SkySport pundict Pual Merson is here again with his BPL prediction.
The international break is over and Paul Merson is
back with his tips ahead of another action-packed
weekend in the Premier League.
The transfer window has closed and new arrivals are
settling in at their new clubs. But just how will the
likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Anthony Martial take to
life in the Premier League?
After his record-breaking achievement on
international duty, can Wayne Rooney transfer his
goalscoring exploits into the top flight?
The Magic Man casts his expert eye over the
weekend's action...
Everton v Chelsea - Saturday, 12:45pm
Chelsea cannot afford to lose any more ground on
leaders City, says Merse
This is a game Chelsea cannot afford to lose. It will
be a very hard game considering they're eight points
behind City already. The early kick-off after the
international break means Jose Mourinho doesn't
have long to work with his players and I feel they
have been dealt a dodgy hand here in a game they
have to win.
Romelu Lukaku, Phil Jagielka and John Stones did not
feature heavily for their countries during the break,
whereas Chelsea have players who played a lot
more. That could work in Everton's favour. Saying
that, Chelsea have got to win so I have to go with
them.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2 (Sky Bet odds 15/2)
Arsenal v Stoke - Saturday, 3pm
Arsenal may have too much against a developing
Stoke side
Ibrahim Afellay and Charlie Adam will be missing
this game through suspension, having been sent off
last week, so I've got to go for a home win. Arsenal
are very lucky to have Stoke at home in their first
game after the transfer market closed, considering
they didn't buy a striker.
They would be in serious trouble if they were to get
beaten here, but Stoke haven't really got going yet.
The Potters are a bit too open for me, they miss
Steven N'Zonzi if I'm being honest. This is a different
team from the Stoke of old, with a lot of footballers,
and I don't think they will be able to stop Arsenal in
an open game.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (Sky Bet odds 9/2)
Crystal Palace v Man City - Saturday, 3pm
'Unstoppable' City tipped to make it five from five
This should be a very good game. If Man City win this
and Chelsea fail to win, their lead could be 10 or 11
points by Saturday evening. I'd fancy Palace a lot
more if they were playing at the Etihad. The positive
for Palace is that City will have a go so it will be like
an away game for them. That could play into Palace's
hands but I think City will just have too much class.
They are playing so well at the moment - they do
look unstoppable.
I can't see anything but a Man City win. They paid a
lot of money for Kevin De Bruyne and I would start
him on Saturday. If they don't play him here, he
could go six or seven games without getting a game.
If they don't put him in against Palace and they win,
and they go on a run, he might not get a game so
their best bet would be to put him as soon as
possible.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2 (Sky Bet odds 7/1)
Norwich v Bournemouth - Saturday, 3pm
Norwich need to start converting their chances
I'm covering this game on Soccer Saturday and I'm
looking forward to it, it should be a good game. The
only thing with Norwich is that they make enough
chances in matches but they aren't scoring goals.
Both teams will head into this game thinking 'if we're
going to stay up then we have to win'. That will make
for an open and entertaining game. Norwich make a
lot of chances and Bournemouth aren't great at the
back so I'm going for a Desmond.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-2 (Sky Bet odds 12/1)
Watford v Swansea - Saturday, 3pm
Swansea have been backed to overcome Watford
I was disappointed with Watford last week. When
you go to the Etihad you're probably going to lose so
it's a free swing, just go and have a go. The shape of
the team looks wrong and they just don't look like
scoring and I feel sorry for Troy Deeney. He's worked
his socks off to get to here, scoring 20-odd goals for
the last three seasons, but in the Premier League
he's isolated up front. He played on the right wing at
City and didn't get over the halfway line in the first
half. Unbelievable!
They need to change their shape otherwise it could
be a difficult season for Watford. They did brilliantly
in their first game against Everton and that tells you
everything you need to know. They attacked and
should have won that game, since then they haven't
and they haven't scored.
Swansea, meanwhile, have made a great start to the
season, although they flattered to deceive away to
Sunderland two weeks ago. But they followed that up
with victory over Manchester United. They are a
good team and I expect them to win.
