Manchester United Crystal Palace build up

Manchester United starting lineup.. De Gea Darmian,
Smalling, Blind, Rojo Schneiderlin,
Schweinsteiger Mata, Herrera, Martial
Rooney.
Van Gaal prefers consistency that is why the only change from the Man City game is Blind coming in place of Jones. Jones has been good in the last two games but 'the philosophy' requires balance in the team especially the defence. Two left sided players one as a centre half and the other as a left back.
Blind as a centre back does not bring that confidence but as a leftback he is good. His deliveries have been awesome.
The rest of the team is fine but expect a slow game with Manchester United controlling possession.
Chances will be at a premium and the team that will utilise it's chances may end up nicking it.
Crystal Palace 0 Manchester United 1

Swansea vs Arsenal

               

The Swansea Vs Arsenal
Venue :Liberty Stadium
The joke which has been going all week round is if Sheffield Wednesday beat Arsenal 3-0 on a Tuesday what if it was on their best day..
Sheffield completely destroyed Arsenal at Hillsborough on Tuesday. Arsenal fans would say that they didn't play their first team but the fact is Sheffield were the better team on Tuesday.
What was worse for Arsenal was losing their two best players to injury, Chamberlain and Theo Walcot.
The Liberty Stadium is a hard place for any visiting team. Manchester United have lost there for the last two seasons.
Arsenal lost there last season and I do not see them getting all the three points. A draw will be a good result for them but this is football.
THE TEAMS
Mesut Ozil has been the engine behind Arsenal revival. He has provided the assist for goals if required and a chipped in with a goal. Like against Man United. Alexis Sanchez will also be the man the Swans need to take care of.
Arsenal have a good team in general and the goals have been coming.
On the other hand Swansea have been going through a rough patch. There was even talk in the media about replacing Gary Monk but the situation seems to have stabilised. With Montero, Ayew and Gomis available arsenal should prepare for their defence being stretched to the limit.
Head to head

Swansea wins:
7
Games drawn:
3
Games lost:
9
Swansea has won the last two games against Arsenal.
Prediction a draw

Crystal Palace Vs Manchester United

Crystal Palace vs Manchester United.
Venue Selhurst Park Crystal Palace.
Manchester United injury update: James Wilson, Antonio Valencia, Memphis Depay are unavailable for the trip to crystal palace.
Manchester United form in front of goal has been very erratic, they have scored 15 goals which is less than there current main rivals, Man City and Arsenal. It's been a long time since old Trafford witnessed two goalless draw in a row but its expected because of the way Van Gaal sets out his teams.
Tire the opponent with possession of the ball and then strike. This philosophy is a bit boring for the fans but it has improved Man United defensively.
Against Crystal Palace I expect Man United to control possession and dominate the game.
In Anthony Martial man United have a football gem but Van Gaal is wasting him on the left. Martial has been the spark in the 3 games they have played recently. Wayne Rooney lacks the pace of yester year's and also Van Gaal style does not suit him.
THE GAME.

Wayne Rooney scores a great volley against Crystal Palace last season

Crystal Palace are a good attacking side with good and very fast players. Yannick Bolasie and Wilfred Zaha can be a handful to any player and I expect Man United defence to be kept busy.
The game will be won depending on the mentality and what system van Gaal opts to use. I expect Bastian and Schneiderlin to start in midfield and Darmian as the right fullback due to the absence of Valencia. Herrera should start in the number 10 role and Mata as a right side midfielder.
HEAD TO HEAD.
Manchester United wins:
30
Games drawn:
9
Games lost:
7
Did you out of the 30 wins Manchester United has won on three occasion with a score of 5 . goals

Highest crystal palace win is 5-0.
Manchester United has won the last four games against Crystal Palace. I see the trend continuing this weekend.

