Sunday 27 August 2017 12:22, UK
Having managed just four correct results last week, Paul Merson is back for another crack at this week's Premier League predictions.
The Magic Man correctly tipped Manchester United, Leicester, Liverpool and Southampton to win last week, but fell short of the seven correct results predicted on the opening weekend of the season.
With a mouth-watering set of fixtures on the horizon, can Merse bounce back in style ahead of the international break? Read on to find out who he's backing...
I watched Bournemouth last weekend and I was disappointed and shocked, I think they will struggle this season. People have got used to how Bournemouth play, it's become quite predictable. They aren't great at the back and Watford won at a canter. City, on the other hand, were impressive with 10 men against Everton, fighting back for a draw. I don't see Bournemouth causing them any problems.
PAUL PREDICTS: 0-3 (15/2 with Sky Bet)
West Brom's start has been phenomenal. If they win this game they'll be nearly a quarter of their way to safety, an ideal start for Tony Pulis, who targets 40 points first and foremost. Stoke had a good result against Arsenal but I see the Baggies making it three 1-0 wins from three.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-0 (9/2 with Sky Bet)
I've got to go for Liverpool here. They will suffocate Arsenal's attack and exploit their poor, poor defence. If the Gunners continue to play three at the back, it will play into the hands of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino.
Yes, Liverpool always concede but, going forward, they will have miles too much for this current Arsenal side.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-1 (14/1 with Sky Bet)
We're only two games into the season and this is already a big game for these clubs. Swansea's 4-0 defeat to Manchester United may have flattered their opponents, but I fancy Palace here. Swansea try and play out from the back too much with players that aren't capable of doing so. Against a Palace side, who will have taken positives from their battling defeat at Liverpool, I see them coming up short.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-0 (5/1 with Sky Bet)
Huddersfield's start to the season is the stuff of dreams, they are doing great. On the other hand, I'm struggling to come to terms with Saints' League Cup exit. They are not going to be relegated or finish in the top four, so to go out of the cup so cheaply does my head in.
Having said that, Southampton are a wily Premier League outfit and they may have just too much for Huddersfield. If the Terriers are able to win, though, they will be virtually a quarter of their way to safety too, an incredible position just three games into the season.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2 (15/2 with Sky Bet)
The way Javier Hernandez has started the season has been very impressive. Against a Newcastle side that need several signings before Deadline Day, and appears to be in disarray, I fancy West Ham at St James' Park. Things could unravel for Newcastle if they're not careful. Rafa Benitez is not at the club to be an also-ran, he needs to be back in the market.
PAUL PREDICTS: 0-2 (with Sky Bet)
I've got to hold my hands up. I had Watford to go down at the start of the season but I watched them at Bournemouth and they were outstanding. Marco Silva is getting a right tune out of his side and I cannot see them going down - I made a big mistake there! He's brought in some exciting players to mix with the talent that was already at the club and I see them being too strong for a Brighton side whose nightmare start to the season continues.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (7/1 with Sky Bet)
I'm not on the Manchester United bandwagon at the moment. They didn't look like scoring against West Ham for 25 minutes, and they were far from convincing against Swansea until their late flurry of goals. Leicester, meanwhile, have started the season well. They will be dangerous against a United side that are obliged to attack at Old Trafford. I see them putting up a real fight, but United should overpower Leicester in the end.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (15/2 with Sky Bet)
Everton were fantastic on Monday until, weirdly, City were reduced to 10 men, after which they were hanging on. With a Europa League tie against Hajduk Split on Thursday bound to take a lot of Everton, I see Chelsea following their impressive win at Spurs with another victory, although I expect it to be close.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (7/1 with Sky Bet)
This is a big game for Tottenham to overcome that Wembley hoodoo that's currently around the club. But they showed enough going forward against Chelsea and I think they will turn the corner. Harry Kane's hit the post twice so far, I fancy him to score for the first time in August in a routine Spurs win.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0 (11/2 with Sky Bet)
A massive £1,000,000 remains unclaimed in Super 6! All you have to do to scoop the prize is predict the scores of the four 3pm games in the Premier League and Birmingham v Reading, and Sheffield United v Derby in the Sky Bet Championship. It's free to play so get your entry in before kick-off for the chance to win.
