Our GW9 Premier League Predictions Against Tim Lyre

Following yet another international break, the Premier League is back serving up some huge fixtures this weekend. This round of games we have pitted ourselves against Tim Lyre, an Afro-Fusion artist who has recently dropped of his new single, ‘Tighter’.

Profile

Name: Tim Lyre

Team Supported: Chelsea

Favourite Player Growing Up: Didier Drogba

Favourite Player Now: Ohhh Thiago Silva or a fit Reece James, but outside Chelsea, only one  GOAT, Lionel Messi.

Favourite Football Moment: 2012 Champions League Final – Bayern Munich v Chelsea, King Drogba 88th minute equalizer. I knew it was destiny.

Liverpool vs Everton

The Merseyside Derby is one of the biggest fixtures on the calendar and is a heated rivalry. Fresh off the International break, Liverpool will feel confident after a solid start to the season. Despite the fiasco of the Tottenham game and a draw to Brighton, they are the stronger side. Mo Salah continues to deliver the goals, while that midfield has plenty of creativity. The defence remains a mild issue and the loss of Andy Robertson is a blow.

Everton meanwhile are finally getting results after victories over Bournemouth and Brentford. The likes of Jack Harrison and Abdoulaye Doucouré are showing their best form in the midfield and Jordan Pickford continues to be the star man in goal. That Toffees defence isn’t the most convincing and they will have to show up to fight back The Reds’ attacking talent.

This will certainly be an interesting game with Liverpool dropping points and Everton coming into some form before the break. It will be a tasty affair and I think there will be late drama, but the team in red should get over the line.

Score Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Everton

Tom Atkinson

Tim’s Prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Everton – This is always hard to call but I think Liverpool should have the edge.

Bournemouth vs Wolves

This really does feel like a must win game for Bournemouth. Despite Andoni Iraola arriving on the south coast with a great reputation, his philosophies have not yet translated to the players. On top of that, USMNT captain Tyler Adams has been sidelined until February, leaving the Cherries without a recognised defensive midfielder.

Wolves on the other hand have stabilised their season and will be hopeful of continuing their decent form at the Vitality Stadium. Gary O’Neil has steadied the ship well since arriving in the summer and has got his side playing expansive football, albeit without a true cutting edge up top. I expect a cagey affair, with Bournemouth throwing away a lead late on.

Score Prediction: Bournemouth 1-1 Wolves

Joe Simpson

Tim’s Prediction: Bournemouth 1-1 Wolves – Might also be a goalless draw.

Brentford vs Burnley

Burnley come into this fixture in marginally better form, but both teams have struggled in recent weeks. Despite a decent start to the season Brentford have tailed off and lost a sickener to Manchester United in the dying seconds last time out.

Burnley secured their first win over Luton but have been in dismal form elsewhere as Vincent Kompany struggles to adapt his ambitious style to the Premier League. Brentford away is normally a tough fixture and I expect the home side to secure the three points.

Score Prediction: Brentford 2-1 Burnley

Joe Simpson

Tim’s Prediction: Brentford 3-0 Burnley – Brentford should be able to do the job at home.

Man City vs Brighton

It has been well documented how Rodri’s loss to Manchester City’s midfield has effected them, not to mention the long term loss of Kevin De Bruyne. Brighton have also had a minor wobble but both of these sides play some of the best football in the league so we should be in for an exciting match up.

With Rodri back and City at home, it is tough to see anything over than a win for Pep Guardiola’s men. Erling Haaland has received a fair amount of criticism in recent weeks so I expect him to silence his doubters with a few goals at the Etihad.

Score Prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Brighton

Joe Simpson

Tim’s Prediction: Manchester City 3-2 Brighton – I expect City to bounce back with a win.

Newcastle vs Crystal Palace

This weekend sees a mid-table clash between Newcastle and Crystal Palace take place on Saturday afternoon – a tight knitted contest that will be heavily motivated by both teams trying to edge closer to the top six positions in the league. Sat in 8th and 9th place respectively, it’s safe to say that Newcastle haven’t started off in the same fashion as last year, but it’s most definitely not an awful start.

Eddie Howe’s men are more than capable of showing up on the day, as demonstrated in their win against PSG in the Champions League – a completely different ball game for Crystal Palace. Again, with the international break offering resting time for a lot of players, I think Newcastle will take the game to Crystal Palace – who despite actually playing some good football season, will get beaten in this one.

Score Prediction: Newcastle 3-1 Crystal Palace

Tim’s Prediction: Newcastle 3 – Crystal Palace 1 – Newcastle should take this comfortably.

Nottingham Forest vs Luton

Steve Cooper has made his Nottingham Forest team tough to beat, but hasn’t quite found a way to turn draws into wins in recent weeks. The attacking threat possessed by Morgan Gibbs-White, Anthony Elanga, Callum Hudson-Odoi, and Taiwo Awoniyi should be enough to not get dragged in to a releagation battle – it is just up to Cooper to find the right combination.

