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 Congratulations to Phil Mila, who for the second week running led the way in Premier League Pickem. In week 4, Mila notched 26 points, six points more than runner-up John Watson. Steve Steffy (19) was third, while Dario Ambrozewiez, Greg Krause, Skip Wilson and Phil Woo were all tied on 18 points. Mila accumulated the most correct picks (6), while George Brady and Mark Yothers collected the most perfect games (2). Week 4 was by far the worst showing so far this season for the participants, with the average per pick made down to 1.585. Manchester City hosting Watford proved to be the favorite fixture for the participants, with every logged pick backing the early league leaders, who ran out 2-0 winners. The points average of 2.81 was easily the highest yield of the week, with Arsenal at Newcastle next on the list, which gave up a 2.36 points average. Nobody predicted Crystal Palace's victory over Chelsea (0.17), nor did anyone foresee Manchester United falling to defeat at Swansea (0.25). However, the game with the lowest points average this week was West Ham at Liverpool, where the visitors won 3-0. The fixture yielded just a 0.11 point average and Gianfranco Lintas was the sole member to back the Hammers. After two successive week wins, Phil Mila has usurped Andrew Maher at the top of the overall standings. Mila has amassed 92 points, with Maher now two points adrift. Joe Hiegel (83) is third, while Mark Yothers (81) and Skip Wilson (80) round out the top 5. Mila has accrued 19 correct picks and has eight perfect games under his belt. It's still very early days but week 5 of the 2015-2016 English Premier League season serves up a top of the table clash, with leaders Manchester City taking their perfect record down to the capital to meet second-placed Crystal Palace. Remember to make your Premier League Pickem predictions before the deadline of each game. Week 5's schedule starts on Saturday with a 7:45 AM ET kickoff. There are then five 10 AM ET games. Saturday's final meeting is at 12:30 PM ET. Sunday's lineup has an 8:30 AM ET clash and a 11 AM ET fixture. The week concludes on Monday with a 3 PM ET matchup. Here we preview the ten games in the upcoming week of the English Premier League. The title of each game section is a link to pick the result of that game. Chelsea (13th) at Everton (9th) (Sat, 7:45 AM ET) The defending champions will look to kickstart their title defence this week after a mediocre opening month. Chelsea has secured just one victory in their first four matches and José Mourinho's record-breaking home record was dented last time out. Chelsea has already lost twice this season, including a 2-1 home loss against Crystal Palace in week 4. Like their visitors, Everton has recorded just a single victory to date. The Toffeemen have had an inconsistent start to their campaign, though it's still been slightly better than last season. Everton's solitary win was an impressive 3-0 victory at Southampton, but they failed to beat Watford and last time out they were held to a 0-0 tie by Tottenham. Head-to-Head Stats Last season: Chelsea 6-3 Everton Everton 0-1 Chelsea (reverse fixture) Last 6 (all competitions): Chelsea lead 5-1-0. Last 3 at Everton (all competitions): Chelsea lead 2-1-0. All-time (all competitions): Chelsea lead 68-52-52. Team News Chelsea (from): Begovic, Blackman, Azpilicueta, Cahill, Djilobodji, Ivanovic, Rahman, Terry, Zouma, Fabregas, Hazard, Loftus-Cheek, Matic, Mikel, Oscar, Ramires, Traore, Willian, Costa, Falcao, Kenedy, Pedro, Remy. Out (reason, expected return date): Courtois (knee, December). Everton (from): Howard, Joel, Stanek, Browning, Coleman, Funes Mori, Galloway, Hibbert, Holgate, Jagielka, Oviedo, Stones, Barkley, Barry, Besic, Gibson, Lennon, McCarthy, McGeady, Mirallas, Osman, Deulofeu, Kone, Lukaku, McAleny, Naismith, Rodriguez. Doubts: Oviedo (knee). Out (reason, expected return date): Baines (ankle, Nov), Cleverley (ankle, Nov 7), Pienaar (hamstring, no date). Stoke City (18th) at Arsenal (6th) (Sat, 10 AM ET) Stoke is one of five teams yet to post a victory this season but all of their matches to date have been closely fought. The Potters have lost two of their opening four fixtures, both of which ended 1-0. Stoke lost to Liverpool in week 1 and last time out they suffered defeat against West Brom. Stoke has shared the spoils with Tottenham and Norwich. Arsenal's manager Arsène Wenger has admitted his charges have been average so far this season. Although they haven't lost since their opening day defeat against West Ham, the Gunners have struggled offensively, scoring just three goals, two of them own goals. Arsenal won last time out, however, edging out Newcastle 1-0 at St James' Park. Head-to-Head Stats Last season: Stoke 0-3 Arsenal Arsenal 2-3 Stoke (reverse fixture) Last 6 (all competitions): Arsenal lead 3-2-1. Last 3 at Arsenal (all competitions): Arsenal lead 3-0-0. All-time (all competitions): Arsenal lead 53-25-23. Team News Stoke (from): Butland, Haugaard, Given, Bardsley, Cameron, Johnson, Muniesa, Pieters, Teixeira, Wilson, Wollscheid, Ireland, Moha, Shaqiri, Shenton, Sidwell, Van Ginkel, Whelan, Arnautovic, Bojan, Crouch, Diouf, Joselu, Odemwingie, Walters. Doubts: Diouf (hamstring), Johnson (groin), Arnautovic (ankle). Out (reason, expected return date): Shawcross (back, no date). Suspended: Adam (first game of three-match ban), Afellay (first game of two-match ban). Arsenal (from): Cech, Ospina, Bellerin, Chambers, Debuchy, Gabriel, Gibbs, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal, Arteta, Cazorla, Coquelin, Flamini, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ozil, Ramsey, Campbell, Giroud, Sanchez, Walcott. Out (reason, expected return date): Welbeck (knee, Jan), Rosicky (knee, Jan), Wilshere (ankle, no date). Manchester City (1st) at Crystal Palace (2nd) (Sat, 10 AM ET) Things have gone almost perfectly for Manchester City so far in their bid to regain their crown. They go into week 5 as the league's only team with a perfect record and their defense has yet to be breached. City opened up with a pair of 3-0 wins against West Brom and Chelsea and then followed that up with 2-0 victories over Everton and Watford. Crystal Palace might just fancy their chances of being the first team to score against City as they've scored in all four games to date. The Eagles have lost just once this season, a 2-1 defeat against Arsenal, but they've already notched three wins. Their stunning away record under Alan Pardew continued last time out with a fine 2-1 victory at Chelsea. Head-to-Head Stats Last season: Manchester City 1-2 Crystal Palace Crystal Palace 0-3 Manchester City (reverse fixture) Last 6 (all competitions): Manchester City lead 5-1-0 (includes 1 League Cup game). Last 3 at Crystal Palace (all competitions): Manchester City lead 2-1-0 (includes 1 League Cup game). All-time (all competitions): Manchester City lead 24-15-12. Team News Manchester City (from): Caballero, Hart, Wright, Demichelis, Kolarov, Kompany, Mangala, Otamendi, Sagna, De Bruyne, Fernandinho, Nasri, Navas, Roberts, Silva, Toure, Zuculini, Aguero, Bony, Iheanacho, Sterling. Out (reason, expected return date): Delph (hamstring, Oct 31), Clichy (ankle, Oct 17), Zabaleta (knee, Sep 26), Fernando (groin, Sep 19). Crystal Palace (from): Hennessey, McCarthy, Speroni, Dann, Delaney, Hangeland, Kelly, Mariappa, Souare, Bolasie, Cabaye, Guedioura, Jedinak, Ledley, Lee, McArthur, Mutch, Puncheon, Sako, Zaha, Bamford, Campbell, Gayle, Wickham. Out (reason, expected return date): Chamakh (hamstring, Oct 3), Ward (knee, Oct 3). A.F.C. Bournemouth (11th) at Norwich City (14th) (Sat, 10 AM ET) Bournemouth was unlucky to open the term with two defeats but since then they've more than held their own. The Cherries lost 1-0 in each of their first two games, against Aston Villa and then away at Liverpool. They opened their account with a 4-3 victory at West Ham, though, and they denied Leicester