Manchester United 0 Manchester City 0

 Manchester 0 Manchester City 0
Manuel Pellegrini seems to be learning defensive tactics from Jose Mourinho. Hammer the small teams and defend against the big boys. A draw away from home is not a bad result.
Last season game at Old Trafford Pellegrini's city were out thought and outplayed. They ended up losing 4-2.This time with David silva and Sergio Aguero missing Pellegrini was a bit cautious. He seemed to have read the script about LVG's team set up. He knew that they will try to control possession waiting for any mistake. That is why he set up the team more defensively. Fernandinho and Fernando were too deep,  Yaya Toure didn't make those surging runs from the midfield.
When Van Gaal brought in Fellaini Pellegrini reacted swiftly by introducing Demichelis so as to shadow Fellaini.
Remember Fellaini had caused them all manner of problems last season.
All in all the game was a tactical masterclass from both managers but ugly to the fans.
The derby has produced so much goals in recent times and it was bound to happen, one dull game.

Arsenal 2 Everton 1

Two things stood out yesterday, Arsenal are serious title sContenders and Chelsea continue to stutter on the brink of total collapse.
Matters are not good for Chelsea as a whole. Mourinho is in trouble and it may not be long before Abramovitch strikes. I  wonder who will replace him considering Ancelotti was fired unceremoniously and he is the only pedigree coach available for now.
Chelsea had even the audacity to question goal line technology
Athough some of the officiating was a bit wanting.

ARSENAL ON A ROLL
The question on everyone lips is which team will stop Arsenal. Everyone expected them to be put on the sword by Bayern Munich on tuesday but they passed that test with flying colours. Yesterday I gave Everton a chance to trouble the gunners but Everton failed miserably. While Ross Barkley scored just before halftime to give the toffees hope arsenal defended well in the second half and could have easily scored more.

KING OF ASSISTS
Mesut Ozil is the main man being this arsenal revival. He has now provided seven assists this season. If he maintains that consistence then I see no reason why arsenal wont be champions next may.  But its with a caution, Arsenal have always flattered to believe so we will have to wait until mid march where boys are separated from men.
For now they are the inform team and are picking up points you expect them to win. They have also performed a bit well against the big boys.
They walloped Man United and had a good game against Chelsea and most of their fans thought they were robbed by the referee.

For Everton things were rosy two weeks ago and even the fans and the media had started to talk about a top four position. From their last two games it shows that they have a long way to go.

 Man of the match Mesut Ozil.

THE DERBY.

THE DERBY.
Manchester United play host to Manchester City today in the evening. It will be an intriguing match considering the stature of the two teams. For a long time Manchester City has always been in the shadows of United but in recent seasons it is United who have been on the receiving end.
Since the Arab money arrived at the Etihad(formerly Manchester City stadium -it was built for the 2002 Common Wealth games. At the time City were playing at Maine Road stadium) the complexion of the derby has changed. City famously trounced United  6-1at Old Trafford in 2011.
Last season City won at the Etihad but at Old Trafford they were by United. To date I think that was the best game Man united have played under Van Gaal.

Walloped

WHERE THE GAME WILL BE WON

The midfield of the two teams has the best talent in the premier League. For City Kevin de Bruyne stands out. His undestanding of the game is unmatched. He has developed a telepathic relationship which Yaya Toure such that the loss of Silva and Aguero to injury has not been felt. I expect de Bruyne and Toure to have a heavy influence on today's game.If they turn up with their boots then we have a game on our hands.

For Man united Lvg set up his teams to control possession.The aim is deny the opponent the ball until he submits then score. Man united have had few shots on target which have resulted in goals. Morgan Schneiderlin started slowly but he has improved as the season goes by. In the last two games he, Ander Herrera and Anthony Martial have provided the spark for man united. Bastian Schweinsteiger and Michael Carrick slows the tempo of the game so one of them should start on the bench against Man City.

Man City will have to be wary of Anthony Martial. He is fast and confident with the ball. Wayne Rooney may also have an influence considering he is the Man united player who has scored more goals against City. Raheem Sterling showed last weekend he has come of age and can be trusted to score goals for City.He may also have the last say on this game.
Probable line ups: Man United.
De gea,  Darmian, Smalling, Jones, Blind, Herrera, Carrick/Bastian, Schneiderlin Mata,  Rooney and Martial.
Man City : Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Mangala, Kolarov, Toure, Fernandinho, De Bruyne, Sterling, Navas, Bony.

