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Paul Merson's Premier League predictions - Week 8

Soccer Saturday pundit tips wins for Liverpool, Man City, Chelsea & Everton

Crystal Palace striker Dwight Gayle
Image: Crystal Palace: need a win to keep survival bid realistic, says Merse

Crystal Palace v Fulham (7pm, Mon, Sky Sports 1)

Arsenal v Norwich

I think Arsenal will win this, but I do believe this is a big game for them. This is where league titles are won and lost. People will turn up thinking "it's only Norwich" and that you're going to wipe the floor with them, but you have to be careful - especially after everybody has been away on international duty. I think Arsenal are playing with too much confidence and when they don't play well - as they didn't against West Brom - they are avoiding losing matches. That's important. PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0

Chelsea v Cardiff

Chelsea haven't really got going and I thought they were lucky to get the three points against Norwich. They were under the cosh for a while and even though Jose Mourinho deserves credit for making changes, that scoreline could have gone anywhere. He still doesn't know his best team, which is not good, but I still think they will be too strong for Cardiff and should win comfortably. PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0

Everton v Hull

I have been impressed with Hull this season. Steve Bruce has made them difficult to beat but I always say that Goodison Park is a hard place to go for any side. Everton lost their unbeaten record in the last game, but that was a great result for Manchester City and I fully expect Everton to get back to winning ways at home. PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0

Man Utd v Southampton

This is a big game for Man United - and I mean massive. If they don't win this then they can't win the Premier League, it's as simple as that. David Moyes has said they had a hard start and their early run of games wasn't fair, but they lost to West Brom and fell over the line against Sunderland - I thought they were lucky in that match - and now they need to beat a Southampton side that is playing well. However, I've got to go for Man United at home. PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0

Newcastle v Liverpool

St James' Park isn't the hardest place in the world to go at the moment and if Liverpool want to be contenders for the top four then they need to go and win at places like this. That's the way I look at it. I just think that with Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez up front together they will always be in the football match and they should win. On their day, Newcastle can give anybody a game but they are a bit hot and cold. PAUL PREDICTS: 1-3

Stoke v West Brom

This is such a hard game to call because both teams have been playing well. I thought Stoke did well in their last game against Fulham and shouldn't have lost it, but West Brom are doing well too. They've taken four points in two games against Man United and Arsenal and you can't argue with that. PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1

Swansea v Sunderland

I like Gus Poyet. He hasn't managed in the Premier League, so it could be difficult, but he did nothing wrong at Brighton and you have to give people chances. It isn't a bad appointment in my eyes. I was disappointed with Swansea's display against Southampton and I wonder if playing Sunday-Thursday is catching up with them. They have put a lot into the European basket and have been playing their strongest team in the Europa League, unlike the Capital One Cup. Foreign managers seem to like that competition because it's good for their CV and that could have an impact on their league form. They are not going down though and I think they'll be too strong for Sunderland. PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 Think you know better than Merse? Prove it with our Super 6 game and win £250,000

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