Premier League Week 6 Previews and Predictions: North London, Merseyside Derbies
After one of the more enthralling Premier League weekends in recent memory, the games continue—Week 6 being a derby edition.
Everton traverse Stanley Park to Anfield in the Merseyside Derby, while Tottenham Hotspur navigate north London in search of the Emirates Stadium and Arsenal.
Chelsea and Manchester City will look to take three points from Aston Villa and Hull City, respectively, following their captivating 1-1 draw on Sunday.
Despite the aforementioned, our must-watch match of this weekend takes place at Old Trafford. Louis van Gaal's Manchester United tenure has been rather anarchic thus far. Now facing a confident West Ham United outfit, could further turbulence commence a flight grounding?
All to be seen, all to be told.
As most football enthusiasts would tell you, predictions are essentially impossible. If you could predict the future, there would seem little point in watching the games. That said, we all like to test our knowledge and clairvoyant abilities on occasion, so you have stumbled upon the right place should you be into these sort of mental exercises.
Over the Premier League's 380-game schedule, spanning 38 rounds and 281 days, Bleacher Report is going to be your crystal ball—looking over the sublime landscape of top-flight English football and providing answers.
Comments Section: Who Ya Got? // Week 5 Review
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What fun are predictions if you do them alone?
Throughout the 2014-15 Premier League season, the comments section will take on the writer.
Put your picks in the comments, then vote for who you think has the best predictions. The reader with the most upvotes will be pitted against yours truly, and the scores will be calculated into our running table.
Prediction Table
"B/R Prediction Table Through Wk 5 @danieltiluk—29 pts Comments Section—23 pts The CS was represented by Prajwal Kumar last week.
— EPL Predictions (@EPLPredictions_) September 21, 2014"
How Does the Scoring Work?
Wrong prediction: zero points
Correct prediction: one point
Correct prediction and exact score: three points
For Your Copying-and-Pasting Pleasures
"SEP 27 LIV vs. EVE CHE vs. AVL CRY vs. LEI HUL vs. MC MU vs. WHU SOU vs. QPR SUN vs. SWA ARS vs. TOT SEP 28 WBA vs. BUR SEP 29 STK vs. NEW
— EPL Predictions (@EPLPredictions_) September 22, 2014"
Liverpool vs. Everton
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When: Saturday 27 September, 12:30 BST (7:30 a.m. EST)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool, England
In the 45th Premier League Merseyside derby, both Liverpool clubs will attempt to correct losses from a week previous.
The Reds losing to West Ham United 3-1 and the Toffees losing to Crystal Palace 3-2 led some to question the effect European duties played on their EPL performances. Last year the two sides had no continental obligations, but after positive 2013/14 campaigns both Brendan Rodgers and Roberto Martinez have extra games to parse.
After midweek League Cup duties, the former Swansea City bosses find themselves in similar boats this week.
The match looks an open affair with many goals, but Rodgers' ability to overhaul his first team after playing Middlesbrough on Tuesday should be enough to see his team receive all three points.
Prediction: Liverpool 4-2 Everton
Players to Track: Steven Gerrard, Leighton Baines
The Weekly Balo: Joey Barton has dubbed Mario Balotelli as the "biggest myth in world football," on Twitter. Hyperbolic words from a man with one England cap or just blunt honesty? You decide.
Chelsea vs. Aston Villa
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When: Saturday 27 September, 15:00 BST (10:00 a.m. EST)
Where: Stamford Bridge, London, England
Frank Lampard coming on to score against his old club was almost inevitable. The former Chelsea midfielder, in his patented style, finished a great Manchester City move with a goal, splitting the points and keeping the Londoners within reaching distance.
That said, the game was rather awkward theatre.
"The look of a man confused. As if he thought, for a fleeting moment, he'd scored for #CFC—then reality came rushing. pic.twitter.com/HlnNAiwtQu
— chelseaTALK (@_chelseaTALK) September 22, 2014"
Now tasked with breaking down the dogged Aston Villa, Jose Mourinho should ease the defensive burden shown in Manchester, but not too greatly. One clean sheet in five games will give Paul Lambert faith his side can at least score.
