English Premier League: Latest News, Preview and Predictions for Week 6

Ashley Cole bailed out Chelsea in the dying moments of Saturday's game against Stoke City to keep the Blues atop the Premier League table for at least another week. Manchester United and upstart Everton round out the top three.

Perhaps the biggest story of the first month has been the struggles of some high-profile teams. Last year's champion Manchester City currently sits in seventh, one spot ahead of Tottenham. Liverpool remains in the relegation zone after five matches.

Luckily for all of those clubs, there's still plenty of time to get things turned around. It's a tricky part of the season for teams involved in European play. A high number of matches in a short period makes life difficult on the managers.

Let's take a glance at some of the latest EPL news while also looking ahead to all of next weekend's matches.

Dimitar Berbatov Out 2 Weeks

Fulham will be without Dimitar Berbatov for a couple weeks after he suffered a hip injury during training for the team's match with Manchester City, according to Chris Davie of Goal.com. It happened right near the end of practice.

The veteran striker has proven to be a solid addition for the Cottagers, who acquired him from Manchester United. He's scored two goals and added an assist in three appearances, providing a huge boost to the Fulham attack.

With Berbatov sidelined, there will be extra pressure on fellow striker Hugo Rodallega to control the attack. He netted his first goal of the campaign against Wigan last week after a slow start. Mladen Petric could also help fill the void.

John Terry Receives Racism Ban

Chelsea captain John Terry has received a four-match ban and been fined £220,000 after the English Football Association found him guilty of racial abuse toward Anton Ferdinand of QPR in a match last year, according to Harry Harris of ESPN.

Terry, who recently retired from international play following a successful career with England, has the right to appeal the decision. He was previously found not guilty in court concerning the charges, based on the report.

It's unknown whether the Blues defender will appeal or accept the punishment. Terry can play against Arsenal this weekend unless he decides to accept the suspension and begin in right away. It's a key game for Chelsea, though, so that seems unlikely.

Manchester United Managerial Future

Manchester United currently sits one point behind Chelsea for the Premier League lead and started Champions League play with a victory over Galatasaray, which makes talking about the club's future seem like the last thing the Red Devils would be doing.

But that's exactly what's going on, based on a report from Wayne Veysey of Goal.com. He reports Sir Alex Ferguson has already pointed toward Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola as the managers best suited to replace him, whenever the day arrives.

Whoever takes over the position in the future will have some huge shoes to fill. Ferguson has left an indelible mark on the team over the past three decades and there will be a ton of pressure on his successor, even if it's a big name like Mourinho or Guardiola.

It's a situation worth watching even though nothing is imminent.

Jack Wilshere Making Progress

Jack Wilshere has been out for more than a year with an ankle injury, but finally appears to be nearing his return to the Arsenal lineup. Rhys Turrell of Goal.com reports he's returned to training and has drawn rave reviews from teammates, namely Theo Walcott.

Wilshere was well on his way to becoming a star for the Gunners two seasons ago. He wasn't able to build off that debut season due to the injury, however. Getting the 20-year-old midfielder back should provide a big boost.

No concrete timetable for his return to league action has been announced, but it's good to see him making steady progress. It's always tough to watch a promising young player get stuck on the sidelines due to injury issues.

Nemanja Vidic Out 8 Weeks

Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic will be out for around two months after undergoing knee surgery, according to a statement on the team's official site. Doctors operated on his right knee after he felt discomfort last weekend.

It's the second straight season in which Vidic will miss a significant period of time due to a knee injury. The 30-year-old defender's absence is going to leave a huge hole in the Red Devils back line, meaning other players will need to step up.

Vidic will join Phil Jones and Chris Smalling on the injured list among United defenders, leaving the team thin at the back. Jonny Evans will have to elevate his level of play for the time being after starting in the win over Liverpool.

Patrice Evra and Luis Suarez Handshake

Some things are more important than an old grudge. Thankfully, Patrice Evra and Luis Suarez realized that before Sunday's anticipated clash, the first home match for Liverpool since the Hillsborough report. The pair finally shook hands.

Of course, the tension between the stars dates back to the accusations of racial abuse toward Evra from Suarez, which led to an eight-match ban. Evra felt it was necessary to put to incident between them due to the situation, according to ESPN.

