Premier League Matchday 5 picks for Sept 18-19: West Ham aim to end Man United’s unbeaten streak

Premier League matchday 5 kicks off this weekend with 10 matches across three days of the Premier League. The headline game will come to you from London as West Ham host Manchester United. The game features two of the Premier League’s unbeaten teams.

As always here on Zcode System, we will use the Soccer Buddy tool to dissect and predict the games for Premier League matchday 5.

Zcode System tip: 29 of the 40 matches played in the Premier League this season have been won or drawn by the home team. Fans are back in the stadiums and making a difference for home clubs. 

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Brentford

Wolverhampton Wanderers host Brentford at Molineux on Saturday in the Premier League’s early game. Brentford lost for the first time this season on matchday 4, conceding a late goal to Brighton to lose 1-0.

Wolverhampton Wanderers won for the first time this season last time out against Watford, 2-0. Wolves have been brilliant in attack, but they have been poor at finishing chances. The Old Gold have an xG of 7.19 while only scoring 2.0 real goals. Defensively they have conceded just three goals.

Bruno Lage’s Wolverhampton team has racked up the third-most shots this season with 71 after four games. The team’s finishing has been poor. On Saturday, Lage should get the team converting those chances, just as they did on matchday 4 versus Watford.

Zcode System’s Soccer Buddy tip is to back Wolves to win. There is the alternative to wager on both teams to score and/or over 2.5 goals tallied. 

Result: Wolverhampton Wanderers to win

West Ham vs. Manchester United

Cristiano Ronaldo made his return to Manchester United last weekend and scored twice against a poor Newcastle team. West Ham should give the Red Devils a stronger game on Sunday. Manchester United lost in midweek in a shock 2-1 defeat against Young Boys Bern in the Champions League. Which Manchester United team will we see this weekend? The team that beat Newcastle 4-1 or the side that lost in the Champions League?

West Ham are unbeaten in four games with eight points from 12 possible. The Hammers have outscored opponents 10-5 this season, but they have drawn back-to-back games after winning two straight.

West Ham are also coming off of a midweek European match. The Hammers went to Croatia and defeated Dinamo Zagreb. Don’t count out West Ham in this game. West Ham are unbeaten in five of their last eight matches against Manchester United in all competitions.

Zcode System’s Soccer Body pick is for a Manchester United 2-1 win. It is a fair pick as Ronaldo is the x-factor for Manchester United. Ultimately, the Red Devils should come out on top in a close match. 

Result: Manchester United to win

Tottenham Hotspur vs. Chelsea

After starting out the season winning three straight matches and going top of the table, Tottenham Hotspur lost 3-0 to Crystal Palace in a shock loss on matchday 4. Now, Nuno Espirito Santo’s team host Chelsea, who are joint first in the league after four games.

Chelsea have looked brilliant thus far. The Blues’ signing of Romelu Lukaku has given them an outright goalscorer who is absolutely ruthless. Despite the qualities Chelsea have shown, Spurs have a good defence, which wasn’t shown against Crystal Palace. Injuries and suspensions affected Spurs a week ago.

Tottenham have up to nine injuries and suspensions going into the game. Potentially without so many players, Spurs should struggle against the reigning European Champions.

Zcode System’s Soccer Buddy predicts Chelsea to win this game 2-1. With Spurs having issues with fitness, Chelsea should win but by a very narrow scoreline. 

Result: Chelsea to win