Football picks for 9 May 2026: Analysis of 4 must-watch matches featuring Liverpool and Manchester United, plus today's football schedule from the English leagues.
On 9 May 2026, the football picks focus fully on the English leagues, including the Premier League featuring Liverpool, Manchester United, and Manchester City, all involved in title and UEFA Champions League qualification battles, as well as the Championship playoff round for promotion to the top tier.
- English Premier League / Kick-off at 18:30 GMT+7
The "Reds" need just 4 more points to secure their Champions League ticket, or if they beat the "Blues" and Bournemouth fail to beat Fulham, qualification is guaranteed today. After losing 2-3 to Manchester United in the recent derby, Liverpool remain unbeaten in their last 4 league home games (3 wins, 1 draw) and have conceded only once in their last 7 matches. The lineup depends on whether Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Ibrahima Konaté, and Alisson Becker can return, while Cody Gakpo will continue upfront as Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike are still injured.
Chelsea are struggling badly, having lost 6 straight league matches, failing to score in 5 consecutive games. They only scored in their latest match but lost 1-3 at home to Forest, ending their hopes of a top 5 finish. They must settle for 6th to reach the Champions League and hope Aston Villa finishes 5th and wins the Europa League. Although they won 2-1 against Liverpool in the first leg, they lost their last two visits to Anfield (1-4 and 1-2). With 7 injured players, only Pedro Neto, Alejandro Garnacho, and Jamie Gittens might be fit, making a Liverpool win likely.
Prediction Liverpool narrowly defeat Chelsea.
- English Premier League / Kick-off at 18:30 GMT+7
The "Red Devils" have secured Champions League qualification again, finishing their season without European fixtures by narrowly beating Liverpool 3-2. Since Michael Carrick took over in January, they have the league's best form (14 games: 10 wins, 2 draws, 2 losses). They aim for a fourth straight win. Injuries include Benjamin Sesko, sidelined from the derby, and Matthijs de Ligt. Lisandro Martinez returns from suspension. Key players include Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, and Kobi Menyua.
Sunderland have gone 3 games without a win since beating Spurs 1-0 on 12 April (2 losses, 1 draw). They still have a slim chance for Europa League or Conference League qualification but trail by 4-5 points. Their latest home match was a heavy 0-5 defeat by Forest, marking 4 losses in 5 home games. They have won only once at home against Manchester United in the last 15 league meetings (10 losses, 4 draws). Defender Dan Ballard is suspended after a red card, and with 5 injured players, another loss seems likely.
Prediction Manchester United comfortably overcome Sunderland away.
- English Premier League / Kick-off at 23:30 GMT+7
The "Citizens" stumbled after a 3-3 draw with Everton, trailing Arsenal by 5 points with one game in hand. They aim to reduce the gap to 3 points before Arsenal visits West Ham on Sunday. Their home league form is unbeaten in 15 games (12 wins, 3 draws), scoring at least twice in 13 of those. They have beaten Brentford in 8 of the last 11 meetings. Rodri is likely to return to midfield, while Erling Haaland, Ryan Gravenberch, and Jérémy Doku lead the attack.
The "Bees" ended a 6-game winless streak (5 draws, 1 loss) by thrashing West Ham 3-0 at home, keeping their hopes for Champions League and Europa League spots alive. They are 7 points behind 5th place Villa but just 1 point behind 6th place Bournemouth. However, their away league form is poor: 17 games with 9 losses, 6 wins, and 2 draws. In their last 5 visits to Manchester City, they have lost 4 and won 1. Igor Thiago has scored 22 goals, just 3 fewer than Haaland, but overall they are unlikely to overcome Manchester City.
Prediction Manchester City bounce back to beat Brentford.
- English Championship Playoff Semi-final, First Leg / Kick-off at 02:00 GMT+7
The "Boro" missed automatic promotion and enter the playoffs after going winless in 7 matches (3 losses, 4 draws) from 11 March to 19 April, finishing just 4 points behind 2nd place. Their home league form since February until 11 April shows no wins in 6 games (3 draws, 3 losses). They may need to field key players Alex Bangura and Hayden Hackney, recently recovered from injury, and check the fitness of Alan Browne, injured in the season finale 2-2 draw with Wrexham.
The "Saints" have been very strong since losing 1-2 at home to Hull City on 17 January, remaining unbeaten in 19 matches to season's end (14 wins, 5 draws). They had a 3-game winless streak but only lost once to Manchester City (1-2) in the FA Cup semi-final, drawing twice in the league. They ended the season with a 3-1 away win over Preston North End. This season they have yet to beat Middlesbrough home or away (two draws and one 0-4 loss). Key players rested last game are ready to return: Finn Azaz, Kyle Larin, Ryan Manning, James Bree, and captain Jack Stephens has recovered to lead defense. They are favored to revenge past defeats.
Prediction Southampton narrowly edge Middlesbrough away.