EPL Week 4 Picks: Clubs That Will Earn Hard-Fought Victories This Weekend

The first month of the 2013-14 English Premier League season will come to a close this weekend with 10 intriguing Week 4 showdowns.

Defending champions Manchester United will host Crystal Palace in a virtual must-win match for the Red Devils, while other top clubs Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea will each take to the road in early-season clashes with Stoke City, Sunderland and Everton, respectively.

Below I'll pick every Week 4 matchup, highlighting a trio of clubs that will earn a hard-fought three points this weekend.

Manchester United Over Crystal Palace

The defending Premier League champions will host Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on Saturday in a showdown that they desperately need to win following disappointing results against Liverpool and Chelsea.

David Moyes' squad has picked up just four points through three league matches, but should add three more to the cause this weekend. After all, Crystal Palace haven't won away from Selhurst Park this season.

Plus, with last year's league-leading goal scorer Robin van Persie and his partner in crime, Danny Welbeck, both threatening the Eagles in the final third, expect the Red Devils to come away with three much-needed points this weekend in an effort to climb back to the top of the table.

Tottenham Hotspur Over Norwich City

Tottenham Hotspur will host Norwich City on Saturday at White Hart Lane in a match that Spurs should be able to come away from with a handful of points.

Roberto Soldado and company are coming off their first Premier League defeat of the season two weeks ago at Arsenal, but looked promising at times in that match. Meanwhile, Norwich struggled in their only previous road matchup against Hull City last month, showing a lack of finishing strength away from home.

Expect the Canaries to struggle to contain Soldado, who has scored in two of Tottenham's previous three Premier League matches. The former Valencia star scored two dozen goals in La Liga last season and is poised to become one of the most threatening forwards in the Premier League in 2013-14.

Chelsea Over Everton

Everton has managed to earn a point in each of their first three league matchups this season, showing tremendous fight but also minimal promise on the attack.

The Toffees have scored just two Premier League goals thus far and haven't netted one since their league-opening draw against Norwich City. That's bad news for Roberto Martinez's club with Chelsea coming to Goodison Park this weekend.

The Blues earned a point at Old Trafford in their most recent league outing, but looked strong on both ends of the pitch before that in decisive wins over Hull City and Aston Villa.

With the always dangerous Frank Lampard leading the way and a bevy of talented midfielders at their disposal, look for Chelsea to earn a hard-fought win away at Everton.

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