Conversely, getting goals past Brad Guzan is no easy task: Villa have allowed just four goals this season and are certainly expected to remain secure. Chelsea will carry the game—should they score first, another to follow seems likely—but do not expect an entertaining goal fest.
Prediction: Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa
Players to Track: Gary Cahill, Gabriel Agbonlahor
Chelsea Bus Watch: Has the bus been scrapped for parts, loaned to Middlesbrough or possibly headed to aid Vitesse? We simply don't know any longer.
Crystal Palace vs. Leicester City
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When: Saturday 27 September, 15:00 BST (10:00 a.m. EST)
Where: Selhurst Park, London, England
Which is more impressive, Crystal Palace scoring three goals away from home or Leicester City conceding three goals yet still winning? You may be inclined to choose the latter, but after the Tony Pulis era in south London, do not be so sure.
It looks more evident by the moment Leicester are a brilliant addition to the Premier League, their massive 5-3 victory over Manchester United last week being evidence. If Nigel Pearson is not joint-first (with Ronald Koeman) in the early Manager of the Year discussions, football may be going insane.
Last year's Manager of the Year, Pulis, left Crystal Palace in an unenviable state, but journeyman boss Neil Warnock has done the Eagles well with an unbeaten EPL record, taking five points from three matches.
This game could be 0-0 or 4-3; who is to say? The answer, presumably, lies somewhere in the middle. Flying high after their result against the Red Devils, Pearson's club should take something from their hosts.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-1 Leicester City
Players to Track: Wilfried Zaha, Leonardo Ulloa
Hull City vs. Manchester City
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When: Saturday 27 September, 15:00 BST (10:00 a.m. EST)
Where: KC Stadium, Kingston upon Hull, England
Manchester City have yet to win in Premier League action this September; two draws vs. Arsenal and Chelsea, with eight points overall, are slightly off from the championship start many envisioned.
Traveling to Hull City, the Citizens should rekindle their EPL winning ways. The new look Tigers, however, will be set against any reunions at the KC Stadium.
Steve Bruce's side had seven points after five games in 2013/14 and have six this year. Nevertheless, with added depth and quality, Hull looked primed for an improved 2014/15. Taking points off the defending champions, though, seems an unlikely proposition.
Anticipate Manchester to retain possession, frustrating the home side with slick passing and exchanges.
Prediction: Hull City 0-3 Manchester City
Players to Track: Abel Hernandez, David Silva
Must-Watch Match of the Week: Manchester United vs. West Ham United
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When: Saturday 27 September, 15:00 BST (10:00 a.m. EST)
Where: Old Trafford, Manchester, England
Playing Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City, one could have guessed Manchester United would start with seven points after five games in 2013/14; but this season—playing none of last year's top-half teams—the Red Devils' five-point haul is cause for concern.
Desperately in need of three points, now might not be a great time to host West Ham United. The Hammers hit Liverpool with a blow in the first 10 minutes of their game last week and stayed clear of major trouble.
Can West Ham's momentum travel? It is the million-pound question.
Even with Manchester United's struggles, their reputation precedes them. A point at Old Trafford is a win for most, so expect Sam Allardyce to ward off the array of attacking talent at Louis van Gaal's disposal up until the hour mark.
Should the Hammers be drawing—deploy the bus. Should they be losing—out of the shell they shall come.
Prediction: Manchester United 3-2 West Ham United
Players to Track: Daley Blind, Diafra Sakho
Southampton vs. Queens Park Rangers
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When: Saturday 27 September, 15:00 BST (10:00 a.m. EST)
Where: St. Mary's Stadium, Southampton, England
If results play favourably, Southampton could find themselves atop the hallowed Barclays Premier League, a testament to solidarity and team spirit after a bruising summer transfer window.
Dispatching Arsenal in the League Cup on Tuesday, the Saints have been given another London club to handle this Saturday. Queens Park Rangers, following the horror show that was a 4-0 loss at Manchester United, bounced back with a draw vs. Stoke City.
Not having to play the Capital One Cup in midweek could serve the Hoops well. Harry Redknapp's side should be the more energetic early on, leading to quick productivity.
As Southampton begin to find their legs, though, expect more of the same from Ronald Koeman's men: four league wins on the bounce.
