Full support for Arsenal and Liverpool but none for Chelsea as the Soccer Saturday pundits preview Super Sunday
Saturday 28 November 2015 23:47, UK
The Soccer Saturday pundits have provided us with their predictions for Super Sunday, backing Arsenal and West Ham to bounce back from defeats last weekend live on Sky Sports.
West Ham will be looking to produce a response to their 4-1 thumping at Tottenham when West Brom visit Upton Park, before Arsenal attempt to avoid another upset when they head to Carrow Road.
Struggling Swansea visit Liverpool, also at 4.15pm, while Spurs, who are unbeaten since the opening weekend of the season, host Chelsea clash in the early kick-off at White Hart Lane.
Here's what Paul Merson, Charlie Nicholas, Phil Thompson and Matt Le Tissier are predicting in their Sky Bet tips...
West Ham v West Brom (Super Sunday, 2.05pm, live on Sky Sports 1 HD)
Merse says:
I've watched West Brom away from home, and I know how they play. They'll turn up, stick 10 behind the ball and frustrate West Ham. If West Ham don't score first, they're in trouble, but I think you'll see a reaction here from the hosts.
Merse predicts: 2-0 and Andy Carroll to score first
Charlie says: I'm a big fan of Slaven Bilic but he needed to get Diafra Sakho up alongside Andy Carroll against Tottenham, as they really didn't offer much of a threat with him out wide. If he does that on Sunday, then I think they'll win the game.
Charlie predicts: 2-1 and Diafra Sakho to score first
Le Tiss says: West Ham fans will have been concerned by the impact of Dimitri Payet's absence and it was as bad as they feared at Tottenham. They'll need to find a different way to win on Sunday.
Le Tiss predicts: 1-0 and Andy Carroll to score first
Thommo says: Slaven Bilic will be demanding a response after such a disappointing performance against Tottenham and he'll also expect more from Carroll, who will have to be at his best against Tony Pulis' defence.
Thommo predicts: 1-1 and Andy Carroll to score first
Norwich v Arsenal (Super Sunday, 4.15pm, live on Sky Sports 1 HD)
Merse says: Arsenal have to win this. I said that last week and they lost, but this is a similar game. They will miss Francis Coquelin. For all the talent they have in the team, they couldn't afford to lose him, but if they get going, I think they'll have too much for Norwich.
Merse predicts: 0-3 and Mesut Ozil to score first
Charlie says: Norwich have improved defensively but finding the balance here is a very awkward one for them because if they come out and attack, that will suit Arsenal. Sanchez got the headlines midweek but Ozil is playing really, really well. Olivier Giroud, on the other hand, was back to his early-season form, looking slow and lazy up top.
Charlie predicts: 1-3 and Aaron Ramsey to score first
Le Tiss says: Arsenal will need to be careful here after what happened last weekend. They were let off by Manchester City but they've got to be winning these games if they're to have any chance of winning the Premier League.
Le Tiss predicts: 1-2 Giroud to score first
Thommo says: Arsenal are going to be major players in the title race but these are the type of games they need to win. They slipped up last weekend but, with a few players coming back, they should have enough to see off Norwich.
Thommo predicts: 0-1 and Giroud to score first
Liverpool v Swansea (Sunday, 4.15pm)
Merse says: Liverpool have to get consistency. They're not a bad team, but their consistency levels haven't been great over the past 18 months. This is a game where they've got to win, and win quite comfortably. If they can start at a tempo like they did against City, they'll be all over Swansea and rip them to shreds.
Merse predicts: 3-0 with Benteke to score first
Charlie says: It was a big step forward for Liverpool last weekend but can they do it at home? There's big questions over whether he'll risk Philippe Coutinho and I'd be tempted to leave him out if there's any doubt, with Christian Benteke back in the goals midweek. Suddenly Jurgen Klopp has options. However, I can see Liverpool struggling to bring their away form back to Anfield as they adjust and even see Swansea scoring first.
Charlie predicts: 2-1 with Gylfi Sigurdsson to score first
Le Tiss says: There's no denying how impressive Liverpool were at the Etihad Stadium and it was a big game for Roberto Firmino to show what he can do, with two assists and a goal. Jurgen Klopp will be asking for more of the same from the Brazilian and they should have enough against Swansea.
Le Tiss predicts: 3-1 with Firmino to score first
Thommo says: The Kop will be asking for more of the same following on from the City win, especially having failed to build on the win at Chelsea when Crystal Palace came to Anfield. Firmino was central to the Etihad win and Klopp will be urging him to replicate that performance against Swansea.
Thommo predicts: 2-0 with Firmino to score first
Tottenham v Chelsea (Sunday, midday)
Merse says: You have to feel for Tottenham a bit in this game, to have the season they've had so far and then when Chelsea come to town, they've just got back from Qarabag. It's a big ask after a six-hour journey. Chelsea fell over the line against Norwich and had an easy game against Maccabi Tel Aviv. I'm going for a draw, but I wouldn't at all be surprised if Chelsea went on and won this.
Merse predicts: 1-1 with Eden Hazard to score first
Charlie says: I'm prepared to admit that Spurs are the form team right now and, as I always said he would be, Harry Kane is bang in form again. However, I do ask whether they can maintain what they're doing, playing a high intensity pressing game with a lack of depth to their squad. I can see this being a game filled with tension rather than drama and the long trip is going to take a lot out of Spurs.
Charlie predicts: 1-1 with Toby Alderweireld to score first
Le Tiss says: Mauricio Pochettino has gone with looking to maintain momentum by sending a strong side to Azerbaijan and he obviously thinks with such a young side, they can handle it. I'm backing them to get the win here and fancy a Christian Eriksen free-kick to be decisive.
Le Tiss predicts: 2-1 with Christian Eriksen to score first
Thommo says: Harry Kane is on fire right now and if Spurs still have enough in them from the long trip, then I fancy them to see off Jose Mourinho's side. The Premier League season is so unpredictable right now though and a win for Chelsea fires them right back in the top-four race.
Thommo predicts: 2-1 with Harry Kane to score first
