What a weekend of Premier League football Gameweek 4 was before that annoying international break, as it was arguably the best weekend of football for the season so far. Even bigger upsets than the week before, and goals a plenty. but our 2020-21 Premier League Week 4 Predictions and preview has plenty more to it. Talking of plenty, here is our full 2020-2021 Premier League Predictions Week 5 and Preview.
This weekend looks a goodun too, with the Saturday program being the highlight of the weekend for a change, featuring a table Liverpool derby with both teams at the top of the tree, and both Manchester clubs are getting a chance to get their underwhelming starts to the season off the ground.
This preview ambles through all ten Premier League fixtures, with a bunch of visuals, stats and figures for some barely interesting reading. And if that isn’t enough, we throw in our 2020-21 Premier League Week 5 Predictions for each game.
Come for the stats, stay for the predictions.
Premier League Week 5 Predictions – Preview Summary
Here’s our match by match review and our own Premier League Predictions Week 5. With loads of stats as below.
H2H stats are for all time unless stated, and other stats are based on last season. The visual will expand into 2020-21 after GW3.
SATURDAY GAMES
EVERTON v LIVERPOOL
MATCH STATS
Why Everton can win
Everton are currently undefeated and Liverpool are not.
Everton did not concede seven goals to a team who could have been relegated last season in the previous week.
Everton have scored nine goals in two home games so far.
Everton were unbeaten in the first eight clashes of the Premier League at Everton.
Why Liverpool can win.
They are still the reigning premiers.
Everton’s record v top six sides last season was pretty poor at 0.83 points per game. It’s even worse at 0.67 per game to big six sides.
Liverpool haven’t lost to Everton since 2010 and Everton have scored in just one game in their past six meetings. At least it was two goals that game.
Liverpool have lost just three times at Everton since 2000.
Everton have scored just once at home in the past five games v Liverpool on a Saturday. But at least have only lost twice.
Barely Interesting Stat:
There has been no goals in this fixture when it has played at Goodison Park on the last three occasions. The last goal scored at Goodison in this fixture was in December 2016, but at least was scored in the 94th minute meaning fans of either club have only had to wait 4.5 hours for a goal.
Why Should We Care
Derby where Everton have the best chance in a long time for winning. Mo Salah v James Rodriguez. DCL in great scoring form.
We Say….
Everton 2 Liverpool 2
CHELSEA v SOUTHAMPTON
MATCH STATS
Why Chelsea can win
Chelsea have a 100% record at home this season to the mid 8 sides.
The Saints were beaten 5-2 the last time they faced a London side.
Chelsea have only lost once at home to Southampton on a Saturday – two games ago in 2015 (1-3)
Why Southampton can win.
Southampton ended being the third best team away from home last season and have only lost one of their last seven away games.
Southampton have a slightly better record v Chelsea away than at home.
They did win 50% of their away games to London teams last season.
Chelsea’s record at home to south coast teams last season is one win – two losses.
Barely Interesting Stat:
Southampton are unbeaten in four games v Chelsea on a Saturday in October. The last win for Chelsea came the weekend after James Hunt won the F1 World Championship in 1976.
Why We Should Care:
Chelsea have scored a minimum of three goals in each game this season against teams that have stripes on their kits. And as a desperate FPL manager, need to see if Timo Werner will score soon.
We Say….
Chelsea 2 Southampton 1
MANCHESTER CITY v ARSENAL
MATCH STATS
Why Man City can win
Manchester City have won the last six league games by the healthy combined score of 17-2. At least Arsenal’s winning odds of 7-1 is lower.
Man City averaged 2.33 points per game at home to Lon don team last season. Arsenal took an average 0.6 points per game away to North West teams last season.
Despite Arsenal’s good run thus far, all of their wins have been against either the bottom six or teams not from the big six. Their first meeting against a higher ranked opponent ended in a loss to Liverpool.
Why Arsenal can win.
Because Arsenal have never looked less Arsenal, and look up for a genuine top four battle this season.
Arsenal won the most recent match between the sides – the FA Cup semi.
Arsenal have the equal best record for the first week back from the international break from the past 11 seasons. With Man Utd.
Barely Interesting Stat:
Manchester City last played a home game v Arsenal on a Saturday in October in 1977. It was also the last time they have beaten Arsenal on a Saturday in October. Arsenal’s record after that match is four wins and two draws.
Man City have also won just one of the last five Saturday games, but have won four of the last five Saturday games at Manchester.
Why We Should Care:
Anyone expecting Man City to take just one point from games v Leicester at home and Leeds away would have been genius, so interest will be in the response. Plus there’s the small matter of Mikel Arteta v Pep on the sidelines, and without crowds, it could be the most fascinating H2H.
We Say….
Man City 4 Arsenal 2
NEWCASTLE v MANCHESTER UTD
MATCH STATS
Why Man Utd can win
Man Utd do have an imposing record over Newcastle overall.
Newcastle averaged just one point v North West sides last season.
Why Newcastle can win.
The relative performances last round of these sides. Newcastle hit Maximin overdrive while Man Utd got Jose-d by Spurs.
Newcastle are 100% against bottom six sides this season.
Newcastle have lost just once in their last four home games v Man Utd.
