Premier League Week 9 Fixtures: EPL Picks and Predictions
After another long and seemingly unwelcome international break, the Premier League is back this weekend with 10 mouth-watering fixtures for us to sink our teeth into.
All eyes will be on White Hart Lane to kick off the weekend in the Saturday lunchtime clash, as Jurgen Klopp takes charge of his first Liverpool match against the ever-improving Tottenham Hotspur.
Klopp isn’t the only new manager looking to make an immediate impact, though, as Sam Allardyce oversees his first game as Sunderland manager against West Brom at The Hawthorns.
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Elsewhere, Chelsea will be looking to kick-start their season at home to Aston Villa, while Manchester United face a tough-looking trip to Everton.
Here’s a look at the fixtures in full, together with predictions and a glance at the game of the weekend.
| Date | Time | Fixture | Prediction |
| Saturday October 17 | 12:45 p.m. BST/7:45 a.m. ET | Tottenham Hotspur vs. Liverpool | 2-2 |
| Saturday October 17 | 3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. ET | Chelsea vs. Aston Villa | 3-1 |
| Saturday October 17 | 3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. ET | Crystal Palace vs. West Ham United | 2-1 |
| Saturday October 17 | 3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. ET | Everton vs. Manchester United | 1-0 |
| Saturday October 17 | 3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. ET | Manchester City vs. Bournemouth | 4-0 |
| Saturday October 17 | 3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. ET | Southampton vs. Leicester City | 2-2 |
| Saturday October 17 | 3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. ET | West Bromwich Albion vs. Sunderland | 0-0 |
| Saturday October 17 | 5:30 p.m. BST/12:30 p.m. ET | Watford vs. Arsenal | 0-2 |
| Sunday October 18 | 4 p.m. BST/11 a.m. ET | Newcastle United vs. Norwich City | 1-3 |
| Monday October 19 | 8 p.m. BST/3 p.m. ET | Swansea City vs. Stoke City | 2-1 |
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Liverpool
New Liverpool boss Klopp has received messiah status since arriving on Merseyside, and Saturday will give him the perfect chance to prove just how much of a miracle worker he is.
However, the German has urged fans to be patient and said that the “new Liverpool” won’t click straight away at White Hart Lane, per Adam Skinner of Daily Express:
"I'm not here to promise that you will see the new Liverpool against Tottenham. But if you see a little bit of the new Liverpool, that would be cool.
Expectations can be a really big problem. It's like a backpack with 20 kilos more. You have to have a stable defence. That is the first thing, always.
Our position is OK so we can start our development. If it's possible let's try to be the hardest team to beat in the world.
"
Indeed, the Reds’ defence was incredibly shaky under Rodgers; yet Klopp’s stubborn style of management means that clean sheets will be the first priority on Saturday.
Still, keeping Spurs at bay will be no mean feat.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men have been scoring goals for fun of late, with Harry Kane, Christian Eriksen and Erik Lamela looking dangerous every time they come forward.
The England international opened his account for the season in his last outing at White Hart Lane with a well-taken strike against Manchester City, and he’ll be looking to add to his season haul on Saturday.
And one man who thinks Liverpool have plenty to fear on Saturday is Kane’s international teammate, Gary Cahill, who said that he’s the complete striker, as reported by Dave Kidd of the Daily Mirror:
"His attributes as a finisher? Left foot, right foot, good with his head. Physically, he’s strong. He can be a target man. He can turn and take you on. He’s an exciting player; still young, still developing. I do think he’s ready and he’s a great striker.
Last year, he was fantastic. This season, he’s helped the team do well and, for us, training with him the last few days, you can see he’s a top-class performer.
"
Kane was on the scoresheet the last time these sides met back in February, when Liverpool won an end-to-end encounter 3-2 at Anfield.
It would be far from a surprise to see another goal fest take place at the Lane, and the Reds’ recent record in north London suggests that they could well be the team at the right end of it, too.
As 11v11 noted, Liverpool have scored eight and conceded none in their last two trips to Spurs, with their 3-0 victory there last season, arguably, their best performance of last year.
A similar scoreline would, undoubtedly, begin Liverpool’s road to redemption; and with a tactical whizz like Klopp at the helm, there’s every chance of it happening.
Still, it’s difficult to see Tottenham slipping up after an encouraging month, and Pochettino’s men could well spoil the German’s party.
Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 2-2 Liverpool
