Premier League Week 5 Fixtures: EPL Picks and Predictions
Premier League football returns after the international break with one of the biggest fixtures in the English calendar. Manchester United host bitter rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford, with both sides coming off the back of disappointing defeats.
Brendan Rodgers' side were well beaten by West Ham at Anfield in their last match, with United surrendering to Swansea at the Liberty Stadium.
Chelsea get a chance to kickstart the defence of their title with a tricky visit to play Everton at Goodison Park. The Toffees are yet to win a home match this term, losing to Manchester City last time out.
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Here are the full set of fixtures for the fifth week of the Premier League, with picks and predictions:
| Saturday, September 12 | Everton v Chelsea | Chelsea | 1-2 |
| Saturday, September 12 | Arsenal v Stoke | Arsenal | 3-1 |
| Saturday, September 12 | Crystal Palace v Manchester City | City | 1-2 |
| Saturday, September 12 | Norwich v Bournemouth | Bournemouth | 1-3 |
| Saturday, September 12 | Watford v Swansea | Draw | 1-1 |
| Saturday, September 12 | WBA v Southampton | Draw | 0-0 |
| Saturday, September 12 | Manchester United v Liverpool | Draw | 1-1 |
| Sunday, September 13 | Sunderland v Spurs | Spurs | 0-2 |
| Sunday, September 13 | Leicester City v Aston Villa | Leicester | 2-1 |
| Monday, September 14 | West Ham v Newcastle | Draw | 2-2 |
Manchester United v Liverpool
The two traditional trophy machines from the north west of England still have their credentials intact—but both teams have certainly fallen down the pecking order in the Premier League.
Liverpool visit United after a humiliating defeat to a West Ham side in transition, and they will hope Louis van Gaal's men have a hangover after international duty.
The Anfield Reds seemed to have started the campaign well, looking defensively sound in their first games, but the house of cards came tumbling down in shocking style against the Hammers.
Manager Brendan Rodgers will not be panicking just yet, but it is questionable if he will be given another season to get things right unless Liverpool show signs of progress this year. The club have spent plenty of money in the transfer market in the past few years, but the loss of Luis Suarez might be a wound that simply wont heal.
Christian Benteke's fitness was called into question after a knock against West Ham, but Ian Doyle of the Liverpool Echo reports the new striker should be ready for the trip up the M62. The Belgian has been nursing a thigh injury, but Rodgers will need the attacker in the continued absence of Daniel Sturridge.
The start of Roberto Firmino's Liverpool career has been a slow burner after the player's summer activities with Brazil, but the derby on Saturday gives him the opportunity to make himself an instant cult hero.
Hoffenheim chief scout Lutz Pfannenstiel recently spoke about his talent to Jan Aage Fjortoft's Number Nine YouTube channel (h/t Sky Sports,) and said he is sure the attacker has the right mindset to be a star at his new club:
"In my opinion, going to Liverpool was the right choice. I think Brendan Rodgers is just the right guy to work with him, he is always successful with younger players and will let him play for one of the biggest teams in the world. I think he can become the same star in England that he was in Germany.
...
He learnt the language, he knows the European way of life. It’s not such a big cultural shock to go from Germany to England and also the languages are not so different. I think, at the end of the day, he will adjust very fast.
"
Much like Liverpool, United have looked strong in defence in their first matches, but tumbled against Swansea after conceding two poor goals. New goalkeeper Sergio Romero had not been tested before the match with the Swans, but he fluffed his lines when he needed to perform.
David De Gea's transfer collapse means he is likely to be given the No. 1 role once again, and LvG needs him this year if he has ambitions beyond the top four. De Gea sat out Spain's recent qualifier against Slovakia after a lack of match practice, and he will not want to sit on his hands in the Old Trafford stands one minute longer.
New teenage signing Anthony Martial is likely to be available after his move from Monaco, but Wayne Rooney is sure to be given the nod as the No. 9 against his least favourite side. The Evertonian has always been clear about his dislike for his home club's natural rival, and he is always motivated to perform in this fixture.
However, Rooney's lack of goals is a problem for United, and Martial could make a stunning debut from the bench. The young French international hit nine goals in Ligue 1 last season, often coming off the bench as an impact player, per WhoScored.com.
Both sides have been conservative in the final third, and it will be no surprise if this is a low scoring affair. Van Gaal is looking for a more fluid approach in his attack, but he's opted to strengthen the spine of his team in place of world-class flair.
Rodgers will not want to lose this game—and as a result will shut the door early, with a longer approach to Benteke. However, his trump card will be Firmino, and a winning cameo in Manchester would be celebrated by Liverpool fans across the globe.
Prediction: Manchester United 1-1 Liverpool
