EPL Week 2: Bleacher Report Writers Make Their Picks
Week 1 of the English Premier League is now but a distant memory in the Bleacher Report writers' tipping competition, and in light of the poor selections so far, that's probably a very good thing.
Week 2 is where it's at, and the site's best football minds have again got their selections for the 11 matches to take place this week—Chelsea and Reading play Wednesday evening for those who aren't quite up to speed.
Lead Blogger and Football Featured Columnist Mike Cummings is in the lead after a strong first round. The complete leaderboard can be seen on the following slide.
Read on to see how the team fared in Week 1 as well as our full selections for Week 2 of the English Premier League.
Leaderboard
1 of 12Week 1 Winner
Mike Cummings
Full Leaderboard
Mike Cummings (@MikeCummigns37) | 8 points |
Ed Wyman | 6 points |
Joe Tansey (@JTansey90) | 6 points |
Mohamed Al-Hendy (@Mo_Hendy) | 6 points |
Karl Matchett (@karlmatchett) | 4 points |
Will Tidey (@willtidey) | 4 points |
Dan Talintyre (@dantalintyre) | 3 points |
Sam Tighe (@stighefootball) | 2 points |
Chelsea vs. Reading
2 of 12Date: Wednesday, August 22
Time: 2:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Some midweek English Premier League action sees the European champions Chelsea take on the newly promoted Reading at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues certainly have a plethora of attacking talent this season—Fernando Torres, Juan Mata, Eden Hazard and Oscar—but Will Tidey points out brilliantly that the battle for the EPL will be won and lost in central defense this year. You can also check out my complete preview and analysis of the match.
Predictions for the match are as follows.
| Dan Talintyre | Chelsea win 3-0 | |
| Ed Wyman | Chelsea win 2-0 | |
| Joe Tansey | Chelsea win 3-1 | |
| Karl Matchett | Chelsea win 3-0 | |
| Michael Cummings | Chelsea win 2-0 | |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Chelsea win 2-0 | |
| Sam Tighe | Chelsea win 2-0 | |
| Will Tidey | Chelsea win 2-1 |
Swansea City vs. West Ham
3 of 12Date: Saturday, August 25
Time: 7:45 a.m. ET
Venue: Liberty Stadium
Predictions for the match are as follows.
| Dan Talintyre | Swansea win 3-1 | |
| Ed Wyman | Swansea win 2-1 | |
| Joe Tansey | West Ham win 1-0 | |
| Karl Matchett | Swansea win 2-1 | |
| Michael Cummings | Swansea win 2-1 | |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Swansea win 2-1 | |
| Sam Tighe | Swansea win 2-0 | |
| Will Tidey | Swansea win 2-0 |
Aston Villa vs. Everton
4 of 12Date: Saturday, August 25
Time: 10 a.m. ET
Venue: Villa Park
It might be a long year for Aston Villa, who were beaten by the recently promoted West Ham in their opening round and now face a tough home match against the ever-improving Everton.
There is hope for the Villians, as Sam Tighe points out, and that it is far too early in the season to be panicking.
Predictions for the match are as follows.
| Dan Talintyre | Everton win 2-0 | |
| Ed Wyman | Everton win 2-0 | |
| Joe Tansey | Everton win 2-0 | |
| Karl Matchett | Draw, 1-1 | |
| Michael Cummings | Everton win 1-0 | |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Everton win 2-0 | |
| Sam Tighe | Aston Villa win 1-0 | |
| Will Tidey | Everton win 1-0 |
Manchester United vs. Fulham
5 of 12Date: Saturday, August 25
Time: 10 a.m. ET
Venue: Old Trafford
The Red Devils' defense will need to be switched on for this one, seeing the Cottagers' attack is firing after their 5-0 opening-round victory, and Joe Tansey highlights why a makeshift United defense will have to step it up in this one.
Will Tidey and Mike Cummings also discuss the impact that Robin van Persie will have on United's squad this year.
Predictions for the match are as follows.
| Dan Talintyre | Draw, 1-1 | |
| Ed Wyman | Manchester United win 3-1 | |
| Joe Tansey | Manchester United win 3-1 | |
| Karl Matchett | Manchester United win 2-0 | |
| Michael Cummings | Manchester United win 1-0 | |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Manchester United win 3-0 | |
| Sam Tighe | Manchester United win 3-1 | |
| Will Tidey | Manchester United win 2-0 |
Norwich City vs. Queens Park Rangers
6 of 12Date: Saturday, August 25
Time: 10 a.m. ET
Venue: Carrow Road
Both sides were flogged 5-0 in their opening match; can they bounce back with a better performance against each other in this one? Joe Tansey has some thoughts on why we should expect both QPR, but particularly Norwich, to bounce back strongly.
