TheCable

Year 2015 begins with the London derby between Tottenham and Chelsea in the Barclays Premier League (BPL). 

Spurs are gradually finding their feet and are knocking on the door of the top four, while Chelsea have only won one of their last four league away games.

The White Hart faithful will be hoping their team can avenge their 3-0 loss earlier in the season.

Our soccer analysts have other ideas, though.

Welcome to the BPL preview!

ASTON VILLA V CRYSTAL PALACE     

Sunday, Aston Villa are unbeaten in their last six matches on New Year’s Day in the BPL (W4 D2) so, a win for the home side?

Sunday: By the time this game is played Alan Pardew could have been named the new Palace boss. However his presence/absence won’t affect the outcome of this game. Aston Villa do not score enough to help them overcome stubborn sides of which Crystal Palace are one. Another blow to Aston Villla’s hopes of coming away with victory in this tie is the suspension of their playmaker Fabian Delph whose influence in midfield would definitely be missed. Palace’s winger would wreak havoc but the points should be shared. 1-1

Aisha: Crystal Palace are in a spot of bother at the moment after sacking their manager Neil Warnock. Things could get worse when they take on Aston Villa. I see the home side winning 2-0

Kayode: A draw is written all over this between two sides struggling for goals and consistency. 1-1

HULL CITY V EVERTON

Everton have conceded 31 goals already this season after only letting in 39 in the whole of 2013-14. Aisha, what’s wrong with the Toffees?

Aisha: It’s a wonder that Everton have not performed better than they’ve done so far. The Toffees have managed to lose matches that everyone expected them to win. However, Hull City are going through a difficult period themselves so I’ll go for a 1-1 draw here

Sunday: Everton have been below-par in recent weeks and this is worrisome. Although they struck twice in their 3-2 loss at Newcastle, their many problems were evident. The forwards are being silenced by opposition defences while the midfield looks shorn of form or leadership. The heart of their defence looks so porous. Sylvain Distin plays like a 40-year-old and another major blow is the injury to first-choice stopper, Tim Howard. Hull City are playing their second home game in a week and would look to banish the nightmare of a performance they showed in their defeat to basement side Leicester City. Steve Bruce’s side will be expected to produce a battling and disciplined display to allay their fans’ fears. 2-1

Kayode: Everton under Roberto Martinez are a better side to watch unlike when David Moyes was in charge. But under the Scot, they were more efficient and hard to beat. Martinez has sacrificed grit for flair but it’s not fetching the desired result. I see them dropping points yet again. 1-1

LIVERPOOL V LEICESTER CITY      

Liverpool are looking to win three league games in a row for the first time since their run of 11 successive wins last season. Sunday, do you see this happening?

Sunday: Shout it to the hinterlands, Liverpool are back! The Merseyside club blew Swansea away 4-1 and would repeat the trick against a disciplined but bottom-placed Leicester City. Nigel Pearson’s boys earned a first win in 13 attempts at Hull City last time out but no succour will be found at Anfield where Liverpool are always comfortable and the supporters would get behind their darling team that has suddenly found the winning formula. Raheem Sterling to shake-up Leicester’s defence for a sea of attacking midfielders to do the damage. 3-0

Aisha: The Reds have been largely disappointing this season but back to back wins, particularly the  4-1 triumph over Swansea will go a long way in boosting their morale. Leicester will give it a good go but Liverpool should win this 3-1

Kayode: It is not an accident that Raheem Sterling new found role upfront has coincided with Liverpool’s change in fortune. The team are gradually getting back to last season’s form and should win comfortably against basement side Leicester. 3-0

MANCHESTER CITY V SUNDERLAND        

Manchester City have won eight and lost none of their 10 previous BPL home games against the Black Cats. Sunday, the champions should win this despite the blip against Burnley last time out. No?

Sunday: I was pretty disappointed with City’s attitude in their surprise 2-2 draw at home to Burnley. They allowed over-confidence creep into their team and while Burnley attacked, it was a surprise to them and they lost their heads. That was because they have never been in such position with lower table opposition in a long time. Lightening won’t strike twice either and I expect Gus Poyet’s Sunderland to feel the full wrath of City’s expensively assembled squad. 3-0

Aisha: The champions must be kicking themselves for letting a two-goal lead slip against Burnley at home. I don’t see them making the same mistake against Sunderland. 3-0

Kayode: I give it to the champions too but I can’t rule out heartbreak for them. A safe bet is a home win for the Citizens, though. 3-2

NEWCASTLE UNITED V BURNLEY 

Aisha, Burnley’s last victory at St James Park dates back to April 1976; they have drawn one and lost two since that 1-0 triumph. But can they repeat the heroics that saw them pick a point against City in this game?

Aisha: Burnley shocked everyone by coming back from the dead at The Etihad stadium against Manchester City. But the performance they put into that game to get that result will take a toll. I see Newcastle winning this 2-1

Sunday: Alan Pardew’s exit is no excuse for Newcastle not to gain maximum points from this encounter. Pappis Cisse would serve a 3-match ban for his misdemeanour against Everton but Ayoze Perez and the rest would do the needful at a packed St. James’ Park. Burnley have Danny Ings who inspires his team mates but Geordie faithful – who finally have what they’ve always wanted with Pardew’s exit – would roar on the boys to end the year in style. 2-0

Kayode: I see Burnley repeating last week’s feat and even top that with a win here. Post Pardew blues for the Geordie faithful (gives Sunday a wink) 1-2

Let’s go on a brief commercial break!

