Saturday 2 December 2017 15:04, UK
Paul Merson is back with another round of Premier League predictions - how will he get on?
Merse was about par for the course in midweek, with six correct results, but no correct scorelines.
Who is the 'Magic Man' tipping to win this week? Read on to find out...
I can only see this going one way. Newcastle did great to come back against West Brom - but Chelsea aren't West Brom. Chelsea did OK against Swansea, who stayed in the game, but you need to finish games off - if Wayne Routledge had passed to Wilfried Bony at the back post late on, it's a different game.
Eden Hazard was rested for that one, he'll be back here. Chelsea aren't the same team without him.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0 (9/1 with Sky Bet)
Liverpool are a bag of revels. Going forward they are phenomenal and Mohamed Salah has been outstanding. He's settled quicker than snow.
People say 'why did Chelsea let him go' but he's a different player now. Certain players suit certain clubs - I think he's improved immensely, although I don't think he's the greatest finisher in the world. He's missed a lot of chances. He could have had even more goals to his name, but I love watching him.
Brighton are tough to beat at home as Manchester City found out earlier this season, but Liverpool will find a way through.
PAUL PREDICTS: 0-2 (6/1 with Sky Bet)
If West Ham had scored the penalty, no way would Everton had won on Wednesday.
They couldn't get out of their half at certain points of the second half. Home advantage will be crucial here against a team that doesn't score goals. The atmosphere wasn't great in that win over West Ham and it won't improve with Sam Allardyce coming in. I don't think the fans want him there - I didn't hear anyone signing his name when they were 4-0 up. It was unusual.
When they lost at Southampton, they looked bang in trouble and they needed Allardyce but a week later they could be in mid-table if they win this one. Football changes quickly. The owners will then be asking themselves would they have gone for Allardyce if they were in the top half of the table - that's the problem.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (6/1 with Sky Bet)
This is the hardest game to call of the weekend - any result wouldn't surprise me. Burnley are playing phenomenally well.
But, I'm going for a narrow Leicester win. Jamie Vardy looks sharp and Burnley aren't Tottenham - they won't create as many chances.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (6/1 with Sky Bet)
This is a big game for Stoke. If they get beat here then Mark Hughes will be in a bit of bother. Swansea will make it hard for Stoke. The players are working for the manager but they just can't score goals. I can see it being a cagey match, but I rarely go against Stoke at home.
Renato Sanches has shot a bolt. He's gone as a footballer at the moment. His confidence is shot. At Bayern Munich he was one of the best young players in the world, you don't go to Bayern if you're no good - in the Euros he was outstanding. It just shows you it doesn't matter who you are, how much money you get, when your confidence goes, that is it. They're only human. It's hard to get that confidence back.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-0 (5/1 with Sky Bet)
Watford disappointed me in midweek. They play the big boys and they get whipped up - I think Tottenham will get the job done but they look like they've lost a bit of focus.
I don't think Mauricio Pochettino has helped. In the north London derby, they were still in the game against Arsenal but he takes off Dele Alli and Harry Kane ahead of the Champions League match. That sends out a message that they can't win the league...but they need to make top four. A bit of poor play has crept into Tottenham, especially defensively, which I haven't seen before.
They're missing Toby Alderweireld, who is the best centre-back in the world.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-3 (12/1 with Sky Bet)
This is a shocking game for Alan Pardew to start with.
Pardew will have to do something different to Tony Pulis - he can't just put 10 men behind the ball and be negative. He'll need to come out and play. I can't think of a worse side to do that against than Crystal Palace - I know they're at the bottom but they have pace that can hurt you on the counter-attack like Wilfried Zaha, Andros Townsend and Christian Benteke. Away win.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2 (10/1 with Sky Bet)
Arsenal's home record is frightening. They can go 'crash, bang, wallop' against anyone and the game is over in 10 minutes - like they did against Huddersfield.
Raheem Sterling's goal against Southampton makes this game very interesting now as United have to win this game to keep City in view. I think Arsenal can make it 13 wins a row. They'll make the top four.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (8/1 with Sky Bet)
Southampton are moving in the right direction - they've had two good performances, although the City defeat will have been disheartening. They could've got a draw. Bournemouth's defeat to Burnley was a bad result for them. I think Southampton can get the win.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2 (10/1 with Sky Bet)
West Ham were atrocious at Everton apart from a 20-minute spell after half-time. I dread to think what's going to happen here against a team with such a ruthless mentality like City. They could have a field day. I'm going for 4-0.
PAUL PREDICTS: 4-0 (12/1 with Sky Bet)
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