Key Takeaways
- Arsenal’s record-breaking defense continues to impress, powering The Athletic’s prediction algorithm to victory.
- Subscribers and guest predictors battle to close the gap in Week 9’s Premier League predictions challenge.
- Upcoming fixtures—including Leeds vs West Ham and Arsenal vs Palace—could shake up the leaderboard.
Arsenal’s Defense Powers the Algorithm’s Winning Streak
It’s week nine of The Athletic’s Premier League predictions challenge, and the numbers don’t lie: Arsenal’s rock-solid defense has become the algorithm’s greatest asset.
The algorithm’s precision earned it another strong week, correctly calling Arsenal’s 2-0 win over West Ham and their 1-0 victory at Fulham, gaining an extra seven points in the standings. With those spot-on calls, the algorithm now leads the predictions table by five points—proof that defense wins more than titles; it wins prediction challenges too.
Mikel Arteta’s side has conceded just three goals in eight Premier League matches, with nine clean sheets in twelve games across all competitions. The Gunners are tracking to challenge Jose Mourinho’s 2004-05 Chelsea record of 15 goals conceded across an entire season—an achievement that now feels within reach.
One subscriber, Matthew M, predicted last week that Arsenal’s defense would hold firm again, replying, “Given that Arsenal have conceded only three goals all season and just one from open play, I wouldn’t expect them to concede against Fulham.” He was right—and so was the algorithm.
Subscribers Fight Back in the Prediction Challenge
Each week, the contest pits four predictors against each other: a guest subscriber, six-year-old Wilfred, the algorithm, and The Athletic’s Oli Kay.
Points are awarded based on accuracy—three for a correct scoreline, one for a correct result, and a bonus for any unique prediction. Last weekend, West Ham fan Steve came through for the subscribers, scoring eight points with two exact results, including a bonus pick for Burnley’s 2-0 win over Leeds United.
That strong showing brought subscribers back into contention, even as Oli endured a “grim week,” by his own admission, after misjudging Bournemouth, Brentford, Brighton, and Sunderland—perhaps developing what he jokingly called “a bias against striped shirts.”
Young Wilfred also matched Steve’s performance with eight points, correctly calling Brighton’s 2-1 win over Newcastle United and predicting another Arsenal clean sheet. Nobody, however, saw Aston Villa’s upset win over Tottenham or Manchester United’s shock victory at Anfield coming.
Week 9 Predictions: Leeds vs West Ham Headlines the Round
This week’s guest predictor is Andrew, 35, a Leeds United supporter from Donegal, Ireland, who is banking on home advantage to lift his side.
“This is a crucial game under the lights at Elland Road,” Andrew says. “Leeds’ decent start is close to unravelling, but West Ham’s quick turnaround and poor away form could give us the edge.”
- Andrew’s prediction: Leeds 1–0 West Ham
- Oli’s prediction: Leeds 2–0 West Ham
Oli notes that Leeds’ point-per-game average suggests they can survive, but tougher fixtures loom. Meanwhile, West Ham’s confidence is low after four straight home defeats, and Elland Road’s Friday night atmosphere rarely forgives weakness.
Key Fixtures and Predictions
- Chelsea vs Sunderland – Oli expects Chelsea’s quality to make the difference despite Sunderland’s strong form. Prediction: 2–1 Chelsea
- Newcastle vs Fulham – A confidence-boosting 3–0 win over Benfica has Newcastle back on track. Prediction: 2–0 Newcastle
- Manchester United vs Brighton – United must prove their Anfield win wasn’t a fluke. Prediction: 2–1 United
- Brentford vs Liverpool – A tricky away fixture for Klopp’s side, but firepower should prevail. Prediction: 1–2 Liverpool
- Arsenal vs Crystal Palace – Arsenal’s defensive excellence continues. Prediction: 2–0 Arsenal
- Aston Villa vs Manchester City – Villa are resurgent, but Haaland remains unstoppable. Prediction: 1–1 Draw
- Bournemouth vs Nottingham Forest – Dyche’s arrival won’t save Forest immediately. Prediction: 2–1 Bournemouth
- Wolves vs Burnley – Wolves need a win to avoid deeper trouble. Prediction: 1–0 Wolves
- Everton vs Tottenham – Spurs face a brutal run of fixtures. Everton’s home form could test them. Prediction: 1–1 Draw
Arsenal’s Title Credentials—and the Algorithm’s Edge
At the center of Week 9’s predictions is a question few dared ask a year ago: Can Arsenal go one better than last season and win the Premier League?
Their performances under Arteta suggest a team not just capable of competing—but of dominating through consistency and defensive control. As The Athletic’s algorithm continues to capitalize on Arsenal’s clean-sheet streak, the rest of the challengers—both in the league and in the predictions table—have some catching up to do.
For now, the numbers speak for themselves: Arsenal’s defense may be the most valuable data point in football.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The author’s views are personal and may not reflect the views of GameDegen.com. Before making any investment decisions, you should always conduct your own research. GameDegen.com is not responsible for any financial losses.
