EPL Week 10: Bleacher Report Writers Make Their Expert EPL Picks
Another week of the English Premier League means another round of matches, another plethora of controversial calls for us to whinge about, but most importantly, another chance for the football writers at Bleacher Report to bring you our predictions for the week.
Read on to see who's looking good for another week of success, who's simply pushed too far and who will reap the consequences of their poor performance.
Oh, and I was talking about us there, not the teams.
All they're doing is playing football. Our job is much harder.
Leaderboard
1 of 11For those not familiar with the way this works, each writer has to pick a team and a score for every match in the Premier League that week.
A correct pick (i.e. Chelsea win) will earn them one point, and a correct score (i.e. Chelsea win 3-0) sees them earn three points.
Let's take a look at our Bleacher Report experts and how their predictions have fared through the opening weeks of the competition.
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | World Football Featured Columnist | 77 points |
| Mike Cummings | World Football Lead Blogger and Writer | 66 points |
| Dan Talintyre | World Football Featured Columnist | 58 points |
| Joe Tansey | English Premier League Featured Columnist | 57 points |
| Karl Matchett | World Football Featured Columnist | 57 points |
| Sam Tighe | World Football Featured Columnist | 54 points |
| Will Tidey | World Football Lead Writer and Editor | 50 points |
Manchester United vs. Arsenal
2 of 11Saturday, November 3, 2012 at 7:45 a.m. ET
Manchester United play host to Arsenal in what is arguably the biggest match of either team's season so far—particularly given all that's taken place in the past week or so.
The Red Devils scored a huge 3-2 victory over league leaders Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last week but suffered a stunning 5-4 loss to the Blues when they met in the Capital One Cup just a few days later.
Arsenal, on the other hand, struggled to get past relegation fodder Queens Park Rangers last weekend in the English Premier League, and like United, played a high-scoring Capital One Cup match during the week—only difference being that they emerged victors, with a 7-5 win over Reading/
The Gunners' domestic form has been poor of late, but Arsene Wenger's men need no psyching up for this one—as can also be said for Sir Alex Ferguson's side.
A win could give United the lead in the Premier League race depending on how Chelsea fares, whilst Arsenal could move into the top four with a victory of their own. Either way, this one looks like it'll be one heck of a football match.
| Dan Talintyre | Manchester United win 2-1 |
| Joe Tansey | Manchester United win 3-1 |
| Karl Matchett | Manchester United win 3-1 |
| Mike Cummings | Manchester United win 3-2 |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Manchester United win 2-1 |
| Sam Tighe | Manchester United win 3-1 |
| Will Tidey | Manchester United win 3-1 |
Sunderland vs. Aston Villa
3 of 11Saturday, November 3, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. ET
By contrast to the high-scoring affair that the game before them is shaping up to be, Sunderland and Aston Villa looks like it will be the lowest-scoring match of the round.
You have the teams with the least goals scored this year (Sunderland) at home and the team that has the second-least amount of goals scored this year (Aston Villa).
But hey, sometimes that isn't always a bad thing, and we could all be wrong about the whole lack of goals thing in this one.
Aston Villa are a side teetering on the edge of relegation—needing a strong performance to give them back some belief and consistency—whilst the Black Cats always play well when they are in front of their home fans at the Stadium of Light.
So who knows? Maybe we could see some goals after all.
| Dan Talintyre | Sunderland win 1-0 |
| Joe Tansey | Sunderland win 2-0 |
| Karl Matchett | Draw, 0-0 |
| Mike Cummings | Draw, 0-0 |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Draw, 1-1 |
| Sam Tighe | Aston Villa win 1-0 |
| Will Tidey | Aston Villa win 1-0 |
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Wigan Athletic
4 of 11Saturday, November 3 at 10:00 a.m. ET
Andre Villas-Boas has already made some big changes at the North London club this season, but nine weeks into the Premier League season, Tottenham Hotspur are sitting inside the top four and gunning for their sixth win in seven matches.
Spurs are looking potent in attack and seemingly have the potential to score goals against any defense in the Premier League—scoring in every match they've played this year.
However, don't expect Wigan Athletic to be completely blown out of the water in this one.
The Latics were sound in victory over West Ham last week, with just a late Hammers consolation goal ruining their clean sheet, and with strong performances away in their past few weeks, could well surprise Andre Villas-Boas' men in this one.
