Premier League Table: Latest 2014 EPL Standings and Predictions for Matchday 6
One club was minutes away from taking a gaping five-point lead atop the English Premier League table after Week 5, but it was all washed away by a familiar face.
Chelsea withstood a Manchester City surge on the road and took a 1-0 lead after Pablo Zabaleta was sent off, but new signing—and former Chelsea captain—Frank Lampard broke through for City. He was substituted on in the 78th minute, scored in the 85th and, although he slumped his shoulders as to avoid celebrating against his former club, the equalizer was immense in forcing a 1-1 draw.
Had the Blues held on to their lead in Etihad Stadium, they would've strolled out to a five-point lead atop the table. One point from the draw makes it three, but it's far from a comfortable lead for Jose Mourinho's side.
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Heading into Matchday 6, there are plenty of matches that will go even further to decide how the top of the table looks. Let's break down the table and all of those matches.
| 1 | Chelsea | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 13 |
| 2 | Southampton | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 10 |
| 3 | Aston Villa | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 10 |
| 4 | Arsenal | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 9 |
| 5 | Swansea | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 9 |
| 6 | Manchester City | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 8 |
| 7 | Leicester City | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 8 |
| 8 | West Ham | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 7 |
| 9 | Tottenham | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 7 |
| 10 | Hull City | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| 11 | Liverpool | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | -1 | 6 |
| 12 | Manchester United | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| 13 | Stoke City | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | -1 | 5 |
| 14 | Everton | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | -2 | 5 |
| 15 | Crystal Palace | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | -2 | 5 |
| 16 | West Brom | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | -4 | 5 |
| 17 | Sunderland | 5 | 0 | 4 | 1 | -1 | 4 |
| 18 | QPR | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -8 | 4 |
| 19 | Burnley | 5 | 0 | 3 | 2 | -3 | 3 |
| 20 | Newcastle | 5 | 0 | 3 | 2 | -6 | 3 |
| Sept. 27 | Liverpool | Everton | 3-2 |
| Sept. 27 | Chelsea | Aston Villa | 2-0 |
| Sept. 27 | Crystal Palace | Leicester City | 1-1 |
| Sept. 27 | Hull City | Manchester City | 1-3 |
| Sept. 27 | Manchester United | West Ham | 2-2 |
| Sept. 27 | Southampton | QPR | 1-0 |
| Sept. 27 | Sunderland | Swansea City | 0-0 |
| Sept. 27 | Arsenal | Tottenham | 1-1 |
| Sept. 28 | West Brom | Burnley | 2-0 |
| Sept. 29 | Stoke City | Newcastle | 2-1 |
Must-Watch Matches
Liverpool vs. Everton
The Merseyside derby comes at an opportune time for both Liverpool and Everton, who are each hoping to bounce back from distasteful losses.
Roberto Martinez's side couldn't get past Crystal Palace at home on Sunday, falling 3-2 despite dominating possession to the tune of 76 percent. The defeat drops them even further in the table down to 14th, with five points through five games.
The Reds had a busy week, playing their first Champions League game in years and having a nasty hangover in league play on the road at Hull City Saturday. Two goals in the first six minutes were just too much for Liverpool to overcome.
But recent form, whether it's good or bad, means little when Liverpool and Everton step on the pitch. There's no love lost between the two, and being ready to set the tone physically can make all the difference in which team controls the pace.
The Toffees have struggled against last season's top-four clubs, conceding eight goals in two games to Chelsea and Arsenal. It's hard to see that getting too much better with Liverpool counting on Daniel Sturridge to return for Saturday, per The Guardian's Andy Hunter.
Liverpool's defense hasn't been great, but it's been a cut above their opposition. With an offense that can explode at any moment, the Reds will be able to slip past Martinez's tactical mastery and Romelu Lukaku's havoc-wreaking.
Prediction: Liverpool 3, Everton 2
Chelsea vs. Aston Villa
Aston Villa players might have believed they could be in position to move into a tie for first place in the league heading into Matchday 6, but few others did. Alas, that's where they stand.
With 10 points through five games, Aston Villa are tied with Southampton just three points back of league-leading Chelsea. An unlikely victory at Stamford Bridge would knot them up, but it won't be easy.
The Blues have been on an absolute tear to start the league campaign, with a shocking equalizer from former-star Lampard the only thing keeping them from a perfect 15 points through five matches. The defense has been superb, and the attack has taken the lid off opposing defenses, led by Diego Costa.
Aston Villa have turned plenty of heads to start the season, but a 3-0 drubbing to Arsenal looks to be the early signs of them sliding back to mediocrity. That's not the position you want to be in when a trip to Stamford Bridge looms.
It took late dramatics for last year's champion to garner a point against Chelsea. Don't expect Aston Villa to threaten to do the same.
Prediction: Chelsea 2, Aston Villa 0
Arsenal vs. Tottenham
Not to be outdone by the Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton, North London will embark on its own enticing rivalry weekend as Arsenal host Tottenham at Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners took care of business in Week 5 against Aston Villa, taking a 3-0 victory on the road over one of the EPL's surprise clubs early in the season. It was much-needed, after falling 2-0 to Borussia Dortmund in their Champions League group-stage opener.
Spurs don't enter with the same sort of momentum, after falling to West Brom on Sunday 1-0. Tottenham haven't won a game in league play since their 2-0 start, with only one Europa League victory in that span.
Despite a draw to Manchester City and a loss to Dortmund, Arsenal have looked much more confident on both sides of the pitch as of late. It will be a tough test to keep that up against their North London rivals, however, who are incredibly desperate to get back to their winning ways.
Tottenham have too much ability to stay stuck in the mud for long. And for the Gunners, even when they play well, breaks often need to go their way.
Spurs should sell out to stifle Arsenal's offensive attack. A few opportunities will open up either way, but not enough for the Gunners to secure the three full points.
Prediction: Arsenal 1, Tottenham 1
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