Saturday 11 March 2017 19:09, UK
Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson returns with his predictions for this weekend's Premier League and FA Cup action.
There are only four games in England's top flight with the FA Cup quarter-finals also taking place this weekend.
The Premier League action culminates as Liverpool host Burnley on Nissan Super Sunday, while there are crucial games on Saturday for Bournemouth, who take on West Ham, and Hull as they clash with Swansea.
In the cup, non-league side Lincoln travel to the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal. Could we see an upset? There's also the small matter of Chelsea v Manchester United on Monday.
Here's how Merson is predicting the action this weekend...
Burnley have been doing much better away from home in recent weeks but the result haven't quite gone their way. They were very unlucky the other day when they lost 3-2 to a late goal at Swansea. However, I have to back Liverpool. They put in a much improved display against Arsenal last weekend and Jurgen Klopp will want his side to build on that.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-1 (10/1 with Sky Bet)
This is a big game. Bournemouth have to win otherwise they could be in real danger. Bournemouth let in too many goals and they are now missing Tyrone Mings through suspension. He will be a big miss. West Ham are a better side away from home. They will cause Eddie Howe's side plenty of problems. I know a lot of people will go against Bournemouth in this one. I'm going with my heart instead of my head.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-2 (10/1 with Sky Bet)
Both sides had difficult results last weekend. Despite their defeat at Tottenham, Everton have been in excellent form at home, picking up four straight wins in the league. They face a tough test against West Brom, who are a difficult side to beat. They've got a good football team and will be a threat from set-pieces, but I'm just going to side with Everton for a narrow victory.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (7/1 with Sky Bet)
This is another big, big football match. If Swansea win this you could almost say they would be safe. I always thought Hull would struggle once they came into games they expected to win. It's alright against Manchester United and Liverpool when there's no expectation. I watched Hull last week at Leicester and they were never really in the game. I'm backing Swansea for a victory which could go a long way to maintaining their Premier League status.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2 (9/1 with Sky Bet)
I don't know what Pep Guardiola was doing with his team selection against Stoke. They had a chance of winning the league, especially with a game still to come at Stamford Bridge, but after that result they've blown it. However, I think they'll get back to winning ways against Middlesbrough. Aitor Karanka's side have got bigger games to play now because of their league position. They are in big trouble at the moment and they've got a terrible run-in. This is a game they don't really need.
PAUL PREDICTS: 0-2 (11/2 with Sky Bet)
Arsenal need a result badly and they will get one here. The gulf between the two sides will be ridiculous, especially on the carpet of a pitch at the Emirates. This is Arsenal's only chance now of any sort of success this season so I don't see anything other than a home win. It's great Lincoln have got to this stage but this is where it will end for them.
PAUL PREDICTS: 4-0 (5/1 with Sky Bet)
Millwall have been going really well in League One and they have let in just one goal in their last 10 football matches. That's good going. They'll certainly make it hard for Spurs but Mauricio Pochettino's side have been on fire recently, especially at home. Millwall have got to find a way to stop Harry Kane, who has scored eight goals in his last four matches. I can't see it happening though, so I'm going for a 3-1 home win.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-1 (10/1 with Sky Bet)
This is Manchester United's big test! This will show us how far they've come since that 4-0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the Premier league. Since that game United have lost just two games from 30 matches in all competitions but they haven't really beaten anybody. This is a big test for United.
They will be without Zlatan Ibrahimovic and he's Man Utd at the moment. He's carried the team. They will also be getting back late from Russia after their Europa League game and they have to deal with the poor pitch out there. I don't see anything but a Chelsea win. I can't see United getting a result at all.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (13/2 with Sky Bet)
