Blogs & Opinion


Paul Merson:

Recent Comments:

Kevin Maltby on Who's on the plane?

"for me this is a strong 30 man squad, except for RB n CB. For me with the injury that Terry might have got today, we are now going to be short in defence, much like Man Utd were this ... " View all comments

Sam Tankard on After the disaster

"It's been the same old season for Arsenal, throwing away silly points at important moments in the season. Mers is right, out hopes of landing the title are over (again) and at the same ... " View all comments

Daniel Miller on Hard to handle

"Totally agree with everything Merse says. This Arsenal team is packed full of talent, but until they learn to do the ugly stuff and grind out results when they aren''t playing well ... " View all comments

Alan Robins on Window watch

"Phone rings in Wengers office. Hello Wenger speaking.. Hello Arsene, its GianLuigi Buffon calling to let you know I am out of contract. AW.. The name rings a bell, are you French? GB..... " View all comments

Mark D on Balancing act

"Although I do predict a very tough game for city and probably a loss to my own team while we still wait for that extra fire power up front (Balotelli today). This game will not ruin our... " View all comments

Kevin Maltby on Who's on the plane?

"for me this is a strong 30 man squad, except for RB n CB. For me with the injury that Terry might have got today, we are now going to be short in defence, much like Man Utd were this ... " View all comments

Week two blues

Merson gives his verdict on all the weekend's games

Paul Merson Posted 18th August 2011 view comments

The Premier League continues this weekend and, as ever, you can follow all the action on Sky Sports.

We asked Soccer Saturday expert Paul Merson to look at the fixtures and give us his verdict on where the games will be won and lost.

As usual, he's taking a close look at the live games and this season he's also having his say on all of the other matches.

De Gea: will look to build his confidence against Spurs

De Gea: will look to build his confidence against Spurs

So read on for his shouts and don't forget to let us know your views in the comments box.

Ford Football Special: Arsenal v Liverpool
12pm, Sat, Sky Sports HD2

I never like to see Arsenal lose, but if they get well beat on Saturday it could be the best thing that could happen to them.

If they go out and beat a Liverpool team that has spent loads of money - and they're very capable of doing that - then it will only cover over the cracks. In the long run, Liverpool will be the better team. But if they lose this game then they'll have no option but to go out and buy some new players.

Arsene Wenger has a policy of not spending more than he thinks a player is worth, but sometimes the fans wish he'd just go and sign them.

I think he needs a new centre-half and also a new centre-forward because Marouane Chamakh was well off the pace on Tuesday night. They also need a new central midfielder because it's not fair to rely on Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere. They're still kids.

They didn't have the biggest squad in the first place and now they're going to be short of players on Saturday. Eboue and Fabregas have gone, Nasri and Bendtner are going, Vela's gone out on loan and now players like Song, Gervinho, Wilshere and Gibbs aren't available.

I watched them against Newcastle and they didn't really look like scoring, which isn't like Arsenal at all. Then they were very open in midweek against Udinese and I thought the Italians were a massive threat throughout the game.

Liverpool had four debutants last week and it's going to take a while for them to gel, but they've got better players than Udinese. People like Luis Suarez will be a massive threat on the counter-attack, so I worry for Arsenal in this game.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-3

Super Sunday: Bolton v Man City
3.30pm, Sun, Sky Sports HD1

It was a lovely start to the season for Manchester City. You couldn't have hand-picked a better game than Swansea at home.

I predicted a 3-0 win last week, so I wasn't surprised to see them win comfortably, but you have to remember who they were playing. Swansea played into their hands a little bit and after 20 minutes they squeezed on and steamrollered them. They did what they had to do, you can't knock them, but I won't get carried away until they do that to someone like Man United.

This game will be a harder test, but this is not the Bolton of old. This isn't the Sam Allardyce team that was in your face and made things difficult, this a team that is much more open - and that may play into City's hands again.

If I was a Man City fan, I'd want to see the manager play an open game here. They've got much better players than Bolton and if they want to win the league they need to have a go at teams like this. Last year they went away from home and made sure they didn't lose, but I hope they attack more this season.

I think Roberto Mancini should play the same team that started against Swansea. Sergio Aguero looked like an unbelievable talent when he came on, you couldn't have asked for any more, but I still wouldn't start him yet.

