Anyone bored with the International breaks yet? Well, never fear as club football returns this week, as does our Premier League Predictions Week 9.
Each week our preview includes just enough quick and barely interesting stats to help you decide a winner. Plus an alternative tipping method based on some obscure football stat or something even less relevant.
This week we are seeing what teams are best after the International break for the past 10 seasons to determine this season’s winners.
Enjoy the long Premier League Predictions Week 9 and preview.
Further Reading….
Week 9 Premier League Fixtures Difficulty Rating
Week 9 FPL Fantasy Premier League Preview.
Premier League Predictions Week 9 2019-20 – v International Break 2
Average points post International Break 2 in brackets.
WEST HAM (1.3) to beat Everton (1.2)
BURNLEY (1.1) to beat Leicester (0.6)
DRAW – Spurs v Watford (1.6)
SOUTHAMPTON (1.1) to beat Wolves (0.8)
BRIGHTON (1.3) to beat Aston Villa (0.9)
NORWICH (1.5) to beat Bournemouth (1.3)
CHELSEA (1.9) to beat Newcastle (1.6)
MAN CITY (2.5) to beat Crystal Palace (0.7)
MAN UTD (2.1) to beat Lierpool (1.7)
ARSENAL (2.4) to beat Sheffield Utd (1.0)
TIPS BACKGROUND: Since the International Break is such an inconvenience, why not use it to tip winners.
This week it is simple, 10 seasons of records for the first game after the International break have been compiled, and an average points per game scored has been determined. The team with the higher score is more likely to win, therefore gets the tip.
2019-20 Premier League Predictions Week 9 – GAME BY GAME PREVIEW
Here’s our match by match review and our own Premier League Predictions Week 9. With loads of stats as below. But keep in mind the following…
All stats are based on the last 10 years of Premier Leagues fixtures,except where stated. Our Match Rating is out of 20, and is explained at the end. Last 5 matches are League fixtures only. The graphic stats are all Premier League only, except where both teams played in the Championship.
The barely interesting fact is just that, barely interesting. But takes in all competitions.
EVERTON v WEST HAM
SATURDAY 12:30pm
OUR R.I.C.K. EFFECT MATCH PREVIEW RATING (out of 20)
| Category | Score |
| Rivalry | 2 |
| lnterest | 4 |
| Currrent Form | 2 |
| Klassiker Style | 3 |
| Total | 11 |
Interest will be high with a looming managerial casualty at Everton, and it is the early kick off. Form is hot and cold for West Ham and worse for Everton. Both play OK football when good though.
H2H STATS
2019-20 FORM COMPARISON
THOUGHTS
Marco Silva is right on the edge of keeping his job. Hard to believe Everton are in the bottom three given their squad and they had almost the easiest opening eight fixtures of anyone this season.
West Ham look a lot more solid this season, last weekend’s loss was the first since the opening day belting by Man City.
Everton have the wood over West Ham in the past 10 seasons, and especially in October and with the early kick off.
Final Say:
Everton 2 West Ham 0
Marco Silva to find the spark and save his job for another month. West Ham should win, which is why they probably won’t.
Barely Interesting Stat:
Everton have only failed to score against West Ham in four of the 36 games since 2000.
LEICESTER v BURNLEY
SATURDAY 3:00pm
OUR R.I.C.K. EFFECT MATCH PREVIEW RATING (out of 20)
| Category | Score |
| Rivalry | 2 |
| lnterest | 3 |
| Currrent Form | 4 |
| Klassiker Style | 3 |
| Total | 12 |
Two sides overachieving so far this season, and both have a decent set of attackers. Leicester play nice football most of the time. A nice interesting game for the less main stream football fans.
H2H STATS
2019-20 FORM COMPARISON
THOUGHTS
Leicester hold a healthy advantage over Burnley, especially at the King Power where Burnley haven’t won in the last ten seasons. Or in October.
According to our Week 9 Premier League Fixtures Difficulty Rating analysis, Leicester are the only side other than Liverpool to be over-performing against the expected points from our ratings.
Burnley are doing a super job though, and they have a genuine three prong attack, with solid defence. Their last win at Leicester was 2007 though.
Final Say:
Leicester 1 Burnley 1
Worried if Maddison doesn’t play they aren’t quite the same side.
Barely Interesting Stat:
Leicester sit one place higher but have one point fewer than their premiership winning season after eight games.
