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

Another big weekend of Premier League action is upon us, and much of the London action comes on Sunday and Monday. Brentford and Tottenham face off in an all-London clash, while Chelsea face rivals West Ham at home a day later, welcoming back Graham Potter to Stamford Bridge.

The biggest Premier League clash of the weekend comes on Sunday when Arsenal welcome Manchester City hoping to keep their title hopes intact. Here we round up the predictions from SportsKeeda’s Paul Merson and BBC Sport’s Chris Sutton for those fixtures.

Brentford vs Tottenham

Paul Merson

“I'm being kind when I say Tottenham are struggling. They've been atrocious and it could get worse this weekend! I assume Spurs can't help but keep one eye on the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg, where they hold a 1-0 advantage over Liverpool, during their trip to Brentford. Does Ange Postecoglou recall Micky van de Ven back to his line-up for the Brentford game or does he wait till the cup semi-final to test him for the first time since that injury? The Spurs boss will have to make a big decision here.

“I expect Brentford to push Tottenham to their limits in this game. It could even become really painful to watch if you're a Spurs fan! I don't think it's fair to sack Postecoglou now. Tottenham have seven or eight solid players out injured at the moment. If all of them return, Spurs will automatically become a good, competitive team.

“Daniel Levy must look to invest in midfield for Tottenham. Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr have been very inconsistent and that's where the main problem lies for them. I'm not saying Tottenham will get relegated, but they could be involved in a nasty fight at the bottom of the table. If Tottenham fail to beat Brentford after Ipswich and Leicester win their games this weekend, Spurs are in the relegation battle in my opinion! Let's see if Ipswich and Leicester can do it because I think Tottenham are definitely losing against Brentford. Prediction: Brentford 3-1 Tottenham Hotspur.”

Chris Sutton

“Micky van de Ven's return from injury is great news for Tottenham, but he cannot be expected to transform their fortunes on his own. Last week's defeat by Leicester was hugely damaging to Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou and his side were so flat in that game. They have only picked up five points from their past 11 games and they cannot afford to keep on losing.

“I don't think Postecoglou has been helped by the club's lack of activity in the transfer market. They have had all these injuries but they have brought in a goalkeeper, Antonin Kinsky, to add to their senior squad, and that's it. I look at Brentford and think they are going to do this Spurs team some damage. With Bryan Mbeumo on the right and Yoane Wissa up front, the Bees have got a lot of goals in the team. They will have a go at Spurs and I think they will find a way through. Prediction: 2-1.”

Arsenal vs Man City

Paul Merson

“If Liverpool draw or lose, then it is perfectly set up for Arsenal to open up the title race. The crowd at the Emirates will be buzzing and they will demand nothing but a win against Manchester City. Let's not forget that the pressure is always mounting on Arsenal with every passing week. They had to beat Aston Villa after Liverpool won late against Brentford and they ended up blowing a two-goal lead!

“Arsenal still have an advantage here because I don't think Manchester City are back to their best yet. They may have improved results wise, but are they ready to trouble Arsenal? I'm not entirely sure. If they had to wait a little longer for that equaliser against Club Brugge, it could have become a messy game in my opinion.

“People were saying Brugge were unbeaten in 20 games so it's a massive win. Well, I saw Liverpool beat a Lille team on a 23-game unbeaten run without breaking a sweat. Manchester City and Liverpool are teams in the big league and they should be winning such games comfortably anyway! If City were the team of old, I would play Jorginho in midfield because he is good at getting out of the press, comfortable on the ball and can pick a pass. But then Manchester City are not the same anymore, they don't close down as quickly as they used to. So I wouldn't really prefer Jorginho for this game.

“I personally think Arsenal's bid for Ollie Watkins was just a farce! They knew they aren't getting him for that money and they just put in the offer to show the fans they're trying. Watkins would be an outstanding signing for Arsenal though. He ticks all the boxes. Don't worry about him being 29, it's the here and now that matters the most.

“If Arsenal get Watkins, they can win the league this year or maybe in the next. So they shouldn't be worried about where he will be in four years' time. Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Manchester City.”

Chris Sutton

“It's a little odd how Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been adamant for so long that he does not need another striker. Then, all of a sudden, we get to the end of January and they put in an offer for Ollie Watkins at Villa. It all feels a little bit late to me. Why not do it at the start of January? I know they have had a couple of injuries to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus but I don't understand the delay and it feels a little bit like they are making it up as they go along.

“This is a huge game for the Gunners - in the past couple of seasons it has been a title decider when they've played Manchester City but this time only Arsenal's title hopes are on the line. City have improved of late but I still look at them and think they are going to concede a goal, as Club Brugge showed on Wednesday.

“It was a great game when these two met earlier in the season and Leandro Trossard was sent off in a 2-2 draw. The readers will probably go for a 1-1 draw this time, I reckon, but I am going to pick a winner. It is the Gunners who I see taking this, and I wouldn't be surprised if a set-piece proves crucial. Let's hope City striker Erling Haaland can 'stay humble' if his team do end up being beaten. Prediction: 2-1.”

Chelsea vs West Ham

Paul Merson

“Chelsea have to win this game. I thought they were terrible against Manchester City last weekend. It was just like Chelsea were playing to get beaten by City! They should have been 2-0 up early on, but they blew it. I just thought they weren't innovative enough after that and it cost them.

“This is a golden opportunity for Chelsea to improve their chances of finishing in the top four though. If West Ham start the first 20 minutes of this game like how they did against Aston Villa last weekend, Chelsea will put them to the sword in no time. But if West Ham can settle down quickly, they have enough individual quality in their ranks to hurt the hosts at Stamford Bridge.

“Bit of history in this fixture. Both teams' fans don't like each other and Graham Potter returning to the club where he spent just seven months in charge makes this an interesting watch on Monday night! Prediction: Chelsea 3-1 West Ham United.”

Chris Sutton

“Former Chelsea manager Graham Potter is back at the Bridge but I don't see it being a happy return for him. West Ham have actually performed well since Potter replaced Julen Lopetegui, and looked lively, but results have still been mixed.

“Chelsea need a new goalkeeper and probably another centre-forward too if they are going to push on but even with what they have, I still think they will be too strong for West Ham. Prediction: 2-1.”