The English Premier League returns from the international break with the two North London clubs occupying the top two places on the table. Matchday 9 has some huge clashes, and we’ve got you covered with our best bets for free below. Good luck to everyone following!
EPL 2023-24: Matchday 9 Preview & Betting Tips
Liverpool vs Everton
Anfield, Saturday 21st October, 10:30pm AEDT
Matchday 9 opens with the first Merseyside Derby of the season as Liverpool host Everton at Anfield. The Reds will be eager to get back to winning ways after claiming one out of a possible six points leading into the international break. The draw and loss came against Brighton and Tottenham, giving up crucial points against fellow sides in the top six. Everton once again looks set for a relegation battle, with seven points from their opening eight games seeing the Toffees in sixteenth place on the Premier League table.
Liverpool’s attacking brand has still held strong this year despite the departure of Sadio Mane. The Reds are the fourth most prolific scoring side in the league with 18 goals and have had seven individual goal scorers. Liverpool have scored twelve goals in their last five games and will push an Everton defence that has struggled to contain opposing sides this season. Mo Salah has continued his strong form despite losing plenty of his attacking partners over the last two seasons, with his five goals ranking him fourth in the golden boot race.
This has been a one sided rivalry since 2011, in the 25 Premier League meetings in that timespan, Everton have only beaten Liverpool once. The last four games between the two sides sees Liverpool hold a 3-1-0 record with an aggregate scoreline of 8-1. Liverpool will be desperate to bounce back and keep themselves inside the top four, and won’t have any issues against their crosstown rivals who they’ve dominated over the past decade.
Liverpool -1
$1.91 (2 Units)
Manchester City vs Brighton
Etihad Stadium, Sunday 22nd October, 1:00am AEDT
Back to back losses leading into the international break has seen Manchester City slip to third place on the Premier League table, as the reigning champions face a huge clash against Brighton this weekend. Much like their opponents, Brighton were also winless from their last two games which has them in sixth place and in need of a result to maintain touch with the top four. City were well held in their last defeat against Arsenal, registering only four shots on goal, the fewest City have had in a game this season.
Brighton’s last outing was a 2-2 draw with Liverpool, with the Seagulls showing their capacity to compete with the best sides in the league after an embarrassing defeat the week before against Aston Villa. Although Brighton are the most prolific attacking team in the Premier League this season, Brighton have been vulnerable at the back, ranking seventeenth in goals conceded this season. City have exposed the Seagulls defence in recent encounters, scoring eleven goals from their last four Premier League fixtures against Brighton.
This game should be an exciting encounter given the quality both clubs possess through the midfield and their front third, in what will be a free flowing spectacle. Pep Guardiola’s side have given up crucial points in the title race and will be desperate to bounce back. The defending champions have won ten of their last twelve Premier League games against Brighton, and have had no trouble scoring against Roberto De Zerbi’s side. Expect a fired up Manchester City outfit to send a statement against a vulnerable Brighton defence.
Manchester City -1
$2.05 (2 Units)
Chelsea vs Arsenal
Stamford Bridge, Sunday 22nd October, 3:30am AEDT
An inspired 1-0 win over Manchester saw Arsenal climb into second on the Premier League table, only goal difference separating them from league leaders Tottenham. The Gunners smothered the defending champions with an impressive defensive performance as they ended a major hoodoo against Pep Guardiola’s side. Arsenal head to Stamford Bridge to take on London rivals Chelsea, as the Gunners look to keep their unbeaten start to the season rolling.
After a horror start to the season, Chelsea have picked up back to back wins, however they still sit in eleventh place with a 3-2-3 record. Arsenal’s defence was the key factor to defeating City in their last game and it's a facet the the Gunners have been excellent at this season. Arsenal are the equal best defensive side in the Premier League, having conceded just six goals from eight games. It’s going to be a tough ask for Chelsea to penetrate Arsenal’s defence, with Chelsea only scoring seven goals across their opening six games. Their last two outings against Fulham and Burnley have inflated their attacking stats, however Chelsea have struggled to score against the best teams in the league over the past eighteen months.
Arsenal have recorded clean sheets in three of their last four games this season and will be full of confidence given their recent record against Chelsea. Arsenal have won five of their last six meetings in the Premier League against Chelsea, including both games against Chelsea last season. This is a perfect matchup for Arsenal given Chelsea’s struggles in their front third, and although they come into this clash with back to back wins, it’s a completely different task coming up against Arsenal. Given the form they are in, the Gunners are excellent value in this clash.
Arsenal to Win
$2.25 (2 Units)
