Paul Merson Makes His Predictions For Arsenal, Man Utd & Tottenham Games

Paul Merson has made his predictions for the mid-week Premier League games and is tipping Arsenal and Manchester United to pick up three points but he feels Tottenham Hotspur will be held by West Ham.

The Gunners will be looking to get their title challenge back on track when they entertain Swansea City at the Emirates tomorrow after slumping to a disappointing defeat to Old Trafford on Sunday.

Arsene Wenger’s side have come under criticism for their performance against Man Utd and Merson has also labeled his former club ‘a joke’ but believes they’ll bounce back with a vital win over the Swans tomorrow night.

In his Sky Sports column, Merson went for a 2-0 Arsenal win:

I agree with Graeme Souness that Arsenal were a joke on Sunday, but I believe they will beat Swansea at home. They simply have to win this because if they lose and Leicester win, then it’s goodnight for the title race. It would be an eight-point gap to Leicester and they’re also chasing Tottenham who have a much better goal difference. For that reason, I’d say this is probably the biggest game of the season so far for Arsenal.

Swansea had a kick in the teeth after losing from 1-0 up at Spurs and they are probably the perfect team for Arsenal to play this week because they’re a nice team who won’t kick Arsenal off the pitch. Arsenal should win – but if they don’t score in the first 20 minutes, it could get very cagey.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0

Arsenal’s fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur gave their title hopes a major boost with a 2-1 comeback win over Swansea on Sunday to remain just two points adrift of leaders Leicester City.

However, Merson thinks Spurs are going to drop two points at Upton Park tomorrow night as he believes the Hammers will hold the North Londoners to a 1-1 draw. He continued:

This could be the hardest game Tottenham have got left to play this season (I know they play a north London derby on Saturday – but if Arsenal play like they did at Old Trafford, they’ll get turned over). Every West Ham fan does not want Tottenham to win the Premier League and the atmosphere will be like a cup final on Wednesday night. Mark Noble was on The Fantasy Football Club recently saying the atmosphere against Liverpool was phenomenal – and I think this will be the same. The best I can see Tottenham coming away with is a draw. There’s not a lot between these teams on their day and I can’t believe the bookies have got West Ham at 3/1 to win at home.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1

With Merson predicting that Leicester will beat West Brom 2-1 tonight, the former winger feels the Foxes will open up a four point gap over Spurs while Arsenal could close the gap on Mauricio Pochettino’s men to just one point ahead of Saturday’s mouthwatering north London derby.

Manchester United may be out of the title race but they are still fighting for the top four and Merson has predicted Louis van Gaal’s men to continue their resurgent form with a 2-1 victory over Watford at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.

United dug deep to beat Arsenal on Sunday and injuries have hit their squad hard this season but Merson feels the Red Devils will do just enough to get past a spirited Watford side to close the gap on fourth-placed Man City.

Merson said on Sky Sports:

Man Utd are really getting some momentum behind them and the goals of Marcus Rashford seem to have lifted the whole club and the fans. When one of your own scores a couple of goals, then the supporters walk away seeing a brighter future. Away from him, it feels like some of the others are now getting used to playing for a very big club. Anthony Martial was playing in front of small crowds at Monaco and now he’s learning his trade in front of 75,000 at Old Trafford. This will be hard against a decent Watford team, but I expect United to win.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1

It’s promising to be another interesting round of Premier League games and the title race could get even more interesting if Merson’s predictions prove accurate.