Prediction: Southampton 2-1 Queens Park Rangers
Players to Track: Dusan Tadic, Clint Hill
Sunderland vs. Swansea City
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When: Saturday 27 September, 15:00 BST (10:00 a.m. EST)
Where: Stadium of Light, Sunderland, England
September is bearing different fruit than August did for Garry Monk: nine points from three games last month, zero points from two games this one.
Yet to register in any month are Swansea City's two strikers, Wilfried Bony and Bafetimbi Gomis. The Swans' 12th-place finish last year looked to be improvable with their flying start, but winning streaks are untenable without goals from strikers.
Gus Poyet and Sunderland are in a similar predicament. Unable to procure Fabio Borini from Liverpool, the Uruguayan boss has the spasmodic Jozy Altidore, oft-injured Steven Fletcher and youthfully inexperienced Connor Wickham to lead his line.
Both managers will expect to take something from this fixture, but Swansea appear the side most likely to accomplish their goal. A yellow card here or free kick there might decide this match.
Prediction: Sunderland 0-1 Swansea City
Players to Track: John O'Shea, Nathan Dyer
Arsenal vs. Tottenham Hotspur
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When: Saturday 27 September, 17:30 BST (12:30 p.m. EST)
Where: Emirates Stadium, London, England
Arsenal are unbeaten in the Premier League—only Chelsea can boast that as well. Two wins and three draws have the Gunners within touching distance of the table's summit, and the north London derby is sure to grab their attention.
Had Tottenham flipped last season's two 1-0 defeats into victories they would be playing Champions League football. In a game fraught with regional implications, there always seem to be Champions League connotations as well.
Spurs flatter to deceive in many respects. Their six-point opening, including a 4-0 thrashing of Queens Park Rangers, was a positive sign Mauricio Pochettino was making a resounding difference, but one point from their next three has minds perplexed.
The derby has always been entertaining, as both clubs' ethics demand expansive, attractive football: Anything less would be barbaric. In current form and overall talent, though, Arsenal have Tottenham beaten—the scoreline could suggest the same.
Prediction: Arsenal 3-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Players to Track: Aaron Ramsey, Christian Eriksen
West Bromwich Albion vs. Burnley
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When: Sunday 28 September, 16:00 BST (11:00 a.m. EST)
Where: The Hawthorns, West Bromwich, England
Since their 14th-minute goal vs. Chelsea on 18 August, Burnley have yet to score. That equates to 436 goalless minutes after their opening quintet of matches.
Scoring goals is apparently not Burnley's template for survival; their strategy is 0-0 draws, and after three consecutive 0-0 results, surely West Bromwich will crack Sean Dyche's code.
Try not to get your hopes up: Burnley have one goal, the Baggies have three (one being a Saido Berahino penalty).
It is ever possible the teams get together and conspire to score—and as the only Sunday game we live in hope—but predicting fireworks at the Hawthorns seems patently vacuous.
Prediction: West Bromwich Albion 0-0 Burnley
Players to Track: Andre Wisdom, Lukas Jutkiewicz
Stoke City vs. Newcastle United
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When: Monday 29 September, 20:00 BST (3:00 p.m. EST)
Where: Britannia Stadium, Stoke-on-Trent, England
Via BBC Sport, Alan Pardew has been backed by Newcastle owner Mike Ashley—but outcry from supporters can resonate if persistent. In truth, the only way Newcastle fans can oust Pardew from his managerial perch is by producing enough money to buy out his contract; until then they are stuck with him.
His players showed determination and character in taking a point from their last match, with two goals from substitute Papiss Demba Cisse earning the Magpies a point.
Likewise, Stoke City took a point last weekend, but it probably felt more like a loss to Mark Hughes' men. Conceding an equaliser in late stages never sits well.
Both sides being in need of points, there may be tentativeness early, but the game looks to be a lively one.
Prediction: Stoke City 1-2 Newcastle United
Players to Track: Peter Crouch, Cheik Tiote
Lastly this week, I cannot speak for Bleacher Report as a whole, but my own best wishes to Newcastle United's Jonas Gutierrez and anyone reading this article who may be battling with an illness or taking care of one suffering.
No matter how seriously we take sports, it never ceases to amaze how trivial they become under certain, perspective light.
Keep your faith and stay strong,
Daniel Tiluk