the full complement of points in week 4. Norwich's return to the Premier League has been up and down so far this season and they head into this matchup seeking their first home win. They were defeated by Crystal Palace on the opening day but bounced back by beating Sunderland. The Canaries shared the spoils with Stoke but last time out they were thrashed 3-0 by Southampton. Head-to-Head Stats Last season: Bournemouth 1-1 Norwich Norwich 2-1 Bournemouth (reverse fixture) Last 6 (all competitions): Norwich lead 2-1-3 (includes 2 League Cup games). Last 3 at Norwich (all competitions): Bournemouth lead 1-0-2 (includes 1 League Cup game). All-time (all competitions): Norwich lead 22-17-15. Team News Bournemouth (from): Boruc, Federici, Allsop, Francis, Cook, Gosling, Elphick, Surman, Pugh, Rantie, Smith, Distin, Bennett, MacDonald, Stanislas, O'Kane, Ritchie, Wilson, King, Kermorgant, Tomlin, Murray. Doubts: King (hamstring). Out (reason, expected return date): Gradel (ACL, Apr), Arter (groin, Oct 17), Mings (knee, no date). Norwich (from): Ruddy, Wisdom, Martin, Bassong, Brady, Tettey, Dorrans, Howson, Hoolahan, Redmond, Jerome, Rudd, Hooper, R. Bennett, O'Neil, Jarvis, Mbokani, Lafferty. Out (reason, expected return date): Mulumbu (Metatarsel, Sep 24). Suspended: Whittaker (one-match ban), Grabban (club suspension). Swansea City (4th) at Watford (17th) (Sat, 10 AM ET) It's been a solid start to the campaign for Swansea to date and they go into this encounter looking to protect their unbeaten record. The Swans have alternated between ties and wins, beginning with a tie against Chelsea. They then defeated Newcastle but only tied with Sunderland. However, Swansea beat Manchester United 2-1 in their last game. Watford has struggled for goals since netting two in their opening game and they're hoping to earn their first victory this week. The Hornets tied 2-2 with Everton on the opening day but they've now gone over 270 minutes without a goal. West Brom and Southampton shared goalless ties with them and last time out Manchester City defeated them. Head-to-Head Stats Last season: Last met in 2011 Last 6 (all competitions): Tied 2-2-2 (includes 1 League Cup game). Last 3 at Watford (all competitions): Swansea lead 2-1-0. All-time (all competitions): Swansea lead 20-13-9. Team News Swansea (from): Fabianski, Nordfeldt, Tremmel, Alfei, Amat, Bartley, Fernandez, Naughton, Rangel, Tabanou, Taylor, Tiendalli, Williams, Ayew, Britton, Cork, Fulton, Grimes, Ki, Lucas, Montero, Routledge, Shelvey, Sigurdsson, Eder, Emnes, Gomis. Doubts: Montero (thigh). Watford (from): Arlauskis, Gilmartin, Gomes, Ake, Belkalem, Cathcart , Hoban, Holebas, Nyom, Paredes, Prodl, Abdi, Anya, Behrami, Capoue, Dyer, Guedioura, Jurado, Watson, Berghuis, Deeney, Diamanti, Ighalo, Oulare. Out (reason, expected return date): Doyley (neck, no date), Ekstrand (ACL, no date). Suspended: Britos (second game of three-match ban). Southampton (10th) at West Bromwich Albion (15th) (Sat, 10 AM ET) With the Europa League no longer on the agenda for Southampton, they're free to concentrate on domestic matters and that might have contributed to their success in week 4. The Saints sandwiched a 3-0 defeat by Everton with a pair of ties against Newcastle and Watford. However, in week 4, Southampton ran out easy 3-0 victors over Norwich. West Brom finally notched their maiden victory of the season last time out, too. The Baggies had a tough opening, losing 3-0 against Manchester City. They played out a stalemate with Watford but then they were edged out 3-2 by Chelsea. West Brom then went to Tony Pulis's old club, Stoke, and they rewarded him by earning the three points. Head-to-Head Stats Last season: Southampton 0-1 West Brom West Brom 0-0 Southampton (reverse fixture) Last 6 (all competitions): West Brom lead 3-2-1. Last 3 at West Brom (all competitions): West Brom lead 2-1-0. All-time (all competitions): Southampton lead 26-23-23. Team News Southampton (from): K. Davis, Gazzaniga, Stekelenburg, Caulker, Cedric, Fonte, Martina, McCarthy, Targett, Van Dijk, Yoshida, S. Davis, Isgrove, Mane, McQueen, Ramirez, Reed, Romeu, Tadic, Wanyama, Ward-Prowse, Juanmi, Long, Pelle, Rodriguez. Out (reason, expected return date): Forster (knee, Apr), Clasie (ankle, Oct 3), Bertrand (knee, Sep 23), Gardos (knee, no date). West Brom (from): Lindegaard, Myhill, Rose, Chester, Dawson, Evans, Gamboa, McAuley, O'Neil, Olsson, Pocognoli, Brunt, Fletcher, Gardner, Gnabry, McClean, McManaman, Morrison, Sessegnon, Yacob, Anichebe, Berahino, Lambert, Nabi, Rondon. Doubts: Chester (hamstring), Berahino (fitness). Out (reason, expected return date): Foster (ACL, Oct 1). Liverpool (7th) at Manchester United (5th) (Sat, 12:30 PM ET) Liverpool looked solid, if unspectacular, in the opening three weeks of the season but they were picked apart in their last outing. Their defense held firm through week 3, recording three cleansheets in two 1-0 victories and a goalless tie. However, it all fell apart last time out, with West Ham recording their first victory at Anfield in over five decades. Just like their week 5 guests, Manchester United kicked the season off with two 1-0 wins but they've come unstuck since. United narrowly defeated Tottenham in week 1 and then edged past Aston Villa the following week. They were held to a goalless tie by Newcastle in week 3 but they then slipped to a 2-1 defeat when they journeyed to Swansea. Head-to-Head Stats Last season: Liverpool 0-3 Manchester United Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool (reverse fixture) Last 6 (all competitions): Manchester United lead 4-2-0 (includes 1 League Cup game). Last 3 at Manchester United (all competitions): Manchester United lead 2-1-0 (includes 1 League Cup game). All-time (all competitions): Manchester United lead 77-64-51. Team News Liverpool (from): Bogdan, Mignolet, Clyne, Jose Enrique, Gomez, Lovren, Moreno, Sakho, Skrtel, Toure, Allen, Can, Henderson, Ibe, Lallana, Lucas, Milner, Rossiter, Teixeira, Benteke, Firmino, Ings, Origi. Doubts: Lallana (thigh), Henderson (ankle), Allen (hmstring). Out (reason, expected return date): Flanagan (knee, Dec), Sturridge (thigh, no date). Suspended: Coutinho (one-match ban). Manchester United (from): De Gea, Romero, Johnstone, Valdes, Darmian, McNair, Rojo, Shaw, Smalling, Valencia, Varela, Blind, Carrick, Fellaini, Herrera, Lingard, Mata, Pereira, Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger, Young, Depay, Martial, Rooney, Wilson. Doubts: Carrick (calf). Out (reason, expected return date): Jones (illness, Sep 26). Tottenham Hotspur (16th) at Sunderland (20th) (Sun, 8 AM ET) Tottenham is undefeated since losing their opening fixture of the campaign but they're still winless with four games played. Spurs suffered a narrow defeat at Manchester United and then they were kept to a tie after losing a two-goal lead against Stoke. They shared the spoils with Leicester and last time out Spurs played out a 0-0 tie with Everton. Only five teams have scored more goals than Sunderland but a leaky defense means the club props up the standings and is still without a win. The Black Cats lost their first two games of the term, conceding seven goals in the process. Sunderland's defense improved in week 3 in a 1-1 tie with Swansea. Last time out they held Aston Villa to a 2-2 tie. Head-to-Head Stats Last season: Tottenham 2-2 Sunderland Sunderland 1-2 Tottenham (reverse fixture) Last 6 (all competitions): Tottenham lead 5-0-1. Last 3 at Sunderland (all competitions): Tottenham lead 2-0-1. All-time (all competitions): Tottenham lead 47-37-30. Team News Tottenham (from): Lloris, McGee, Vorm, Alderweireld, Davies, Dier, Fazio, Rose, Trippier, Vertonghen, Walker, Wimmer, Alli, Bentaleb, Carroll, Chadli, Dembele, Lamela, Mason, Onomah, Pritchard, Son, Townsend, Winks, Kane, N'Jie. Doubts: Dembele (ankle). Out (reason, expected return date): Eriksen (knee, Sep 17). Sunderland (from): Mannone, Pantilimon, Stryjek, Brown, Coates, Jones, Kaboul, O'Shea, Van