Paul Merson is back with his predictions - Source: Getty Images
Paul Merson is back with his predictions - Source: Getty Images
It was unbelievable what happened to the Premier League clubs in the Champions League. Four defeats and two draws, it was madness! We were always talking about how good our league is and look at what happened.
What I understand is that the bottom half of the Premier League is really good. When you think of Spain or Germany, their bottom half isn't great but the top teams there are strong.
That is why Premier League clubs are favourites to win the Europa League and the Europa Conference League but not the Champions League.
Just look at PSG. They won't be playing this weekend and can rest up for the second leg trip to Chelsea next Tuesday. Meanwhile, Chelsea, on the other hand, have to face Newcastle on Saturday in a tough game for the race to finish in the top five!
It's the same with Bayern Munich in their league. They can afford to take it easy this weekend because of their dominance in the Bundesliga. However, Arsenal and Manchester City cannot do the same
On that note, let us dive straight into my predictions for gameweek 30 in the Premier League.
Burnley vs Bournemouth
Bournemouth v Sunderland - Premier League - Source: Getty
Bournemouth v Sunderland - Premier League - Source: Getty
Bournemouth don't lose a lot of football matches, but they haven't been winning many either! They have been playing well but can't seem to get over the line in games.
Burnley have nothing to play for in this game. I expect them to be relaxed and they will definitely have a go at Bournemouth. It could be like that Brentford game where they were 3-0 down and then came back into it before eventually losing.
There will be goals in this game. If I was forced to pick a winner, I'd choose Bournemouth. But considering their recent results, I'm not backing them to win.
Prediction: Burnley 2-2 Bournemouth
Sunderland vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Port Vale v Sunderland - Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round - Source: Getty
Port Vale v Sunderland - Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round - Source: Getty
Sunderland had a shocking result last weekend. For a team that are safe in the Premier League, Port Vale away in the FA Cup to reach the quarter-finals was a must-win game. Them losing that game was a real shocker to me.
Brighton were good against Arsenal, but they failed to get anything from that game and that's worrying if you ask me. In many ways, they are like Bournemouth. They play decent football but won't win a lot of games.
If you are Sunderland, you want to finish the season well. There is a chance they could fizzle out now and that must not happen. Imagine if they end up finishing just six points above the relegation zone at the end of the season, that's not good at all!
Sunderland need to ensure everyone feels positive about the next season. They must not finish the season and think, 'we were lucky we had a good start, otherwise we would be relegated now'. Expecting a decent football match here with both teams sharing the points.
Prediction: Sunderland 2-2 Brighton & Hove Albion
Chelsea vs Newcastle United
Arsenal v Chelsea - Premier League - Source: Getty
Arsenal v Chelsea - Premier League - Source: Getty
Chelsea produced a brilliant result against Aston Villa. But their display in the Champions League round of 16 first leg against PSG now means they are unlikely to go through to the next stage!
I think it comes down to experience. Chelsea simply capitulated after the error from Filip Jorgensen. If they had a few more senior pros in that line-up, I'm sure they would have assessed the situation better and maybe managed the game a lot better to not concede the fourth and fifth goals.
The only way I see Chelsea returning to the Champions League next season is if they can finish in the top five. So this is a must-win game at home against Newcastle.
I was really impressed with Newcastle against Barcelona. Lewis Hall was amazing when he went up against Lamine Yamal. I believe Newcastle will feel positive about themselves after the draw with Barcelona.
Realistically speaking, Newcastle have more to play for in the second leg next week unlike Chelsea. So I won't blame Eddie Howe if he decides to rest a few players for this game.
I know Barcelona are a different beast at home. But they play a high line and with Anthony Gordon expected to start that game, Newcastle will fancy their chances. I'm backing Chelsea to win here because I expect Howe to prioritise the next game against Barcelona.
Prediction: Chelsea 3-1 Newcastle United
Arsenal vs Everton
Bayer 04 Leverkusen v Arsenal FC - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg - Source: Getty
Bayer 04 Leverkusen v Arsenal FC - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg - Source: Getty
Everton are a funny team. They play some good football away from home and are often hard to beat on their travels. It's crazy how they sometimes get ripped to shreds in games and still get a result!
Arsenal haven't been great in recent weeks. My god, they were lucky to get that draw against Bayer Leverkusen. They don't play free-flowing football.
Take Chelsea for instance, even though they lost to PSG, they had a real go and showed some firepower. But you won't see that with Arsenal. It's impossible to think they would score two or three goals in a game.
I expect Arsenal to be far too good for Leverkusen at the Emirates. But at the moment, I'm still a bit worried about them. If that was a league game they drew, they would be in trouble.
This will be a tough game for Arsenal. My only problem with Everton is that they haven't produced a proper 90-minute display while winning games. They only play well in patches. If they fall off for even 30 or 45 minutes against Arsenal, it's game over!
I expect a tight game, but Arsenal to edge it just.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Everton
West Ham United vs Manchester City
Real Madrid v Manchester City - UEFA Champions League - Source: Getty
Real Madrid v Manchester City - UEFA Champions League - Source: Getty
After the loss against Real Madrid, this has become a really tough game for Manchester City. It was an unreal result, isn't it? I watch a lot of Real Madrid and I'm a big fan of theirs, but I didn't see that coming, if I'm being honest!
Man City literally got destroyed. The only thing that probably went in their favour was the missed penalty. We know how Manchester City are and Real Madrid will not sit back in the second leg. If City can find an early goal, we have a game on our hands at the Etihad next week.
