Premier League Predictions: Matchweek 9

FRIDAY:

LEEDS V WEST HAM

Leeds have been strong at home this season as they've collected points in all but one of their home games so far this season.

They've been in the majority of their games this season and especially at home where the Elland Road factor has definitely played a part.

I thought West Ham would put in a performance against Brentford on Monday as Nuno had an international break to work with his players and get them gelled into his way of playing.

But they put in anything but a performance as they were a long way off being the better side on the night and their display no doubt showed how big a job Nuno has on his hands.

Because of Leeds good home record so far this season, I'm backing them to keep it up in this one against an out of sorts Hammers team.

PREDICTION: 2-1

SATURDAY:

CHELSEA V SUNDERLAND

Chelsea blew Ajax away in mid-week and especially in the first half but they were massively helped out by Ajax having a player sent off.

They fielded a few youngsters in that game and one or two of them impressed including Estevao and Tyrique George and I can see them both be involved in this one because of the injuries Chelsea have.

Sunderland come into this game just a point off the top four and their start to the season has been the best by any newly promoted team.

They'll definitely be in the game here as they're a well drilled side who can mix their game up depending on the opposition.

But I think Chelsea should have enough in theme to away with the win despite the amount of injuries they have.

PREDICTION: 2-0

NEWCASTLE V FULHAM

Newcastle put in a clinical display against Benfica in midweek and they need to carry that performance with them into this game because their season is yet to get going.

The Magpies are currently 14th in the Premier League and need to start climbing the table if they're to be up there pushing for Europe again.

Fulham's season also is yet to get going and they come into this game in not the best of form following three straight defeats.

But they will make it a tough game for Newcastle in this one as they're a side who stay in games and are well drilled.

But I think Newcastle will find a way and come away with the points here and especially as they're at home where their record has been relatively strong.

PREDICTION: 2-0

MAN UNITED V BRIGHTON

Man United finally recorded back-to-back wins under Ruben Amorim with their win at Liverpool last weekend which was a win they needed.

Now they need to follow it up with another one in this game but I don't think they will as they don't always turn up when facing so-called lesser opposition.

Brighton did the double over them last season and have won this fixture in each of the last three seasons.

I fancy the Seagulls to bag another win in this one and with in-form Danny Welbeck scoring the winner against his former club.

PREDICTION: 0-2

BRENTFORD V LIVERPOOL

Brentford were very good in their win at West Ham on Monday which was their first win away from home this season.

Their home form has been solid like it has been ever since they've been in the Premier League and I can see them give Liverpool a good game here.

Liverpool got a much needed win against Eintracht Frankfurt in midweek where their performance was much improved and the balance of their team was much better.

But I don't see them repeating that performance in this one though as Brentford won't be as passive as Frankfurt were and will cause more problems.

There is a vulnerability about the reds defensively this season and I think Brentford will expose it because of how they play and especially at home.

I don't think the reds will lose as their performance in midweek could be a turning point for them, but I do think the Bees will make it difficult for them and give them a good game.

PREDICTION: 1-1

SUNDAY:

BOURNEMOUTH V NOTTINGHAM FOREST

Bournemouth were briefly top of the Premier League last weekend until Crystal Palace thought back and took two points off them.

Had they held on to their lead and won the game, I might've asked the question in my key points of the weekend post if they could do a Leicester.

Nottingham Forest will have Sean Dyche in charge for the first time here in the Premier League and his appointment in my opinion is the right one because they're in a relegation battle as things stand and he's the best man to get them out of it.

There is an argument that Postecoglou deserved more time but the truth is he was never the right man for them as the players just didn't fit his system and getting them to adjust to it during a season was always going to be challenging.

Dyche is very similar to Nuno in that he'll make Forest tough to beat, organised and get them playing on the counter attack.

I don't however see him getting off to a winning start as I've got to back Bournemouth because of the form they've been in and especially at home.

PREDICTION: 2-0

ARSENAL V CRYSTAL PALACE

Arsenal completely battered Atletico Madrid in midweek and made them look like a very average team which very few teams have been able to do over the years.

It was good to see Victor Gyokeres get on the scoresheet in that game and I'm hoping that he'll now start delivering the goals.

Crystal Palace showed resilience and character to come from behind and nick a draw against Bournemouth after being second best for the entire first half.

Oliver Glasner's side nicked a 2-2 draw in this fixture last season in which their now former player Eberechi Eze scored and they'll be facing off against their former talisman for the first time since he left in the summer.

Getting another result like that will be more challenging this time round as they come into this game off the back of being in Europe and are facing an Arsenal side who are much stronger than they were last season.

The Eagles will still make it a tough game for the Gunners, but with the squad Arsenal have I think they'll just edge this one with one of their subs coming on to score the winner.

PREDICTION: 2-1

ASTON VILLA V MAN CITY

Villa come into this game in decent form following four straight wins in all competitions which have boosted their confidence.

They've won this fixture in each of the last two seasons and I fancy them to do the same in this one as City will be starting the game without a recognised defensive midfielder.

Nico Gonzalez went off with a knock against Villarreal in midweek and is a doubt for this game whilst Rodri as a lot of people will know is out for another week.

Not having a recognised defensive midfielder could leave City vulnerable in midfield just like they were for the whole of last season and with the pace that Villa have, I can see them exploiting that space.

I'm backing them both to win a keep a clean sheet as I have a sneaky feeling that their defence will keep Erling Haaland quiet and end his goal scoring run.

PREDICTION: 2-0

WOLVES V BURNLEY

This is a must win game for Wolves as they're still waiting for their first win and this game has to be their best chance to get it.

Burnley are yet to pick up a point on the road this season and although they won against Leeds last weekend to lift themselves out of the bottom three, this game may feel like a must win game for them too.

But I'm backing Wolves to finally get that first win and relieve the pressure on manager Vitor Pereira and especially as they're at home.

PREDICTION: 2-0

EVERTON V TOTTENHAM

Everton are unbeaten at their new stadium since they moved there and it's taken them quicker to settle in there than I thought they would.

Spurs have fared better away than they have at home this season but haven't won any of their last six visits to Everton.

Everton will definitely make it difficult for them here as they're a side who are well drilled and organised and also a threat on the counter.

But I don't see them winning the game as they're lacking a clinical goal scorer up top and I think Spurs will do enough to get a result.

Because of this I'm going for a share of the points.

PREDICTION: 1-1