Paul Merson and Chris Sutton make Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham predictions as Cole Palmer claims made
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Another big weekend of Premier League action awaits, and this is the final round of action before the final international break of the year takes hold. Arsenal and Chelsea face off in the headliner, going head-to-head on Sunday, currently separated by just goal difference.
Tottenham play before that, and they will be looking to build on that big win over Aston Villa with another three points as they take on newly promoted Ipswich Town. Here we round up the predictions for those games from Paul Merson on Sportskeeda and Chris Sutton on BBC Sport.
Tottenham vs Ipswich Town
Chris Sutton
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Hide Ad“I got a lot of stick for saying I supported Nottingham Forest last week - as well as a few of the clubs that I played for; Norwich, Blackburn and Celtic - and regular 5 live listeners will know that I have been accused of having Tottenham as another one of my teams. They aren't, but I make no apologies for being a fan of Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou and his style of expansive football. At times it is crazy, with the risks they take, but I love watching it.
“My Canaries connection means no-one is going to ever mistake me for an Ipswich fan, so this may shock a few people, but I felt sorry for them last week. They have briefly come out of Norwich's shadow to reach the Premier League and are desperate for their first win of the season, but they were on the wrong end of a couple of shocking late decisions in their draw with Leicester.
“They have the advantage of not having European football this week - they have not had to worry about that for more than 20 years - while Tottenham play Galatasaray in Turkey on Thursday. I still think Spurs will win, though, and Ipswich will be back in the Championship with Norwich next season. Prediction: 3-1.”
Paul Merson
“I expect Tottenham to win this game quite comfortably. I don't know how Ipswich are going to survive. They dominated the game against Leicester last weekend but ended up shooting themselves in the foot and conceded a late equaliser. That's a big problem for them. When you look at Spurs' fixtures so far this season, you'd have expected them to be higher up the table. They got a good win over Aston Villa and have managed to win four out of their last five games across competitions. Spurs are certainly on the right track. But let's not forget that they are also the team that drew with Leicester and lost to Crystal Palace.
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Hide Ad“You don't know what you're going to get from them. They also have a really tough game away from home to Galatasaray in the Europa Conference League coming up. But still, I expect Tottenham to get the better of Ipswich. Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Ipswich Town.”
Chelsea vs Arsenal
Chris Sutton
“I don’t do this very often but my prediction here rests on whether one player is fit or not - Chelsea’s Cole Palmer. Arsenal have a doubt over Declan Rice which is a worry for them, and Martin Odegaard will be rusty after returning from his layoff with a brief appearance against Inter Milan in midweek, but it is Palmer who holds the key.
“You are asking me to make a prediction and I don't know which gun I've got - a bazooka or a water pistol. Palmer has missed training this week after getting injured against Manchester United last weekend and Chelsea need him if they are going to win this. Even if Palmer is absent, I don’t think Arsenal will win. What worries me about them is what they do in the opposition box. They played well against Inter but they came up short in front of goal, and they certainly aren’t clicking in the final third. Prediction: 2-1 if Palmer is in the Chelsea team. 1-1 if he isn't - final prediction will be made when the line-ups are announced before kick-off.”
Paul Merson
“This is a massive football match, especially because by the time it kicks off both Manchester City and Liverpool would have already played. Liverpool could go 10 points ahead, City could open up an eight point lead, if Arsenal lose to Chelsea. Arsenal got lucky last weekend after City also slipped up against Bournemouth. But they won't expect any such favours this weekend.
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Hide Ad“It's a must-win game for Arsenal. If you are 10 and eight points behind Liverpool and City after this gameweek, you're done in the title race! I don't care if there are 27 games still left in the season, Liverpool and City are not losing that many games. Chelsea have lost all their big games this season and they are in desperate need of a win. If Arsenal close Chelsea down quickly, the Blues could be in trouble. I think William Saliba and Gabriel will enjoy that battle with Nicolas Jackson. It won't be as easy for Jackson as it was against Newcastle in Chelsea's last home game in the league.
“Arsenal win this game if Cole Palmer doesn't play, it's as simple as that. The only way Chelsea have a chance is if Palmer plays from the start. He is the heartbeat and he makes everything happen for Chelsea. I'm going for a draw here, big result for Chelsea but Arsenal will be out of the title race. Prediction: Chelsea 2-2 Arsenal.”
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