Premier League preview & predictions: Gameweek 9

After an entertaining few days of European action, the Premier League returns on Friday night and matchday nine is looking like a corker.

Heading up the bill is Liverpool vs Man Utd, but there is plenty of action to come before that clash sees us home on Sunday evening.

Here is everything you need to know about all ten fixtures...

Friday

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

When is kick off? Friday 22 October, 20:00 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Emirates Stadium
TV channel/live stream? Sky Sports (UK), fubo TV (US), DAZN (Canada)
Highlights? Sky Sports YouTube channel, Match of the Day (BBC - UK)
Referee? Craig Pawson
VAR? Michael Oliver

Another thrilling weekend of Premier League action kicks off with a meeting between Arsenal and Aston Villa in north London.

Both sides have endured mixed starts to the season and will be hoping to rise up the table with a win. They enter the game separated by a single point in mid-table, and we do not foresee one of them asserting their authority on Friday.

Read our full preview of the game here.
Read our predicted lineup for Arsenal here.

Prediction: Arsenal 1-1 Aston Villa

Saturday

Chelsea vs Norwich City

When is kick off? Saturday 23 October, 12:30 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Stamford Bridge
TV channel/live stream? BT Sport 1 (UK), NBC Universo (US)
Highlights? Sky Sports YouTube channel, Match of the Day (BBC - UK)
Referee? Andy Madley
VAR? Michael Oliver

After Arsenal and Villa get the party started on Friday night, Chelsea and Norwich take centre stage on Saturday lunchtime.

The Blues are without Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner for this one, meaning Kai Havertz should be handed a start up front. Although these absences will hurt the hosts, they will still have more than enough to put lowly Norwich to the sword.

Read our full preview of the game here.
Read our Chelsea predicted lineup here.

Prediction: Chelsea 3-0 Norwich City

Crystal Palace vs Newcastle United

The second game of Newcastle United's new era is a trip to Crystal Palace. The Magpies will be led by Graeme Jones following Steve Bruce's sacking earlier in the week and he will be eager to get off to a winning start after last week's disappointment against Tottenham.

Crystal Palace also have demons to expel as they conceded a last-minute equaliser in their draw with Arsenal on Monday night.

Despite the result the Eagles were mightily impressive and with Newcastle still a disorganised mess, they should secure victory.

You can read 90min's preview of the match here.

Prediction: Crystal Palace 3-2 Newcastle

Everton vs Watford

When is kick off? Saturday 23 October, 15:00 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Goodison Park
TV channel/live stream? Final Score (BBC - UK), Soccer Saturday (Sky Sports - UK), fuboTV(US).
Highlights? Sky Sports YouTube Channel (5.15pm - UK), Match of the Day (BBC - UK)
Referee? Graham Scott
VAR? Martin Atkinson

Watford did not experience a new manager bounce against Liverpool last weekend with Claudio Ranieri's side being played off the park at Vicarage Road.

The Hornets will be hoping for better luck as they travel to an Everton side weakened by injuries to Richarlison, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and ex-Hornet Abdoulaye Doucoure. These absences will stunt the Toffees going forward but as Watford look vulnerable, they should still win narrowly.

Prediction: Everton 1-0 Watford

Leeds vs Wolves

When is kick off? Saturday 23 October, 15:00 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Elland Road
TV channel/live stream? Final Score (BBC - UK), Soccer Saturday (Sky Sports - UK), fuboTV(US).
Highlights? Sky Sports YouTube Channel (5.15pm - UK), Match of the Day (BBC - UK)
Referee? Robert Jones
VAR? Neil Davies

Wolves' revival under Bruno Lage continued last time out as they scored three late goals, including a winner deep into stoppage time, to secure a 3-2 triumph over rivals Aston Villa.

They have a lot of momentum going into their trip to Elland Road but Leeds - who are yet to fulfil their full potential this season - will be motivated to earn just their second win of the campaign.

Expect an end-to-end encounter that ultimately ends in a draw.

