EPL Week 9 Predictions: Players Sure to Land in All-EPL Team for Weekend's Clash

The excitement is beginning to pick up as Week 9 of the English Premier League season should be the best yet.

Swansea City will try to show its might against Manchester City, Everton and Liverpool will battle for points, and Arsenal will look to get back on track against Queens Park Rangers.

However, the most anticipated match of the weekend will be between the league's top two teams: Chelsea and Manchester United.

While clubs across the league will fight for wins, these players will be vital to their success and will be selected to this week's All-EPL team.

Goalkeeper: Vito Mannone, Arsenal

Arsenal has not had a clean sheet since August and recently lost 1-0 to Norwich City. Still, this is the perfect opportunity for Vito Mannone to prove his value to the team.

The club hosts QPR this week, a team that is winless on the year and is averaging fewer than one goal per game in league play.

This home game is a chance to get back on track after hopefully a solid performance against Schalke 04 in the Champions League. Even if the offense continues to struggle, Arsenal should be able to keep its opponent scoreless.

It would not necessarily take the performance of a lifetime from Mannone, but it would be one of the more important matches for the squad.

Defender: Leighton Baines, Everton

Leighton Baines will have his hands full with Luis Suarez and Liverpool in the upcoming match. Fortunately, the defender has played as well as anyone in the league over the last couple of months.

He not only has the agility to stay with the better forwards in the sport, but he also has the versatility to push the ball up the field and help create on offense.

Baines has already scored two goals this season, as well as tallied two assists. He is an integral part of both sides of the ball and he will need to continue to play at this level this weekend to help his club earn three points. 

Defender: Ashley Cole, Chelsea

In the most anticipated match of the week and the early season, Chelsea hosts Manchester United in a battle between the best defense in the Premier League and the best offense.

Ashley Cole is part of an outstanding back line, but he will have to work to defend attacks from both Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie.

Cole has played relatively flawless so far this season, sticking tight to defenders while only committing a handful of fouls with no cards in league play. He has been a big part of Chelsea allowing only six goals on the year.

Even if United gets on the scoreboard, you can be certain the Cole will have done everything he can to avoid that fate.

Defender: Robert Huth, Stoke City

Sunderland is far from the worst team in the EPL, but the squad cannot seem to score.

It is currently tied with Aston Villa and Norwich City for last in the league with six goals scored, but Sunderland is also dead last in shots per game at 8.4.

While Robert Huth has been solid for Stoke City this season, this is a game where he should look elite. The veteran knows what he is doing on defense and should have no problem keeping his opponents away from the goal on Saturday.

Defender: Kieran Gibbs, Arsenal

Kieran Gibbs left the match against West Ham United early with a thigh injury and missed the latest game against Norwich City, but the defender should be able to return this week.

When he has played, Gibbs has performed very well. He has solid instincts on the pitch and avoids making costly mistakes.

QPR comes into town and has not shown much over the past month to believe it would be a threat. The defense should be able to stop any attack with ease and quickly push the ball back up to the offense.

Midfielder: Michu, Swansea City

Few players have been as hot as Michu over the past month. He is not getting a lot of opportunities to score, but he is making it count when he sees an opening.

Michu has scored in three of his last four matches and is currently tied for the EPL lead with six goals on the year.

While he has not had much help offensively from his teammates on Swansea City, he should be able to continue his run in a tough matchup this weekend. Manchester City has been solid this year on defense, but it has been prone to let some goals through. 

Do not be surprised if Michu once again puts the ball into the back of the net past Joe Hart.

Midfielder: Yaya Toure, Manchester City

Yaya Toure has been the most consistent Manchester City player this season as the squad tries to repeat as EPL champions.

The midfielder is the only player to start every league game for the club, and his endurance has helped him perform well on both sides of the ball.

With Manchester United and Chelsea facing each other this week, it is a great opportunity for Man City to make up some ground on one or both teams at the top of the standings.

Toure puts a lot of pressure on the opposing defense and will make a big impact in the game whether he scores or not.

Midfielder: Adam Lallana, Southampton

Adam Lallana has been as important to his offense as anyone in the league over the past month.

While Southampton teammate Rickie Lambert has received extra attention after his great start, Lallana has had a goal or an assist in four straight matches.

This week's opponent, Tottenham Hotspur, has had a good year but has conceded 12 goals in eight games. No team with more than one win has allowed more.

Lallana should continue to find the open man on his team as Southampton tries to get out of the cellar of the EPL.

Midfielder: Juan Mata, Chelsea

For Chelsea to get the win over Manchester United this weekend, the team will need Juan Mata to play at his best. Fortunately, he has been playing at a high level all year.

The midfielder is the No. 1 player in the EPL in EA Sports' Player Performance Index, which accounts for all of a player's contributions to games throughout the season. 

He is currently tied with teammate Eden Hazard for the league lead with five assists in a battle that should continue. If he takes care of business defensively, Mata has enough talent on the offensive end to earn man of the match in this important battle.

Forward: Wayne Rooney, Manchester United

Wayne Rooney has only played in three games this season, yet he already has two goals and four assists. He also added two assists in a Champions League game against CFR Cluj.

He has proven that he and Robin van Persie can coexist on a team and there is room for both of them to get on the scoreboard.

This upcoming game against Chelsea will be the toughest test this year, but Rooney has as much experience against elite competition as anyone else in the league. 

Rooney should be able to continue his hot streak since returning from injury to help his team earn a point or three against the top team in the EPL.

Striker: Demba Ba, Newcastle United

Demba Ba has cooled down a bit lately, but he is still tied for the league lead with six goals.

Although he is scoreless in the month of October, Ba ended September with five scores in a span of three games.

He continues to get plenty of shots on goal in each match. If he keeps at it, he will get back on the board with a goal or two this week against West Bromwich Albion.