EPL Week 5: Bleacher Report Writers Make Their Picks

Dan Talintyre

Another week of the English Premier League is fast approaching, which means that another week of our free tipping and predictions service is on once again.

The Bleacher Report writers have got all the predictions you need for this week and whilst we don't agree on everything as far as predictions go, you can guarantee that one of us, somewhere along the line, is going to be right.

Seems like a fairly good reason for you to read on and check out our predictions for Week 5 of the English Premier League.

Full Leaderboard

Remember, one point for the correct result (e.g. Chelsea win) and three points for a correct score (e.g Chelsea win 1-0)

Mohamed Al-Hendy 29 points
Mike Cummings 26 points
Will Tidey 23 points
Ed Wyman 22 points
Joe Tansey 20 points
Karl Matchett 19 points
Dan Talintyre 18 points
Sam Tighe 12 points


Swansea City vs. Everton

Saturday, 22nd of September at 7:45 a.m. ET

Swansea will be looking to get their strong season back on track when they welcome Everton to Liberty Stadium—a side that is also looking to capitalize on their early wins and goal-scoring talent.

Dan Talintyre  Everton win 2-0
Ed Wyman  Draw, 1-1
Joe Tansey  Everton win 3-0
Karl Matchett  Draw, 1-1
Mike Cummings  Draw, 1-1
Mohamed Al-Hendy  Swansea win 2-1
Sam Tighe  Draw, 2-2
Will Tidey  Everton win 2-0

Chelsea vs. Stoke City

Saturday, 22nd September at 10:00 a.m. ET

After their Champions League draw mid-week against Juventus, Chelsea will be keen to bounce back with a win at Stamford Bridge. This weekend they take on Stoke City, who have picked up four draws through their first four games of the season.

Sam Tighe gives his reasons why Chelsea are the biggest threat to Manchester City for the Premier League title this year.

Dan Talintyre  Chelsea win 2-0
Ed Wyman  Chelsea win 3-0
Joe Tansey  Chelsea win 2-1
Karl Matchett  Chelsea win 2-1
Mike Cummings  Chelsea win 2-0
Mohamed Al-Hendy  Chelsea win 2-0
Sam Tighe  Chelsea win 3-1
Will Tidey  Chelsea win 2-1

Southampton vs. Aston Villa

Saturday, 22nd September at 10:00 a.m. ET

Aston Villa picked up their first win of the season last week and have a great opportunity to double that total when they take on the win-less Southampton at St. Mary's Stadium.

The Saints performed extremely well against both Manchester clubs and were perhaps unlucky not to get a point in either fixture, but were easily dispatched by Arsenal last week in a 6-1 drubbing. They'll be looking for their first win of the season in this one.

Joe Tansey reflects on why this match is actually a must-win fixture for both clubs.

Dan Talintyre  Draw, 1-1
Ed Wyman  Draw, 1-1
Joe Tansey  Aston Villa win 1-0
Karl Matchett  Draw, 1-1
Mike Cummings  Southampton win 2-1
Mohamed Al-Hendy  Southampton win 2-0
Sam Tighe  Aston Villa win 2-1
Will Tidey  Aston Villa win 2-1

West Bromwich Albion vs. Reading

Saturday, 22nd September at 10:00 a.m. ET

West Brom's stellar start to the year was somewhat undone by their 3-0 loss to Fulham last week, but with a home match to Reading looming this weekend, the Baggies have a great chance to get back into the winners circle.

Dan Talintyre  West Brom win 5-1
Ed Wyman  West Brom win 2-0
Joe Tansey  West Brom win 2-0
Karl Matchett  West Brom win 1-0
Mike Cummings  West Brom win 2-1
Mohamed Al-Hendy  West Brom win 2-1
Sam Tighe  West Brom win 3-0
Will Tidey  West Brom win 3-0

West Ham vs. Sunderland

Saturday, 22nd September at 10:00 a.m. ET

Big Sam Allardyce has West Ham primed for a strong season in the Premier League this year. Although the Hammers are nowhere near the force that they once were in the top class, they aren't falling into relegation troubles so far this year.

If that's to continue, then West Ham has got to win at home against lesser teams, like Sunderland.

But don't rule out Martin O'Neill's men just yet. The Black Cats were arguably the surprise story of the Premier League last season after the managerial switch and have the potential to pick up points on the road this season.

