After a two-week break, the EPL returns with a lot of exciting football. And although the international break kept viewers away from their screen, it did not keep some players away from kicking the old leather ball. For some players, the break was a time to rest and recover from injury, while for some other players, it was a visit to the Doctor. But now they are back. Will fatigue set in, or will performance dip? Let’s find out, as we review statistics for matchday #9.
- Chelsea was unbeaten in eight games before the international break;
- Brighton are without a victory in six Premier League games;
- Tottenham are unbeaten in seven Premier League fixtures;
- Man City hasn’t lost for nine games in all competitions;
- West Brom are yet to win a game this season.
Saturday 21 November 2020
Newcastle United vs Chelsea, 1:30pm
Newcastle United meets Chelsea at St. James Park in the early kick-off of matchday 9. Newcastle who suffered a 2-0 defeat away to Southampton will hope to bounce back as they play a home advantage in the early kick-off, having lost two out of four while playing at home.
Meanwhile, Chelsea can go joint top of the Premier League with a victory over Steve Bruce’s Magpies. Chelsea is yet to lose away from home; and they’ll look to maintain such a run as they travel to St. James Park.
Recall, Chelsea was on an eight-match unbeaten streak in the lead up to the international break. Chelsea followed its impressive streak with six clean sheets in eight assignments. Likewise, the Blues produced equally striking numbers at the opposite end, hitting three or more goals for four games on the spin before the break. This has kept them as the division’s leading scorers with 20 goals.
With a good deal of their summer acquisitions starting to gel, we expect a more balanced Chelsea side to see off Steve Bruce’s team. More so, Chelsea has won 3 and lost 2 of their last meetings with Newcastle, in which each of the last two ended in Under 2.5goals. Based on this, we predict under 2.5goals.
Aston villa vs Brighton Albion, 4:00pm
With five wins from seven Premier League fixtures, this term (including victories against Liverpool, Leicester and Arsenal), Villa made a fabulous start to the 2020/21 campaign. Aston Villa picked up all three points at the Emirates stadium after losing twice at home to Southampton and Leeds. Now, not only would they hope to erase the memories of said loss, but will aim to solidify their position as one of the League’s top four.
For Brighton, their inability to turn good football into excellent results makes them vulnerable visitors again this weekend. This is especially true when combatting a Villa team that boasts of a lot of creative prowess. Brighton is without a win in six Premier League games ahead of their trip to play the Villains.
But Brighton Albion just hasn’t found a victory. Yet, they rank among the top eight teams for average shots registered per game (13.1); they’ve also conceded fewer attempts per 90 minutes (7.1) than any other team in the division. Worse, though, their winless form has left them just two places above the drop zone.
In the last two meetings between Aston Villa and Brighton, Aston Villa has been the better team. Aston Villa has won one and drawn the other and will look forward to maintaining such a winning form; in which case we predict a win for Home side Aston Villa.
Tottenham vs Manchester city, 6:30pm
The encounter between Tottenham vs Manchester city will be one where both teams will play with high intentions. Tottenham Hotspur face a huge test of their lofty aspirations of becoming Premier League Champions for the first time in the last three decades. Elsewhere, Manchester City team goes for gold in hopes to reclaim their position at the top end of the table.
Armed with a seven-league match unbeaten run and powered by the performances of dynamic duo Harry Kane and Son Heung-min, Spurs head into the weeknd’s face-off from a position of strength. And City will have to be at their best to deliver a telling blow.
City, however, looks to reclaim all three points, regardless of their outlook on the table. More so, the stakes are high, after a disappointing 1-1 draw to Liverpool with De Bruyne missing a penalty from the spot. Interestingly, as much as this is a game of skill, it is also a game of tactics. Speaking of coach tactics, 23 times Tottenham’s coach Mourinho has faced Pep Guardiola from opposing dugouts, Guardiola has come out on top in 11, losing six.
From a different lens, in the last five meetings, both teams have shared the winning into two with just a draw for both teams. Also, both teams have scored in three out of five encounters. We therefore predict both teams to score in this tough encounter.
Manchester United vs West Bromwich Albion, 9:00pm
Manchester United welcomes the Baggies to Old Trafford as they set their eyes on a win to make it the first Home win this season. It is likely going to be a desperate search for a win for United following a dismal run of three defeats in four on their own patch.
On the flip side, winless West Bromwich Albion will look to put an end to their dry spell as they travel away from home.
And having lost thrice in four away assignments since their return to the top flight, the Baggies may fear the worst again this weekend.
In their most recent test on the road, former Championship counterpart Fulham outplayed and outdid Albion in what felt like a self-belief shattering result.
That was the fourth time in five Premier League outings when Albion failed to find the net; though they should have a chance or two to improve their output at the Theatre of Dreams on Saturday.
And although analysts could rationalise United’s home losses to Spurs (1-6), Chelsea (0-0) and Arsenal (0-1), anything less than a victory against West Brom on Saturday will crank up the pressure tenfold on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Overall, both teams have conceded over two goals so far this season. Based on this, we predict a Man United win and over 2.5 goals in this encounter.
