EPL Week 34: Bleacher Report Writers Make Their Expert EPL Picks
The title race might be over this season, but there's still plenty to like about the Premier League and lots to look forward to in this weekend's domestic action.
The top-four race between Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Everton will be the biggest talking point, with all four teams facing very tricky fixtures this week. Throw in the ongoing relegation battle—that now has a Paolo Di Canio feel to it—and we're primed for a big weekend.
Who are going to be the winners and losers this weekend of English competition?
Read on to see our expert EPL predictions for the weekend.
Leaderboard and Explanation
1 of 12For 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) earns him 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. It 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 | 292 points |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | World football featured columnist | 289 points |
| Karl Matchett | World football staff writer | 260 points |
| Joe Tansey | World football featured columnist | 249 points |
| Michael Cummings | World football lead blogger and writer | 248 points |
| Will Tidey | World football editor and lead writer | 243 points |
| Sam Tighe | World football tactical analyst | 231 points |
EPL Week 34: Player to Score
2 of 12As 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.
If they can pick correctly, it will earn them extra points.
But they cannot pick the same player two weeks in a row.
Let's take a look who our B/R writers like to score this week.
| Dan Talintyre | Loic Remy, Queens Park Rangers |
| Joe Tansey | Sergio Aguero, Manchester City |
| Karl Matchett | Luis Suarez, Liverpool |
| Michael Cummings | Danny Welbeck, Manchester United |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Luis Suarez, Liverpool |
| Sam Tighe | Wayne Rooney, Manchester United |
| Will Tidey | Luis Suarez, Liverpool |
Sunderland vs. Everton
3 of 12Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. ET, Stadium of Light
Sunderland's stunning upset of Newcastle United won't soon be forgotten by Black Cats' fans, who will no doubt welcome their heroes back to the Stadium of Light for a rousing reception.
Also, Di Canio could well be the man to help them avoid relegation this year.
But they will definitely face a tough test this weekend in Everton. Despite the face that the Blues have not being playing that well away from home in 2013, they have more than enough talent to upset the home side this week.
| Dan Talintyre | Draw, 0-0 |
| Joe Tansey | Draw, 1-1 |
| Karl Matchett | Draw, 1-1 |
| Michael Cummings | Everton win 1-0 |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Everton win 2-1 |
| Sam Tighe | Draw, 1-1 |
| Will Tidey | Draw, 0-0 |
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West Ham United vs. Wigan Athletic
4 of 12Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. ET, Upton Park
West Ham showed great poise and talent to take a point off Manchester United last weekend.
And Wigan Athletic are hoping that same poise will not be present this Saturday.
The Latics have been tough to break down this year. However, the Hammers have been an impressive force at home and will be difficult to knock off in front of the home crowd at Upton Park.
With just one loss in their last five, West Ham will look to continue their solid form in this match.
| Dan Talintyre | West Ham win 2-1 |
| Joe Tansey | Wigan win 2-0 |
| Karl Matchett | Draw, 1-1 |
| Michael Cummings | West Ham win 2-1 |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | West Ham win 2-1 |
| Sam Tighe | West Ham win 2-0 |
| Will Tidey | West Ham win 3-1 |
Norwich City vs. Reading
5 of 12Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. ET, Carrow Road
At home, Norwich City have been a very strong force this season. And even on the road against Arsenal last weekend they were able to show that they have the talent to beat the top teams in the league.
The Canaries will definitely like their chances against a Reading side that has been simply woeful of late, all but guaranteeing itself a relegation finish in 2013. The Royals last result may have been a scoreless draw against Liverpool, but their past two months before that have all been defeats.
They will be seemingly very hard-pressed to stop the home side in this one.
| Dan Talintyre | Norwich win 2-0 |
| Joe Tansey | Norwich win 2-1 |
| Karl Matchett | Norwich win 2-1 |
| Michael Cummings | Norwich win 2-1 |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Draw, 1-1 |
| Sam Tighe | Draw, 1-1 |
| Will Tidey | Norwich win 2-0 |
Queens Park Rangers vs. Stoke City
6 of 12Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. ET, Loftus Road
One–if not both—of these teams will surely be relegated this season.
And this match could be the determining factor, with Stoke City looking to end their terrible rut that has seen them claim just one point from their last seven Premier League fixtures.
Queens Park Rangers have been much better since Harry Redknapp arrived, but the allure of the former Tottenham boss is starting to wear off. The London club have the same inconsistencies dominating their play, with just two wins in their past eight games confirming their relegation status.
For either team to survive, they simply must win here.
The Potters haven't travelled well this year, but this is QPR that they're playing. Tony Pulis' side will definitely come into this one knowing that they have a chance at victory.
| Dan Talintyre | QPR win 4-2 |
| Joe Tansey | QPR win 1-0 |
| Karl Matchett | QPR win 2-1 |
| Michael Cummings | Draw, 1-1 |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | QPR win 2-1 |
| Sam Tighe | QPR win 2-0 |
| Will Tidey | QPR win 3-0 |
Fulham vs. Arsenal
7 of 12Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. ET, Craven Cottage
Arsenal and Fulham played out a thrilling 3-3 draw last time they met in the Premier League, and the Gunners will be looking to see a similar result take place this weekend.
