Paul Merson's predictions for Manchester United vs Liverpool and other Premier League GW 9 fixtures

Manchester United vs Liverpool is the standout fixture of the Premier League weekend

We're at that stage of the Premier League season where games are getting harder to call. There are mini-leagues within the top-flight now and some teams are already up against it, with Norwich City yet to win a game in eight attempts since their promotion.

I know it's still early doors and my prediction will change pretty much every week, but I still think Manchester City are favorites for the Premier League title. I like Chelsea's attitude under Thomas Tuchel and the way Liverpool attack, but City's squad just looks far too strong even if they have a handful of injury concerns.

While there are a few interesting games to look out for, Liverpool's trip to Old Trafford to take on arch-rivals Manchester United promises to be an intriguing contest. Which of the two Premier League giants will come out on top? Right now, it's anyone's best guess.

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Arsenal vs Aston Villa

Brighton & Hove Albion v Arsenal - Premier League

Arsenal have done alright in the Premier League so far. People said it was a bad result the other day against Crystal Palace, but I think this is the kind of game they lost a couple of years ago. In recent weeks, they've kept sticking at it and need to win this one badly, as otherwise, it'll quickly become three games without a win in the Premier League.

Aston Villa, on the other hand, had a nightmare result against Wolves. They were 2-0 up with 10 minutes left on the clock but somehow squandered their advantage, as they made a series of wrong substitutions. It'll be a tough game, but I expect Arsenal to just edge this one.

Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa

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Chelsea vs Norwich City

Chelsea FC v Zenit St. Petersburg: Group H - UEFA Champions League

What score do you want? This game is a foregone conclusion, in my opinion. Chelsea will be without Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner, but they'll still have miles too much for the Premier League's bottom dwellers Norwich City, so I think the home side will win 3-0.

Thomas Tuchel might opt to play Kai Havertz upfront - I can't think of anyone else who could play in that position. Suddenly, you look at Chelsea and think they are a little bit short in attack, but this is a good game for Havertz to make his opportunity count. He isn't an out-and-out center-forward, but this is an easy game for Chelsea so it won't matter.

Prediction: Chelsea 3-0 Norwich City

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Crystal Palace vs Newcastle United

Arsenal v Crystal Palace - Premier League

I like the way Crystal Palace are playing under Patrick Vieira, he's got them playing on the front foot. They've been incredibly unlucky with a few last-gasp equalizers, but overall, I think they've performed well in the Premier League after a slow start.

Despite the positive news about Newcastle United's takeover, you have to admit that they are in major trouble. They could be in a relegation battle and their fixture list doesn't look too kind, so these are worrying times for them. Steve Bruce is gone and they are yet to announce his replacement, so I fancy Palace to take advantage of the situation and secure three points in this one.

Prediction: Crystal Palace 2-1 Newcastle United

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Leeds United vs Wolves

Aston Villa v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Premier League

Wolves staged a great comeback against Aston Villa last weekend in the Premier League. They were never in the game for 80 minutes or so, but they came back to win the derby 3-2 with three quick-fire goals.

Leeds United, on the other hand, disappointed me against Southampton and didn't even have a shot on target. This is a big game for both teams, but I just get the feeling that Leeds will nick this one. They are a different team at home and will look to win their second Premier League game of the season after comfortably beating Watford earlier this month.

Prediction: Leeds United 2-1 Southampton

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Everton vs Watford

Watford v Liverpool - Premier League

Watford are struggling really badly and I must admit I have no idea where Claudio Ranieri's appointment came from. I know he is a Premier League winner with Leicester City, but that was a few years ago. They were taught a lesson by Liverpool in Ranieri's first game in charge and I expect them to lose again this weekend.

Everton are coming on the back of a bad result at home against West Ham United, but I expect them to record an efficient victory at home.

Prediction: Everton 2-0 Watford

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Southampton vs Burnley

Southampton v Leeds United - Premier League

I always say Burnley will be alright, but they haven't won enough games so far in the Premier League. Credit to Southampton for the way they played against Leeds last weekend, it was a top performance from them without James Ward-Prowse. I expect this one to be a tight and cagey game, but Southampton should make their home advantage count to win it.

They've struggled to put the ball in the back of the net, but you don't need to score loads of goals to win a game of football - one goal might just be enough.

Prediction: Southampton 1-0 Burnley

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Brighton vs Manchester City

Manchester City v Southampton - Premier League

Brighton are a good team and I've said this before, but Manchester City look absolutely relentless. I think the home side will cause problems, but City's goalscoring power will be too much for Graham Potter and co to handle.

Prediction: Brighton 1-3 Manchester City

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West Ham United vs Tottenham Hotspur

Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League

This is a big game and I'm predicting West Ham to win at home. In my opinion, they are a better team than Tottenham Hotspur because they are more consistent and dig in more in the bigger games. If David Moyes manages to keep everyone fit over the course of the season, West Ham will finish above Spurs.

Spurs got a good result against Newcastle United in their previous Premier League encounter, but I still feel like West Ham can grind this one out, while on the other hand, I can't see Spurs doing that consistently throughout the season.

I like both Michail Antonio and Harry Kane, but if I had to pick one, I'd go for the latter. He's scored just once in the Premier League this season, but he's produced the goods consistently in the past 6-7 years and is one of the best center-forwards in world football right now.

Prediction: West Ham United 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur

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Brentford vs Leicester City

Leicester City v Manchester United - Premier League

They keep on surprising me, eh, Brentford? Against Chelsea, they were outstanding after the 60-minute mark and gave the European Champions a run for their money. If it wasn't for Edouard Mendy, they could have had at least a point on the night!

Leicester City, on the other hand, looked their best against Manchester United, so this one could be a cracker of a game. I'm predicting both sides to have a go and share the spoils in an entertaining 2-2 draw.

Prediction: Brentford 2-2 Leicester City

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Manchester United vs Liverpool

Manchester United v Liverpool FC - Premier League

This is the biggest game of the Premier League weekend and I've seen a lot of people say Liverpool are going to absolutely slaughter Manchester United. I don't buy into that narrative and I'll tell you exactly why. As Jamie Carragher said earlier, almost every player in the Manchester United starting XI cost nearly £50 million and they are undoubtedly the biggest club in world football, in my opinion.

They are playing at home against their arch-rivals with a team like this and no one gives them a chance? That is an absolute joke. It wouldn't happen anywhere else in the world, so you've got to ask yourself some serious questions. I know Manchester United and they just seem to do it when it needs to be done - we've seen it many times under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

It'll be a tough game for both sides and if there's one thing Manchester United don't want, it's to lose to Liverpool at home. If they play like they did against Atalanta in the second half, I give them every chance of getting a positive result. This is a tough game for both sides and usually, Premier League encounters between these two teams fizzle out and pretty much nothing happens.I hope that isn't the case this time around. The atmosphere at Old Trafford will be electric and the fans will be right behind the players, but I'm predicting a 1-1 draw.

This is a big game so Mohamed Salah definitely deserves a mention - the figures he's putting up as a winger are beyond a joke. I don't think there is a better player than him in world football at the moment, because his numbers are absolutely flabbergasting.

Jadon Sancho is a £70m signing. At the moment, if he's worth that much, then Salah is worth around £200 million! I can't talk highly enough of the bloke - he scores 20 in a bad season and some of the goals he's scored in the past two weeks have been PlayStation goals! He is a phenomenal player and could well end up making the difference against Manchester United.