Weeks 15 and 16

Since this week had two fixtures i’m going to group them together and give a synopsis that you probably could’ve done on your own.

Arsenal

won 3-1 vs Stoke

lost 1-2 vs Everton

Just when Arsenal fans were dreaming they had to remind them that they are indeed Arsenal. Like a case of the crabs i think this will be a temporary and fixable setback for them and i see them returning to winning ways most of the rest of the season. But, you know. Not too much to win the damn thing.

Bournemouth

lost 2-3 vs Burnley

won 1-0 vs Leicester City

For a team like Bournemouth you look at Burnley as a team to pick up points on. But Burnley have surprised many this year. Conversely, Leicester City have failed to live up to expectations and it’s no surprise that Bournemouth picked up a win here. I see them staying where they currently are: mid-table.

Burnley

won 3-2 Bournemouth

lost 0-1 West Ham

Burnley are a scrappy bunch and i personally find them fun to watch. Their result against Bournemouth was well earned and a slip up against a West Ham side finding results will not dampen their season. They look well safe from relegation this season.

Chelsea

won 1-0 vs West Brom

won 1-0 vs Sunderland

Chelsea don’t necessarily blow you off the pitch. Nor off the pitch. Not sure what i’m getting at there. What i’m really trying to say is that they are getting results and lead the table. Can’t argue with those facts. Only question is if the man who has looked 45 since he was born, Diego Costa, get injured then who fills in to score a single goal each game?

Crystal Palace 

tied 3-3 vs Hull City

lost 1-2 vs Man United

Unpredictability inherently comes with the risk of danger. I see 2 equally likely outcomes for CP’s unpredictable season. The first is that they take the goals they can frenetically score and shore up their defense to move up the table. The second is that they continue to concede regardless of how many 3+ goal games. 

Everton 

lost 2-3 vs Watford

Won 2-1 vs Arsenal

Who are this Everton team? They follow a run of abysmal results with a win against Arsenal. The only certain thing in their team is that Romelu Lukaku will leaving as their boss indicated as much. I think he covers some major holes in this team and will be sorely missed regardless of who is bought to fill his shoes. For Everton’s sake they better hope they can delay it until the summer.

Hull City

lost 0-1 vs Middlesbrough

draw 3-3 vs Crystal Palace

They were a pick by many to sink this year and they certainly have lived up to that. If you let Middlesbrough get a goal on you without scoring yourself it’s going to be a hard time. I think the draw against CP is a good point though. The relegation zone always comes down to a few points and this could important if it stops the bleeding.

Leicester City

won 4-2 vs Man City

lost 0-1 vs Bournemouth

Anyone who wears blue this year is defying expectations. As inconsistent as they may be Leicester may just be crazy enough to stay up this year with results like they got against Man City.

Liverpool

draw 2-2 vs West Ham

won 3-0 vs Middlesbrough

Arsene Wenger believes that after a loss it is important to just not lose again. That will be the foundation to build on. Liverpool were able to get a draw vs West Ham and then turn in a emphatic result the next match. I see them returning to winning ways and looking to secure the top 4. 

Man City

lost 2-4 vs Leicester City

won 2-0 vs Watford

Like your habitually sobering up uncle getting drunk and screaming at Christmas, Man City continue to be a wild card. This is defying how many, including myself, viewed them before the season as sure challengers. 

Man United

won 1-0 vs Tottenham

won 2-1 vs Crystal Palace

Who is this United we’ve seen the past couple weeks? Consistency? It all feels so new much like a new lover. But will the this form be just a fling or love at long last? Tune in the The Barclays Premier League next week to find out. 

Middlesbrough

lost 0-1 vs Southampton

lost 0-3 vs Liverpool

We all knew Middlesbrough would be fighting for their lives this year. They are lowest scorers in the league and must solely rely on their defense. Should they find themselves in the relegation zone in the final weeks i think their strategy will catch up to them. They will go down.

Southampton

won 1-0 vs Middlesbrough

draw 0-0 vs Stoke City

*Yawn* Southampton are destined for the middle of the table. Nothing big coming their way but they continue to make that Premier League money. Fair enough.

Stoke City

lost 1-3 vs Arsenal

draw 0-0 vs Southampton

Not really scoring goals at the moment but the talents in there. They will probably gain a few table positions the rest of the season.

Sunderland

lost 0-3 vs Swansea

lost 0-1 vs Chelsea

They can’t score, they can’t play defense. They sit bottom of the table. All the right things for sure fire relegation right? Seems like we say this every year yet they still survive. I’m going to say that much like Henry Hill this will be the year living on the edge finally catches up with them.

Swansea City

won 3-0 vs Sunderland

lost 1-3 vs West Brom

They’re getting their points where they need to. I think Bob Bradley will slowly right this ship. I think they just survive this season.

Tottenham

lost 0-1 vs Man United

won 3-0 vs Hull City

Clearly not playing with the vigor of last season. I do see them running very close to the top 4 as they seem to get all the results against teams lower than them. Possibly knocking Liverpool or City out of a spot.

Watford

won 3-2 vs Everton

lost 0-2 vs Man City

Doing well for themselves and a mid table finish would suit them well. A team i have very few opinions on…

West Brom

lost 0-1 vs Chelsea

won 3-1 vs Swansea

A Tony Pulis side will always get their points. It’s never pretty but neither is West Bromwich itself. It’s just that no one saw them doing this well. A win at United this weekend would be huge for them and almost surely secure their season.

West Ham

draw 2-2 vs Liverpool

won 1-0 vs Burnley

This team that played so well last season is finally starting to find some of that magic. They threw away and then hung on to a point at Liverpool and then got a win against Burnley. Results are starting to come for them and they will pull away from the relegation zone slowly but surely.