Aanholt, Bridcutt, Buckley, Cattermole, Gomez, Larsson, M'Vila, Rodwell, Borini, Defoe, Fletcher, Gooch, Graham, Lens, Toivonen, Watmore. Doubts: Gomez (knee). Out (reason, expected return date): Matthews (ankle, Oct 25), Johnson (shoulder, Sep 26), Fletcher (knock, no date). Unavailable: Yedlin (loanee; can't face parent club). Aston Villa (12th) at Leicester City (3rd) (Sun, 11 AM ET) It was a perfect week 1 for Aston Villa but since then there have been signs the struggles of previous seasons might still plague them this term. Villa defeated Bournemouth 1-0 on day 1 but Manchester United narrowly beat them the following week. They suffered a reversal against Crystal Palace but in their last outing Villa tied 2-2 with Sunderland. Leicester's form might have dipped slightly in the past two gameweeks but they're still undefeated heading into this week 5 clash. The Foxes got out of the blocks quickly with a 4-2 win against Sunderland and a 2-1 victory over West Ham. They've had to share the points in their last two games, however, tying 1-1 with Tottenham and Bournemouth. Head-to-Head Stats Last season: Aston Villa 0-1 Leicester Leicester 1-2 Aston Villa (reverse fixture) Leicester 1-2 Aston Villa (FA Cup) Last 6 (all competitions): Aston Villa lead 4-2-0 (includes 1 FA Cup game and 2 League Cup games). Last 3 at Leicester (all competitions): Aston Villa lead 2-1-0 (includes 1 League Cup game). All-time (all competitions): Leicester lead 40-33-23. Team News Aston Villa (from): Bunn, Guzan, Steer, Amavi, Bacuna, Clark, Hutton, Ilori, Lescott, Richards, Richardson, Senderos, Cole, Gil, Gueye, Grealish, N'Zogbia, Sanchez, Sinclair, Veretout, Westwood, Agbonlahor, Ayew, Gestede, Kozak, Traore. Doubts: Gana (hamstring), Grealish (hamstring), Traore (ankle). Out (reason, expected return date): Okore (knee, Oct 24), Gardener (ankle, Sep 26), Crespo (groin, Sep 19). Leicester (from): Schmeichel, Schwarzer, Benalouane, De Laet, Fuchs, Huth, Morgan, Simpson, Wasilewski, Albrighton, Drinkwater, Dyer, Hammond, Inler, James, Kante, King, Mahrez, Schlupp, Dodoo, Kramaric, Okazaki, Ulloa, Vardy. Out (reason, expected return date): James (ACL, Feb). Newcastle United (19th) at West Ham United (8th) (Mon, 3 PM ET) Even though the general feeling is Newcastle is heading in the right direction under Steve McClaren, they could be bottom of the table before their Monday night game. The Magpies tied with Southampton in week 1 but they went down 2-0 at Swansea. They held Manchester United to a goalless tie but Newcastle lost 1-0 to Arsenal in week 4. West Ham has had mixed results in the first four weeks of the term but they've picked up wins against arguably their two toughest opponents. The Hammers surprised most people by defeating Arsenal in week 1 but they fell to a defeat against Leicester. They lost against Bournemouth but bounced back in their last outing with a victory over Liverpool. Head-to-Head Stats Last season: Newcastle 0-1 West Ham West Ham 0-2 Newcastle (reverse fixture) Last 6 (all competitions): Tied 2-2-2. Last 3 at West Ham (all competitions): Tied 1-1-1. All-time (all competitions): Newcastle lead 51-39-37. Team News Newcastle (from): Krul, Darlow, Elliot, Janmaat, Coloccini, Mbemba, Taylor, Lascelles, Williamson, Haidara, Tiote, Anita, Wijnaldum, Sissoko, Thauvin, De Jong, Colback, Obertan, Aarons, Gouffran, Cisse, Perez. Out (reason, expected return date): Marveux (groin, Oct 3), Dummett (hamstring, no date), Good (thigh, no date), Riviere (knee, no date). Suspended: Mitrovic (first game of three-match ban). West Ham (from): Randolph, Tomkins, Collins, Ogbonna, Reid, Cresswell, Hendrie, Jenkinson, Oxford, Noble, Obiang, Kouyate, Payet, Antonio, Moses, Lanzini, Maiga, Zarate, Sakho, Carroll, Jelavic. Doubts: Zarate (hamstring). Out (reason, expected return date): Valencia (knee, Nov 7), Song (ankle, Oct 31), O'Brien (calf, no date). Suspended: Adrián (final game of three-match ban). |
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