Premier League Week 9 Fixtures: EPL Picks and Predictions
There's no rest for the wicked in Week 9 of the 2016-17 Premier League campaign, with Manchester United preparing for a trip to Stamford Bridge almost immediately after drawing 0-0 in Monday's meeting with Liverpool.
Red Devils manager Jose Mourinho travels back to former club Chelsea almost a year after he was given his marching orders by the club, and revenge in London will be the best method to prove that decision wrong.
We'll also see Southampton travel to Manchester City in the hopes they can push the table leaders to a third consecutive Premier League match without tasting victory, and Arsenal will play host to Middlesbrough.
High-flying Tottenham Hotspur will also have their chance at making a lunge for the summit when they travel to Bournemouth, and Liverpool welcome West Bromwich Albion to Anfield as they look to continue their fine form.
Read on for a breakdown of the Week 9 schedule in full, complete with score predictions and a preview of the Premier League's most enticing matchups this weekend.
| 1 | Manchester City | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 8 | +11 | 19 |
| 2 | Arsenal | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 9 | +10 | 19 |
| 3 | Tottenham Hotspur | 8 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 13 | 4 | +9 | 18 |
| 4 | Liverpool | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 18 | 10 | +8 | 17 |
| 5 | Chelsea | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 15 | 9 | +6 | 16 |
| 6 | Everton | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 12 | 6 | +6 | 15 |
| 7 | Manchester United | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 13 | 8 | +5 | 14 |
| 8 | Southampton | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 7 | +3 | 12 |
| 9 | Crystal Palace | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 11 | 9 | +2 | 11 |
| 10 | Watford | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 13 | 13 | 0 | 11 |
| 11 | Bournemouth | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 12 | 12 | 0 | 11 |
| 12 | West Bromwich Albion | 8 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 9 | 8 | +1 | 10 |
| 13 | Leicester City | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 14 | -6 | 8 |
| 14 | Burnley | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 12 | -6 | 7 |
| 15 | West Ham United | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 17 | -8 | 7 |
| 16 | Hull City | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 20 | -12 | 7 |
| 17 | Middlesbrough | 8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 11 | -4 | 6 |
| 18 | Stoke City | 8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 16 | -9 | 6 |
| 19 | Swansea City | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 8 | 15 | -7 | 4 |
| 20 | Sunderland | 8 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 15 | -9 | 2 |
| Oct. 22 | 12:30 p.m. BST/7:30 a.m. ET | Bournemouth | 1-2 | Tottenham Hotspur |
| Oct. 22 | 3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. ET | Arsenal | 4-1 | Middlesbrough |
| Oct. 22 | 3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. ET | Burnley | 0-1 | Everton |
| Oct. 22 | 3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. ET | Hull City | 2-3 | Stoke City |
| Oct.22 | 3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. ET | Leicester City | 2-1 | Crystal Palace |
| Oct. 22 | 3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. ET | Swansea City | 1-1 | Watford |
| Oct. 22 | 3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. ET | West Ham United | 2-1 | Sunderland |
| Oct. 22 | 5:30 p.m. BST/12:30 p.m. ET | Liverpool | 2-0 | West Bromwich Albion |
| Oct. 23 | 1:30 p.m. BST/8:30 a.m. ET | Manchester City | 1-1 | Southampton |
| Oct. 23 | 4 p.m. BST/11 a.m. ET | Chelsea | 1-2 | Manchester United |
United Bus Leaves Chelsea Stranded
Mourinho's United side encountered criticism for playing without fervour in their 0-0 stalemate at Liverpool on Monday, but whether through parking the bus or not, a share of the spoils was their deserved reward.
Now attention turns to whether we can expect to see a more aggressive approach in Sunday's meeting at Stamford Bridge, with ESPN FC's Liam Twomey questioning whether the same tactic would work:
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte comes into the meeting having finally rediscovered some momentum and winning his last two Premier League games, pushing his side up to fifth in the table.
It's not all bliss in west London, however, as Eurosport UK reported there is tension between Conte and striker Diego Costa after he motioned to the bench that he wanted to be taken off in Saturday's 3-0 win over Leicester City:
The Red Devils will have an extra distraction on their plate this Thursday when they face Turkish giants Fenerbahce in the UEFA Europa League, but Mourinho's priorities suggest key faces could be rested for that clash.
Expect United to come to Stamford Bridge with a similar mentality to the one that saw them strip a point from Liverpool, but their opposition may be more susceptible to the counter this time around.
Prediction: Chelsea 1-2 Manchester United
Saints Keep Marching at Manchester City
Southampton may not yet be the same animal under manager Claude Puel as they were under his predecessor, Ronald Koeman, but the Saints' early progress this season has been about as good as can be expected.
OptaJoe noted that, in particular, defence has been at a premium at St. Mary's so far this season, having seen a terrific defensive record come to an end in Saturday's 3-1 win over Burnley:
Charlie Austin was the hero on that day, thanks to his two goals, and the Englishman now has six in his last six games as he prepares to make the daunting trip to Manchester City.
While a clean sheet escaped them, Southampton did demonstrate a huge amount of attacking desire against Burnley, although Puel is keen to see more accuracy in front of goal, per the Daily Mail's Sam Cunningham:
Thankfully for the Saints, City have a Wednesday night meeting against Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League, a fixture that could distract the Citizens enough to affect their focus next Sunday.
Combined with the Saints' defensive scrutiny and the fact that City manager Pep Guardiola has drawn and lost in his last two Premier League outings, Southampton have the potential to extend that winless streak at the Etihad.
Prediction: Manchester City 1-1 Southampton
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