EPL Week 6 Picks: Expected Winners and Losers This Weekend

The Premier League can be a cruel mistress. Just when a club thinks Lady Luck is on their side, the tables can be turned all too swiftly.

Arsenal are flying high after tying up their seventh consecutive win, while Sunderland’s recent sacking of Paolo Di Canio is just the latest development in a woeful start to the Black Cats' Premier League campaign.

However, that could all change in the space of another 90-minute outing this weekend.

Read on for a prediction as to how the EPL drama will play out.

Winners and Losers

Manchester City’s 4-1 mauling of local rivals Manchester United was the first performance against formidable opposition this season that paints them as potential league champions.

Just two points behind leaders Arsenal and Tottenham, the Citizens’ firepower up front will be the difference against Aston Villa this weekend, with a healthy back line also proving significant in their victory over Manchester United.

It’s a different story for Malky Mackay’s Cardiff City, who have scored just one goal in their last three displays but nonetheless have the potential to overcome Fulham on Saturday.

Creating chances has been the Cottagers’ downfall so far this season—Martin Jol’s men having just one shot on target against Chelsea last time out—and the visiting Bluebirds’ staunch defence may be able to nick a goal or two in West London.

Two of Saturday’s other 3 p.m. kickoffs should see Manchester United and Southampton emerge with three points each as they take on West Brom and Crystal Palace, respectively.

The Baggies’ 3-0 win over Sunderland last weekend was the first time they’ve scored more than one goal in a league outing this season, and Crystal Palace have been even more shy of goals.

On Sunday, Stoke City look favourites to maintain their unbeaten Britannia Stadium record against Norwich. As long as the same stubborn defence can be reproduced, one goal could be enough to see the Potters through to three points.

Liverpool should be able to capitalise on Sunderland’s recent troubles and will be the first Premier League test of the Black Cats since the departure of Di Canio.

With Sunderland on the ropes and the Reds having suffered their first loss of the season last weekend, the stage seems set for a fairly rudimentary Stadium of Light win for Brendan Rodgers’ side, beefed up by the return of Luis Suarez.

The final fixture of the week is Everton’s Monday night clash with Alan Pardew’s Newcastle, who have improved their form after a slow start to the season.

Robert Martinez’s club are essentially everything the Magpies aren’t right now, and after pulling off some extremely savvy business in the summer market, they look like a unified and well-glued outfit.

The Toffees are the only side yet to lose a game this season and aren’t likely to drop that record against the Magpies.