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 check 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 can not see previous Manchester Metropolis.

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

Nonetheless, it is tough 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 extremely 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 go well with the best way Spurs play below Ange Postecoglou.

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

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

Which summer season signing do you assume may have probably the most affect?

I’ve just about answered that in Solanke. At Spurs, Richarlison is an effective 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 risk 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 group after his damage. 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 price Man Metropolis received for Julian Alvarez. Wow, that was spectacular.

Participant to be careful for this season?

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

Firstly of the summer season, I assumed he’d be an excellent signing for Arsenal. He fits them right down to the bottom and is a participant that would have taken the load off Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.

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

With transfers like Matthijs de Ligt to Man Utd, I believe 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 received him? Solely time will inform on that one. The jury is certainly nonetheless out.

Who would be the high goalscorer within the Premier League?

Nobody shall be trying any additional down the record than Erling Haaland.

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

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

Which group shall be this season’s underachiever?

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

I believe it’s positively ‘watch this area’ with regard to Chelsea and Man Utd. In the intervening time, I can not 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 undecided they will do it on a constant foundation.

For each groups, we are actually speaking about high 4 being successful, however it isn’t way back that high 4 would have been a catastrophe.

It will likely be fascinating to see the place each golf equipment find yourself come Could. 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 approach final season. The fashion of soccer from Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton was excellent on the attention.

Nonetheless, coming into the Premier League, they now must be versatile. They have 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 special 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. Nonetheless, they saved doing it they usually ended up being relegated.

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

The issue is perhaps the truth that I count on a group like Everton to be extra aggressive this season. They had been combating relegation final season however I do not count on that to be the case this 12 months. That guidelines out a possible group to go down so it will likely be tough as a result of it is a ruthless league.

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

And eventually, will you make it to Blackpool on Strictly?

Who is aware of! It will not be for an absence of making an attempt or an absence 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 will be fascinating, that is for certain. Let’s give it a go and see the place we get to!