how to spoil the show for the big boys, so, never to be underestimated! (Win% 36.4%)

Slaven Bilic at West Ham since 2015: The Croatian has lead the Hammers to their best finish in the Premier League era, breaking plenty of records and wetting the appetite for the fans this season. (Win% 52.17)

Ins and Outs: 

Numbers of signings and exits per club (on date compiled = 11/08/2016), West Ham and Middlesbrough topping the shopping list with 9 new names each, whilst Liverpool have cleared out most with 15 players shown the door.

Arsenal: 4 & 8

Bournemouth: 8 & 7

Burnley: 4 & 5

Chelsea: 2 & 8

Crystal Palace: 3 & 9

Everton: 5 & 5

Hull City: 1 & 3

Leicester: 6 & 10

Liverpool: 6 & 15

Man City: 8 & 4

Man Utd: 4 & 9

Middlesbrough: 9 & 4

Southampton: 4 & 9

Stoke City: 3 & 2

Sunderland: 3 & 8

Swansea: 7 & 10

Tottenham: 2 & 4

Watford: 5 & 7

West Brom: 1 & 3

West Ham: 9 & 3

Big spenders this summer:

Not many surprises there (again, amounts correct on date compiled = 11/08/2016). Will this be the Premier League table come May 2017? Sad if so... I may put a £5er on it though...

1. Man City £161.59m
2. Man Utd £157.25m
3. Liverpool £67.92m
4. Chelsea £63.58m
5. Arsenal £44.2m
6. Leicester £40.38m
7. West Ham £39.27m
8. Tottenham £31.03m
9. Bournemouth £29.84m
10. Swansea £27.4m
11. Southampton £24.23m
12. Crystal Palace £23.21m
13. Watford £21.72m
14. Everton £19.98m
15. Middlesbrough £19.3m
16. Stoke City £17.67m
17. Sunderland £14.08m
18. West Brom £5.53m
19. Burnley £3.66m
20. Hull City: £0

Total spending: £811.84

My predictions:

I will pick Tottenham as my favourites because they are the only fully settled side without any major changes nor reshuffles. 

It will be interesting to see how Sunderland will do without Big Sam, I think they will struggle, even with Moyes in charge. I name them on my relegation list with newbies Hull City, post-Steve-Bruce. Last but not least, hm... Difficult to say, but sorry, have to pick another promoted side, Burnley, but hope to be proven wrong by the Championship winners.

A little fact to back them up: Of the 71 promoted teams to play in the Premier League, 44% of them = 31 have been immediately relegated, meaning more than half stay up, the average finishing position being 15th. Thanks to the BBC for that little fact. And for MOTD. I cannot wait to see Gary Lineker in his underpants!!! 😂🙆😂🙆😂

Expect the unexpected! Let the season begin... ⚽😍⚽😘⚽😍⚽

All pictures thanks to Bing, stats and facts thanks to Wikipedia, BBC, Sky Sports and talkSPORT.