The Premier League returns for Matchweek 9, featuring a full slate of fixtures from Friday to Sunday. All matches will be broadcast live on SuperSport and Showmax Premier League, with weekend kickoffs now beginning as early as 4pm (CAT). Here’s an analytical look at the standout statistical trends and narratives ahead of the weekend’s action.
Leeds will be aiming to rediscover their home dominance over West Ham. Between 1996 and 2005, they won eight of nine home meetings, but have since gone four without victory at Elland Road (D2 L2).
West Ham, struggling this season with just four points from eight games—their worst Premier League start ever—have nonetheless won four of their last six league meetings with Leeds (D1 L1).
Leeds’ attacking numbers remain strong, averaging 13 shots per game, the highest for a promoted side since their own 2020-21 campaign. Yet, a poor 6.7% conversion rate, their lowest on record, continues to undermine their results.
Manager Nuno Espírito Santo remains winless in three Premier League matches in charge of West Ham (D1 L2), as pressure builds on the Hammers to turn form around.
Chelsea’s youth-driven side under Enzo Maresca faces a resurgent Sunderland in one of the weekend’s marquee fixtures. The Blues have never drawn a Premier League home game against the Black Cats (W13 L3), and boast one of the league’s strongest home records in 2025, taking 33 points from 14 matches at Stamford Bridge.
Sunderland, unbeaten in 13 consecutive away games in London, are enjoying their best top-flight start since 1999-2000. Both teams rank among the youngest in the league—Chelsea (24.3 years) and Sunderland (25.3 years)—underlining the new generation shaping both squads.
Chelsea’s set-piece dominance has been key: they’ve scored eight goals from dead-ball situations, six from corners, already matching last season’s total.
Fulham did the double over Newcastle last season and will seek to extend that momentum. Newcastle, who have won just two of their last 10 league games (D3 L5), remain defensively solid, keeping five clean sheets—joint-most with Arsenal.
Nick Woltemade’s explosive start (four goals in five games) has provided a rare attacking spark for the Magpies. Meanwhile, Fulham’s struggles in front of goal continue: they’ve managed just 2.9 shots on target per game, their lowest-ever Premier League rate, and no player has scored more than once this season.
Brighton’s recent dominance over United is remarkable—six wins in their last seven meetings—and they’ve claimed three straight wins at Old Trafford, something no side has managed since Man City in 1972.
However, Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United are showing signs of recovery after back-to-back wins over Sunderland and Liverpool. United have now won three straight at home for the first time since 2023.
Brighton, by contrast, remain leaky at the back, keeping just one clean sheet in 20 games, despite their attacking resilience. Danny Welbeck, in fine form with four goals in three matches, returns to face his former club.
Liverpool will look to end a three-game losing streak that has exposed late-match frailties—each defeat coming via goals conceded in the final 10 minutes.
Brentford, buoyed by Igor Thiago’s five goals this season, have quietly found form with two wins in three and are seeking consecutive league victories for the first time since May.
Liverpool’s away form remains worrying: they’ve lost five of their last eight on the road and risk a third consecutive away defeat for the first time since early 2023.
Bournemouth are the Premier League’s form side, unbeaten in seven (W4 D3), their longest current streak. Forest, however, have slumped under managerial instability—three different managers already this season.
The Cherries have been ruthless against struggling teams, winning 68% of games against sides in the relegation zone since 2022. Forest’s defensive issues persist, conceding 11 second-half goals, joint-most in the division.
Antoine Semenyo continues to impress, contributing to nine goals (6G, 3A)—second only to Erling Haaland league-wide.
League leaders Arsenal welcome a Crystal Palace side that has drawn eight of their last 14 league matches. Arsenal’s defensive record is formidable: three goals conceded in eight matches, their joint-best ever start in Premier League history.
Palace lead the league in shots on target (43) and xG (17.4), but have underperformed significantly, missing 22 big chances. Arsenal’s set-piece prowess remains unmatched, with 10 goals from set plays, the most ever by any team at this stage of a Premier League season.
Leandro Trossard, in strong form, has scored in his last two appearances against Palace and remains unbeaten in every Arsenal match in which he has scored.
Aston Villa enter on a high after three straight wins, while City have collected more points than any other side since April (39). Villa have shown resilience under Unai Emery, winning twice after conceding first in recent weeks.
City’s defensive consistency has been key—12 clean sheets since February—and Erling Haaland continues his prolific run, scoring in five consecutive away games.
However, set-piece vulnerability could cost Villa again, having conceded from corners in three straight matches.
Wolves remain the only side without a win this season (D2 L6), mirroring their poor start from last year. Burnley’s only victories have come against fellow promoted sides, while they’ve gone 14 games without beating an established Premier League team.
Statistically, Burnley sit bottom for possession (34.7%), shots (60) and xG (5.4), underlining their blunt attack. Wolves, meanwhile, have failed to win in 25 matches played in May, August, September, and October combined, a remarkable streak of inconsistency.
Everton are unbeaten at home this season and have lost just one of their last 13 at Goodison Park, while Tottenham boast the best away record in the league (10 points from 4 matches).
Under David Moyes, Everton have won five consecutive Sunday fixtures, a record unmatched by any other side this year. Spurs remain strong on set pieces—13 corner goals since 2023—but defensive lapses when leading continue to haunt them, having lost eight games after scoring first since last season.
João Palhinha continues to anchor Spurs’ midfield, making 35 tackles, the most of any Premier League player this season.