Let's get it in perspective. He came on at 1-0 up against a Swansea team that was getting absolutely battered. The real test is yet to come against the big boys. I'm not saying he won't do it against the better teams, but we shouldn't get too carried away just yet. It was an incredible debut though.

Bolton had a good win last week and proved how important it is to get the first goal in this league. I don't see them winning on Sunday, but if Mancini is too negative then anything could happen.

PAUL PREDICTS: 0-2

Monday Night Football: Man Utd v Tottenham
7pm, Mon, Sky Sports HD1

I was impressed with Man United last week. But for a a howler from the goalkeeper they could have beaten West Brom at a canter.

They opened the game up and their forwards were excellent. Ashley Young played exactly how you'd want him to play; he and Nani stayed out wide and got balls into the box without messing about.

The concern is at the back. Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic are injured, so Chris Smalling and Phil Jones will come in sooner than expected. They're very good young players, but I'd worry about them playing in front of a young goalkeeper who is low on confidence.

You don't see many world-class keepers at the age of 20, so you have to give David de Gea a chance to build his confidence up. The big advantage he has is that his team are always going to score goals, so his mistakes won't be highlighted as much.

Harry Redknapp will tell his players to get about him, to swing corners into him and to shoot when they get a chance. But it's easy to say that. They've got to get to that end of the pitch first, which is going to be difficult.

Spurs won't go there with any fear and Harry's teams always have a go. I think he should play 4-5-1 at Old Trafford with Rafael van der Vaart in the hole if he's fit. I'm a big fan of Jermain Defoe, but away from home you might need a bigger and stronger striker up front.

And if Luka Modric is still a Tottenham player on Monday night then you've got to play him. You play your best players and he's up there with the best in the world.

With the players that United have got out, Spurs have a chance - but I think it all depends on whether Modric plays or not.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (if Modric plays) or 2-1 (if he doesn't)

The rest of the weekend's games

Aston Villa v Blackburn
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0

This is a big game for Blackburn, but it's massive for Villa. It'll be a long season if they don't beat teams like this at home. I said Villa are dark horses for relegation and if they don't win this then I might be right - and I don't want to be!

Chelsea v West Brom
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0

If you'd been away for five years and watched Chelsea last week you'd still think Jose Mourinho was the manager. Nothing is different except they have Torres was up front instead of Drogba. This is a hard start for West Brom though.

Everton v QPR
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0

QPR got smashed at home last week and Everton fans will turn up thinking they'll wipe the floor with them. Players hate expectations like that, but I'd still expect them to win.

Norwich v Stoke
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2

Norwich will be good to watch for the neutrals this season because they all break forward when they get the ball, but I don't see them ever keeping a clean sheet. Stoke's power could be too much I'm afraid.

Sunderland v Newcastle
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1

This game has probably come around too quick for these two teams, but I don't see Sunderland losing this at home. They got a great result at Liverpool and Newcastle hardly had a chance against Arsenal. Home advantage is massive.

Swansea v Wigan
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0

This is a six-pointer already because there won't be six points between these two in May. Wigan are one of the teams Swansea will be looking to beat at home and I'll go for them to win because they can't afford not to!

Wolves v Fulham
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0

Wolves played very well last week and I was impressed with Steven Fletcher. Fulham were in Europe on Thursday, which makes a difference, and they've never been a free-scoring side.

Follow Saturday's football on Soccer Saturday from 12noon on Sky Sports News HD and then see extended highlights on Football First from 8.30pm on Sky Sports HD2. Sunday's games will be on Football First - Match Choice from 10pm on Sky Sports HD2.

Comments (63)

Aremu oladimeji Murphy (Barcelona fan) says...

At the time when he must thinking of how to strenthen his underachieving squad, gunners boss Arsene wenger has been given another body blow and by no less a crucial player than Samir Nasri, Arsenal's best player of last season by miles. Just when he is bracing up to lose want-away captain Cesc fabrigas and self-styled best player in the world Niklas Bendtner, Wenger must also deal with filling a huge void that Nasri'sa eventual departure would leave behind. Highly disiollusioned, Nasri has refused to extend his contract which has a season to run and could leave Arsenal on a Bosman free next year.f last season by miles. Just when he is bracing up to lose want-away captain Cesc fabrigas and self-styled best player in the world Niklas Bendtner, Wenger must als

Posted 12:04 21st August 2011

Liam O sullivan (Manchester United fan) says...

