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 Congrats to Andrew Maher, who top-scored in week 9 of Premier League Pickem with 32 points. Steve Steffy's 30 points earned him the runners-up spot, while Tom Vobejda, David Cords (both 26) and Skip Wilson (25) rounded out the top 5. The leading five members all logged the most correct picks (7), while Maher, Steffy and Dario Ambrozewiez predicted the most perfect games (2). Week 9's average per pick made was 2.226 points, ranking second behind week 5's benchmark. There was universal agreement that Arsenal would beat Watford and Manchester City would defeat Bournemouth and the Gunners and Citizens didn't let down their backers. The Arsenal at Watford fixture yielded a week high 2.19 points average, while Aston Villa at Chelsea (2.06) was the only other game to break the 2-points average barrier. Meanwhile, Stoke at Swansea produced a week-low 0.33 points average, with Brad Duff the only participant to correctly select a Stoke victory. Andrew Maher's week win strengthened his position at the top of the overall standings. Through nine weeks, Maher has accumulated 215 points, the only participant so far to break the 200-point barrier. Dario Ambrozewiez sits in second place on 192 points, with Skip Wilson (190) in third and Steve Steffy and George Brady (both 189) tied in fourth. There are two big derbies in week 10 at either end of the current league standings. At the top, league leaders Manchester City take on third-placed Manchester United; while at the foot of the table, Newcastle (18th) make the short trip to last-placed Sunderland. Remember to make your Premier League Pickem predictions before the deadline of each game. Week 10's schedule begins on Saturday with five 10 AM ET kickoffs, followed by a 12:30 PM ET game. Sunday has four fixtures, the first beginning at 8 AM ET; there are two 10:05 AM ET matches and the slate is completed by a 12:15 PM ET encounter. Here we preview the ten games in the upcoming week of the English Premier League. The title of each game section is a link to pick the result of that game. Swansea City (14th) at Aston Villa (19th) (Sat, 10 AM ET) Swansea began this campaign in good form, going undefeated in their first four, but they're currently in a slump. The Swans head into this game chasing their first victory since week four and during this current five-match winless span they've lost three times. Swansea has the third-worst away form in the division and has yet to record a road victory. While Swansea has the third-worst away record, no team has worse home form than Aston Villa. To date, Villa has played four games with home advantage and has picked up a solitary point thanks to a 2-2 tie with Sunderland. It's been dire since Villa's 1-0 victory over Bournemouth on the opening day, with the club losing seven of the last eight. Head-to-Head Stats Last season: Swansea 1-0 Aston Villa Aston Villa 0-1 Swansea (reverse fixture) Last 6 (all competitions): Swansea lead 3-1-2. Last 3 at Aston Villa (all competitions): Tied 1-1-1. All-time (all competitions): Aston Villa lead 15-7-3. Team News Swansea (from): Fabianski, Nordfeldt, Tremmel, Alfei, Amat, Bartley, Fernandez, Naughton, Rangel, Tabanou, Taylor, Williams, Ayew, Britton, Cork, Fulton, Grimes, Ki, Lucas, Montero, Routledge, Shelvey, Sigurdsson, Barrow, Eder, Emnes, Gomis. Doubts: Routledge (knock). Aston Villa (from): Bunn, Guzan, Amavi, Bacuna, Clark, Crespo, Hutton, Ilori, Lescott, Richards, Richardson, Senderos, Cole, Gil, Gueye, Grealish, N'Zogbia, Sanchez, Sinclair, Veretout, Westwood, Agbonlahor, Ayew, Gestede, Kozak, Traore. Doubts: Agbonlahor (calf), Clark (thigh). Out (reason, expected return date): Gardner (ankle, Nov 2), Okore (knee, Nov 2). Crystal Palace (6th) at Leicester City (5th) (Sat, 10 AM ET) It's been win or bust for Crystal Palace so far