Paul Merson and Chris Sutton make Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham predictions as 'must win' claim made

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look to see how the pundits are predicting the Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham fixtures this weekend.

Another big weekend of Premier League action awaits in the Premier League, and the three London clubs all have important games to take care of. Arsenal face Newcastle United in a tough-looking away clash, knowing they can’t afford to lose more ground in the Premier League title race.

Chelsea face Manchester United away from home as they look to get back into the top four, and Spurs could certainly do with a win against a solid Aston Villa side as they desperately search for consistency. Here we take a look at how Paul Merson has predicted the fixtures on SportsKeeda and how those predictions compare to those of Chris Sutton for BBC Sport.

Newcastle United vs Arsenal

Paul Merson

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“This is a huge game for Arsenal. It's one where you look at and think, 'Arsenal must win this one'. Liverpool face Brighton & Hove Albion this weekend and they already beat them in the Carabao Cup in midweek, so we're expecting the same result again. You also expect Manchester City to beat Bournemouth so Arsenal cannot afford to slip up.

“Arsenal are sitting back too much in games now. I know they have key players missing out due to injuries, but they should've attacked more against Liverpool last weekend. Even if a draw is still a fair result for them, Arsenal weren't as free-flowing as they were before and that's a problem. The old Arsenal were entertaining, now they're just sitting back and counter-attacking. If you do that every week in this league, you will get found out soon. I hope this change in strategy is only due to the players they are missing at the moment. After the trip to Newcastle, they face Chelsea away from home. These two games are crucial for the Gunners, they must find a way to win both!

“Newcastle beat Chelsea during the cup game in midweek, but I doubt they can back it up with another win on Saturday. Alexander Isak seems to have returned to form and Anthony Gordon is always a threat with his pace. But I feel they are too open at the back and good teams can always pick them apart. When they have all their players in good form, Newcastle are a proper team but that isn't the case at the moment. Arsenal win for me in this one! Prediction: Newcastle United 1-2 Arsenal.”

Chris Sutton

“This is a bit of a grudge match after what happened when Arsenal came to St James' Park last season and lost to a controversial Anthony Gordon goal. Newcastle are on a run of five league games without a win, but they have been a little unlucky during that spell. They are creating plenty of chances, but just not scoring enough of them.

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“I worry about Arsenal in the final third too, though, because they are wasteful as well. The Gunners really need a win here to cling on to the tail of leaders Manchester City, but my gut feeling is that Newcastle will get something out of this game, and it has got a draw written all over it. Prediction: 1-1.”

Tottenham vs Aston Villa

Paul Merson

“I thought it was a really bad result for Aston Villa when they lost to Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup during midweek. I know they play in the Champions League and compete well in the Premier League, but they should also look to win the cup.

“That exit would have definitely been disappointing for Villa. I'm still going to back them to beat Tottenham though. Villa's high line could face problems against Spurs, but I just can't see them not scoring in this game. It's going to be a big blow for Tottenham in their attempt to qualify for the Champions League if they lose this game. Villa can open up an eight-point gap over Spurs if they win and that may well be curtains for the north Londoners' hopes about finishing fourth. I just think Villa have a bit more in them than Tottenham and fully expect them to win here. Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Aston Villa.”

Chris Sutton

“The away team won on both occasions when these two sides met last season, and you could make a case for Tottenham or Aston Villa coming out on top here. I do like the way Spurs play but they could do with having Son Heung-min fit - he has missed three of their past four league games - and they have a few other injuries too.

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“Whoever is missing, though, Ange Postecoglou will not change his bullish approach. I admire that, and I find it amazing the way people view Spurs at the moment. They have won eight of their past 10 games in all competitions, which is pretty good I think, but there is always this underlying 'Spursy' or 'typical Spurs' label they get given whenever they slip up.

“That could happen here, of course. Spurs will dominate the ball this time too, but I have got no doubt that Villa will score, because they carry such a threat and their front players will definitely have their moments in this game. So, there will definitely be plenty of goals... but maybe there won’t be a winner this time - Tottenham have not had a draw since the first game of the season, and I think they will get one here. Prediction: 2-2.”

Man Utd vs Chelsea

Paul Merson

“It's true that Manchester United were not lucky during the defeat to West Ham. But this is Manchester United we're talking about, you can't keep living on excuses like that. They were all over the place, lost the game and are in the bottom half. So the decision to sack Erik ten Hag was justified, no point waiting around!

“I think Chelsea will win this game. I only say that because they'll play out from the back and the only way they can get beat is if teams get the ball from them high up the pitch by closing them down. I don't think United will do that up front, they're just lazy. So I have a feeling that Chelsea can play through them and win the game.

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“Chelsea rested many of their players during the Carabao Cup defeat to Newcastle, but I didn't understand their decision to keep Cole Palmer on the bench. If you don't want to play him, why are you taking him all the way to Newcastle for the game? Just allow him to rest at home instead of asking him to take the long trip and sit on the bench all night. Chelsea should start Pedro Neto over Jadon Sancho in this game. Neto has pace and he can really hurt United. Sancho has this tendency to slow the game down a bit. Neto will be really useful when Chelsea beat United's press and play through them.

“United went and won 5-2 against Leicester in their cup game. I'm thinking if Ten Hag was still there, Chelsea would be huge favorites in this game. But with Ruud van Nistelrooy in charge now, there will be a change for sure. They still look at bit disjointed though, not what you expect from a proper team. The problem is that United don't have enough time to work on these things and beat Chelsea this weekend.

“I was in Portugal last year and they speak very highly of Ruben Amorim. He's a good manager, but what he's done there in Portugal, it's a three-team league at the end of the day. This will be a completely different challenge. Now they're talking of bringing Viktor Gyokeres in. This is what does my head in, honestly. He was playing for Coventry a while ago and no one wanted him. Now he goes to a lesser league, does well and suddenly you have to pay £40-50 million extra for him! Imagine if he was still at Coventry and United wanted him? Everybody will be losing their minds. Prediction: Manchester United 1-3 Chelsea.”

Chris Sutton

“It looks like Ruben Amorim will be the new Manchester United manager but will not be arriving for a few weeks. In the meantime, Ruud van Nistelrooy is in charge as interim boss and he enjoyed himself against Leicester in the Carabao Cup in midweek.

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“The Chelsea players will be well-rested because their team that lost to Newcastle in the same competition on Wednesday was totally different to the side that beat the Magpies in the league on Sunday. But Newcastle did create chances against them last weekend and, when I saw Chelsea against Liverpool recently, they were brave at Anfield too.

“I see Chelsea as being the superior team here and my head tells me they will win, but if they are quite open again at Old Trafford then that could suit Manchester United and let them get something. Prediction: 1-1.”

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