Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City consolidate their title challenges while Man United take a step back
Focus returns to the Premier League this weekend. Here are our predictions…
After another eventful midweek of European action, the Premier League returns this weekend with some mouth-watering fixtures on the schedule for week nine.
After being written off following last Sunday’s defeat to Manchester United, Liverpool bounced back in emphatic fashion with a 5-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt, while Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Newcastle also recorded Champions League victories.
Let’s take a look at what’s in store over the coming days as domestic action takes center stage and offer our weekly Premier League predictions.
FRIDAY
Leeds v West Ham (8 p.m.)
West Ham were a disorganized mess against Brentford on Monday night. The scoreline ended 2-0, but the visitors could and should have been more emphatic winners.
A repeat of this performance at Elland Road will see a similar result.
Leeds have made a strong return to the Premier League, but their long-term fate will be decided in games like this.
Prediction: Leeds 2-1 West Ham
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SATURDAY
Chelsea v Sunderland (3 p.m.)
Sunderland have been the pick of the Premier League newcomers so far, but a trip to Chelsea represents their first clash with a title-contending team.
The loss of standout summer signing Omar Alderete to concussion protocols is a major blow for the Wearsiders, who must find a way to prevent Chelsea from scoring for free.
Enzo Maresca’s side have scored 10 goals in their last three matches in all competitions, including the 5-1 win over Ajax on Wednesday night.
Prediction: Chelsea 3-0 Sunderland
Newcastle v Fulham (3 p.m.)
Newcastle performed well in beating Benfica in midweek, a welcome return to form following last Saturday’s defeat at Brighton. In Nick Woltemade they have a man in form and Fulham’s first task will be to stop the German from scoring a free goal.
The Cottagers have lost their last three league games and it’s hard to see them emerging with anything here.
Prediction: Newcastle 3-1 Fulham
Manchester United v Brighton (5:30 p.m.)
Have Manchester United finally clicked under Ruben Amorim? That’s the million dollar question. The victory at Liverpool was the first time the team had won back-to-back league games under the Portuguese’s management, but most punters will need more convincing.
Amorim are unlikely to have chosen Brighton as their next opponent as they attempt to build momentum. The Seagulls have won on each of their last three Championship visits to Old Trafford.
Prediction: Man United 1-2 Brighton
Brentford v Liverpool (8 p.m.)
The depth of Liverpool’s squad was on full display against Eintracht as Arne Slot made five changes to his starting XI and then watched them run riot in Germany.
The big question ahead of the match is what he will do with Mohamed Salah. Will the Egyptian star be reinstated into the starting XI or will he spend another evening watching from the bench.
Brentford looked very good against West Ham, even taking into account the standard of the opposition, and will be no pushover.
Prediction: Brentford 1-2 Liverpool
SUNDAY
Bournemouth v Nottingham Forest (2:00 p.m.)
The game looks different now than it did a week ago. Forest looked more organized and disciplined in last night’s 2-0 defeat to Porto in the Europa League and the feeling is that they will be harder to beat under Sean Dyche than under Ange Postecoglou.
That said, Bournemouth have the ability to open up any side. And with Antoine Semenyo in great shape, we want the Cherries to get the job done.
Prediction: Bournemouth 1-0 Nottingham Forest
Arsenal v Crystal Palace (2 p.m.)
Can Palace stop heavyweight Arsenal? They will need to play better than in their 1-0 defeat to Cypriots AEK Larnaca last night if they are to have any chance of springing a surprise at the Emirates.
Even if they give their best, it may not be enough against a Gunners side who look strong all over the pitch. And in Viktor Gyokeres, they may have found the number nine they were missing in previous failed title attempts.
Prediction: Arsenal 3-0 Crystal Palace
Aston Villa v Manchester City (2 p.m.)
Like Palace, Villa were surprisingly beaten in Europe last night. Unai Emery’s men traveled to the Netherlands on the back of five straight wins but were unable to get past the Go Ahead Eagles.
A repeat of this performance will see a similar result against Manchester City.
City need a few more wins to really convince that they can mount a serious title challenge, and this would be a good place to start.
Prediction: Aston Vila 1-2 Manchester City
Wolves v Burnley (2 p.m.)
Is it too early to be described as a six-pointer from relegation? Probably not, because it’s hard to imagine either of these teams getting out of trouble with a long winning streak.
Burnley certainly improved their chances of staying with an excellent win over Leeds last weekend while Wolves were once again disappointing in losing at Sunderland.
A draw doesn’t help either side, so…
Prediction: Wolves 1-1 Burnley
Everton v Tottenham (4:30 p.m.)
It’s becoming increasingly difficult to know what to think of Thomas Frank’s Spurs. Bad against Villa last weekend and equally lackluster in a midweek draw at Monaco. Indeed, the victory at Leeds on October 4 is their only victory in the last five matches.
Everton are yet to lose at their new Hill Dickinson stadium and David Moyes is building an effective, if slightly uninspiring, side that won’t deliver much this season.
Prediction: Everton 1-1 Tottenham
