Paul Merson’s Premier League predictions: Tottenham impress, Pedro Neto shines at Chelsea, Strictly Come Dancing hopes | Football News

The Premier League is again and so is Paul Merson, who’s wanting ahead to an thrilling new season on Sky Sports activities.

Forward of the primary week of the season, we put ‘The Magician’ to the check as he picks his winner, predicts surprises within the prime 4 and descriptions his listing of summer season signings

There was even some dance chat as we requested the newly introduced Strictly Come Dancing star about his dancefloor credentials!

Learn Merson’s full season predictions…

Who will win the Premier League title?

I can not see the Manchester Metropolis of the previous.

If Arsenal do usher in a centre-forward, I might see them pushing Metropolis all the way in which and possibly even profitable. They positively want a 20-goal businessman.

Nevertheless, it is exhausting to argue towards Metropolis doing it once more.

Are there any surprises within the prime 4?

I do [think there will be a surprise]. Tottenham Hotspur will end within the prime 4.

Dominic Solanke is an excellent possibility. They wanted an out-and-out pace ahead, and he was simply that. He’s a pacesetter up entrance and can adapt to the way in which Spurs play beneath Anj Postkoglu.

Spurs had unhealthy luck final season. They began nicely however then misplaced to Chelsea. They’d two gamers despatched off that day, however in addition they misplaced plenty of gamers to harm that week. We simply talked about Arsenal profitable the league and in case you embody the important thing gamers Spurs have misplaced from groups apart from Arsenal or Manchester Metropolis, it should be a battle.

So if Spurs can preserve their gamers wholesome, I believe they will ship a shock or two this season.

Which summer season signing do you assume could have the most important impression?

I’ve answered this query in Solank. Richarlison was a implausible participant in his time at Tottenham, however you want extra gamers than you will have now.

Solanke might make the distinction as groups begin to assault Spurs and suffocate them, however Solanke’s tempo and menace from behind might assist Postkoglu’s aspect prolong the sport .

This, in flip, might assist James Maddison, who merely would not have a lot area when he returns to the crew after harm. However Solanke will assist him get area, and with time and area, Maddison can choose anybody.

Are there another transfers which have impressed you?

The price Manchester Metropolis obtained for Julian Alvarez. Wow, so spectacular.

Gamers to look at this season?

I believe Chelsea’s Pedro Neto can do a very good job as nicely.

Firstly of the summer season I assumed he can be an incredible signing for Arsenal. He is an ideal match for them, a participant who can take a number of the load off Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.

So, that deal blew me away. If Chelsea can preserve him match, I believe that is an unbelievable signing.

With a transfer like Matthijs de Ligt to Manchester United, I believe it is a deal that it’s a must to wait and see earlier than you decide. Will he be a ‘Rolls Royce’ defender or one other participant who we query why United signed him? Solely time will inform. The jury is certainly nonetheless out.

Who would be the Premier League’s prime scorer?

Nobody will worth this listing greater than Erling Haaland.

What did he miss final season? Two months? He nonetheless received.

He’s the one ahead within the league who often averages three, 4 or 5 objectives per sport.

Which crew would be the underperforming crew this season?

What does Manchester United’s achievement imply? I am unsure anymore.

I believe for Chelsea and Manchester United it is positively “watch this area”. In the mean time, I see nothing however that they’re a cup crew this season. All of them have gamers who can flip it on any day, however I am unsure they will do it persistently.

For each groups, we’re now speaking a couple of Ultimate 4 run that was successful, however not so way back, a Ultimate 4 run would have been a catastrophe.

It will likely be attention-grabbing to see the place Could finally ends up for each golf equipment. You by no means know what would possibly occur with a fast begin.

Can the newly promoted crew keep away from relegation this season?

All three promoted groups performed in some type final season. The model of soccer performed by Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton may be very eye-catching.

Nevertheless, having moved into the Premier League, they need to now stay versatile. They need to be capable to make adjustments when wanted.

The best way they performed final season was good, however they confronted opponents of a distinct caliber.

Final season, taking a look at Burnley, all of us knew what they needed to do, we knew they needed to take the ball away from the aim and never preserve passing the ball out from the again. Nevertheless, they continued to take action and have been finally relegated.

Vincent Kompany received the job at Bayern Munich by taking part in the proper means, however that did not assist Burnley. New managers within the Premier League must give attention to this and stay versatile. You’ll be able to’t open the sport each week. Generally that you must sit down and be disciplined.

The problem could also be that I count on groups like Everton to be extra aggressive this season. Final season they have been combating for relegation however I do not assume that can occur this yr. That eliminates a crew that would go down, so it should be troublesome as a result of it is a brutal league.

However simply begin nicely and construct some confidence and also you by no means know the way it will prove.

Lastly, are you able to get to Blackpool through Strictly?

Who is aware of! It will not be for lack of attempting or lack of effort.

I attempt to not look to this point forward. That is not how I see my life. I attempt to take issues as they arrive and see the place it takes me.

However it is going to positively be enjoyable. Let’s give it a attempt to see what we are able to obtain!