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Paul Merson predicts Arsenal vs Manchester United and other Premier League GW14 fixtures

Paul Merson is back with his predictions ahead of the midweek fixtures!

We're in December now and this is where the Premier League gets super exciting and unpredictable. The fixtures come thick and fast from now until the turn of the year and the teams are expected to be up against the heat. With Manchester City on an incredible downward spiral and Liverpool moving further clear at the top of the table, the ongoing season promises to be like no other!

Arsenal and Chelsea are also locked in second and third place, respectively. All the teams are in action during midweek and we expect a few twists and turns in the coming weeks, if not now.

Without further ado, let us dive straight into my predictions for Premier League gameweek 14:

Ipswich Town vs Crystal Palace

Nottingham Forest FC v Ipswich Town FC - Premier League - Source: Getty

You know what? I have a strong feeling about Ipswich Town in this game. I thought they did well against Nottingham Forest despite losing 1-0. They were alright in the first half, but couldn't do much in the second forty-five. Both Ipswich and Crystal Palace are level on points at the moment. This is a massive six-pointer in the battle to avoid relegation.

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I imagine there will be five teams involved in the fight for safety this season, with both Ipswich and Palace heavily invested in the same. Ipswich need this win more in my opinion though. And that's exactly why I think they will get the three points at home.

This is a pivotal week for all these teams fighting it out at the bottom of the table. If I were to pick one of the three newly-promoted teams to stay in the Premier League, my choice would be Ipswich. They are giving other teams more of a game compared to Southampton and Leicester.

Prediction: Ipswich Town 2-1 Crystal Palace

Leicester City vs West Ham United

Brentford FC v Leicester City FC - Premier League - Source: Getty

I have watched Leicester so many times this season and they are just not good enough. When they get beat, they are well beaten and that's a big problem if you're a newly-promoted side. Ruud van Nistelrooy has a big task at hand now. Don't get me wrong, he had to take that job when it came up but I they still have very little chance of staying up.

West Ham got blown away in 30 minutes against Arsenal. Those two goals may have papered over the cracks a little bit, but they are not out of the woods yet. If they were able to put in a performance like the one against Newcastle, they wouldn't have lost in my opinion.

I still can't see West Ham losing this game, I'd be shocked if that happened. Julen Lopetegui needs to string together a few results in the league and then West Ham can probably focus on a cup run. That should be their objective from here on in the season.

There is no doubt that West Ham are in a bit of trouble now though. They will be safe in the end, but that's just not good enough if you're West Ham in my opinion.

Prediction: Leicester City 1-2 West Ham United

Southampton vs Chelsea

Chelsea FC v Aston Villa FC - Premier League - Source: Getty

I can't see anything but a Chelsea win. They are flying at the moment, third in the league and that's only on alphabetical order. Chelsea are moving the ball well and I expect Cole Palmer to enjoy a lot of space to operate in during this game. I don't think Southampton will cause them any sort of problems.

Chelsea's worry at the start of the season was going to be finding their best team. That's what troubled Mauricio Pochettino. Enzo Maresca has come in and he has not missed the mark at all when it comes to identifying his core group of players. I thought it was a really bold decision to let Raheem Sterling go in the summer, but he's been proven right now.

I would even say Chelsea are flying a bit under the radar now. They are doing very, very well.

If you ask me to pick the most in-form player out of Palmer, Bukayo Saka and Mohamed Salah, that's a tough one. All of them are ripping it apart in their own way. But if I had to pick just one, I would go with Salah. Liverpool are runaway leaders at the top and he always scores in the big games. Make no mistake, the other two are flying too.

Prediction: Southampton 0-3 Chelsea

Manchester City vs Nottingham Forest

Liverpool FC v Manchester City FC - Premier League - Source: Getty

The longer this game goes on at 0-0, the more you worry for Manchester City. I'm watching City and I don't understand what's happening. I couldn't believe what I was watching in the first half against Liverpool at Anfield. Liverpool destroyed them and their confidence is shot now. In the first half, it was like a Premier League team playing a lower league side!

I want to predict a win for City, but this game is just perfect for a team like Nottingham Forest if I'm being honest. They are excellent on the counter and facing City at this stage suits them. If City fail to score in the opening 20 minutes of this game, they will be in trouble.

Pep Guardiola is rattled now. He's never been in this situation before and it shows in his gesture towards Liverpool fans. He didn't have to put up six fingers. This is football and it happens. Now the whole world is watching and this is when you should be turning things around.

Someone tell me why Matheus Nunes played out wide against Liverpool? Trent Alexander-Arnold is one of the best passers of the ball, but he's not particularly strong one-on-one. When Jeremy Doku came on, Liverpool decided to take Alexander-Arnold off and that explains it. Nunes didn't even touch the ball and he looked lost on the pitch instead of taking the Liverpool full-back on.

City also had Bernardo Silva and Rico Lewis playing central midfield by the end of the game and that's not ideal. Even when City got a grip on the ball in the second half, they did not look like scoring. You would think Erling Haaland was injured because he barely touched the ball!

It's just mind-blowing. If it was any other manager, we would be questioning these decisions. No one's saying a word because it's Pep. If City fail to win this football match against Forest, they won't finish in the top four!

Prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Nottingham Forest

Newcastle United vs Liverpool

Liverpool FC v Manchester City FC - Premier League - Source: Getty

The whole of the Premier League would have been looking at these three fixtures for Liverpool - Manchester City at home, Newcastle away and then Everton away. They've already brushed aside City and if they go on and win the next two matches as well, it could be over for everyone else hoping to catch them!