this season, with the Eagles winning five and losing four of their first nine fixtures. While on their travels, Palace has continued their fine form from the end of last season, with only West Ham and Arsenal boasting better road records. Palace has lost three of their last five games, including last time out. Leicester's campaign so far has been characterized by battling comebacks. The Foxes has fallen behind in six of their last seven league outings but they've only lost to Arsenal. Leicester's home games have been high-scoring, with 20 goals being scored in the four fixtures. They've racked up four ties to date, with only Tottenham accumulating more. Head-to-Head Stats Last season: Crystal Palace 1-0 Leicester Leicester 0-2 Crystal Palace (reverse fixture) Last 6 (all competitions): Crystal Palace lead 3-2-1. Last 3 at Leicester (all competitions): Crystal Palace lead 2-1-0. All-time (all competitions): Sunderland lead 4-0-2. Team News Crystal Palace (from): Hennessey, McCarthy, Speroni, Dann, Delaney, Hangeland, Kelly, Mariappa, Souare, Ward, Bolasie, Cabaye, Guedioura, Jedinak, Ledley, Lee, McArthur, Mutch, Puncheon, Sako, Zaha, Bamford, Campbell. Out (reason, expected return date): Chamakh (hamstring, Oct 28), Wickham (knock, Oct 28), Appiah (ACL, no date). Suspended: Gayle (one-match ban). Leicester (from): Schmeichel, Schwarzer, Benalouane, De Laet, Fuchs, Huth, Morgan, Simpson, Wasilewski, Albrighton, Drinkwater, Dyer, Hammond, Inler, Kante, King, Mahrez, Schlupp, Dodoo, Kramaric, Okazaki, Vardy. Out (reason, expected return date): James (ACL, Feb), Ulloa (thigh, Oct 27). West Bromwich Albion (13th) at Norwich City (16th) (Sat, 10 AM ET) It's been an up and down campaign for West Brom but they'll hope their result last weekend will trigger an upturn in fortunes. The Baggies began the term slowly but a victory in week 4 led to a three-game unbeaten run. Two defeats followed, though, but last week they beat Sunderland. There have been four goals in West Brom's four away games. Contrast that with the 13 goals that have been scored in Norwich's four fixtures at Carrow Road to date. The defence has been vulnerable, though, and the glut of goals has led to the Canaries recording just one home victory. Overall, Norwich is in a slump and they're winless in their last four. Last time out they conceded six goals away to Newcastle. Head-to-Head Stats Last season: West Brom 0-3 Norwich (League Cup; this season) Last 6 (all competitions): Norwich lead 4-2-0 (includes 1 FA Cup game and 1 League Cup game). Last 3 at Norwich (all competitions): Norwich lead 2-1-0 (includes 1 League Cup game). All-time (all competitions): West Brom lead 25-20-15. Team News West Brom (from): Myhill, Lindegaard, Rose, Gamboa, Chester, Dawson, McAuley, Olsson, Evans, Brunt, Pocognoli, Gardner, Yacob, Morrison, McManaman, McClean, Sessegnon, Fletcher, Gnabry, Berahino, Anichebe, Lambert, Rondon. Out (reason, expected return date): Foster (ACL, Jan). Norwich (from): Ruddy, Olsson, Bassong, Martin, Whittaker, Tettey, Hoolahan, Redmond, Howson, Brady, Mbokani, Rudd, Dorrans, Jarvis, Bennett, Wisdom, O'Neil, Jerome, Lafferty, Hooper, Grabban. Out (reason, expected return date): Mulumbu (foot, no date). Watford (15th) at Stoke City (11th) (Sat, 10 AM ET) Watford's survival will probably depend on their attack clicking. Going into the tenth week of the season, the Hornets are the lowest scoring team in the division having hit the back of the net just six times so far. On just two occasions they've scored more than once and Watford has been blanked five times. Watford has only one away defeat, though. Stoke began this league campaign very poorly but they're one of the form teams heading into week 10. The Potters fell to three defeats in their opening five matches but this weekend they're seeking a fourth win in a row and they're