Arne Slot will not be sacked anytime soon. He will get time at Liverpool because he won the Premier League last season. However, with the team he picked during the Carabao Cup fourth round loss to Crystal Palace, he has now put too much pressure on himself ahead of the game against Aston Villa on Saturday. That team had no chance of winning against Palace.
If Liverpool lose to Real Madrid next week in the Champions League, it may not drastically affect their hopes of progressing in the tournament. But the loss to Palace has now knocked them straight out of the running for a piece of silverware that could have become a shining light in a difficult season. Losing six out of seven games isn’t normal, and all eyes will be on Slot and how his team performs this weekend.
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**Gameweek Nine: A Perfect Weekend for Arsenal**
Gameweek nine was just perfect for Arsenal. All of Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester City lost as Arsenal beat Crystal Palace. This has put severe pressure on everyone hoping to chase Arsenal down.
If you look at the Carabao Cup fourth round games, even Arsenal made 10 changes to their line-up like Liverpool, yet they didn’t get slaughtered like their rivals! That is the difference this year. Unlike Liverpool, Arsenal put some of their big guns on the bench at least in the cup game against Brighton. I don’t know why Slot opted against doing the same.
When it’s not going well in the league, any side could use a good cup run. Liverpool failed to capitalize on this opportunity. For a team with so much talent, losing this many games in a short span of time is worrying.
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## Premier League Gameweek 10 Predictions
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### Crystal Palace vs Brentford
Both teams have had some incredible results recently, but we need to talk more about Brentford. They have now won three straight games and four of their last five in all competitions. This run has seen them beat both Manchester United and Liverpool in the Premier League!
While we often praise Crystal Palace, Brentford have the same number of points and have scored more goals this season. Yet, Brentford don’t always get the credit they deserve, which is crazy.
This is a tough one to call. Brentford have struggled away from home except for their game against West Ham. Crystal Palace are a much better team than West Ham, and at Selhurst Park, I think Palace will edge Brentford by the odd goal.
**Prediction:** Crystal Palace 2-1 Brentford
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### Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United
Manchester United seem to be turning a corner. The team from previous seasons would likely have lost to Brighton last weekend, but despite some luck, they secured a 4-2 win. That’s what matters.
If I had to pick a winner here, it would be Manchester United. But Sean Dyche will set Nottingham Forest to frustrate United, putting 10 men behind the ball and sitting deep.
Though Manchester United have the firepower to break Forest down, it won’t be easy.
On the Brentford front, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha look promising as a partnership reminiscent of the legendary Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole at Manchester United. However, consistency is key. Last season, playing for Brentford and Wolves — sides not known for consistency — hid some of that pressure. Now at a bigger club, expectations are higher.
If Brentford or Wolves lose to Nottingham Forest, no one batters an eye. But if Manchester United loses, the headlines write themselves — a different kind of pressure for Mbeumo and Cunha.
I’d rate Manchester United’s chances of finishing in the top five at only about 50% after this game. They must beat Forest to be considered real contenders; however, I doubt that will happen.
**Prediction:** Nottingham Forest 1-1 Manchester United
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### Burnley vs Arsenal
It all depends on how quickly Arsenal can break Burnley down.
Earlier this season, Liverpool struggled similarly before snatching a late win at Burnley. Burnley have been solid at home, playing to their strengths — a smart approach for a newly-promoted team looking to stay up.
The way Arsenal are playing, if Burnley gain even a single shot on goal, that would be a job well done!
I recently read a crazy stat: if Arsenal had conceded a goal from every shot faced this season, they would still have 13 or 14 points. That’s remarkable.
Arsenal have been compared to Jose Mourinho’s past Chelsea, but the difference is that Chelsea did it for an entire season, whereas Arsenal have only done so for nine games — with three quarters of the season left.
If Arsenal want to match that Chelsea team’s dominance, they must concede fewer than four goals every nine games. Achieving that in today’s Premier League would be unbelievable.
On 19th September, I said that if Arsenal got four points from games against Manchester City and Newcastle, they would win the league. They did exactly that, and I still stand by it.
In fact, the title race could be over in the next two weeks! Arsenal face Burnley and Sunderland before the international break, while Liverpool face Aston Villa and Manchester City. I expect Arsenal to win both games, and I’m not backing Liverpool this weekend.
If City and Liverpool drop points against each other in gameweek 11, Arsenal could win the league quite comfortably. I also believe Arsenal could enjoy a good Champions League run, possibly having sealed the league title by the latter stages.
**Prediction:** Burnley 0-2 Arsenal
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### Brighton & Hove Albion vs Leeds United
Brighton can be a funny team. They were somewhat unlucky against Manchester United last weekend and could have gotten something out of that game.
Brighton remain inconsistent, and being knocked out of the cup by Arsenal in midweek didn’t help.
Leeds have impressed so far, and their win against West Ham last weekend should boost their confidence.
Still, I feel Brighton will win this game at home.
**Prediction:** Brighton & Hove Albion 2-0 Leeds United
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### Fulham vs Wolves
This match is like a cup final for Wolves. A win puts them just three points from safety; a loss increases the gap to at least eight points from 17th place.
