EPL Week 5 Predictions: Premier League Picks, Key Players and Fixture Info
Chelsea continue to set the division ablaze in the early stages of the 2014-15 Premier League season, thumping an impressive Swansea side 4-2 in their last outing to stay unbeaten.
However, Jose Mourinho's Blues face their first severe examination when they travel to face a Manchester City team that have picked up just one point in their last two games. Consecutive home defeats is not an option for Manuel Pellegrini.
Both Chelsea and City come into Week 5 on the back of their first Champions League matches. Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham and Everton will also be looking to rest quickly after their European exploits, while Manchester United's trip to Leicester gains great prominence after the Red Devils' recent thrashing of Queens Park Rangers and the promoted outfit's commendable start to life in the top division.
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Here's the latest fixture information:
| Date | Fixture | Time (BST/ET) | Prediction |
| September 20 | QPR vs. Stoke | 12.45 p.m./7.45 a.m. | 1-2 |
| September 20 | Aston Villa vs. Arsenal | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | 1-3 |
| September 20 | Burnley vs. Sunderland | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | 0-1 |
| September 20 | Newcastle vs. Hull | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | 1-1 |
| September 20 | Swansea vs. Southampton | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | 2-2 |
| September 20 | West Ham vs. Liverpool | 5.30 p.m./12.30 p.m. | 0-2 |
| September 21 | Leicester vs. Man United | 1.30 p.m./8.30 a.m. | 1-2 |
| September 21 | Spurs vs. West Brom | 1.30 p.m./8.30 a.m. | 3-0 |
| September 21 | Everton vs. Crystal Palace | 4 p.m./11 a.m | 3-1 |
| September 21 | Man City vs. Chelsea | 4 p.m./11 a.m | 1-1 |
Key Players to Watch in Premier League Week 5
Jack Wilshere
Arsene Wenger always stands by his developing players, even when their form isn't up to scratch. Aaron Ramsey is a testimony to how the manager's faith can eventually lead to significant performances, a route Jack Wilshere has needed to follow for some time now.
Arsenal fans finally saw the best of the English midfielder during the 2-2 draw with City. Wilshere was energetic, passed the ball quickly and burst forward to place pressure between Martin Demichelis and Gael Clichy, movement which eventually led to him scoring an excellent equaliser.
Press reaction has (predictably) been full of praise for a player who needs to add consistent quality to his game before supporters get carried away. John Cross of the Mirror highlighted Wilshere's improved performance, however:
Wilshere appears most confident when sprinting into forward positions, where he can interlink with Arsenal's lone striker—be it Olivier Giroud, Yaya Sanogo or new boy Danny Welbeck—via short, sharp passes. He is best when playing instinctively and must continue to push away from dawdling on the ball in deeper-lying areas.
His incision can be key against the talented attentions of Fabian Delph when Arsenal line up against Villa, especially if "Super Jack" is to finally make good on the moniker given to him by Gunners supporters.
Raheem Sterling
Liverpool's performance against Villa lacked pace, creativity and the intensity we have come to expect from Brendan Rodgers' team. Unsurprisingly, this occurrence came about when Raheem Sterling was left on the bench.
Despite coming into the game late, the talented Englishman was unable to penetrate a Villa defence which has conceded just one goal this season. Sterling's Liverpool team-mates were happy to give him the ball, but it was too little too late. Rodgers can't afford to overlook the 19-year-old against a physical West Ham side, even though Sterling is likely to compete against Ludogorets in the Champions League on Tuesday.
The boss recently indicated he will do all he can to ensure Sterling doesn't suffer long-term burnout while developing, per Andy Hunter of The Guardian:
"Some managers would take a stance of "I don’t care" because they might only be in a job for three, four or five years and so make sure he plays as much as he can for you. But I have welfare for the boy. That is vital for me.
[...] He is a big talent. He broke into the team at 17. As a club, we have managed him quite well but it is hard when you are such a good player and you keep performing. Both your club and your country need you.
"
Stan Collymore of talkSPORT questioned whether Sterling's rise has happened too quickly, meaning he may be forced into continually rescuing Liverpool:
Rodgers knows his team face a difficult London trip against the Hammers. Sam Allardyce's men are beginning to gel and showed real grit during their 2-2 draw with Hull. Sterling's legs will be key to launching counter-attacks against a team that will aim to physically dominate a Liverpool squad who haven't had five days to rest since their last match.
Angel Di Maria
Similar to Wilshere's improved performance, Manchester United fans would be wise to stay grounded after racking up their first win of the season. Granted, QPR were hapless, but Louis van Gaal's side would possibly have struggled against Harry Redknapp's team before the international break.
New signings Daley Blind and Marcos Rojo impressed on their debuts, while Angel Di Maria stole the show during a rampant first home showing for the Red Devils. His pinpoint delivery allowed United to take the lead and a cross-cum-shot helped Juan Mata add to his impressive tally of goals, but it was Di Maria's industry that made a lasting impression.
The Argentinian's ability to skip through defences at top speed has already seen United's tempo raised considerably. Players such as Ander Herrera, Mata and Wayne Rooney were able to find gaps with ease when Di Maria was on the ball, as his directness lures opposition toward the ball and opens up space.
Stuart Mathieson of the Manchester Evening News believes the 26-year-old's performance will have provided United with lasting confidence, writing, "Di Maria has revitalised the department already and his personal game plan to get on his toes every time he gets the ball and commit defenders has already re-energised United."
Leicester have only lost to Chelsea this campaign and will be ecstatic to have held both Arsenal and Everton to draws at the King Power Stadium. United's new signings and improved performance will provide some worry, but Nigel Pearson's team are more than capable of holding their own to gain another excellent result.
Cracks are evident in United's defence, despite the team looking solid after converting to a transitional 4-1-2-1-2 diamond. If Leicester move the ball quickly and offer numbers in attack, United will run into problems.
It would certainly be like United of the last year to lose after supposedly turning a corner. Di Maria's running will place Leicester onto the back foot, but he needs to be targeted by a couple of players. The home side's ability to do this will help determine a result either way in a match that will go far to defining the Premier League weekend's action.
