Welcome to Last Word On Football’s Premier League preview of matchweek nine, the latest in our Premier League preview series for the 2019/20 season. This week’s action in the English top-flight sees Manchester City travel to Crystal Palace looking to bounce back from their defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Premier League Preview: Matchweek Nine
Key Games
Manchester United v Liverpool
The 203rd meeting between these two rivals and they could not be in more contrasting states. Liverpool are looking on the up, while Manchester United are struggling in almost every department.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Manchester United currently lie in 12th place in the Premier League, with just two wins from their opening eight games. They are without a win in three games, and last time out saw them suffer yet another humiliating defeat away to Newcastle.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have continued their impressive start to the 2019/20 season. They have won all eight of their opening Premier League games. However, last time out saw perhaps their toughest win yet, sealing a win over Leicester City in the 95th minute.
Manchester United will look to hold off Liverpool for as long as possible. However, that will prove a tough ask against the current dominant force of the Premier League.
Crystal Palace v Manchester City
Manchester City now lie eight points behind Liverpool after their second defeat of the season. Pep Guardiola’s side make their way down south to Crystal Palace, who have been one of the surprise sides of the season.
Palace currently lie in sixth place, with four wins from their opening eight games. They are currently unbeaten in three games, and last time out saw them earn a 2-1 victory over West Ham.
Meanwhile, Manchester City were defeated by two late Adama Traore goals as they lost at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers. As a result, they will be hoping for a repeat of the last time they taste defeat, in which they emphatically beat Watford 8-0.
Previous fixtures between the two sides are historically close encounters. This shall be no different, as Palace look to prove stern competitors.
LWOF Predicts
Everton v West Ham
Everton are without a win in their last four games, while West Ham have lost just one of their last five. Marco Silva’s job could be in trouble should his side lose, and that cause for concern could prove too much.
Everton 1-2 West Ham
Aston Villa v Brighton & Hove Albion
Both of these sides picked up convincing victories last time out. With home advantage, Aston Villa could pick up their third win of the season in a vital clash.
Aston Villa 2-0 Brighton & Hove Albion
Bournemouth v Norwich City
Norwich City travel to Bournemouth with just one win from their last five. They are in desperate need of victory. However, they are yet to win away from home, and that is likely to continue.
Bournemouth 1-1 Norwich City
Chelsea v Newcastle United
Chelsea are now hitting form under Frank Lampard and will look to move into the top four with a win over Newcastle. The visitors will look to hold Chelsea off for as long as possible, but the hosts will prove too much.
Chelsea 3-0 Newcastle United
Leicester City v Burnley
Leicester City took Liverpool to the final whistle last time out, but will face another tough test at home to an in form Burnley. While Leicester should have enough to pick up the three points, they will have to battle hard against their opposition.
Leicester City 2-1 Burnley
Tottenham v Watford
A Watford side without a win from their opening eight games present the perfect opportunity for Tottenham to bounce back from their 3-0 defeat away to Brighton. Mauricio Pochettino will hope that his side can finally kick-start their season with a win in matchweek nine.
Tottenham 1-0 Watford
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Southampton
Wolves entered the international break with back-to-back victories and are now high on confidence. Meanwhile, Southampton are languishing only just above the relegation zone and, as a result, will be hoping to take a point at Molineux.
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 Southampton
Crystal Palace v Manchester City
Pep Guardiola’s side face another tough game, this time at Selhurst Park. While the Eagles are currently performing above standard, their high confidence means they will present a tough ask for City, and could take a point from the visitors.
Crystal Palace 1-1 Manchester City
Manchester United v Liverpool
Could this be the final nail in the coffin for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Manchester United? A humiliating defeat could seal the Norwegian’s fate, and hand Liverpool their ninth win of the season.
Manchester United 0-3 Liverpool
Sheffield United v Arsenal
Sheffield United have been one of the surprise packages of the season and this will prove a tough game for Unai Emery and Arsenal. Can they pull off an upset at Bramall Lane?
Sheffield United 2-1 Arsenal
Main Photo
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