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Paul Merson predicts Brighton vs Arsenal, Aston Villa vs Chelsea and other Premier League GW29 fixtures

Paul Merson returns with his predictions for midweek games. Source: Getty

Every week it just gets better for Arsenal in the Premier League! There are only 10 games left now and that win over Chelsea will give them confidence. I say that because at times they were under pressure but still ended up doing what needed to be done.

Even in the context of the race to finish in the top five, last weekend was quite pivotal. Aston Villa and Chelsea losing their games has now given Brentford an outside chance. There is still a lot left to be done if you are Brentford, but they will feel inspired after that thrilling 4-3 win over Burnley.

On that note, let us dive straight into my predictions for gameweek 29 in the Premier League.

Everton vs Burnley

Newcastle United v Everton - Premier League - Source: Getty

It was an unbelievable fightback from Burnley against Brentford. They were really unlucky to lose that game. When you are at the wrong end of the table, you need them games to go in your favour.

Now they take the trip to Merseyside to face Everton. David Moyes' team produced an impressive win away from home at Newcastle last time out. But it's unbelievable how poor Everton have been at home this season. They have one win in the last nine games at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton desperately need a win in this game and I have a feeling they will get back to securing three points at home.

Prediction: Everton 2-1 Burnley

Bournemouth vs Brentford

Burnley v Brentford - Premier League - Source: Getty

Bournemouth are one of them teams that flatter to deceive a bit, isn't it? Even though they played well, Sunderland scored early against them in the last game. Whatever happens, I strongly feel this game will have a lot of goals in it.

If Brentford win, they will go above Chelsea in the league table! Now that is ridiculous when you think of the start Brentford had early on in the season.

Igor Thiago has been outstanding. I thought his goals would dry up at this point of the season, but he has kept it going and credit to him. He's nothing short of a revelation at Brentford.

I feel that Bournemouth are missing the X-factor they had with Antoine Semenyo. They've had three draws in their last four games. If Semenyo was still around, they would have won at least three of those matches. He scored some big goals for this club in the past.

Prediction: Bournemouth 2-2 Brentford

Leeds United vs Sunderland

Leeds United v Manchester City - Premier League - Source: Getty

I was quite impressed by Sunderland in their draw with Bournemouth. I thought they did well in that game. However, an away trip to Leeds is always a challenge for any team in this division.

This is a huge game for Leeds. After this, they face Crystal Palace away, Brentford at home and Manchester United away. But they held their own against Manchester City even though they lost that game.

Sunderland won't get relegated or compete for a European spot this season. In that case, I expect them to go all out at teams from now until the end of the season. If they have a go at Leeds, this will become an open and entertaining game.

Leeds are playing well even when they're losing games. I don't expect them to get relegated but a draw here.

Prediction: Leeds United 2-2 Sunderland

Wolves vs Liverpool

Liverpool v West Ham United - Premier League - Source: Getty

Wolves are not a bad team. They did well to beat Derby County's lowest points tally. That win over Aston Villa last time out has suddenly made this a hard game for Liverpool. A few weeks ago, teams were looking at Wolves as a game they can easily win but that's not the case anymore!

Liverpool are fine going forward. But it is always hard for a team to find the balance between scoring a lot of goals and not conceding at the other end. When you try to score a lot of goals, you will become open at the back.

West Ham will be kicking themselves about not getting something out of the Liverpool game. I think Liverpool will face a strong fight from other teams to finish in the top five. They should be able to win this game though.

Prediction: Wolves 1-2 Liverpool

Brighton & Hove Albion vs Arsenal

Arsenal v Chelsea - Premier League - Source: Getty

This is a dangerous game for Arsenal. It's always these games against teams like Brighton that you need to win if you want to lift the title at the end of the season.

Arsenal will face the pressure in every game now. It's not like the early part of the season where you can make up for a bad result. It becomes a major problem for them if any slip up happens in the coming weeks.

Declan Rice could be doubtful for this clash. He didn't look like he was moving well when he had that moment where he tried to kick the ball back to the goalkeeper during the win against Chelsea.

This will be a nice game for Eberechi Eze though. I expect him to retain his spot in the starting line-up. Brighton are a good footballing team so he will get chances to make an impact. Arsenal to keep ticking along here.

