EPL Predictions: Picks, Top Players for Week 4 Premier League Fixtures
Manchester City have wasted little time in mounting what looks to be a very credible title challenge this season, but Week 4 of the Premier League campaign will see more than just the table leaders dazzle.
A 2-0 win at Goodison Park saw the Citizens extend their winning run to three games on Sunday, and the visit of top-flight new boys Watford this Saturday doesn't look likely to put an end to their rampage.
Meanwhile, reigning champions Chelsea are seeking a second victory of the season as Crystal Palace make the trip to Stamford Bridge, while Manchester United hope to get back to winning ways against Swansea City.
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We pick out which players in particular look likely to star heavily in Week 4, along with score predictions for the upcoming Premier League schedule.
| Saturday, August 29 | 12:45 p.m. BST/7:45 a.m. ET | Newcastle United | 1-1 | Arsenal |
| Saturday, August 29 | 3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. ET | Aston Villa | 2-1 | Sunderland |
| Saturday, August 29 | 3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. ET | Bournemouth | 0-1 | Leicester City |
| Saturday, August 29 | 3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. ET | Chelsea | 3-2 | Crystal Palace |
| Saturday, August 29 | 3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. ET | Liverpool | 2-0 | West Ham |
| Saturday, August 29 | 3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. ET | Manchester City | 4-0 | Watford |
| Saturday, August 29 | 3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. ET | Stoke City | 1-0 | West Brom |
| Saturday, August 29 | 5:30 p.m. BST/12:30 p.m. ET | Tottenham Hotspur | 1-1 | Everton |
| Sunday, August 30 | 1:30 p.m. BST/8:30 a.m. ET | Southampton | 2-1 | Norwich City |
| Sunday, August 30 | 4 p.m. BST/11 a.m. ET | Swansea City | 2-2 | Manchester United |
Bafetimbi Gomis
Swansea will play host to Manchester United on Sunday feeling upbeat about their chances of being able to take a result from the Reds, who slumped to a disappointing stalemate against Newcastle United in Week 3.
Meanwhile, Garry Monk's men continued their unbeaten season with a 1-1 draw at Sunderland, where Bafetimbi Gomis recorded his third goal in as many matches. BBC's John Bennett outlined the Frenchman's prolific form of late:
"Bafetimbi Gomis - eight goals in his last nine league games. Swansea not missing Wilfried Bony. #Swans #SAFC
— John Bennett (@JohnBennettBBC) August 22, 2015"
In fact, Gomis is one of only two players to have scored in each round of the Premier League campaign so far, with Leicester City's emerging talisman and top scorer Riyad Mahrez being the other.
Gomis also happened to bag the winner against Louis van Gaal's side when last these two sides met back in February, sealing the second of Swansea's successive wins against United in the last 12 months.
As Bennett hints, Monk's former striker hero Wilfried Bony may be gone, but Squawka statistics illustrate Gomis as an emerging force for the south Wales outfit:
"Bafetimbi Gomis' last 9 Premier League games: 77.2% shot accuracy 36.3% chance conversion rate 22 shots 8 goals pic.twitter.com/wR7dvX4Sku
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) August 22, 2015"
United will be no easy opponent to break down considering they've yet to concede a goal this season, but if anyone looks capable of breaking that deadlock at present, it's Swansea spearhead Gomis.
Kurt Zouma
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho will have been relieved to see his side beat West Bromwich Albion 3-2 on Sunday and finally get their first win of the season, but that result didn't come without its low points.
Captain John Terry was given his marching orders for a tug on new Baggies signing Salomon Rondon, meaning young Kurt Zouma is likely to start for the second week in a row against Crystal Palace.
The Eagles come to Stamford Bridge on Sunday with their own winning attitude after striking late to beat Aston Villa 2-1, making an encouraging start to the term under Alan Pardew.
Zouma has been tipped as one to watch among the Blues ranks, but Bleacher Report's Garry Hayes wasn't overly impressed with his display against West Brom:
What makes Sunday's clash so intriguing is that Mourinho's men are yet to keep a clean sheet this season, and Terry's absence will buoy Pardew's hopes of being able to gain a result in difficult territory.
Zouma will be looked upon to seize another rare starting opportunity with both hands, lest Palace's gung-ho mentality result in another upset at Stamford Bridge.
Adama Traore
It wasn't the result Aston Villa chief Tim Sherwood may have desired, but a defeat at Selhurst Park on Saturday at least saw new signing Adama Traore light up the visitors' attack in patches.
It was the Barcelona academy product who forced Papa Souare into netting an own goal for Villa's initial lifeline, and BBC Sport's Jacqui Oatley was quick to highlight his quick impact for his new side:
"Quick" is the operative word regarding Traore, whose pace and direct dribbling ability made him a major hassle for Crystal Palace's defence and who's poised to take on a susceptible Sunderland side this Saturday.
The Black Cats may not be up to the same defensive stinginess as the Eagles, and the Mirror's Ed Malyon has high hopes for Villa Park new boy Traore, who will make his home debut in Week 4:
Sunderland have already conceded eight goals in three games, the most of any Premier League club this term, and Traore's speed looks likely to give Dick Advocaat's defence some big problems.
