Matchday nine of the Premier League season is fast approaching and that means one thing – it’s time to play Predictor!
Predictor is our simple, free-to-play competition where you can win big cash prizes, with £1,000 up for grabs weekly. Simply guess the winner of seven Premier League matches – or play it safe with a draw. There’s also a £5,000 prize if you come first across the whole season.
And yes, we have leagues! You’re able to create or join them, and they can be public or private. Now is your chance to definitively prove you know more than your mates or even more than our experts – play now at dailymail.co.uk/predictor.
The weekend kicks off on Friday night with a huge clash at the bottom of the table as Nuno Espirito Santo’s West Ham travel to Leeds United for an 8pm kick-off.
There’s then just two 3pm games on Saturday with Newcastle United hosting Fulham and Chelsea taking on Sunderland before Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United go up against Brighton at 5:30pm. Liverpool close out the day with an 8pm start at Brentford.
Sunday meanwhile sees Aston Villa play Manchester City, Wolves host Burnley, Bournemouth go up against Nottingham Forest and Arsenal clash with Crystal Palace at 2pm before Everton and Spurs close out the weekend with a 4.30pm kick-off at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Daily Mail Sport’s James Sharpe is the next expert for you to try and beat.
EXPERT PREDICTIONS
Think you can beat Daily Mail Sport’s James Sharpe’s predictions?
Chelsea v Sunderland – HOME
Manchester United v Brighton – HOME
Brentford v Liverpool – AWAY
Bournemouth v Nottingham Forest – DRAW
Arsenal v Palace – HOME
Aston Villa v Man City – AWAY
Everton v Tottenham – DRAW
Here are James’s thoughts and picks:
Wouldn’t it be so very Manchester United to pick up a famous victory at Anfield only to bring the doom hurtling back with defeat at home to Brighton? The Seagulls are a bogey team for United, too, having won on their last three visits to Old Trafford.
Ruben Amorim’s system finally showed signs of clicking, though, with Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo linking superbly down the right against Liverpool and if they can do so again, I feel strangely confident about their chances.
Sean Dyche has talked a brilliant game – and won on his debut against Porto – since replacing Ange Postecoglou at Nottingham Forest, reminiscing about Brian Clough’s dog and the old days, but his style of play will also be much better suited to his players. Will that be enough to get a point at title-chasing Bournemouth? Maybe not but I’ve been charmed by the gravel-throated romance.
A trip to Brentford for Liverpool would, in usual circumstances, be a safe enough bet but Arne Slot’s side are on a wobble and Keith Andrews has drawn with Chelsea and Aston Villa and beaten United at home already. That thumping Champions League win should settle a few nerves. I fancy them to win but will they do it without Mo Salah?
Chelsea are on a roll after their youngsters dispatched Ajax to make it four wins on the bounce and should have too much for a Sunderland side admittedly making a great fist of life back in the big time.
Arsenal and Crystal Palace has the makings of a belter but Mikel Arteta’s side, especially in defence, look on another level this season. I back Manchester City to edge a tough a game at a Villa side that’s now won five on the spin after a difficult start and Everton and Spurs to end honours even.