Predictions for the match are as follows.
| Dan Talintyre | QPR win 1-0 | |
| Ed Wyman | Draw, 2-2 | |
| Joe Tansey | Draw, 2-2 | |
| Karl Matchett | Norwich win 2-1 | |
| Michael Cummings | Draw, 0-0 | |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Draw, 1-1 | |
| Sam Tighe | QPR win 2-1 | |
| Will Tidey | Draw, 1-1 |
Southampton vs. Wigan Athletic
7 of 12Date: Saturday, August 25
Time: 10 a.m. ET
Venue: St. Mary's Stadium
Predictions for the match are as follows.
| Dan Talintyre | Draw, 1-1 | |
| Ed Wyman | Southampton win 2-1 | |
| Joe Tansey | Draw, 1-1 | |
| Karl Matchett | Draw, 1-1 | |
| Michael Cummings | Draw, 2-2 | |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Southampton win 2-1 | |
| Sam Tighe | Wigan win 2-1 | |
| Will Tidey | Southampton win 3-2 |
Sunderland vs. Reading
8 of 12Date: Saturday, August 25
Time: 10 a.m. ET
Venue: Stadium of Light
Predictions for the match are as follows.
| Dan Talintyre | Draw, 0-0 | |
| Ed Wyman | Sunderland win 1-0 | |
| Joe Tansey | Sunderland win 2-0 | |
| Karl Matchett | Sunderland win 1-0 | |
| Michael Cummings | Draw, 1-1 | |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Reading win 2-1 | |
| Sam Tighe | Sunderland win 1-0 | |
| Will Tidey | Draw, 0-0 |
Tottenham Hotspur vs. West Bromwich Albion
9 of 12Date: Saturday, August 25
Time: 10 a.m. ET
Venue: White Hart Lane
Predictions for the match are as follows.
| Dan Talintyre | Tottenham win 2-0 | |
| Ed Wyman | Tottenham win 3-0 | |
| Joe Tansey | Tottenham win 2-0 | |
| Karl Matchett | Tottenham win 2-1 | |
| Michael Cummings | Draw, 2-2 | |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Tottenham win 2-0 | |
| Sam Tighe | Tottenham win 3-0 | |
| Will Tidey | Tottenham win 3-0 |
Chelsea vs. Newcastle
10 of 12Date: Saturday, August 25
Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Predictions for the match are as follows.
| Dan Talintyre | Chelsea win 3-1 | |
| Ed Wyman | Draw, 1-1 | |
| Joe Tansey | Newcastle win 3-1 | |
| Karl Matchett | Draw, 1-1 | |
| Michael Cummings | Chelsea win 3-1 | |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Newcastle win 2-1 | |
| Sam Tighe | Chelsea win 2-1 | |
| Will Tidey | Draw, 1-1 |
Stoke City vs. Arsenal
11 of 12Date: Sunday, August 26
Time: 8:30 a.m. ET
Venue: Britannia Stadium
Predictions for the match are as follows.
| Dan Talintyre | Arsenal win 1-0 | |
| Ed Wyman | Arsenal win 2-0 | |
| Joe Tansey | Draw, 1-1 | |
| Karl Matchett | Arsenal win 2-0 | |
| Michael Cummings | Draw, 1-1 | |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Draw, 0-0 | |
| Sam Tighe | Arsenal win 2-1 | |
| Will Tidey | Stoke win 1-0 |
Liverpool vs. Manchester City
12 of 12Date: Sunday, August 26
Time: 11 a.m. ET
Venue: Anfield
Liverpool suffered a humiliating 3-0 defeat to lowly West Brom in their opening match this season and will look to bounce back with a stronger performance at home. Only problem is, they're playing the defending Premier League champions in Manchester City.
Karl Matchett shares some insight into how the Reds should approach this match from a tactical perspective.
Predictions for the match are as follows.
| Dan Talintyre | Manchester City win 1-0 | |
| Ed Wyman | Manchester City win 3-0 | |
| Joe Tansey | Manchester City win 4-1 | |
| Karl Matchett | Draw, 2-2 | |
| Michael Cummings | Manchester City win 2-0 | |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Manchester City win 3-0 | |
| Sam Tighe | Manchester City win 3-0 | |
| Will Tidey | Liverpool win 2-1 |
