Premier League Predictions: Man City and Arsenal to drop points in GW9

After eight gameweeks, I (Nick) remain top of the Betfred Insights Premier League Predictions leaderboard, although Simon isn't too far behind, and a strong showing this weekend could move Conor closer to first.

We're back for Gameweek Nine this weekend, with a couple of twists tipped in the title race.

Leeds vs West Ham (Fri 20:00) - 1-0 @ 11/2

West Ham can’t be as bad as Monday night, can they? The Irons produced one of the worst displays I have ever seen from a Premier League side in their 2-0 home defeat to Brentford, who ought to have won by a bigger scoreline, really.

The good thing for Hammers is that they can’t get much worse, but can they get any better?

Elland Road is a tough place to go at the best of times, and Leeds will be desperate for a victory on Friday night after failing to win any of their last three games, losing the last two.

The Whites have only won one, lost one, and drawn twice at home this season.

I’m not expecting many goals in West Yorkshire, but I think Leeds can nick it. 1-0.

Conor: 2-1

Simon: 1-1

Chelsea vs Sunderland (Sat 15:00) - 2-0 @ 11/2

Chelsea have won their last three games, including their last two in the Premier League, notably beating reigning Premier League champions Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on October 4.

Next up in west London, the Blues host newly-promoted Sunderland, who are making more than a decent fist of it in the top flight. The Black Cats are currently seventh in the table, having won four times already.

However, as good as Regis Le Bris' side have been, they were afforded a kind fixture list at the start of the season, and have only played one of the 'elite' clubs, Manchester United, who I admit aren't so elite on the pitch anymore. Still, Sunderland were beaten 2-0 at Old Trafford earlier this month, and I wonder whether a similar outcome might befall them at the Bridge this weekend.

Sunderland have scored just once in four Premier League away games, losing to nil twice on their travels, while Chelsea have kept two clean sheets at home in the league this season.

Conor: 2-1

Simon: 3-0

Brentford vs Liverpool (Sat 20:00) - 1-2 @ 7/1

Brentford were terrific at West Ham on Monday night, recording 22 attempts at goal, which should instil confidence heading into their Saturday night clash against Liverpool at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Liverpool, meanwhile, were on a four-game losing run heading into their midweek trip to Eintracht Frankfurt, but they gloriously ended their streak, battering the Bundesliga side 5-1 in the Uefa Champions League.

That win should restore some confidence in the Reds' ranks ahead of a game against Brentford, who they have beaten five times on the trot.

I can see the Bees scoring this weekend, but I'm backing the visitors to come up trumps in west London, with Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz and Cody Gakpo all impressing in midweek.

Conor: 2-3

Simon: 2-2

Arsenal vs Crystal Palace (Sun 14:00) - 1-1 @ 8/1

Another early twist in the Premier League title race? Arsenal are in terrific form, winning their last six games in all competitions since being held 1-1 at home by Manchester City on September 21.

However, while they won big in midweek, taking Atletico Madrid apart 4-0 in the Champions League, two of their last three Premier League wins have been close contests, as they secured a last-gasp 2-1 victory at Newcastle and edged past Fulham 1-0 at Craven Cottage, either side of a 2-0 home success against West Ham.

Today's Football Fixtures

Crystal Palace, meanwhile, were on a 19-match unbeaten run stretching back to last season before they were undone in the dying embers of a 2-1 defeat at Everton on October 5, which was the first of a winless run that stretched to three with a 1-0 Uefa Conference League home loss to AEK Larnaca on Thursday.

The Eagles aren't in great form, but they were only beaten at Everton by a 93rd-minute winner, and came from two goals down to draw 3-3 with Bournemouth in their last league game.

Palace frustrated Arsenal at the Emirates in April, holding the Gunners to a 2-2 stalemate, and I think they can take points off Mikel Arteta's side again this weekend.

Conor: 1-0

Simon: 2-0

Aston Villa vs Man City (Sun 14:00) 2-1 @ 12/1

I'm also backing Man City to drop points, but unlike their north London counterparts, I think Pep Guardiola's charges will come away with nothing from their trip to Villa Park on Sunday.

Granted, Aston Villa experienced their own European shame in midweek, losing 2-1 to Go Ahead Eagles in the Uefa Europa League, but Unai Emery's men had won their last five games in all competitions, and you can bet the likes of John McGinn, Morgan Rogers and Boubacar Kamara will all return to the starting XI this weekend.

City are unbeaten in the league since losing 2-1 at Brighton on August 31, but they only scraped past Brentford 1-0 in their last away match and also dropped points at Arsenal earlier in the campaign.

Villa have won their last three at Villa Park, as well as the last two head-to-heads with City on home soil, and I think the Citizens will come unstuck in Birmingham for a fourth year running, having also drawn 1-1 there in September 2022.

Conor: 1-3

Simon: 1-2

Bournemouth vs Nottingham Forest (Sun 14:00) 2-1 @ 7/1

Bournemouth are unbeaten in the league since an opening-day 4-2 defeat at Liverpool, winning four and drawing three of their subsequent seven matches.

The Cherries have won three out of four at Vitality Stadium, with only Newcastle (0-0) taking points off them on the South Coast.

Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, are winless in their last six Premier League games (D1, L5), but Sean Dyche took over from Ange Postecoglou earlier this week and got off to a winning start, beating FC Porto 2-0 in the Europa League on Thursday.

However, that was at the City Ground, and Dyche may not be able to inspire his new side to such a result on Sunday.

Bournemouth won last season's corresponding fixture 5-0, and while that scoreline is unlikely to be repeated this weekend, they should claim all three points again, having enjoyed more than a week off, unlike the Tricky Trees.

Conor: 2-1

Simon: 0-1 

Wolves vs Burnley (Sun 14:00) 2-1 @ 8/1

This is unlikely to be a classic, given both sides' struggles this season, but it's a hugely important encounter for one in particular, Wolves, as they are the only remaining Premier League team without a win this season.

The Old Gold lost their first three at Molineux, but drew 1-1 with Brighton last time out there, and were leading from the 21st minute until the 86th, so they are getting closer to a victory on home soil.

Conor: 1-1

Simon: 0-0

Football Odds

Burnley, meanwhile, have lost all four away games this term, although they have scored in their last three, so I fancy both teams to score here, but Wolves to edge it.

Everton vs Tottenham (Sun 16:30) 1-1 @ 11/2

Everton remain unbeaten at their new home, Hill Dickinson Stadium, after four Premier League games and one in the Carabao Cup. The Toffees beat Palace 2-1 there last time out, and now welcome a Spurs side that were beaten 2-1 at home by Villa last weekend, although Thomas Frank's charges did win their last away game 2-1 at Leeds on October 4.

Spurs, in fact, are unbeaten on their league travels this term, winning three and drawing one of their four matches, and while I make Everton favourites to win on Sunday, I do believe the visitors can just about claim a point on Merseyside.

Conor: 2-1

Simon: 2-2

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