Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Visit Shots! now
All the latest predictions surrounding Arsenal, Chelsea, Fulham and Tottenham.
Another big weekend of Premier League football is back upon us, although some of the best games of the weekend don’t take place until Sunday. Arsenal head to Fulham in an all-top six clash between two London rivals.
Later in the day, Chelsea and Tottenham face off in a derby clash that will put the Blues’ title credentials to the test. Ahead of those games, we have rounded up the latest predictions from BBC Sport’s Chris Sutton and SportsKeeda’s Paul Merson.
Tottenham vs Chelsea
Paul Merson
“The only thing that worries me with Chelsea is that they gave away a couple of really good chances to Southampton, even when they were only playing against 10 men. The goalkeeper made a great save at 3-1. If that goes in, it becomes 3-2. I'm not nitpicking with Chelsea, it was still a great result. But that would be my worry about them.
“It does not take anything away from the fact that they won 5-1 while resting many of their key players. That is a masterstroke from Enzo Maresca. When the team sheet came in, I thought, 'oh my god, what are you doing? This is the Premier League, you can't be taking any team lightly'. But those changes did not have a detrimental impact on Chelsea.
“I wouldn't label Chelsea as genuine title contenders though. It's hard to call them that. They have a good squad, probably the strongest in the Premier League. But they played Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool this season and took just one point. That is why they are not contenders yet. If you're a fan, Tottenham away from home is Chelsea's biggest game of the season. Chelsea lost in this fixture last season so this is a huge game. If they can win against Spurs, it will send a massive statement. I won't label Tottenham as one of the 'big boys' in the league but they are a team that can beat a lot of teams and we've seen that already this season.
“If Chelsea secure a top-four finish and win a trophy, this would become a phenomenal season for them. Anything more than that would be incredible but unlikely. Ange Postecoglou wants Tottenham to be entertaining that's how they try to play. Chelsea have better players in nearly every position and may have too much for Spurs to handle. Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 1-3 Chelsea.”
Chris Sutton
“Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou got a fair bit of flak after going over to speak to some Spurs fans following Thursday's defeat by Bournemouth. Football is a fickle business sometimes. It wasn't a good result, but you only have to go back a week or two and they were cheering Ange off after winning at Etihad Stadium.
“Usually I would expect a reaction from Spurs but they are so unpredictable that I don't know what will happen. They could win this game 4-0 like they did against Manchester City, or lose it by the same scoreline. So, I am going with Chelsea here. While I do wonder about their experience, I think Enzo Maresca's side are title contenders even if he insists they aren't.
“Maresca may genuinely believe that, or he might be saying it to take the pressure off his players. When I won the title with Blackburn in 1995, the club's owner Jack Walker, always planned to win it the year after, but when you are in the title race and you keep winning then there is no reason why you shouldn't embrace being ahead of schedule.
“Everyone slammed Chelsea's owners for spending so much on so many players and building such a big squad, but maybe there was a method in what people saw as madness. They are playing with real confidence at the moment and look completely different to the team they were last season. Nicolas Jackson is an example of how much they have improved and, after being rested against Southampton in midweek, he will be refreshed and ready to go. This was the game last year where Spurs went down to nine men and lost 4-1. If there is any element of doubt from their players in their style of play, then Chelsea could take them apart again this time too. Prediction: 1-3.”
Fulham vs Arsenal
Paul Merson
“It all depends on what happens with Fulham tonight. If they beat Brighton, they will cause problems to Arsenal. But if they lose, they will be in trouble against the Gunners. Fulham are a decent team but I just think Arsenal are on an incredible run and it will be tough to stop them. Let's not forget that Arsenal lost this fixture last season and that eventually led to them losing the Premier League title so they will be very careful.
“Liverpool also have the advantage of playing early this weekend and that puts pressure on Arsenal. You play first and if you get all three points, then it's a different challenge for the teams chasing you. So this is still a really difficult game. Arsenal can definitely put pressure on Liverpool. If you look at the fixtures, Arsenal have had a really tough start. It's almost been unkind to them! Now they will play some fixtures that are 100 percent winnable and if they manage to secure seven or eight victories on the trot, they will close that gap with Liverpool.
“I can't help but admire what Arsenal have done with their set-pieces. They always look like they will score and it's absolutely amazing. You watch other teams' set-pieces and they swing it in but the goalkeeper comes out and catches it easily. Arsenal send in each corner with so much power and it gives the goalkeepers no chance, that strategy is working so well for them. Prediction: Fulham 1-2 Arsenal.”
Chris Sutton
“I am at this game for BBC Radio 5 live and I'm really looking forward to it. Fulham won this fixture last season and they had a brilliant win over Brighton last time out. I can't believe I went for the Seagulls to win that game, because I know how strong Fulham are at Craven Cottage. It is only the fact they are playing Arsenal that is stopping me going for a home win here.
“Arsenal needed corners to find a way past Manchester United on Wednesday, but they deserved to win the game anyway. Martin Odegaard is a special talent and he is the difference maker for them. He knits everything together and he is the reason they are going on a bit of a run. Their confidence is growing and they look strong all over the pitch. They did not miss Gabriel at the back against United, but this might be a tougher test for them, especially because some of Fulham's key players are Gunners old boys.
“One of them could easily come back to haunt Arsenal and put a dent in their title bid, but Arteta's side have got the ability to grind out results when they need to. Prediction: 1-2.”
Continue Reading