PAUL PREDICTS: 0-2 (Sky Bet odds 11/1)
West Brom v Southampton - Saturday, 3pm
How will West Brom respond to the Saido Berahino
saga?
This is a big game for West Brom. I think they are
going to be near the bottom this season with
everything that is happening at the club. Salomon
Rondon played and scored for Venezuela this week
but by the time he gets back, which could be as late
as Friday, he might not be sharp.
Saido Berahino looks as though he won't play so that
leaves Rickie Lambert to lead the line. This is a tough
game I don't see West Brom winning. If I'm being
honest, I'm leaning towards Southampton after their
good result last time out. But I think they could get a
draw as long as they score the first goal.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 9/2)
Man Utd v Liverpool - Saturday Night Football,
5:30pm, Sky Sports 1 HD
Will David de Gea make his first appearance for
Manchester United this season?
There isn't much between these two teams. Both
suffered defeats before the international break, with
United losing at Swansea and Liverpool getting
slaughtered at home to West Ham. This is a big game
for both managers, Brendan Rodgers can't afford to
lose it whereas Louis van Gaal has to win.
If this game goes anything like it did last season, and
David de Gea doesn't play for United, then Liverpool
win this game without a doubt. There is no way
Liverpool can have as many chances as they did back
then and not win the game.
That is why De Gea has to play. If not, you're
chopping your nose off to spite your face and United
will struggle to come anywhere this season. Let's be
honest, United wouldn't have come fourth last year
without him. He has to play for me, he's the best
goalkeeper at the club by a million miles.
To the game, I think it will be another entertaining
Desmond. Both teams will have a go, Liverpool will
cause problems and they will be better away from
home. After their result at home to West Ham,
though, people will think I've gone mad tipping
Liverpool to score two. But this is a big football
match, I know it is, the fans know it is. Just how big it
turns out to be we will find out.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-2 (Sky Bet odds 14/1)
Sunderland v Tottenham - Super Sunday, 1:30pm,
Sky Sports 1 HD
Harry Kane will be looking to transfer international
form to Premier League
Both Sunderland and Tottenham need to get going.
Spurs are looking to at least have a go at trying to get
into the top four this season. Harry Kane is a top
player, I really like him and he'll cause Sunderland all
sorts of problems. His two goals for England will
help his confidence, although I thought he'd played
well in the opening four games of the season.
If I'm being honest, he might not get 30 goals again,
people need to understand that, but if he gets 15
goals and keeps showing the potential he has then
he will turn out to be a top-drawer player in the long
run. That's coming from a former Arsenal player! I'm
a big fan of his. I'm going to go with Spurs here
mainly because of Kane, I don't see how Sunderland
are going to be able to live with him.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2 (Sky Bet odds 15/2)
Leicester v Aston Villa - Super Sunday, 4pm, Sky
Sports 1 HD
Can Leicester draw first blood in the race to be the
top Midlands club?
This is another big game. At the start of the season,
if you looked at who the top Midlands club would be
you'd have probably said Villa, but Leicester have
started so well. It hasn't been a fluke. They had a
great result at Bournemouth - who entered the game
on the back of their great win at West Ham - and they
come away with a decent point.
I'm going to go for another draw here. My Villa head
is making me go for the draw but, if it were my
football head, I would say Leicester. Saying that, if
Villa don't score first, I can't see them coming back.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 11/2)
West Ham v Newcastle - Monday Night Football,
8pm, Sky Sports 1 HD
Are West Ham able to replicate their stunning away
form at Upton Park?
If this game was at St James' Park I would say West
Ham straight away, but at Upton Park I'm not sure.
They've played against two teams who you would
expect to finish in the bottom half of the table at
home and lost convincingly to both of them, and
then gone and played two teams you'd expect to
finish in the top five and won away.
This is a really weird game this one, Newcastle are
heading in the right direction under Steve McClaren,
even if the results haven't been great. I fancy West
Ham here slightly, but it's going to be a difficult
game.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (Sky Bet odds 8/1)
The international break is over and Paul Merson is
back with his tips ahead of another action-packed
weekend in the Premier League.
