Tottenham vs Manchester City is live on Sky Sports on Monday Night Football...
Monday 29 October 2018 11:29, UK
Paul Merson is back with his latest round of Premier League predictions.
The Premier League rolls on as the focus is very much on Manchester City's trip to Tottenham on Monday Night Football.
The live action kick off on Super Sunday as Crystal Palace host Arsenal before Manchester United aim to bounce back from their Champions League disappointment with a home fixture with Everton.
Read on to see who the Magic Man is backing this week...
This should be a cracker! Tottenham are getting results without playing well - I thought they rode their luck against West Ham. There's a few in that squad who aren't playing to their full ability at the moment. However, look where they are in the league - they will only get better.
I think the pitch could become an issue. Modern players are not used to playing on a dodgy pitch? We were more accustom to it back in the day - I once played at the Baseball Ground and there was not one blade of grass on the pitch.
It just may suit Manchester City that little better as they have a bit more pace in their team and will not be fully reliant on pass, pass, pass.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-3 (14/1 with Sky Bet)
Arsenal are on an amazing run. Against Leicester they could have been 3-0 down at the break but were outstanding in the second half. I do not know how they do it. Arsenal's big worry is when they play Liverpool next week - I dread to think what that score will be.
They will beat Palace as they will open this game up. Palace cannot score goals. I'm worried for them, they need to start winning games. That pressure is taking its toll on Wilfried Zaha.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-3 (14/1 with Sky Bet)
United are all over the place at the moment, but I do see them winning this one. I think the shackles have got to come off at some point.
Against Juventus, I sat down to watch it thinking 'here we go - they will get into them, squeeze them up the pitch' but they ended up playing like it was a testimonial game. You watch the other 'top six' teams and there's a plan there. You can see a pattern to their play and how they have scored a goal. When United score, it's like someone has fallen over the ball and it's gone in. It's just happened - you do not watch it and think 'they've worked on that'. It's all off the cuff with United.
Everton will cause them problems, but surely United can edge it. It's Manchester United.
However, if they somehow make the top four then they would have pulled up trees this season.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (8/1 with Sky Bet)
Wolves do not score enough goals - a return of nine goals does not read well. Sometimes I think they flatter to deceive - even I bought into it, thinking they were really great. But are they? They have got to improve their end product. What is missing might be a top-class centre-forward. The fact they have so much of the ball in games and have only scored nine, is a big worry.
Brighton are good at home. Wolves will dominate the ball but will not score. Brighton will.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (8/1 with Sky Bet)
Fulham's defending.... deary me. I have not seen anything like it. I have seen some teams defend badly in this league but I have not seen a team defend like Fulham. They are all over the place. They think they are playing five-a-side after work - they are so open. They played against Arsenal like Arsenal play against Barcelona: you have a shot, we will have a shot. It's alright in the Championship doing that but you need to be flexible in this league.
I cannot see anything but an easy Bournemouth win. That front three will fill their boots.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-4 (33/1 with Sky Bet)
Cardiff will be looking to get out of Anfield without any injures. It's a case of concentrating on their next game. However, Neil Warnock's side are a threat from set-pieces and have it in them to frustrate Liverpool.
These are the games where Liverpool can slip up, which is why Manchester City will win the league easily - they ease past these teams. Sometimes these games are a grind for Liverpool.
They will win this one but Cardiff will make it difficult.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (6/1 with Sky Bet)
I hope this is not my game on Soccer Saturday! Both teams will be keeping it tight.
The pressure might be off Newcastle in this one as Southampton's home record is atrocious. They could do with a win for their fans, who will be expecting one. Newcastle will be in this game but I cannot see them scoring.
Southampton will just prevail in a tight, tense, nervy game with Danny Ings or Charlie Austin being the difference.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-0 (9/2 with Sky Bet)
This is a tough one to call. Huddersfield are not cut adrift yet but have not won in 19 matches. They are due a little bit of luck. Sooner or later they will get some. Plus, their team spirit means they will always have a chance.
Watford are a weird team. They look capable of beating anyone in the league, then get done 4-0 at home to Bournemouth but then breeze past Wolves. I still think they are underrated.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (7/1 with Sky Bet)
Two evenly matched teams here. West Ham will miss Andriy Yarmolenko - which means the focus will be on Marko Arnautovic to deliver - he's more than capable though. He's 'top-six' quality.
I think he will score here but Leicester will too. Score draw.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (5/1 with Sky Bet)
Burnley have a poor record against the top teams at home but they rarely get battered. They always give them a good game. However, Burnley are not a hard team to play against at the moment. Have the players got a little carried away? Maybe they are trying to play a bit more and the intensity is not there.
Opposition teams would come off the pitch thinking: that was a hard game. Teams are not thinking that anymore. Burnley need to watch videos of how they played last season and replicate it. Sean Dyche is a great manager though - they will be fine this season.
When this game opens up, Chelsea have the players to hurt Burnley. Away win.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-3 (14/1 with Sky Bet)