SPURS v WATFORD
SATURDAY 3:00pm
OUR R.I.C.K. EFFECT MATCH PREVIEW RATING (out of 20)
| Category | Score |
| Rivalry | 3 |
| lnterest | 4 |
| Currrent Form | 1 |
| Klassiker Style | 3 |
| Total | 11 |
Interest is to see if the wheels are indeed falling off the Spurs wagon. And it is a north-ish London rivalry.
H2H STATS
2019-20 FORM COMPARISON
THOUGHTS
Two sides going much worse in 2019-20 than either sets of fans would have thought.
Spurs really need to bounce back from the big Bayern loss, and their dreadful attempt at Brighton.
They could barely have been given an easier game as not only are Watford last and winless, Spurs’ record against them is great. 100% record at home v Watford in the last 10 seasons.
Final Say:
Spurs 3 Watford 0
Probably two goals in the first 10 minutes, and then bugger all action for the rest of the game. A sub will score the last goal late.
Barely Interesting Stat:
Spurs have won all home games against Watford on a Saturday since 1985.
WOLVES v SOUTHAMPTON
SATURDAY 3:00pm
OUR R.I.C.K. EFFECT MATCH PREVIEW RATING (out of 20)
| Category | Score |
| Rivalry | 1 |
| lnterest | 2 |
| Currrent Form | 2 |
| Klassiker Style | 2 |
| Total | 7 |
One of the games that will be probably vying for the last game on Match of the Day on Saturday in the UK..
H2H STATS
2019-20 FORM COMPARISON
THOUGHTS
These two sides have actually had some of the hardest openings to the season, judging by the average opposition position from the above graph. Any team under 10 has had a tough run.
There’s a nice symmetry to Wolves figures in the above graphs, but even better is their new found recent form. Their big win against Watford finally getting their season going, and the Man City win shifts it up a gear.
Southampton have lost their past three compared to Wolves 7pts in three games.
The Saints hold the overall H2H record of the last seasons. And it is 50-50 at Wolves.
Final Say:
Wolves 2 Southampton 0
Good enough to beat Man City, good enough to beat Southampton.
Barely Interesting Stat:
Prior to last season’s win over Southampton at home, Wolves’ last win over Southampton at home was 1979 (3L 4D)
ASTON VILLA v BRIGHTON
SATURDAY 3:00pm
OUR R.I.C.K. EFFECT MATCH PREVIEW RATING (out of 20)
| Category | Score |
| Rivalry | 2 |
| lnterest | 2 |
| Currrent Form | 4 |
| Klassiker Style | 2 |
| Total | 10 |
Both of these sides went very well last time out, so hit this game in decent form. In a previous life and under different managers this would have been a boring game.
H2H STATS
2019-20 FORM COMPARISON
THOUGHTS
A pair of draws are the only results between these sides in the last 10 seasons. when Aston Villa were in the last season of EPL until this year.
Although Aston Villa beat Norwich 5-1 last time, Brighton’s win over Spurs was a super effort, and the better of the two wins in our opinion.
Almost too hard a game to pick.
Final Say:
Aston Villa 0 Brighton 0
We have chickened out by picking a draw.
Barely Interesting Stat:
Brighton have not beaten Aston Villa since 1980, and have never beaten them at Villa Park..
BOURNEMOUTH v NORWICH
SATURDAY 3:00pm
OUR R.I.C.K. EFFECT MATCH PREVIEW RATING (out of 20)
| Category | Score |
| Rivalry | 1 |
| lnterest | 2 |
| Currrent Form | 2 |
| Klassiker Style | 4 |
| Total | 9 |
Should be plenty of entertainment if Norwich keep defending like they do. Outside of that, there is small interest in seeing if Norwich can drag themselves out of the bottom three..
H2H STATS
2019-20 FORM COMPARISON
THOUGHTS
Spooky Bournemouth stats with 13 goals for and against, and 1.3 average home at home.
Norwich have gone off the boil a bit, and they are yet to win or score a point away from home.
Norwich have the better head to head record, even on the Saturdays and 3pm.
Final Say:
Bournemouth 2 Norwich 0
Bournemouth are on the way up, and Norwich are poor away form hurts.
Barely Interesting Stat:
Home side has won every fixture in Premier League.
CHELSEA v NEWCASTLE
SATURDAY 3:00pm
OUR R.I.C.K. EFFECT MATCH PREVIEW RATING (out of 20)
| Category | Score |
| Rivalry | 2 |
| lnterest | 3 |
| Currrent Form | 3 |
| Klassiker Style | 3 |
| Total | 11 |
A real middle of the road game which you would expect a previous Chelsea side to walk. There’s the intrigue for this match if the young Chelsea side can maintain the dominance.