Sunday 22 November 2020
Fulham vs Everton, 1:30pm
Fulham will host Everton at the Craven Cottage in the early kick-off of Sunday. And Fulham will be desperate to win this game to make it two wins in a row, following their win against West Bromwich before the international break. Fulham have four points from an eight with a win and a draw.
Now the question remains: can Everton halt their run of defeats with a victory at newly promoted Fulham? Everton saw their early season momentum completely derailed in the run up to the final international break of the year; they suffered a disappointing run of three defeats on the bounce against Southampton (2-0), Newcastle (2-1) and Manchester United (1-3).
Interestingly, Everton’s opening day clean sheet at Spurs remains their only Premier League shutout this season. This spells hope for Fulham, who have scored in three of their last four games. But is it enough to defeat the Toffees?
With the aforementioned factors aligned, an Everton win and both teams to score is our best bet for this game.
Sheffield United vs Westham United, 3:00pm
Bottom club Sheffield United takes on West Ham in what promises to be a test of mettle at Bramall Lane. This game is of the utmost importance for both teams.
Winless and rooted to the foot of the Premier League table after eight games, the division’s lowest scorers Sheffield United’s will desperately need a positive upturn in fortunes.
The Blades have only picked up a point from their last eight games this season to sit 20th on the table.
Meanwhile, though Westham has taken eight points in their last five games, they remain inconsistent in performance.
In a campaign littered with peaks and troughs, the Irons traded blows with big-hitting sides en route to beating Leicester (0-3) and Wolves (4-0). And although they drew with Tottenham (3-3) and Man City (1-1), West Ham’s defeat to Newcastle and their struggle to beat Fulham highlights their unpredictable nature.
Westham will look to add to the frustration of Sheffield United when they claim all three points at Bramall Lane.
Sheffield United has been unlucky with the 2020/2021 season run so far as they bottom-out the table; they need points in every game to keep them in the EPL next season.
All four of Sheffield United’s Premier League home matches this term saw under 2.5 goals scored. For the Irons, the net bulged just four times in total across 360 minutes of top-tier action overall.
Therefore, a battle between the Blades & Irons may see low action with under 2.5 goals
Leeds United vs Arsenal, 5:30pm
The game between Leeds and Arsenal will be a tough one to predict, as both teams look to struggle for the European spot.
Both teams suffered a massive loss in the last game played, with Crystal Palace beating Leeds at home 4:1; while Arsenal lost at home to Aston Villa 0:3. Also, both Leeds and Arsenal have lost three of their last four league games ahead of their showdown in Yorkshire.
Based on the last four league games, Leeds’ adventurous approach is seemingly on the decline. And it will yet be another tough test of their top-flight mettle against Arsenal at Elland Road on Sunday.
Recall, many lauded Mikel Arteta when Arsenal forced a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford in November. Little did they know the Gunners win in Manchester provided their only triumph and their only goal in four games.
While Arsenal’s ponderous football has led to uninspiring displays over the past month, Leeds’ highly contrasting philosophy should make for good hustle at Elland Road.
In terms of attempts on goal, only four clubs have averaged more per game than Leeds (13.1) since their promotion, while just three teams have conceded per on average per contest at the other end (14).
With the pattern set, we expect Leeds’ encounter with Arsenal to be similarly high on action, making over 2.5 goals and both teams to score the outstanding choice for our prediction.
Liverpool vs Leicester City, 8:15pm
Liverpool looks to juggle a horror injury list when Premier League table toppers Leicester come to town on Sunday. Most of Liverpool’s defence is sidelined, along with understudy Rhys Williams, ahead of facing one of the league’s best strikers in Jamie Vardy.
Brendan Rogers will know his team can get one over on his former employers and make a title statement.
Liverpool will aspire to win their fourth home game in a row as they target to go up the table.
The host played out a 1-1 draw in their last fixture; whereas Leicester City who are unbeaten in their last six matches in all competitions maintained their winning form with a 1-0 win against Wolves.
Leicester City has also taken nine points from an unbeaten three-match stretch as they currently sit on top of the table.
Liverpool has now won four times and drawn once from the last five meetings with Leicester. Both teams have also scored in these three encounters.
For the Lack of quality because of injuries in the Liverpool team, we predict both teams to score in the game.
Predictions for EPL: Matchday #9
| Fixtures | Predictions |
| Newcastle United vs Chelsea, 1:30pm | Under 2.5 goals |
| Aston villa vs Brighton Albion, 4:00pm | Aston Villa to win |
| Tottenham vs Manchester city, 6:30pm | Both teams to score |
| Manchester United vs West Bromwich Albion, 9:00pm | Man United to win and over 2.5 goals |
| Fulham vs Everton, 1:30pm | Everton to win and both teams to score |
| Sheffield United vs Westham United, 3:00pm | Under 2.5 goals |
Leeds United vs Arsenal, 5:30pm | Over 2.5 goals |
| Liverpool vs Leicester City, 8:15pm | Both teams to score |