Prediction: Brighton & Hove Albion 1-2 Arsenal

Manchester City vs Nottingham Forest

Leeds United v Manchester City - Premier League - Source: Getty

Massive win for Manchester City last weekend. Elland Road under the lights is a difficult game and they managed to get that win. But I just don't think they are moving along well. Even though they won, they are not at their best, far from it.

City must take it one game at a time. They cannot afford to drop points here. If Arsenal win a game and they draw, the title race is over! If it goes to a situation where it looks like even if City beat Arsenal, they still lose the title, then it's all pointless.

It was a bad result for Nottingham Forest against Brighton last time out. Great goal by Morgan Gibbs-White to bring them back into the game but then they threw it all away! Forest are not scoring a lot of goals. So I don't expect them to trouble City too much.

Prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Nottingham Forest

Fulham vs West Ham United

West Ham United v Bournemouth - Premier League - Source: Getty

Fulham got a big result against Tottenham last weekend. They are playing well at the moment. But I have a strange feeling about West Ham in this one.

This is a must not lose game for West Ham and I expect them to bring that fight with them. I believe the scoreline against Liverpool did not do justice to their performance.

I'm backing West Ham to win and produce a huge result that will turn things around at the bottom of the table. It can all change again next week in the relegation battle though. That's just the nature of it.

Prediction: Fulham 1-2 West Ham United

Aston Villa vs Chelsea

Arsenal v Chelsea - Premier League - Source: Getty

Chelsea weren't great in the first half against Arsenal. But in the second half, for 25 minutes or so, they dominated the game. It even looked like they might win. Discipline kicked them in the back again though. Such a bad red card for Pedro Neto.

I still think Chelsea are playing well enough to get a result in this game. If Chelsea can win here, it's game on in the race for top five! If they lose, it's the end of it for them. Nine points behind Aston Villa with nine games to go? I think it is just too many to make up.

If Villa beat Chelsea, I think that will be enough for them to finish inside the top five and qualify for the Champions League. Even if they get beat by Manchester United in their next league game, they would still be at least six points ahead of Chelsea with just eight matches left.

I have a feeling Manchester United and Liverpool will finish inside the top five. Whoever loses this game, will have it difficult in my opinion.

Chelsea will have to trust Alejandro Garnacho in the absence of Pedro Neto. I don't like playing Cole Palmer out wide because he's more effective down the middle. Estevao is injured. So who else have they got?

Villa are not playing well at the moment. I fancy Chelsea.

Prediction: Aston Villa 1-2 Chelsea

Newcastle United vs Manchester United

Manchester United v Crystal Palace - Premier League - Source: Getty

Newcastle look very tired. They don't look like the team that usually play at St James' Park. Just look at their recent results at home. 3-2 losses to Everton and Brentford, 2-0 loss to Villa, goalless draw against Wolves. It's not the Newcastle we knew.

Last season, they had a good combination between Sven Botman and Fabian Schar at the back. They are getting a bit exposed this time around with Dan Burn in there. Don't get me wrong, I like Burn and he's a good player but they are not the team from last season.

Bruno Fernandes is back to his best under Michael Carrick. But in that game against Crystal Palace, I thought Manchester United were very slow to start. They were fortunate to not concede two goals. If United start like that against Newcastle, they are in trouble!

Kobbie Mainoo has also stepped up so well in recent weeks. All Carrick has done is put everybody back in their best positions and they are playing freely. It's definitely a good time to be a Manchester United supporter.

Newcastle are still a threat at home. They need their midfield three to start firing if they want to hurt Manchester United here. I expect an entertaining draw.

Prediction: Newcastle United 2-2 Manchester United

Tottenham Hotspur vs Crystal Palace

Fulham v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League - Source: Getty

I would have said Tottenham, but I saw Crystal Palace's last few games and I think if they start well and get a goal early in this game, that will be it!

I just can't put my name against Tottenham. I don't see how they can win this football match. Spurs will not get relegated because they have decent fixtures coming up. But I'm not sure they can start winning games straightaway.

Forest and West Ham can sit back and try to get draws in their games. But because Tottenham are Tottenham, they are a big club and they have to go for the win in games. I have a feeling that this could play into Palace's hands here.

Palace went to Old Trafford and took the lead in that game. Ismaila Sarr and Brennan Johnson can hurt Spurs down the wings. It will be unbelievable if Tottenham lost this game. And it feels like we might just witness it!

Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Crystal Palace

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