Faster than a Spurs defender, less reliable than a VAR decision, a bigger loser than Man City, it’s the EPL Donkey who is back for another week with a District Line of opinion, and this week’s Premier League Week 13 Tips.
Putting the ass in sass, the EPL Donkey offers his thoughts on the week that was or could be or will be, often with little to do with football, before launching into his Premier League Week 13 Tips for the punters and fans.
The EPL Donkey’s Weekly Rant
Football is a funny old game. Before the International break, yes another one, Ange Postecoglou was busted arse. Couldn’t beat Ipswich Town. But now he is a master of beating Man City, twice in the space of a month or so, and the latest 4-0 away win was a real pulling-down-the-pants for Man City. And it was. No doubt this week’s result won’t be as good and Spurs fans and cynical media types will be throwing metaphoric tomatoes at him again.
Some say it is petty enjoying the loss parade of Manchester City at the moment, and it is. But it’s also so good. Unlike the drink So Good.
It’s not that I hate Man City, I just slightly dislike any sporting team or entity that wins everything. Petty I know. But once Christmas is over Manchester City will probably win every single game by 2-0 or more and win the league. So why can’t I enjoy the run of losses now?
Talking of former serial winners and teams that also can’t beat Ipswich Town, there was much hype about Man Utd last weekend. They didn’t really live up to the pre-game hype and indeed were lucky their keeper saved them from an upset loss. Or, it would have been an upset loss in any other season. Especially the one season in the Premier League where Man Utd flogged Ipswich by 9-0.
In fact, the most fight put up by Man Utd was from former player Roy Keane when confronted by an Ipswich fan who reminded him of his management record at Portman Road. Which wasn’t great but was better than most of the four Pauls that Ipswich had as manager after relegation from the Premier League.
Paul Hirst doing a particularly ordinary job. But then again, Ipswich’s fans wanted change from their mid table Championship mediocrity and Hirst duly delivered League One. Well, he didn’t, as he was quickly sacked, but the damage had been done.
Hopefully less damage this season from Ipswich. Although relegation avoidance can’t be guaranteed.
But at least this weekend brings a top of the table clash between the two teams most likely to challenge for the title, and deep down I hope Liverpool win this weekend as it opens up just enough gap to either let another team comfortably win a title that isn’t Man City. Or it sets up an outstanding opportunity for one of the Premier League’s greatest title chokes.
Either way, I will be entertained. Thanks for asking Gladiator. First one that is, not the second one.
Now on the GW13 Tips…..
The EPL Donkey’s Premier League Week 13 Tips & Rundown
BRIGHTON v SOUTHAMPTON
I think this game got lost, it should be at Saturday 3pm, not Friday 8pm. Never mind. Brighton to win by plenty.
Brighton 4 Southampton 0
CRYSTAL PALACE v NEWCASTLE
Could this be the most entertaining meeting of Stripes since that movie with Bill Murray in it? Possibly. But probably not.
Crystal Palace 0 Newcastle 0
NOTTINGHAM FOREST v IPSWICH
Two old fashioned clubs trying to break out of Millenium obscurity. Both are sort-of succeeding. And it’s glorious.
Nott’m Forest 1 Ipswich 1
WOLVES v BOURNEMOUTH
Two clubs fighting for mid table mediocrity. Wolves are fast becoming the friends of FPL players everywhere.
Wolves 2 Bournemouth 0
BRENTFORD v LEICESTER
So it seems Leicester hired a manager that no one really wanted to make the manager they really wanted envious? Word on the street is that it is Ruud van Nistelrooy, which would be kind of odd, as he beat Leicester twice in a five-game run as temporary manager of Man Utd. Maybe knowing how to beat a team makes them the best choice for winning with them. Who knows, clubs make dumb manager decisions.
Brentford 2 Leicester 2
WEST HAM v ARSENAL
Another game Arsenal should win, and one that West Ham should be competitive with their roster of players. Perhaps neither will happen.
West Ham 1 Arsenal 1
SPURS v FULHAM
If Ange is the Forrest Gump of the Premier League, then the players must be the box of chocolates. They sure do melt sometimes v bottom six clubs but have managed to beat the Manchester clubs up there by a combined 7-0. Who knows what to expect.
Spurs 3 Fulham 0
MAN UTD v EVERTON
This is where the Man Utd turnaround starts, and what better place than flogging a Liverpool based team.
Man Utd 4 Everton 0
CHELSEA v ASTON VILLA
The dark horse of the Premier League as it stands. Chelsea that is. They should be some kind of horse with the money they’ve spent. Their squad players could form a team and finish midfield. Or win the UEFA Conference League.
Chelsea 3 Aston Villa 1
LIVERPOOL v MAN CITY
What a way to end the week of Premier League with a game that could well decide the title. No pressure.
Liverpool 3 Man City 1
