THERE will be a few notable names missing when the 2015-16 English Premier League season resumes this weekend.
Manchester City duo Sergio Aguero (hamstring) and David Silva (ankle) both came out worse for wear, while Aleksandar Kolarov (thigh) is also a doubt after limping out of Serbia’s defeat to Portugal on Sunday.
The news gets worse for Newcastle United, who will now have to fight relegation without their first-choice goalkeeper after Tim Krul damaged his ACL while playing for the Netherlands.
Chelsea’s problems are also mounting, with Branislav Ivanovic (hamstring) sidelined after hobbling off during Serbia’s win over Albania on October 8.
But the award for nastiest injury of the international break goes to Manchester United defender Paddy McNair, who spent three nights in hospital after rupturing his liver while on duty for Northern Ireland.
How will all these absentees affect the weekend’s Premier League fixtures? Let’s look at all the match odds and value bets for round nine.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool
12:45pm local time on Saturday, October 17, 2015 at White Hart Lane
Spurs – $2.50 (Sportsbet.com)
Liverpool – $2.88 (CrownBet.com)
Draw – $3.50 (Bet365.com)
Jurgen Klopp will be eager to begin his Liverpool reign with a win at White Hart Lane, where the Reds have triumphed on their last two visits. But there’s no Luis Suarez or Raheem Sterling to torment Spurs this time around, and Mauricio Pochettino’s men have one of the best defensive records in the league this season.
Top picks:
– Match to end in a draw ($3.50 at Sportsbet)
– Correct score 1-1 ($7 at CrownBet)
– Daniel Sturridge to score the first goal ($6.50 at Sportsbet)
Chelsea vs Aston Villa
3:00pm local time on Saturday, October 17, 2015 at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea – $1.33 (Bet365.com)
Aston Villa – $9.50 (Luxbet.com)
Draw – $5.50 (WilliamHill.com)
Chelsea have endured one of their worst-ever starts to a top-flight campaign, but they remain firm favourites to dispatch Aston Villa at home this Saturday. The Villains are one of only four teams below the Blues on the table, so it would be an absolute disaster for Jose Mourinho and company if they didn’t take all three points here.
Top picks:
– Chelsea to win 3-0 ($9 at CrownBet)
– Chelsea to win both halves ($3.10 at Sportsbet)
– Willian to score the first goal ($12 at Sportsbet)
Crystal Palace vs West Ham United
3:00pm local time on Saturday, October 17, 2015 at Selhurst Park
Crystal Palace – $1.95 (Sportsbet.com)
West Ham – $4 (CrownBet.com)
Draw – $3.60 (Bet365.com)
Believe it or not, this one is a battle for Champions League places. Palace are sitting fourth after two wins on the bounce, while five games undefeated sees West Ham one point back in sixth spot. Expect a decisive result either way, as Alan Pardew’s Eagles are notoriously shy of draws (they’ve won five and lost three in eight games this season).
Top picks:
– West Ham to win ($4 at Bet365)
– Correct score 2-1 West Ham ($15 at Bet365)
– Diafra Sakho to score the first goal ($8.50 at Sportsbet)
Everton vs Manchester United
3:00pm local time on Saturday, October 17, 2015 at Goodison Park
Everton – $3.40 (Bet365.com)
Man United – $2.25 (Sportsbet.com)
Draw – $3.30 (CrownBet.com)
Everton haven’t lost a Premier League match since August 23 – a streak which includes a 3-1 drubbing of Chelsea and respectable draws with Liverpool, Swansea and Spurs. Manchester United, meanwhile, were humiliated by Arsenal last time out, while their recent record at Goodison (no points since 2011) leaves much to be desired.
Top picks:
– Everton to win ($3.40 at Bet365)
– Scores level at half-time ($2.12 at CrownBet)
– Ross Barkley to score the first goal ($11 at Bet365)
Manchester City vs Bournemouth
3:00pm local time on Saturday, October 17, 2015 at Etihad Stadium
Man City – $1.33 (CrownBet.com)
Bournemouth – $10 (WilliamHill.com)
Draw – $5.15 (Luxbet.com)
Man City faltered badly after the last international break, and they will have to face Bournemouth this weekend without Kun Aguero – the man who slammed home five goals against Newcastle in round eight. There’s plenty of talent at Eastlands to pick up the slack, however, so it’s hard to see the Cherries causing an upset here.
Top picks:
– Man City to win 4-0 ($17 at Bet365)
– Man City to lead 2-0 at half-time ($6.80 at CrownBet)
– Raheem Sterling to score the first goal ($6.50 at William Hill)
Watford vs Arsenal
5:30pm local time on Saturday, October 17, 2015 at Vicarage Road
Watford – $6 (WilliamHill.com)
Arsenal – $1.59 (CrownBet.com)
Draw – $4 (Luxbet.com)
Arsenal were sublime against Man United in their last outing, winning 3-0 at home as Alexis Sanchez bagged a brace to make it five goals in two games. While Watford have been competitive enough upon their return to the top tier, they would have to go above and beyond to snatch a point against an on-song Gunners side.
Top picks:
– Arsenal to win and both teams to score ($3.20 at William Hill)
– Watford to score first and lose ($3.36 at Sportsbet)
– Alexis Sanchez to score two or more goals ($8 at Sportsbet)
More 2015-16 Premier League match odds
All dates listed according to British Standard Time (BST)
Saturday, October 17
Southampton $1.80 – Draw $3.75 – Leicester City $4.20
West Bromwich Albion $2 – Draw $3.10 – Sunderland $3.75
Sunday, October 18
Newcastle United $2.35 – Draw $3.40 – Norwich City $2.90
Monday, October 19
Swansea City $2 – Draw $3.40 – Stoke City $3.80