English Premier League betting preview: Can Manchester United beat Liverpool at home?

The ninth round of EPL fixtures is upon us and we've got a three-day weekend to celebrate. The first game of the weekend is on Friday afternoon before a full slate on Saturday and three games on Sunday ending with the game of the weekend. Let's get rolling.

All odds are via BetMGM.

Arsenal vs. Aston Villa on Friday (Over/under 2.5 goals)

• Arsenal (-110)

• Aston Villa (+300)

• Tie (+250)

Arsenal’s form is so much better than it was at the start of the season even despite the tie with Crystal Palace on Monday. Villa has lost two straight games after beating Manchester United and Everton. Under 2.5 goals (-110) is the pick here.

Chelsea vs. Norwich City (2.5)

• Chelsea (-500)

• Norwich City (+1500)

• Tie (+550)

Chelsea suddenly has some injury concerns up front after Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku left the Champions League win over Malmo this week. Their potential absences would mean a lot more against a team that isn’t Norwich. Go with the favorite.

Southampton vs. Burnley (2.5)

• Southampton (-105)

• Burnley (+280)

• Tie (+250)

Southampton’s lone win of the season came a week ago against Leeds. Burnley is one of three remaining winless teams in the league. Southampton is the pick here, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see Burnley nick a point.

Crystal Palace vs. Newcastle (2.5)

• Crystal Palace (-105)

• Newcastle (+270)

• Tie (+260)

Steve Bruce was let go as Newcastle manager this week after Saudi Arabia’s takeover of the club. The first game with the team’s new owners last weekend ended with a loss to Tottenham. Palace has been one of the overachievers of the season so far and let’s bet on that trend to continue with a win.

Leeds vs. Wolves (2.5)

• Leeds (+145)

• Wolves (+180)

• Tie (+240)

Wolves have found their scoring form and Leeds is always good for an entertaining game. The over is just -115. There could be three goals in this.

Everton vs. Watford (2.5)

• Everton (-165)

• Watford (+425)

• Tie (+310)

Everton sits in eighth despite being just five points off the top of the standings. Watford is still adjusting to new manager Claudio Ranieri. Go with Everton.

Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Manchester City (2.5)

• Man City (-250)

• Brighton & Hove (+575)

• Tie (+400)

A tie is the appetizing pick here given the way that Brighton is playing so far this season. It's in prime position to steal a point. A tie with a slight Man City hedge seems like the right bet here given the +400 odds.

West Ham vs. Tottenham on Sunday (2.5)

• West Ham (+140)

• Tottenham (+180)

• Tie (+250)

Both teams are currently in the top seven and a convincing case can be made for either team to win. Let’s go with a draw.

Brentford vs. Leicester City on Sunday (2.5)

• Brentford (+160)

• Leicester (+175)

• Tie (+225)

Yes, Brentford is favored over Leicester despite the Foxes win over Manchester United last weekend. That’s how good Brentford has been so far this season, though we’ll go with Leicester to move up into the top half of the table with another victory.

Manchester United vs. Liverpool on Sunday (2.5)

• Liverpool (+125)

• Manchester United (+195)

• Tie (+260)

The game of the weekend is the last one and is the perfect prelude to the NFL Sunday. There’s nothing Manchester United can do that wouldn’t be surprising other than shutting out Liverpool. And that’s not going to happen. Go with over 2.5 goals (-175).