EPL Week 5: Bleacher Report Writers Make Their Picks

Another week of the English Premier League is fast approaching, which means that another week of our free tipping and predictions service is on once again.

The Bleacher Report writers have got all the predictions you need for this week and whilst we don't agree on everything as far as predictions go, you can guarantee that one of us, somewhere along the line, is going to be right.

Seems like a fairly good reason for you to read on and check out our predictions for Week 5 of the English Premier League.

Full Leaderboard

Remember, one point for the correct result (e.g. Chelsea win) and three points for a correct score (e.g Chelsea win 1-0)

Mohamed Al-Hendy	29 points
Mike Cummings	26 points
Will Tidey	23 points
Ed Wyman	22 points
Joe Tansey	20 points
Karl Matchett	19 points
Dan Talintyre	18 points
Sam Tighe	12 points

Swansea City vs. Everton

Saturday, 22nd of September at 7:45 a.m. ET

Swansea will be looking to get their strong season back on track when they welcome Everton to Liberty Stadium—a side that is also looking to capitalize on their early wins and goal-scoring talent.

Dan Talintyre	Everton win 2-0
Ed Wyman	Draw, 1-1
Joe Tansey	Everton win 3-0
Karl Matchett	Draw, 1-1
Mike Cummings	Draw, 1-1
Mohamed Al-Hendy	Swansea win 2-1
Sam Tighe	Draw, 2-2
Will Tidey	Everton win 2-0

Chelsea vs. Stoke City

Saturday, 22nd September at 10:00 a.m. ET

After their Champions League draw mid-week against Juventus, Chelsea will be keen to bounce back with a win at Stamford Bridge. This weekend they take on Stoke City, who have picked up four draws through their first four games of the season.

Sam Tighe gives his reasons why Chelsea are the biggest threat to Manchester City for the Premier League title this year.

Dan Talintyre	Chelsea win 2-0
Ed Wyman	Chelsea win 3-0
Joe Tansey	Chelsea win 2-1
Karl Matchett	Chelsea win 2-1
Mike Cummings	Chelsea win 2-0
Mohamed Al-Hendy	Chelsea win 2-0
Sam Tighe	Chelsea win 3-1
Will Tidey	Chelsea win 2-1

Southampton vs. Aston Villa

Saturday, 22nd September at 10:00 a.m. ET

Aston Villa picked up their first win of the season last week and have a great opportunity to double that total when they take on the win-less Southampton at St. Mary's Stadium.

The Saints performed extremely well against both Manchester clubs and were perhaps unlucky not to get a point in either fixture, but were easily dispatched by Arsenal last week in a 6-1 drubbing. They'll be looking for their first win of the season in this one.

Joe Tansey reflects on why this match is actually a must-win fixture for both clubs.

Dan Talintyre	Draw, 1-1
Ed Wyman	Draw, 1-1
Joe Tansey	Aston Villa win 1-0
Karl Matchett	Draw, 1-1
Mike Cummings	Southampton win 2-1
Mohamed Al-Hendy	Southampton win 2-0
Sam Tighe	Aston Villa win 2-1
Will Tidey	Aston Villa win 2-1

West Bromwich Albion vs. Reading

Saturday, 22nd September at 10:00 a.m. ET

West Brom's stellar start to the year was somewhat undone by their 3-0 loss to Fulham last week, but with a home match to Reading looming this weekend, the Baggies have a great chance to get back into the winners circle.

Dan Talintyre	West Brom win 5-1
Ed Wyman	West Brom win 2-0
Joe Tansey	West Brom win 2-0
Karl Matchett	West Brom win 1-0
Mike Cummings	West Brom win 2-1
Mohamed Al-Hendy	West Brom win 2-1
Sam Tighe	West Brom win 3-0
Will Tidey	West Brom win 3-0

West Ham vs. Sunderland

Saturday, 22nd September at 10:00 a.m. ET

Big Sam Allardyce has West Ham primed for a strong season in the Premier League this year. Although the Hammers are nowhere near the force that they once were in the top class, they aren't falling into relegation troubles so far this year.

If that's to continue, then West Ham has got to win at home against lesser teams, like Sunderland.

But don't rule out Martin O'Neill's men just yet. The Black Cats were arguably the surprise story of the Premier League last season after the managerial switch and have the potential to pick up points on the road this season.