Having dropped points to Everton last weekend, Arsene Wenger will know that their chances of a top-four finish rely heavily on a result in this one.
And after watching rivals Chelsea dominate the Cottagers during the week, they'll have full confidence in doing so this weekend.
But, this is a London rivalry, so really anything could happen. The home side will still definitely fancy their chances to beat an Arsenal side that was 10 minutes away from defeat against Norwich.
| Dan Talintyre | Arsenal win 3-1 |
| Joe Tansey | Arsenal win 3-1 |
| Karl Matchett | Arsenal win 2-1 |
| Michael Cummings | Draw, 2-2 |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Draw, 1-1 |
| Sam Tighe | Arsenal win 2-0 |
| Will Tidey | Draw, 1-1 |
West Bromwich Albion vs. Newcastle United
8 of 12Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. ET, The Hawthorns
After starting the season with such promise, Steve Clarke's men have seriously started to decline of late.
And they've struggled to put together back-to-back performances.
The Baggies have won just one of their past five and will no doubt be desperate to end that streak when they take on Newcastle at The Hawthorns.
And Newcastle were recently embarrassed by Sunderland in their derby match, losing 3-0 in front of what was a very frustrated crowd at St. James' Park. Plus, Newcastle have been terrible on the road this year, and The Hawthorns is a difficult place to play.
But given the recent form of both sides, it's hard to definitely give an answer one way or another. It seems another close match is in order this weekend.
| Dan Talintyre | West Brom win 2-1 |
| Joe Tansey | Newcastle win 2-1 |
| Karl Matchett | West Brom win 1-0 |
| Michael Cummings | West Brom win 1-0 |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Draw, 1-1 |
| Sam Tighe | West Brom win 2-0 |
| Will Tidey | Draw, 1-1 |
Swansea City vs. Southampton
9 of 12Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. ET, Liberty Stadium
Southampton have been simply brilliant since their mid-season managerial switch.
And whilst Swansea have dropped off from their hot-start to the year, they'll still be a very tough team to beat at home.
The Liberty Stadium is not an easy place to play—even for the undefeated Saints.
However, Southampton are undefeated in their past five matches, potentially eyeing off a top-half finish this season.
And given where they were four months ago, this seems simply incredible from the Premier League newcomers this season.
| Dan Talintyre | Southampton win 2-1 |
| Joe Tansey | Draw, 2-2 |
| Karl Matchett | Swansea win 2-1 |
| Michael Cummings | Southampton win 1-0 |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Swansea win 2-1 |
| Sam Tighe | Draw, 2-2 |
| Will Tidey | Swansea win 2-1 |
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Manchester City
10 of 12Sunday, April 21, 2013 at 8:30 a.m. ET, White Hart Lane
One of the top games this weekend sees Spurs welcome reigning champions Manchester City to town, with the away side bringing a very impressive form line into this one.
They've defeated several big clubs and continued their winning streak against Wigan during the week—something Spurs haven't been able to for a while now with just one win in their past four games.
Andre Villas-Boas will have the home side geared up for a strong showing to keep their Champions League dream alive, but City will be very tough to beat this week, as they seek to keep the title race alive for another game if possible.
| Dan Talintyre | Draw, 0-0 |
| Joe Tansey | Manchester City win 2-1 |
| Karl Matchett | Tottenham win 2-1 |
| Michael Cummings | Manchester City win 2-1 |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Draw, 2-2 |
| Sam Tighe | Manchester City win 3-1 |
| Will Tidey | Tottenham win 2-0 |
Liverpool vs. Chelsea
11 of 12Sunday, April 21, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. ET, Anfield
Always a great matchup, Liverpool and Chelsea's clash this weekend is another fixture that could have profound impacts for both teams and their respective 2013 dreams.
Liverpool's shot at the Champions League is all but over. They will be desperate to finish above Merseyside rivals Everton, who sit six points above them on the table.
A win here would bring them closer to the Toffees.
But the Blues will be wanting to take the three points of their own and carry on their impressive performances of late that has pulled them back into the top three of the Premier League.
| Dan Talintyre | Chelsea win 1-0 |
| Joe Tansey | Liverpool win 3-2 |
| Karl Matchett | Liverpool win 2-1 |
| Michael Cummings | Draw, 2-2 |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Liverpool win 2-1 |
| Sam Tighe | Liverpool win 2-0 |
| Will Tidey | Liverpool win 2-1 |
Manchester United vs. Aston Villa
12 of 12Monday, April 22, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. ET, Old Trafford
Aston Villa desperately need points if they're going to avoid relegation this season, but a trip to Old Trafford doesn't seem like the best place to try and find competition points this season.
The Red Devils have been superb this season. They have suffered a minor blip of late, but they'll be expected to carry on their winning ways in this one and restart their title chase.
This will put them just a handful points short of glory this season.
West Ham showed that United are beatable if you're good enough. However, can Villa be good enough playing away from home against the best team in the league?
Time will tell.
| Dan Talintyre | Manchester United win 3-1 |
| Joe Tansey | Manchester United win 2-0 |
| Karl Matchett | Manchester United win 2-0 |
| Michael Cummings | Manchester United win 3-1 |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Manchester United win 3-1 |
| Sam Tighe | Manchester United win 3-0 |
| Will Tidey | Manchester United win 3-2 |
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