Saturday 9 December 2017 16:14, UK
Paul Merson is back with another round of Premier League predictions - how will he get on?
Merse was about par for the course in last weekend, with six correct results and one correct scoreline.
Who is the 'Magic Man' tipping to win this week? Read on to find out...
These aren't the games that matter for West Ham. I know it is a London derby and they don't like each other. I don't expect them to get anything from this, but if you lose to Arsenal and Chelsea it isn't too bad. It is the games against Stoke, Newcastle and Bournemouth that matter most. Chelsea are a superior football team by far. West Ham's battles are still to come.
Chelsea have turned a corner, and have some good fixtures coming up, so I expect them to be putting pressure on Manchester City.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-3 (11/1 with Sky Bet)
This is such a tough one to call. Watford are really good away from home and Burnley haven't been as good at home, so you'd expect an away win, but I think Burnley will sneak this one.
Burnley are just solid. They have had some really good results, so they are so hard to bet against. They are going to get it right at home soon.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-0 (6/1 with Sky Bet)
Palace should be almost down and out of sight now, but they are lucky everyone around them has also not been as good as they could have been. They are right in it now, and a win here will really help them out.
Bournemouth won't be able to cope with Wilfried Zaha. They can attack at will, but sometimes when quality players get at them, they really can struggle. It will be a really good game, as both teams will have a go.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (15/2 with Sky Bet)
A win here would be massive psychologically for either of these sides coming into Christmas. Such a hard one to call. I have seen Huddersfield a few times this season. They have got some amazing results, and all credit to the manager for setting them up to win those games.
At home they are a force, but not so much away from home. They remind me of Fulham a few years ago, when they had a great home record. It takes its toll in the end, though, and the home wins can dry up when you put too much pressure on your home form. I can't separate these two.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (4/1 with Sky Bet)
I know Paul Clement says every week that this is a must-win game for Swansea, but this really is.
The thing with Swansea is their games haven't really been that difficult so far. They have played a lot of teams around them, and they still haven't got the points. Going 1-0 up at Stoke, if that stays 1-0 for longer, then it becomes a different game. They have to win this, and I think they win. It will be a huge result.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-0 (5/1 with Sky Bet)
On the big pitch I think Spurs will just have too much for Stoke. Against Swansea, Stoke fell over the line, but sometimes when you win a game like that, everything is rosy. However, on this big pitch, Tottenham are too good for Stoke.
Tottenham need to win this game, otherwise they will be struggling for the top four. I think Mauricio Pochettino started off their poor run to be honest, when he took Harry Kane and Dele Alli off against Arsenal, when the game was still in the balance. Their performances have been nowhere near as good since.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0 (7/1 with Sky Bet)
Newcastle are not on a good run at the moment, and they really need a win here, but Leicester are a dangerous team.
Newcastle will have to go at Leicester, and they could be picked off, like Bournemouth did to them. Leicester have bought into Claude Puel's thinking. Jamie Vardy is back and Riyad Mahrez looks like he fancies it again. Away win.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2 (17/2 with Sky Bet)
Before last week, I thought it was impossible to play that well and lose a game. Man Utd were second best at the Emirates and won 3-1.
But this is a nice game for Arsenal. Southampton are a nice team. On a lovely pitch, Southampton aren't going to really get at Arsenal, and these are the games that Arsenal like, and play their best football. If they play at the same level as last week, then Southampton won't be able to handle them.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-3 (12/1 with Sky Bet)
Everton are just going to come and park the bus and get 10 men behind the ball. Then, they will hope they'll get something from a set piece. It will be tight, but Liverpool are just too good at home.
Liverpool are scoring goals for fun at the moment, and I know their Achilles heel is their defence, but I just don't see how Everton get at them. Sam Allardyce will do everything he can to make it a tight match, but that won't be enough.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (6/1 with Sky Bet)
United have to win, now they have beaten Arsenal. If they had drawn at Arsenal, a win over City would still leave them too far back. Now United have had two massive results at Watford and Arsenal, they actually have to take the game to City now.
These are the games you look forward to all week, but often these games disappoint. This one will be different though. Jose Mourinho is a master in these big games at setting up to contain the opposition, but they really have to have a go on Sunday. Paul Pogba will be a big miss, and if he was playing, then I would go for United, but they will have enough not to get beaten. City are chasing records, so will also have a go. I can't wait.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-2 (12/1 with Sky Bet)
If you are using skysports.com, you can comment below to get involved in the debate, but please adhere to our House Rules. If you wish to report any comment, simply click on the down arrow next to the offending comment and click 'Report'.
