Paul Merson predicts Liverpool vs Chelsea and other Premier League GW8 fixtures
The Premier League is back after the international break and what a blockbuster fixture we have this weekend! Liverpool vs Chelsea will rightfully hog all the limelight as we lead our build-up towards the upcoming gameweek. But let's not forget that there are some other interesting fixtures packed into the mix as well.
This phase of the league from mid-October to the New Year is an exciting period because it can throw in a few surprises. Several teams are at risk of losing ground in the race to live up to their expectations for the season, while some others will be keen to maintain their foothold in the standings.
As the battles lines are redrawn in the English top-flight, let us dive deep into what we can expect from the 20 teams in the league this weekend. Without further delay, here are my predictions for Premier League gameweek 8:
Tottenham Hotspur vs West Ham
This is a massive football match due to the big rivalry between the two sides. Tottenham looked great for 45 minutes against Brighton before the international break, but they eventually ended up doing what they're know for during that 3-2 loss. The 'Spursy' tag seems to never leave them!
We saw the same thing happening during the game against Leicester, now it's happened again. When they're 2-0 up and cruising, everything seems great. But as soon as they concede, no one wants to stand up for each other. That's a worrying trend and a huge problem for Ange Postecoglou.
Spurs crumble too quickly under pressure. We're only in October and we've seen it happen twice now. They were probably playing their best team against Brighton, I really don't think there's a lot wrong with that line up either. When things are going well, all their players want to get on the ball and do things. But when it's not, no one seems to want the ball! This is the problem.
West Ham have not lived up to the expectations. When Julen Lopetegui finds his best XI, they will start firing. But I still doubt if he knows that. They got a big win over Ipswich last time out and the international break probably came at the wrong time for them. West Ham could be back to where they started now, and with the break giving time for things to settle down at Tottenham, I'm backing Spurs to win.
Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 West Ham
Ipswich Town vs Everton
Huge game in the context of the relegation battle. Everton can't afford to lose this game, but it's a must-win for Ipswich Town. If Ipswich end up winning this, they're on track to avoid relegation with seven points from eight games. That would take them to an average of close to one point per game, which gives them a good chance of staying up if they maintain it. This should be the target for all newly-promoted teams.
Liam Delap has been outstanding for Ipswich this season. He's a proper threat and a real handful for defenders. It just shows what a youngster can do if he's given a chance. Ipswich will be hoping he can continue to find the back of the net because their survival depends on it. It's going to be difficult to maintain his fine form in front of goal over the course of the season though.
I don't like going against Everton here. I just think they've been in these situations before and are well equipped to handle it. I expect them to make it difficult for Ipswich in this clash and I'm predicting Sean Dyche's men to come away with all three points.
Prediction: Ipswich Town 1-2 Everton
Manchester United vs Brentford
Brentford can score again in the first minute this weekend! If that happens, you never know what's next for Erik ten Hag and Manchester United. Brentford are free flowing, they will score at Old Trafford, that's for sure. But the problem is that whenever they take the lead, they just can't seem to hold on to it and win.
Manchester United can't win a game for a toffee anyway, so I'm going for a draw in this one. I expect Brentford to cause them problems throughout this game. In terms of Ten Hag's future, I think he's alright now. Thomas Tuchel has joined England so that's another top manager unavailable now.
If Manchester United get beat by Brentford and they sack him, that's not the right way to run the club in my opinion. Now that they've decided to back him beyond the international break, I'd be shocked if that happens too. A club like Manchester United should not be worried about teams like Brentford, it should be their rivals at the top. It being the opposite now is the harsh reality of where they are as a club.
Joshua Zirkzee did well at Bologna, but it's a different game here in England and especially at Manchester United. You're always under the microscope at this club, if you miss a chance or not get a chance, it's always a talking point. What's his best position? Where do they play him? You've also got Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund, so that's four players fighting to be in that front-three.
And no matter who among them Ten Hag decides to drop, he always gets stick, which is a bit unfortunate. Against Brentford, I'd choose Hojlund over Zirkzee. He's a better finisher in my opinion and Manchester United will need goals to win this one because Brentford are definitely scoring.
Prediction: Manchester United 2-2 Brentford
Fulham vs Aston Villa
Fulham are doing great this season. Despite losing against Manchester City before the break, they did create some good chances in that game. If you are one of the big teams in this league and you beat Fulham, you can feel relieved because they will do you a favour by beating another top team at some point this season.
They're a bit like Brentford and Brighton from the past few years. Fulham might end up finishing mid-table this term, but I'm confident they will beat one of the top four clubs before the end of the season.
I actually thought Aston Villa deserved to beat Manchester United in their last game. If they want to qualify for the Champions League again next season, they have to keep performing week in, week out. When you're already involved in the Champions League, that becomes a huge challenge. Villa were expected to beat United so that could be a bit of a disappointment for them.
I still think Jhon Duran should be on the bench and not start ahead of Ollie Watkins. If you're the manager, and it's not going well, it's a nice feeling to know that you can call someone like Duran from the bench. That's not the same if he starts and Watkins doesn't provide the same impact as a substitute.
I'm really tempted to pick Fulham to win this one, but I'm going to play it safe here by calling it a draw. This will be a really difficult game for Villa, no doubt.