Chelsea beat Spurs 3-0 in their last game in December 3, 2014

We are back!

QUEENS PARK RANGERS V SWANSEA CITY

Charlie Austin has been directly involved in 67 per cent of QPR’s league goals this season; more than any other player in England’s top four tiers. Sunday, do you see him influencing proceedings here?

Sunday: QPR played out a disappointing draw with Palace in their last game, an odd outcome going by their home form in of recent times. The London team most times look uncoordinated but on their day are a formidable side, especially when Charlie Austin is duly supported upfront. Swansea collapsed against Liverpool, something unexpected and I believe the stressful festive period is having its toll on the squad. I expect their struggle to continue in their second away fixture in four days. 2-1

Aisha: The Swans were miserable against Liverpool. Although QPR are not completely safe just, they seem to be on course. I dare to predict a home win. 2-1

Kayode: I expect QPR to win this game because I was greatly impressed with their performance against Arsenal the last time out. They lost but it could well have been a draw. 1-0

STOKE CITY V MANCHESTER UNITED   

The Red Devils have won six and lost just two of their 11 Barclays Premier League matches played on New Year’s Day. Kayode, do you see them winning this time out?

Kayode: It will be tough because Stoke are not a small fry at the Britannia Stadium. United have dropped needless points lately and they will drop another two in this encounter. 2-2

Sunday: Stoke City’s manager Mark Hughes, who was a former United player, has talked about his players getting their home form right and they responded with a 2-0 defeat of West Brom. Man United are however a different opposition and although their away form has been near poor, the newfound spirit of togetherness and will to win should see them overcome a stubborn but slick Stoke side. Louis van Gaal is missing Di Maria’s directness and creativity but captain Rooney should come to the rescue and galvanise the team from midfield. 1-2

Aisha: Manchester United’s winning run was halted by Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane in a game United boss Louis Van Gaal said his side struggled for life. The Red Devils will have to be at their best to beat Stoke City but I don’t think that will happen. A fair result will be a draw. 2-2

SOUTHAMPTON V ARSENAL    

Arsenal have won seven and lost just one of their nine New Year’s Day fixtures in Barclays Premier League history. The one draw came away against Southampton in 2013. Aisha, a stalemate again?

Aisha: The Saints finally took points off a top side when they held leaders Chelsea to a 1-1 draw. That will give them confidence going into this game. Arsenal have been winning games unconvincingly of late. Yes, I think this will be a draw. 2-2

Sunday: Southampton fought for dear life to hold leaders Chelsea to a draw on Sunday and I think they will frustrate the Gunners in this match. The Saints have come out of a tough period and are on a run of three games without defeat and only two goals conceded – a good return. Arsenal have however lost just once in seven games and are undefeated in four, while Alexis Sanchez has continued to shine in a team that’s trying to play catch up for the top four race. A share of the spoil for both teams is a more reasonable outcome. 1-1

Kayode: The Gunners are labouring to victories nowadays but they won’t find favour from the Saints in this game. 1-0

WEST HAM UNITED V WEST BROM

West Ham and West Brom were two of only three sides to lose both of their games over the Boxing Day and December 28 match days (along with Everton). Sunday, what’s your take?

Sunday: One win in nine games was enough for West Brom to sack Alan Irvine for a poor run of results even though they have been unlucky in some of those matches during this run. West Ham were in similar circumstance last season but stuck with manager Sam Allardyce and the result is a myriad of scintillating displays this season. The Hammers should see off the threat of the Midland side with minimal fuss although West Brom would put up the usual brave fight. 2-0

Aisha: The Hammers endured back-to-back losses in two London derbies against Chelsea and Arsenal. They will however fancy their chances when West Brom come visiting. 2-0

Kayode: West meet West but who will be swept away after this game? I fancy the Hammers winning this at home. 2-0

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR V CHELSEA

Every time Chelsea have scored two or more goals in the BPL this season they have won (14 times), every time they have scored fewer than twice they have failed to win (five times). Aisha, can Spurs compound this puzzle?

Aisha: League leaders Chelsea were bitterly disappointed not to take all three points in their last game against Southampton. Manager Jose Mourinho even claimed that there was a conspiracy against his players after Cesc Fabregas was denied what appeared to be a blatant penalty. Spurs were impressive in the goalless draw against Manchester United but I think Chelsea will win this 1-2.

Sunday: Arguably the biggest game of the week. Jose Mourinho would look to pick apart a rather tempestuous Tottenham side that usually surfaces in this London derby fixture. Spurs were picked apart in the reverse fixture earlier this month and manager Mauricio Pochettino would preach patience to his boys. Hazard would terrorise as usual but if Tottenham can limit the influence of Fabregas and ensure Diego Costa doesn’t have the ball too close to the 18-yard box, they are in with a massive chance. This is however a near-impossible feat with a porous defence that would gift opportunities to the Blues who do not miss much. It would be an entertaining tactical and fanatical encounter, something Jose Mourinho would use to nail Tottenham. 1-2

Kayode: The star match of the week only on paper. Spurs are not really a threat to Chelsea and their current form is not good either. The Blues will win this. 0-2

See you next week for another edition for BPL Preview.

Bye for now!

WEEK 18 PREDICTIONS

PUNDITS LEAGUE TABLE