Premier League Week 6 Picks: Underdogs Set to Cause a Shock This Weekend

After a slightly underwhelming start, with goals and drama at a premium, Week 5 saw the Premier League return in typically pulsating fashion.

Manchester United were humiliated on their rival's patch, Liverpool’s impressive start was temporarily derailed by Southampton, and the entertainment on show in games between West Ham and Everton as well as Hull and Newcastle was full value.

Regular upsets are part of the Premier League's considerable appeal and occur far more often at this primitive stage of the season. Team identities are still being formed, new signings are settling in, and managers are still tweaking their respective side's most effective approach.

Here's a look ahead to Week 6 and a few more of those potential shocks.

Aston Villa vs. Manchester City

After such a dominant performance against Manchester United, surely Manchester City will continue on in imperious fashion against Aston Villa, right? That may be the case, but there are several reasons to suggest a win is not a forgone conclusion.

First of all, Villa are a side ideally suited to battle the top teams.

Averaging the least possession in the Premier League, they surrender the ball and play on the counter-attack, unleashing the pace of Gabby Agbonlahor and Andreas Weimann with their opponents caught upfield.

They have already beaten Arsenal this season and were unfortunate not to take points off Liverpool and Chelsea.

Added to that, while City have been convincing at home—winning all three league games—they have appeared far more subdued on their travels, succumbing to a painful defeat at Cardiff and only drawing 0-0 at Stoke.

Prediction: Aston Villa 1-0 Manchester City

Swansea vs. Arsenal

Arsenal seem another side riding a sizeable wave of momentum. Top of the league and with Mesut Ozil on board, the high-flying Gunners have won four on the bounce. However, recording a fifth straight win away at Swansea will be a little more problematic.

This fixture has been especially competitive since the Swans' recent promotion. In Premier League terms, both sides have won two of the four encounters, with Swansea's own brand of possession football proving a difficult approach to overcome for Arsene Wenger.

Four consecutive wins is certainly an impressive feat, but the Gunners have looked less convincing in recent clashes with Sunderland and Stoke—games where the result should have been secured more easily.

They remain vulnerable in defence, and against a tougher opponent in Swansea, those frailties will be further exposed.

Prediction: Swansea 2-2 Arsenal

Southampton vs. Crystal Palace

After such an impressive win at Liverpool, most will expect Southampton to ease past Crystal Palace—yet that won't be the case.

As with Aston Villa, beating the top teams hasn't been such an issue for Mauricio Pochettino. He's already recorded wins against Chelsea, Manchester City and now twice against Liverpool.

However, in nine months at the club his only other wins have been away at Reading and West Brom, two games in which the home side would have expected something.

Dealing with expectation is clearly a major issue for the Saints, who seem incapable of winning when installed as favourites. That will be the case this weekend, with Ian Holloway's side capable of frustrating the hosts once again.

Prediction: Southampton 1-2 Crystal Palace