Former Arsenal midfielder and popular football pundit, Paul Merson, has shared his predictions ahead of several high-profile English Premier League (EPL) fixtures scheduled for this weekend. The standout encounter of the round will take place at Old Trafford, where Manchester United are set to host their fierce rivals, Manchester City, in what promises to be a closely watched Manchester Derby. Notably, this heavyweight clash will kick off the weekend’s action, having been selected as Saturday’s lunchtime fixture. Beyond the Manchester Derby, attention will also turn to other important matches across the league. Arsenal are expected to hit the road as they face Nottingham Forest, while Liverpool will be at Anfield to entertain Burnley later in the day. In West London, Chelsea are scheduled to welcome Brentford in a local derby that could test the Blues’ consistency. Meanwhile, another city rivalry will unfold as Tottenham Hotspur lock horns with West Ham United in what is often a tense and competitive encounter. Speaking in an interview with UK Metro, Merson gave his assessment of the weekend’s major fixtures, offering scoreline predictions based on current form and confidence levels. On the Manchester Derby, Merson admitted that derby matches are traditionally unpredictable, but he believes this one may follow a more straightforward outcome. “In most derby games, form usually doesn’t matter,” Merson explained. “However, this situation feels different. Honestly, I struggle to see any result other than a Manchester City victory. I would be extremely surprised if Manchester United managed to win.” Prediction: Manchester United 1–3 Manchester City Turning his attention to Stamford Bridge, Merson highlighted Brentford’s growing confidence and Chelsea’s ongoing rebuilding process. “Brentford are playing with a lot of belief at the moment, while Chelsea are still trying to find their rhythm,” he said. “Even so, I think playing at home could give Chelsea a slight edge.” Prediction: Chelsea 2–1 Brentford For Arsenal’s trip to Nottingham Forest, the former England international stressed the importance of attitude and professionalism. “Arsenal need to show up and deliver in a match they are clearly expected to win,” Merson noted. “If they don’t approach it with the right mindset, they could face early pressure. That said, I believe they’ll handle the game comfortably.” Prediction: Nottingham Forest 0–2 Arsenal As the Premier League weekend approaches, fans will be eager to see whether Merson’s predictions come true, especially in the high-stakes derby clashes that often shape the momentum of the season.
