EPL Week 6: Bleacher Report Writers Make Their Expert Picks
We move forward to Week 6 of the English Premier League. If last week's drama and excitement was anything to go by, then we're in for another fantastic week of competition.
Only three games last week didn't have goals in the final 10 minutes of play, with Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal all picking up points based off the goals they scored in the final few minutes.
And whilst we might not have the rivalry matches of last week, there's still plenty of fascinating matchups and many potential upsets to be had. Which way are the Bleacher Report writers leaning this week?
Read on to find out.
Leaderboard and Overview
1 of 11For those just joining us, every week, eight of Bleacher Report's world football writers make their predictions for the weekend's English Premier League matches. They predict a scoreline and get points based off whether those predictions were successful.
For a correct result (i.e. Chelsea win), a writer will get one point. For a correct score (i.e. Chelsea win 2-0), a writer will get three points.
After five weeks of predictions, let's take a look at the competition table below and see how the Bleacher Report writers are faring.
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | World Football Featured Columnist | 43 points |
| Joe Tansey | English Premier League Featured Columnist | 35 points |
| Mike Cummings | World Football Lead Writer | 32 points |
| Dan Talintyre | World Football Featured Columnist | 30 points |
| Ed Wyman | World Football Featured Columnist | 30 points |
| Will Tidey | World Football Editor and Lead Writer | 28 points |
| Karl Matchett | World Football Featured Columnist | 25 points |
| Sam Tighe | World Football Featured Columnist | 17 points |
Arsenal vs. Chelsea
2 of 11Saturday, September 29, 7:45 a.m. ET, Emirates Stadium
Last season, the two matches between these two London clubs played out entirely different results. One was a scoreless draw whilst the other was a very high scoring affair—something that the Gunners have struggled to match so far this season.
Since the sale of Robin van Persie, Arsenal have not had the same attacking efficiency or potency that they had with the Dutchman, though a 6-1 drubbing of Southampton two weeks ago and a six-goal thrashing of Coventry in the Capital One Cup may just have them on the right direction.
After picking up a huge point away at the Etihad, Arsenal welcome Chelsea to the Emirates—a team that currently sits atop the English Premier League table and undefeated in 2012.
The Blues were lucky to get the three points against a determined Stoke City side and will face a much tougher time away to their London foes. The big question here will be whether the European champions can get going against what is, so far, the best defense in the league.
Are these two sides Premier League contenders or pretenders? Check out this video by Will Tidey and Mike Cummings. Also take a look at Joe Tansey's fascinating piece on why Chelsea's strong start this season isn't sustainable.
| Dan Talintyre | Arsenal win 2-0 |
| Ed Wyman | Arsenal win 2-1 |
| Joe Tansey | Arsenal win 2-1 |
| Karl Matchett | Arsenal win 2-1 |
| Mike Cummings | Arsenal win 2-1 |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Arsenal win 2-1 |
| Sam Tighe | Arsenal win 2-0 |
| Will Tidey | Draw, 1-1 |
Everton vs. Southampton
3 of 11Saturday, September 29, 10 a.m. ET, Goodison Park
Arguably the form team in the competition right now, Everton are in the top three of the EPL and have a great chance to consolidate that position when they welcome Southampton to Goodison Park this weekend.
The Saints got their first win of the season last week—a 4-1 victory over Aston Villa—but that was at home against Villa. An away fixture to Merseyside is a much tougher encounter, especially when David Moyes' men are playing the way they are.
Will Tidey writes that Everton are the best team in the English Premier League to watch.
| Dan Talintyre | Everton win 2-0 |
| Ed Wyman | Everton win 3-0 |
| Joe Tansey | Everton win 3-0 |
| Karl Matchett | Everton win 2-0 |
| Mike Cummings | Everton win 3-1 |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Everton win 2-0 |
| Sam Tighe | Everton win 3-2 |
| Will Tidey | Everton win 2-1 |
Fulham vs. Manchester City
4 of 11Saturday, September 29, 10 a.m. ET, Craven Cottage
Manchester City will feel like they let three points slip away last week, having had plenty of good opportunities throughout the second half to the find the back of the net—only to finish with a 1-1 draw against Arsenal.
Sergio Aguero probably should have scored late to make it 2-1. But as a result of that miss, the Citizens now find themselves in seventh position on the Premier League table—a win behind Chelsea and Manchester United. They'll be looking for a good performance on the road to stay in touch with the early league leaders.
But away from home, City have had their well-documented issues. They struggled on the road last year and are yet to win away from the Etihad so far this season.