Especially when Spurs have kept just one clean sheet all season.
| Dan Talintyre | Tottenham win 3-1 |
| Joe Tansey | Tottenham win 3-1 |
| Karl Matchett | Tottenham win 3-1 |
| Mike Cummings | Tottenham win 2-0 |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Tottenham win 2-1 |
| Sam Tighe | Tottenham win 2-0 |
| Will Tidey | Tottenham win 2-0 |
Norwich City vs. Stoke City
5 of 11Saturday, November 3, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. ET
Norwich City are currently riding their best two-game spell in the Premier League this season, having defeated Arsenal at home before picking up a point in their away match to Aston Villa last week—giving them two matches without a loss.
They've moved out of the relegation zone, and whilst it might be a tad premature to call them "on a roll," there's definitely some good vibes coming out of Carrow Road at the moment—the venue for the Canaries' match this week against Stoke City.
Stoke's quest to stay in the top-half of the table took a hit last week when they failed to pick up all three points against Sunderland—a match that they probably should have won. They'll know that this week is another "should-win" fixture and will be desperate not to make the same mistakes as they did only seven days ago at the Stadium of Light.
Tony Pulis' side could either be brilliant and together, or they could be a tad lackluster in attack and cohesion—as they have done several times this season. For me, the way this one ends all comes down to how the Potters perform away from home against another mid-table team.
| Dan Talintyre | Draw, 1-1 |
| Joe Tansey | Norwich win 2-1 |
| Karl Matchett | Norwich win 1-0 |
| Mike Cummings | Draw, 1-1 |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Norwich win 1-0 |
| Sam Tighe | Draw, 0-0 |
| Will Tidey | Norwich win 1-0 |
Fulham vs. Everton
6 of 11Saturday, November 3, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. ET
If you're looking for the most intriguing match of the Premier League this weekend, I'd be almost willing to call Fulham and Everton as the one to watch.
Two teams that are both less than a win outside the top four and both playing attacking, exciting football—even if it does give Martin Jol and David Moyes sleepless nights because of it.
Fulham finished with a 3-3 draw against Reading last week but will take full confidence into their fixture at Craven Cottage—a venue where they always play good football. Dimitar Berbatov has been a relegation since joining the club from Manchester United, and the Cottagers' midfield is still thriving in both attack and defense, even without Mousse Dembele at the club.
The Toffees' attack is also in fine form after netting two goals in their Merseyside derby draw last week. The likes of Marouane Fellaini, Nikica Jelavic and Kevin Mirallas are spearheading one of the most potent attacks in the Premier League, and when they're all on the same page, can be a truly devastating force through the middle of the pitch.
Everton will head into this one as favorites, but I genuinely think this will be a close match. Martin Jol's sides rarely get blown out of the water—regardless of the attack they're facing—and I think we're likely to see another tough, close match here.
Which way will it fall? I guess we'll find out soon enough.
| Dan Talintyre | Draw, 2-2 |
| Joe Tansey | Draw, 1-1 |
| Karl Matchett | Fulham win 2-1 |
| Mike Cummings | Fulham win 2-1 |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Draw, 1-1 |
| Sam Tighe | Draw, 1-1 |
| Will Tidey | Fulham win 2-1 |
Swansea City vs. Chelsea
7 of 11Saturday, November 3, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. ET
Chelsea suffered their first defeat of the Premier League last week when they went down at home to Manchester United—albeit under controversial circumstances—and will be looking to get back on track with a strong result here.
The European champions will be without several key players including John Terry and Fernando Torres, but the biggest blow is the news that midfield maestro Juan Mata is in doubt for their clash against Swansea City this weekend.
The Swans were never going to be a pushover, especially at Liberty Stadium, but with a severely depleted Blues' side coming at them, they certainly must be considered more of a threat than they were originally considered.
Even with star goalkeeper Michael Vorm out injured, Swansea at home will be a tough task for Roberto Di Matteo's side that no doubt has one eye on their must-win Champions League match to be played during the week.
If Chelsea are going to be champions this week, then these are the type of matches that they need to step up and win.
Can they get it done away from home with several stars missing?
| Dan Talintyre | Chelsea win 2-1 |
| Joe Tansey | Chelsea win 3-1 |
| Karl Matchett | Chelsea win 3-1 |
| Mike Cummings | Chelsea win 2-1 |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Chelsea win 3-1 |
| Sam Tighe | Chelsea win 2-1 |
| Will Tidey | Chelsea win 2-1 |
West Ham vs. Manchester City
8 of 11Saturday, November 3, 2012 at 12:30 p.m. ET
We're over a quarter of the way through the Premier League season this year, and the newly promoted West Ham find themselves inside the top half of the table—something that few would have expected at the start of the season.
