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Paul Merson predicts Leeds vs Arsenal, Tottenham vs Manchester City and other Premier League GW24 fixtures

Will Arsenal slip up during their tricky trip to Leeds?

Some unbelievable stuff happened in the Premier League last weekend! I gave Manchester United no chance and didn't see that win coming at the Emirates. But I don't think Arsenal were as bad as everyone thought they were in that game.

I still think Arsenal will win the league quite comfortably! I don't agree with people saying they are panicking, at least not yet. Don't get me wrong, it's a huge game coming up for Arsenal. If they lose to Leeds, then I'm sure it's a bit of a problem.

On that note, let us dive straight into my predictions for gameweek 24 in the Premier League.

Leeds United vs Arsenal

Arsenal v Manchester United - Premier League - Source: Getty

This is the game, isn't it? Leeds away won't be easy, no doubt it. I remember Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink scoring a diving header for Leeds to deny Arsenal the title back in the day. So definitely, Arsenal have bad memories associated with this fixture!

But I must admit, playing first makes a huge difference for them this weekend. If Arsenal win, they go seven points clear at the top and Manchester City still have to go to Tottenham. That is not a bad state to be in.

There are still 14 games left after this clash against Leeds and I believe Arsenal are not feeling the nerves just yet. The equation changes if they lose, but I expect them to get a crucial win here.

Leeds were outstanding in the first half against Everton last weekend. I don't think they will put 10 men behind the ball in this game. I fully expect Leeds to have a go at Arsenal.

When Eberechi Eze came on against Manchester United last weekend, the Arsenal fans were going ballistic. I assume most of them felt he was being very casual on the ball. But that's just the way he plays and it's not his fault!

The thing with Eze is that he's a special player. He is elegant when he gets on the ball and I think the fans need to give him time. I mean no disrespect to Palace, but it's not the same when you join Arsenal. The pressure is always on you and I believe Eze is still getting used to it. I hope they give him time.

Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Martinelli should come into the starting line-up for this game. Leandro Trossard will give you a bit of guile, but I think Martinelli's pace will be really useful against Leeds. Everybody has to step up, even the defence let in three goals last time out.

This is Arsenal's biggest game of the season. If they lose and the lead comes down to a single point, I don't think they win the league! So this is a humungous game and I'm predicting a very crucial win for the visitors.

Prediction: Leeds United 0-2 Arsenal

Wolves vs Bournemouth

Bournemouth v Liverpool - Premier League - Source: Getty

Bournemouth got an incredible win over Liverpool last weekend. But I can't say the same about Wolves. In fact, I was really disappointed by their performance against Manchester City.

I thought Wolves went to the Etihad and sort of lay down for City to roll them over, if that makes sense. Wolves were a bit too timid, despite the fact that City were there for the taking in that game.

Wolves have to come out and play their football in this game. And if you have a go at Bournemouth, they can really hurt you. I can't see Wolves outscoring Bournemouth by any stretch of the imagination.

Prediction: Wolves 1-2 Bournemouth

Brighton & Hove Albion vs Everton

Fulham v Brighton & Hove Albion - Premier League - Source: Getty

A proper game of two halves for Everton last weekend against Leeds. They were battered in the first half and managed to turn it around after the break to get a point.

Brighton will want to bounce back after their last minute loss to Fulham. I thought they played well in that game. They are a funny and dangerous team, in the sense that if they turn up, they can beat anyone in this league!

Everton are better away from home and I consider them the better team out of these two. But I have a feeling that Brighton will win this game in front of their own fans.

Prediction: Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 Everton

Chelsea vs West Ham United

SSC Napoli v Chelsea FC - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 - Source: Getty

West Ham have turned a corner, or maybe you could say they are going around the bend. That win for Nottingham Forest did not help them last weekend, but back-to-back victories have lifted the Hammers' spirits.

Many people forget that this is a massive local derby. Chelsea are fighting to finish in the top four and West Ham are trying to avoid relegation. I like these type of games where everything is on the line.

Lucas Paqueta has left West Ham. When you are in the battle to avoid relegation, you need players like him because of the X-factor they bring to the team. I know Paqueta has not been producing consistent performances this season, but West Ham will miss him.

It's not a good sale in my opinion because I don't think West Ham can now bring in a new midfielder with the same quality in January. They will hope Crysencio Summerville and Jarrod Bowen can bring the X-factor now.

Joao Pedro is enjoying a good run in front of goal for Chelsea. He scored two good goals against Napoli in midweek and looks composed. But no one is going to be the top man at Chelsea ahead of Moises Caicedo! If you asked me to name a Chelsea player who shouldn't miss the game against West Ham, it will be Caicedo for sure.

West Ham have a free swing here. I don't expect them to beat Chelsea, but they can definitely make this an entertaining watch.

Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 West Ham United

Liverpool vs Newcastle United

Liverpool FC v Qarabag FK - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 - Source: Getty

You don't know what you're going to get with Liverpool! It's really weird what's happening with them. They spent all that money and can't keep a clean sheet in the league!

We were sitting here at the start of the season, and when Liverpool bought Alexander Isak, we thought they will run away with the league title. It's quite interesting how it has not panned out that way. If Liverpool fail to finish in the top four, I think Arne Slot will be gone.

