Welcome to another weekend of Premier League predictions. In this week’s episode, Arsenal are recovering from a cup embarrassment, Manchester City will want to get back to winning ways, and Manchester United remain determined to find out just how low things can go.
Matchweek 9 serves up three tasty fixtures: Chelsea host Manchester United, Manchester City welcome Brighton, and Liverpool face Arsenal at Anfield. There are also plenty of opportunities for football fans to laugh at their rivals, which is really what the Premier League is all about.
United arrive after losing 4–1 to Como and 3–0 to Bournemouth in back to back games. Carrick has faced renewed questions about his future, while Bruno Fernandes has been at the centre of discussions about the team’s tactics and captaincy. 
At this point, the only thing missing is a documentary crew following the squad around Old Trafford.
Arsenal, meanwhile, were knocked out of the EFL Cup by fourth-tier Fleetwood Town on penalties. The Gunners may be champions, but Fleetwood have just provided a timely reminder that football has no respect for reputations.
Here are our Premier League predictions for Matchweek 9. All kick-off times are Nigerian time (WAT).
Chelsea vs Manchester United: More misery for Carrick?
Saturday, October 31 | 1:30 pm
Manchester United could really do with a quiet weekend. Unfortunately, a trip to Chelsea is next on the agenda, and there is very little evidence that this United side knows how to enjoy one.
The 4-1 loss to Como was bad enough. Add the 3–0 defeat to Bournemouth at Old Trafford, and Carrick has found himself under pressure once again. Fernandes was also dropped to the bench against Bournemouth after criticising United’s cautious tactics, although Carrick has said the Portuguese midfielder will retain the captaincy.
So, at least one crisis has been temporarily postponed.
Chelsea have their own problems to solve after losing to Tottenham and getting knocked out of the EFL Cup, but at least they were seen off by worthy opponents in Liverpool. Stamford Bridge offers a decent opportunity to get back on track. The Blues have enough attacking quality to trouble United’s defence, especially if the visitors continue to leave gaps between their midfield and back line.
United need a response, but confidence is a fragile thing. If Chelsea score early, expect the visitors to start looking for answers in all the usual places: the manager, the formation, the captain, the referee, the weather and possibly the moon.
Carrick needs his players to defend as a unit and make better use of possession. Chelsea, meanwhile, will fancy their chances of turning United’s latest wobble into a full-blown tumble.
Prediction: Chelsea 2–1 Manchester United
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Manchester City vs Brighton: Can the Seagulls cause another headache?
Saturday, October 31 | 4:00 pm
Manchester City and Brighton are meeting again just days after their EFL Cup encounter, which ended 2–2 before City progressed on penalties. Brighton have already shown they can trouble Pep Guardiola’s side, but repeating that performance at the Etihad is another matter.
City are coming off a 2–1 league defeat to Aston Villa, a result that interrupted their momentum. Guardiola will expect a response, and Brighton may have to deal with a team that is rather irritated at having dropped points.
The Seagulls are not exactly famous for making life easy for bigger clubs. Their willingness to play out from the back and attack through the middle can cause problems, but it can also leave them exposed when opponents win possession in dangerous areas.
City will look to exploit those moments, with Erling Haaland providing the finishing threat. Brighton need to move the ball quickly and avoid being pinned inside their own half for long spells. If they allow City to settle into their passing rhythm, it could become a very long afternoon.
The midweek cup tie should give Brighton confidence, but City have the squad depth and home advantage to make the difference. Expect the visitors to have their moments before the champions take control.
Prediction: Manchester City 3–1 Brighton
Liverpool vs Arsenal: Champions meet Fleetwood survivors
Sunday, November 1 | 5:30 pm
Liverpool versus Arsenal is the weekend’s headline fixture, and the visitors arrive with an unusual talking point: their shock EFL Cup elimination at the hands of Fleetwood Town.
Arsenal drew 1–1 before losing 5–3 on penalties to the League Two side. The Gunners may be Premier League champions, but Fleetwood have ensured that Arsenal fans will be hearing about this one for a very long time. Somewhere, a rival supporter is already preparing a Fleetwood shirt for Christmas.
Still, one cup defeat does not erase Arsenal’s quality. Mikel Arteta’s side will want to respond quickly, and what better place to do that than Anfield? Just about anywhere else, probably, but the fixture list offers no sympathy.
Liverpool will see this as an opportunity to make a statement of their own. Their campaign has had its ups and downs, but a win over the champions would provide a significant boost. Anfield should be lively, especially if Arsenal begin nervously after their midweek embarrassment.