Prediction Man United 2 Man City 1

MANCHESTER UNITED VS MANCHESTER CITY DERBY

                          



Man city have been on a roll in their two recent matches, against Newcastle and AFC Bournemouth. They walloped Newcastle 6-1 and followed it by a convincing 5-1 victory against Bournemouth. In total they have scored eleven goals and conceded two.
In midweek they had a champions league game against Sevilla, a tough opposition and they were put on the sword for most of the game. I really don't know how they survived and carried the day. The picture now for them seems rosy but it could turn gloomy in no time.
a few weeks ago they lost three consecutive games even their fans were asking for Pellegrini's head.

                  

Manchester on their part were convincing against Everton but not so against CSKA Moscow. Against CSKA they had all the possesion but lacked a cutting age in front of goal. In Anthony Martial they have a very good player but playing him wide left is wasting his talent. He seems to thrive in the centre forward role.
For my part I think its time Van Gaal dropped Rooney and used Herrera in that attacking midfield role.

                         

Schneiderlin has been impressive in the last two games and I would expect him to be partnered with either Carrick or Schweinstiger.

HEAD TO HEAD  

Manchester United

Games won:	49
Games drawn:	50
Games lost:	70

 11 vs 11
The highest scorer for man united against city is Wayne Rooney with 11 goals while for city is Sergio Aguero with 8 goals.

I see man  united edging it 1-0.

ARSENAL VS BAYERN MUNICH

Arsenal Vs Bayern Munich.

This is a hard one for arsenal. They risk being eliminated for the first time in the group stages but I think they have enough firepower to get a result against one of the best team in the world.
Against Bayern Munich they should not go for possession football because they will be playing in the hands of Bayern Munich. If they play it fast and accurate passing the way they did against man united then no team can defend them. 
Sanchez is the man and I know Bayern will have a plan for him but arsenal must make sure they bring him into the game as much as possible.
Counter attacking football and a strong defence just like against man united can see arsenal through.
Head to head:
Games played 8
Arsenal wins 2
Bayern wins 4
Draws 2.
Bayern has a bit of an advantage at the Emirates having won two games there. But those are just statistics and arsenal on there day can beat anyone.
All this will rely on the team Arsene Wenger will field. Ospina in goal and the defence will be weak because I think the arsenal defenders do not trust him that much.
Lets sit down, its mashuja day.. Let’s celebrate football...I posted this on 19th here

BETTING IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE

BETTING ON THE PREMIER LEAGUE

Newcastle have just won 6-2 against Norwich. Who would have expected such a result?
Two weeks ago Southampton humiliated Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and Arsenal humiliated Man United at the Emirates.
The two results were not expected.
Chelsea under Jose Mourinho had made Stamford Bridge a fortress. They had never lost a game with more than two goals at the bridge under Mourinho. Infact they had only lost a single game from 2004 under Mourinho.
Arsenal the bogey team of Manchester United in recent seasons produced one of their best performance to wallop the red devils. Manchester united has been winning all games against them even if they form has been wanting . Some of the games have been pretty embarrassing for arsenal. Being hit 3 at home in the Champions league, in the league being hammered 8.
Like last season man united were under the cosh for a long time but came out victorius.
This weekend apart from the Newcastle game the other surprising result was the way Man United dismantled Everton.
For the past 3 seasons Everton has been giving man united a hiding at goodson park. Last season the score was 3-0. If you had given man united fans a draw before the game they would have gladly taken it.
The premier league has become so unpredictable which makes me worried for those who like to bet. Betting firms are making a killing from these games.
How much do you thinkSPORTPESA make on Chelsea against Southampton? Newcastle against Norwich everyone would have expected a draw. Man united against Everton considering the past few seasons a win for Everton was expected. Read it also here

