Arsenal Icon Paul Merson has made Premier League predictions for Tottenham V Liverpool, Aston V Manchester United, and More in his Premier League match week 14 preview.
Previewing the weekend games on Sportskeeda, Paul Merson said:
Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool
“This is a huge game. I expect Man City to win their Premier League game this weekend, and that would mean that Liverpool would be 16 points behind City before they start their game. If all the other big teams win their matches, they’d be 10 points behind fifth place this week. They’ve got to try and get into the top four.
“Liverpool have defeated Napoli, Ajax, and Manchester City, but have lost to Leeds and Nottingham Forest. Had they won both those games, they would’ve been in sixth place. It’s extraordinary, and Jurgen Klopp must be pulling his hair out. Every week that goes by, the gap between Liverpool and the top four gets bigger. They can’t afford to lose this game.
“People do say that there’s a lot of time left in the season, but that isn’t really the case. If they had won their Premier League matches against Leeds and Forest, a draw here would’ve been fine. Now, they’re in a sticky situation. It’s nearly impossible to chase five teams down when you’re 10 points behind them. You might catch up to one or two, but you won’t catch up to all of them.
“When Mohamed Salah plays on the wing and Roberto Firmino plays, he brings the centre-back with him. It leaves Salah with space to run inside. When Darwin Nunez plays, he’s the focal point, and there’s nowhere for Salah to run except down the wing. You can’t score goals from there, and that’s been his problem this season.
“Everybody’s been highlighting Fabinho on this run. He’s been out of the team and injured as well, and I still think he’s a good player. He’s not the only player in their midfield. Liverpool’s midfield trio has been the bedrock of their success, and it’s just not clicking at the moment.
“With Son, Kulusevski, and Richarlison injured, Harry Kane will be isolated up front. I’ve watched Tottenham a lot this season, and I don’t think Kane can do it on his own. Liverpool like their Premier League away games against Tottenham, and they will back themselves to win this game. Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Liverpool.”
Aston Villa vs Manchester United
“Manchester United are a much better team now, and I’m very impressed with what Erik ten Hag has done so far. They used to lose Premier League games like the one they had against West Ham – now they’re riding their luck and winning them.
“Marcus Rashford is a shoo-in to play up front, and he will be included in the World Cup squad. I don’t think Jadon Sancho will go to the World Cup, however, and I’d be quite shocked if they picked him ahead of the likes of Maddison, Grealish, Saka, and Sterling. You can’t afford to have too many wingers in your squad.
“Aston Villa scored four goals past Brentford the other day and went on to lose to Newcastle by the same margin the week after. If they lose this game as well, they’re not far away from what they were doing under Steven Gerrard. They have hard games up ahead, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they find themselves in the relegation zone on New Year’s Day.
“Manchester United have now played eight games without a defeat. They’ve played against Chelsea, Tottenham, and Newcastle in the Premier League during this period and they’ve been very good. They’re on a roll now and I’d be shocked if they dropped points this weekend. Prediction: Aston Villa 0-2 Manchester United.”
West Ham United vs Crystal Palace
“I don’t think Crystal Palace are going to win an away game in the Premier League. They keep putting the same team out, and they won’t win away from home. They’ve got too many individuals. At home, it’s perfect, and they’d give anybody in the Premier League a game. Away from home, I just don’t see it.
“I’m backing West Ham all day long this weekend – it’s an absolute certainty. They were unlucky at Old Trafford last week, and they should be able to win this game. Prediction: West Ham United 2-0 Crystal Palace.”
Southampton vs Newcastle United
“Newcastle have a long way to go to secure their top-four finish. Their players are playing out of their skins at the moment, and I’m not sure how long that can go on. They’re riding at the moment and if they win their next two matches, they could give themselves a solid chance.
“They need to decide whether they need to invest in their squad in the January transfer window. If they beat Chelsea next week, I think Newcastle will buy a few players and go after that top-four spot.
“Newcastle are playing really well at the moment. They’ve gone eight Premier League games without a single defeat, and their 2-1 loss to Liverpool was due to a late goal. I don’t see anything but a Newcastle victory this weekend. Prediction: Southampton 0-3 Newcastle United.”
Everton vs Leicester City
“What version of Leicester are we going to get? This is the problem with the teams at the bottom – they’re there for one reason only. You don’t know what you’re going to get with them. Leicester scored four goals against Wolves, but they weren’t able to trouble Manchester City.
“I think James Maddison can still make it to the World Cup. I would take him – one hundred percent. The other nations haven’t played against him much and won’t know much about him. He has an X-factor about him and deserves to be in the squad.
“Everton are playing like you’d expect an Everton team to play – they’re working hard, and they’re closing teams down very well. They’re decent at home and they were really good against Palace the other week. I’m backing Everton to win this game. Prediction: Everton 2-0 Leicester City.”
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Brighton & Hove Albion
“Which Brighton are going to turn up this weekend? They’re a bag of rebels – unbelievable on their day, but they can go four games without scoring a goal. If they play anywhere near how they did against Manchester City, they’ll win this game.
“Wolves have several issues to address at the moment. They let you play your football. Brighton played well at Liverpool at Man City, but my only worry is that they don’t play as well against the lesser teams. I’m going to go with a Brighton victory this weekend. Prediction: Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-2 Brighton & Hove Albion.”
Leeds United vs Bournemouth
“Leeds United’s victory against Liverpool – what a result! No one – not even the Leeds manager – would’ve seen that coming. If they go back-to-back and win this match, they can kick on from there.
“Bournemouth have lost three games on the trot in the Premier League. They’re on a slippery slope, and they’ll start sliding if they lose this match as well. Bournemouth were 2-0 up against Tottenham but threw it away in the end. That was a bad result, and they’re a bag of nerves at the moment.
“This is a big game for both teams. There will be a lot of goals in this match, because both teams will have to give it a go. This is a winnable match for both teams, but I think Leeds have the upper hand going into this game. Prediction: Leeds United 3-2 Bournemouth.”
Nottingham Forest vs Brentford
“Nottingham Forest were great against Liverpool, but they were given a reality check by Arsenal. That’s going to be their season – I don’t think they’re going to start winning four matches on the trot. They’ve got to take the rough with the smooth. If their players can cope with that, they might be all right.
“Brentford are struggling at the moment, and they can’t seem to win a game. They played well against Chelsea but didn’t win, and they were out of the game from the start against Aston Villa. With the timing of this match and the way Brentford are playing, Forest have got to try and win.
“Nottingham Forest have every chance to win this game. There were no expectations against Liverpool, and this match will be different. I think this game will end in a draw, and that doesn’t really help either team. Prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Brentford.”
