EPL Week 5 Predictions: Premier League Picks, Key Players and Fixtures
The historical rivalry between Manchester United and Liverpool will take centre stage in Week 5 of the 2015-16 Premier League season, with two of the league's most successful clubs of all time meeting at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Defending champions Chelsea travel to Everton in dire need of a win, while league-leaders Manchester City take on Crystal Palace. Arsenal will host Stoke City, and Tottenham Hotspur play Sunderland.
Here's the full fixture list for Week 5, complete with picks:
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
| Saturday, September 12 | Everton | v | Chelsea | Chelsea |
| Saturday, September 12 | Arsenal | v | Stoke | Arsenal |
| Saturday, September 12 | Crystal Palace | v | Manchester City | Draw |
| Saturday, September 12 | Norwich | v | Bournemouth | Draw |
| Saturday, September 12 | Watford | v | Swansea | Swansea |
| Saturday, September 12 | WBA | v | Southampton | WBA |
| Saturday, September 12 | Manchester United | v | Liverpool | Draw |
| Sunday, September 13 | Sunderland | v | Spurs | Spurs |
| Sunday, September 13 | Leicester | v | Aston Villa | Leicester |
| Monday, September 14 | West Ham | v | Newcastle | West Ham |
Key Players
Christian Benteke, Liverpool
The Reds will face Manchester United without the suspended Philippe Coutinho, and while one of the other playmakers will have to step up in the Brazil international's absence, the scoring load will ultimately fall on Belgian star Christian Benteke.
Former Red Craig Bellamy was one of many to praise the signing of the former Aston Villa man recently, as reported by Sportsmail's Luke Augustus. He said: “I think [Christian] Benteke is a brilliant signing—he’s definitely a player who is going to do well.”
So far, the 24-year-old has looked solid, if unspectacular playing up front for Liverpool, scoring one goal but doing plenty of good work inside the box and off the ball. Benteke's ability to create space for others by occupying defenders has already added a whole new element to Brendan Rodgers' attack, and with Coutinho sidelined, it's time for him to take the next step.
With the exception of Manchester City, United have the league's best defence from a statistical point of view, conceding just twice in four matches. Four matches is a small sample size, but with Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger shielding the defence, it's safe to assume the Red Devils should be a solid defensive outfit all year.
Benteke isn't going to see much service from midfield on Saturday, and there's a good chance he'll spend most of the match on an island. Making the most of his chances will be pivotal; United may not concede a lot of goals, but they're not prolific in front of goal, either. A single Benteke goal could easily lead to a vital win at Old Trafford for the Reds.
Eden Hazard, Chelsea
Another Belgium international who will have to come up big for his team is Eden Hazard, who is still looking for his best form after winning the PFA Player of the Year award last season. Hazard has yet to score for the Blues this year, who sit in 13th place and visit Everton on Saturday
The Toffees may not have started the new season the way they would have liked, but Roberto Martinez's squad still has plenty of talent. Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku are not the most consistent players, but on their day, they rank among the best in the Premier League and can slice a defence to pieces.
Phil Jagielka and John Stones give Everton a solid, dependable presence in the heart of the defence, and those two should lock down the middle of the field. Out wide, Hazard will likely be matched up against Seamus Coleman, another talented player capable of shutting down his opponent.
If the Belgian plays up to his potential, it doesn't matter who's defending him. Hazard is that talented, but so far in 2015-16, he's yet to show it. And as reported by L'Equipe (h/t Daily Star's Jamie Anderson), he knows it:
"It's obvious. You don't need to know too much about football to compare what I did last season and what I did this season. I'm not as good.
It's more of a collective problem than an individual one. We're professionals. We knew this season was going to be more difficult... but within the squad we have the quality to bounce back. Individually and collectively, we're not up to scratch, starting with me.
"
The 24-year-old did manage to convert a penalty for Belgium against Bosnia and Herzegovina, one he earned himself, and perhaps that goal was just what he needed in order to get back to last season's form.
He can erase all doubts with a solid showing at Goodison Park, leading the Blues to a much-needed win. Manchester City take on second-placed Crystal Palace, and given the Eagles' red-hot form, there's every reason to believe they can grab a result at Selhurst Park. Chelsea have to take advantage if that's the case, because it doesn't look as if City will drop too many points this season.
