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

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, probably even successful it. They positively 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 prime 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. That they had two gamers despatched off that day however they misplaced so many to damage as effectively that week. We simply talked about Arsenal successful the league, for those who 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 maintain their gamers match, I feel they’ll 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 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 facet.

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

Is there every other switch enterprise that has impressed you?

The price 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.

In the beginning 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 would have taken the load off Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.

So, that deal shocked me. If Chelsea can maintain 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 need to 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 certainly nonetheless out.

Who would be the prime goalscorer within the Premier League?

Nobody can be wanting any additional down the record 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 usually.

Which staff can be this season’s underachiever?

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

I feel it’s positively ‘watch this area’ with reference 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’ll do it on a constant foundation.

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

It will likely 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 means final season. The fashion 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 enjoying in opposition to a special calibre of opposition.

Final season, take 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 enjoying it out from the again. Nevertheless, they stored doing it and so they ended up being relegated.

Vincent Kompany obtained the Bayern Munich job by enjoying in the fitting means but it surely 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 it is advisable sit in and be disciplined.

The issue is likely to be the truth that I anticipate a staff like Everton to be extra aggressive this season. They had been preventing relegation final season however I do not anticipate that to be the case this 12 months. That guidelines out a possible staff to go down so will probably 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 a scarcity of making an attempt or a scarcity 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 will be attention-grabbing, that is for positive. Let’s give it a go and see the place we get to!