Premier League predictions: Gameweek 9

There has been plenty of European action to keep us busy midweek but the Premier League returns on Friday night.

That's right, it's an early start for England's top flight despite a flurry of continental action, with an East Midlands derby between Leicester City and Nottingham Forest getting Gameweek 9 underway.

Five matches follow on Saturday but Sunday is when the majority of the league's elite sides are in action. Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur all feature after Thursday night exploits and there is a gargantuan clash at the Emirates Stadium, too.

Here are 90min's predictions for Gameweek 9 in the Premier League.

Friday 25 October

As mentioned, it's Leicester and Nottingham Forest who kickstart Gameweek 9. An East Midlands rivalry at the King Power Stadium sees Foxes boss Steve Cooper face Forest for the first time since being dismissed by the club last December.

Two victories on the bounce have lifted morale around the King Power after a difficult start to Cooper's reign, with this exact fixture finishing 4-0 in Leicester's favour back in 2022/23. However, Forest will be determined to avenge that defeat and their recent victory over Crystal Palace has seen them rise to eighth in the table.

Saturday 26 October

There is no early kick-off in the Premier League this Saturday but there are four fixtures taking place in the 3pm blackout slot. One of those is Aston Villa vs Bournemouth, a game that promises to be an entertaining affair.

Villa made it ten games unbeaten midweek as they maintained their perfect European record in a 2-0 win over Bologna. The Villans and Liverpool are the only two sides to have won all three of their Champions League encounters this term, with Andoni Iraola's Cherries looking to dent their confidence and build on an impressive recent victory over ten-man Arsenal.

Ipswich Town are still without a Premier League win this term and will have to be the first side to triumph at Brentford this season if they're to end their tough run. The Tractor Boys have performed admirably and earned four draws from their first eight outings, but Thomas Frank's Bees have the third-best home record in the division and have started the season well despite tricky fixtures.

Wolverhampton Wanderers were left incandescent with rage after their controversial late defeat to Manchester City last weekend. The Old Gold are rock bottom of the table and have lost seven of their opening eight games. Securing a first win of the Premier League season will prove challenging against the well-organised Brighton & Hove Albion, who beat Newcastle United last weekend on the road.

Man City know that at least one of Arsenal and Liverpool will drop points this weekend and must take advantage by beating winless Southampton. Despite some nervy recent results in the league, Pep Guardiola's side should sweep the Saints aside with little fuss and pile more pressure on Russell Martin.

The day's late kick-off lacks the glamour of some of Sunday's fixtures but it promises to be an interesting clash between Everton and Fulham. The Toffees are unbeaten in four matches after a dismal start to the season and meet a Fulham team sat in mid-table after an encouraging beginning to 2024/25.

Sunday 27 October

Chelsea enjoyed victory in the Europa Conference League on Thursday but the majority of their regular starting XI were rested for the trip to Panathinaikos. That bodes well for the Blues as they welcome out-of-form Newcastle United to Stamford Bridge, with the Magpies having last won a Premier League match in mid-September.

Tottenham were also victorious on Thursday night and will be excited by the prospect of travelling across London to visit Crystal Palace. Spurs are in strong form ahead of their visit to Selhurst Park but the same can't be said for the Eagles, who are yet to win in the Premier League and have lost the last three matches.

Erik ten Hag is continually on the edge of the sack and a 1-1 draw with Fenerbahce on Thursday won't have aided his bid to avoid the chop. However, Manchester United did beat Brentford last weekend after coming from behind and visit a West Ham United side who were thrashed 4-1 by Tottenham most recently. Julen Lopetegui has seen his side swatted aside by the division's 'big six' this term and needs a reaction from his players.

Gameweek 9's final encounter is a cracker. Arsenal play host to Liverpool in north London in a fixture which could have big ramifications on the early stages of the title race. The Gunners are without some important players for Sunday and face a Liverpool team that have won all but one fixture under Arne Slot thus far, including a 2-1 win over Chelsea last weekend. Man City will be looking on with interest.

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