Luton on the other hand have battled well so far but lack the quality to match most Premier League opposition. I expect a comfortable home victory here.

Score Prediction: Nottingham Forest 4-1 Luton

Joe Simpson

Tim’s Prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Luton

Chelsea vs Arsenal

Arguably the biggest game of the weekend, Chelsea host Arsenal in a fixture that is eagerly anticipated to say the least. The visitors will be in desperate hope of the three points in order to extend their lead at the top of the table, where they are currently level with Tottenham. Still sat in the bottom half of the table, Chelsea have been one of the most inconsistent teams this season and with a tough run of fixtures things could get a lot worse for them going forward.

I think however Chelsea will turn up a lot better than previously with an international break to reset – though I’m sure Arsenal will come out of this one on top with Arteta’s tactical displays being class so far this season.

Score Prediction – Chelsea 0-2 Arsenal

Harvey Marwood

Tim’s Prediction: Chelsea 3-1 Arsenal – I think Chelsea will shock people this weekend (I hope Chelsea can shock people this weekend).

Sheffield United vs Manchester United

Erik Ten Hag was spared a two week witch hunt courtesy of a Scott Mctominay double against Brentford, but that brief reprieve has come to an end and the pressure will be on once again. While the off field drama has not subsided, a number of United players have been in fine form on the pitch for their nations and will be hoping to bring some of that spark back with them. None more so than 75m euro man Rasmus Hojlund, who has proved to be a bright spot in what has been a mostly dim season so far. With United it’s hard to predict what you’ll get but you couldn’t ask for a better game than the team rooted to the bottom of the table. 

It sounds crazy to say but Sheffield United cannot afford to take zero points from this match. The international break has given them time to take stock of what has been one of the worst starts to a Premier League season ever. I’m expecting (or more so hoping) for some renewed conviction in their performance at home to a United team who are more than capable of providing the platform for a confidence boost but sadly I just don’t see it in the Yorkshire side. No matter how the game pans out expect Man United to walk away with the W.

Score Prediction: Sheffield United 0-2 Manchester United

Jesse Williams

Tim’s Prediction: Sheffield United 1-3 Manchester Utd – Man U should take this game

Aston Villa vs West Ham

West Ham went into the international break with a generally positive result at home to Newcastle. While the Hammers rode their luck at times, they also managed to find something exciting by way of record signing Mohammed Kudus, who rescued a point for David Moyes with a superb 89’ strike. The more interesting take away was how he deployed the 23-year-old Ghanaian, who picked up both central and wide positions on the right hand side. The dynamic of Kudus and Bowen was genuinely promising, bringing something more technical and fluid than having Antonio up top and could represent an insight into the future of the team’s attack against Villa. 

Villa also went into the break off the back of a draw, adding to their fitful start to the season. We already know Unai Emery will have no doubt been devising a specific plan to deal with West Ham, but being at home and the only game on Sunday should see Villa be less reactive and play a bit more of the protagonist. Expect a highly physical exchange, with both sides looking to do their damage in the transition. I’m backing West Ham to pick up all three with the view that their set piece threat will edge it for them.

Score Prediction: Aston Villa 2-3 West Ham

Jesse Williams

Tim’s Prediction: Aston Villa 2-1 West Ham – I think Villa should have a slight edge in this one.

Tottenham vs Fulham

We have plenty of London derbies throughout the season and one of them takes place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Monday. Even the most optimistic Spurs fan would not have expected to be top of the table, but this new-look side is looking good. They ground out a narrow victory over Luton, despite going down to 10 men, and results like that show character. Son Heung-min has been back to his brilliant best and the announcement of his fitness is sure to bring a smile to their fans. James Maddison is proving to be one of the signings of the season, while Micky van de Ven is going under the radar as a solid centre-back purchase. The loss of Yves Bissouma is a blow, who has been a stalwart in the defensive midfield position.

Fulham are having a solid season after overperforming in their return to the top flight. 3 wins in 4 will have calmed the nerves after an average start to the campaign, with João Palhinha remaining a rock in the middle. The goals have been coming mainly from midfield and the wings, but Carlos Vinícius has made a decent start to the campaign as well. This is a solid side, but without a star man up front, I wonder if Fulham can challenge for Europe again.

This will not be an easy win for Tottenham, but their defence has enough quality to keep out the Cottagers. Meanwhile, the attack should get a couple of goals and keep Spurs at the top of the table.

Score Prediction: Tottenham 2-0 Fulham

Tom Atkinson

Tim’s Prediction: Tottenham 2 – Fulham 2

Tim Lyre’s Outright Predictions

Who do you think will be champions?

Man City. Pep is pulling a Bayern in the Prem.

Top 4?

Man City, Newcastle, Arsenal, Chelsea (let me dream)

Relegated?

Luton Town, Bournemouth, Sheffield United

Golden Boot winner?

Erling Haaland

Player of the season?

Erling Haaland after breaking his own record