English Premier League Picks & Predictions: Matchweek 9 (2026)
Matchday 9 of the English Premier League features numerous key matches. The weekend’s biggest match pits first-place Manchester City against third-place Brighton & Hove Albion. Below, I explain how I expect that match to play out, why Tottenham Hotspur will keep up its excellent form and how I expect the Liverpool-Arsenal match to unfold. Here are the best English Premier League picks for Matchday 9.
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Premier League Picks & Predictions: Matchweek 9
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Manchester City vs. Brighton & Hove Albion
These two teams just met in the Carabao Cup, with Brighton & Hove Albion winning on penalties. However, Manchester City was without numerous key players, including leading goalscorer Erling Haaland. He is set to start in this match.
Manchester City scored twice when they met earlier this week, so I expect them to succeed again against one of the Premier League’s best defenses. Brighton & Hove Albion have allowed just seven goals this season, but Manchester City has scored 20, finding the back of the net three times in three of its last four matches.
While I expect Manchester City to win, the -160 price is a little high given how well Brighton & Hove have performed this season. Instead, I'll back Manchester City to score more than they did on Wednesday.
Pick: Manchester City Team Total Over 2.5 Goals (+130)
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Crystal Palace
After six winless matches to start the season, Tottenham Hotspur has found its rhythm. The squad has won back-to-back matches by multiple goals, outscoring opponents 5-1 during that span. They held Chelsea scoreless last Saturday, an impressive feat considering Chelsea has the third-most goals this year.
Recent results haven't been nearly as positive for Crystal Palace. The squad has been shut out in back-to-back matches, with opponents outscoring them 7-0 during that stretch. The team has scored just nine goals all season and will struggle against a defense that has conceded only 10 goals.
I don't expect Crystal Palace to score in this match. And though the two squads are separated by just two points in the table, they're heading in opposite directions. I wouldn't be surprised if Tottenham Hotspur wins this by two or three goals.
Pick: Tottenham Hotspur to Win in a Shutout (+180)
Liverpool vs. Arsenal
Arsenal has lost just once, conceding just five goals in eight matches. Brighton scored three of those goals. Arsenal has finished with five clean sheets, shutting out Everton and Nottingham Forest in its last two matches.
Liverpool has picked up 11 points, and their defense has been the main reason for that success. The squad has scored just 11 goals, though it has scored multiple times in back-to-back contests. However, the team has been shut out three times this season.
That said, Liverpool’s defense has been excellent; it's hard not to like them, even against the team tied atop the table. After all, Arsenal has scored only 13 times, and Liverpool has allowed more than one goal just once in its last six matches.
Picks: Under 2.5 Goals (-105)
Phil Wood is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Phil, check out his archive and follow him @Phil_Wood_Jr.