As we approach another week in the Barclays Premier League – Gameweek 9 – after the International break, many of us will be wanting to get back to our Fantasy Football once again after a week break. A week which saw the whole nation stand up once again in their impressive 3-2 win over Spain in their own vicinity. Southgate’s men putting in a performance that would have had us fans itching for the Premier League to resume as soon as possible.
Well, this Saturday our wishes come true as the weekend starts off to a flyer with Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United travelling to Maurizio Sarri’s in-form Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. A game that should have pulses raises even if we’re only nine games in, but it is a game that has many implications as will be addressed during this Barclays Premier League Week 9 Preview:
Saturday’s Fixtures:
Chelsea vs Manchester United, (12:30pm)
Yeah, we’re only nine games in, but this is a massive game. A game that could have huge ramifications come Saturday lunch time. Chelsea in need of a victory to further embark on their strong push for a title challenge in what has been an impressive start for Maurizio Sarri in his first season at the helm. What’s impressive about Sarri’s tenure so far is how quick his players have adapted to his philosophy and its further helped by the explosive form of Eden Hazard – the Premier League’s top scorer with 7 goals heading into this weekend’s game.
Chelsea cannot allow this season’s favourites City and Liverpool to slip away at the top of the table whereas on the other hand Mourinho and his men are in need of a victory to build on their nail-biting 3-2 win over Newcastle. Let’s be honest, it hasn’t been a good start for United by an means, and a win here at Stamford Bridge – something they have achieved only once in their last 10 trips here – could be the statement win Mourinho needs.
In such a high pressured, eagerly anticipated fixture, these are the games Mourinho thrives off, he may have reportedly been close to the sack had they not won against Newcastle but could that win be the turning point? The kick up the backside for Mourinho’s men? We’ll find out.
Though I feel Chelsea may just have too much for United, Hazard to prove the difference here. Do not rule out a Mourinho masterclass though…
Match Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Man United
Bournemouth vs Southampton (15:00pm)
I know this may be cliche already, but what a tremendous job Eddie Howe is doing at the Vitality stadium. They have started this season in brilliant form finding themselves in 6th place. Not only that, but you could see the progression in their play and Eddie Howe’s stubbornness not to divert from his style and stick to his guns regardless of if his side are winning or not. A lot of people have discussed Eddie Howe’s chances of moving to a top club in future but have people thought about the prospect of him staying and building a dynasty at the club and probably taking the club to Europe. That will be Howe’s plans moving further, what are Bournemouth ambitions this season? Just how far can Eddie Howe take his men this season?
Southampton on the other hand find themselves in a dire situation with only 5 points from a possible 24 rotting away near the relegation places. Certainly, we’re still at the start of the season, but you can’t help but feel a sour note surrounding the club. No doubting Mark Hughes’ qualities as a coach but it seems as though he is cutting it thin at St Mary’s. There is no real urgency or penetration in their play at this moment in time and Hughes may be running out of time to sort out their mess.
Bournemouth to run away with it here.
Match Prediction: Bournemouth 3-0 Southampton
Cardiff vs Fulham (15:00pm)
This is a must win game for Cardiff. If they struggle to beat Fulham on their own turf then will really struggle to beat the drop this season. Hats off to Neil Warnock for his effort so far but do Cardiff really have the quality, the know how or maybe even that goalscorer that can make all the difference when it comes to fighting relegation? I really don’t see it at all right now. You can’t really see where Cardiff will get their first win from, and Fulham are no pushovers despite their recent loss of form after an impressive start to the season.
Cardiff were one of my picks to be relegated back to the Championship and my prediction may be on the ball if they continue to struggle as they are. Fulham though, after their battering defeat at home to Arsenal will have angered boss Slavisa Jokanovic. They were so open and left exposed at the back as Arsenal tore them to shreds in their own back yard. Fulham do have the quality up front with Mitrovic, Andre Schurrle, Ryan Sessegnon and Luciano Vietto the pick of the bunch but its at the back which needs work and this International break will have provided Jokanovic with the opportunity to shore up it up.
Fulham to nick this one.
Match Prediction: Cardiff 1-3 Fulham
Manchester City vs Burnley (15:00pm)
This is a nightmare game for Burnley. Sean Dyche will want to get this one out of the way quickly and restart again next week. Man City trounced Burnley by 7 goals in the corresponding fixture last season at the Etihad and Sean Dyche will hoping and praying City are much more lenient this time around but you won’t find Pep Guardiola complaining as they try to garner as much points as possible heading into a very busy couple of months.
Man City shoe-in victors in this one. You can bet your mortgage.
Match Prediction: Manchester City 4-0 Burnley.