Dan Talintyre	Draw, 1-1
Ed Wyman	West Ham win 1-0
Joe Tansey	Draw, 1-1
Karl Matchett	West Ham win 2-1
Mike Cummings	Draw, 2-2
Mohamed Al-Hendy	Draw, 1-1
Sam Tighe	West Ham win 1-0
Will Tidey	West Ham win 2-0

Wigan Athletic vs. Fulham

Saturday, 22nd September at 10:00 a.m. ET

After selling attacking talent in Moussa Dembele and Clint Dempsey over the summer transfer window, many wondered whether Fulham had thrown away their chance at success this year.

Their 3-0 victory at home against a strong West Brom side may well have eased some of those fears, but they must follow it up with repeat success if they are to prove their attack can function without the two players mentioned above. 

Dan Talintyre	Fulham win 1-0
Ed Wyman	Wigan win 2-0
Joe Tansey	Fulham win 3-0
Karl Matchett	Wigan win 1-0
Mike Cummings	Wigan win 2-1
Mohamed Al-Hendy	Fulham win 2-1
Sam Tighe	Wigan win 3-2
Will Tidey	Draw, 1-1

Liverpool vs. Manchester United

Sunday, 23rd September at 8:30 a.m. ET

As far as rivalry matches go, they don't get much bigger than Manchester United taking on Liverpool at Anfield—a match that you can nearly throw away all competition form and context for.

These two sides will have been gearing up for this one for a while and with the Hillsborough memorial, Patrice Evra and Luis Suarez as well as whatever takes place on the football pitch, there's bound to be plenty of talking points to come out of this one.

Dan Talintyre shares why Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra need to put the handshake incident behind them whilst Karl Matchett discuses why the United/Liverpool rivalry burns brighter than ever.

Lead blogger Mike Cummings also gives his game prediction in full here.

Dan Talintyre	Manchester United win 3-1
Ed Wyman	Manchester United win 2-1
Joe Tansey	Manchester United win 3-0
Karl Matchett	Liverpool win 2-1
Mike Cummings	Draw, 1-1
Mohamed Al-Hendy	Draw, 1-1
Sam Tighe	Manchester United win 2-1
Will Tidey	Draw, 0-0

Newcastle United vs. Norwich City

Sunday, 23rd September at 10:00 a.m. ET

St. James Park is one of the hardest trips to take in the English Premier League and this week the unlucky honor befalls Norwich City.

The Magpies were lucky last week not to drop all three points against Everton thanks to the officiating, but sometimes you need a little bit of luck and assistance to do well in the league. Now the question becomes whether or not Newcastle can capitalize on their good fortune with victory at home in this one.

Dan Talintyre	Newcastle win 3-0
Ed Wyman	Newcastle win 2-1
Joe Tansey	Newcastle win 3-0
Karl Matchett	Newcastle win 2-0
Mike Cummings	Newcastle win 2-0
Mohamed Al-Hendy	Newcastle win 2-1
Sam Tighe	Newcastle win 2-1
Will Tidey	Newcastle win 2-0

Manchester City vs. Arsenal

Sunday, 23rd September at 11:00 a.m. ET

A match with huge ramifications for the top-four of the English Premier League sees Manchester City at home to Arsenal, with both sides playing tough Champions League fixtures mid-week.

And whilst the Gunners might have triumphed on the road where City did not, the reigning Premier League champions are a different side at the Etihad and will be tough to beat.

The return of Sergio Aguero would be a huge boost for Roberto Mancini's men, who will need all the strike-power they can get their hands on. Arsenal is, so far, the best defense in the Premier League.

Mike Cummings asks whether or not goalkeeper Vito Mannone should be the No. 1 shot-stopper at the Emirates.

Dan Talintyre	Manchester City win 2-0
Ed Wyman	Draw, 2-2
Joe Tansey	Draw, 1-1
Karl Matchett	Arsenal win 2-1
Mike Cummings	Manchester City win 1-0
Mohamed Al-Hendy	Draw, 1-1
Sam Tighe	Arsenal win 2-1
Will Tidey	Arsenal win 2-1

Tottenham Hotspur vs. QPR

Sunday, 23rd September at 11:00 a.m. ET

Tottenham Hotspur finally got their season going last week with a win, and will be looking to continue that run when they welcome Queens Park Rangers to White Hart Lane.

Andre Villas-Boas has put together a formidable squad with a plethora of attacking and midfield talent, but so far they have been unable to put it all together into a complete and dominant performance.

Will this be the match where Tottenham finally "clicks"?

Dan Talintyre	Tottenham win 2-1
Ed Wyman	Tottenham win 3-0
Joe Tansey	Tottenham win 3-1
Karl Matchett	Tottenham win 2-0
Mike Cummings	Tottenham win 1-0
Mohamed Al-Hendy	Tottenham win 3-1
Sam Tighe	Draw, 1-1
Will Tidey	Tottenham win 2-0