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 looking forward to 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 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…

Who will win the Premier League title?

I can not see previous Manchester Metropolis.

If Arsenal do usher in 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 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 swimsuit the way in which Spurs play beneath 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 harm as properly that week. We simply talked about Arsenal successful 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 battle.

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

Which summer season signing do you suppose may have essentially the most impression?

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 menace in behind, that may assist stretch the sport for Postecoglou’s aspect.

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

Is there another switch enterprise that has impressed you?

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

Participant to be careful for this season?

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

At first of the summer season, I assumed he’d be an excellent signing for Arsenal. He fits them all the way 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 hold him match, I believe it’s an unimaginable 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 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 shall be trying any additional down the checklist 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 sport repeatedly.

Which staff shall be this season’s underachiever?

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

I believe it’s undoubtedly ‘watch this house’ 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 unsure they will do it on a constant foundation.

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

Will probably be fascinating 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 approach final season. The fashion of soccer from Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton was excellent 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 best way they performed final season labored a deal with however they had been enjoying 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 aim and never carry on enjoying it out from the again. Nevertheless, they stored doing it they usually ended up being relegated.

Vincent Kompany obtained the Bayern Munich job by enjoying 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 not open the sport up each week. Generally you have to sit in and be disciplined.

The issue is perhaps the truth that I count on a staff 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 staff to go down so it is going to 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 an absence of attempting or an absence of effort.

I attempt to not look that far ahead. That is not how I have 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 will be fascinating, that is for positive. Let’s give it a go and see the place we get to!