EPL Week 5 Predictions: Premier League Picks, Key Players and Fixtures
Chelsea take on Liverpool at Stamford Bridge in the pick of the fixtures in Week 5 of the Premier League on Friday.
Manchester United will look to bounce back from their derby defeat to Manchester City away at Watford, while the Sky Blues can maintain their 100 per cent record if they beat Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium.
Leicester City host Burnley, Arsenal travel to Hull City and Tottenham Hotspur welcome Sunderland to White Hart Lane. Here is the complete schedule, along with score predictions and a look at who will be key to their side in Week 5:
| Friday, September 16 | 8 p.m./3 p.m. | Chelsea vs. Liverpool | 2-2 |
| Saturday, September 17 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Hull City vs. Arsenal | 0-2 |
| Saturday, September 17 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Leicester City vs. Burnley | 2-0 |
| Saturday, September 17 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Manchester City vs. Bournemouth | 3-1 |
| Saturday, September 17 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | West Bromwich Albion vs. West Ham United | 0-1 |
| Saturday, September 17 | 5:30 p.m./12:30 p.m. | Everton vs. Middlesbrough | 2-1 |
| Sunday, September 18 | 12 p.m./7 a.m. | Watford vs. Manchester United | 0-3 |
| Sunday, September 18 | 2:15 p.m./9:15 a.m. | Crystal Palace vs. Stoke City | 1-1 |
| Sunday, September 18 | 2:15 p.m./9:15 a.m. | Southampton vs. Swansea City | 2-1 |
| Sunday, September 18 | 4:30 p.m./11:30 a.m. | Tottenham Hotspur vs. Sunderland | 3-0 |
Daniel Sturridge, Liverpool
The likes of Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane have been among Liverpool's shining lights up front this season, but Daniel Sturridge could be set to play a big role against Chelsea on Friday.
While he did not get on the scoresheet and was twice denied by Kasper Schmeichel in Saturday's 4-1 victory over Leicester, the England international put in a terrific performance after being restored to his natural centre-forward role.
Bleacher Report UK's Jack Lusby noted as much and hailed the striker after he set up Mane with a sumptuous backheel:
Goal's Melissa Reddy was also impressed:
Against former club Chelsea, Sturridge will likely feel he has a point to prove, giving him extra motivation to put in a match-winning performance.
The Reds are yet to convince defensively and Chelsea striker Diego Costa is also in form, so there should be goals on display at Stamford Bridge—a strong outing from Sturridge will give Liverpool a good chance of picking up at least a point.
Riyad Mahrez, Leicester City
After losing just three times in the entirety of last season, the Foxes have suffered defeat twice in their first four matches.
With Manchester United, Southampton and Chelsea soon to come—and Leicester balancing their UEFA Champions League commitments in between—it's vital they pick up three points at home to Burnley.
A number of Leicester players have struggled thus far to replicate the form they enjoyed last season, perhaps none more so than PFA Player of the Year Riyad Mahrez.
The Algerian is yet to contribute a goal or an assist since netting a penalty on the opening day against Hull, and he produced an ineffectual performance at Anfield on Saturday.
According to Squawka, he completed just one of his five attempted take-ons and found his man with one of eight crosses.
Burnley are likely to sit back and get men behind the ball at the King Power Stadium, so as the hosts' primary creative force it will be up to Mahrez to unlock their defence.
To do so, his dribbling and delivery need to be closer to the level they were last season—if not, Leicester's struggles could continue.
.jpg?w=600 "Full Eagles-Cowboys Trade 🤝")
.jpg?w=600 "Fans React to Simpson Pick")
.jpg?w=600 "Brady Reacts to Mendoza Pick")
