Premier League Matchweek 9 predictions: 31 October to 2 November - tips and analysis
It is Matchweek 9 of the 2026/27 Premier League, with Manchester City and Arsenal level on points at the top. Brighton continue to impress, while Liverpool are looking to close the gap.
Last weekend had a few surprises. Aston Villa ended City's winning start, Tottenham beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, and Manchester United suffered another setback with a 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth.
I have picked out five of this round's ten fixtures to look at more closely, with recent results, key stats and my predictions.
Premier League Matchweek 9 fixtures (31 October to 2 November)
Here is the full fixture list, with the five matches covered below in bold. All kick-off times are in GMT (UTC+0).
| Match | Date | Kick-off (GMT) |
|---|---|---|
| Chelsea vs Manchester United | Sat 31/10 | 12:30 |
| Bournemouth vs Leeds United | Sat 31/10 | 15:00 |
| Brentford vs Nottingham Forest | Sat 31/10 | 15:00 |
| Coventry City vs Sunderland | Sat 31/10 | 15:00 |
| Hull City vs Ipswich Town | Sat 31/10 | 15:00 |
| Manchester City vs Brighton | Sat 31/10 | 15:00 |
| Tottenham vs Crystal Palace | Sat 31/10 | 17:30 |
| Aston Villa vs Fulham | Sat 31/10 | 20:00 |
| Liverpool vs Arsenal | Sun 1/11 | 16:30 |
| Newcastle vs Everton | Mon 2/11 | 20:00 |
Chelsea vs Manchester United: Preview and prediction
Chelsea host Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Saturday (31 October) at 12:30 GMT. Both teams will be looking to bounce back from defeats last weekend.
Match details, statistics and H2H
Chelsea's recent form
Chelsea's two-match winning run came to an end with a 2-0 defeat to Tottenham. The Blues are fifth with 13 points, but their results have been mixed. They have scored 17 goals in eight games, though the 15 they have conceded show how vulnerable they can be at the back.
Manchester United's struggles
Things are even tougher for United. They have won just once in eight league games and sit 16th with seven points. Last weekend, Bournemouth beat them 3-0 at Old Trafford. United have now gone six Premier League matches without a win, and they have conceded 13 goals so far.
Key stats
- Across their first eight league games, Chelsea and United have conceded 28 goals between them.
- Chelsea have scored 17 goals, compared with United's ten.
- Manchester United have taken just seven points from a possible 24.
My prediction: Chelsea vs Manchester United
Chelsea to win
I cannot see this being an easy game for Chelsea, given their defensive problems. But United are struggling even more and have not won in six league matches. With home advantage, I fancy Chelsea to take the three points.
Manchester City vs Brighton: Preview and prediction
The Premier League's two highest-scoring sides meet at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday (31 October) at 15:00 GMT. Manchester City and Brighton also faced each other in the EFL Cup on Wednesday, adding another twist to this fixture.
Match details, statistics and H2H
Manchester City's recent form
City's perfect start ended with a 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa last weekend, following seven straight league wins. They still lead the table with 21 points and have scored 20 goals in eight games. Their attack remains a major threat, although nine goals conceded suggest they can be caught out defensively.
Brighton's recent form
Brighton have scored more Premier League goals than anyone else: 23 in eight games, or almost three per match. They are third with 16 points, although they lost 2-0 at Liverpool last weekend, just one round after hitting five against Crystal Palace.
Two of the league's best attacks
- Brighton: 23 goals in eight games, an average of 2.88 per match.
- Manchester City: 20 goals scored and nine conceded.
My prediction: Manchester City vs Brighton
Both teams to score
City are favourites at home, but Brighton have enough attacking quality to trouble them. Both sides have scored freely this season, so I prefer both teams to score rather than picking a winner.
Tottenham vs Crystal Palace: Preview and prediction
Tottenham seem to be finding some form after a difficult start. Spurs go into Saturday's game against Crystal Palace (31 October, 17:30 GMT) on the back of two straight league wins. Palace, meanwhile, have had a torrid time defensively.
Match details, statistics and H2H
Tottenham's recent form
A 2-0 win away to Chelsea was a welcome boost for Spurs, following their 3-1 victory over Coventry City. That is five goals scored and just one conceded across their last two league games. They are still only 14th, so it is early days, but there are signs of improvement.