Liverpool absolutely destroyed Manchester City. It was bordering on embarrassing at times. This is a tough game away at Newcastle, but imagine the scenes if they win. Real Madrid, Manchester City and Newcastle beaten in the space of a week. Simply wow, not many teams can do that.

Dominik Szoboszlai was excellent in midfield against City and it just shows how confident all the Liverpool players are at the moment. He came into the line-up and looked like he belonged there. I said it the other day and I keep on saying it, no matter who plays up top with Salah, you can always bet on Liverpool to score. You can't say that with the other teams, that's a huge advantage for Liverpool.

Prediction: Newcastle United 1-2 Liverpool

Everton vs Wolves

Manchester United FC v Everton FC - Premier League - Source: Getty

This is going to be an absolutely cracking game, another massive match. I said last week that I wasn't sure Wolves would win and they gave away the three most stonewall penalties you will ever see in that loss against Bournemouth.

Everton got destroyed against United last time out and they face Liverpool after this game. This is a must-win game for them. If they fail to win, they have no chance against Liverpool. Starting with the Merseyside derby, Everton have an incredible tough run of fixtures as they face Arsenal away, Chelsea at home and Manchester City away! So this game against Wolves is literally a cup final for them.

I usually don't worry about Everton because in the end they will always find a way to stay safe. The only consolation they have in the relegation battle this season is the fact that all three newly-promoted teams are not the best. But Everton are in this battle every season, and that's a problem because sooner or later, you will go down if you keep putting yourselves in these situations.

Everton don't score a lot of goals and Wolves definitely have goals in them. I also expect Wolves to be better away from home, so I'm going with a win for the visitors.

Prediction: Everton 1-2 Wolves

Arsenal vs Manchester United

West Ham United FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League - Source: Getty

I don't see anything but an Arsenal win here, it will be comfortable and easy. I'd even go three or four nil to Arsenal in this one, they will destroy Manchester United!

We shouldn't get carried away by that Manchester United win against Everton. I watched them against Bodo/Glimt and they weren't great. Ipswich were also by far the better team when they met during Ruben Amorim's first game in charge. Considering how well Arsenal are playing now, I'd be shocked if they don't win three or four nil at the Emirates.

Arsenal work day in and day out on their set-pieces and it's clearly showing this season. It's not just luck that they are scoring so much from such situations. However, the one thing that could work in favour of United in this game is the suspension of Lisandro Martinez. He's not the tallest of defenders and will now most likely be replaced by Harry Maguire, who is like a magnet when defending set-pieces.

But United are still working on their best shape under Amorim, while Arsenal under Arteta are flying at the moment. The Arsenal players know everything about their game and you will see that on the pitch in this game. I don't see any other result than an Arsenal win, but I will go kind on the scoreline.

Prediction: Arsenal 3-0 Manchester United

Aston Villa vs Brentford

Chelsea FC v Aston Villa FC - Premier League - Source: Getty

Aston Villa are in a sticky patch at the moment, but I have a feeling they will still get the win here. Brentford are like chalk and cheese when they play at home compared to away games. They are unbeaten at home with six wins and a draw, while they are winless on the road with five losses and a draw so far this season! That horrendous away record is why I'm backing Villa in this game.

If I was Brentford, I would leave an extra forward in the line-up and have a real swing at this game. Thomas Frank should approach this game like his team has nothing to lose and take the game to Villa. It's a free swing for Brentford if you ask me, but I don't think they will win.

Prediction: Aston Villa 2-1 Brentford

Fulham vs Brighton & Hove Albion

Fulham FC v Wolverhampton Wanderers FC - Premier League - Source: Getty

This is a good game. Brighton are one of them teams who sometimes fail to get the job done against sides like Southampton while being able to trouble the big boys. There is very little between these two teams if I'm being honest. I expect a very even contest with some good football on display.

Brighton have been more consistent than Fulham and it shows in the table. But if Fulham get three points, they will be just a point behind the Seagulls and that explains how close they are. I like watching both these teams and I think it will be an entertaining clash at Craven Cottage with plenty of goals.

Prediction: Fulham 2-2 Brighton & Hove Albion

Bournemouth vs Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur FC v Fulham FC - Premier League - Source: Getty

What Tottenham do we have here? They are a mixed bag and that's the problem. We don't know what we'll get from Spurs and that's why they are a football pundit's worst nightmare! Tottenham could win 3-0 or go on and lose this game 3-0, either way we wouldn't be surprised because that's just how they are.

Spurs were expected to kick on after that 4-0 win over Manchester City. But they have actually been quite disappointing in draws against mid-table sides like Roma and Fulham. Ange Postecoglou stressed on his desire to remain entertaining instead of closing out games after the draw against Roma. He needs to be careful about what he's saying, you are there to get results not to entertain everyone.

I don't think Tottenham are favourites to finish in the top four this season. I expect Manchester United to get it right under Amorim at some point, even though they have a lot more to work on. Manchester City may be struggling, but you'd be shocked if they don't finish inside the top four. I expect Arsenal to remain consistent and then you've got Chelsea, who also look good at the moment.

It will all come down to consistency in the end. But I just don't think Tottenham hold the edge over Chelsea as things stand. I don't usually go against Tottenham a lot in my predictions, but I'm changing that here because they've been frustrating to watch since that win over City. I'm backing Bournemouth to get the win on home turf.

Prediction: Bournemouth 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur

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Edited by Paul Merson