Paul Merson and Chris Sutton make Crystal Palace, Fulham and West Ham predictions

The Premier League returns this weekend with the international break now in the books. Away from the big three, Crystal Palace will be looking for their first league win of the season against Leicester City, while Fulham and West Ham face off against each other.

Elsewhere, Brentford face the almighty task of taking on Manchester City away from home. Ahead of those clashes, we have rounded up the predictions of BBC pundit Chris Sutton and SportsKeeda’s Paul Merson.

Crystal Palace vs Leicester City

Paul Merson’s prediction

“Crystal Palace will have too much for Leicester City this weekend. But I still think Leicester have to approach this game in the right way. They must look at it and think, 'we can definitely win this'. However, we cannot really overlook the fact that Palace certainly have the better players in this contest. I thought signing Trevoh Chalobah from Chelsea was a good move for them. They've also managed to retain the likes of Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze, which is brilliant.

“I'm backing Oliver Glasner and company to get a comfortable win here. Leicester might get a goal, but it won't be enough. They've simply not shown enough to suggest they can get a result against a team like Palace.” Prediction: Crystal Palace 3-1 Leicester City.

Chris Sutton’s prediction

“Crystal Palace have made a slow start to the season and in fact I'd even call it disappointing, but their wait for a first win of the new campaign won't go on much longer. They should be a little bit too streetwise for Leicester, and I am finding it difficult to back the Foxes at the moment - it looks to me like they have got a long battle ahead of them to stay up.” Sutton's prediction: 2-1.

Fulham vs West Ham

Paul Merson’s prediction

“These two teams will be fighting for a top half finish in the Premier League this season. I think this game will end in a draw. West Ham have bought well but they need to get results. They have to start clicking together on the pitch soon. This will be one of those games where both teams will look like they will win and I expect them both to go for all three points. There are certain games like this in the Premier League for such teams where they must go for it no matter what.

“I feel Niclas Fullkrug can make an impact in this game. I'm a big fan of his and he scored for Germany during the international break. I thought Chelsea should've looked to sign him. It was a bit of a surprise to me when they did not make a move. The Blues don't have a proper striker at the moment. West Ham's other new signing Crysencio Summerville might find it hard to impress though. Every full-back in the Premier League is a full international so it's not like the Championship, where he dominated.” Prediction: Fulham 2-2 West Ham.

Chris Sutton’s prediction

“This is tricky. These kind of games are the reason I have been losing every week, because I really can't call them. Fulham are bright and try to play good football, and West Ham are the same. The Hammers actually ran Manchester City pretty close before the international break, but still ended up losing.

“There will be chances at both ends but I can't pick a winner, so I am going to go with a draw - in fact the more I think about it, the more this game has got draw written all over it.” Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Man City vs Brentford

Paul Merson’s prediction

“I'd have to go with Manchester City here, obviously. I think they've been phenomenal. Erling Haaland is a machine, he's just unbelievable isn't he? I'd even say he's won the golden boot already. I know it sounds like madness, but it's absolutely incredible stuff from him and City are top of the league thanks to him.

“All things considered, I just can't see any team beating City at the moment. I look at them every week and I'm like, 'who's really going to stop them over these 38 games?'. No disrespect to Brentford, they have done well so far. But I'm backing City to win 3-0. Brentford are the only team Haaland has failed to score against in the Premier League. I fully expect him to make amends and find the back of the net this week though.” Prediction: Manchester City 3-0 Brentford.

Chris Sutton’s prediction

“Brentford have been a bogey team for Manchester City in the past and Bees boss Thomas Frank knows how to beat them, that's for sure - he did the double over them in 2022-23. That's not going to happen this time, though. I refuse to put Erling Haaland in my Fantasy team on principle, because the whole nation has picked him, but he is just unstoppable at the moment and City should win this one comfortably.

“City don't usually hit their stride so early in a season. If this is them just warming up, then god help the rest of the Premier League.” Sutton's prediction: 3-1