The action over the weekend showed just how thrilling and exciting the Premier League is, as we welcomed its return following the international break with open arms. Let’s hope for more of the same in game-week 9 and this is what we expect to see from it:
West Ham v Man City
With West Ham only 2 places below Manchester City, we should not hastily think that the away win is inevitable, but Pellegrini’s men will still look to obtain all three points at Upton Park.
STAR MAN – Sergio AGUERO
The Argentine bagged all four goals in the previous victory against Spurs and could have had a lot more, so we expect him to get a couple more on his travels this weekend.
Liverpool v Hull City
The Merseyside reds have not been playing at their best but are still managing to win games, a sign that suggests they are strong even when weak. However Hull City will fancy their chances after getting a rare point at the Emirates last week.
STAR MAN – Mohamed DIAME
Arguably one of the signings of the summer so far. Diame has already popped up with four goals this season from midfield. His strength may cause a few problems for the Liverpool defence, who themselves have been leaking goals this season.
Southampton v Stoke City
When you score eight goals in your last home match, there is really only one outcome we can expect from this game, especially as Stoke have had a mediocre start to the season. Koeman’s boys are unbeaten at home, and surely after last weeks performance this will continue.
STAR MAN – Dusan TADIC
We expect Tadic to be providing assists once more as well as popping up with the odd goal as he looks to continue his fantastic start to life in the Premier League.
Sunderland v Arsenal
Well it is surely guaranteed that Sunderland will do better than they did in their previous match whilst Arsenal have not been too convincing either, but it is still hard to look beyond an away win in this fixture.
STAR MAN – Alexis SANCHEZ
One of very few things that Wenger can be pleased about this season is the pace and skill of Sanchez, who loves to get forward, so we would expect him to be hugely involved in the Gunners goal threat.
West Brom v Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace are dangerously lying just above the drop-zone so West Bromwich Albion will fancy their chances against the Eagles, but we still think this one could go either way with the quality of players on both sides being very similar.
STAR MAN – Saido BERAHINO
Already the top English scorer this season, Berahino will feel he has a good opportunity to add to his goal tally since he has a fantastic record when he plays at home.
Swansea v Leicester
These two sides have had very similar starts to the season; they started off extremely well but have recently begun to experience a dip in form. A home win is still very much what is expected of Swansea in this type of fixture though with their experienced Premier League quality.
STAR MAN – Gylfi SIGURDSSON
This is a fixture where we expect Gylfi to be getting yet more assists, to add to his already impressive assist tally this season.
Burnley v Everton
It isn’t looking very positive for Burnley as they are struggling to score goals and still have not won a game all season. Everton are on the up and Roberto Martinez will see no reason why his side cannot obtain all three points at Turf Moor.
STAR MAN – Leighton BAINES
Is there a more all-round player in the Premier League than Baines? Expect a clean sheet against Burnley, as well as taking free-kicks and providing excellent crosses.
Tottenham v Newcastle
Tottenham have been less than convincing but this fixture is one that they’ll have to win if they want to keep up their challenge for the top 4, whilst Newcastle have been poor away from home and will probably look to play for a point.
STAR MAN – Nacer CHADLI
Four goals in eight games is very solid for a player of Chadli’s calibre and he will look to add to his record this season against a defence that has let in 14 goals already.
Manchester United v Chelsea
Quite easily the tie of the game-week, say what you like about Manchester United but Van Gaal has an excellent record in the big games. Chelsea on the other hand will look to preserve their status as the only unbeaten team in the league.
STAR MAN – Angel DI MARIA
Di Maria will know Mourinho inside out from his Real Madrid days, and will probably look to play to the best of his ability, to go with some already outstanding performances this season.
QPR v Aston Villa
Aston Villa have lost their last four matches, whilst QPR put in an excellent performance against the runners-up of last season, so we would expect The Hoops to win their second game of the campaign.
STAR MAN – Eduardo VARGAS
Two goals in the last game whilst coming on as a sub will have boosted his confidence and we expect him to lash some more in the back of the net this game-week.
Dean
@Dean_mancity