Premier League Gameweek 9 Preview and Predictions: Carrick desperate for win at the Bridge and embarrassed Arsenal visit Anfield
Michael Carrick is on borrowed time after last week’s 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth at Old Trafford and is in dire need of a result as Manchester United visit Stamford Bridge to kick off this weekend's Premier League action.
Elsewhere, Liverpool host Arsenal after the Gunners suffered a humiliating defeat to League Two side Fleetwood Town in midweek, one of the biggest cup upsets in English football history.
Manchester City dropped points for the first time this season against Villa last week, but remain top of the league as they host third-place Brighton in a repeat of Wednesday’s EFL Cup tie, which they won on penalties.
For previews and reaction to all of the weekend’s action, Benchviews has you covered.
Chelsea vs Manchester United:
United haven’t won in eight in all competitions and have lost by a margin of three goals in each of their last two games against Como and Bournemouth.
The Red Devils’ seven points from eight games represents their worst start to a league campaign since 1986, leaving them in 16th, one point clear of the relegation zone, and they haven’t won away from home this season in any competition.
As a club legend with decades of credit in the bank, Carrick survived last week's chastening defeats, but another loss here would surely leave his position untenable.
Chelsea are dealing with problems of their own.
A 2-0 defeat to struggling London rivals Tottenham last weekend was followed by a penalty shootout loss to Liverpool in the EFL Cup.
The Blues have the third-worst defence in the league, shipping 15 goals already.
Bruno Fernandes and Cole Palmer are both expected to return to the starting 11s as pressure mounts on both managers.
Prediction: 2-1
Manchester City vs Brighton:
Brighton dominated City at the Etihad on Wednesday, recording 2.03 xG to City’s 0.76 and creating three big chances to City’s zero, but were twice pegged back by the hosts and lost in the ensuing penalty shootout.
Brighton, who are third in the league on 16 points, had won four league games on the bounce before last week’s 2-0 loss at Anfield and remain the league's top scorers with 23 goals.
City fell to their first Premier League defeat of the season against Aston Villa last weekend and face a tough test as Brighton seek revenge after the shootout heartbreak.
Prediction: 2-2
Bournemouth vs Leeds:
The red-hot Cherries have won 3-0 in four out of their last five matches, including wins against AC Milan, Manchester United and a victory in Wednesday's EFL Cup tie with Aston Villa.
Despite their good form, Marco Rose’s side sit 13th in the Premier League with nine points.
Leeds, on the other hand, are winless in four but sit seventh in the table after a strong start to the season.
Prediction: 2-1
Hull vs Ipswich:
A meeting between newly promoted sides who have exceeded expectations in the opening months of the season.
The hosts are winless in seven but are yet to lose at home and still sit two places above Ipswich in 10th.
Ipswich beat Hull twice in the Championship last season and will feel confident coming into this one.
Prediction: 2-3
Coventry vs Sunderland:
19th plays 20th as Sunderland travel to Coventry looking for their first away win of the league season.
The Black Cats have picked up just five points in the league but have made a strong start to their Europa League campaign and beat Brentford 3-2 in midweek to advance to the EFL Cup quarters.
They made 11 changes for that one, and perhaps some of those players, such as youngster Jocelin Ta Bi, who assisted all three goals, deserve to keep their places.
Coventry beat Newcastle and Forest in consecutive games either side of the international break but have lost every other game.
Prediction: 3-1.
Brentford vs Nottingham Forest:
Oliver Glasner desperatley needs a win after Forest dropped into the relegation zone with last week’s 1-1 draw with Ipswich; the Tricky Trees have scored just six goals and won once in 8 league games.
Brentford are sixth but have only won twice in the league and lost against Sunderland in the cup on Wednesday.
Keith Andrews will hope Igor Thiago’s late goal in that one will help the Brazilian find his shooting boots after a disappointing start to the campaign in front of goal.
Prediction 2:2
Tottenham vs Crystal Palace:
Tottenham are firing again after a dismal start to the campaign, winning at Stamford Bridge last week for the first time in eight years, and have launched themselves clear of the drop zone and into 14th.
Palace have struggled under new manager Pierre Sage, whose job is believed to be in danger already, conceding a league-high 19 goals.
Eddie Nketiah scored the winner against Fulham to send the Eagles into the last eight in the EFL Cup in the week, which will give them some much needed confidence, but I predict Spurs will continue their resurgence in this one.
Prediction 2-0.
Aston Villa vs Fulham:
Both sides were knocked out of the cup this week but come into this one looking for a third consecutive Premier League win.
Villa beat City at Villa Park last week for the fourth season in a row and are rapidly climbing the table after a slow start caused by a considerable squad turnover in the summer.
Fulham also started poorly, but secured much-needed 1-0 wins against Coventry and Hull in their last two league games to lift them off the foot of the table and into 15th, giving Arbeloa a bit of wiggle room.
Prediction 3-1
Liverpool vs Arsenal:
Sunday’s only game is a blockbuster as reigning champions Arsenal travel to Anfield fresh off their humiliation against Fleetwood Town on Tuesday.
Liverpool are clicking into gear under Andoni Iraola, coming out on top in six of their last seven, and will believe they are facing the Gunners at a good time.
Arteta will want a fiery response to the cup upset, but is still without Bukayo Saka and William Saliba, and will need the likes of Kai Havertz and Eberechi Eze to step up if he wants his team to record a Premier League win at Anfield for the first time since 2012, a game he featured in as a player.
Prediction 3-1
Newcastle vs Everton:
Everton ran out 3-1 winners when the sides met at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Thursday night in the EFL Cup.
The Toffees have won just once in their last seven Premier League matches.
Newcastle sit eighth in the table but have suffered defeats to Villa, Coventry and Leeds in recent weeks and were poor again on Thursday.
Matthias Jaissle needs a big response from his players at St James' Park, and I think he’ll get one.
Prediction: 3-2
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