Newcastle shock me with how bad they are in away games, but they did well on the road against PSG in the Champions League. I expect Bruno Guimaraes to start this game. This is a hugely important game for Newcastle and they need him in midfield.

Liverpool have had a lot of injury problems this season. I don't understand why they did not go all in for Marc Guehi. They needed a centre-back so bad and they let City sign him. Now it's starting to look like Liverpool haven't bought well at all.

After the injury to Jeremie Frimpong, I expect Dominik Szoboszlai to play right-back in this game. Newcastle have strong wide players like Harvey Barnes, Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga. So I don't think Liverpool will use Wataru Endo like they did against Qarabag.

Szoboszlai is the best available choice at right-back because he has done quite well playing there. But Liverpool haven't been as dominant as they have been in midfield this season. If you take Szoboszlai out of that midfield, you have another big gap to fill there.

I'm backing Liverpool to win here, but I'm not really sure why! Maybe because they are playing at home. I honestly can't think of anything else.

Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Newcastle United

Aston Villa vs Brentford

Newcastle United v Aston Villa - Premier League - Source: Getty

Brentford losing to Nottingham Forest was a shocker for me. It was a bigger shock than Arsenal losing at home to Manchester United! The way Brentford were playing, and considering how good they are at home, I didn't see that coming at all.

If Brentford can play like they did against Chelsea, they can cause major problems to Aston Villa in this game.

People always talk about how the title race is between Arsenal and Manchester City, but why don't they count Villa? We're 23 games down now and Villa are also only four points behind Arsenal! Yet, no one mentions them and believe they will go away in a minute.

Beating Newcastle away was a massive result for Villa last weekend. I find it disrespectful that we don't give them enough credit! I expect them to get another impressive win in this game.

Prediction: Aston Villa 3-1 Brentford

Manchester United vs Fulham

Arsenal v Manchester United - Premier League - Source: Getty

This is the game for Michael Carrick. Manchester City at home and Arsenal away, no one expected Manchester United to do anything. But now, everyone will turn up to Old Trafford expecting a win over Fulham!

We saw this with Ruben Amorim at times. He would do well in some of the big games and then lose to the so-called smaller teams. Will Carrick be able to buck the trend?

Patrick Dorgu is out injured and will have to be replaced. Otherwise, I don't think Carrick will change anything for this clash. This will be a hard game for United and I don't buy it when people say they'll win for sure because they beat City and Arsenal.

Carrick has a long way to go before he can become the permanent manager at Manchester United. There is a unique problem here. As a manager, you only learn more about your credentials after you lose games. It's all about how you react to these setbacks.

But the situation at Manchester United is such that, Carrick won't have much time to lose many games. If he starts losing, he will be out of the job! So I'm not sure he will get the job at the end of the season. If he gets to work with someone like Thomas Tuchel, maybe he stands a chance at taking over permanently in the future.

Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 Fulham

Nottingham Forest vs Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace v Chelsea - Premier League - Source: Getty

There are timings in football. And you'd rather play Crystal Palace than Wolves at this time! I can see why Nottingham Forest wanted to sign Jean-Philippe Mateta before this game.

Palace look like a shadow of the team they were last season. At the moment, I look at them and think, 'when are they winning a football match?'. I can't see anything but a Forest win here.

If Sean Dyche's men get three points. they will be level on points with Palace. Who would've thought that after the way these teams started the season? Forest are on the rise and Palace are quickly sliding down the table.

West Ham got back-to-back wins and Forest must look to do the same now. It's hard to win two consecutive games when you're involved in a relegation battle. I think this will be a big result for Forest.

Prediction: Nottingham Forest 2-0 Crystal Palace

Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester City

Manchester City v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Premier League - Source: Getty

Even I'm cheering for Tottenham this weekend! Spurs always play well against Manchester City. And I've said this before, I don't think City are a great team.

I thought City played the same game against Wolves on Saturday and against Galatasaray in the Champions League last night. They started well, looked like they would go on to score four or five but didn't, and towards the end, they were troubled by their opponents!

Micky van de Ven against Erling Haaland will be an interesting matchup. Haaland will be relieved to have scored against Galatasaray. But he has been missing a lot of chances lately. It's very unlike him because he's such a good finisher.

I'm not worried about Haaland because he is the kind of player who can score seven goals in the next seven games. I'm expect him to regain his form and when he gets hot again, teams will have to be cautious, especially Arsenal.

Antoine Semenyo has hit the ground running at City. He will definitely start this game against Tottenham. Whatever happens, Haaland and Semenyo will be in that line-up. Then it's down to whether they choose Omar Marmoush or Rayan Cherki. I think it's getting Cherki on the pitch that will make things happen for City.

Arsenal could be seven points ahead by the time City face Tottenham. I doubt City can bring that lead down to four points again. This is a must-win game for City, but I expect a draw. So Arsenal will open up a six-point lead at the top this weekend.

Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 2-2 Manchester City

Sunderland vs Burnley

Sunderland v Crystal Palace - Premier League - Source: Getty

Last weekend against West Ham was the first time Sunderland were completely outplayed this season. Granit Xhaka didn't play that game and it just shows how good he has been for them.

Burnley are not a bad team either. It's just that they are not able to get over the line in certain games. Sunderland are also the only team in the Premier League to have not lost at home this season. I'm expecting them to bounce back with a strong win.

Prediction: Sunderland 3-1 Burnley

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