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

The Premier League is back, and so are the pundit predictions, with some juicy games to pick this weekend. With the international break all wrapped up, clubs should be raring to go as they prepare for a busy run of fixtures leading into Christmas.

Arsenal are in desperate need of a win, facing fast-starters Nottingham Forest this weekend, while Chelsea take on Leicester City in Saturday’s early game, and Tottenham have a much tougher task, taking on Manchester City. Here we round up Chris Sutton’s predictions on BBC Sport and Paul Merson’s picks on SportsKeeda.

Leicester City vs Chelsea

Chris Sutton

“Enzo Maresca is back at Leicester for the first time since he left to take charge of Chelsea in the summer, and I actually think his return will be quite straightforward for him and his side. Leicester will be pretty happy with the way they have started the season, given they had to replace Maresca, but I still think Steve Cooper faces a hard job to keep them up.

“Like a lot of promoted clubs, the Foxes concede too many goals and that is one of the reasons I am backing Chelsea here. The Blues have been in good form under Maresca and this is probably the easiest prediction of the week. The only thing that makes me question whether Chelsea will win is because you never know quite where teams are after the international break, and also how many of their injured players will still be out.

“Cole Palmer was one of them, but I am willing to bet he will start this game. If he is fit, they will have a little bit too much for Leicester. Prediction: 1-3.”

Paul Merson

“The only reason why you would think Leicester have a chance here is because we are coming off an international break. Chelsea would have had players involved with their national teams and their travel could have been tiring. But I would still have to go with Chelsea in this one. They are playing alright and I have a feeling this could be an easy win.

“The game against Arsenal was quite even and it shows Chelsea are on the right track under Enzo Maresca. Four years ago, Chelsea would have lost that game after conceding first but they ended up grabbing a point.

“I would be shocked if Chelsea finished above Arsenal though. Their squad is really young and I doubt they can get third place this season. If they win the Europa Conference League and finish inside the top four, that would count as a successful campaign. It will also make them the first club to win all three European trophies on offer now. Leicester are not expected to cause Chelsea a lot of problems here. I'm predicting an easy win for the Blues. Prediction: Leicester City 0-3 Chelsea.”

Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest

Chris Sutton

“Arsenal cannot keep on dropping points and I would be a little worried about them if Declan Rice is not fit enough to feature here. But at least Martin Odegaard is coming back to full fitness after his injury, and I feel like he will be the difference. Gunners fans will be hoping that he can lift the team, and help them look more dangerous in open play.

“Sometimes it is only when a player is missing that you realise how important they are to a side, and that has definitely been the case with Odegaard, because Arsenal have not been the same without him in the final third. Odegaard is their one player who is on a different level when he is on the ball, and almost plays a different game. He has that incredible awareness and understanding that allows him to knit everything together, and Arsenal will need that against Forest.

“Nuno Espirito Santo's side will be stubborn and difficult to break down, we know that. They have already beaten Liverpool at Anfield this season, but I think Arsenal will find a way to win. Prediction: 2-0.”

Paul Merson

“It is a tricky game for Arsenal because they have no more mistakes left in them now. They have to keep winning, it's as simple as that. Nottingham Forest are actually a better team away from home. But that 3-1 defeat to Newcastle United in their last game is a sign of their good start slowly wearing off now.

“I feel Arsenal's midfield will be too much for Forest in this game. The likes of Martin Odegaard and Thomas Partey will dominate them. Forest are always a threat on the counter-attack, but I'm not sure if Chris Wood can cause too many problems to the like of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes. This is a cup final for Arsenal, a must-win game. Mikel Arteta and company have some lovely fixtures coming up and will be hopeful of putting on a solid run. I back them to win their next six or seven games and it starts with this one.

“Except Liverpool, they have now already played away games against all the teams that finished in the top six last season. And we're only 11 games into the season! That shows how tough a run they've had and now it's time for them to enjoy some of the relatively easier fixtures. Arsenal have to keep winning and if they win their next six or seven games, they will be back in the title race and will have every chance to win it. If it becomes a 12-point gap between them and the league leaders, then Arsenal have no chance. They are nine points behind Liverpool now, that's why it's a cup final from here on. Prediction: Arsenal 3-1 Nottingham Forest.”

Manchester City vs Tottenham

Chris Sutton

“It's safe to say Pep Guardiola has severely irritated the rest of the footballing public by agreeing his contract extension with Manchester City. You can just imagine the groans from Liverpool, north London and the red half of Manchester, because they know how dominant City have been under him.

“City are not playing well at the moment, which is why they are on this run of four straight defeats in all competitions. People have been looking at them as if the wheels are coming off, but they are still second and only five points off the top. I do think Pep's new deal will give them a boost, and I am expecting them to bounce back.

“Tottenham have also been described as a 'crisis club' this season but they are still only three points off third place. The table is so congested that anyone in mid-table who wins a couple of games in a row is going to be right up there, but I don’t see Spurs getting anything at the Etihad Stadium.

“There will be goals in this game, because Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou will not change his approach. He has already beaten City once this season, in the Carabao Cup, but I think Pep will come out on top this time. Prediction: 3-1.”

Paul Merson

“It's safe to say Pep Guardiola has severely irritated the rest of the footballing public by agreeing his contract extension with Manchester City. You can just imagine the groans from Liverpool, north London and the red half of Manchester, because they know how dominant City have been under him.

“City are not playing well at the moment, which is why they are on this run of four straight defeats in all competitions. People have been looking at them as if the wheels are coming off, but they are still second and only five points off the top. I do think Pep's new deal will give them a boost, and I am expecting them to bounce back.

“Tottenham have also been described as a 'crisis club' this season but they are still only three points off third place. The table is so congested that anyone in mid-table who wins a couple of games in a row is going to be right up there, but I don’t see Spurs getting anything at the Etihad Stadium. There will be goals in this game, because Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou will not change his approach. He has already beaten City once this season, in the Carabao Cup, but I think Pep will come out on top this time. Prediction: 3-1.”