Paul Merson's Premier League predictions

Burnley v Chelsea, 7pm, Monday, Sky Sports 1

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This game all depends on how Chelsea’s heads are. If their attitude is right and they get off the coach knowing that they will be in for a hard game and work their socks off then it’s impossible for them to lose. If they get off the coach thinking they just need to turn up and play at 60% to beat Burnley then they will be in trouble. It’s all about the attitude. It should be a lovely pitch and a nice evening, live on the TV and so much depends on how the players approach it. If their heads are right then they will win comfortably.

PAUL PREDICTS: 0-3

Newcastle v Man City, 3.30pm, Sunday, Sky Sports 1

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Man City needed to bring in a new centre-half this summer – and they’ve done that with the signing of Eliaquim Mangala, but is that enough? I’m not sure. The thing with them is they have the ammunition to go again in January if they need to. They could go and spend £70million on Falcao if they have to, which other clubs can’t do. There’s pressure on the champions, but there’s also pressure on Newcastle in front of a packed house at the start of a season. The fans are going to demand that Newcastle attack, attack, attack and that plays into Man City’s hands because they will pick them off. If the home team can be patient and play into a shape then they can get a result. City can’t afford to lose though. The league is going to be so tight this year, you can’t fall three points behind already!

PAUL PREDICTS: 0-2

Liverpool v Southampton, 12.30pm, Sunday, Sky Sports 1

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I watched a lot of Liverpool in pre-season and they are decent; they impressed me in their games against Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund. However, can they live without Luis Suarez’s goals? I doubt it. Can they live with playing twice or three times a week? I doubt it again. Can they beat Southampton? I don’t see any problems with that. I’m not sure they’ve got 11 players to put out have they? I am worried for them and if they don’t get off to a good start they’ll be struggling badly. I know they’ve brought in a lot of money this summer, but they can’t sit there and think they’ll automatically be good enough to stay up. I think Liverpool are certainties.

PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0

Arsenal v Crystal Palace, 4.45pm, Saturday, Sky Sports 1

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I still think Arsenal are a couple of players short. They need a world-class holding midfielder and a centre-half with major pace because they play on the half-way line and their defenders need to be quick. I think they will beat Crystal Palace, but it will be a tight game – there will be no cricket score here. Arsenal showed in the Community Shield that they’re as good as anybody when a game opens up, but Palace are going to sit with 10 behind the ball and give them no space. They will frustrate them and try to catch them on the counter-attack, exactly like Villa did this time last year. If Arsenal win this it will be a very hard win – it won’t be a walkover.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0

Manchester United v Swansea

I think this is a great first game for Louis v