Premier League Predictor: Round 9 Predictions

Round 8 was a slightly improved one for my Predictor form, with a just above average 6/10 and a couple of Exacts for the United and Liverpool wins.

This week, we have a Friday night start so don't forget to get your predictions in and warn others in your leagues too! As always, there are a few very difficult games to predict, particularly on Sunday afternoon.

Here are my thoughts on each game. Which picks do you disagree with?

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Leicester vs. Nottingham Forest

Not the easiest game to begin with now that Leicester City are finding some form. Having won at Southampton and Liverpool already this season, Nottingham Forest are clearly capable of taking all 3 points here and probably start as favourites, but I feel Leicester might be good for a point with home advantage - they've only lost once at the King Power so far this season. Prediction: Leicester 1-1 Nottingham Forest

Aston Villa vs. Bournemouth

Aston Villa continue to really impress under Unai Emery - top of the Champions League as things stand as well as back inside the Premier League's top four! I rate Bournemouth but I'd only really consider picking them to win this game if it was being played at the Vitality. At home, Villa should have enough but I think the visitors will score. Prediction: Aston Villa 2-1 Bournemouth

Brentford vs. Ipswich

Brentford have been solid at home so far this season so it makes sense to go with a home win here even though Ipswich will surely get a win on the board before too long. With Yoane Wissa now back fit, Brentford should only get stronger and build upon a fairly good start so you'd expect them to be far more comfortable this season than they were last year. Prediction: Brentford 3-1 Ipswich

Brighton vs. Wolves

It feels as if I'm always saying the same thing about Wolves and last week was another example of a decent performance but yet another loss. Their fixtures are now finally getting slightly easier, but they are of course still underdogs in this one after Brighton's impressive win at Newcastle in Round 8. It's risky, but I'm going with a slight upset and predicting Wolves can manage a point as we've already seen Brighton drop points in a couple of favourable home games this season. There's still part of me that thinks Wolves might be back to being terrible defensively and end up losing heavily, though. Prediction: Brighton 1-1 Wolves

Manchester City vs. Southampton

This is a far more straightforward prediction to make, as even if Southampton manage a miracle and finally find their first win of the season at the Etihad of all places, no one is picking them do so. Even with quite a few notable injuries, Man City should walk this. Prediction: Manchester City 3-0 Southampton

Everton vs. Fulham

This is a really difficult one and I could easily be persuaded by an argument for any of the three potential outcomes so I'd be interested to hear what you are going with in the comments. It often makes sense to go with Everton when they're at home in a fairly even game like this, but Fulham's record at Goodison is actually really good and I'd say the only defeats Marco Silva's side have suffered so far this season have come in games where they're fairly clear underdogs. I'm going with Fulham to get a result and feel they might even manage all three points. Prediction: Everton 0-1 Fulham

Chelsea vs. Newcastle

I'm going against Newcastle here because they're not in great form and their record at Stamford Bridge is poor, but if they can improve their finishing a win definitely isn't out of the question because they will get opportunities against this Chelsea side. Enzo Maresca's team are progressing well though, particularly in attack, so I think they'll score enough goals to win this game. Prediction: Chelsea 3-1 Newcastle

Crystal Palace vs. Tottenham

Part of me still feels that Crystal Palace will come good again under Oliver Glasner when I look at their lineup and think back to how they were playing last season, but it seems many Palace supporters who are far more qualified to cast judgement than I am are beginning to feel a change is required. It's certainly true that they should have recruited more wing-back depth (perhaps as a priority ahead of Eddie Nketiah?) with Glasner seemingly so attached to this system.

Tottenham are looking good in attack at the moment and it feels as if it makes sense to pick an away win. I think it will be close and Palace are certainly 'due' but as I mentioned last week, I don't really like backing teams on that basis. Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-2 Tottenham

West Ham vs. Manchester United

I haven't got a clue what to pick here as neither team can be counted on at all, but West Ham were particularly bad in the second half last week at Spurs and without Mohammed Kudus it feels unlikely they'll be able to pick up a win in this game despite a good recent home record against Manchester United. Like most, I was quite surprised by the team Erik ten Hag picked for the Europa League game against Fenerbahce on Thursday but I suppose Rasmus Hojlund will now be slightly fresher for this one and Bruno Fernandes was forced into finally having a rest too with his suspension. Prediction: West Ham 1-2 Manchester United

Arsenal vs. Liverpool

At the start of the season, I definitely didn't expect Liverpool to be going into this fixture top of the league and 4 points clear of Arsenal, and even though I didn't think the Reds were amazing in their win over Chelsea last week, you can't argue with 12 wins from 13 games so far this season for Arne Slot. With that kind of form, Liverpool should fancy their chances against Arsenal given the absence of William Saliba and Martin Odegaard, but I don't really see the Gunners losing at home. I was ready to pick an Arsenal win, but the absence of those key players does make me think this could finish level, particularly since Liverpool would likely take a draw to cement what is a pretty solid position at this early stage? Prediction: Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool

Good luck with your own picks in Round 9 and feel free to leave them in the comments!

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