Paul Merson and Chris Sutton predict Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham results as 'title race' warning issued

Another round of Premier League action is here with weekend two kicking off on Saturday and continuing across Sunday. London’s big three all picked up differing results last weekend, albeit against different levels of opponent.

Arsenal kicked off their campaign with a win over Wolves, while Tottenham drew against newly promoted Leicester City and Chelsea lost to champions Manchester City. This weekend, Arsenal take on Aston Villa in a very tricky-looking away clash, while Tottenham host Everton in their home opener and Chelsea travel to the Midlands to face Wolves. Here we have rounded up Paul Merson’s predictions for SportsKeeda and Chris Sutton’s predictions for BBC sport.

Aston Villa vs Arsenal

Paul Merson: “This is a massive game. Arsenal got done for the double by Aston Villa last season and that cost them the title. If Arsenal lose and Manchester City win this weekend, the Gunners could suffer in the title race. Mikel Arteta's men also face Tottenham Hotspur and City in September, so it's not an easy run-in from here.

“If things don't go their way, Arsenal could even be out of the title race by October! I'm not even exaggerating, the next four fixtures starting with Villa on Saturday are all tough for them. If you lose two of them, it's over.

“They've been linked with a move to sign Mikel Merino and I can understand why. Arteta probably looked at the team and thought, 'I can't really play Partey every week'. Arsenal will be playing a lot of matches this season. And with certain players coming on the back of Euro 2024 and Copa America campaigns, it could catch up to them. I've liked their transfer business, they've recruited well. I'm going to go for an Arsenal win in this one, but I do think Villa can score. Prediction: Aston Villa 1-2 Arsenal.”

Chris Sutton: “Arsenal really had control over Wolves last week and VIlla are at home after a big win against West Ham. It smells of a draw but I am going to say Arteta's Arsenal will pickpocket Aston Villa and edge it. Prediction: 1-2.”

Wolves vs Chelsea

Paul Merson: “I was worried about Wolves at the start of the season. And even though they lost to Arsenal in the opening game, I thought they were decent during certain phases of the game. I think they'll be fine this season. I'm a also a big fan of Mario Lemina, he gets around the pitch well and could be a key player for Wolves.

“The problem with Chelsea is this - what's their team for this game? I could literally predict Arsenal's XI against Tottenham next month, but I can't do the same for Chelsea. I also don't understand what's happening with players like Sterling and Ben Chilwell. Sterling played a lot of pre-season and he was still left out of the squad for the opening game against Manchester City. In my opinion, he's still better than a lot of the wingers they have in the squad.

“I'm not really a big fan of Joao Felix either. Barcelona didn't want him, Atletico Madrid didn't want him. Now he's got himself a seven-year contract at Chelsea, I think I see why he's happy to return. No one wins anything big unless you have a good centre-forward and a big goalkeeper. Chelsea are really buying players they don't need. Enzo Maresca's men are in desperate need of a result. I thought they were poor against City and barely left a glove on the champions. I'm going for a draw here against Wolves. Prediction: Wolves 1-1 Chelsea.”

Chris Sutton: “It will be interesting to see the Chelsea team, Enzo Maresca has a big squad to pick from. But there will be no Raheem Sterling, he's taken the number seven off him. Chelsea also play in the Conference League on Thursday night and I thought they were well beaten by Manchester City, but it has to click at some stage for them.

“Wolves had their moments against Arsenal and this one has draw all over it. Prediction: 1-1.”

Tottenham vs Everton

Paul Merson: “Tottenham were held to a draw by Leicester City in the opening game and I've never seen a game of two halves like that one. Dominic Solanke has to convert his chances when they are presented to him. Don't get me wrong, I do like him as a player, but he is not at Bournemouth anymore and his misses won't go under the radar now.

“I thought Spurs were outstanding in the first half against Leicester. However, they did not put the game to bed and it cost them three points. It must have been a very disappointing result for Spurs. They have got to be consistent throughout the 90 minutes. At the moment, they play good only in patches during games and that has to change.

“If they had scored the second goal against Leicester, I think it could've even been 4-0 or 5-0. Despite that disappointment, I'm backing Spurs to get a win even though it wouldn't come easy. Everton can make it hard for them, but I just dont see Tottenham missing that many chances again. Looks like it'll be another long season for Sean Dyche's Everton. Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Everton.”

Chris Sutton: “Spurs could have been eight up at half-time against Leicester but didn't take the chances and that will have been a bit of a sickener, it will have felt like a defeat. There are high hopes for Ange Postecoglou in his second season and they made great progress last year.

“Everton played well for the first 20 minutes against Brighton and are a team who will sit and frustrate the life out of Tottenham and then counter. They ran Tottenham close last season but I will say Spurs at home, in front of their own fans, need to be more clinical and will be. Prediction: 3-1.”