Chelsea to draw at Man City and Arsenal to win - Paul Merson
Saturday 15 August 2015 11:51, UK
Soccer Saturday pundit Paul Merson is back with another round of predictions ahead of this weekend's Premier League action.
The opening round of fixtures threw up some interesting results as Swansea held Chelsea live on Saturday Night Football, while West Ham took a superb 2-0 victory at Arsenal.
Jose Mourinho's reigning champions face a big test on Super Sunday this week as they travel to Manchester City, while Arsenal have a tricky trip to Crystal Palace in prospect.
Aston Villa lost at home to Manchester United on Friday night, but how does the Magic Man see the rest of the weekend going? Read on to see how he thinks the second round of Premier League games will turn out...
Crystal Palace v Arsenal (Sunday, 1.30pm, live on Sky Sports 1)
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Arsenal have got to come out fighting. They can't lose two on the trot, not the way the league is and how good the teams are now.
Palace are a phenomenal football team on the break, as good as anyone with their pace, and I think it is a good time to play the Gunners.
But I'm going with Arsenal because it's a must, must-win game, even this early in the season. They need to score first at Selhurst Park, just to quieten the crowd. Arsenal's class should see them through.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-3 (12/1 with Sky Bet)
Man City v Chelsea (Sunday, 4pm, live on Sky Sports 1)
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Draw. Draw. Draw. You've only got to look at Jose Mourinho's record against the top teams, you can't underestimate that.
They have to get a result, otherwise they are five points behind City already. If I'd said to you at the start of the season 'Chelsea or Man City, but I'll give City a five-point head start', you'd say City will win the league.
Mourinho knows how important the draw will be. A lot of teams go out early in the season and think 'there's over 30 games remaining'. Chelsea do not play like that, the reaction to the draw at Swansea showed that. That's where Chelsea have the big advantage over the other teams.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (5/1 with Sky Bet)
Liverpool v Bournemouth (Monday, 8pm, live on Sky Sports 1)
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I fancy Liverpool, but it will be a nervous game. Bournemouth will get the ball down and play, and Liverpool and their fans will have to be patient.
They can't think 'we're Liverpool, and we'll wipe the floor with Bournemouth', because what Eddie Howe's side do is play great football and keep the ball. Sometimes they don't go into the final third and truly threaten with it but they'll frustrate Liverpool. If the fans get on Liverpool's side - and I think they will, because it's the first game of the season at Anfield - I think they'll win 3-1.
If this was a game in November, with the fans perhaps getting impatient, Liverpool would lose all sorts of shape and Bournemouth would pick them off.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-1 (11/1 with Sky Bet)
Southampton v Everton (Saturday, 12.45pm)
I like the way Southampton play. They've got a good team and did great last year. I think they'll continue this year in the top eight, and you can't moan with that.
But I worry for Everton, who haven't bought many stars and didn't do great last year. Roberto Martinez is saying they want to bring players in but doesn't want to panic buy. The fans are finding it hard to stay completely behind the idea and a few more indecent performances could lead to a difficult run.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-1 (16/1 with Sky Bet)
Sunderland v Norwich (Saturday, 3pm)
I watched Sunderland last week, and they were bad. I think they are in trouble under Dick Advocaat. They were not riding on a wave against Leicester, after their magnificent escape from relegation last season. Maybe the honeymoon period is over?
Norwich looked exactly the same as two seasons ago, with a lorry load of chances against Palace, no goals to show for it and then they get punished. They were bang unlucky with the disallowed goal, and they'll need to reverse that luck to stay up.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-2 (14/1 with Sky Bet)
Swansea v Newcastle (Saturday, 3pm)
Swansea were very good at Chelsea, and Bafetimbi Gomis is a real handful. Yes, Courtois was sent off but you have to give Swansea so much credit.
I like McClaren, he's a good coach and will make the players better. It will be steady progression for them this season, but this one is Swansea's all over.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (15/2 with Sky Bet)
Tottenham v Stoke (Saturday, 3pm)
All of Stoke's signings have played for big, big football clubs. Winning football clubs. Tottenham did OK at United but still lost. These are two decent teams a lot closer than we think in terms of quality. Given that, I'm going for an entertaining draw.
I'd say don't judge Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino yet. The side is still not fully his, he'll want to bring more in. I like him and think he's a good manager, but there's a hell of a lot of pressure on Harry Kane this season.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-2 (14/1 with Sky Bet)
Watford v West Brom (Saturday, 3pm)
Watford had a very good result at Everton, I was impressed they had a right go, and they carried on from their form last year despite a load of new faces. Out of all the promoted teams I saw the other day, I'd say Watford have got a good chance of staying up.
When I saw West Brom's team against Man City I nearly fell over. I didn't think Tony Pulis would play two up front against Crystal Palace, let alone Man City. I don't know if it was an 'I need players' plea.
You've got to remember that Pulis is one of the best tacticians in the country, he puts teams out to make sure they get results. But I think they'll struggle here.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (8/1 with Sky Bet)
West Ham v Leicester (Saturday, 3pm)
A top of the table clash! Both these sides had phenomenal results at the weekend, but I worry for West Ham in this one. Did West Ham get it right the other day or were Arsenal poor?
Leicester have bundles of pace... West Ham are going to have to bomb on at home, and the visitors are going to pick them off. People have been sceptical of Claudio Ranieri's arrival, but they have some very good footballers at the club already. He is not attempting to build them from nothing.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2 (10/1 with Sky Bet)
