Arsenal head to Old Trafford on Sundayplaceholder image
Arsenal head to Old Trafford on Sunday | Getty Images
All the pundit predictions for Sunday’s Premier League fixtures, including four London sides.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
Paul Merson
“No, I don't see Chelsea as title contenders this season! As a fan, I hope they finish in the top four. The injury to Levi Colwill is a massive blow for Chelsea. He is expected to miss the majority of the season, and I worry about the goalkeeper and the other two centre-halves in his absence. Robert Sanchez is a good shot-stopper, but he always has a mistake in him and he makes people around him nervous.
“If Crystal Palace lose Eze and Marc Guehi, it will be a big challenge for them to finish in the top half of the table. Oliver Glasner is an outstanding character and I believe he has done a phenomenal job at Palace. But I think they have not recruited well enough to reproduce the magic from last season.
“Palace were incredible when they came from 2-0 down to win the Community Shield against Liverpool on penalties. I think this is a hard game for Chelsea and purely as a fan, I'm wishing they win 2-1. In reality, this could be a draw, but I genuinely hope I'm wrong! Prediction: Chelsea 1-1 Crystal Palace.”
Chris Sutton
“There is real excitement about Chelsea at the moment. They have just won the Fifa Club World Cup but the Premier League is the one they want and I bet one or two of their fans are thinking they have got half a chance this season.
This game might be a reminder of how hard that is going to be, because Crystal Palace are such a well-balanced and dangerous side under Oliver Glasne. I still think Chelsea will win, though. They have a few options up front now and some versatile attackers too, so they can try different ways to break Palace down. Prediction: 2-1.”
Nottingham Forest vs Brentford
Paul Merson
“Bit of a funny summer at Nottingham Forest. Morgan Gibbs-White looked set to join Spurs before that dramatic turnaround. Forest have done nothing big in the transfer market after their success last season either. They will play the Europa League this season after Crystal Palace's demotion to the Conference League.
“Forest have lost Anthony Elanga, who joined Newcastle earlier this summer. They are a proper counter-attacking team so this is now a huge problem. I don't know how Forest can play that way without Elanga or a like-for-like replacement. I'd be shocked if Forest finished anywhere near seventh-place like last season!
“This is a hard game for Brentford under new manager Keith Andrews. He played for me at Walsall, a really good professional. But replacing Thomas Frank isn't an easy task. Brentford cannot afford to lose Yoane Wissa amid interest from Newcastle. If you take Bryan Mbeumo, who has joined Manchester United, and Wissa out of that team, they lose a major chunk of their firepower. I have a feeling Brentford will be able to keep him.
“I think Brentford will still be hard to beat and I think they have more than enough in their tank to stay up. I'm not sure about this game though! Prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-0 Brentford.”
Chris Sutton
“People are writing both of these teams off for different reasons, and saying they won't be as good as last season. As well as seeing their manager go to Spurs, Brentford have lost Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa seems to want out too, so the worry with them is who will get their goals?
“I still think the Bees have enough battle-hardened Premier League players to compete, but maybe Kevin Schade needs a bit of help up top. It is also going to be difficult for Nottingham Forest to go again and be as good as they were last year. They have sold Anthony Elanga and Chris Wood turns 34 in December - but at least they kept hold of Morgan Gibbs-White.
“I think this will be very tight and quite a scruffy game but as long as Forest win it, they won't care. Prediction: 1-0.”
Man Utd vs Arsenal
Paul Merson
“This is a must-win game for Arsenal, it's as simple as that! If you have a look at their fixtures after this weekend, it goes like - Leeds United at home, Liverpool away, Forest and Man City at home before a trip to Newcastle. If they don't beat Manchester United on Sunday, I don't expect them to beat Liverpool and City during this run! So all of a sudden, they could be seven or nine points behind in the title race.
“Now people talk about it being a long season with 38 games. But if Arsenal are trailing Liverpool by nine points by September, I don't think they will be able to catch up. If Arsenal draw and Liverpool win this weekend, and the Reds beat them at Anfield in gameweek three, the Gunners will be five points behind Arne Slot's men. That is still a huge problem if you're Arsenal. So I cannot emphasise enough on why Arsenal must beat United, otherwise this could end up being a nightmare start for them.
“Viktor Gyokeres scored a brilliant header in pre-season. When Arsenal are under pressure in certain games, he will become a nuisance to opponents by running the channels and working the defenders. He's a real presence in front of goal and you can count on him to cause problems to opponents.
“I think Arsenal can win the league, if they can keep all their main players fit. I'd be shocked if Gyokeres, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard all play 35 games and Arsenal still don't win the Premier League. They are massive favourites if that happens.
“Mikel Arteta and Arsenal must forget about the 37 games they have coming up after this weekend. This is the problem with some people in this league, you should never go into a new season with a mindset of making up points later. Look at Jose Mourinho when he was successful at Chelsea, he always got off the block quickly. It's true that you can't win the league in October, but you can surely lose it if you're not sharp enough! Prediction: Manchester United 1-2 Arsenal.”
Chris Sutton
“What a great game this is to start the season with. I am genuinely excited about Manchester United's new signings, especially Mbeumo and Cunha - we have already seen just how good they are in the Premier League.
“I can't claim to have an incredible knowledge on EVERY player so I must admit I have seen less of United's new striker Benjamin Sesko, but he seems a player with a lot of potential and his arrival surely spells the end for Rasmus Hojlund at Old Trafford.
“Arsenal have a new centre-forward too of course, and United boss Ruben Amorim knows all about Viktor Gyokeres after their time together at Sporting. I am looking forward to seeing how Gyokeres links up with the likes of Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard, and how quickly they can develop an understanding.
“Add in how there is always needle in this match, and that a win would be huge for either side, and there is a lot to look forward to. It is going to be close, but although I feel really positive about United this season, I think they will lose this and Gyokeres may just have the final say against his old manager. Prediction: 1-2.”
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