The transfer window has closed and new arrivals are
settling in at their new clubs. But just how will the
likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Anthony Martial take to
life in the Premier League?
After his record-breaking achievement on
international duty, can Wayne Rooney transfer his
goalscoring exploits into the top flight?
The Magic Man casts his expert eye over the
weekend's action...
Everton v Chelsea - Saturday, 12:45pm
Chelsea cannot afford to lose any more ground on
leaders City, says Merse
This is a game Chelsea cannot afford to lose. It will
be a very hard game considering they're eight points
behind City already. The early kick-off after the
international break means Jose Mourinho doesn't
have long to work with his players and I feel they
have been dealt a dodgy hand here in a game they
have to win.
Romelu Lukaku, Phil Jagielka and John Stones did not
feature heavily for their countries during the break,
whereas Chelsea have players who played a lot
more. That could work in Everton's favour. Saying
that, Chelsea have got to win so I have to go with
them.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2 (Sky Bet odds 15/2)
Arsenal v Stoke - Saturday, 3pm
Arsenal may have too much against a developing
Stoke side
Ibrahim Afellay and Charlie Adam will be missing
this game through suspension, having been sent off
last week, so I've got to go for a home win. Arsenal
are very lucky to have Stoke at home in their first
game after the transfer market closed, considering
they didn't buy a striker.
They would be in serious trouble if they were to get
beaten here, but Stoke haven't really got going yet.
The Potters are a bit too open for me, they miss
Steven N'Zonzi if I'm being honest. This is a different
team from the Stoke of old, with a lot of footballers,
and I don't think they will be able to stop Arsenal in
an open game.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (Sky Bet odds 9/2)
Crystal Palace v Man City - Saturday, 3pm
'Unstoppable' City tipped to make it five from five
This should be a very good game. If Man City win this
and Chelsea fail to win, their lead could be 10 or 11
points by Saturday evening. I'd fancy Palace a lot
more if they were playing at the Etihad. The positive
for Palace is that City will have a go so it will be like
an away game for them. That could play into Palace's
hands but I think City will just have too much class.
They are playing so well at the moment - they do
look unstoppable.
I can't see anything but a Man City win. They paid a
lot of money for Kevin De Bruyne and I would start
him on Saturday. If they don't play him here, he
could go six or seven games without getting a game.
If they don't put him in against Palace and they win,
and they go on a run, he might not get a game so
their best bet would be to put him as soon as
possible.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2 (Sky Bet odds 7/1)
Norwich v Bournemouth - Saturday, 3pm
Norwich need to start converting their chances
I'm covering this game on Soccer Saturday and I'm
looking forward to it, it should be a good game. The
only thing with Norwich is that they make enough
chances in matches but they aren't scoring goals.
Both teams will head into this game thinking 'if we're
going to stay up then we have to win'. That will make
for an open and entertaining game. Norwich make a
lot of chances and Bournemouth aren't great at the
back so I'm going for a Desmond.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-2 (Sky Bet odds 12/1)
Watford v Swansea - Saturday, 3pm
Swansea have been backed to overcome Watford
I was disappointed with Watford last week. When
you go to the Etihad you're probably going to lose so
it's a free swing, just go and have a go. The shape of
the team looks wrong and they just don't look like
scoring and I feel sorry for Troy Deeney. He's worked
his socks off to get to here, scoring 20-odd goals for
the last three seasons, but in the Premier League
he's isolated up front. He played on the right wing at
City and didn't get over the halfway line in the first
half. Unbelievable!
They need to change their shape otherwise it could
be a difficult season for Watford. They did brilliantly
in their first game against Everton and that tells you
everything you need to know. They attacked and
should have won that game, since then they haven't
and they haven't scored.
Swansea, meanwhile, have made a great start to the
season, although they flattered to deceive away to
Sunderland two weeks ago. But they followed that up
with victory over Manchester United. They are a
good team and I expect them to win.
