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A look at the latest predictions for Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham’s Premier League fixtures this weekend.
Another big weekend of Premier League action lies in wait, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham all in action this weekend. The Gunners face West Ham in a tough-looking clash on Saturday, needing to keep up the pace at the top of the Premier League table.
West Ham vs Arsenal
Chris Sutton
“Julen Lopetegui really needed Monday's win at Newcastle after a difficult start as West Ham boss. He and his side will be buoyed by that but this is not a good time to be playing Arsenal, who are purring again now Martin Odegaard is back from injury.
“The Gunners were not in great form without Odegaard, but he makes them a different proposition and I am going to say he will make the difference in a very tight game. Prediction: 0-1.”
Paul Merson
“I cannot see anything but an Arsenal win here. I saw them in action against Sporting in the Champions League and Arsenal completely destroyed that team. The same thing happened with Nottingham Forest last weekend, I can sense Arsenal finding their mojo again after a few tough results. Martin Odegaard is different class, what a player. He makes Bukayo Saka 10 times better! Don't get me wrong, Saka is a good player but Odegaard just elevates him to another level.
“West Ham got an incredible 2-0 win away at Newcastle. But they are never going to keep this free-flowing Arsenal team out of the game. I have a feeling Arsenal will destroy West Ham's midfield. If Thomas Partey, Declan Rice and Odegaard play together, it will be impossible to stop them. In comparison, West Ham's midfielders are no match for them. I think this will be a comfortable win for the visitors. Prediction: West Ham United 0-3 Arsenal.”
Chelsea vs Aston Villa
Chris Sutton
“Aston Villa have not been firing on all cylinders recently but they were unlucky not to beat Juventus on Wednesday, after having a late winner ruled out. I captained Villa keeper Emi Martinez in my Fantasy team last weekend because I had not kept many clean sheets and just had a gut feeling they would keep Crystal Palace out - and of course they conceded after four minutes.
“Martinez is an outstanding goalkeeper, the best in the Premier League, but I cannot see him keeping a clean sheet this week either. I am backing Chelsea to take this one. They were too strong for Leicester last weekend and while Cole Palmer did not deliver, Nicolas Jackson keeps on scoring and looks like a different player compared to last season. Prediction: 2-1.”
Paul Merson
“It's funny how things change so quickly in football. Aston Villa were flying along a few weeks ago and look at them now. They are without a win in their last six games in all competitions! Villa have definitely lost their way a little bit. They struggled without Ezri Konsa in the last game. The back-four looked shaky against Crystal Palace and their high line did not work.
“Youri Tielemans and Ross Barkley played as the two midfielders in that 2-2 draw with Palace. If they both start against Chelsea, Cole Palmer will find plenty of space to operate with. Both Tielemans and Barkley are more ball-playing midfielders than the ones that can shut down Palmer.
“Chelsea have a big opportunity this weekend. Manchester City don't look good and if they lose to Liverpool, a win will lift Chelsea to second in the table. If they manage to remain consistent from there on, who knows they might even have an outside chance at catching Liverpool at the top! Chelsea have decent winnable fixtures coming up so they must look to make hay while the sun shines. I'm expecting Chelsea to get another win here. Villa have too much going on for them now with the Champions League as well. Prediction: Chelsea 3-1 Aston Villa.”
Tottenham vs Fulham
Chris Sutton
“I love watching Tottenham and what they do. They were missing Micky van de ven and Cristian Romero against Manchester City last week but went to Etihad Stadium, played brilliantly and kept a clean sheet too. The big worry for Spurs is that Guglielmo Vicario got injured in that game. Fraser Forster is an excellent goalkeeper who has had a great career but he is not renowned for being brilliant with his feet.
“Forster can appear a bit clunky on the ball, a little bit like I did when I played for Chelsea, and that could be an issue because of the way Ange Postecoglou wants Spurs to play. Fulham were on the opposite end of a four-goal scoreline at home to Wolves last weekend but, going off what I have seen from them this season, that is likely to be a one-off.
“The Cottagers have scored in every game this season apart from their opening-weekend defeat at Old Trafford, and they will be dangerous here too. So, I don't think this will be easy for Spurs but if their forwards play like they did against City, they will come out on top again. Prediction: 3-1.”
Paul Merson
“Despite Tottenham beating Manchester City 4-0 and Fulham losing 4-1 to Wolves, it wouldn't surprise me if Spurs drop points in this game! That is how this club works. Tottenham can either wipe the floor with teams or comfortably get beat. Remember it was only two weeks ago they lost 2-1 to an Ipswich side that had not won until then.
“I reckon this will be a tough game for Spurs and I'm actually backing Fulham in this one. I don't think Fulham are as bad as the scoreline against Wolves suggests. They are a decent team and can upset any of the big boys in this division on their day. I have a feeling that will happen against Tottenham. Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Fulham.”
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