unbeaten in four games. Their home form has been disappointing, though, with just one win coming at the Britannia. Head-to-Head Stats Last season: Last met in 2008 Last 6 (all competitions): Watford lead 3-1-2. Last 3 at Stoke (all competitions): Watford lead 2-0-1. All-time (all competitions): Watford lead 13-11-6. Team News Watford (from): Arlauskis, Gilmartin, Gomes, Ake, Belkalem, Britos, Cathcart, Hoban, Holebas, Nyom, Paredes, Prodl, Abdi, Anya, Behrami, Capoue, Dyer, Guedioura, Watson, Berghuis, Deeney, Diamanti, Ibarbo, Ighalo, Oulare. Out (reason, expected return date): Ekstrand (ACL, Jan), Jurado (hamstring, Oct 31). Stoke (from): Butland, Haugaard, Given, Bardsley, Cameron, Johnson, Muniesa, Pieters, Teixeira, Wilson, Wollscheid, Adam, Afellay, Ireland, Moha, Shaqiri, Shenton, Sidwell, Van Ginkel, Whelan, Arnautovic, Bojan, Crouch, Diouf, Joselu, Odemwingie, Walters. Doubts: Walters (groin). Out (reason, expected return date): Shawcross (back, Oct 31). Chelsea (12th) at West Ham United (4th) (Sat, 10 AM ET) Chelsea's title defense has been hapless so far but maybe a victory last week can kickstart their faltering campaign. The Blues' backline has been particularly vulnerable, with more goals being shipped already this season than in their title-winning run. Chelsea's European campaign has been poor, too; in midweek they tied 0-0 away at Dynamo Kyiv. West Ham has been stellar on the road to date but at Upton Park they've struggled. The Hammers last their first two home games but in their last two with home advantage they defeated Newcastle 2-0 and tied with Norwich. Overall, Wes Ham can claim being one of the form teams having compiled a six-match unbeaten stretch, including four wins. Head-to-Head Stats Last season: Chelsea 1-0 West Ham West Ham 0-2 Chelsea (reverse fixture) Last 6 (all competitions): Chelsea lead 4-1-1. Last 3 at West Ham (all competitions): Chelsea lead 2-1-0. All-time (all competitions): Chelsea lead 47-37-19. Team News Chelsea (from): Begovic, Blackman, Azpilicueta, Cahill, Djilobodji, Rahman, Terry, Zouma, Fabregas, Hazard, Loftus-Cheek, Matic, Mikel, Oscar, Ramires, Traore, Willian, Costa, Falcao, Kenedy, Pedro, Remy. Doubts: Remy (knock), Pedro (knock). Out (reason, expected return date): Courtois (knee, Dec 9), Ivanovic (hamstring, Oct 31). West Ham (from): Adrian, Randolph, Spiegel, Collins, Cresswell, Demel, Henry, Jenkinson, O'Brien, Ogbonna, Oxford, Tomkins, Antonio, Cullen, Kouyate, Lanzini, Noble, Obiang, Payet, Samuelsen, Song, Carroll, Jelavic, Lee, Sakho, Valencia, Zarate. Out (reason, expected return date): Reid (back, Oct 31). Unavailable: Moses (loanee; cannot face parent club). Everton (9th) at Arsenal (2nd) (Sat, 12:30 PM ET) Everton had been on a roll heading into last weekend but a defeat halted their ascent. After suffering a 2-0 defeat at Manchester City in week 3, the Toffees went on a five-match unbeaten streak, seven including the League Cup. Last week, however, Everton was defeated 3-0 by Manchester United. Everton has yet to lose on the road in four games. Arsenal lost their opening home fixture this season but they've been difficult to break down since. The Gunners have posted three successive cleansheets at the Emirates on their way to recording two wins and a tie. Arsenal has three wins in a row and four in their last five. They also defeated Bayern Munich 2-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday. Head-to-Head Stats Last season: Everton 0-2 Arsenal Arsenal 2-2 Everton (reverse fixture) Last 6 (all competitions): Arsenal lead 2-1-3 (includes 1 FA Cup game). Last 3 at Arsenal (all competitions): Arsenal lead 2-0-1 (includes 1 FA Cup game). All-time (all competitions): Arsenal lead 100-59-45. Team News Everton (from): Howard, Joel, Stanek, Browning, Coleman, Funes