Premier League Week 5 Fixtures: EPL Picks and Predictions

Chelsea dropped their first points of the 2016-17 Premier League season last time out against Swansea City and face another tricky encounter in Week 5 as they host Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.

Manchester United will be looking to bounce back from their derby defeat to Manchester City when they travel to Watford, while the Sky Blues can make it five wins from five at home to Bournemouth.

Southampton, Sunderland and Stoke City all play on Sunday, with all three clubs still looking for their first wins of the new campaign.

Read on for scheduling details for the weekend's action, full predictions and a closer examination of the headline clashes.

Date	Time (BST/ET)	Fixture	Predicted Score
Sept. 16	8 p.m./3 p.m.	Chelsea vs. Liverpool	1-1
Sept. 17	3 p.m./10 a.m.	Hull City vs. Arsenal	1-2
Sept. 17	3 p.m./10 a.m.	Leicester City vs. Burnley	2-2
Sept. 17	3 p.m./10 a.m.	Manchester City vs. Bournemouth	3-0
Sept. 17	3 p.m./10 a.m.	West Bromwich Albion vs. West Ham United	0-1
Sept. 17	5:30 p.m./12:30 p.m.	Everton vs. Middlesbrough	2-0
Sept. 18	12 p.m./7 a.m.	Watford vs. Manchester United	1-3
Sept. 18	2:15 p.m./9:15 a.m.	Crystal Palace vs. Stoke City	2-1
Sept. 18	2:15 p.m./9:15 a.m.	Southampton vs. Swansea City	1-1
Sept. 18	4:30 p.m./11.30 a.m.	Tottenham Hotspur vs. Sunderland	2-0

Chelsea vs. Liverpool

Liverpool were rampant in their first home game of the season on Saturday as they crushed defending champions Leicester City 4-1.

The front three of Sadio Mane, Daniel Sturridge and Roberto Firmino were all fantastic against the Foxes, and with Philippe Coutinho potentially returning to the starting lineup, Chelsea's defence will need to be on top form if they are to keep a clean sheet.

Manager Antonio Conte will be without captain John Terry, meaning David Luiz could make his return to the Chelsea lineup in the centre of defence, per the Telegraph's Matt Law:

Liverpool's defence will also have to up their game for the visit to Chelsea, having already conceded seven goals in four Premier League matches in 2016-17.

Though Liverpool's performance against Leicester was exemplary going forward, there was still room for a defensive clanger from Lucas that led to Jamie Vardy's goal and gave the Foxes a route back into the match, per the Liverpool Echo's James Pearce:

Any such mistakes against Chelsea, and the in-form Diego Costa will have a field day. 

The corresponding fixture at Stamford Bridge last season saw Klopp's Liverpool prevail 3-1, a result that is unlikely on Friday given the positive impact Conte has had on Chelsea. A draw seems a likely outcome with both teams looking in fine shape.

Watford vs. Manchester United

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

United were blitzed in the opening half-hour of the Manchester derby, going 2-0 down to an inspired City side and never managing to get back on level terms to earn a point.

In the second half against Pep Guardiola's side, though—with Red Devils manager Jose Mourinho having thrown on Ander Herrera and Marcus Rashford—United looked much better. They will aim to get back to winning ways on Sunday against the Hornets.

Rashford has done all he can to earn a starting berth and could cause havoc in the Watford defence with his pace.

Arguably, though, Herrera had the even better performance from the bench against City and has surely put himself firmly in the frame to be included in Mourinho's starting XI, per football writer Liam Canning:

United will have faced Feyenoord in the UEFA Europa League only three days earlier, but they cannot afford to be anything but their best away to an excellent Watford side.

Walter Mazzarri's men were ruthless coming back from two goals down to beat West Ham United 4-2 away last time out, with their key men from last season—Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney—both back on the scoresheet.

Given his immense experience in the Premier League, Mourinho will understand the importance of getting three points on Sunday against a perceived weaker side and getting back on track after the City defeat.

United beat Watford in both Premier League clashes last term and have looked a much better side already under Mourinho than under former boss Louis van Gaal, and they should pick up three points at Vicarage Road given the quality now in their squad.