PAUL PREDICTS: 0-2 (Sky Bet odds 11/1)
West Brom v Southampton - Saturday, 3pm
How will West Brom respond to the Saido Berahino
saga?
This is a big game for West Brom. I think they are
going to be near the bottom this season with
everything that is happening at the club. Salomon
Rondon played and scored for Venezuela this week
but by the time he gets back, which could be as late
as Friday, he might not be sharp.
Saido Berahino looks as though he won't play so that
leaves Rickie Lambert to lead the line. This is a tough
game I don't see West Brom winning. If I'm being
honest, I'm leaning towards Southampton after their
good result last time out. But I think they could get a
draw as long as they score the first goal.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 9/2)
Man Utd v Liverpool - Saturday Night Football,
5:30pm, Sky Sports 1 HD
Will David de Gea make his first appearance for
Manchester United this season?
There isn't much between these two teams. Both
suffered defeats before the international break, with
United losing at Swansea and Liverpool getting
slaughtered at home to West Ham. This is a big game
for both managers, Brendan Rodgers can't afford to
lose it whereas Louis van Gaal has to win.
If this game goes anything like it did last season, and
David de Gea doesn't play for United, then Liverpool
win this game without a doubt. There is no way
Liverpool can have as many chances as they did back
then and not win the game.
That is why De Gea has to play. If not, you're
chopping your nose off to spite your face and United
will struggle to come anywhere this season. Let's be
honest, United wouldn't have come fourth last year
without him. He has to play for me, he's the best
goalkeeper at the club by a million miles.
To the game, I think it will be another entertaining
Desmond. Both teams will have a go, Liverpool will
cause problems and they will be better away from
home. After their result at home to West Ham,
though, people will think I've gone mad tipping
Liverpool to score two. But this is a big football
match, I know it is, the fans know it is. Just how big it
turns out to be we will find out.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-2 (Sky Bet odds 14/1)
Sunderland v Tottenham - Super Sunday, 1:30pm,
Sky Sports 1 HD
Harry Kane will be looking to transfer international
form to Premier League
Both Sunderland and Tottenham need to get going.
Spurs are looking to at least have a go at trying to get
into the top four this season. Harry Kane is a top
player, I really like him and he'll cause Sunderland all
sorts of problems. His two goals for England will
help his confidence, although I thought he'd played
well in the opening four games of the season.
If I'm being honest, he might not get 30 goals again,
people need to understand that, but if he gets 15
goals and keeps showing the potential he has then
he will turn out to be a top-drawer player in the long
run. That's coming from a former Arsenal player! I'm
a big fan of his. I'm going to go with Spurs here
mainly because of Kane, I don't see how Sunderland
are going to be able to live with him.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2 (Sky Bet odds 15/2)
Leicester v Aston Villa - Super Sunday, 4pm, Sky
Sports 1 HD
Can Leicester draw first blood in the race to be the
top Midlands club?
This is another big game. At the start of the season,
if you looked at who the top Midlands club would be
you'd have probably said Villa, but Leicester have
started so well. It hasn't been a fluke. They had a
great result at Bournemouth - who entered the game
on the back of their great win at West Ham - and they
come away with a decent point.
I'm going to go for another draw here. My Villa head
is making me go for the draw but, if it were my
football head, I would say Leicester. Saying that, if
Villa don't score first, I can't see them coming back.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 11/2)
West Ham v Newcastle - Monday Night Football,
8pm, Sky Sports 1 HD
Are West Ham able to replicate their stunning away
form at Upton Park?
If this game was at St James' Park I would say West
Ham straight away, but at Upton Park I'm not sure.
They've played against two teams who you would
expect to finish in the bottom half of the table at
home and lost convincingly to both of them, and
then gone and played two teams you'd expect to
finish in the top five and won away.
This is a really weird game this one, Newcastle are
heading in the right direction under Steve McClaren,
even if the results haven't been great. I fancy West
Ham here slightly, but it's going to be a difficult
game.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (Sky Bet odds 8/1)
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