EPL Weekend Betting Tips – Matchday 9

We landed a 6/1 shot with Wolves and Aston Villa drawing 1-1 in the last set of games in the Premier League that we tipped.

And after a week’s break for the international games, we are now back with Matchday 9 of the EPL.

And with Burnley and Luton having played their game in hand from earlier in the season, every team has now played eight matches.

We had some surprising results last time out, with Manchester City losing their second straight game in a row at Arsenal, while Liverpool and Brighton fought out a dramatic 2-2 draw on the South Coast.

However, it is Spurs who sit atop of the table on goals scored after their win over Luton, while Arsenal’s victory moves them above City into second, with the Manchester giants in third one point ahead of Liverpool.

You can check out the current state of play in the EPL League Table by following the link here.

Last week’s results also mean only two teams remain without a win this season, Bournemouth who lie 19^th and Sheffield United who are 20^th.

We will of course be bringing you our full set of tips for this weekend’s Premier League action, wit all odds provided by bet365 Sport of course.

But before that, let’s catch up on some of the big news of the past couple of weeks.

Latest Premier League & International News

Good International Break For England, Wales and Scotland

Scotland and England have qualified for Euro 2024 following the International Break.

Despite a defeat to Spain and then a 4-1 loss to France in a friendly, the Scots went through by virtue of the fact Spain beat Norway meaning that the Scots can finish first or second only in Group A.

England laboured to a 1-0 friendly win over Australia with a much-changed team, but England’s first choice XI came back from 1-0 down to defeat Italy 3-1 at Wembley, a result which not only confirms them as qualified, but as Group Winners too.

Wales warmed up for their crucial qualifier at home to Croatia with a 4-0 win over Gibraltar and then followed that with a superb 2-1 win over the 2018 World Cup Finalists, with Fulham’s Harry Wilson the star of the show with two well-taken goals.

That win puts Wales second in the group, ahead of Croatia on a better head-to-head record and Wales know that two more wins, away to Armenia and at home to Turkey, would put them through.

Northern Ireland are out of qualifying contention, as are the Republic, but the Republic could qualify through the Nations League playoffs, but strangely due to a quirk of fate in the qualifying rules, they need to lose their final game in the Netherlands to give them the best chance of doing so as they will only get into those playoffs if Greece do not qualify automatically from Group B.

Teams confirmed as qualifiers for Germany 2024, alongside the hosts now include: Spain, Scotland, France, England, Turkey, Austria, Belgium and Portugal.

Premier League Fixtures and Tips for Week 9

All kick off times are 3pm for Saturday fixtures, or 4.30pm for Sunday fixtures, unless otherwise stated.

Saturday 21^st October

• Liverpool v Everton (12.30pm)

The old adage of the ‘form book goes out the window’ can apply in derby games and perhaps none moreso than the Merseyside derby. Liverpool come into the game having picked up just one point from their last two EPL games.  While Everton have mustered six points from the last nine available. The Toffees also have a relatively recent win on the books at Anfield, a 2-0 win a couple of years ago. However, even with Andy Robertson out for Liverpool, this should still be a chance for the home side to get back to winning ways. Tip – Liverpool 2-1 Everton – 17/2.

• Bournemouth v Wolverhampton Wanderers

Andoni Iraola is still waiting for his first win as Bournemouth manager and time is starting to run out for the Spaniard as his team continued to struggle. A 3-0 defeat at Everton being their latest result and you get the feeling this is a very important game for the Cherries. Wolves come into this game unbeaten in their last three and with a home win over Manchester City in that run. They should fancy their chances of getting something from this game against a Bournemouth side yet to win this season. Tip – Bournemouth 0-1 Wolves – 11/1.

• Brentford v Burnley

Without a win in their last five games, Brentford come into this game probably feeling that this is a game that they must win, especially given that a win for Burnley here would put them level on points with the Bees. It is fair to say that Brentford are sorely missing the goals of Ivan Toney and that has been more obvious in recent games. Even so, I think the Bees are the better of these two teams and I feel they should get back to winning ways here. Tip – Brentford 2-0 Burnley – 8/1.

• Manchester City v Brighton

Manchester City have lost their last two Premier League games to Wolves and Arsenal and will want to get back to winning ways here. However, they face a Brighton side who have been stronger on the road this season than at home and who have a decent record against top six teams in recent times. The balance of the City team, especially without Kevin de Bruyne, isn’t quite right and Brighton could take advantage of that. I can’t see City losing again, but maybe Brighton could still spring a surprise here. Tip – Manchester City 1-1 Brighton – 11/1.

• Newcastle United v Crystal Palace

Newcastle have really regained their form after a spell of losing three games earlier in the season and their push for the top four continues at St James’ Park against a Crystal Palace side who have lost just one of their last five in the Premier League. The Eagles have not conceded a goal in any of their last three EPL games, whereas Newcastle have 12 in their last four, plus rammed four past PSG in the Champions League. I fancy the Magpies to land a win here. Tip – Newcastle 2-0 Crystal Palace – 13/2.

• Nottingham Forest v Luton Town

With just two goals in their last four games, the goals have dried up a little for Nottingham Forest in recent times. Luton did win their last away game at Everton, but they face a Forest side that has a generally strong record at the City Ground. Steve Cooper’s team sit 13^th in the table but know a win would help create a nice gap between themselves and the teams battling the drop at the moment and given the quality that Forest have in their ranks. I’d expect them to take that chance here. Tip – Nottingham Forest 2-1 Luton Town – 17/2.

• Chelsea v Arsenal (5.30pm)

What an intriguing game we have set up at Stamford Bridge on Saturday tea-time. Chelsea, who have won their last two away games in the EPL, will host Arsenal who come into this game on the back of a massive win over Manchester City. Wins over Burnley and Fulham won’t be enough to convince Chelsea fans that their form has turned around, but a win here would. Arsenal though will feel confident that if they can beat Man City, they can beat anybody. Arsenal have won six of the last seven between the two in all competitions, and I think that run will continue here. Tip – Chelsea – 1-3 Arsenal – 20/1.

• Sheffield United v Manchester United (8.00pm)

There’s another late evening game on Saturday night as Sheffield United face Manchester United with both sides badly in need of a victory. The Blades are bottom of the table with just one point to their name this season, while United’s poor form sees them in a lowly 10^th place in the table and well off the pace being set at the top of the table. Given Sheffield United lost 8-0 at home to Newcastle a few weeks back, I think they could be set for another tough lesson here. Tip – Sheff Utd 0-3 Manchester United – 10/1.

Sunday 22^nd October

• Aston Villa v West Ham United

Fifth takes on seventh in the Premier League’s sole Sunday game and it should be an entertaining encounter between two teams in good form and who have made great starts to the season. Villa’s home form has been excellent and they will start the game as the favourites, but West Ham are solid on the road, losing just one away game (to Liverpool) so far this season. I do expect this to be a closely contested battle, but I am going with Villa to land the win. Tip – Aston Villa 2-1 West Ham – 17/2.

Monday 23^rd October

• Tottenham Hotspurs v Fulham (8.00pm)

Table Toppers Spurs host Fulham on Monday night in what is a key London derby, especially for the home side who will want to maintain their place at the top of the table. Fulham’s form is more modest to say the least with Marco Silva’s men winning 2, drawing 1 and losing 2 of their last five, including a 0-2 defeat at home to Chelsea. Tottenham’s form is such that you can’t count against them here and I’d expect the home side to earn the win. Tip – Tottenham 3-1 Fulham – 11/1.