Barely Interesting Stat:
Man Utd have won the last four games on a Saturday at Newcastle. Man Utd scored 17 goals in those wins.
Why We Should Care:
Allan Saint-Maximin is enough for us to be honest. But with Man Utd’s poor start to the season, there’s every chance they could be in the bottom three if other results go against them and they lose.
We Say….
Newcastle 2 Man Utd 1
SHEFFIELD UTD v FULHAM
MATCH STATS
Why Sheffield Utd can win
Sheffield Utd have not lost to Fulham in October across the five matches played. Their record is two wins – three draws.
The Blades’ xG and xA are slightly sharper.
They have just hired Liverpool striker Rhian Brewster, so maybe there’ll be some goals.
Why Fulham can win.
Sheffield Utd are on the longest current losing streak in the Football League with seven straight losses. Not that Fulham’s 0-4 start to the season is much better.
Sheffield Utd haven’t scored in their last three home games. Fulham at least scored three goals v Leeds away.
Barely Interesting Stat:
There have only been two Sunday clashes between these sides, both in cups. Fulham haven’t won either (1L 1D)
Why We Should Care:
One could say there is zero points to this game, and they’d be right in a punderful way with both sides on nil. But this means at least one team will have a point to hold onto after this match.
We Say….
Sheffield Utd 1 Fulham 0
CRYSTAL PALACE v BRIGHTON
MATCH STATS
Why Crystal Palace can win
Crystal Palace have lost only twice in 11 games in October v Brighton.
Crystal Palace have already beaten one south coast team at home this season.
Crystal Palace’s record v south coast sides last season was better than Brighton’s against London sides. Although that’s a pretty unfair given the strength of London v SouthCoast sides.
Why Brighton can win.
Brighton have a 100% record away to mid eight teams this season.
Brighton have looked quite good this year and aren’t getting the results they deserve yet.
Brighton have scored 2.5 more goals away than Crystal Palace at home.
Barely Interesting Stat:
This will only be the third ever game between these teams on a Sunday.
In the last four games v Crystal Palace, Brighton have scored 0,1,2,3 goals (most recent game first).
Why We Should Care:
A decent match between two fierce rivals in the south-east that would probably be more fun if there was a crowd.
We Say….
Crystal Palace 1 Brighton 3
SPURS v WEST HAM
MATCH STATS
Why Spurs can win
Son + Kane = Goals Well it does away anyway.
Spurs have won four of the last five clashes between these sides.
Spurs have won nine of 13 games on Sunday overall.
Why West Ham can win.
Spurs have picked up just one point at home this season so far.
West Ham have won four of the past nine clashes at Spurs.
Barely Interesting Stat:
West Ham are having a very symmetrical season so far. Same points, goals for, goals against for both home and away. If only they were 11th then their table position would also be symmetrical. Even the xG for and against almost exactly matches the actuals.
Why We Should Care:
London derby with both sides impressing and surprising last time out. With their various hot and cold it will be fun to work out which one of each team will turn up.
We Say….
Spurs 1 West Ham 1
LEICESTER v ASTON VILLA
MATCH STATS
Why Leicester can win
Leicester have won three of the four games v Aston Villa last from 2010.
Leicester are equal top scorers this season with 12 goals in four games. Although Aston Villa are only one goal behind with a game to spare.
Hopefully the break did Leicester well, as were well beaten v West Ham the previous round.
Why Aston Villa can win.
Beating Liverpool 7-2 should be enough credit to win the next few games.
Jack Grealish.
Barely Interesting Stat:
There has only been one game at Leicester v Aston Villa on a Sunday. A 3-2 Leicester win in 2015.
Why We Should Care:
After thrashing Liverpool 7-2 no less, there will/should be loads of interest in how Aston Villa fare this weekend. Leicester too are interesting going form a 5-2 win at Manchester City to home to West Ham loss of 3-0
We Say….
Leicester 1 Aston Villa 2
WEST BROM v BURNLEY
MATCH STATS
Why West Brom can win
They were good enough to hold Chelsea to a 3-3 draw last home.
Although Burnley beat them at home last time, West Brom had won nine of the preceding 11 games with two draws.
Burnley managed jsut two points against midlands teams away last season.
Why Burnley can win.
Burnley did win the last match between these sides at the Hawthorns.
Barely Interesting Stat:
There have only been two games on a Monday between these sides and the record is 1-1. For the rest of the midweek days, Burnley lead the H2H 4-0.
Why We Should Care:
As if the point-less second last v last wasn’t enough this weekend, you get this third last v fourth last blockbuster. At least West Brom have a point this season.
We Say….
West Brom 2 Burnley 0
LEEDS v WOLVES
MATCH STATS
Why Leeds can win
Can be competitive against Man City and Liverpool then they should be in good shape v Wolves.
Why Wolves can win.
Wolves have won the last three games on a Monday v Leeds and five of the last six.
Barely Interesting Stat:
There have been 14 games between these sides in October and all have them have been on a Saturday. Leeds have won 50% of them too.
Why We Should Care:
If you haven’t had enough football by now, then this game will see a real battle of footballing philosophies.
We Say….
Leeds 1 Wolves 0
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