Mori, Galloway, Holgate, Jagielka, Oviedo, Stones, Barkley, Barry, Cleverley, Gibson, Lennon, McCarthy, Mirallas, Osman, Pienaar, Deulofeu, Kone, Lukaku, Naismith, Rodriguez. Out (reason, expected return date): Besic (hamstring, Nov 1), Baines (ankle, Nov 1), Hibbert (knee, Nov 1), Pienaar (hamstring, Nov 1). Arsenal (from): Cech, Ospina, Bellerin, Chambers, Debuchy, Gabriel, Gibbs, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal, Arteta, Cazorla, Coquelin, Flamini, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ozil, Campbell, Giroud, Sanchez, Walcott. Out (reason, expected return date): Rosicky (knee, Jan), Welbeck (knee, Jan), Wilshere (ankle, Dec 13), Ramsey (hamstring, Nov 21). Newcastle United (18th) at Sunderland (20th) (Sun, 8 AM ET) Steve McClaren finally has his first league victory as Newcastle manager after an eventful outing last time out. The Magpies began with no win in their first eight fixtures, losing their four of their last five. They thrashed Norwich 6-2 last week, though, meaning there has been 15 goals in their last two matches. Newcastle has the worst away record. Sunderland is propping up the table and they're still to secure a win this term. The Black Cats' first nine games have yielded a mere three points and they've lost four of their last five, including Sam Allardyce's first game in charge last week. However, the previous three Sunderland managers beat Newcastle in their second game having lost their first. Head-to-Head Stats Last season: Newcastle 0-1 Sunderland Sunderland 1-0 Newcastle (reverse fixture) Last 6 (all competitions): Sunderland lead 5-0-1. Last 3 at Sunderland (all competitions): Sunderland lead 2-0-1. All-time (all competitions): Newcastle lead 53-51-49. Team News Newcastle (from): Elliot, Coloccini, Dummett, Haidara, Janmaat, Lascelles, Mbemba, Williamson, Aarons, Anita, Bigirimana, Colback, De Jong, Gouffran, Sissoko, Thauvin, Tiote, Wijnaldum, Cisse, Mitrovic, Perez, Toney. Out (reason, expected return date): Krul (ACL, Jul), Taylor (hamstring, Nov 5), Obertan (hamstring, Nov 21), Riviere (knee, Nov 21), Darlow (ankle, Nov 21), Good (hip, Oct 31), Marveux (groin, Oct 31), Mbabu (hamstring, no date). Sunderland (from): Mannone, Pantilimon, Stryjek, Brown, Coates, Jones, Kaboul, Matthews, O'Shea, Van Aanholt, Yedlin, Bridcutt, Buckley, Cattermole, Gomez, Johnson, Larsson, M'Vila, Rodwell, Borini, Defoe, Fletcher, Gooch, Graham, Lens, Toivonen, Watmore. Doubts: Matthews (foot), Borini (knock). Tottenham Hotspur (7th) at A.F.C. Bournemouth (17th) (Sun, 10:05 AM ET) Tottenham kicked the season off with a 1-0 defeat away to Manchester United but they've been solid in the league since. Spurs have gone unbeaten in the league in the subsequent eight matches, winning three and tying the other five. In the Europa League, Spurs have four points out of nine but lost 2-1 on Thursday on the road in Anderlecht. Bournemouth has slowly slipped back down the league table after recording just one victory in their last six matches. That solitary victory was against Sunderland, who currently occupy last place, while they've lost three of their last five, including a 5-1 defeat at Manchester City last week. The Cherries have lost just one in four at home, however. Head-to-Head Stats Last season: Last met in 1957 Last 6 (all competitions): Only one meeting. Last 3 at Bournemouth (all competitions): Bournemouth lead 1-0-0. All-time (all competitions): Bournemouth lead 1-0-0. Team News Tottenham (from): Lloris, Vorm, Walker, Trippier, Alderweireld, Wimmer, Vertonghen, Rose, Davies, Winks, Dier, Dembele, Mason, Carroll, Alli, Lamela, Townsend, Eriksen, Njie, Kane. Out (reason, expected return date): Pritchard (ankle, Jan), Chadli (ankle, Dec 5), Son (foot, Nov 2), Bentaleb (ankle, no date), Fazio (hamstring, no date). Bournemouth (from): Boruc, Federici, Francis, Cook, Gosling, Surman, Pugh, Rantie, Daniels, Smith, MacDonald, King, Kermorgant, Stanislas, Atsu, Allsop, Tomlin, Distin, Ritchie, O'Kane, Bennett, Murray. Doubts: Boruc (thigh). Out (reason, expected return date): Mings (knee, Sep), Wilson (ACL, Apr), Gradel (ACL, Apr), Elphick (ankle, Dec 12), Arter (thigh, no date). Manchester City (1st) at Manchester United (3rd) (Sun, 10:05 AM ET) Manchester City's mini blip, where they lost successive games, has been put behind them for now after a couple of impressive victories in the league and a comeback win in Europe. City fell behind to Newcastle but went on to rout them 6-1 and then last week they beat Bournemouth 5-1. In Europe, City defeated Sevilla 2-1 with a late winner. Manchester United wasn't as successful in the Champions League on Wednesday but they fought back in the second half to tie 1-1 with CSKA Moskva. It hasn't been entirely plain sailing in the league either but they sit just two points behind the leaders. A 3-0 defeat at Arsenal has been United's only defeat in their last five league matches, however. Head-to-Head Stats Last season: Manchester City 2-4 Manchester United Manchester United 0-1 Manchester City (reverse fixture) Last 6 (all competitions): Manchester City lead 4-2-0. Last 3 at Manchester United (all competitions): Manchester City lead 2-1-0. All-time (all competitions): Manchester United lead 69-49-50. Team News Manchester City (from): Hart, Caballero, Zabaleta, Sagna, Maffeo, Kompany, Demichelis, Otamendi, Mangala, Kolarov, Toure, Fernando, Fernandinho, Glendon, Barker, De Bruyne, Sterling, Navas, Bony, Iheanacho, Roberts. Out (reason, expected return date): Agüero (hamstring, Nov 21), Nasri (hamstring, no date), Silva (ankle, no date), Delph (hamstring, no date), Clichy (ankle, no date). Manchester United (from): De Gea, Romero, Johnstone, Valencia, Darmian, Jones, Smalling, Rojo, Blind, Carrick, Schweinsteiger, Schneiderlin, Herrera, Fellaini, Mata, Pereira, Depay, Lingard, Martial, Rooney, Wilson. Out (reason, expected return date): Shaw (broken leg, Apr), McNair (abnominal strain, Oct 31), Young (calf, no date). Southampton (8th) at Liverpool (10th) (Sun, 12:15 PM ET) Southampton struggled with juggling domestic and European duties but since being eliminated from the Europa League their EPL form has improved. Their first league win, 3-0 against Norwich, came in week 4 and they've lost just one of the subsequent five fixtures. The Saints are unbeaten on the road, tying three and winning at Chelsea. Jürgen Klopp's tenure as Liverpool manager began last weekend with a 0-0 tie away to Tottenham. It increased the club's current unbeaten streak to four games but just one of those results was a victory, a 3-2 win over Aston Villa. Going further back, Liverpool has one win in seven league games. In the Europa League, they tied with Rubin Kazan. Head-to-Head Stats Last season: Southampton 1-2 Liverpool Liverpool 2-0 Southampton (reverse fixture) Last 6 (all competitions): Liverpool lead 4-2-0. Last 3 at Liverpool (all competitions): Liverpool lead 2-1-0. All-time (all competitions): Liverpool lead 50-27-22. Team News Southampton (from): Stekelenburg, K. Davis, Gazzaniga, Soares, Yoshida, Clasie, Fonte, Bertrand, S. Davis, Isgrove, Caulker, Jimenez, Mane, Martina, Pelle, Ramirez, Rodriguez, Tadic, Van Dijk, Romeu, Wanyama. Doubts: Rodriguez (fitness). Out (reason, expected return date): Forster (knee, Apr), Long (ankle, Nov 1), Gardos (knee, no date). Liverpool (from): Mignolet, Clyne, Skrtel, Sakho, Moreno, Lucas, Milner, Can, Coutinho, Lallana, Benteke, Bogdan, Toure, Randall, Allen, Ibe, Firmino, Origi, Teixeira, Sinclair. Doubts: Sturridge (knee). Out (reason, expected return date): Flanagan (knee, Dec 19), Henderson (Metatarsel, Nov 21), Gomez (ACL, no date), Ings (ACL, no date), Rossiter (hamstring, no date). |
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