Leicester to cap coronation with victory, United to close gap on City
Saturday 7 May 2016 15:50, UK
Sky Sports' Paul Merson is back to look ahead to another crucial round of Premier League fixtures.
Following Leicester's capture of the title, the Foxes' coronation takes place live on Saturday Night Football as Everton travel to the King Power Stadium.
With the title wrapped up thoughts turn to the race for the top four and the battle to stay in the division, and nowhere is this more evident than at Carrow Road where relegation-threatened Norwich host Manchester United in Saturday's early kick-off.
Our Super Sunday double bills gets underway at White Hart Lane where Spurs look to secure second spot behind Leicester when they host Southampton.
All eyes will then turn to the Etihad Stadium where Manchester City and Arsenal will try to cement their respective positions in the top four.
Read on to see who the Magic Man is backing...
Leicester v Everton - Saturday Night Football, from 5pm, Sky Sports 1 HD
This is a big game for Roberto Martinez. I don't think he can go there, roll over and watch Leicester win the trophy. I think it'll be a very, very entertaining game, but I do think Leicester will win it. With their momentum, and everything about the game, I can see them winning it, just to finish the party off.
Martinez is getting a lot of criticism. I think he's a very good manager abroad, I think his teams play good football but I think it suits La Liga and not the Premier League.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (Sky Bet odds 15/2)
Tottenham v Southampton - Super Sunday, from 1pm, Sky Sports 1 HD
All of a sudden Tottenham have gone from title chasers to wondering if they're going to finish above Arsenal. For me, they've got to give their all for this game if they can. If they don't finish above Arsenal, that's a double blow after not winning the league, for the fans especially.
They've had a great season, but I think this will be a difficult game. I'm going to go 2-2, I think Southampton are a decent team, and Tottenham may just have a hangover. Ronald Koeman has done a brilliant job at Southampton, and I'd like to see him at Arsenal if I'm honest. He's a top, top manager.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-2 (Sky Bet odds 12/1)
Man City v Arsenal - Super Sunday, from 3.30pm, Sky Sports 1 HD
I think Arsenal win this game. Man City will have a hangover, although I've never seen anything like that game at the Bernabeu. I had to watch the game and remind myself it was a Champions League semi-final. After 15 minutes, Sergio Aguero is getting the ball off the centre-half. I've never seen anything like it.
If there's ever a chance for Arsenal to win at the Etihad again, this is the game. If they don't win this game, you'd have to ask serious questions. Man City are there for the taking, all day long.
PAUL PREDICTS 1-2 (Sky Bet odds 9/1)
Norwich v Man Utd - Saturday, 12.45pm
I think this will be a good game, it's one of those that both teams have to win. There's no point playing like Man City, they're both going to come out and have a go, and I'll go Man United to pip it in a high-scoring game. It'll be entertaining, Norwich are fighting for their lives and so are United but in a different context. I just don't see this one being a boring game.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-3 (Sky Bet odds 28/1)
Aston Villa v Newcastle - Saturday, 3pm
I think there's more of a twist than people think in this. Newcastle are odds of 1/2 here. They've taken one point away from home in 2016, how can you justify being 1/2? I know Villa haven't been great, but you can't be backing a team at 1/2 away from home with a record like that.
I'm going 1-1 here, because Newcastle will have to come out and have a go, and Villa will cause a few problems. Newcastle went down at Villa in 2009 and will be out for revenge but the Villa fans won't want to lie down either. I just think people see this as nailed on, but I don't.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 6/1)
Bournemouth v West Brom - Saturday, 3pm
West Brom have done the job by staying up. There could be three huge football clubs going down this year, and West Brom are staying up, that just tells you everything about the job Tony Pulis has done there.
Fans might want more as the years go by with Pulis, but Charlton wanted a bit more when Alan Curbishley kept them up every year, where are they now? Be careful what you wish for.
Eddie Howe is up there among the managers of the year. Bournemouth have done a good job, but next season they might not be riding on that wave after promotion.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (Sky Bet odds 7/1)
Crystal Palace v Stoke - Saturday, 3pm
I knew Stoke wouldn't lose last weekend after being beaten badly three on the trot, and I was impressed with Palace giving it a right go at Newcastle. Palace won't start resting players for the FA Cup final just yet, and it's the last home game of the season so I think they'll try and put on a bit of a show.
There's not a lot between these two sides. Some would say Stoke have been indifferent this season with Mark Hughes, but it's only really been the last few games. Other than that I think they've been very entertaining. Everybody is being judged compared to Leicester it seems, so for everyone else it's a bit of a benchmark, but they've finished above teams they probably didn't think they would at the start of the season.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 5/1)
Sunderland v Chelsea - Saturday, 3pm
This is massive, and I'm predicting Sunderland to win this. I say that because Chelsea had their cup final on Monday, and now a lot of players will have their eyes on the Euros. If Sunderland can come out and start getting stuck in early on, make it a real cup tie if you like, a lot of the Chelsea players will have one eye on the summer.
Sunderland should have more fight about them, Chelsea put most of theirs into Monday, and I wouldn't be surprised if a few players are rested. It's so much more important for Sunderland.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (Sky Bet odds 9/1)
West Ham v Swansea - Saturday, 3pm
I can see West Ham winning this easily - 3-0. Swansea go to Leicester and lie down, and then host Liverpool and they're like the Harlem Globetrotters, and that sums it all up for them this season.
West Ham can still creep into the top four, and I really think they'll win their last three games. Even if they don't, this is a superb season for them going into the Olympic Stadium. There's a buzz around Upton Park, and they should carry that down the road. The last game will be emotional, but I see them romping to a win here.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0 (Sky Bet odds 9/1)
Liverpool v Watford - Sunday, 4pm
After their Europa League win, surely Liverpool have to rest their key players until the final, it's their chance of getting through to the Champions League.
Football has gone mad with this Quique Sanchez Flores situation. This is the first time they've stayed up after being promoted to the Premier League, and he got them to the semi-final of an FA Cup. They got promoted last year and sacked the manager, so nothing surprises me. The problem is, they don't get it wrong too often, so you can't be too judgmental. We'll have to see, they just want to keep improving.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (Sky Bet odds 13/2)
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