The week 9 round of matches has its key fixture to be the game between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge which will be the return of Jose Mourinho to the Bridge since his dismissal from the club last season. Other fixtures include Saturday's early kick off between Tottenham and Bournemouth, Champions Leicester City are at home to Crystal Palace while Liverpool and West brom concludes the Saturday games. The week 9 fixtures resumes again on Sunday with Manchester City taking on Southampton then concludes with the key fixture of the week.
SATURDAY 22/10/2016
AFC Bournemouth Vs Tottenham 12:30pm
Bournemouth have been enjoying some fine form of late unbeaten in the last three games with two victories including their convincing 6 - 1 thrashing of Hull City last weekend.
They play host to early season title contenders Tottenham, who on the other hand are yet to win a game since defeating Manchester City. The Vitality Stadium is a difficult place to come to especially at a time like this when Bournemouth have found their scoring boots as well as being able to shut down opponents from scoring them.
Spurs will have to rely on the return of star striker Harry Kane for inspiration as they hope to return to winning ways this weekend. Games such as this tend to provide acidic test on title contenders credentials.
Prediction: Afc Bournemouth 1 - 1 Tottenham (1x, x2, over 1.5)
Arsenal Vs Middlesbrough 3pm
The story remains the same for the gunners as they continue to cruise past their opponents with Theo Walcott enjoying his current form. If there is anything lacking at the gunners dressing room, confidence is definitely not it. With the Gunner's goal scoring ability demonstrated in the Champions League as they demolished their Bulgarian opponent who proved to be no match at all, Middlesbrough will be wishing they have been paired with any team other than the Gunners considering they are yet to win a game since August.
Prediction: Arsenal 3 - 1 Middlesbrough (1, over 3.5)
Last week's results
| Result | Our prediction |
|---|---|
| Chelsea 3-0 Leicester | 2 - 1 |
| Arsenal 3-2 Swansea | 3 - 0 |
| Bournemouth 6-1 Hull | 1 -1 |
| Man City 1-1 Everton | 4 - 2 |
| Stoke 2-0 Sunderland | 2 - 1 |
| West Brom 1-1 Tottenham | 1 - 3 |
| Crystal Palace 0-1 West Ham | 2 - 0 |
| Middlesbrough 0-1 Watford | 1 - 2 |
| Soton 3-1 Burnley | 2 - 1 |
| Liverpool 0-0 Man Utd | 2 - 2 |
Hull City Vs Stoke City 3pm
Mike Phelan will finally feel he has been given a chance to play against a team similar to his, and will have the opportunity to pick up all three point in a game for the first time since their victory over title holders Leicester City.
Stoke City on the other hand will be hoping their fine form will continue as they have picked up 4 valuable points from a possible 6. Joe Allen seems to have become the spare head of the club as he always stand up to be counted whenever he is being looked up to for answers.
Prediction: Hull City 2 - 2 Stoke City (1x, x2, GG, Over 1.5)
Leicester City Vs Crystal Palace 3pm
Leicester finally return home. As the saying goes, "No place like home".Leicester will appreciate this fixture as they get to play in front of their fans for the second time in four days which of course will help build their confidence as they try to win their first game in four attempts.
Crystal Palace also will be hoping to get back to winning ways after they offered struggling West Ham an escape route last Weekend loosing 0 - 1 to the Hammers at home.
Prediction: Leicester City 3 - 1 Crystal Palace (1x, GG, Over 2.5)
Swansea City Vs Watford 3pm
New Swansea Boss Bob Bradley will have the opportunity to show to the Swansea fans who he is capable of after having to manage his first game away from home to a difficult Arsenal team.
With Bob Bradley doing well with the US national team it is expected that the team he will put out for this one will reflect his philosophy and work ethics.
Statistically Watford are favourite for this as they boast of a 58% away win record compared to the 8% home record Swansea has.
Prediction: Swansea City 2 - 1 Watford (1x, GG, Over 1.5)
West Ham Vs Sunderland 3pm
The jury are beginning to come down on David Moyes over his lack of result since his assumption into office. This game will prove to be a tricky one for the Scot. As West Ham themselves are struggling to get used to playing in front of their fans in their new stadium.
Sunderland like every other team that have visited the Olympic Stadium will wish to come out of this game with something tangible.
Prediction: West Ham 0 - 1 Sunderland (x2, odd no. of goals)
Liverpool Vs West Brom 5:30pm
I have always been of the opinion that this late Saturday fixtures have a funny way of being tricky, in the sense that teams usually regarded as favourites often find it difficult to overcome their opponents.
Liverpool may have played out a goalless draw against Manchester United on Monday night but they showed how deadly they can be in front of goal when given little opportunity.
West Brom will be weary of the Red's attacking threat, as they visit Anfield. Tony Pulis have been known for sending out teams that are very compact and rigid at the back. Same will be expected of him in this game as he hopes to keep Liverpool at Bay.
Prediction: Liverpool 3 - 2 West Brom (x1, GG, Over 2.5)
SUNDAY 23/10/2016
Manchester City Vs Southampton 1:30pm
The early table toppers suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of Barcelona Fc in the Match day 3 of the UEFA Champions league midweek which have left them win-less after three games.
Their last victory came against Swansea at the Liberty stadium. Pep Guardiola's men will be hoping to turn a new leave as they welcome the Saints to the Etihad stadium.
Southampton story is quite different as they have been unbeaten in their last 3 games in the league.
Both teams return to this fixture with wounds of defeat in Europe with Southampton loosing to Inter Milan in the Europa League.
Prediction: Manchester City 1 - 0 Southampton (1)
Chelsea Vs Manchester United
Jose Mourinho returns to the Bridge for the second time but this time around not to battle with them but to battle against them with his Manchester United squad who surprisingly defeated Fenerbache 4 - 1 in the Europa league game on Thursday.
Chelsea come into this fixture in a much better position than they were last season when Jose Mourinho was in charge. Under Conte they have been able to score a total of 15 league goals conceding just 9 times in 8 games which sees them 5th on the table.
Prediction: Chelsea 0 - 1 Manchester United (12, x2)
