Friday 30 October 2015 17:44, UK
Following a week of Capital One Cup shocks, Paul Merson is back to run the rule over the latest set of Premier League fixtures.
With Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United among the teams eliminated from the competition after disappointing performances, the emphasis this weekend will be on bouncing back and boosting their respective bids for the Premier League title.
In what is sure to be yet another intriguing weekend in the top flight, the Magic Man has looks ahead to the action...
Chelsea v Liverpool (12.45pm, Saturday)
I'm going to go for a home win here as I haven't been that impressed by Liverpool. I think Jurgen Klopp has gone in there and realised there's a lot of work to do. I keep on saying I expect Chelsea to win and they keep on losing, but I just think they'll have too much for Liverpool on Saturday.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (Sky Bet odds 9/1)
Crystal Palace v Man Utd (3pm, Saturday)
This is going to be a good, good game. Palace enter it on the back of a hiding at Man City in the League Cup which I don't understand because they're not going to get relegated, win the league or get into the top four so surely it should have been taken seriously. Saying that, I feel this game plays into their hands because United will have a go, allowing Palace to utilise their pace.
The Manchester derby was poor last weekend and to then go out of the cup to Middlesbrough only made things worse. United are lacking the consistency and they need to get back to winning ways, I just don't see it happening this weekend.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 5/1)
Man City v Norwich (3pm, Saturday)
You'd have to fancy City here. I watched the Norwich game last week and they were poor and, after City hit five past Palace, I don't see the Canaries living with them. I was disappointed with Norwich, they usually make a lot of chances and they struggled against West Brom, who were comfortable. I don't see how Norwich can put up with City when they get going, particularly at the Etihad.
PAUL PREDICTS: 4-0 (Sky Bet odds 10/1)
Newcastle v Stoke (3pm, Saturday)
Newcastle are probably sat there now thinking how they lost 3-0 to Sunderland. Even when they went down to 10 men they were the better team. Coloccini should never have been sent off, I know it's been rescinded but it's a bit late, Geordies have to stomach that for six months.
Stoke picked up a good result in midweek against Chelsea but their four-game winning run came to an end against Watford, which was a weird result. I don't usually go against Stoke but I fancy Newcastle here.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (Sky Bet odds 17/2)
Swansea v Arsenal (3pm, Saturday)
One thing's for sure, Arsenal won't field the same side that played at Sheffield Wednesday! Trips to the Liberty Stadium are hard for Arsenal, but Swansea aren't setting things alight and I don't know how they're going to live with the movement of Sanchez and Ozil. In the league, Arsenal are flying and they'll continue that form on Saturday.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-3 (Sky Bet odds 12/1)
Watford v West Ham (3pm, Saturday)
West Ham are a decent team, their form is not a flash in the pan and they have some decent players. Watford is a tough place to go and it will be even tougher after their quality result on the road at Stoke last week.
Troy Deeney got on the scoresheet with a very good goal so they'll definitely pose a threat. But you can't overlook West Ham's phenomenal away record, they should come through this one with another victory.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2 (Sky Bet odds 9/1)
West Brom v Leicester (3pm, Saturday)
I'm not sure how this is going to go. I watched West Brom last weekend and they were solid, all their players worked hard. When you add that to the fact they beat Sunderland the week before they look a good bet but you cannot write off Leicester. They could be two goals down and you couldn't write them off. Albion will probably take the lead before the man who can't stop scoring, Jamie Vardy, pops up with a late equaliser for his umpteenth goal of the season!
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 5/1)
Everton v Sunderland (1.30pm, Super Sunday)
Even though they qualified, I don't understand why Roberto Martinez made so many changes against Norwich in the League Cup. Everton are one of those teams that are capable of going all the way and giving their fans a day out at Wembley. I could understand if they were pushing for the top four, but they're not.
I really don't know how Sunderland won the derby 3-0, it was just unbelievable. With that in mind I see Everton coming out on top in this one, they'll be solid and they'll look to open Sunderland up with the likes of Lukaku.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (Sky Bet odds 6/1)
Southampton v Bournemouth (4pm, Super Sunday)
I know Bournemouth did well in midweek but they still ended up losing to what was a youthful Liverpool side, and they had fielded a strong team. Before that they went 1-0 up against Spurs before getting rinsed 5-1.
Bournemouth have been real unlucky with their injuries but they need to start winning quickly or they're going to be in serious trouble. I'm going with Southampton here, they're a half-decent side and they'll have too much for the Cherries.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0 (Sky Bet odds 10/1)
Tottenham v Aston Villa (8pm, Monday Night Football)
This is extraordinary! For the fourth week on the trot I'm backing Spurs! Harry Kane banged in a hat-trick last week and he'll kick on now against a Villa side that are in disarray.
I thought it was a bit early to sack Tim Sherwood considering he kept them up last season, they would've gone down last year if it wasn't for him. They've sacked him and got no one in, how can you sack someone and then not have a replacement lined up?
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (Sky Bet odds 11/2)
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