If City don't beat West Ham this weekend and Arsenal win against Everton, the title race is done! After the second leg against Real Madrid, they face Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final as well.
So this is a big week coming up for City. If things don't go in their favour, they could be out of all competitions bar the FA Cup in the space of 10 days. Like I said, that loss to Real Madrid would have taken the stuffing out of them. It saps your confidence.
I don't expect City to bounce back this weekend. A draw here that would end their hopes of catching Arsenal in the title race.
Prediction: West Ham United 2-2 Manchester City
Crystal Palace vs Leeds United
Leeds United v Sunderland - Premier League - Source: Getty
Leeds United v Sunderland - Premier League - Source: Getty
Leeds United have been dragged back into the relegation battle. I would say that has happened quite unluckily because they have been playing well. It's just that West Ham and Nottingham Forest have started getting results.
The problem with Leeds is that they can't score goals. Even against Manchester City, they created chances. If you want to stay up in this league, you need goals and they aren't getting enough. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is now starting to struggle by showing the form he had at the back end of his career at Everton.
This is a huge game and a lot depends on how Crystal Palace perform in their Europa Conference League clash AEK Larnaca. That competition is their only chance of winning something. If they win 3-0 or 4-0, that's a problem for Leeds. If it is a tighter result, Oliver Glasner will rest players for the second leg.
I have a feeling Leeds will avoid relegation. They are playing good football, unlike Tottenham! I'm expecting them to get a point in this one.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-1 Leeds United
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
Newcastle United v Manchester United - Premier League - Source: Getty
Newcastle United v Manchester United - Premier League - Source: Getty
Aston Villa got blown away by Chelsea last weekend. That was a worrying result for them. Now this is a big football match coming up against Manchester United.
I know Manchester United lost to 10-man Newcastle in their last game. But Villa miss Youri Tielemans and Boubacar Kamara in their midfield. With Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes clicking well for United, I'm backing the hosts to get a good result at Old Trafford.
Now if my prediction becomes true, that would point some fingers at Aston Villa. Can they qualify for the Champions League next season? We know they are involved in the Europa League. Sooner or later, they could be forced to highlight that competition as their best route back to the Champions League.
I actually think they may have a better chance of winning the Europa League and returning to the Champions League than finishing inside the top five. So their game against Lille before the trip to Old Trafford is actually more important!
If Villa secure a comfortable lead in the first leg against Lille, I expect Unai Emery to have a go at Manchester United. If not, he will rest his players considering they don't have depth in their squad. I'm backing United to win but Villa won't be blown away like last weekend.
Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 Aston Villa
Nottingham Forest vs Fulham
Manchester City v Nottingham Forest - Premier League - Source: Getty
Manchester City v Nottingham Forest - Premier League - Source: Getty
That was a joke what happened to Fulham last weekend in the FA Cup! They have never won a trophy and made that many changes? It was madness, I can't believe the manager did that!
It was an excellent chance to reach the quarter-finals and they ruined it. Fulham did enough to win that game, but now they are out of the FA Cup and shouldn't have taken a chance with their line-up in the first place. If I was a Fulham fan, I'd be fuming.
Nottingham Forest are also involved in the Europa Conference League like Crystal Palace. But it's different because Forest should focus on the Premier League. Staying up should be their bread and butter and they can't risk it now!
After Fulham's FA Cup exit, I think their season will fizzle out. It's a good time for Forest to play them at home in a must-win game. Backing Forest to secure three big points in the context of the relegation battle here.
Prediction: Nottingham Forest 2-0 Fulham
Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Liverpool - Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round - Source: Getty
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Liverpool - Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round - Source: Getty
It's just a matter of by how many goals Liverpool can win! How long is Igor Tudor going to be around? My question is who wants the Spurs job at the moment?
Tottenham will wait it out. They will get the Liverpool game out of the way before making a decision on Tudor. No one expects Spurs to win this game. I won't be surprised if they sack Tudor on Sunday. Time is running out and at some point they must make a change, so why not at the earliest?
If Tottenham lose at Anfield, I will be shocked if Tudor is still in charge of the team for next weekend's massive relegation six-pointer against Nottingham Forest.
I'm expecting Arne Slot to go with his best team for this game. I expect Liverpool to turn it around against Galatasaray in the second leg next week. But let's admit it, they have a better chance of finishing inside the top five rather than winning the Champions League.
Tottenham will be hoping Fulham can do them a huge favour by beating Forest this weekend. If Forest win that game and beat Spurs next weekend, Vitor Pereira's team will be safe. Spurs are in trouble if that happens.
Prediction: Liverpool 3-0 Tottenham Hotspur
Brentford vs Wolves
West Ham United v Brentford - Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round - Source: Getty
West Ham United v Brentford - Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round - Source: Getty
It was a strange result for Brentford in the FA Cup, they lost to West Ham on penalties. Getting into the quarter-final of that competition would have been great for them as a team but it was not meant to be!
Wolves make me laugh at times. Why did they make so many changes for their FA Cup game? You're not staying up, got nothing to play for this season. So why not have a go instead of getting blown away by Liverpool in that manner?
Brentford have had some funny results against teams below them in the table this season. I remember that game against Forest where everyone expected them to win and they lost at home. They cannot afford a slip up like that here. I'm expecting a win.
Prediction: Brentford 2-1 Wolves