English Premier League - Match Week Nine Preview and Predictions

In Charles Meshell
Fri, Oct 19th, 2018 1:20:59 pm
By Charles Meshell - ROI Capper

Premier League action returns this weekend with free picks for the opening match between Chelsea and Manchester United and bonus tips for matches including Watford, Bournemouth, Fulham and Manchester City.

England Premier League - Match Week Nine

The English Premier League returns this weekend, after yet another International break in as many months. The line-up of fixtures should be well worth the wait, as match week nine offers plenty of opportunities for investors to grow their overall profits.

The opening contest on the card will grab all the story-lines, when an unpredictable Manchester United squad make their annual trip to West London, where the Blues of Chelsea will await them at Stamford Bridge, for a battle of England's "Big Six" clubs.

Fellow English giants Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal all have important matches of their own, as they do battle with middle and lower level sides, who will be highly motivated to grab positive points against EPL royalty.

10313 Chelsea vs 10314 Manchester United
Stamford Bridge, London, England
10-20-2018 - 7:30 am ET - NBC-SN

The Premier League schedule makers have concocted a tasty affair to kick off the day in England. With two perennial powers set too renew their long storied rivalry, the stakes couldn't be higher for each side involved while in West London.

Chelsea enter the match-day having failed to taste defeat through the first eight weeks of action. Now they welcome their second Big Six opponent to Stamford Bridge during their new campaign, as they attempt to keep their unbeaten streak in tact, while keeping pace at the top of the Premier League table.

The Blues have had a strong hold on this match-up for the past six years, avoiding defeat to the Red Devils while on their own pitch, only dropping 2 matches in total during their past 16 encounters since 2012.

Maurizio Sarri has gotten off too a dream start while with Chelsea. Collecting an overall record of 6-2-0, the Italian has his new side sitting 2nd in the league, with aspirations of adding yet another domestic title back into the Blues trophy case. Many are surprised to see just how much success Sarri has achieved within such a short span of time. But while at Napoli in Serie A, he repeatedly challenged Juventus for their strong arm on Italy's top flight league, and created a beautiful attacking machine with the "Partenopei Gli Azzurri".

The new head-man has instantly gone to work creating that same type of dynamic attack with his new club. The Blues have traditionally been a more defensive unit of the past several years, preferring to grab goals when they presented themselves, and staying dedicated on the back-end. The Italian is now asking his cast of world-class players to push forward in an attempt to overwhelm their opponents and bring an attractive style of football back to this traditional European brand.

The Londoners owe much of their success to Belgium play-maker Eden Hazard. After several seasons of falling short of his true potential, Sarri has placed the electric attacking midfielder in the best positions too succeed. Hazard is now positioned further up the pitch within the Italian's 4-3-3 alignment, having the space to show-off his pure qualities, incorporating others with his slick dribbling and passing skills, while proving his overall talents on the largest stage by scoring 8 goals in as many matches.

The hosts also benefit from a combination of highly efficient midfielders, with Jorginho, N'Golo Kanté and Mateo Kovacic all excelling while partnered with one another. Jorginho also made his way over from Italy as a high priced Summer signing. The former Napoli man has adjusted well to the physical play in England, bringing his creative nature to this once stagnant Chelsea attack and striking fear into fellow defenders with the ball at his feet. Kanté is still the true glue of this formidable side. The World Cup winner has proven to be a champion with each side he has been involved with, the France International seems to always be in the correct place to shut down his opponents from making a true mark on the match, while also being asked to be a more offensive threat in the final third of the pitch.

Chelsea may be dealing with a potential large miss on their back-line, with German defender Antonio Rüdiger being injured during International duty, making his status doubtful for this week nine encounter. Sarri is still expected to run out a strong starting eleven, with the Blues currently trail Manchester City by a 5 goal differential, they understand they must keep pace with the defending champs.

Manchester United limp into Stamford Bridge with a lengthy list of injuries throughout their squad, along with absolute dysfunction at both the managerial and chairman positions within this storied club.

José Mourinho is at the center of the Red Devils storm. With rumblings of his demise from week-to-week, a trip back to his old stomping grounds could be the final stake in this forgettable early season. Mourinho will be desperate to get a positive result against his former club. After rebounding from a 0-2 deficit against Newcastle before the International break, the "Special One" hopes his team will once again fight for him, and salvage his career with Man United.

The visitors will make the trip to London with Scott McTominay, Marouane Fellaini, Ander Herrera, Nemanja Matic, Luke Shaw and Alexis Sanchez all doubtful to see the pitch, placing adding pressure on Mourinho to find a competitive starting eleven against a Chelsea side who have owned the Red Devils over the past six years.

The proposed front-line trio of Marcus Rashford, Romelu Lukaku and Jesse Lingard will bare the goal scoring responsibilities during their travels. This would be the trio's first start as a tandem for the Red Devils this season, making life on Mourinho that much more difficult.

There will also be a large amount of unfamiliarity throughout Man U's midfield, with up to four players doubtful to occupy those positions, the overall cohesion seems to be in question as the match day arrives. Paul Pogba will be called upon more than ever. The flamboyant Frenchman has often been at odds with his Portuguese head-man, seemingly placed out of position as part of Mourinho's normal rotation, Pogba has found life difficult during his return to Manchester.

Manchester United start match day nine in a rare position, currently on the outside looking in at European qualifications with an overall record of 4-1-3. The Red Devils presently sit 8th in the top flight table, with a meager 13 points to date. Collecting a positive outcome during their trip to London is a absolute requirement, with both their manager's career at the club on the line and the possibility of dropping even further out of the championship race. Saturday's contest carries a tremendous amount of consequences if they fail to collect points during their journey south.

Chelsea vs Manchester United - Match Prediction

Chelsea have silenced many of their skeptics, proving they are well equipped to carry out their new managers plan of attack. Maurizio Sarri should once again urge his troops to keep constant pressure on their high profile opponents, as he continues to make his mark on the English game.

The Blues have been a well oiled machine, creating almost 18 shots per match and averaging 2.25 goals under their new Italian influence. The Londoner's should not stray from this successful philosophy, as they welcome their fellow Big Six mates.

Manchester United could struggle to keep pace with the Blues high paced attack. The Red Devils will likely find themselves on their back-heels for much of the time while at the Bridge, as they attempt to keep this match manageable over the course of 90 plus minutes.

Mourinho will also be challenged to put together a starting eleven that can keep possession, capable of stringing together large amount of precise passes and keep the hosts from completely taking over this potential lop-sided match.

David De Gea will also be called upon more than most. The Red Devils keeper will certainly be under immense pressure, as he will be the last line of defense against the home sides potent attack. His unique reflexes and shot-blocking abilities will be on full display.

Based on this match-up, I expect Chelsea to come out intent on proving a point to their northern rivals, looking to dictate this match from start to finish, as they continue to prove they are a worthy advisory for the league title. The home side should place a minimum of 2 goals on the scoreboard, as the league resumes play from International responsibilities.