Paul Merson’s Premier League predictions: Spurs to impress, Pedro Neto to shine at Chelsea and Strictly Come Dancing hopes | Soccer Information

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

We put ‘The Magic Man’ firmly to the take a look at forward of the opening week of the season as he picks his champions, predicts a top-four shock and names his signings of the summer season

There’s even some dancing chat as we ask the newly-announced Strictly Come Dancing star about his dancefloor credentials!

Learn on for Merson’s season predictions in full…

Who will win the Premier League title?

I am unable to see previous Manchester Metropolis.

If Arsenal do herald a centre-forward, I can see them pushing Metropolis all the way in which, doubtlessly even successful it. They undoubtedly want a 20-goal service provider.

Nevertheless, it is troublesome to again in opposition to Metropolis doing it once more.

Will there be any top-four surprises?

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

Dominic Solanke is a very good purchase. They wanted an out-and-out striker with tempo, and he is that. He is a presence up there main the road and he’ll swimsuit the way in which Spurs play underneath Ange Postecoglou.

Spurs had been unfortunate final season. They began brilliantly after which misplaced to Chelsea. That they had two gamers despatched off that day however they misplaced so many to harm as properly that week. We simply talked about Arsenal successful the league, when you took the important thing gamers Spurs misplaced away from Arsenal, or anyone else bar Man Metropolis, it might be a wrestle.

So, if Spurs can preserve their gamers match, I feel they will spring a shock or two this season.

Which summer season signing do you assume could have essentially the most affect?

I’ve just about answered that in Solanke. At Spurs, Richarlison is an efficient participant on his day, however you want greater than in your day.

Solanke could possibly be that distinction as a result of groups had been beginning to push up on Spurs and suffocate them, however Solanke’s tempo and his menace in behind, that may assist stretch the sport for Postecoglou’s facet.

That might in flip assist James Maddison, who did not get a lot area in any respect when he returned to the workforce after his harm. However Solanke will assist him get area and, with time and area, Maddison can pick anyone.

Is there another switch enterprise that has impressed you?

The payment Man Metropolis obtained for Julian Alvarez. Wow, that was spectacular.

Participant to be careful for this season?

Another person who I feel can do rather well is Pedro Neto at Chelsea.

Initially of the summer season, I believed he’d be a terrific signing for Arsenal. He fits them right down to the bottom and is a participant that might have taken the load off Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.

So, that deal shocked me. If Chelsea can preserve him match, I feel it’s an unimaginable signing.

With transfers like Matthijs de Ligt to Man Utd, I feel that is a deal you must wait and see on earlier than judging. Is he going to be a ‘Rolls Royce’ defender or one other signing the place we query why United obtained him? Solely time will inform on that one. The jury is unquestionably nonetheless out.

Who would be the high goalscorer within the Premier League?

Nobody will likely be wanting any additional down the listing than Erling Haaland.

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

He is the one striker within the league who can rating three, 4, 5 targets a recreation often.

Which workforce will likely be this season’s underachiever?

What are Man Utd’s achievements meant to be? I am unsure anymore.

I feel it’s undoubtedly ‘watch this area’ with reference to Chelsea and Man Utd. In the intervening time, I am unable to see something however them being cup groups this season. They each have gamers that may flip it on on any given day, however I am unsure they will do it on a constant foundation.

For each groups, we at the moment are speaking about high 4 being a hit, however it’s not way back that high 4 would have been a catastrophe.

It is going to be attention-grabbing to see the place each golf equipment find yourself come Might. You by no means know what may occur with a quick begin.

Will the newly-promoted groups keep up this season?

All three newly-promoted groups performed in a sure method final season. The model of soccer from Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton was superb on the attention.

Nevertheless, coming into the Premier League, they now must be versatile. They’ve to have the ability to change issues up when wanted.

The way in which they performed final season labored a deal with however they had been taking part in in opposition to a unique calibre of opposition.

Final season, have a look at Burnley, everyone knows what they must do and we all know they must get the ball away from their purpose and never carry on taking part in it out from the again. Nevertheless, they saved doing it and so they ended up being relegated.

Vincent Kompany obtained the Bayern Munich job by taking part in in the fitting method nevertheless it did not assist Burnley. The brand new managers within the Premier League want to have a look at that and be versatile. You can’t open the sport up each week. Generally you should sit in and be disciplined.

The problem could be the truth that I count on a workforce like Everton to be extra aggressive this season. They had been preventing relegation final season however I do not count on that to be the case this yr. That guidelines out a possible workforce to go down so it will likely be troublesome as a result of it is a ruthless league.

However begin properly, construct some confidence and also you by no means know.

And at last, will you make it to Blackpool on Strictly?

Who is aware of! It will not be for a scarcity of making an attempt or a scarcity of effort.

I strive to not look that far ahead. That is not how I have a look at my life. I attempt to simply take issues for the way they arrive and see the place that takes me.

However it should be attention-grabbing, that is for certain. Let’s give it a go and see the place we get to!