The Premier League rolls into Game Week 9 with Liverpool and Man City already beginning to pull away from the chasing pack.
We’re set to be treated to another ten sensational fixtures, headlined by a blockbuster showdown between league-leaders Liverpool and perennial bridesmaids Arsenal.
Our Offside Oracle has previewed all the Premier League action and provided his best betting plays below.
Game Week 9 gets underway on Saturday morning (AEST) when Forest travel to King Power Stadium to take on the Foxes.
Notts Forest finds themselves in the top 8 of the PL following an extremely strong start to the season, a start which has seen them lose just one from eight (3W,4D), while boasting the second best defensive record in the league with just six goals against.
Meanwhile, Leicesters’ victory in GW8 was their second win of the season, taking them to 14th place on the table (2W,3D,3L), just two points outside the top half.
The Trees have looked strong on the road this season, going unbeaten in four away fixtures (2W,2D), a run which includes a victory at Anfield.
I’m backing Forest to continue their incredible run, claiming their third victory on the road.
It’s panic stations in Wolverhampton’s HQ, as their side head into GW9 sitting at the foot of the table with one competition point to their name.
They’ll be facing a Brighton outfit with just one loss across the opening eight games, and looking to go eight games without defeat at the Amex Stadium.
The Wolves have conceded five more goals than any other side in the competition across the first eight games (23), going seven games without a clean sheet.
Alternatively, the Seagulls have scored 11 goals across their last five games, and will be looking to cash-in again here.
I’m backing Brighton to win, combined with over 2.5 total goals.
The 2nd placed Citizens take on the 2nd last placed Saints, in what should be as close to foregone conclusion as it gets.
The Sky Blues are the only Premier League side yet to taste defeat this season (6W,2D), although they’ve been forced to work for their previous two results, with late winners required in both.
Meanwhile, Southampton is one of four sides yet to taste victory this season (1D,7L), with only Wolverhampton sitting beneath them on the table on goal difference alone.
Although Haaland leads the league in scoring (10G), the Norwegian striker has drawn blanks in his last three starts, an ominous sign for the Saints.
Man City has scored four goals in each of their previous two league fixtures against the Saints, and I’m backing them to claim another runaway victory here, combined with goals from Erling.
Brentford look to return to winning ways after suffering a shock defeat to the Red Devils last time out.
Fortunately, they’ll be playing host to a newly promoted Ipswich Town, who have failed to register a victory over the first eight game weeks (4D,4L).
The Bees are in hot form in front of goal, scoring 11 goals across their last five fixtures, although their defence has been letting them down, failing to keep a clean over their last seven games.
Brentford have tended to score early this season, and I’m backing them to lead at both half-time and full-time in this fixture.
Aston Villa look to extend their unbeaten run to 10 games across all competitions when they welcome the Cherries to Villa Park.
After a slow start to the season, Bournemouth shocked the league in GW8, serving the Gunners up their first L of the campaign, be it with 10-men.
The Cherries will need to improve on their away form if they want to take something from this fixture, after they’ve failed to score in their last two road fixtures (2L).
I have Villa winning in what should be an entertaining matchup.
The Toffees have overcome a horror start to the season (4L), by going unbeaten in their last four league fixtures (2W,2D).
Meanwhile, the Cottagers fast start has come to an abrupt holt, following back-to-back league defeats against Man City (3-2) and Aston Villa (1-3).
Fulham are unbeaten in their last six league fixtures against Everton (4W,2D), while the previous two meetings between this pair in all comps has finished in a stalemate.
The Toffees have conceded just three goals across their last five competitive fixtures, and I believe their improved defence will help them to a low scoring draw here.
6th plays 9th, as Chelsea takes on Newcastle at the Bridge.
Goals have been extremely hard to come by for the Toon, who have failed to find the back of the net across their previous two fixtures, scoring just three times in their last five.
The same can’t be said for the Blues, who have scored 15 times in their last five starts, with both Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson doing most of the damage.
I’m taking Chelsea at home.
Two managers under the pump are set to go toe-to-toe, as Ten Haag and Man United travel to the capital to take on Julen Lopetegui and the Hammers.
Eric ten Haag might feel a touch more at ease in this one, after his side produced a decent showing in a 2-1 victory over Brentford last time out.
While Julen’s Irons were flattened 4-1 by a rampant Spurs outfit, in what was their fourth defeat of the season (2W,2D).
The Hammers have lost three of their four home league fixtures this season (1W), with their only positive result coming against Ipswich Town.
I’m backing the Red Devils to push on here, claiming their first back-to-back league victories.
Palace desperately search for their first win of the season when they welcome London rivals Tottenham to Selhurst Park.
The Eagles horrendous start to the season has them intrenched in the drop zone, and looking a far cry from their late 2023/24 form.
Meanwhile, the Spurs convincing 4-1 triumph over West Ham has taken them to 7th place in the league standings, just four points adrift of Arsenal in 3rd.
Only Man City (19) has scored more goals than Tottenham this season (18), as Ange ball is starting to regain its plaudits.
On the flip side, Crystal Palace has knocked in a league-low five goals, with new signing Eddie Nketiah failing to fill the void left by Olise.
I’m taking the Spurs to clinch back-to-back London derby victories.
Leaving the best til last, we have Arsenal hosting Liverpool in what could prove to be a defining fixture in the title race.
The Gunners enter this encounter off the back of their first defeat of the season (5W,2D), going down 2-0 to the Cherries following a red card to prized CB William Saliba.
As a result, Saliba will miss this fixture, with Riccardo Calafiori likely to partner Gabriel in the guts, while Arteta will be sweating on the fitness of both Timber and White at FB.
Alternatively, the Reds edged out an inform Chelsea outfit 2-1, with Salah providing a goal and an assist.
In recent times, the Gunners have taken a conservative approach with great success when playing top four opponents, though without the talents of Saliba, I can’t see them holding out a red-hot Liverpool outfit.