DC Predicts: Premiership Predictions Week 5

Welcome to my fifth weekly Premier League predictions article. I am predicting the Premier League fixtures every week and tracking my progress as I go along using a points system that I have devised which is as follows:

Getting the outcome of the match wrong: 0 points

Getting the outcome of a match correct: 1 point

Getting the exact score of a match correct: 3 points

BONUS POINTS

Getting five outcomes in a set of fixtures correct: 2 points

Getting five exact scores in a set of fixtures correct: 4 points

I am comparing my progress to BBC Sport’s Mark Lawrenson and seeing how our prediction success compares throughout the season.

Last week I scored six points, consisting of three correct outcomes and one perfect score. Mark Lawrenson got three correct outcomes but no perfect scores, leaving him with three points.

After four weeks of the contest Mark Lawrenson is on 19 points and I am now in the lead for the first time with a total of 22 points.

Click here to read my predictions from last week.

Who will be leading after Week Five? Here are the predictions:

Sunderland v. Middlesbrough

This should be an interesting game. Both sides have improved immensely so far this season, and both stand a good chance of a top 10 finish.

Neither of these sides have been involved in UEFA cup matches, and as a derby match there will be full commitment.

I think Sunderland’s home advantage will go in their favour and I think they can edge the game. Middlesbrough’s main issue is they haven’t always been able to see out matches this season and have started a tendancy to concede late goals. This can get into a player’s mindset.

This will be very open but I can Sunderland just nicking it, probably late in the game.

Verdict: 2-1

Blackburn v. Fulham

Fulham have really surprised me so far. They look stronger all over the pitch and Roy Hodgson has carried on showing us how great a manager he is. Fulham have beaten Arsenal, and they completely outplayed Bolton last weekend.

Blackburn made a good start but the last two matches have been quite alarming. They have started to ship too many goals. They haven’t been playing bad football but at that back they have started to become sloppy. That needs to be sorted out straight away.

I think this game will be close but there is such a high at Fulham at the moment. I fancy them to continue to be the surprise package and get another result. They won’t have it anywhere near as easy as they did against Bolton, but it will be three points nevertheless.

Verdict: 1-2

Liverpool v. Stoke

It’s been a great week for Liverpool. They beat Manchester United last weekend and despite the effort put into that game, they still did enough to see off Marseille away in the Champions league.

Liverpool to me are starting to look like a title push is possible. When they have played badly they are still getting results, which hasn’t been the case in the last couple of seasons. The big players like Gerrard are starting to come into form now too.

Stoke have been very impressive, their work rate and effort can’t be faulted and that have played some good stuff. However going away to Liverpool is far too big an ask for them but I still expect to see a stern fight from them as usual.

However in the end I expect Liverpool to go out comfortable winners.

Verdict: 2-0

West Ham v. Newcastle

Both these clubs are now in transitional periods. The mess at Newcastle is unprecedented. You can’t predict what is going to happen next, and as hard as the players and coaches will try, it will stay on their mind and affect their performance. I think it’s yet another season of mediocrity for Newcastle.

West Ham at least have a new manager so they now have the chance to move forward. However with the injury problems still ongoing and the fact that Zola will be installing a new type of play into the team, I think it is going to take a while for things to change for the better at West Ham. In time I do expect the club to move forward. I think patience will be required.

At the end of the day I think West Ham will nick this one.

Verdict: 1-0

Bolton v. Arsenal

Arsenal are starting to get into their stride after a sluggish start including that 1-0 defeat to Fulham. They have scored seven goals in their last two league games, and conceded none. Vintage Arsenal.

Bolton I think have a very long game on their hands. Their form has dipped after a positive start. They don’t look as resilient at the moment as they often are and the goals are still not there. They desperately need Elmander back to full fitness.

I think Bolton will try and frustrate Arsenal, that’s the only chance they have got. I expect Arsenal to find the gaps and they will end up comfortable winners.

Verdict: 0-3

West Brom v. Aston Villa

Aston Villa are continuing to play great football and this is largely to do with the pace in their team. Pace is such a strong attribute to have in Premiership football with the fast pace the game has. Their confidence is growing and shows no signs of stopping.

West Brom have been struggling for goals but against West Ham they scored three and won so that will give them a huge amount of confidence. They now have a platform to build on and spirit in the camp will be a lot better.

West Brom’s home advantage may help them but I think they will struggle against Villa’s pace. Despite scoring a few against West Ham I still can’t see anyone in their team with a consistent supply of goals.

Despite all this I am tipping West Brom to fight very bravely and the leave the field with a battling draw, which I think they would take right now.

Verdict: 1-1

Chelsea v. Manchester United

Manchester United are often slow in the first couple of matches in a Premier League season but they recover very quickly. The same is happening again this season with the key difference is that the slow start is continuing.

They look a bit jaded and nothing is quite clicking into pace as it did through all of last season. Ronaldo will be back but I doubt his form is going to be as strong this year due to more pressure on him, and bitterness over not joining Real Madrid.

Chelsea have made a great start under Scolari and are playing like a great Brazilian team. The players clearly love this and the full-backs are allowed to get forward to.

Chelsea still have this remarkable unbeaten record at home and this gives them such a confidence at home.

I think Chelsea will be really fired up and rearing to go and may overwhelm United. I think Chelsea will win comfortably.

Verdict: 3-1

Hull v. Everton

Everton have picked up after a rocky start and are starting to play how we all expect them to. However the big issue for me is at the back they are looking a lot more suspect. This was clear to see in their match against Standard Liege. With the small size of their squad it’s a big ask to play in Europe and then in the league three days later.

Hull recovered from that dreadful defeat to Wigan and bounced back against Newcastle. Newcastle were poor but Hull played brilliantly and bossed the game.

At home to Everton, who are tired after being worked hard by Liege, I think they will really fancy their chances and get into Everton as much as they can and cause them problems.

Verdict: 2-0

Man City v. Portsmouth

Man City now have a very strong squad with players like Robinho and Wright-Phillips now team members and on form straight away. They should now be extremely hard to beat whether they are playing home or away for that matter.

However with the huge expectation there could be a lot of pressure on the players. Not too much can be expected. They are not yet in the league of the "Big Four" yet in my opinion. Mark Hughes is a very shrewd manager and I am sure he will keep expectations in check and look after his team.

Portsmouth have played very well after a poor start (mainly due to the short straw fixture list wise) but now they are back at their best. They will give City a tough time.

Both these sides have been involved in UEFA action so I think it will be a slow game. A stalemate is the most likely outcome.

Verdict: 0-0

Tottenham v. Wigan

It has been a very bad start for Tottenham just like last season. This is a vital weekend for them, no result and the fans will explode with anger and confidence will drop.

Tottenham have a good squad of players but they just aren’t gelling with each other and the results aren’t coming. They drew with Chelsea, which shows what they can do when it all works.

Wigan are playing very good football. Steve Bruce sides are always hard to break down but he has some great attacking options now in this team. Heskey is in the form of his life and Zaki is adapting to the Premiership like a duck to water.

Spurs will recover in time and Wigan will be comfortable this season but this one will end in a draw.

Verdict 1-0