This is a must-win game for Wolves. There’s no two ways about it.
Fulham have struggled recently, suffering their fourth straight defeat last weekend to Newcastle. Though those were tough fixtures against Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Arsenal, and Newcastle, Fulham find themselves 17th in the table, just three points above the drop zone.
If they lose to rock-bottom Wolves, that’s a major concern.
While Fulham are better than their position suggests, Wolves cannot say the same. They’ve already lost to all three newly-promoted teams and face tough fixtures ahead.
**Prediction:** Fulham 2-0 Wolves
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### Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea
Chelsea rested several key players during their cup win over Wolves and managed to progress.
Tottenham will be disappointed after getting knocked out of the cup by Newcastle.
Spurs struggle at home. If you look at the league table split by home and away results, Tottenham are 17th at home but top on the road.
Thomas Frank must be happy with Spurs’ 3-0 win over Everton last weekend, though goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario made some key saves.
This is one of the biggest games of the season for both sides. Following this, Chelsea face Wolves and Burnley, and a win here could give them momentum for three straight wins ahead of the international break.
Liam Delap’s sending off in the cup against Wolves is disappointing. His presence would have created an interesting matchup against Chelsea’s Micky van de Ven — Delap combines strength with an attacking threat.
Chelsea need to start Pedro Neto here. The large pitch at Tottenham suits his pace. Estevao will likely start as well.
However, both wingers must track back because Spurs’ full-backs like going forward. If Chelsea’s wingers neglect their defensive duties, their team could be overrun.
Enzo Maresca will likely select players he trusts to defend the flanks to avoid trouble.
**Prediction:** Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Chelsea
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### Liverpool vs Aston Villa
Looking at the form table, Aston Villa are at the top while Liverpool languish near the bottom. Unai Emery’s men will arrive at Anfield with confidence.
Aside from their shock defeat to Go Ahead Eagles, Villa have been flawless recently.
Part of me thinks Liverpool will eventually return to winning ways, but losing six out of seven games highlights deep issues — not just results but confidence too.
Villa have nothing to lose here, which could give them an edge. Even if they lose, it’s not a disaster.
Both teams currently have the same number of points, a remarkable turnaround given Villa’s difficult start.
The only concern is Villa’s lack of goals — only nine scored in nine games, though they’ve conceded only eight.
Liverpool’s defense has been shaky lately; can Villa exploit that?
A big question looms over Mohamed Salah’s availability. I believe he will start.
Salah still creates chances, and leaving him out doesn’t make sense.
Liverpool must forget about their upcoming Real Madrid game. Even a loss there doesn’t end their Champions League hopes, but defeat to Villa could end their Premier League title defense, putting them 10 points behind Arsenal with a tough Manchester City game coming up.
It’s a worrying scenario. I don’t see Liverpool beating Villa this weekend.
**Prediction:** Liverpool 1-1 Aston Villa
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### West Ham United vs Newcastle United
West Ham are the worst team when it comes to home performances this season.
They face Newcastle, who have only won once away from home all season.
West Ham’s inability to win at home — their last was on 27 February against relegated Leicester City — is alarming.
Their recent losses, including a heavy defeat to Brentford, are concerning.
Despite Newcastle’s hectic schedule, I see them taking all three points here.
**Prediction:** West Ham United 1-3 Newcastle United
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### Manchester City vs Bournemouth
This promises to be a fun game.
Bournemouth will head to the Etihad full of confidence, making this a tough game to call.
A few years ago, this would’ve been a match where we’d expect City to win by several goals, but that’s no longer guaranteed.
Bournemouth play some of the best football in the league now.
Beating City requires pace on the counter and smart passing — skills Bournemouth have.
However, can they be brave away from home? It’s easier as a mid-table team without high expectations, but Bournemouth’s standards are rising.
We’ve seen this pattern in other leagues; for example, Hearts in the Scottish Premiership lost points unexpectedly despite leading comfortably earlier in the season.
Here, a Bournemouth defeat would be disappointing considering their form.
I’m backing Manchester City to win but don’t expect a clean sheet — Bournemouth will create chances.
**Prediction:** Manchester City 2-1 Bournemouth
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### Sunderland vs Everton
This is a tough match for Everton.
I was really impressed by Sunderland’s performance in their win over Chelsea — a great all-round display of strong defending, pace in transition, and effective passing.
Sunderland’s return to the Premier League has been phenomenal.
Everton have struggled away from home, which adds to Sunderland’s chances here.
I hesitated but will back Sunderland to win!
This prediction might come back to haunt me because Sunderland will eventually lose games, but based on form and recent performances, this is my call.
If Sunderland win and my other predictions are right, they could be second in the table with 20 points after 10 games — 18 points clear of Wolves!
Remember, this tally includes a loss to Burnley — simply phenomenal.
**Prediction:** Sunderland 2-1 Everton
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These upcoming fixtures bring plenty of excitement and drama. Keep an eye on the teams’ performances, as the title race tightens and the relegation battle heats up!
https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/news-paul-merson-predicts-tottenham-vs-chelsea-liverpool-vs-aston-villa-premier-league-gw10-fixtures
