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Merson's predictions: Victories for the top-four sides

Paul Merson
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It's that time of the week again... Paul Merson is back with his latest set of Premier League predictions ahead of the weekend.

And what a set of of live action we have in store. First we head to the Britannia Stadium for the Saturday Night Football where Chelsea, without the banned Jose Mourinho, take on Stoke looking for only their second victory in six league outings.

Then our attention turns to Super Sunday. Our second installment sees Arsenal, fresh off the back of a hammering in Munich, battle it out with Spurs in the 177th North London derby.

Before that, there is the little matter of Remi Garde's first game in charge of Aston Villa, with Premier League leaders Manchester City the visitors to Villa Park.

The Magic Man looks ahead to the action... 

Arsenal v Tottenham (4pm, Super Sunday, Sky Sports 1 HD)

Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud of Arsenal during the Champions League Group Stage match between Bayern and Arsenal at the Allianz Arena on November 4
Image: Arsenal backed to bounce back from mauling in Munich.

This is a big game for Tottenham and a big game for Arsenal after the embarrassment against Bayern. When you consider the manner in which they lost in Munich, if Arsenal were to lose you could say Arsene Wenger would come under pressure again. Saying that, I do expect Arsenal to win, I'd be shocked if they didn't.

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PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0 (Sky Bet odds 12/1)

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Aston Villa v Man City (1.30pm, Super Sunday, Sky Sports 1 HD)

Man City players celebrate after beating Sevilla
Image: Villa no match for City after Sevilla success.

To start with this is already a tough game for Villa, add that to the fact they're struggling and I can't see anything but a City win. Villa might probably keep it tight for a while but they are lacking the spark and City head into the game on the back of an unbelievable result against Sevilla. Remi Garde has a lot of work to do and there are a lot of hard games in front of Villa. They could soon be cut adrift, that's the worrying thing.

PAUL PREDICTS: 0-2 (Sky Bet odds 11/2)

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Stoke v Chelsea (5.30pm, Saturday Night Football, Sky Sports 1 HD)

Willian goal celeb, Chelsea v Dynamo Kiev, Champions League
Image: Chelsea's star man Willian to inspire Blues at Stoke.

This is a weird game. What happens if Chelsea win 5-0 without Jose Mourinho in the stadium? That would raise some interesting questions. I expect Chelsea to win this one. It's bound to be a hard game, like most games at the Britannia are, but you have to remember Stoke got rinsed by Watford two weeks ago. Chelsea have to score first though.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2 (Sky Bet odds 15/2)

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Bournemouth v Newcastle (12.45pm, Saturday)

Image: Bournemouth's struggles set to continue against Toon.

Now this is a six-pointer if ever I saw one! People will say it's only the start of November but this is a massive football match. Newcastle were bang unlucky last week against Stoke, they just bumped into Jack Butland who was on fire. Bournemouth's injuries are taking their toll and, despite playing well in the second half at Southampton, they lost, again.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2 (Sky Bet odds 10/1)

Leicester v Watford (3pm, Saturday)

Jamie Vardy of Leicester City scores the third goal of the game for his side during the Barclays Premier League match
Image: Jamie Vardy of Leicester City scores the third goal of the game for his side during the Barclays Premier League match

I've got to back Leicester here. Jamie Vardy is on fire, as is Riyad Mahrez. They are both performing so well. There will certainly be goals in this and I think Leicester will just edge it. Watford will have a go and I see them taking the lead at the King Power before Leicester come back to win. They always go a goal behind and can't play until they're trailing!

PAUL PREDICTS: 3-2 (Sky Bet odds 25/1)

Man Utd v West Brom (3pm, Saturday)

Wayne Rooney and Memphis Depay of Manchester United embrace at the final whistle during the UEFA Champions League Group match v CSKA Moscow
Image: United must score early to appease expectant Old Trafford crowd

I watched West Brom go to Norwich a while back and they defended comfortably. Tony Pulis will have his team set up to be very difficult to beat and United will have to score early to stop the crowd getting on their backs. They will be looking for an early breakthrough, and things could get difficult for them. But I do expect them to get over the line and collect three points.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-0 (Sky Bet odds 4/1)

Norwich v Swansea (3pm, Saturday)

Cameron Jerome scores for Norwich to make it 1-1
Image: Nothing to separate Canaries and Swans at Carrow Road.

Norwich were unlucky at Manchester City last weekend. They did OK at the Etihad. but probably didn't deserve a point, despite being close to getting one. They just lacked the guile in the final third to hurt City from promising positions. Swansea, meanwhile, are struggling, very much so, and I can't separate these two.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 11/2)

Sunderland v Southampton (3pm, Saturday)

Graziano Pelle of Southampton performs a haka style celebration after scoring
Image: Southampton should cause Sunderland's defence all sorts of problems.

When Sunderland pulled level at Everton I thought they looked like the only team capable of winning the game. However, the next minute their defence had vanished and they'd obviously got carried away. Southampton are on a bit of a run and they're a decent team now they've got themselves going. They've got some key players back and they're doing well, I see them winning here.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2 (Sky Bet odds 15/2)

West Ham v Everton (3pm, Saturday)

Romelu Lukaku makes it 4-2 to Everton
Image: Adventurous Everton and West Ham to play out belter at the Boleyn.

There will be goals in this one. Both teams will have a go but they'll also be open at the back. It makes for an entertaining game. I'm sure West Ham won't present Everton with as many chances as Sunderland did, but the Toffees are still a threat regardless. West Ham aren't the same side when they start with Andy Carroll. He hasn't got the pace Diafra Sakho has to get in behind and I think he's better suited as an impact player from the bench. 

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-2 (Sky Bet odds 12/1)

Liverpool v Crystal Palace (4pm, Sunday)

Philippe Coutinho is bundled by team-mates after putting Liverpool 2-1 up
Image: Klopp backed to transform Liverpool's fortunes with second win on the spin.

Palace seem to have gone off the boil. I remember Palace ripping Liverpool to shreds last year but I don't see it happening again. I feel Jurgen Klopp will turn Liverpool around, especially after that massive result at Chelsea. I still think Palace will put up a decent fight in what will be a hard-fought game, but I just fancy Liverpool.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (Sky Bet odds 15/2)

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Merson's Predictions
Merson's Predictions

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