Dan Talintyre  Draw, 1-1
Ed Wyman  West Ham win 1-0
Joe Tansey  Draw, 1-1
Karl Matchett  West Ham win 2-1
Mike Cummings  Draw, 2-2
Mohamed Al-Hendy  Draw, 1-1
Sam Tighe  West Ham win 1-0
Will Tidey  West Ham win 2-0

Wigan Athletic vs. Fulham

Saturday, 22nd September at 10:00 a.m. ET

After selling attacking talent in Moussa Dembele and Clint Dempsey over the summer transfer window, many wondered whether Fulham had thrown away their chance at success this year.

Their 3-0 victory at home against a strong West Brom side may well have eased some of those fears, but they must follow it up with repeat success if they are to prove their attack can function without the two players mentioned above. 

Dan Talintyre  Fulham win 1-0
Ed Wyman  Wigan win 2-0
Joe Tansey  Fulham win 3-0
Karl Matchett  Wigan win 1-0
Mike Cummings  Wigan win 2-1
Mohamed Al-Hendy  Fulham win 2-1
Sam Tighe  Wigan win 3-2
Will Tidey  Draw, 1-1

Liverpool vs. Manchester United

Sunday, 23rd September at 8:30 a.m. ET

As far as rivalry matches go, they don't get much bigger than Manchester United taking on Liverpool at Anfield—a match that you can nearly throw away all competition form and context for.

These two sides will have been gearing up for this one for a while and with the Hillsborough memorial, Patrice Evra and Luis Suarez as well as whatever takes place on the football pitch, there's bound to be plenty of talking points to come out of this one.

Dan Talintyre shares why Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra need to put the handshake incident behind them whilst Karl Matchett discuses why the United/Liverpool rivalry burns brighter than ever.

Lead blogger Mike Cummings also gives his game prediction in full here.

Dan Talintyre  Manchester United win 3-1
Ed Wyman  Manchester United win 2-1
Joe Tansey  Manchester United win 3-0
Karl Matchett  Liverpool win 2-1
Mike Cummings  Draw, 1-1
Mohamed Al-Hendy  Draw, 1-1
Sam Tighe  Manchester United win 2-1
Will Tidey  Draw, 0-0

Newcastle United vs. Norwich City

Sunday, 23rd September at 10:00 a.m. ET

St. James Park is one of the hardest trips to take in the English Premier League and this week the unlucky honor befalls Norwich City.

The Magpies were lucky last week not to drop all three points against Everton thanks to the officiating, but sometimes you need a little bit of luck and assistance to do well in the league. Now the question becomes whether or not Newcastle can capitalize on their good fortune with victory at home in this one.

Dan Talintyre  Newcastle win 3-0
Ed Wyman  Newcastle win 2-1
Joe Tansey  Newcastle win 3-0
Karl Matchett  Newcastle win 2-0
Mike Cummings  Newcastle win 2-0
Mohamed Al-Hendy  Newcastle win 2-1
Sam Tighe  Newcastle win 2-1
Will Tidey  Newcastle win 2-0

Manchester City vs. Arsenal

Sunday, 23rd September at 11:00 a.m. ET

A match with huge ramifications for the top-four of the English Premier League sees Manchester City at home to Arsenal, with both sides playing tough Champions League fixtures mid-week.

And whilst the Gunners might have triumphed on the road where City did not, the reigning Premier League champions are a different side at the Etihad and will be tough to beat.

The return of Sergio Aguero would be a huge boost for Roberto Mancini's men, who will need all the strike-power they can get their hands on. Arsenal is, so far, the best defense in the Premier League.

Mike Cummings asks whether or not goalkeeper Vito Mannone should be the No. 1 shot-stopper at the Emirates.

Dan Talintyre  Manchester City win 2-0
Ed Wyman  Draw, 2-2
Joe Tansey  Draw, 1-1
Karl Matchett  Arsenal win 2-1
Mike Cummings  Manchester City win 1-0
Mohamed Al-Hendy  Draw, 1-1
Sam Tighe  Arsenal win 2-1
Will Tidey  Arsenal win 2-1

Tottenham Hotspur vs. QPR

Sunday, 23rd September at 11:00 a.m. ET

Tottenham Hotspur finally got their season going last week with a win, and will be looking to continue that run when they welcome Queens Park Rangers to White Hart Lane.

Andre Villas-Boas has put together a formidable squad with a plethora of attacking and midfield talent, but so far they have been unable to put it all together into a complete and dominant performance.

Will this be the match where Tottenham finally "clicks"?

Dan Talintyre  Tottenham win 2-1
Ed Wyman  Tottenham win 3-0
Joe Tansey  Tottenham win 3-1
Karl Matchett  Tottenham win 2-0
Mike Cummings  Tottenham win 1-0
Mohamed Al-Hendy  Tottenham win 3-1
Sam Tighe  Draw, 1-1
Will Tidey  Tottenham win 2-0
   

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