Our 17/1 Champions League acca landed in midweek, and naturally, the question of how to spend the winnings has dominated ever since.

We briefly considered buying Manchester United a midfielder, but apparently you need to spend £70 million on one before discovering he can’t pass forwards.

A contribution towards Manchester City’s legal fees was also suggested, although we’d prefer to spend the money on something with a realistic chance of being resolved in our lifetime.

For now, we’ll settle for something considerably less ambitious like turning on the heating now the temperatures have plummeted.

Nine games into the season, Arsenal are top, Brighton are third, Bournemouth have won six on the bounce, and Manchester United are 17th.

The sort of league table that would get you accused of cheating if you produced it on Football Manager.

City have lost two consecutive league games, leaving Enzo Maresca with a few problems to solve. It turns out replacing Pep Guardiola isn’t quite as straightforward as inheriting his squad and putting on a cardigan.

Sunderland, meanwhile, have gone from finishing seventh last season to sitting bottom with five points. A remarkable turnaround, although probably not the sort Régis Le Bris had in mind when he talked about taking the club to the next level.

There’s a lot to unpack heading into Matchweek 10. Some teams are beginning to establish themselves as genuine contenders, others are finding out that last season’s achievements count for very little, and a few managers could probably do without checking their phones on Monday morning.

We’ve picked out five selections for this weekend’s Premier League accumulator, with the recent form, statistics and matchups offering plenty to get stuck into.

Arsenal to beat Hull City

Arsenal’s 1-0 victory at Anfield last weekend was a significant statement. Mikel Arteta’s side ended a 14-year wait for a Premier League win at Liverpool and now sit three points clear at the top with 24 points from nine matches.

Hull have endured a very different few months. After opening the campaign with victories over Manchester United and Coventry, the Tigers haven’t won a league match since August. Their 1-1 draw with Brentford last weekend was another example of their inability to turn promising positions into three points.

Arsenal’s defensive organisation has been a major factor in their impressive start, and they possess enough attacking quality to break down opponents who sit deep. Hull have shown they can compete, but their inconsistency makes this a particularly difficult assignment.

With the Gunners in excellent form and Hull struggling to rediscover their early-season momentum, the hosts look well placed to maintain their position at the summit.

Pick: Arsenal to win

Manchester City to beat Nottingham Forest

Manchester City’s two consecutive Premier League defeats have allowed Arsenal to open a three-point gap at the top. Losses against Aston Villa and Brighton have exposed some problems for Enzo Maresca, particularly when his side dominate possession without creating enough clear opportunities.

Nottingham Forest have problems of their own. Oliver Glasner’s side have won just once in nine league matches, while scoring only six goals across their opening eight fixtures. That lack of attacking threat could make life difficult against a City side looking to respond.

Despite their recent setbacks, City still possess significantly more quality in the final third. Erling Haaland, Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki offer several routes to goal, while Wednesday’s 3-2 Champions League victory over RB Leipzig provided a timely lift.

Forest will hope to frustrate the visitors, but their struggles in front of goal and City’s attacking depth make the away side our selection.

Pick: Manchester City to win

Liverpool to beat Crystal Palace

Liverpool’s 1-0 defeat against Arsenal last weekend ended an impressive run of away results, but Andoni Iraola’s side have still taken 10 points from their opening four Premier League matches on the road.

Crystal Palace are enduring a considerably tougher spell. Pierre Sage’s side have lost three consecutive league matches without scoring, conceding nine goals in the process. Their total of 21 goals conceded is the highest in the division.

Those defensive problems are particularly concerning against a Liverpool attack featuring Alexander Isak, who has already scored six league goals this season, alongside Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola.

Liverpool’s midweek Champions League defeat at Fenerbahçe showed they aren’t without weaknesses, but Palace’s recent form suggests the visitors have an excellent opportunity to get back on track domestically.

Pick: Liverpool to win

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Bournemouth to beat Ipswich Town

Bournemouth have become one of the Premier League’s standout performers under Marco Rose, winning six consecutive league matches while keeping six clean sheets and scoring 16 goals during that remarkable run.

Ipswich have shown flashes of quality since returning to the top flight, with victories over Sunderland, Crystal Palace and Fulham, but Gary O’Neil’s side have struggled to produce consistent performances.

The Cherries have been particularly impressive defensively, combining an organised pressing system with attacking contributions from Evanilson, Justin Kluivert and Marcus Tavernier.

Their ability to control matches without sacrificing attacking threat has been central to their success.

Thursday’s Europa League trip to Sparta Prague presents an additional challenge, but Bournemouth’s domestic momentum and Ipswich’s inconsistency make the visitors a strong selection.

Pick: Bournemouth to win

Chelsea to beat Sunderland

Sunderland’s decline has been one of the more surprising stories of the season. After finishing seventh last term, Régis Le Bris’s side are bottom of the Premier League with five points from nine matches, having scored just seven goals.

Chelsea arrive in considerably better shape. Xabi Alonso’s side sit fourth following their 2-0 victory over Manchester United, with João Pedro and Morgan Rogers contributing five league goals apiece.

The difference in attacking quality is difficult to ignore. Sunderland have struggled to create consistent chances and continue to concede avoidable goals, most recently in their 3-1 defeat against Coventry.

The Stadium of Light can make life uncomfortable for visiting teams, and Chelsea haven’t always been convincing away from home.

However, their stronger squad, superior attacking options and Sunderland’s ongoing difficulties give the visitors the edge.

Pick: Chelsea to win

Premier League accumulator tips

Our Matchweek 10 fivefold brings together five outright selections:

• Arsenal to beat Hull City
• Manchester City to beat Nottingham Forest
• Liverpool to beat Crystal Palace
• Bournemouth to beat Ipswich Town
• Chelsea to beat Sunderland

Arsenal’s excellent start and Bournemouth’s remarkable six-match winning streak provide two particularly interesting form lines, while Liverpool face a Palace side struggling badly at both ends of the pitch.

Manchester City will be looking to respond to consecutive league defeats, and Chelsea’s attacking quality could prove decisive against a Sunderland side enduring a difficult start.

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