Paul Merson
Football Expert & Columnist @PaulMerse
Last Updated: 12/05/16 5:57pm
With the Premier League season coming to a close this Sunday, Paul Merson gives his predictions for the final round matches.
Champions Leicester end their campaign at Chelsea while Tottenham need a point against Newcastle to ensure they finish second.
Third-placed Arsenal host Aston Villa while the battle for fourth sees Manchester City go to Swansea and Manchester United entertain Bournemouth.
Midweek predictions
| Result | Merson’s prediction |
|---|---|
| Norwich 4-2 Watford | 2-0 |
| Sunderland 3-0 Everton | 3-1 |
| Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea | 2-1 |
| West Ham 3-2 Man Utd | 1-2 |
Who will take the final Champions League place and will Spurs finish second? The Magic Man gives his final predictions of the season…
Arsenal v Aston Villa – Sunday, 3pm
I can’t think of anywhere worse for Villa to go on the last day. Arsenal have to win and I think it’s going to be a big win to end a disastrous season for Villa. Seventeen points and they won three of those on the first day of the season. There is zero chance they are going to spring a surprise at the Emirates.
PAUL PREDICTS: 4-0 (17/2 with Sky Bet)
Chelsea v Leicester – Sunday, 3pm
Which Eden Hazard is playing? If he turns up like he has done in recent weeks then it will be a different game. He has been unbelievable recently, his performance against Liverpool was one of the best of the season, that was what he was doing most weeks last year when they won the title.
It will be an open and entertaining game, Leicester won’t want to end their season on a losing note so there should be goals.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-2 (11/1 with Sky Bet)
Everton v Norwich – Sunday, 3pm
The players haven’t looked like they have been playing for Roberto Martinez recently and now he is gone. Now the players will run around and look like they are making an effort.
Five games that cost Martinez
Where it went wrong for Martinez
The last few weeks they have been absolutely atrocious. Norwich will be deflated after their relegation and Everton they will turn it on.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0 (16/1 with Sky Bet)
Man Utd v Bournemouth – Sunday, 3pm, live on Sky Sports 1 HD
United need to win. They were really poor against West Ham but I think they will get the three points. Bournemouth have had a great season but they have not been that good lately and United must win and hope Swansea do them a favour.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (15/2 with Sky Bet)
West Brom v Liverpool – Sunday, 3pm
Liverpool will play their reserves with the Europa League final next week. The final is the be-all and end-all for them, they have to win it to get into the Champions League next season. It’s a massive game for Liverpool, I can’t see them not resting players at the weekend.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (12/1 with Sky Bet)
Southampton v Crystal Palace – Sunday, 3pm
Palace are another team who will probably be resting players with the FA Cup final next weekend. It’s pointless not resting players, they only get in a cup final once in a blue moon. Southampton are a decent team finishing the season well and they will want to get in the Europa League.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0 (7/1 with Sky Bet)
Stoke v West Ham – Sunday, 3pm, live on Sky Sports 3
I’m doing this game for Soccer Saturday and I think the Hammers will win. If they do they have a chance of finishing fifth and after all their hard work the other day they will be keen to get another good result. Stoke have played some good football along the season but sometimes they are not as hard to beat as they used to be.
They are good footballers and you are always going to get hot and cold when you get those kind of players. Some of them are luxury players and when they are hot they are hot and when they are cold they are cold.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2 (15/2 with Sky Bet)
Swansea v Manchester City – Sunday, 3pm, live on Sky Sports 2
I think there will be a twist in the games between United and City. Swansea will give City a game and it will be nervy the whole way. If it’s 1-1 then it will be nervy because a late Swansea goal would knock City out of the top four. There is a lot to play for and everybody wants to win their last home game, that sells season tickets. Swansea have been in quite good form too, beating West Ham and Liverpool recently.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (15/2 with Sky Bet)
Watford v Sunderland – Sunday, 3pm
Sunderland have done it and Sam Allardyce has delivered again. Watford were beaten the other day by Norwich but this will be an open game. Sunderland will be relaxed and play and it’s Watford’s last game of the season so I think there will be goals.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-2 (11/1 with Sky Bet)
Newcastle v Tottenham – Sunday, 3pm
If Spurs don’t get a draw it would be an absolute shocker. I reckon they will get the point they need. Newcastle are down but they have to put on a show for their fans. They can’t just go there and lie down after being relegated, they will have to make it a hard game for Tottenham otherwise the fans will get frustrated.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (11/2 with Sky Bet)
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