The Premier League returns this weekend following another unfortunate international break.
The action gets underway with what should be a one-sided Merseyside Derby.
Fortunately, we should be treated to a few competitive fixtures when Man City host Brighton, and Arsenal take on Chelsea.
Our Offside Oracle has previewed all ten Premier League fixtures this weekend and provided his best bets below!
Game Week 9 gets underway with Merseyside Derby at Anfield, as Liverpool looks to punish their underachieving neighbours.
After a torrid start to the season, the Toffees have managed to secure points from three of the last five league starts (2W,1D,2L), including a 3-0 victory over the Cherries last time out.
Alternatively, the Reds blistering start to the campaign has hit a speed hump, dropping points to both Brighton and Tottenham across their last two starts.
History does not paint a kind picture for Everton, who have failed to score in the previous three Merseyside Derbies and only won this fixture once since 2010!
I’m backing the Reds to get the job done at Anfield, though an improved Toffees outfit should keep the scoreline respectable.
Speaking of the Cherries, they will be looking to snap a three game losing streak in the league as they take on Wolves.
After a slow start, Wolverhampton are well and truely hitting their straps, recently handing Man City their first loss of the season, before taking points off a highly fancied Villa outfit.
The Wolves have lost just one of their six PL meetings with Bournemouth (3W,2D), keeping a clean sheet in three of those fixtures.
I have the visitors scooping up all three points here, at what looks to be huge overs in the H2H market!
Two of the best defensive sides take to the field as the Toon welcome the Eagles to St James’ Park.
Crystal Palace are undefeated across their last three league starts (1W,2D), and have the third best defensive record in the league (7GA), with only Arsenal and Man City conceding less.
Meanwhile, Newcastle are unbeaten in four, conceding just two more goals than Palace across eight games, though they have proven much more clinical going the other way, with only Brighton (21) outscoring them this season (20GF).
Roy Hodgson has made the Eagles an extremely tough opponent to play against, and although I can’t see them pinching three points in Newcastle, I can see this being a hard-fought single goal fixture.
Brentford and Burnley will both be searching for their second win of the season when they meet at weekend.
Despite enduring a six game winless run in the league (3D,3L), the Bees have been playing decent football and are yet to be embarrassed on the pitch.
The same can not be said for the Clarets, who have been on the receiving end of multiple goal defeats on five occasions.
I’m taking the Bees to win comfortably at home in this one.
Manchester City enter uncharted territory, starring down the barrel of three straight league defeats for the first time since Pep’s appointment in 2016!
In fact, Guardiola has only lost back-to-back-to-back league fixtures once in his managerial career, this occurred while at the helm at Bayern Munich in 2015.
That being said, they head into this fixture as warm favourites against a Brighton side winless in four games across all comps (2D,2L).
Man City has a perfect seven from seven home record against the Seagulls across all competitions, outscoring their opponents 17-1 across the trip!
I’m taking City to get the job done here, with over 2.5 goals scored.
Notts Forest look to avoid their third straight league draw by dolling out a third straight defeat to newly promoted Luton Town.
Forest are undefeated at home this season (1W,2D), alongside the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham, Villa, Liverpool and Man City.
Despite Notts being without their top scorer Awoniyi, I think Chris Woods will be able to do the job against a Championship calibre side in Luton.
Chelsea welcome Arsenal to the Bridge for a highly anticipated London Derby.
The Blues have only bettered Luton at their home ground this season (1D,2L), losing their two most recent fixtures at the Bridge without bothering the scorekeeper.
Meanwhile, the Gunners are undefeated after eight games, three from three on the road and equal with the Spurs on top of the league.
The Gunners have won their last three league meetings against Chelsea and their last three games at the Bridge.
I’m backing Arsenal to see off their London rivals and shoot to the top of the league.
Man United will be attempting to stay in touch with the top half of the table with a win against cellar dwellers Sheffield United.
The Blades have lost four games on the trot, while conceding a league-high 22 goals!
Red Devils fans will head into this fixture with a their first slice of hope in a long time, with the Glazers relinquishing 25% stake of the club to Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
After winning at the death against Brentford last time out, a game against Sheffield provides Man U with the perfect opportunity to build some much needed momentum.
I’m backing ten Haag’s side to win with conviction here, with young striker Rasmus Hojlund bagging his first Premier League goal.
Villa are out to extended their unbeaten run in the league to five games (3W,1D) when they play host to West Ham on the weekend.
The Hammers enter this match on a two-game unbeaten run themselves, having seen off Sheffield United in GW7 before secure a point against an inform Toon outfit.
The Irons boast an impressive record against Aston Villa, unbeaten in the pairs last ten PL meetings (6W,4D), winning five of the last six Claret Derbies.
David Moyes side have only tasted defeat against Man City and Liverpool this season, and are probably overs at $3.60 heading into this match-up.
Both sides thrive on getting in and behind their opponents defence, which will undoubtably make for an intriguing fixture.
I can’t split the two on paper, as such I’m happy to take the draw at a healthy $3.70.
Fittingly, Game Week 9 is wrapped up by league leaders Tottenham Angespur playing host to Fulham.
Aussie Ange rewrote history, becoming the first gaffer to win B2B Manager of the Month awards across their first two months in charge, while Son Heung-min claimed Player of the Month for September, after Maddison claimed the honours in August!
All “trophies” aside, the Spurs are rolling, unbeaten in eight and sitting on top of the league on goal difference.
Meanwhile, Fulham have been anything but consistent, with a season record of three wins, two draws and three losses, and are yet to string back-to-back victories together.
I’m backing Son to notch up his seventh goal of the campaign, combined with a Spurs victory and over 2.5 goals scored.