Merson's predictions: Man Utd and Liverpool both 'banker wins'

Sky Sports' Paul Merson gives his predictions ahead of an important weekend in the Premier League.

Merse is in great form as ever and here's how the 'Magic Man' sees the 10 games going.

Manchester United v Manchester City, Sky Sports 1, Sunday 4pm

If you had asked me six weeks ago I would have said that City would be the biggest banker you’d ever see in your life but I don’t see that now. Man Utd are favourites. They’ve turned a corner. They are buying in to what the manager wants.

Wayne Rooney is now playing up front. How did we all know his best position is a striker but it takes a manager that has worked for a national team so long? Robin van Persie won’t start. I think he’s surplus to requirements. I’d be shocked if he’s there at the end of the season.

Louis van Gaal has got everybody confident and playing well while City’s confidence must be low, they’ve lost three in a row. You can’t just turn it on, like a tap.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (Sky Bet odds: 17/2)

QPR v Chelsea, Sky Sports 1, Sunday 1:30pm

I don’t see anything but a Chelsea win. The atmosphere at Loftus Road will be buzzing, this is QPR’s cup final. The atmosphere affected Chelsea a couple of years ago but QPR will need to play well, well, above their usual level to get anything out of the game. QPR will need go out in a blaze of glory, so they will create chances. Charlie Austin has to take them – he’s had a good season but it wouldn’t surprise me if Loic Remy got the winner against his old club.

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

Burnley v Arsenal, Sky Sports 1, Saturday 5:30pm

Away win. Arsenal don’t lose these games. The sun will be shining. It’s always the same. Arsenal win their last 10 games of the season and then next year is their year – although it won’t be. They do it every year.

They were great against Liverpool and scored four worldies. When they get it going they are as good as anyone. I can’t see Arsenal slipping up like Manchester City did at Burnley – they are a different animal. Arsenal are quicker on the break and are ruthless in these games. I do think Burnley have a win or two in them somewhere, so I wouldn’t write them off in the relegation fight just yet.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-3 (Sky Bet odds: 11/1)

Liverpool v Newcastle, Sky Sports 1, Monday 8pm

When was the last time Newcastle won a football match? It seems like they have been on 35 points for months and months. They’ve just lost a local derby and then they have to go to Liverpool. If the results go the way I’m expecting, with a City defeat and Liverpool win, then City will be looking over their shoulders at Liverpool.

There will be only four points between them. It’s a big football match for Liverpool – they need to get back on that winning run. They have the potential to win five on the trot.

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

Tottenham v Aston Villa, Saturday 3pm

There will be bundles of goals here. Villa love it when teams have a go at them and Spurs will do just that. When teams sit back against Villa, they don’t like it. Tim Sherwood has looked at it and thought ‘we aren’t going to keep too many clean sheets, so we’ll have to score our way out of trouble.’ I played with Tim at Portsmouth and he’s a really good lad. A winner. He reminds me of John Gregory as he gets really involved on the touchline.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-2 (Sky Bet odds: 14/1)

Sunderland v Crystal Palace, Saturday 3pm

Away win. This game will play straight into Palace’s hands. The pressure is on Sunderland. The fans will turn up and think ‘oh, we’ll beat Palace and we’ll be safe’.

It will be a completely different atmosphere to the Newcastle game. If they don’t score early on the fans will get frustrated. Palace will be miles too quick for them on the break with Wilfried Zaha and Yannick Bolasie. Plus, Glenn Murray is a very good finisher.

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

Southampton v Hull, Saturday 3pm

This is a home banker. I worry for Hull. They are in major trouble. Everyone has caught them up and they’re not winning games. Also they’re run-in isn’t the best, they’ve got to play Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham.

Southampton have to keep playing Graziano Pelle even though he hasn’t scored in 17 games. I’ve gone with him to score. I always find with foreign players when they come over the second half of the season catches up with them.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (Sky Bet odds: 9/2)

West Brom v Leicester City, Saturday 3pm

This is my shock of the weekend, away win. If they win this game, they will definitely stay up. I know West Brom had plenty of shots against QPR but letting in four goals at home to them is worrying.

It’s a great time to play West Brom. They’ve been dragged back into the relegation fight. This is a game that Leicester must-win and that plays into their hands. They will always create chances and I fancy Jeff Schlupp to get on the scoresheet, he’s got great pace.

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

West Ham v Stoke City, Saturday 3pm

I don’t like going against Stoke, they are hard to beat. I think they will finish higher in the table than West Ham, they are very consistent. If Stoke were where West Ham were four months ago I think they would be much higher in the league than where they are now. Both teams are exactly where they should be in the league. You forget with West Ham they only came up two years ago, Sam Allardyce has done a great job.

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

Swansea v Everton, Saturday 12:45pm

I think these teams are half-decent now. Both of them are picking up and I don’t see much between these two. It was only a matter of time until Everton turned their form around. They’re a good team and their class is shining through. I like Bafétimbi Gomis for Swansea, I don’t think he’ll do it consistently, like Wilfred Bony but when he’s hot, he’s hot.

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