Crystal Palace's defensive problems
Palace sit 17th with seven points, just above the relegation zone. They have conceded 19 goals in eight games, more than any other side in the league. Their last two league matches ended in a 5-0 defeat to Brighton and a 2-0 loss to Newcastle.
Recent results tell the story
- Tottenham have won their last two league matches, scoring five goals.
- Palace conceded seven goals without scoring in their last two league matches.
My prediction: Tottenham vs Crystal Palace
Tottenham to win
Spurs have improved just as Palace's defensive problems have become harder to ignore. If Tottenham play as they did against Chelsea and Coventry, they have a good chance of making it three league wins in a row.
Aston Villa vs Fulham: Preview and prediction
Aston Villa became the first side to beat Manchester City in the league this season. They will look to build on that result when they host Fulham at Villa Park on Saturday (31 October) at 20:00 GMT.
Match details, statistics and H2H
Aston Villa's recent form
Villa's 2-1 win over City was one of the shocks of Matchweek 8 and lifted them to ninth with 11 points. They have been less convincing going forward, though, with only nine goals in eight matches. That is a modest return for a side aiming to move up the table.
Fulham's recent form
Fulham also won last weekend, beating Coventry City 1-0 away from home. They are 15th with eight points and have scored just eight goals in eight league games. They have conceded ten, however, and have generally kept scorelines close.
Neither side has scored many
- Aston Villa: nine goals in eight matches.
- Fulham: eight goals in eight matches.
- Both sides average fewer than 1.2 goals per game.
My prediction: Aston Villa vs Fulham
Under 2.5 goals
Villa will take confidence from beating City, but they have not been prolific in front of goal. Fulham have also struggled to score regularly. I can see a tight game with few goals.
Liverpool vs Arsenal: Preview and prediction
The standout fixture of the round is at Anfield on Sunday (1 November) at 16:30 GMT. Liverpool are beginning to pick up results, but they face an Arsenal side with just one league defeat and the best defensive record in the competition.
Match details, statistics and H2H
Liverpool's recent form
Liverpool beat Brighton 2-0 last weekend, their second straight Premier League victory, and moved up to fourth.
Arsenal's recent form
Arsenal have won seven of their eight league matches and are level on points with Manchester City at the top. Their defence has been outstanding, with just five goals conceded. They beat Everton 2-0 last weekend, although Tuesday brought a surprise EFL Cup exit on penalties to fourth-tier Fleetwood Town.
Arsenal's defensive record
- Arsenal: just five goals conceded in eight games, an average of 0.63 per match.
- Liverpool: 11 goals scored and eight conceded.
- Arsenal are six points clear of Liverpool in the table.
My prediction: Liverpool vs Arsenal
Arsenal or draw (double chance)
Anfield is a tough place to go, and Liverpool have started to improve. Still, Arsenal have been the more consistent side and are hard to break down. I expect a close game, so I prefer Arsenal or draw to backing an away win outright.
Premier League Matchweek 9: Predictions at a glance
Here is a quick look at my five picks, based on recent results and the teams' Premier League stats.
| Match | Prediction | Why I picked it |
|---|---|---|
| Chelsea vs Manchester United | Chelsea to win | United's poor run and Chelsea's stronger attack |
| Manchester City vs Brighton | Both teams to score | The league's two highest-scoring sides |
| Tottenham vs Crystal Palace | Tottenham to win | Two straight wins for Spurs; Palace's defensive problems |
| Aston Villa vs Fulham | Under 2.5 goals | Both teams have struggled for goals |
| Liverpool vs Arsenal | Arsenal or draw | Arsenal's form and strong defensive record |
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Premier League FAQs
What are the main Premier League games this weekend?
Liverpool vs Arsenal is the headline fixture of Matchweek 9. Chelsea vs Manchester United and Manchester City vs Brighton are also worth watching. Ten matches are scheduled between 31 October and 2 November.
What time is Liverpool vs Arsenal?
Liverpool host Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday, 1 November, at 16:30 GMT (UTC+0).
Who has scored the most Premier League goals after eight matches?
Brighton lead the scoring charts with 23 goals in eight games, followed by Manchester City with 20.
How were these predictions chosen?
The predictions are based on recent results, league positions, attacking and defensive records, and each team's form. They are football opinions, not guarantees of any result.
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