The A teams

Merse is predicting narrow wins for Arsenal and Aston Villa during the Super Sunday double header.

Gunners to win at Bloomfield Road; Villa to edge Newcastle

Blackpool v Arsenal
1pm, Sun, Sky Sports HD1

We say this all the time but over the last two games Arsenal proved they haven't got a plan B. Their plan A is phenomenal and when it works it's a nightmare living with them - but teams have learnt how to play against it. They think: 'We'll sit back, ride our luck and then counter attack. Arsenal aren't good at set plays so we'll always have a chance from a free-kick or corner'. When they bought Marouane Chamkah, I thought they'd go a bit more route one, as he's really good in the air. But they haven't really done that in the last couple of games; he's only had brief cameos. They need to mix it up a bit because teams haven't really ridden their luck that much of late. I've seen games where Arsenal have drawn and they could have won 12-0, but it hasn't been like that in the last couple of matches. After their draws with West Brom and Blackburn, there is a danger Arsenal could be caught by Chelsea and Manchester City and maybe finish fourth. But on the flip side they are still chasing Manchester United for the title. They have a game in hand which could cut United's lead to four and then if they beat them at the Emirates, it only takes one slip up for the title to be theirs. They are still right in the mix. Blackpool, on the other hand, keep on slipping towards the relegation zone and I think a big part of that is their lack of Premier League experience. Looking through their squad, only Andy Reid, James Beattie and Marlon Harewood have played a bundle of games in the top flight - and Harewood is on loan at Barnsley! Blackpool go two up - like they did at Blackburn a couple of weeks ago - and they don't have enough old pros to settle them down. They'll be boosted by the return of DJ Campbell, who is back after a ban. He brings a lot of fight to Blackpool's strike force - but his fight will have to be a lot more controlled than when he got sent off at Wolves! He works his socks off, though, and could cause Arsenal problems PAUL'S PREDICTION
AWAY WIN - The reverse fixture earlier this season finished 6-0 to Arsenal but that was a different pitch and the circumstances have changed. I've watched Blackpool a lot of times and they have the potential to surprise you. You think they'll get beaten three or four and they pull something out of the hat. They were poor at Fulham last week, though, and I think they'll lose to Arsenal - but only narrowly. MERSON'S MAGIC MAN
ROBIN VAN PERSIE - When he's fit and firing, he is one of the best centre forwards in the world - and if he's on his game on Sunday, Arsenal will definitely win.

Aston Villa v Newcastle
3.30pm, Sun, Sky Sports HD1

Villa lost 6-0 to Newcastle on the second week of the season - and things have only got worse. After that thumping, you still thought they'd finish comfortably in the top half of the table - but eight months later and they are struggling to stay in the league. It shows what an unbelievable job Martin O'Neill did to keep them floating around the top six. A lot of the blame has to go on the players because they aren't performing as well as they can, but Gerard Houllier hasn't been faultless. He's tried to alter everything straight away, when perhaps he'd have been better off changing things steadily. They were the better team at Everton last week and even though a draw was a good result, they will be kicking themselves that they let in an 83rd-minute equaliser. That makes this game vital. If Villa lose it, you'd worry unbelievably about their chances of survival. It is staggering to see them so far down the league because the 18-man squad they took to Goodison Park was full of talent. A side with Marc Albrighton, Stiliyan Petrov and Robert Pires on the bench should not be fifth bottom. But then again, West Ham went down and they had good, good players. Their squad was better than Villa's, so their fans should be worried. As for Newcastle, I think they're one win from safety. That would take them to 42 points and then another three teams are going to have to win over a third of their remaining games to catch them. One side might do that, but not three. It was an unbelievable result for the Magpies to beat Wolves 4-1 last week and especially sweet considering it was against one of the teams they're battling with to stay up. Leon Best is out for the season, but Peter Lovenkrands and Shola Ameobi both scored welcome goals. I can't believe that Ameobi is 29 as people are always saying he is still a kid. He's never really had a consistent run but with Andy Carroll leaving and Best out, now could be his time to shine. He has to take it. Joey Barton made the news this week by claiming he was the best midfielder in England. I like him and a lot of Newcastle's success this season has been down to him - but he's not the best midfielder in England. Maybe he could get in the squad, but you've got Steven Gerrard - who IS the best midfielder in England - Frank Lampard, who scores goals; Scott Parker, who has been outstanding and deserves his chance; and Jack Wilshere, who will be a mainstay for the rest of his career. And Barton strikes me as someone who wouldn't enjoy being a reserve; he wants to play every game and doesn't like it when he's not involved. PAUL'S PREDICTION
HOME WIN - Villa have to win, so I've got to go for them. Their performance at Everton was very good considering the position they are in, so hopefully that will give them confidence. Plus, Darren Bent is always liable to pop up with a goal. I'll go 2-1 to Villa. MERSON'S MAGIC MAN
STEWART DOWNING - I've been critical of him over the years as a left-footed winger, saying he doesn't score a lot of goals. But he's been one of Villa's few bright lights this year and he'll be vital for them on Sunday.