Friday, February 23, 2018

EPL 2017/18 - Week 28

Leicester v/s Stoke - Home win
Bournemouth v/s Newcastle - Away win
Brighton v/s Swansea - Away win
Burnley v/s Southampton - Home win
Liverpool v/s West Ham - Home win
WBA v/s Huddersfield - Home win
Watford v/s Everton - Draw
Crystal Palace v/s Tottenham - Away win
Man Utd v/s Chelsea - Home win


There is no doubt that the Mahrez saga during the end of the transfer window negatively impacted Leicester. It was a case of Guardiola signaling an interest in the Algerian star for him to go AWOL and severely dampening the prevailing team spirit. Before that episode, Puel's men were holding their own weight with Vardy in fine goal scoring form and Mahrez imperious on the flanks and causing havoc among defences. It might take a few more matches but I believe that the highly-rated winger is very close to regaining top form as well as his mojo back. Stoke are just a terrible team beset by injuries. The arrival of Paul Lambert seems to have freshened the team a bit but they are clearly a worse team that in previous years. I cannot see them causing an upset at the King Power Stadium. Worth going all the way with the home team.

Man Utd against Chelsea promises fireworks at Old Trafford. Obviously, there is the match on the sidelines between Mourinho and Conte who would find no reluctance settling their disputes in an octagonal MMA ring. Both team come off tough matches in the UCL. Man Utd have looked somewhat out-of-sorts in their recent matches; I believe this to be only a short-term issue as they strive to integrate Sanchez into the team. Once the cobwebs are removed and the Chilean joins in the team chemistry, I can see the Red Devils putting in some strong results. The thing is there is every reason to believe that Man Utd are on the upside while Chelsea look a weighed down champion struggling to scrape results amidst uncertainty regarding the future of its manager. This distraction has clearly affected the team and its recent see-saw results do not inspire much confidence; they can blow away the opposition to the same degree they can themselves be blown apart. Man Utd have the home favours here and I have a feeling that Chelsea left a bit chunk against Barcelona in mid-week.


Win: Leicester, Man Utd

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