MANCHESTER VS EVERTON

Man united against Everton

Manchester United have had almost two weeks to recover from their mauling by Arsenal. Arsenals game against Man united followed the script. The first twenty minutes was the best I have seen arsenal play in a few years. The speed and accuracy of the passes was mind boggling.
Man united will need to improve against Everton if they still have ambition of winning the league.
Everybody has complained how Van Gaal sets up his teams. Too many sideways passes and no agency. Against arsenal the first 20 minutes they were too pedestrian. Overall they improved as the game wore on although it was a matter of too little too late.
The game wa reminiscent of the 2010 champions league quarter final between man united against Bayern Munich.
Just like arsenal in the game, man united took the game to Bayern Munich with speed and accuracy.
They raced to a three goal lead within the first 30 minutes. Bayern eventually did progress on away goals after Rafael was handed a red card for his inexperience.
I hope against Everton Van Gaal will not make the same mistakes he made against Arsenal or Against Man Utd when he was at Bayern Munich.
Those mistakes were also there last season against Everton.
A midfield comprising Bastian and Michael Carrick is too slow.
Schneiderlin is still young also Herrera and they could make a good partnership. If one of Carrick or Bastian was to start then he should be helped by a quicker midfielder .
Depay should be dropped in place of Young and if Rojo is injury free he should partner Smalling at the heart of defence. Blind should start at Left back and Valencia at right back. Darmian seems to be suffering from lack of confidence. This post first appeared here

ARSENAL VS EVERTON

                                    



Arsenal Vs Everton.
Everton were disappointing against Man united last weekend. Reason may be because of the demise of their most successful manager Howard Kendall but I expect them today to be more positive.

Arsenal are on a good run having won there last four games following that setback against Olympiakos. They have been on a free scoring run but against Bayern Munich they just shaded it. While it is commonly said champions play the way they did against Bayern Munich they are yet to convince.
If they do win against Everton then most of the questions about their title credentials will be answered.
I expect the game to be a bit open as compared to the one against Bayern munich with Arsenal controlling possession while Everton doing most of the defending waiting for a counter attacking chance.
HEAD TO HEAD
Games played 199
Arsenal wins 99
Everton wins 59
Draws 45…..
Head to head ....
Highest Arsenal score.. 7-0    2005.
 watch it here

Highest Everton score.. 6-1    1985
what a game
In all arsenal has an edge over Everton but I do not expect Everton to just roll over as they did against Manchester United a week ago..

This post first appeared here

WATFORD VS ARSENAL

This seams to be a straight forward victory for arsenal. In the premier league era they have never lost or drawn against Watford.
Games played four losses zero. Highest score 3-0 at emirates 2006 .
  
Highest away score 2-3 in 2000. In 2006 arsenal won by 2-1.

Total games played in history is 21 and Arsenal slightly edges Watford by 11 wins to 9. One games has been drawn see here.

The game itself may not be open like the one against Man Utd..
The international break may have taken a toll on arsenal players but I expect a cagey a fair with Arsenal playing on the counter.

 Arsenal will edge it with an odd goal....

 .

Did you know Arsenal record win in the league was against Loughborough, Second Division, 12 March 1900.

MANCHESTER UNITED AGAINST EVERTON

Manchester United have had almost two weeks to recover from their mauling by Arsenal. Arsenals game against Man united followed the script. The first twenty minutes was the best I have seen arsenal play in a few years. The speed and accuracy of the passes was mind boggling.
Man united will need to improve against Everton if they still have ambition of winning the league.
Everybody has complained how Van Gaal sets up his teams. Too many sideways passes and no agency. Against arsenal the first 20 minutes they were too pedestrian. Overall they improved as the game wore on although it was a matter of too little too late.
The game was reminiscent of the 2010 champions league quarter final between man united against Bayern Munich.
Just like arsenal in the game, man united took the game to Bayern Munich with speed and accuracy.
They raced to a three goal lead within the first 30 minutes. Bayern eventually did progress on away goals after Rafael was handed a red card for his inexperience.
I hope against Everton Van Gaal will not make the same mistakes he made against Arsenal or Against Man Utd when he was at Bayern Munich.
Those mistakes were also there last season against Everton.
A midfield comprising Bastian and Michael Carrick is too slow.
Schneiderlin is still young also Herrera and they could make a good partnership.

If one of Carrick or Bastian was to start then he should be helped by a quicker midfielder .
Depay should be dropped in place of Young and if Rojo is injury free he should partner Smalling at the heart of defence. Blind should start at Left back and Valencia at right back. Darmian seems to be suffering from lack of confidence.