I think man united will win the league i think they are good enough without Sneidjer tom cleverley will be a great player in the future and i like the looks of paul pogba and ravel morrison aswell man utds midfield line up in the future morrison pogba cleverley and brady we are sorted

Posted 22:41 20th August 2011

Mike Murphy (Wigan Athletic fan) says...

Are Wigan really that bad ?? You watched them l,ast week against Norwich... like you say swansea should win even though they got bet 4-0 in the big league. Like Chelsea having Di matteo on the bench with them will help them no where the weak points are in west broms team would Martinez not know where the weaknesses are in Swansea's?? Your a great laugh listening to you on the show though just wanted your Expert opinion:)

Posted 12:23 20th August 2011

Aluma Michael (Manchester United fan) says...

fergie should buy sniedjer otherwise united will be like arsenal

Posted 11:24 20th August 2011

Liam Smith (Manchester City fan) says...

David Bentley (Liverpool fan).... nice grammar. Don't think there was a comma anywhere in your comment. John Taylor - Why are you so butthurt over Hart? We all know he's a good goalkeeper, his golden glove award from last season proves that. Typical of a man utd fan to talk trash, with no substance. Speaking of trash without substance... Paul Merson. When will you stop trying to save face and admit you're wrong about city? Week after week we listen to the absolute garbage that comes from your mouth, yes you have issues (not just with city... you know what i mean.), but you'll be admitting one day soon, that you were wrong to write us off as contenders. That is all.

Posted 11:09 20th August 2011

Alex Brown (Newcastle United fan) says...

Cant't see Sunderland losing this one Paul? They have won this fixture once in the last 30 years. howay the toon

Posted 10:25 20th August 2011

Iain Karabassis (Liverpool fan) says...

im a liverpool fan. just because arsenal have lost fabregas and nasri is on his way to city dosent mean it will be an easy game for us.i reckon liverpool will get something from this game and i am predicting a 1-1 draw today.

Posted 10:10 20th August 2011

Gareth Cleland (Liverpool fan) says...

I have to agree with merson, its an opportunity for arsenal players to stand and be counted, but the problem is that when they need to they never do. Arsenal are in danger of being out of the race for top4 within 5 games and ubless wenger sorts it about and adapts his philosphy then within two years they will be miles behind europe and the prem

Posted 09:30 20th August 2011

Hisan Anjum (Arsenal fan) says...

We didn't have Cesc when Arshavin scored those 4 goals against them at Anfield.. If he, RvP and Walcott can recapture some sort of a form we can score a lot of goals on them.. Defensively though we are weaker and that could be our undoing. I still dont think it will be 3-1.. more like 2-1 or 3-2

Posted 08:45 20th August 2011

Steve Martin (Arsenal fan) says...

Everyone needs to stop writing Arsenal off, bear in mind last season we played without Fabregas, Nasri and Sagna against Liverpool, our three best players, yet we still got a 1-1 draw out of the game so stop sayin Liverpool r going to win 5-0!, they couldn't even beat Sunderland at home with possibly their strongest team, what chance have they got of beatin arsenal, all this thing about Liverpool winning the title is hype, it will never happen. keep the belief Gooners!!! :)

Posted 08:40 20th August 2011

Jason G (Manchester United fan) says...

Calum Jones, of course United could've won at a canter, (just like we did against City in Community Shield with the kids) they were superb in parts. If you couldn't recognise that then you should take up a different sport cos obviously football isn't for you. As for De Gea, he will come good, he has to learn to focus and concentrate when called upon rarely cos of Uniteds excellent defence unlike City who have a busy (average but sometimes very dodgy) keeper cos of their shockingly bad defence.

Posted 08:08 20th August 2011

Silas Silas (Arsenal fan) says...

ARSENAL WILL ALWAYS REMAIN ARSENAL.........OUR WORST SCORE AGAINST LIVERPOOL TODAY CAN ONLY BE A DRAW...ARSENAL WINS 3.2

Posted 07:26 20th August 2011

James Garcia (Liverpool fan) says...

Arsenal are always dangerous and Liverpool are still trying to gel a bit. It will be a good game. Liverpool needs to find the killer instinct and utilize it this year.