Prediction: Fulham 1-1 Aston Villa
Newcastle United vs Brighton & Hove Albion
This will be a really good game. Brighton and Newcastle are sixth and seventh, respectively on same points. But quite honestly, Brighton are playing way better at the moment. I expect both teams to have a go at it and there will be plenty of goals in this one.
It's so hard to keep it tight at the back and score many goals, difficult job and very few teams in the world are consistently good at it. I'm certain that Newcastle will be a force going forward in this game, but I also feel they will leave the back door open in the process. This is where Brighton can take advantage and punish their opponents.
As things stand, I'd probably go Newcastle to finish above Brighton. It's only just though, there's not much between these teams.
Prediction: Newcastle United 2-2 Brighton & Hove Albion
Southampton vs Leicester City
Leicester City had a massive win before the international break, that will be a huge boost for them. They've climbed up to 15th in the table now, that should explain the importance of that result. If Leicester win this game, they will put a lot of daylight between them and Southampton.
So this is definitely a must-win game for the Saints. Look at them, they are -11 on goal difference, and without a win in seven games this season. If they don't win this game, that's a draw for them against Ipswich and further points dropped against the other newly-promoted side Leicester. Now that's a huge problem.
I feel Southampton are way too predictable. If they keep doing the same things they've done so far, it could be curtains for them soon. At Manchester City, they start with Ederson and then he pings the ball up the pitch to create a goalscoring chance. It drives me up the wall when clubs like Southampton are trying to do the same, it's madness!
You're only a good manager if you don't get beat. What's the point in playing attractive football if you lose every week? You have to mix it up when things aren't working for you, that's how teams can survive in this division.
The confidence Leicester have from that win over Bournemouth will still be there despite the international break. Southampton are under too much pressure and I don't see anything but a Leicester win in this one.
Prediction: Southampton 1-2 Leicester City
Bournemouth vs Arsenal
This fixture is a potential banana skin for Arsenal. There's always this thing with matches after the international break, remember how Liverpool slipped up against Nottingham Forest last month? Bournemouth are a funny team, they were close to beating Chelsea and were also beaten by Leicester.
You cannot underestimate these teams. If Arsenal end up losing points in such games, it could cost them like last season. I think Arsenal's quality will come through in the end here though, I expect them to win. But they will have to make changes to the line-up that played against Southampton. If they play that same team, they won't beat Bournemouth. The more I think, this fixture has banana skin written all over it.
Prediction: Bournemouth 1-3 Arsenal
Wolves vs Manchester City
The worry for Wolves is that they are getting beaten comfortably by big margins. Gary O'Neill is in a situation where he should stop letting in goals and then try to play his football. Wolves are the prime example of scoring goals but not keeping it tight at the back.
Manchester City are a bit vulnerable because of Rodri. But they will get through to New Year without many problems. Mateo Kovacic is flying now. However, when push comes to shove in January or towards the latter stages of the Champions League, Rodri's absence will catch up with them and it will be more evident.
I doubt Wolves can keep City out for long. I feel Wolves will keep it tight at the back compared to their last few games, but Pep Guardiola's men will find a way, like they almost always do.
Prediction: Wolves 0-2 Manchester City
Liverpool vs Chelsea
This is a massive football match to see where Liverpool and Chelsea are at the moment. Liverpool have had a nice start under Arne Slot, they've done what they've needed to do. When you have easier fixtures, you have to win them and Liverpool have done it except the shock defeat to Nottingham Forest.
But this is where it gets serious for Liverpool. Chelsea have become better since that defeat to Manchester City in the opening weekend. So this is a real test. I expect goals in this game. I worry for Chelsea only because they're playing at Anfield. When Liverpool close teams down at Anfield, they really suffocate you.
I think Virgil van Dijk can handle Nicolas Jackson. If Chelsea end up beating Liverpool's press, they can score. That's still a big challenge for the Blues though. If Liverpool win, they start looking like genuine contenders. If Chelsea go to Liverpool and get a good result, we'll all go 'wow, this is good'.
Chelsea must prove they are not flat track bullies and start getting results against the big boys. Liverpool have two brilliant South American players in Alexis Mac Allister and Luis Diaz. If they don't both play on Sunday, then it's advantage Chelsea. But despite their long travel during the international break, they still have an extra day to rest unlike last month against Forest.
I don't think Trent Alexander-Arnold will have his head turned already by Real Madrid interest. He'll wait a couple of months and then he's free to discuss with whoever, so he'll keep it on the back of his mind. Liverpool must win the league this season for him to stay. I think it's the same with Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah too.
This game could go either way because Chelsea are playing well. I'm going for a draw since I believe Chelsea can beat the press and cause Liverpool some problems.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-2 Chelsea
Nottingham Forest vs Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace are struggling full stop at the moment. But I don't think they're in a relegation battle, they should be fine from that perspective. When Jean-Philippe Mateta and Eberechi Eze click, they will be fine and safe. But if Leicester end up getting the win this weekend and Palace lose, that becomes a concern.
If that happens, Leicester have a chance of staying up and then you start to wonder who could be the team that will go down instead of them. That could bring some pressure on Oliver Glasner and his men. But for now, I'm not too worried about Palace's safety. They have goals in them and that should be enough since Nottingham Forest often struggle at home.
Both teams will look to win this fixture and there will definitely be goals. So I'm going for another draw here.
Prediction: Nottingham Forest 2-2 Crystal Palace