Read of full preview of the game here.

Prediction: Leeds 2-2 Wolves

Southampton vs Burnley

When is kick off? Saturday 23 October, 15:00 (BST)
Where is the match being played? St Mary's
TV channel/live stream? Final Score (BBC - UK), Soccer Saturday (Sky Sports - UK), fuboTV(US).
Highlights? Sky Sports YouTube Channel (5.15pm - UK), Match of the Day (BBC - UK)
Referee? Chris Kavanagh
VAR? David Coote

This is not the most glamourous fixture of the weekend but it could have major implications in the early Premier League relegation battle.

Burnley go into this one in the drop zone and Southampton are not faring much better in 15th. Each side has sorely lacked goals this season, but we're feeling optimistic. We're backing each side to find the the net, with Saints narrowly getting the three points.

Prediction: Southampton 2-1 Burnley

Brighton vs Manchester City

When is kick off? Saturday 23 October, 17:30 (BST)
Where is the match being played? The Amex
TV channel/live stream? Sky Sports (UK), fuboTV (US)
Highlights? Sky Sports YouTube Channel (UK), Match of the Day (BBC - UK)
Referee? Kevin Friend
VAR? Paul Tierney

Brighton have seriously impressed this season but they will have their work cut out keeping Premier League champions Man City at bay on Saturday evening.

City were in a rampant mood on Tuesday, securing a 5-1 victory over Club Brugge in the Champions League. A similar scoreline is unlikely here but we fully expect Pep Guardiola's side to win easily regardless.

Prediction: Brighton 0-2 Manchester City

Sunday

Brentford vs Leicester City

When is kick off? Sunday 24 October, 14:00 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Brentford Community Stadium
TV channel/live stream? Sports Sunday - Sky Sports (UK), fuboTV (US)
Highlights? Sky Sports YouTube Channel (UK), Match of the Day 2 (BBC - UK)
Referee? Simon Hooper
VAR? Lee Mason

Leicester will be looking to continue their good run of results, after they rallied to secure comeback victories over Man Utd and Spartak Moscow in their last two fixtures.

However, they will face a tough test in the form of a trip to Premier League surprise package Brentford on Sunday. Both sides love to attack and counter quickly, which is sure to make for an interesting game.

The Foxes' in-form strikers should just give them the edge.

Prediction: Brentford 2-3 Leicester City

West Ham vs Tottenham

When is kick off? Sunday 24 October, 14:00 (BST)
Where is the match being played? London Stadium
TV channel/live stream? Sky Sports (UK), fuboTV (US)
Highlights? Sky Sports YouTube Channel (UK), Match of the Day 2 (BBC - UK)
Referee? Paul Tierney
VAR? Lee Mason

These London rivals experienced contrasting fortunes in Europe this week. While West Ham breezed to victory over Genk, Tottenham fell to a humiliating defeat to Vitesse Arnhem.

That Spurs' side was much-rotated though, and they will be back to full strength on Sunday. Although West Ham have impressed this season, their opponents are more than capable of frustrating them.

Prediction: West Ham 1-1 Tottenham

Manchester United vs Liverpool

When is kick off? Sunday 24 October, 16:30 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Old Trafford
TV channel/live stream? Sky Sports (UK), fuboTV (US)
Highlights? Sky Sports YouTube Channel (UK), Match of the Day 2 (BBC - UK)
Referee? Anthony Taylor
VAR? Stuart Attwell

We close off the Premier League weekend with the standout clash: Man Utd vs Liverpool.

This is the biggest rivalry in English football and we can think of no game more deserving of the headline spot.

In terms of a prediction, we cannot look past Liverpool, who have been terrific in recent weeks. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side have been known to raise their performance levels for the big games though, so don't be surprised if this is far from comfortable for the Reds.

You can read 90min's preview for the match here.
You can find a predicted lineup for Man Utd here.
A predicted lineup for Liverpool can be found here.
Check out our combined XI for the clash here.

Prediction: Man Utd 1-3 Liverpool