Liverpool and Manchester City aim to keep pace as Arsenal leads the table

As the Premier League train barrels into Gameweek 9, Liverpool and Manchester City are hot on the heels of table-toppers Arsenal. The fixture list is packed with mouthwatering clashes—so buckle up, because this weekend promises more twists and turns than a rollercoaster at full speed.

Friday, October 24 at 8 p.m. BST sees Leeds United squaring off against West Ham United. Leeds have turned Elland Road into something of a fortress, but both sides have been stumbling this season like a pair of dancers with two left feet. The crystal ball says 2-1 to Leeds, but recent form suggests the home crowd might be in for a nail-biter.

Chelsea welcome Sunderland on Saturday, October 25 at 3 p.m. BST. Despite a laundry list of injuries, Chelsea are strutting their stuff with confidence. Sunderland, meanwhile, have been finding life tough. The prediction? A comfortable 3-0 win for Chelsea—unless Sunderland pull a rabbit out of the hat.

Also on Saturday at 3 p.m. BST, Newcastle United lock horns with Fulham. Newcastle have been flying high, while Fulham are still searching for their wings. The forecast calls for a 2-0 win for Newcastle, but as any football fan knows, the ball is round and anything can happen.

Manchester United face Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, October 25 at 5:30 p.m. BST. Brighton have a knack for giving United headaches, and both teams have been as unpredictable as British weather lately. The smart money is on a 2-2 draw—expect fireworks, and maybe a few heart palpitations for the fans.

Later that evening at 8 p.m. BST, Brentford host Liverpool. The Reds are expected to take care of business with a 2-1 win, but Brentford have been known to sting bigger teams before. Don’t blink, or you might miss the drama.

On Sunday, October 26 at 2 p.m. GMT, Bournemouth are tipped to edge Nottingham Forest 2-1. At the same time, Arsenal are expected to keep their perch at the top with a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace. If you’re an Arsenal fan, you might want to keep the champagne on ice—just in case.

Aston Villa take on Manchester City on Sunday at 2 p.m. GMT. With Erling Haaland leading the charge, City are predicted to win 3-1. Villa have shown plenty of grit, but City’s class might just be the difference—sometimes, the cream really does rise to the top.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are still hunting for their first win of the season and face Burnley at 2 p.m. GMT on Sunday. Both teams have been struggling to find their footing, so a 1-1 draw is on the cards. It could be a cagey affair—don’t expect fireworks, but maybe keep the kettle handy.

The curtain comes down with Everton welcoming Tottenham Hotspur at 4:30 p.m. GMT on Sunday. Tottenham have been a tough nut to crack, while Everton are riding high after a recent win. The prediction? A 1-1 draw, with both sides likely to leave fans biting their nails until the final whistle.

Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle, Arsenal, Bournemouth, and Manchester City are all tipped to grab three points in Gameweek 9. Meanwhile, Manchester United and Brighton, as well as Everton and Tottenham, are expected to share the spoils. Leeds are predicted to win, but recent form says don’t count your chickens just yet. Wolves and Burnley could well serve up a low-scoring stalemate.

For the latest team lineups—including Chelsea’s ever-changing cast—check out Sports Illustrated here. Enjoy the matches, and may your team bring you more joy than stress this weekend!