H2H STATS
2019-20 FORM COMPARISON
THOUGHTS
Chelsea have a very good record against Newcastle at home, but only a win rate of 50% overall in the last 10 seasons.
Be wary of the 3pm kick off though, Newcastle are 50-50.
Chelsea’s 5th place is probably higher than expected at this stage, but have faced opposition averaging 13th. They still have a perfect record against all bottom six sides.
Newcastle have won on their last two trips to London though…
Final Say:
Chelsea 4 Newcastle 0
Although they have struggled at home from time to time, Newcastle should be easy prey for Chelsea,
Barely Interesting Stat:
Newcastle haven’t won at Chelsea since 2012, the seven losses coming at a goals for and against of 3-20.
CRYSTAL PALACE v MANCHESTER CITY
SATURDAY 5:30pm
OUR R.I.C.K. EFFECT MATCH PREVIEW RATING (out of 20)
| Category | Score |
| Rivalry | 2 |
| lnterest | 4 |
| Currrent Form | 4 |
| Klassiker Style | 4 |
| Total | 14 |
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H2H STATS
2019-20 FORM COMPARISON
THOUGHTS
An interesting graph above shows that Crystal Palace are tracking on an almost identical path to Manchester City in terms of collecting points. Except for the head start that is.
A small surprise is that Crystal Palace have a higher average points at home so far this season. Their win over Manchester City is well documented from last season.
Crystal Palace have conceded the fewest goals at home this season.
Manchester City have the best record for any team after the 2nd International Break. Their record wasn’t bad after the first, but they went on to lose to Norwich. But surely a fit KDB will play, unlike against Norwich.
Final Say:
Crystal Palace 0 Manchester City 2
In hope of Kevin De Bruyne playing for the FPL team.
Barely Interesting Stat:
Seems that Crystal Palace have a good result every second season v Man City. A home draw in 2017, and a win in 2015. Their 2019 home bounty is waiting.
MANCHESTER UTD v LIVERPOOL
SUNDAY 4:30pm
OUR R.I.C.K. EFFECT MATCH PREVIEW RATING (out of 20)
| Category | Score |
| Rivalry | 5 |
| lnterest | 5 |
| Currrent Form | 4 |
| Klassiker Style | 4 |
| Total | 18 |
The big game of the round, which is still interesting despite Man Utd starting to replace Liverpool in the former Powerhouse position in the Premier League. Having a cloud over the Man Utd manager just adds interest. The form and style would have been higher if not for Man Utd.
H2H STATS
2019-20 FORM COMPARISON
THOUGHTS
Liverpool’s recent record at Old Trafford isn’t great – Man Utd have a decent 50% win record for the last 10 seasons.
Although, having a look further into our graphs, Liverpool have not lost to Man Utd in the past 10 seasons in October or at the late afternoon kick off time.
For all their faults, Manchester Utd’s defence is only two goals worse than Liverpool, and equal fourth best in the league.
Final Say:
Manchester Utd 0 Liverpool 1
Tight contest as they tend to be at Old Trafford, but these teams are going in different directions. Perhaps a goal from outside of the top three, like a Milner or a Henderson.
Barely Interesting Stat:
You have to go back to 2014 when Liverpool last won at Old Trafford. (3L 3D)
SHEFFIELD UTD v ARSENAL
MONDAY 8:00pm
OUR R.I.C.K. EFFECT MATCH PREVIEW RATING (out of 20)
| Category | Score |
| Rivalry | 1 |
| lnterest | 1 |
| Currrent Form | 3 |
| Klassiker Style | 2 |
| Total | 7 |
The Monday fixtures do tend to underwhelm, as does this game on paper. Both are in at least half decent form, but it has 0-0 written all over if a certain Aubameyang doesn’t fire.
H2H STATS
These two teams haven’t met in the league since 2006-07.
The overall records is Arsenal 48 Draw 27 Sheffield Utd 39
2019-20 FORM COMPARISON
THOUGHTS
Only Liverpool have conceded fewer goals than Sheffield Utd. And they only managed one against them.
Sheffield United have scored the equal fewest goals at home this season, with Newcastle.
Both these sides haven’t won their past three home and away games respectively.
Final Say:
Sheffield Utd 0 Arsenal 0
A strong Sheffield Utd holds of Arsenal on a Monday night.
Barely Interesting Stat:
Arsenal have never beaten Sheffield Utd in the Premier League at Brammall Lane.
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