Week Two Premier League Predictions: Merson and Sutton Weigh in on Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham
The Premier League is back for its second week of action, and fans are eagerly anticipating the weekend’s fixtures. London’s big three clubs—Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham—are all preparing to return to the pitch after a mix of results in their opening games. As these clubs gear up for their respective matches, football pundits Paul Merson and Chris Sutton have offered their predictions, analyzing the potential outcomes and what they could mean for the season ahead.
Arsenal: A Tricky Away Fixture at Aston Villa
Arsenal opened their campaign with a solid win against Wolves, but their next challenge is a tough away game against Aston Villa. Both Merson and Sutton acknowledge the importance of this match, especially considering Arsenal’s struggles against Villa last season, which Merson believes played a part in costing them the title.
Merson is particularly concerned about Arsenal’s upcoming fixtures, which include clashes against Tottenham and Manchester City. He warns that a loss against Villa could be detrimental to Arsenal’s title hopes, especially if City continue their winning ways. Merson points out that Arsenal’s squad depth could be a factor, especially with the club linked to players like Mikel Merino to bolster their midfield options. He predicts a narrow Arsenal win, but not without some anxiety for Gunners fans, forecasting a 2-1 victory for Arsenal.
Sutton, on the other hand, sees a potential for Villa to hold Arsenal to a draw but ultimately sides with Merson in predicting an Arsenal win. He notes Arsenal’s control over Wolves in their previous match and believes they have what it takes to edge out Villa, albeit in a closely contested game. Like Merson, Sutton predicts a 2-1 win for Arsenal, emphasizing the importance of taking maximum points from such tricky fixtures early in the season.
Chelsea: Searching for Answers Against Wolves
Chelsea’s season did not get off to the start they wanted, with a loss to reigning champions Manchester City. This weekend, they face another challenging away fixture against Wolves, a team that showed promise despite their defeat to Arsenal. Both Merson and Sutton have voiced concerns about Chelsea’s squad and their ability to gel under new manager Enzo Maresca.
Merson is particularly puzzled by Chelsea’s lineup choices, expressing confusion over the omission of key players like Raheem Sterling in the opening match. He also questions the club’s transfer strategy, highlighting the signing of Joao Felix as an example of a player who might not fit the club’s needs. Despite his concerns, Merson sees Chelsea managing to secure a draw against Wolves, predicting a 1-1 result. He believes Wolves will pose a significant challenge, but Chelsea’s quality should be enough to avoid defeat.
Sutton echoes some of Merson’s sentiments, particularly regarding the uncertainty surrounding Chelsea’s lineup. He also points out the potential distraction of Chelsea’s upcoming Conference League match, which could impact their performance. However, like Merson, Sutton sees this match ending in a draw. He predicts a 1-1 scoreline, emphasizing that while Chelsea needs to improve, Wolves are not a team to be underestimated, especially at home.
Tottenham: Bouncing Back Against Everton
Tottenham’s opening match against Leicester City ended in a disappointing draw, with Spurs squandering a lead in a game they dominated for large periods. As they prepare to host Everton in their first home game of the season, both Merson and Sutton believe that Tottenham will be keen to make amends.
Merson was impressed by Spurs’ first-half performance against Leicester but critical of their inability to finish the game off. He points out that Tottenham’s inconsistency within matches could be their downfall if not addressed. However, he is optimistic about their chances against Everton, predicting a 2-0 win for Spurs. Merson acknowledges Everton’s ability to frustrate opponents but ultimately believes that Tottenham’s quality will shine through, especially if they are more clinical in front of goal.
Sutton shares Merson’s belief that Tottenham will secure all three points, though he predicts a slightly higher-scoring affair with a 3-1 victory for Spurs. He notes that Everton showed promise in their opening match against Brighton but believes that Tottenham, with the support of their home crowd, will have too much firepower for the Toffees to handle. Sutton also highlights the importance of this match for Spurs’ manager Ange Postecoglou, who is under pressure to deliver results in his second season at the helm.
The Bigger Picture: Title Race Implications
Beyond the individual matches, both Merson and Sutton have issued warnings about the broader implications for the title race. For Arsenal, in particular, Merson’s concerns about their upcoming fixtures suggest that the next few weeks could be pivotal. Dropping points against teams like Villa could see them fall behind in the race, especially if Manchester City continue to set the pace.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are still trying to find their footing under Maresca, and while neither Merson nor Sutton expects them to challenge for the title this season, their performances in these early games will be crucial in determining their trajectory. A poor start could see them battling for a top-four finish rather than challenging for the top spot.
Tottenham’s situation is somewhat different. While Merson and Sutton both see potential in Postecoglou’s side, they also recognize that consistency will be key. If Spurs can build on their performances and start turning draws into wins, they could find themselves in the mix at the top of the table. However, failure to do so could see them fall behind in what is expected to be a fiercely competitive season.
As the Premier League’s second week of action approaches, all eyes will be on these three London clubs as they look to make their mark. Whether Arsenal can maintain their title challenge, Chelsea can turn their fortunes around, or Tottenham can build momentum, this weekend’s results could set the tone for the weeks to come.
