EPL Week 9 Predictions: Premier League Picks, Key Players and Fixture Info
All eyes will be on Chelsea and Manchester United when the two Premier League heavyweights clash in Week 9 of the 2014-15 season, a marquee fixture with plenty of title implications.
The Blues are undefeated and hold a five-point lead over Manchester City, who will play the Red Devils in Week 10. Louis van Gaal's squad has looked much improved in the past few weeks, and head-to-heads against the two title favourites will give fans a clear picture on where United stand.
Tottenham and Everton desperately need to beat Newcastle United and Burnley to keep pace with the other top-six contenders, while Liverpool will need to be on their toes when they host Hull City. The schedule for Week 9:
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
| Sat., Oct. 25 | 12:45 p.m. | West Ham United | Manchester City | 1-3 |
| Sat., Oct. 25 | 3 p.m. | Liverpool | Hull City | 2-1 |
| Sat., Oct. 25 | 3 p.m. | Southampton | Stoke City | 3-0 |
| Sat., Oct. 25 | 3 p.m. | Sunderland | Arsenal | 1-2 |
| Sat., Oct. 25 | 3 p.m. | West Bromwich Albion | Crystal Palace | 0-0 |
| Sat., Oct. 25 | 5.30 p.m | Swansea City | Leicester City | 1-1 |
| Sun., Oct. 26 | 2.30 p.m. | Burnley | Everton | 1-2 |
| Sun., Oct. 26 | 2.30 p.m. | Tottenham Hotspur | Newcastle United | 4-0 |
| Sun., Oct. 26 | 5 p.m. | Manchester United | Chelsea | 1-1 |
| Mon., Oct. 27 | 9 p.m. | Queens Park Rangers | Aston Villa | 0-1 |
Key Players
Cesc Fabregas, Chelsea
If you're looking for an early favourite to win the Player of the Year award, look no further than Chelsea's Cesc Fabregas. The Spain international has been nothing short of phenomenal since making the move back to England, leading the league with seven assists, via WhoScored.com.
The 27-year-old has added an element of creativity to the Blues' central areas, and with a plethora of dangerous wingers and the scoring ability of Diego Costa, Chelsea can hurt opponents in a variety of ways.
Fabregas' football IQ is off the charts, and combined with a keen eye for passing lanes, he's virtually unstoppable in the centre of the pitch. According to teammate Nemanja Matic, he has the uncanny ability to always be open to receive the pass, via the club's Twitter feed:
Manchester United have been hampered by injuries in the central areas and don't have that star holding midfielder to slow down a quick passing attack. This will allow Fabregas to make plenty of surging runs forward, and his goal against Crystal Palace was a prime example of what he can do when he moves into the box.
The star midfielder is Chelsea's creative mastermind, and if he finds space, United will find it difficult to overcome the title favourites.
Marcos Rojo, Manchester United
Summer arrival Marcos Rojo has quickly established himself as United's top centre-back, and facing one of the league's most explosive attacks, the Argentina international will have to be at his very best.
Youngster Paddy McNair has been a pleasant surprise for the club so far, but Louis van Gaal may be unwilling to risk fielding him against the Blues due to his inexperience. He also missed the team's match against West Bromwich Albion due to injury, putting his status for Week 9 in doubt.
Phil Jones could also partner Rojo, but he too has struggled with injuries in 2014-15. Regardless of whoever plays alongside him, it will be up to Rojo to lead the line and contain Costa (or Loic Remy, depending on Costa's injury status).
Bleacher Report's Paul Ansorge picked the defender as his unsung hero of the young season, saying:
"It is much too soon to say what Rojo's United career holds for him. However, it is clear that for a young man, playing in a new league, in a new country, he has settled in well.
When that is added to the fact that his third and fourth games for the club saw him thrust into the role of leader, alongside an inexperienced youngster, and that United won both of those games, there is plenty of cause to hail him an unsung hero.
"
A matchup against Costa or Remy will be the first real test for Rojo and the United back four, and if the Argentine can't handle the pressure, things could get out of hand in a hurry.
Raheem Sterling, Liverpool
Daniel Sturridge's injury concerns have severely held back Liverpool's attack so far, and in recent weeks, the Reds have been almost entirely dependent on individual flashes from Raheem Sterling to create danger in front of goal.
The youngster is earning his wages with one fine performance after another, and he was one of the few bright spots in the win over Queens Park Rangers. The Liverpool Echo's Neil Jones saw things the same way:
"Make no mistake, Liverpool did not play well here. They were sloppy, they were nervous, they were lethargic. They passed the ball poorly, defended haphazardly and finished tentatively. Even Rodgers admitted they had been fortunate to come away with all three points.
But in Sterling, they at least had that little spark of quality, that one player willing to carry the fight, even if his teammates at times looked incapable of backing him up.
"
Liverpool have been taking a lot of criticism for their play, but wins are wins, and the Reds have won back-to-back. Good teams find ways to win sloppy matches, and in Sterling, Brendan Rodgers and Co. have found their winning formula.
Hull City don't shy away from attacking a team's most important creative weapon, evidenced when they went after Aston Villa's Jack Grealish, as shared by Ouriel Daskal:
"Jack Grealish is going to have an easier time vs Arsenal than he had vs Hull City - just a hunch https://t.co/ohrsdsNWQs
— Ouriel Daskal (@Soccerissue) September 20, 2014"
Sterling can expect similar close marking on Saturday, and if he struggles, the Reds' lack of creativity in the attacking third outside of his contributions may come back to haunt them.