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"That's why, although a lot of people were talking about me shaking hands with Suarez, the story of the clubs is bigger than that. It's why I think if I didn't shake his hand, I didn't respect the story of both clubs."

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Hopefully this brings an end to the bitterness between the players, which has brought added attention to matches between the clubs. They understood how important their actions were on Sunday and made the right decision.

Ashley Cole Extension?

After Ashley Cole scored the winning goal on Saturday, talk about an extension for the veteran defender immediately became a hot topic. His contract runs out at season's end, putting pressure on both sides to reach an agreement sooner rather than later.

Adam Mazrani of Goal.com reports Blues manager Roberto Di Matteo thinks they can work something out before the January transfer window. Cole continues to serve as a key cog in the Chelsea lineup and hasn't shown signs of slowing down.

With just over three months under the winter window, things could get tense if negotiations don't go as planned. Chelsea fans should feel comfortable for now, however, because Di Matteo clearly believes something should get done.

Match of the Week: Arsenal vs. Chelsea

Two teams that used late goals to earn desired results last week will battle on Saturday. Laurent Koscielny scored the equalizer for Arsenal on the road against Manchester City and, of course, Cole's aforementioned winner for Chelsea.

The game will take place at Emirates, making it a little more important for the Gunners, who are four points behind the Blues and sit in fourth place. A victory would tighten up the top of the table and be a fourth straight positive outcome for Arsenal.

As has become the case for the Gunners, their attack will be the key. The offseason acquisitions have been heavily involved, but the results have been mixed. If Chelsea can shut down Lukas Podolski and Co., it will be in terrific shape.

Saturday Predictions

Arsenal vs. Chelsea

There are only four clubs left without a league loss. Arsenal and Chelsea are two of them. The injuries have begun to mount for the Gunners, which will test their depth, but they should still have enough firepower to earn a draw.

Prediction: 1-1

Everton vs. Southampton

Everton got back on track with an easy victory over Swansea following two lackluster results. If the Toffees want to remain in the top six all season, these are the type of matches they must win. Southampton is coming off its first win and can't be overlooked.

Prediction: 2-1 Everton

Fulham vs. Manchester City

City will be disappointed to have let a point slip away against Arsenal and faces a tricky road test in the form of a suddenly resurgent Fulham side. Two straight wins have moved the Cottagers into sixth, mostly thanks to an offense that's tied for the EPL lead in goals.

Prediction: 2-2

Norwich City vs. Liverpool

This game should be a great measuring stick for Liverpool. It's the start of an easier portion of the schedule and if the Reds can't get things turned around now, it might not happen all season. Norwich will put up a fight at home, though.

Prediction: 1-0 Liverpool

Reading vs. Newcastle United

Newcastle is a violate side. The Toon have quick-strike ability up front led by Demba Ba, making them a dangerous side, but haven't been able to maintain any consistency. Reading shouldn't pose any problems if they can avoid a letdown.

Prediction: 2-0 Newcastle

Stoke City vs. Swansea City

Swansea has cooled off considerably after a hot start, losing its last two games by a combined score of 5-0. It comes no surprise that the losing skid comes at the same time Michu's goal-scoring run ended. Expect a tight match throughout.

Prediction: 1-1

Sunderland vs. Wigan Athletic

Sunderland has played four games and it has four draws. While it's better than four losses, eventually the Black Cats have to start pushing harder for all three points. A home clash with Wigan, which has lost two straight, is a perfect opportunity.

Prediction: 2-1 Sunderland

Manchester United vs. Tottenham Hotspur

Even though Tottenham has rebounded after a poor start, it has done so against non-contenders. Saturday's game against United will prove whether the Spurs have truly rebounded. The Red Devils have been on a roll since losing to Everton in the opener.

Prediction: 3-1 Manchester United

Sunday and Monday Predictions

Aston Villa vs. West Bromwich Albion

West Brom has been one of the EPL's biggest surprises so far, sitting ahead of Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham in the table. Matches like this, a road contest against a mid-table team, should give everybody a better understanding of their capability.

Prediction: 2-2

Queens Park Rangers vs. West Ham United

QPR ranks 19th in both goals and goals allowed, so it isn't a surprise the team currently sits in the relegation zone. Beating West Ham would help build some confidence, but the Irons have been stout in the early going led by Kevin Nolan.

Prediction: 1-1