Premier League predictions: Gameweek 9

The October international break is over and Premier League football returns with a fixture list filled with high-profile derbies and six-pointers galore.

Arsenal’s victory over Manchester City before national team duties began added fresh intrigue into the title race and the Gunners are tasked with carrying their momentum into a London showdown at rivals Chelsea.

Before that clash on Saturday evening, however, the day’s selection of games starts at Anfield with Liverpool hosting Everton in the Merseyside derby.

Eight matches take place on Saturday – including a lesser spotted 20:00 BST kick-off involving Sheffield United and Manchester United – before a fixture apiece on Sunday and Monday.

Here’s how 90min expects Gameweek 9 of the 2023/24 Premier League season to pan out.

Liverpool kick-start proceedings in the early kick-off – like they did after the first international break of the season with a win at Wolves – with a derby day special when an optimistic Everton side make the short trip across Stanley Park. While the Toffees enjoyed a much-needed 3-0 win over Bournemouth last time out, Jurgen Klopp’s Reds will be keen to end a two-game winless run with a comprehensive victory.

There are five 15:00 BST kick-offs on Saturday, the headline act being Manchester City vs Brighton. The Cityzens’ defeat at the Emirate Stadium was their second league failure in a row after a loss at Wolves and Rodri’s return could not have come at a more ideal time, especially with the Seagulls capable of opening any defence even after some ropey results.

Andoni Iraola is hoping his first league win with Bournemouth will come at the ninth attempt when Wolves travel to the south coast. Gary O’Neil will want a victory against the side he kept up last season before being given his marching orders.

Brentford were minutes away from an important win at Old Trafford before Scott McTominay came up clutch for Manchester United, meaning three points are a must when Burnley visit the Gtech Community Stadium.

A seven-match unbeaten streak in all competitions has revived the mood at Newcastle after a tricky start to the season. The Magpies are favourites against a Crystal Palace side that boast one of the stingiest defences in England but also one of the bluntest attacks, scoring and conceding seven goals apiece in eight games.

A first ever managerial duel between Mauricio Pochettino and Mikel Arteta will occur when Chelsea entertain Arsenal at Stamford Bridge. The two bosses only squared off once in their playing days, with Pochettino’s Espanyol besting Arteta’s Real Sociedad in 2004, but the Gunners boss is fancied to record a fourth straight league win away at the Blues’ home.

Sheffield United are bottom of the Premier League and one of two sides alongside Bournemouth still yet to win a match. Paul Heckingbottom’s beleaguered hosts welcome Manchester United to Bramall Lane, with Erik ten Hag keen to improve the Red Devils’ own league standing of tenth.

Sunday’s only top flight fixture sees two Europa Conference League and Europa League representatives battle it out when Aston Villa and West Ham face off in Birmingham. This has been a surprisingly one-sided encounter in recent years, with Villa’s last win against the Hammers coming all the way back in 2015 when Tim Sherwood was in charge.

Another of Timmy’s former clubs in Tottenham round off the weekend’s slate of fixtures by hosting Fulham on Monday night. The Cottagers have already got one over their London rivals this season, eliminating a much-changed Spurs side on penalties in the second round of the Carabao Cup.

Read More: World News | Entertainment News | Celeb News
90Mins