Premier League Week 5 Picks: Teams Facing Further Misery

The Premier League continues apace this weekend with a full calendar of fixtures offering an immediate chance for sides to make amends for any slip up in recent games.

However, with fixtures beginning to stack up, a couple of poor results can quickly become a lengthy losing streak.

For some of the league's slow starters this campaign, that is now starting to become a real worry and as the examples of QPR and Bolton show in recent years, it can become a difficult slide to address.

Which sides should be worried ahead of this weekend's fixtures?

Sunderland (Away to West Brom)— Prediction: 2-1

Paolo Di Canio's side will be desperate for a win at West Brom to avoid heading into a run of games against Liverpool, Manchester United, Swansea and local rivals Newcastle without a win to their name.

While West Brom's form is not much better, the Hawthornes always has a great atmosphere and will be a challenging away trip for the Black Cats.

Sunderland can take hope from West Brom's two home defeats this season, but will also have vivid memories of the humbling they suffered at Crystal Palace on their last away trip.

There were signs of life in the second half of their clash against Arsenal last weekend, but while they succumbed to the Gunners, West Brom clinched an important away point at Fulham.

Both sides are in desperate need of three points, but it is difficult to see Di Canio's side emerging victorious on this occasion.

West Ham (Home to Everton)— Prediction: 0-1

The Hammers were lucky to emerge with a point from Southampton on Sunday, with goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen taking the plaudits for helping his side avoid what had seemed inevitable defeat for much of the afternoon.

Against Everton, they face another side who will look to deprive them of the ball for long periods of the game. Should that occur, they could be in big danger of a second home defeat.

The Toffees were excellent against Chelsea on Saturday evening and with Romelu Lukaku set to make his debut in attack, they will have a reinforced forward line to worry West Ham. The hosts, for their part, have had just six shots on target in four games.

Sam Allardyce's side will try their usual tactic of exploiting their physical attributes. However, with Everton also the fourth best side aerially this season per Whoscored, it is difficult to see the Toffees coming unstuck on this occasion.

Fulham (Away to Chelsea)—Prediction: 3-0

Having claimed an away win at Sunderland on the opening day of the season, Martin Jol's side have proceeded to pick up just one point in the subsequent three games, despite a very winnable fixture at home to West Brom last weekend.

A 90th minute goal denied Fulham on that occasion, but the truth is that the West Londoners have been largely impotent this season—managing only nine shots in four games.

An away trip to Chelsea is always a daunting task and Jose Mourinho's side have a 100 percent home record from their two fixtures at Stamford Bridge this season.

Given the strength that the Blues now possess in all areas of the pitch, it is difficult to see Fulham challenging them on this occasion. Even if the Cottagers can get a foot on the ball, it is doubtful they will create much with it.

Crystal Palace (Home to Swansea)—Prediction: 0-2

While victory against Sunderland ahead of the international break gave Palace hope for the season ahead, defeats to Tottenham, Manchester United and Stoke have also shown Ian Holloway's side just how tough life in the Premier League can be.

Against Swansea, they will face one of the league's best sides outside of the traditional top six and a side who enjoy the lion's share of possession in most games they play.

It is fair to say that the Eagles' first few games upon return to the top flight have been far from easy, but there will be concern at the ease in which sides are able to create opportunities—with Palace conceding an average of 15.5 shots per game via WhoScored.

The likelihood is that it will be the South Wales outfit who control the tempo of the match on this occasion and, with the quality they now have in attack, they should be able to exploit the defensive flaws of Holloway's side.