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Merson's predictions: Arsenal to stumble at Bournemouth, Chelsea to beat Man Utd

Paul Merson
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The business end of the Premier League season is fast approaching and Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson looks ahead to the latest round of top-flight fixtures.

Arsenal travel to Bournemouth and Chelsea host Manchester United on an enticing Super Sunday line-up.

The Magic Man predicted one correct score and six correct results last time out. He'll be hoping for another impressive showing in his latest set of predictions…

Last week's predictions

Result Merse's prediction
Arsenal 0-0 Southampton 3-1
Leicester 2-0 Liverpool 2-1
Norwich 0-3 Tottenham 1-3
Sunderland 0-1 Man City 1-3
West Ham 2-0 Aston Villa 3-0
C Palace 1-2 B'mouth 3-2
Man Utd 3-0 Stoke 2-1
West Brom 1-1 Swansea 1-1
Everton 3-0 Newcastle 3-1
Watford 0-0 Chelsea 1-2

Chelsea v Manchester United - Super Sunday, 4pm

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 28:  Morgan Schneiderlin of Manchester United battles for the ball with Oscar of Chelsea during the Barclays Premier League
Image: Merse has backed Chelsea to extend their unbeaten run under Guus Hiddink

This is a big game and a great way to end the weekend - a proper Super Sunday clash. Chelsea haven't got much to play for - they can't win the league or get top four - so I was surprised they didn't open the game up at Watford and have a go. That's been disappointing really.

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United probably had less possession than they've had all season against Stoke and they won 3-0. Michael Carrick's return was key, he got the ball forward quickly and provided better service. This will be a good game, and I fancy Chelsea to edge this one.

PAUL PREDICTS: 3-2 (Sky Bet odds: 40/1)

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Bournemouth v Arsenal - Super Sunday, 1.30pm

Arsenal defender Gabriel celebrates after scoring against Bournemouthnn
Image: Arsenal lack confidence and will be held by Bournemouth, says Merse

It's a must, must, must, must, must-win game for Arsenal. They were Premier League favourites and now, all of a sudden, they're looking over their shoulder. This is a good game for Arsenal as they're not going to get kicked off the pitch by Bournemouth, but the Cherries have come into form of late.

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Benik Afobe will be a handful and he'll be keen to impress against his former club. Because of that I fancy Bournemouth to get a point. Arsenal haven't won in the league for a month, their confidence is shot at the moment and, to make things worse, Tottenham are above them!

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

Southampton v West Ham - Saturday Night Football, 5.30pm

Dusan Tadic holds off Carl Jenkinson
Image: Do West Ham have the quality to break down Southampton?

Southampton are doing well again. I was at the Emirates on Tuesday, they rode their luck at times but they dug in to go a fourth game without conceding.

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This has the makings of a good game, with West Ham in good form, six points adrift of the top four. They'll have the FA Cup replay with Liverpool on their mind but this West Ham team are a good team.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-2 (Sky Bet odds: 18/1)

Manchester City v Leicester - Saturday, 12.45pm

Jamie Vardy argues
Image: Jamie Vardy could cause Manchester City problems at the Etihad

I fancy Man City here but they will play right into Leicester's hands. They'll have a go and Jamie Vardy's pace will be too quick for the City defence. Sergio Aguero is just on fire, though, so I'm going to go for City as I think they'll have too much.

PAUL PREDICTS: 3-1 (Sky Bet odds: 10/1)

Aston Villa v Norwich - Saturday, 3pm

Jonathan Howson of Norwich City and Kieran Richardson of Aston Villa compete for the ball
Image: Norwich must beat Aston Villa to avoid further relegation worries

What else is there to say about Aston Villa? They haven't bought anybody in January, they're bottom of the league and their best player got sent off at West Ham and faces a suspension. Norwich, meanwhile, don't seem to be able to win a game as well so this is a big match for them. If Norwich lose this they'll be in major trouble, despite bringing in fresh faces in January.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds: 9/2 & Most popular Super 6 prediction: 1-1)

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Liverpool v Sunderland - Saturday, 3pm

Christian Benteke of Liverpool attempts to shoot at goal under pressure from Sebastian Coates of Sunderland
Image: Merse has backed Liverpool to edge past Sunderland

Liverpool are struggling at the moment, Jurgen Klopp has come in and nothing much has changed. They sort of rolled over at Leicester, if I'm being honest. They've got a hard FA Cup game at West Ham coming up because Klopp rested his players for the first tie at Anfield, which confused me. Surely he should have gone the other way round and gone all out in the cup as they're not going to win the league or get fourth. I'm rather unconfidently going for Liverpool here, although I'm not sure why.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (Sky Bet odds: 15/2 & Most popular Super 6 prediction: 2-0)

Newcastle v West Brom - Saturday, 3pm

Darren Fletcher (L) of West Bromwich Albion heads the ball to score his team's first goal against Newcastle
Image: Newcastle will look to bounce back from a midweek defeat at Everton when they host West Brom

This has the makings of a good game. West Brom under Tony Pulis rarely lose to sides at the bottom and they play well away from home. Saying that, I've got to go for Newcastle to get the win. They're at home, they've got all their new signings and they need to bounce back from their defeat at Everton. It's a must-win game for Newcastle, they'll be thinking they haven't got too many of these sort of games remaining.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (Sky Bet odds: 8/1 & Most popular Super 6 prediction: 2-1)

Tottenham v Watford - Saturday, 3pm 

Son Heung-min (R) celebrates scoring Tottenham's second goal against Watford with his team mate Harry Kane (L)
Image: Will Watford struggle to contain a scintillating Spurs side?

Spurs are absolutely flying. I cannot see anything other than a Tottenham win. Watford had a tough game against Chelsea and they got a good result with their 0-0 draw. I just feel they've hit a patch of not scoring frequently. Perhaps people are starting to wise up to Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo, some have started playing three at the back against them. Watford's front two are always a threat but, as I've said, Spurs are flying and they'll win here.

PAUL PREDICTS: 3-1 (Sky Bet odds: 12/1 & Most popular Super 6 prediction: 3-1)

Stoke v Everton - Saturday, 3pm

Marko Arnautovic scores Stoke City's winning goal from the penalty spot during their match against Everton to make it 3-4
Image: Stoke ran out 4-3 winners in the corresponding fixture at Goodison Park

Which Everton are going to turn up? They're like a bag of Revels, you just don't know what's coming. I backed them to beat Swansea a few weeks back and they lost, and then they beat Newcastle 3-0. They are unpredictable at best. Stoke, meanwhile, have had the week from hell, exiting both cups - one on penalties - and then getting rinsed by Manchester United. Everton score goals and I don't like going against Stoke at home so I'm predicting a Desmond.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-2 (Sky Bet odds: 12/1 & Most popular Super 6 prediction: 1-1)

Swansea v Crystal Palace - Saturday, 3pm

Jack Cork of Swansea City and Yohan Cabaye (L) of Crystal Palace argue during the Barclays Premier League match
Image: Can Palace halt a run of seven Premier League games without a win?

Palace have hit a bit of a brick wall, haven't they? Alan Pardew is a great manager but he can go from winning six on the trot to losing six on the trot, there is no in between. Palace are without a win in seven in the league and Swansea look to have turned the corner but I fancy Emmanuel Adebayor to prove his worth for Palace and earn them a point.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds: 9/2 & Most popular Super 6 prediction: 1-1)

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