Newcastle vs Brighton (15:00pm)
Gutted. Hopeless. Embarrassed. Distraught. These are the feelings Rafael Benitez would have felt after United’s comeback at Old Trafford couple weeks ago. Newcastle were two nil up and comfortable at half-time only to surrender their efforts. Benitez is in desperate need of a victory here which would be their first of the season, however they are up against a resolute and stable Brighton side who are in such good hands in manager Chris Houghton, though they are not the best side away from the Amex Stadium and win against his old club would be priceless. Though I get the feeling Benitez and his Newcastle side will get off the mark in this one.
Match Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Brighton
West Ham vs Tottenham Hotspur (15:00pm)
The second biggest game of the weekend in my view. A massive London derby. West Ham and their supporters will be up for this one like they were in their draw against Chelsea and the very impressive 3-1 victory over Manchester United. You can see what Manuel Pellegrini is trying to instill into his place and at the London Stadium. Yes, it isn’t Upton Park but if West Ham can garner even some of the fear factor then they could be a force under Pellegrini – we seem to forget the fact that the Argentinian coach has a winners medal in his cabinet. He Surely needs the time to rebuild a team that has lost its competitive edge these last two years.
Tottenham on the other hand have had a really mixed start to the season, yes, they find themselves in 5th place right now, but their lack of activity in the summer just seems to have dampened the mood around the club, and you may feel it may come back to bite them in the end. We’re already finding that out in Europe. You need reserve quality at your disposal if you are to challenge for trophies and looking at Tottenham’s bench, you just can’t spot any. Another top four finish would be an impressive feat for Pochettino. They do have the quality to.
Though, I think West Ham may snatch this one. Exciting game in prospect.
Match prediction: West Ham 2-1 Tottenham
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Watford (15:00pm)
I’m looking forward to this game. Wolves are my favorite to watch in the Premier League, and Nuno Santo has got them playing with fluidity, excitement and confidence. From the start of the season, I said Wolves are good enough to finish in the top eight and I am sticking by that prediction. With Ruben Neves and Jao Moutinho in your midfield, you can really achieve anything. Watch out for Wolves this season.
Watford this season have been too inconsistent so far this season. Ever since their defeat to United at Vicarage Road a few weeks ago, they haven’t looked the same. Bournemouth taught them a real lesson last time out and they are need of some redemption. Can Javi Garcia get Watford back on track in this game? I don’t think so.
Match Prediction: Wolves 2-1 Watford
Huddersfield vs Liverpool (17:30pm)
Liverpool will have too much for Huddersfield in this game. David Wagner may feel his side can improve on their home form of late but Liverpool do mean business this year and Klopp would expect no less than a victory here to further stamp their authority against the likes Manchester City and Chelsea. There may be no Mane or Salah in the matchday squad on Saturday but Liverpool should come out victorious even despite Huddersfield’s poor form.
Match Prediction: Huddersfield 0-3 Liverpool
Sunday’s Fixture:
Everton vs Crystal Palace (16:00pm)
Wilfried Zaha is injured. Which means Crystal Palace are injured, and you wonder how Roy Hodgson and his side will cope without their star man who was injured on international duty with Ivory Coast. The stats do not make telling reading regarding their points total without Zaha in the side. His explosiveness and skill just seem to take Palace to another level at times, how are they gonna cope against a resurgent Everton at Goodison?
Everton’s victory over Leicester was one they desperately needed. If you look at their squad, Everton should really be aiming for top six, but the question remains whether Marco Silva is the man to really take the club to the next level.
Goodison will be a happy homecoming this weekend.
Match Prediction: Everton 2-0 Crystal Palace
Monday Night Football:
Arsenal vs Leicester (20:00pm)
All praise must got to Unai Emery for Arsenal’s stunning form so far, nine wins from nine represents a more than steady progression for Arsenal which makes us ponder what Emery can acheive in his first season at the helm. Another prestigious Europa League trophy wouldn’t go amiss after his remarkable three honours with Sevilla. Why not a domestic trophy, either the FA Cup or even the Carabao Cup would be a huge success for the Spanish coach. The Premier League would be too much a step for the gunners but with Aubameyang and Lacazette as their main front men, they may just cause some real problems.
Leicester on the other hand have too inconsistent under Claude Puel so far this season. What does the Frenchman need to fix in order for the 2016 Premier League champions to become a mid-table force once again. They have enough quality in their squad but Puel is failing to strike the balance right at this moment. One player really impressing right now is James Maddison. Losing Mahrez in the summer was a huge loss but Maddison has taken on the creative mantle like a duck to water, he could be Leicester’s key man providing he remains fit throughout the season.
Match Prediciton: Arsenal 3-1 Leicester City
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