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

The Premier League is again and so is Paul Merson, who’s looking forward to 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 time

There may be 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…

• The Premier League is again – stream with NOW | Get Sky Sports activities
• Obtain the Sky Sports activities App | Get Sky Sports activities on WhatsApp
• Premier League completed offers | Premier League fixtures

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 profitable it. They undoubtedly want a 20-goal service provider.

Nevertheless, it is troublesome to again towards 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 go well with the way in which 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 effectively that week. We simply talked about Arsenal profitable the league, in case you took the important thing gamers Spurs misplaced away from Arsenal, or anyone else bar Man Metropolis, it could be a wrestle.

So, if Spurs can hold their gamers match, I feel they’ll spring a shock or two this season.

Which summer time signing do you assume can 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 might 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 aspect.

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

Is there another switch enterprise that has impressed you?

The price Man Metropolis acquired for Julian Alvarez. Wow, that was spectacular.

Participant to be careful for this season?

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

At first of the summer time, I assumed he’d be an awesome signing for Arsenal. He fits them all the way 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 hold him match, I feel it’s an unbelievable 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 acquired 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 can be wanting any additional down the checklist 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 sport repeatedly.

• Tips on how to watch free Premier League highlights | Join PL aim alerts
• Watch the Premier League and extra with NOW

Which workforce can 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 house’ with reference to Chelsea and Man Utd. For the time being, 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’ll do it on a constant foundation.

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

It will likely be attention-grabbing to see the place each golf equipment find yourself come Could. You by no means know what might occur with a quick begin.

Will the newly-promoted groups keep up this season?

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

Nevertheless, coming into the Premier League, they now should 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 towards a special calibre of opposition.

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

Vincent Kompany acquired the Bayern Munich job by taking part in in the appropriate manner nevertheless 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 not open the sport up each week. Typically it’s good to sit in and be disciplined.

The issue may be the truth that I count on a workforce 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 yr. That guidelines out a possible workforce to go down so it is going to be troublesome as a result of it is a ruthless league.

However begin effectively, 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 an absence of attempting or an absence of effort.

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

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