Granted, the Hammers have had a nicer schedule than most, but they've been strong at home and relatively solid in defense—which is all anyone can really ask of a side that is becoming accosted again to the top class in English football.
This week will give fans and pundits alike a great opportunity to measure them against a top-tier team not only in England but indeed world football. The defending Premier League champions Manchester City are a joy to watch at their best—unless you're on the opposing team—and will be looking to keep pace with Chelsea and Manchester United with three points this weekend.
City do struggle away from home, we all know that well, and it could play in the favor of West Ham, who will be in front of their faithful fans at Upton Park. But can they mix it with one of the best teams in Europe—even with the home-ground advantage?
| Dan Talintyre | Manchester City win 2-1 |
| Joe Tansey | Manchester City win 2-0 |
| Karl Matchett | Manchester City win 3-2 |
| Mike Cummings | Manchester City win 3-1 |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Manchester City win 2-0 |
| Sam Tighe | Manchester City win 2-1 |
| Will Tidey | Manchester City win 2-1 |
Queens Park Rangers vs. Reading
9 of 11Sunday, November 4, 2012 at 8:30 a.m. ET
What an action-packed fixture we've got on our hands Sunday morning, with the 18th-placed Reading traveling to take on Queens Park Rangers—who are placed dead last on the Premier League ladder.
No, but seriously, all jokes aside, sometimes these relegation contests can provide for some fascinating viewing and, at times, some very good football.
QPR were more than solid last week against Arsenal, whilst Reading proved that they have the attacking prowess to put three goals past a solid Fulham defense. Few expected either of those to take place, and so we could all be pleasantly surprised by the quality of this match.
Could be. Or it could look like 18th playing 20th.
Either way.
| Dan Talintyre | Reading win 2-1 |
| Joe Tansey | Draw, 2-2 |
| Karl Matchett | QPR win 2-0 |
| Mike Cummings | Draw, 3-3 |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | QPR win 2-1 |
| Sam Tighe | Draw, 2-2 |
| Will Tidey | QPR win 2-0 |
Liverpool vs. Newcastle United
10 of 11Sunday, November 4, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. ET
After a 2-2 draw in the Merseyside derby last week and elimination from the Capital One Cup during the week, Liverpool will come out to Anfield on Sunday with a point to prove—that they are still one of the top teams in the English competition.
The Reds have been disappointing under Brendan Rodgers this year, at least on the scoreboard, but have a great opportunity to prove they can indeed get the job done against a top team in Newcastle United this weekend.
The Magpies were lucky to pick up a victory at home over West Bromwich Albion last weekend and face a very tough trip this weekend to take on Liverpool.
We know that they are strong at St. James Park, but they're yet to win away from home this season and could extent that streak with a poor performance against a determined Reds outfit this week.
Big chance for Rodgers' team to show what they're made of this week.
| Dan Talintyre | Liverpool win 2-0 |
| Joe Tansey | Liverpool win 2-1 |
| Karl Matchett | Liverpool win 2-1 |
| Mike Cummings | Liverpool win 2-1 |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Liverpool win 2-1 |
| Sam Tighe | Liverpool win 2-1 |
| Will Tidey | Liverpool win 1-0 |
West Bromwich Albion vs. Southampton
11 of 11Monday, November 5, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. ET
The Premier League wraps up this weekend with a bit of Monday afternoon football—featuring a side that I'm seriously developing a soft spot for, West Bromwich Albion.
The Baggies were unlucky to lost in injury-time to Manchester City two weeks ago, and they were unlucky to lose in injury-time to Newcastle United last week.
Is this the week that West Brom finally get a result?
Perhaps, but standing in their way is Southampton—a side desperate to get out of the relegation zone and back in the winner's circle. The Saints have lost all four matches away from home this season but have been stronger than the results suggest, and they will no doubt prove to be a tough competitor against the home side this weekend.
But will it be enough to steal all three points off West Brom?
| Dan Talintyre | West Brom win 2-1 |
| Joe Tansey | West Brom win 3-0 |
| Karl Matchett | West Brom win 2-0 |
| Mike Cummings | Draw, 2-2 |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | West Brom win 2-1 |
| Sam Tighe | West Brom win 2-1 |
| Will Tidey | West Brom win 3-0 |