The tactical battle could come down to the midfield. Liverpool will want to press aggressively and force mistakes, while Arsenal will look to control possession and exploit spaces behind the hosts’ defensive line.
The Gunners must be more clinical than they were against Fleetwood, while Liverpool need to ensure their pressing does not leave them vulnerable on the counter. Neither team can afford to switch off defensively.
Arsenal have enough quality to make this close, but Liverpool’s home advantage could prove decisive. The visitors will want to remind everyone why they are champions; Liverpool will want to remind them that Anfield is not the best place to rebuild confidence.
Prediction: Liverpool 2–1 Arsenal
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Premier League predictions for the rest of Matchweek 9
The remaining fixtures may not have quite the same headline appeal, but there are points to be won, reputations to rescue and managers who would probably appreciate a weekend without drama.
Bournemouth vs Leeds United
Saturday, October 31 | 4:00 pm
Bournemouth will be full of confidence after dismantling Manchester United 3–0 at Old Trafford. Leeds now face a side that has discovered where the goal is, which is unfortunate timing for the visitors.
Leeds can make this competitive, but Bournemouth’s momentum gives them the edge.
Prediction: Bournemouth 2–1 Leeds United
Brentford vs Nottingham Forest
Saturday, October 31 | 4:00 pm
Brentford will look to make home advantage count against Nottingham Forest, who need a consistent run of results. The hosts can be dangerous from set-pieces, while Forest must improve their ability to turn promising attacks into goals.
Expect a tight contest, with Brentford just edging it.
Prediction: Brentford 2–1 Nottingham Forest
Coventry City vs Sunderland
Saturday, October 31 | 4:00 pm
Sunderland need a result to steady their campaign, but Coventry will not be handing out favours. The hosts can be difficult to contain at home, and Sunderland will need to show more attacking intent if they want all three points.
A draw looks the likeliest outcome.
Prediction: Coventry City 1–1 Sunderland
Hull City vs Ipswich Town
Saturday, October 31 | 4:00 pm
Hull and Ipswich meet in a fixture that could prove important for both sides’ hopes of building momentum. Hull will try to use their home support, while Ipswich will look to exploit any defensive mistakes.
Neither side looks likely to dominate for long, so a share of the points is a reasonable call.
Prediction: Hull City 1–1 Ipswich Town
Tottenham Hotspur vs Crystal Palace
Saturday, October 31 | 6:30 pm
Tottenham will hope to turn their recent progress into a more consistent run, but Crystal Palace have the tools to make this uncomfortable. Spurs need to be sharper in possession and more clinical in front of goal.
Palace could frustrate the hosts, but Tottenham have enough at home to squeeze through.
Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 2–1 Crystal Palace
Aston Villa vs Fulham
Saturday, October 31 | 9:00 pm
Villa will be buoyed by their victory over Manchester City and will want to carry that confidence into the Fulham match. The visitors can be competitive, but Villa look capable of creating enough chances to take the points, especially with Nicolas Jackson firing on all cylinders.
Fulham may make them work for it, but the hosts have the advantage.
Prediction: Aston Villa 2–1 Fulham
Newcastle United vs Everton
Monday, November 2 | 9:00 pm
Newcastle host Everton in the final match of the round, with both sides hoping to avoid dropping valuable points. St James’ Park should give the hosts a boost, while Everton will look to stay organised and threaten on the counter.
This could be a scrappy affair, but Newcastle have the home advantage.
Prediction: Newcastle United 2–1 Everton
Premier League predictions at a glance
| Fixture | Prediction |
| Chelsea vs Manchester United | 2–1 |
| Manchester City vs Brighton | 3–1 |
| Bournemouth vs Leeds United | 2–1 |
| Brentford vs Nottingham Forest | 2–1 |
| Coventry City vs Sunderland | 1–1 |
| Hull City vs Ipswich Town | 1–1 |
| Tottenham Hotspur vs Crystal Palace | 2–1 |
| Aston Villa vs Fulham | 2–1 |
| Liverpool vs Arsenal | 2–1 |
| Newcastle United vs Everton | 2–1 |
These Premier League predictions are educated guesses, not guarantees. One red card, one goalkeeper error or one defender briefly forgetting the rules of football can ruin the neatest forecast.
Still, the weekend looks promising for Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool. United could be in for another difficult afternoon, while Arsenal have a chance to put the Fleetwood embarrassment behind them.
Whether they manage that is another question. Fleetwood have already had their moment in the sun. Arsenal will be hoping Liverpool do not turn it into a week-long celebration.
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