Merson's Predictions

Paul Merson is back with another round of his Premier League predictions - how will he get on?

The Magic Man had a tough week last time out, failing to get a perfect score and getting just four results correct.

He is hoping for better this weekend and with some excellent games - including Manchester United v Tottenham live on Sky Sports Premier League - it is one to look forward to...

Last week's predictions Actual result Merse predicted... West Ham 0-3 Brighton 1-0 Chelsea 4-2 Watford 2-1 Swansea 1-2 Leicester 2-1 Newcastle 1-0 Crystal Palace 1-1 Man City 3-0 Burnley 4-0 Huddersfield 2-1 Man Utd 0-2 Stoke 1-2 Bournemouth 2-1 Southampton 1-0 West Brom 0-0 Everton 2-5 Arsenal 1-3 Tottenham 4-1 Liverpool 3-2

Manchester United v Tottenham - from 11.30am, Saturday, Sky Sports Premier League

It's no surprise but the West Ham defeat proved it, Tottenham are a different team without Harry Kane.

But I watched Manchester United at Huddersfield and they were poor. That was after they went to Liverpool and just shut up shop - those results have left them behind the eight ball. They are five points behind Man City and have a difficult match coming up.

2:41 Highlights: Tottenham 4-1 Liverpool Highlights: Tottenham 4-1 Liverpool

United need to take the game to Tottenham and I'm not sure they can do that. Spurs would probably take a draw but their away record has been phenomenal recently.

And if Mauricio Pochettino's team really have aspirations of winning the title themselves, this is a fixture they need to win. The way Man City are playing at the moment, winning at United gives you every chance of challenging.

Paul predicts: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 5/1)

Brighton v Southampton - from 12.30pm, Nissan Super Sunday, Sky Sports Premier League

I'm going for Brighton. They are doing OK this season and Southampton don't blow teams away.

You are always in the game against them because they don't score many and Brighton will be full of confidence after that 3-0 win at West Ham.

It should be close but I'm edging for the home side.

Paul predicts: 2-1 (Sky Bet odds 11/1)

2:55 Highlights: Southampton 1-0 West Brom Highlights: Southampton 1-0 West Brom

Leicester v Everton - from 3.30pm, Nissan Super Sunday, Sky Sports Premier League

I nearly fell over when I found out Claude Puel was appointed at Leicester. Not for me.

It's his first game and you usually get a boost but Everton showed a lot of fight under caretaker boss David Unsworth at Chelsea in the Carabao Cup.

I would give him the job on a permanent basis. If you cut him open, he bleeds Everton blue. That's what the fans want, someone with passion for the club.

Paul predicts: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 5/1)

Burnley v Newcastle - from 7pm, Monday Night Football, Sky Sports Premier League

I haven't gone for Newcastle to win once this season but that changes today! Burnley's home form has been a little shaky and Newcastle are on a roll.

They did well against Southampton and the Palace win was big for them. They are punching well above their weight - if they finish sixth Rafa Benitez will be manager of the season.

The name of the game remains safety and hopefully for Newcastle fans their club will be in a position in January to have a real go in the FA Cup. That would be brilliant.

Paul predicts: 1-2 (Sky Bet odds 9/1)

2:42 Highlights: Newcastle 1-0 Crystal Palace Highlights: Newcastle 1-0 Crystal Palace

West Brom v Manchester City - 3pm, Saturday

Albion set up for a 0-0 draw against Southampton and nearly got it. Jay Rodriguez also missed a couple of good half-chances and they were ultimately undone by probably the goal of the season.

Tony Pulis will always make it difficult and I expect no different against Manchester City. The problem is Pep Guardiola has so much quality to choose from.

Paul predicts: 0-2 (Sky Bet odds 11/2)

2:59 Highlights: Man City 3-0 Burnley Highlights: Man City 3-0 Burnley

Watford v Stoke City - 3pm, Saturday

Watford played really well at Chelsea and probably came away from the match thinking, 'How did we get beat there?!'

They could have been 4-1 up at one stage, they created so many chances. Marco Silva has a strong, physical team and they look really good.

He has athletes that can play a bit of football too and I think they will have too much for Stoke, who were poor against Bournemouth.

Paul predicts: 3-1 (Sky Bet odds 16/1)

Crystal Palace v West Ham - 3pm, Saturday

West Ham will get a massive amount of belief from beating Tottenham and Crystal Palace, who lost a six-pointer to Newcastle, just got hammered 4-1 by Bristol City in the Carabao Cup.

I know they didn't put out a full team but you don't lose by that many to a Championship side. You need to start building your confidence.

Any fan wants to see desire, a bit of heart, and West Ham showed that in the second half at Wembley. Fair play to them, I can't imagine too many of the players wanted to come back onto the pitch 2-0 down at half-time but to rally and win the match is impressive.

Paul predicts: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 5/1)

Liverpool v Huddersfield - 3pm, Saturday

I know Liverpool have struggled in these types of matches but they should win and Huddersfield's style of press may help them.

They usually press high and that would suit Mohamed Salah, Philippe Coutinho and the rest. Premier League teams can pop it around you and all of a sudden that opens up space for the Liverpool forwards.

If David Wagner changes it up and sticks with the half-press they used against United then it could be a different story. They waited until United got to the halfway line and then rushed in. They did well and that would frustrate Liverpool.

I just think as the game goes on Jurgen Klopp has too many star players.

Paul predicts: 2-0 (Sky Bet odds 5/1)

2:51 Highlights: Huddersfield 2-1 Man Utd Highlights: Huddersfield 2-1 Man Utd

Arsenal v Swansea - 3pm, Saturday

This is Arsenal all over. They do well at Chelsea, go on a little run and then get beaten by Watford. It's a cycle that will probably repeat all season.

They have won a couple in a row now and will beat Swansea, the talk will start again, but they will lose to someone they shouldn't.

I can't see that happening on Saturday, though. Swansea went to Tottenham at Wembley and sat 10 behind the ball but I think Arsenal will break them down more easily.

Paul predicts: 3-0 (Sky Bet odds 6/1)

2:58 Highlights: Everton 2-5 Arsenal Highlights: Everton 2-5 Arsenal

Bournemouth v Chelsea - 5.30pm, Saturday

Chelsea weren't too convincing against Watford but they still scored four goals. That's the quality they possess.

Their problem this season seems to be they have lost that solidity at the back. Last season their defensive three was so strong and it was hard to score against them, you had to work really hard. Now that doesn't seem the case.

Bournemouth might score in front of their home fans but I still think Chelsea will have miles too much for them to get a result.

Paul predicts: 1-3 (Sky Bet odds 11/1)