Merse also thinks Steven Gerrard will score in his final Anfield game
Monday 18 May 2015 20:59, UK
Sky Sports' Paul Merson gives his predictions ahead of another hugely important round of fixtures in the Premier League.
Following yet more topsy-turvy results last week, the Magic Man has backed Manchester United to prove too strong for Arsenal this weekend, and thinks struggling Hull will record a shock win against Tottenham at White Hart Lane.
Liverpool v Crystal Palace (Saturday, 5.30pm, Sky Sports 1 HD)
I think Liverpool will win this game. Palace have hit a sort of sticky patch of late, although I thought that they were a bit unlucky against United last week. But I just think that this game is made for Steven Gerrard to get the first goal.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (6/1 with Sky Bet)
Swansea City v Manchester City (Sunday, 1.30pm, Sky Sports 1 HD)
Man City seem to be playing well again now and are finally back to their best form of earlier in the season after last week’s thrashing of QPR.
I just cannot see them losing this one. I think City will be too strong and have too much for Swansea here, winning 3-1.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-3 (11/1 with Sky Bet)
Man Utd v Arsenal (Sunday, 4pm, Sky Sports 1 HD)
For some reason I just think that United will edge this one. Wayne Rooney seems to be back to his best and although they were a bit lucky to beat Palace last weekend, and Arsenal did win the last time they went to Old Trafford in the FA Cup, I am going for United to win this one 2-1.
I actually thought United were unlucky to lose that cup game, they played better than many people gave them credit for on the night, and they were not helped either by Angel Di Maria getting sent off.
And while Arsenal have been on a great run in recent weeks, winning eight games in a row at one point, they never really looked like scoring against Swansea at home on Monday night.
So I see United turning in a performance here in front of their own fans and just getting the better of Arsenal in this game.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (17/2 with Sky Bet)
West Bromwich Albion v Chelsea (Monday, 8pm, Sky Sports 1 HD)
I see Chelsea winning this game comfortably, having too much class for West Brom, and ending their season on a high.
They have received a lot of unfair criticism in recent weeks about their style of play and being boring, but they have just had that great knack of being able to win games when not playing that well, unlike many of their rivals.
PAUL PREDICTS: 0-2 (8/1 with Sky Bet)
Southampton v Aston Villa (Saturday, 12.45pm)
I think this will be a hard game for Villa. I know Southampton are having a bit of a wobble at the moment, but I am going to go for them to win this one 2-1, even though that goes against the form book.
Both sides still technically have things to play for this season, but Villa may just have one eye on the FA Cup final now and so I am going to go for Southampton here.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (15/2 with Sky Bet)
Burnley v Stoke City (Saturday, 3pm)
Burnley will want to finish well, they had a great result at Hull last weekend and so I am going to go 1-1 here as I do not like going against Stoke, who are a decent team.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (9/2 with Sky Bet)
Queens Park Rangers v Newcastle United (Saturday, 3pm)
I do not see Newcastle getting the win they need here, I really don't, and I am going to go 2-1 QPR. I know QPR are relegated, but Newcastle are struggling badly and I think QPR will cause them problems and win this game.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (9/1 with Sky Bet)
Sunderland v Leicester City (Saturday, 3pm)
Sunderland still need to get something from this game, but I think it will end in a draw. Leicester have done great of late, as have Sunderland in the last couple of games, and I am going to go 1-1 in this game.
Will it help both teams? I am not sure…
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (5/1 with Sky Bet)
Tottenham Hotspur v Hull City (Saturday, 3pm)
I think Hull will beat Tottenham away. I just think Tottenham have fallen off a cliff lately and I wonder whether they really want to get in the Europa League next season.
I also think that Hull’s three at the back system will work better against Tottenham away than it would at home for them, plus there is less pressure on them away from home and they also they know they have to go out and win the game.
But if they do win it, and Sunderland draw and Newcastle lose, then that really opens it back up again. And so I am going to go for 2-1 to Hull to throw the cat amongst the pigeons!
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2 (12/1 with Sky Bet)
West Ham United v Everton (Saturday, 3pm)
I think this is a big game for West Ham, their last home game of the season in front of fans who will want to go away a bit more happy than they have been recently.
And so I am going to go for them to beat Everton here 2-1 as Roberto Martinez’s side have had an absolute nightmare in the last two games.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (9/1 with Sky Bet)
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