Posted 04:33 20th August 2011

David Callinan (Manchester United fan) says...

The weekend bankers for any football coupon r wins for liverpool, everton, man city, man utd, I wouldn't touch aston villa,chelsea,norwich,sunderland,wolves as i think these games all have the potential to be draws. The outside value bet of the weekend blackburn to bt aston villa, chelsea v west brom draw.

Posted 03:53 20th August 2011

Vik Deen (Manchester United fan) says...

i hav 2 agree for most parts. strange as it sounds i think arsenal fans shud be hoping for a heavy defeat. a 3 or 4 goal margin wud be the slap in the face the gunners need and in the long run beneficial. a gunners win wud cement wenger belief tht the policy is workin despite 6 years proving otherwise (he seems blinded to it). i'd expect utd to find a way to beat tottenham at home even tho the team will be a weakened 1 especially at the back. de gea will cost us points this season but how many? with chelsea n city's relatively easy early season fixtures we need to win at home against spurs

Posted 03:40 20th August 2011

Chinonso Onah (Arsenal fan) says...

arsenal may have their big players either leaving,injured or suspended but that doesn't matter because wenger cannot afford to lose to a top four rival at this time of the season.i agrees with merson that a win will only cover over the cracks,arsenal really needs to reinforce. arsenal may have their big players either leaving,injured or suspended but that doesn't matter because wenger cannot afford to lose to a top four rival at this time of the season.i agrees with merson that a win will only cover over the cracks,arsenal really needs to reinforce.

Posted 03:06 20th August 2011

Dan Partridge (Aston Villa fan) says...

i think for arsenal to succeed this season they need to buy a strong playmaker in the midfield, like sneijder or pirlo. players with proven quality and experience. and then in january go for a good center half like gary cahill and a new keeper like diego lopez or abiatti. that will build them a solid foundation for the season and they can concentrate on next season. i think that it will be arsenal 2-2 liverpool.

Posted 01:14 20th August 2011

Ukele Ujang (Arsenal fan) says...

Referees were 12% obstacles,to Arsenal losing the Barclay premier league.

Posted 01:11 20th August 2011

Jamie Costello (Liverpool fan) says...

I cant understand the confidence of my fellow pool fans..Sure it is the best time to win a game at arsenal,but they still have quality in the team.Id snatch a 0-1 win right now but i reckon it will be a draw..2-2 @ 12/1 looks nice

Posted 01:07 20th August 2011

G Mudd (Liverpool fan) says...

Most positive thing I've heard Merson say about Liverpool ever I think. Feel for Arsenal a bit. They're maybe the only team Liverpool fans hate to love. I hope your prediction is right though!!!!! YNWA. Narrow 1-0 Liverpool win I think.

Posted 00:20 20th August 2011

back to top

Other Football Experts:

Latest Posts in Football:

Andy Walker

Mountain to climb

Andy Walker says Hibs are up against it in Sunday's Scottish Cup Final against SPL champions Celtic....

Peter Beagrie

Yellow fever

Watford have a greater goal threat than Crystal Palace, says Beags, and will prevail at Wembley....

Martin Tyler

Season post script

Liverpool and Spurs would be in the Champions League if hitting the post or bar was a goal... it's Martin!...

4 comments

Latest News RSS feeds

Aguero signs new City contract

Sergio Aguero has signed a new contract which keeps him at Manchester City until 2017.

Walcott sets sights on title

Theo Walcott is confident Arsenal can win the Premier League next season if his team-mates believe in themselves.

Liverpool leading Atsu chase

Sky Sports understands Liverpool are leading the race to sign Porto winger Christian Atsu.

Pulis plan for Stoke revealed

Tony Pulis spent six months drawing up a plan to "transform" Stoke City before being sacked earlier this week.

Neymar ponders future options

Neymar will take his time to make a decision about his future after Santos accepted two offers for the Brazil forward.

Features

See the FantasyFC

See the FantasyFC

Sign in to watch Fenners and Merse chat to Liverpool legend and new Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher.

Dream Come True

Dream Come True

Graeme Bailey speaks to Gibraltar head coach Allen Bula after their admission into UEFA.

Wembley live!

Wembley live!

Get pics, analysis and have your say in our live blog from inside the commentary box at Wembley.