Week Five of the EPL preview – Its all kicking off.

By: Rob | September 19th, 2008

The EPL just seems to be getting better and better eh? After the excitement of last week, the fixtures computer follows it with a big game at Stamford Bridge between the top two sides in the land. Games used to be a bit boring between the two (I still haven’t forgiven either for that FA Cup final), but they got better post-Jose last season, and with Big Phil’s emphasis on width and attack, could be stunning this year. I hope. So here is your weekly preview to that, and all the other games in Week Five of the Premier League, including two derbies and clash of troubled clubs, after the jump. You should also stop by at Daryl’s predictions and see why John Terry should be wary of Man United’s visit.

Blackburn Rovers v Fulham

Paul Ince’s new side have been somewhat hit and miss this season, picking up only 4 points from the first four games. Fulham meanwhile have been surprisingly succesful and have two straight wins under thier belts.

Team News: Dunn and Grella are out for Rovers, while Ooijer will face a late fitness test. Fulham are missing Kamara.

Fun Stat: The last three games between these teams has ended in a draw

Expect: Wouldn’t be surprised to see another draw, would you?

Bolton Vs Arsenal

Other than a slip up at Fulham, Arsenal have enjoyed a good start to the season, and go into the weekend in third. Bolton meanwhile have picked up 4 points from the avaliable 16.

Team News: No fresh worries for Arsene Wenger, though Nasri and Silvestre are still out along with the usual suspects, Bolton will be hoping that Johan Elmander makes it back from a hamstring injury that has hampered his settling in at the Lancashire club.

Fun Stat: Last weekends hat-trick was Adebayour’s third for Arsenal.

Expect: An Arsenal win.

Liverpool Vs Stoke City

Liverpool pulled off an impressive win against Manchester United last week, even without Fernando Torres, and mostly without Steven Gerrard. It should put them in good spirits for the visit of a Stoke side who sit second from bottom in the EPL.

Team News: Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard will be back for Liverpool after playing midweek, while for Fulham Faye is suspended and Davies will miss the game with injury.

Fun Stat: The last times these two teams met, 8 years ago, Liverpool won 8-0.

Expect: Liverpool to win, if not by 8.

Sunderland Vs Boro

Its derby time in the North-East and there will be plenty of passion. Both have started ok, but will really want to win to jumpstart thier seasons.

Team News: Kenwyne Jones is going to be touch and go for Sunderland, but Chopra is back from susupension. While Julio Arca could return for Boro against his old club.

Fun Stat: All four of Boro’s games this season have ended 2-1.

Expect: It to finish 2-1 thanks to a last minute goal from a new local hero.

West Ham vs Newcastle United

Alas, It all started so well on Tyneside. Newcastle’s early draw against Manchester United featured so much promise and hope, and yet it all seems so long ago now. Thier managerial turmoil stemmed from Kevin Keegan Walking/Being Pushed out the St James Park door, and Mike Ashley eventually being forced to sell the club. Meanwhile West Ham have a new manager in Gianfranco Zola, after Alan Curbishley walked away as he had no say in the clubs transfer policy, despite having a similarly good start.

Team News: Dean Ashton and Craig Bellamy will likely miss Gianfranco Zola’s début as West Ham boss. Newcastle are without Alan Smith who will be out for a few months, but they can welcome back Damien Duff.

Fun Stat: West Ham haven’t got a clean sheet yet.

Expect: Zola to get off to a winner.

Chelsea Vs Manchester United

While it is too early to talk about games defining seasons, there is little doubt about the hugeness of this fixture. Chelsea have enjoyed a great start to the EPL under new manager Phil Scolari, while Manchester United have suffered thier customary slow start to the season, compounded by a defeat at Anfield last week.

Team News: Essien is out for a long time for Chelsea, but Drogba and Ballack could start again after lay-offs. Ronaldo has, according to Mr Alex, been begging for a place in the starting XI against Chelsea, while Dietmar Berbatov could well be back from an injury that kept him out midweek. John Terry of course, is not suspended after all for the Blues, but United will be without Vidic. Carrick suffered a broken toe against Liverpool.

Fun Stat: Chelsea have not lost a league match in 2008.

Expect: Its going to be absolutely huge. I’ll be following it, here of course.

Hull City Vs Everton

Newly promoted Hull have veered between heroics (opening day win) and disasterous losses (stuffed by Wigan) so far. Everton meanwhile have two wins and two defeats.

Team News: Fagan is out for Hull and Boatang will take another fitness test. Pienaar and Van der Meyde are still out for the Toffees.

Fun Stat: Its been 32 league games since Everton lost twice in a row

Expect: I would think Everton will grab the three points here, but Hull could pull of a surprise.

Manchester City Vs Portsmouth

Neither of these sides has drawn yet, both sides sit level on points in the EPL having both picked up two wins and two losses. Both will be hoping for the full three to really get going this term.

Team News: Micheal Johnson and Martin Petrov are sidelined for City, while Papa Bouba Diop should return for Portsmouth.

Fun Stat: Pompy haven’t won at City since 1963

Expect: An end to end draw.

Spurs Vs Wigan

Spurs have suffered a disasterous start to season, rooted to the bottom of the table. Meanwhile, Wigan have picked up a win and a draw.

Team News: Roman Pavyluchenko will return for Spurs, while Luka Modric should pass a late fitness test. Wigan are without Edman and Kilblane as well as Cattermole who is suspended.

Fun Stat: Spurs have only won 3 games since winning the Carling Cup last season.

Expect: Spurs have to start winning soon, don’t they?

West Brom Vs Aston Villa

With no Birmingham in the Prem this season, this is Aston Villa’s derby match this season, and while not quite as fiercely contested as the Birmingham derby both sides will really want to win.

Team News: Teixeira is out for the Baggies, but they will be hoping Ishamel Miller recovers from injury. Villa meanwhile wait on news of John Carew and Ashley Young, who missed the UEFA Cup in midweek.

Fun Stat: Villa last lost at the Hawthorns in 1985, before your humble writer was even born.

Expect: A lot of goals, I reckon.