The trip to Craven Cottage is one that will not be easy for Roberto Mancini's men. Fulham are yet to drop a point or even concede a goal at home, and are playing very good football following the acquisition of Dimitar Berbatov over the summer transfer window.
This is shaping as one of the toughest matches of the round to pick.
| Dan Talintyre | Draw, 0-0 |
| Ed Wyman | Manchester City win 2-1 |
| Joe Tansey | Draw, 1-1 |
| Karl Matchett | Manchester City win 2-1 |
| Mike Cummings | Draw, 2-2 |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Manchester City win 3-1 |
| Sam Tighe | Draw, 2-2 |
| Will Tidey | Draw, 1-1 |
Norwich City vs. Liverpool
5 of 11Saturday, September 29, 10 a.m. ET, Carrow Road
Speaking of clubs under pressure—Liverpool are yet to win this season and sit in the relegation zone, alongside the likes of Queens Park Rangers and Reading.
Brendan Rodgers' side is playing better football than the results suggest. But at the end of the day, you need points and goals to succeed—two things that Liverpool are struggling to find.
Fortunately for the Reds, their opponents this week sit just above them on the ladder in 17th and haven't looked threatening to any of the top sides. They are yet to win and have only scored two goals through their opening three matches.
Can this away match to Norwich be the week when Liverpool finally get the season going? Take a look at Karl Matchett's thoughts on Liverpool youngster Fabio Borini and the importance that he could have for the Reds this year.
| Dan Talintyre | Liverpool win 2-0 |
| Ed Wyman | Liverpool win 2-0 |
| Joe Tansey | Liverpool win 2-0 |
| Karl Matchett | Liverpool win 2-0 |
| Mike Cummings | Liverpool win 2-1 |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Liverpool win 2-1 |
| Sam Tighe | Liverpool win 3-1 |
| Will Tidey | Liverpool win 2-0 |
Reading vs. Newcastle United
6 of 11Saturday, September 29, 10 a.m. ET, Madejski Stadium
You get the feeling that Newcastle United are about to explode in the Premier League—well, I'm getting that feeling anyway. The Magpies haven't' been playing their best football. Their attack hasn't been as dominant as it was at times last year, and yet they still sit less than one win outside of the top three.
Demba Ba is firing and whilst Papiss Cisse is yet to get off the mark, after watching him dominate against Manchester United midweek in the Capital One Cup, the striker is surely not long from finding the back of the net.
They shouldn't have too much trouble with their opponents, who have just one point and have lost their last three matches. Reading have the squad depth to compete this year, but they just aren't clicking together—which is understandable given the number of players they brought in over the summer transfer window.
Will Newcastle pick up their first away win here?
| Dan Talintyre | Newcastle win 3-0 |
| Ed Wyman | Newcastle win 3-0 |
| Joe Tansey | Newcastle win 3-1 |
| Karl Matchett | Reading win 2-1 |
| Mike Cummings | Draw, 1-1 |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Newcastle win 2-1 |
| Sam Tighe | Newcastle win 2-1 |
| Will Tidey | Newcastle win 1-0 |
Stoke City vs. Swansea City
7 of 11Saturday, September 29, 10 a.m. ET, Britannia Stadium
The kings of the draw—Stoke City—were five minutes away from making it five draws in their opening five matches against Chelsea last week. They were undone by a late winner from Ashley Cole, and now travel back to the Britannia to welcome Swansea City.
The Swans started the season in dominant fashion—winning 5-0 over QPR and 3-0 over West Ham—but since then, have struggled to get going. They have lost their last two against West Ham and Everton, failing to score in either match, and will look to this match as a chance to get back in the winners circle.
Having said that, there is little doubt that the Britannia is one of the hardest grounds to travel to in the English Premier League, with few clubs able to boast a winning record over time at the ground.
Can Swansea pick up a huge away win to gain some confidence back, or will Stoke continue their home-ground dominance?
| Dan Talintyre | Draw, 0-0 |
| Ed Wyman | Draw, 1-1 |
| Joe Tansey | Draw, 1-1 |
| Karl Matchett | Stoke win 1-0 |
| Mike Cummings | Draw, 1-1 |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Draw, 1-1 |
| Sam Tighe | Draw, 1-1 |
| Will Tidey | Stoke win 2-1 |
Sunderland vs. Wigan Athletic
8 of 11Saturday, September 29, 10 a.m. ET, Stadium of Light
Another tough journey in the Premier League is to the Stadium of Light—the venue that Wigan Athletic will visit this week when they take on the Black Cats.
Both teams sit mid-table after their first few matches, with Sunderland yet to record a win or a loss—something they'll be looking to break or continue, whichever way you look at it.
