If you’d been asked ahead of the season “which Premier League team is best equipped to halt the free-scoring league leaders away from home?” then Burnley would potentially be bottom of that list.
But Burnley might well be division’s best hope of taking some of the rabid attacking sting out of Manchester City’s play. Last term Sean Dyche’s side won on the road once, whereas in this campaign they’ve chalked up wins at Everton and Chelsea, as well as draws at Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool.
Still, they’re massive underdogs at the Etihad Stadium against one of the most exciting teams English football has seen for many years; City are on course to score 138 goals in the campaign if they continue netting at their current rate.
While this is an intriguing encounter, it’s testament to the quality of Week 9’s fixture list that this isn’t one of the three featured games in this preview.
Read on for a focus on the standout fixtures of the weekend, a line on the rest of the matches and a prediction for all 10 games to come from English football’s top flight. Picks are in bold, odds and bookmaker in italics
Chelsea vs. Watford
This Marco Silva isn’t bad, is he?
With his work at Hull City considered, few expected him to fail when he was appointed as the Watford boss in the summer. But having already played Liverpool, Manchester City, and Arsenal, not many would have anticipated them to be sitting in the fourth spot after eight games.
For a club that’s had so many changes in terms of coaching staff and personnel down the years, Silva has fashioned a clear identity at Vicarage Road that everyone can gravitate towards. That was evident in their win over Arsenal, as their incisive and physical brand of football eventually ground their opponents into late submission.
Going to Chelsea will be a different type of challenge, of course. The Blues are better equipped to cope with Watford’s best attributes than Arsenal, but they’ll need to improve if they’re to take three points after two successive losses in the top flight.
Watford will be confident in the capital, having taken 10 points from a possible 12 on the road. Silva may view this one as something of a free hit given their position, though a bolder approach from the visitors may just play into the champions’ hands. 2-1 (9/1 Bet365)
Everton vs. Arsenal
This fixture, usually one of the most watchable on the Premier League calendar, may not have pulses racing among neutrals. But there’s plenty at stake for each of these two sides.
The lack of excitement is due to the dearth of form both have showcased as of late. While both sides made moves in the transfer window to improve their team, both Everton and Arsenal already have supporters disillusioned. Though a win in this fixture could be a catalyst for either.
Everton’s start to the season has arguably been as underwhelming as any team in the top flight. Ronald Koeman has plenty of new players to call upon and has sought to assemble them in a variety of different systems. As of yet, none of the combinations have worked and had it not been for Wayne Rooney’s late equalizer at Brighton & Hove Albion, the Dutchman may have been out of a job.
Arsenal’s loss at Watford was also laced with similar flaws, as they were unable to cope in a physical battle, lost concentration and conceded a couple of cheap goals
Evidently, that’ll have to improve at Goodison Park on Sunday if they’re to pick up their first away win of the season. But with Alexis Sanchez poised to return to the team, they’ll have too much firepower for an Everton defence that has started to look extremely flimsy. 0-2 (10/1 William Hill)
Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool
Both of these teams enjoyed very different but very successful Champions League matchdays on Tuesday. It means confidence will be high in both camps when they walk out at the national stadium for what should be a breathless fixture.
Tottenham may not have won in midweek, yet they have been rightly praised for their 1-1 draw against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu. Against the Spanish and European champions, they were cohesive and energetic, while they were also able to create a number of goalscoring chances themselves.
Liverpool, by contrast, had what’s likely to be their most straightforward assignment of the season, as they coasted past a dreadful Maribor side 7-0. With his team struggling to hit top gear in recent weeks, this type of procession was what Jurgen Klopp would have been crying out for.
Still, going to Spurs will be a much bigger test of the credentials of this Liverpool team. Especially a Tottenham team that broke their Wembley duck last weekend against Bournemouth. The Reds haven’t lost this fixture since 2012, but at the moment they look a level below Mauricio Pochettino’s men. 2-1 (17/2 Bet365)
West Ham United vs. Brighton
The weekend begins in East London on Friday, as West Ham look to add some consistency to their season when they host Brighton. The newly-promoted side have been finding their feet in the Premier League as of late but have yet to full click into gear on the road; even without the suspended Andy Carroll, the home side will have a bit too much. 2-0 (17/2 Bet365)
Huddersfield Town vs. Manchester United
Early-season optimism has faded drastically at Huddersfield, with the rigours of Premier League football setting in after a tough spell of zero wins and just one goal in their last five matches. A Jose Mourinho-prepared Manchester United team is not a side to face when you’re searching for a spark. 0-3 (15/2 BetVictor)
Manchester City vs. Burnley
So, Burnley. What can they do to halt the City juggernaut? Granted, the Clarets are aggressive, prepared to battle and incredibly organized, but the quality of Pep Guardiola’s side is tough for any team to contain as things stand. After being held a little longer than in recent weeks, the Etihad Stadium faithful will see another glut of goals. 3-0 (13/2 BetStars)
Newcastle United vs. Crystal Palace
After getting off the mark in goals, points and a win against Chelsea last week, Palace can head to Newcastle unburdened by their disastrous start to the season. Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend will be a big threat on the counter-attack here, but you’d back Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez to find a way of nullifying their influence. 1-0 (6/1 Boyle Sports)
Stoke City vs. Bournemouth
It’s always galling to ship seven goals, regardless of how good the opposition are, and Stoke’s home supporters will demand a much-improved showing against Bournemouth after being hammered by City. The Cherries continue to flounder under Eddie Howe and have just a solitary win on the board; they’ll do just enough to get a point here. 1-1 (6/1 Bet365)
Swansea City vs. Leicester City
Leicester begins life after Craig Shakespeare in south Wales against a Swansea team that picked up a big win against Huddersfield last time out. Neither side has found their attacking rhythm as of yet in 2017-18 and with each manager most likely content with a point, it’s easy to see this fixture petering out into a bore draw. 0-0 (87/10 188Bet)
Southampton vs. West Bromwich Albion
Saints are struggling to find a winning edge in the Premier League at the moment, with wasteful finishing and sloppy defending costing them at the worst possible points. But against a West Brom team that have yet to win away from home in the top flight in 2017, they’ll get a much-needed victory at St Mary’s. 1-0 (5/1 William Hill)
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