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Merson's predictions: Chelsea tipped to pull clear against West Ham but Manchester City will respond

Paul Merson predicts a win for Chelsea in Sky Sports live game on Boxing Day, while he also expects success for Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool.

Live Football Special

Chelsea v West Ham - Sky Sports 1 HD, 12.45pm

West Ham always seem to go to Chelsea and sit 10 men behind the ball but this time, they are in form.

If they go there to have a free swing and have a go, you never know. 

But I think they’ll set up the way they normally do when they go to Stamford Bridge and there’s no way Chelsea won’t break them down before the end.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (Sky Bet odds 5/1) 

Burnley v Liverpool

Liverpool's Slovakian defender Martin Skrtel celebrates scoring his team's second equalising goal

Liverpool should have far too much for Burnley. It will certainly be a hard game at Turf Moor but their performance last Sunday should give them plenty of encouragement going into this one.

They were much better than Arsenal and that should fill them with huge confidence. I expect them to get back to winning ways at Burnley.

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

Crystal Palace v Southampton

James McArthur of Crystal Palace celebrates the first goal of the game against Stoke

Southampton will feel much better after the Everton result but this will be a tough game for them at Selhurst Park. Crystal Palace are a side that always seem to play well but never win! 

They never seem to put in a bad display but can’t get over the line. I worry about teams like that, so I’m going for a 1-1 draw.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 9/2)

Everton v Stoke

Roberto Martinez - Everton Europa League

Everton are really struggling at the moment. That was the shocker of all shockers against Southampton and it seems teams have worked out how to tackle them now.

As I've mentioned before, I don’t like going against Stoke.

You only had to watch them against Chelsea to see they play good football so they will be alright during the second half of the season.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 5/1)

Leicester v Tottenham

If this was live on Super Sunday, I probably would have gone for a last-minute 2-1 win for Spurs, but it’s not.

Leicester may be struggling at the moment but it’s never easy to play them on their own patch, so I’m going for all square in this one.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 5/1)

Manchester United v Newcastle

Radamel Falcao celebrates his equalising goal

Manchester United had a bad result against the 10 men of Villa. I’m not totally convinced by them yet to be honest but then again, Newcastle are not up to much either.

They pulled up trees to win five on the bounce but they have come unstuck again now. The hosts will be too strong.

PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0 (Sky Bet odds 17/2)

Sunderland v Hull

I’ve watched Hull a few times and it’s difficult to see where they’re going to win a game.

I like Hull and think Steve Bruce is a good manager but they were really disappointing against Swansea and are very low on confidence.

Sunderland will be bouncing after their derby win and I expect them to get another three points against Hull.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-0 (Sky Bet odds 5/1)

Swansea v Aston Villa

Swansea at home are a very good team. They’ve proved that in recent weeks but have been a bit unlucky at times and should have had more reward for the performance against Tottenham.

In truth, they battered Spurs that day. Any sort of repeat and they will have too much quality for Villa, even though they'll have Gabriel Agbonlahor available after his red card was rescinded.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (Sky Bet odds 7/1)

West Brom v Manchester City

Manchester City's Ivorian midfielder Yaya Toure (R) shoots to score their third goal

It was another good result for City against Palace. That’s eight on the trot for them now and under the pressure they are to perform, that’s some going.

West Brom were 2-0 up against QPR but still couldn’t hold on for a draw. I'm not holding out much hope for them against City to be honest.

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

Arsenal v QPR

Arsenal's Olivier Giroud celebrates

If I’m Harry, do I play my best team against Arsenal and maybe get something? Or do I rest a few and target the Crystal Palace game two days later?

A good manager like Harry will work this out and I’d be shocked if he had a full side out. I don’t blame him one bit if he doesn’t, because QPR are not likely to get anything at Arsenal.

Palace at home is 100 times bigger than Arsenal away.

PAUL PREDICTS: 4-0 (Sky Bet odds 11/1)

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