Wigan, on the other hand, were blown apart by Manchester United and Fulham in their last two matches and will be looking to bounce back with a win here—though away to Sunderland isn't the most ideal fixture for that to happen.
This one could truly go either way.
| Dan Talintyre | Wigan win 2-1 |
| Ed Wyman | Draw, 1-1 |
| Joe Tansey | Draw, 1-1 |
| Karl Matchett | Sunderland win 1-0 |
| Mike Cummings | Draw, 1-1 |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Sunderland win 2-0 |
| Sam Tighe | Draw, 0-0 |
| Will Tidey | Sunderland win 3-0 |
Manchester United vs. Tottenham Hotspur
9 of 11Saturday, September 29, 12:30 p.m. ET, Old Trafford
Tottenham Hotspur haven't lived up to the hype surrounding their big summer transfer activity and the arrival of Andre Villas-Boas, and this week provides an excellent opportunity to examine just where Spurs are this season.
Manchester United sit second in the EPL and have shown that they have plenty of goals in them. They lead the league in goals scored through the opening five matches. The Red Devils have done that largely without Wayne Rooney, who looks set to make his comeback for United, having been unavaliable for a while due to injury.
The key for Spurs will be their attack, which could find some assistance against an injury-depleted United back line. The likes of Clint Dempsey, Moussa Dembele and Gylfi Sigurdsson must all be firing for Spurs to have any chance.
Oh, and their defense must stop Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney, Shinji Kagawa, Antonio Valencia and probably Danny Welbeck.
As I said, we'll get a good measure of whether Tottenham are contenders or pretenders after this one, and we'll also have a fairly good idea whether United are to be considered the title favorites. Here's my take on why the Red Devils are a better side than they were last year.
| Dan Talintyre | Manchester United win 3-1 |
| Ed Wyman | Manchester United win 2-1 |
| Joe Tansey | Manchester United win 2-1 |
| Karl Matchett | Manchester United win 3-1 |
| Mike Cummings | Manchester United win 2-0 |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Draw, 2-2 |
| Sam Tighe | Manchester United win 2-1 |
| Will Tidey | Manchester United win 2-1 |
Aston Villa vs. West Bromwich Albion
10 of 11Sunday, September 30, 11 a.m. ET, Villa Park
Aston Villa were embarrassed by Southampton, losing 4-1 to a club that was running last in the Premier League, and will look to bounce back with a better performance at home this week.
Paul Lambert's men haven't been as strong as they would have liked, but have hung on for valuable points when it counts—picking up a huge point on the road against Newcastle as well as a win against Swansea City the following week.
West Brom, on the other hand, have the potential to be a real sleeper team. Their defense is severely underrated, and on their day, can hold even the best attacks in the Premier League at bay. That might sound bizarre after struggling to put away Reading, but I like the Baggies' lineup.
And if Chelsea loan striker Romelu Lukaku can finally show why the Blues paid so much for him in the first place, West Brom could be a tough team to beat. To prove that, they'll need to win matches like this one.
| Dan Talintyre | West Brom win 1-0 |
| Ed Wyman | West Brom win 2-0 |
| Joe Tansey | Aston Villa win 1-0 |
| Karl Matchett | Aston Villa win 2-1 |
| Mike Cummings | West Brom win 2-1 |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Aston Villa win 2-1 |
| Sam Tighe | Aston Villa win 2-0 |
| Will Tidey | Aston Villa win 2-0 |
Queens Park Rangers vs. West Ham
11 of 11Monday, October 1, 3 p.m. ET, Loftus Road Stadium
Monday afternoon football is back, with Queens Park Rangers taking on West Ham at Loftus Road—an action-packed fixture if ever I've heard one. Okay, I admit it might not be that good, but there's still plenty to watch for from both sides here.
The winless QPR will be looking to earn their first three points of the season, and a match at home against the newly promoted Hammers is without doubt their best chance to do that. Rangers have played Swansea, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham, and will therefore welcome the arrival of a "lesser" club like West Ham.
Not that they'll be easy-beats, mind you. West Ham have only lost one match, though they are yet to carry that form over to their road games, where they are yet to win a game, or even score a goal for that matter.
Which side will get their first respective "win" of the season here?
| Dan Talintyre | Draw, 1-1 |
| Ed Wyman | West Ham win 2-0 |
| Joe Tansey | Draw, 1-1 |
| Karl Matchett | QPR win 1-0 |
| Mike Cummings | QPR win 2-1 |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | QPR win 2-1 |
| Sam Tighe | Draw, 2-2 |
| Will Tidey | QPR win 3-1 |
