EPL Predictions: Bleacher Report Writers Make Their Expert EPL Picks
Courtesy of the FA Cup, Europa League and Champions League, we're set for another slate of Premier League matchups during the week this time.
Not a lot—just the four—but more than enough to get you through to the weekend, with some fascinating fixtures indeed lined up, with both Manchester clubs, Arsenal, Everton and Chelsea all scheduled to take part on either Tuesday or Wednesday.
And as always, our Bleacher Report experts are there with their predictions.
Read on to see how they see this week's midweek action playing out.
Leaderboard and Explanation
1 of 6For 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 (e.g. Chelsea win) will earn him one point, and a correct score (e.g. Chelsea win 3-0) sees him earn three points.
Also, until the remainder of the season, our writers will try to predict one player from the week's action who will score a goal. Can be any team and any player, but the only rule is they cannot pick the same player to score more than two weeks in a row. And if he doesn't play, then too bad.
A correct selection will earn them five points.
Let's take a look at our Bleacher Report experts and how their predictions have held up through the opening weeks of the competition.
| Dan Talintyre | Breaking news and world football writer | 289 points |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | World football featured columnist | 282 points |
| Karl Matchett | World football staff writer | 258 points |
| Joe Tansey | World football featured columnist | 248 points |
| Michael Cummings | World football lead blogger and writer | 242 points |
| Will Tidey | World football editor and lead writer | 240 points |
| Sam Tighe | World football tactical analyst | 229 points |
Player to Score This Weekend
2 of 6As mentioned before, from now until the end of the season, our Bleacher Report writers will try to pick a player every week to score at least one goal—which they'll earn extra points for if they can.
They cannot pick the same player two weeks in a row.
Let's take a look who our Bleacher Report writers like to find the back of the net this weekend.
| Dan Talintyre | Sergio Aguero, Manchester City |
| Joe Tansey | Dimitar Berbatov, Fulham |
| Karl Matchett | Sergio Aguero, Manchester City |
| Michael Cummings | Robin van Persie, Manchester United |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Robin van Persie, Manchester United |
| Sam Tighe | Olivier Giroud, Arsenal |
| Will Tidey | Demba Ba, Chelsea |
Arsenal vs. Everton
3 of 6Tuesday, April 16, 2013 at 2:45 p.m. ET, Emirates Stadium
Arsenal are up into the top four now thanks to a blistering final few minutes against Norwich City, and will be looking to sure up that Champions League berth when they take on Everton this week.
The Toffees have been very strong during the year and are eyeing a potential European spot of their own, and having watched the Canaries take it to the Gunners last week, David Moyes' side will certainly fancy their chances of pulling off an upset in front of the North London crowd.
Both teams come into this one with just one loss in their last eight fixtures, so it's shaping as a very special fixture between these two strong Premier League clubs.
Whose Champions League stock is going to take a serious boost after this week?
| Dan Talintyre | Draw, 2-2 |
| Joe Tansey | Everton win 2-1 |
| Karl Matchett | Arsenal win 3-2 |
| Michael Cummings | Arsenal win 2-1 |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Draw, 1-1 |
| Sam Tighe | Draw, 2-2 |
| Will Tidey | Arsenal win 2-1 |
Manchester City vs. Wigan Athletic
4 of 6Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at 2:45 p.m. ET, Etihad Stadium
Manchester City will come into this one after two big wins, beating Manchester United at Old Trafford last week in the league before defeating Chelsea at Stamford Bridge during the week in the FA Cup.
And if they come close to replicating that form in this one, they'll surely chalk up a comfortable win over Wigan Athletic—a side that currently sits inside the relegation.
The Latics have scored just 37 goals all season and don't tend to travel well, which won't bode well for them as the journey to the Etihad. City have shown to be very strong and disciplined over the past few weeks and seemingly have too much for the cellar dwellers to handle here.
Will we see a shock upset from Wigan, or will it be further success for Roberto Manicni?
| Dan Talintyre | Manchester City win 3-0 |
| Joe Tansey | Manchester City win 3-1 |
| Karl Matchett | Manchester City win 4-0 |
| Michael Cummings | Manchester City win 2-0 |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Manchester City win 2-0 |
| Sam Tighe | Manchester City win 3-0 |
| Will Tidey | Manchester City win 3-0 |
West Ham United vs. Manchester United
5 of 6Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at 2:45 p.m. ET, Upton Park
Manchester United scored a nice win over Stoke City on the weekend to get back on track after their loss to rivals Manchester City, and while West Ham don't appear to be the toughest challengers in the league, the reality is that Sam Allardyce's men will be a big test for the Red Devils.
West Ham have held both Liverpool and Southampton to draws away from home in their last two games, and now back at Upton Park they will be desperate to ensure their Premier League survival with a strong performance against the champions-elect.
The Londoners showed in the FA Cup earlier in the year that they have what it takes to threaten United—can they take it one step further and chalk up a stunning victory in this one?
| Dan Talintyre | Manchester United win 2-1 |
| Joe Tansey | Manchester United win 2-1 |
| Karl Matchett | Manchester United win 1-0 |
| Michael Cummings | Manchester United win 3-1 |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Manchester United win 2-0 |
| Sam Tighe | Manchester United win 1-0 |
| Will Tidey | Draw, 1-1 |
Fulham vs. Chelsea
6 of 6Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. ET, Craven Cottage
Our last league fixture of the week sees an interesting West London derby between Fulham and Chelsea, with the Blues desperate to chalk up further points in their race for a top-four finish.
Rafa Benitez's side will be frustrated having surrendered their chances at repeating their FA Cup success, and with just the Europa League remaining, can afford to focus more of their attention back on staying above the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Everton this season.
Fulham have been strong this year, and will be wanting to stay in the top half of the table—something they can ensure by picking up points in this fixture.
But will their desire outweigh that of the Blues and their top-four aspirations?
| Dan Talintyre | Chelsea win 3-1 |
| Joe Tansey | Draw, 2-2 |
| Karl Matchett | Chelsea win 2-1 |
| Michael Cummings | Draw, 2-2 |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Draw, 1-1 |
| Sam Tighe | Draw, 1-1 |
| Will Tidey | Chelsea win 2-1 |
Hit me up on Twitter for more sports goodness: Follow @dantalintyre
