Premier League Predictor: Round 9 Picks
It feels like ages ago now but I've just looked back and Round 8 of the Premier League was a bit of a nightmare for most Superbru predictor players. I'd just about forgotten how frustrating it was to lose my Liverpool 1-1 Leicester Exact with Milner's late penalty so let's move on to this weekend!
Round 9 has some interesting fixtures but I expect each of them to have a fairly clear favourite at Superbru other than the tough opening pick. Here are my thoughts on each game.
Best of luck in Round Nine!
Round 9 has some interesting fixtures but I expect each of them to have a fairly clear favourite at Superbru other than the tough opening pick. Here are my thoughts on each game.
Everton vs. West Ham
This one's a bit of a coin flip. Everton have been pretty poor all season whereas West Ham have been looking good but then returned to their inconsistent selves by losing to Palace at home last week. Marco Silva is in serious trouble if he loses this match but I just feel he'll find three points. The fact Gbamin is now out for even longer than expected is a blow since he's the replacement for Gueye (who Everton are missing massively) but if they attack this West Ham team there's a good chance of success as Fabianski is a big miss for the visitors. Prediction: Everton 2-1 West HamBournemouth vs. Norwich
Norwich have been woeful defensively all season and Bournemouth have plenty of players that can hurt the Canaries. I'm not sure anyone felt confident Norwich could stay up this season even after that win over City but their 5-1 home loss against Villa really is concerning. Perhaps their long injury list is catching up with them, and I'd be surprised if they got anything in this game. Prediction: Bournemouth 3-0 NorwichAston Villa vs. Brighton
I've been tempted to go for a draw in this game as Brighton played so well against Spurs last time out but Villa are starting to look dangerous and their win at Norwich included the kind of attacking returns that their forwards have been threatening all season. I'm a little nervous about the first goal because I'm not sure Villa will win this if they go behind but if they score it I think they'll see the game out. Prediction: Aston Villa 2-0 BrightonChelsea vs. Newcastle
Chelsea should win this but I think Newcastle will make it tough if they can get through the first 20 minutes or so without conceding. The Blues have plenty of attacking threats but can still be weak defensively meaning much will depend on how brave Steve Bruce decides to be at Stamford Bridge. After picking up three important points against Man Utd, I think Newcastle will aim for this to be as low-scoring as possible but Chelsea should break through in the end. Prediction: Chelsea 2-0 NewcastleLeicester vs. Burnley
Burnley have only lost twice (vs. Arsenal and Liverpool) in what's been a pretty solid season so far for the Clarets but whilst I think they'll give Leicester a game, picking the Foxes is advisable for this one. Maddison is expected to be fit to start and alongside Ndidi and Tielemans, that really is a good midfield. The slight temptation I had to go with a draw has been removed by the news that Gudmundsson is out injured. Prediction: Leicester 1-0 BurnleyTottenham vs. Watford
I was annoyed at myself for only going with a draw for Brighton v Tottenham last time out as I felt Brighton were more likely to win than Spurs but this game is a little different. Tottenham have had the international break to re-group a little and they're playing a Watford side that hasn't won a single game in the PL this season and is without key players. It could well be tense at first but Spurs should definitely win this game now that Watford are missing Capoue as well as Deeney. Prediction: Tottenham 2-0 WatfordWolves vs. Southampton
Wolves are obviously coming off a fantastic win at City last time out while Southampton looked very poor defensively against Chelsea. I'm not convinced this will be easy for Wolves as the Saints have been OK on the road, or at least better than they have at home, but it should be yet another home win in this round! Prediction: Wolves 2-1 SouthamptonCrystal Palace vs. Manchester City
Everyone's talking about the Man Utd v Liverpool game, but this is a massive potential banana skin for City in my opinion, one that not too many people seem to be talking about. Guardiola's team have looked very panicky in games lately whenever they concede a goal, and they've already lost a lot of ground on Liverpool. There's now huge pressure on this game, Laporte is nowhere near a return to the team and Palace are doing well - if they win this match they'll go above City! Roy Hodgson will make sure his side are very organised and look to maintain the Eagles' unbeaten start at home this season. I'm backing City for a narrow win to cut the gap ahead of Liverpool's trip to Old Trafford because of de Bruyne being fit again but honestly wouldn't be surprised if they dropped more points. Prediction: Crystal Palace 0-1 Manchester CityManchester United vs. Liverpool
I can't remember ever feeling fairly sure that Liverpool would win a match at Old Trafford but it really is hard to see the hosts winning this one. It will be close, it almost always is, but I've gone from picking 0-0 to 0-1 because United really have been dreadful in recent weeks and will now be without both Pogba and de Gea. You only have to look at Liverpool's current winning run and results across this season and last to see why they're incredibly strong favourites for this match. They've been picking up late winners in recent games and can find a winner in this match too. Prediction: Man United 0-1 LiverpoolSheffield United vs. Arsenal
I'll probably wait to see the team news for this last game. Like most teams do because of Arsenal's away record, Sheffield United will have a go at the Gunners but I think an away win is on the cards if Emery is able to use the optimism that starts for Bellerin and Tierney would provide. Lacazette may also feature although I feel Arsenal are at their best when Aubameyang is playing down the middle (whether alongside Lacazette or not). If the full-backs still aren't ready, I reckon Sheffield United can get a point from this game and will probably go 1-1 but for now let's go with an Arsenal win. Prediction: Sheffield United 1-2 ArsenalBest of luck in Round Nine!
Hammy
6,032 caps
I don't agree with your Everton vs West Ham pick . A mate, a life long supporter of Evertom said 2>>0. We have a bet for a bottle of Scotch, The Hammers to win by minimum 2 goals , I am not interested in the score I am interested in the goal difference.
18 Oct 15:41
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TimmyT
29,904 caps
The 2 week break often throws up strange results - so I reckon the top 3 will all have setbacks this week.
18 Oct 19:56
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CHAZZA 2010
2,383 caps
Liverpool will win by more????
19 Oct 08:07
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I am bad at predicting
363 caps
How did Liverpool draw to man U? It's pathetic considering how bad man u have played and how good Liverpool have played. Still unbeaten tho
21 Oct 06:47
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MUFC1
8,291 caps
Good ?. Maybe Mourihno gave us some advise.Clearly Pool and Klopp did not enjoy the tactics we had. I take it other clubs will follow the same formula going forward. 21 Oct 08:39
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