Week 12 of the Premier League schedule should produce some fascinating clashes, not least Saturday’s showdown between Man United and Arsenal.
Events at Old Trafford will dominate the headlines on Saturday, but both Paul Merson and Mark Lawrenson are expecting the two sides to settle for a share of the spoils.
The Sky Sports pundit cited Arsene Wenger’s poor record against Jose Mourinho as a reason behind why he doesn’t believe his former club will return home with a win, while Lawrenson has questioned Mourinho’s tactics and believes he’ll play for the draw.
“His main aim will be to avoid losing, which is the Mourinho way,” he told BBC Sport. “I am not expecting to see a really attack-minded United side, put it that way.”
Elsewhere, both experts have gone for Chelsea and Liverpool wins, with the two in-form teams looking to continue their impressive runs against Middlesbrough and Southampton respectively.
Boro have held both Arsenal and Manchester City in recent weeks though so Chelsea will have to be on their game to make it six consecutive wins, while Southampton have proven to be a decent side.
However, Merson is convinced that without the concerns of European football to contend with next week, Liverpool will be able to go all out in this one and grab all three points.
“This should be a real, real good game,” he told Sky Sports. “For Liverpool, these are the times you’ve got to take advantage. Jurgen Klopp can play his best team, tell them to have a couple days off in the week, and that’s your advantage.”
Elsewhere, both men expect Spurs to prevail in their London derby with West Ham United on Saturday evening, while they’ve also both tipped Manchester City to see off Crystal Palace and Sunderland to win the battle at the bottom with Hull City.
West Bromwich Albion get the nod from the pair in their clash with Burnley, although they do differ when it comes to Leicester City’s trip to Watford and Stoke City hosting Bournemouth as seen below.
Paul Merson’s predictions:
Manchester United 1-1 Arsenal
Middlesbrough 0-2 Chelsea
West Bromwich Albion 3-2 Burnley
Sunderland 2-1 Hull City
Watford 1-1 Leicester City
Crystal Palace 1-3 Manchester City
Everton 3-0 Swansea City
Stoke City 3-1 Bournemouth
Southampton 1-3 Liverpool
Tottenham 2-0 West Ham
Mark Lawrenson predictions:
Manchester United 1-1 Arsenal
Middlesbrough 0-2 Chelsea
West Bromwich Albion 2-0 Burnley
Sunderland 2-0 Hull City
Watford 0-2 Leicester City
Crystal Palace 0-2 Manchester City
Everton 2-0 Swansea City
Stoke City 1-1 Bournemouth
Southampton 1-2 Liverpool
Tottenham 2-0 West Ham