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

Everton vs Watford

Watford v Liverpool - Premier League
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


Southampton vs Burnley

Southampton v Leeds United - Premier League
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


Brighton vs Manchester City

Manchester City v Southampton - Premier League
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


West Ham United vs Tottenham Hotspur

Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League
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


Brentford vs Leicester City

Leicester City v Manchester United - Premier League
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


Manchester United vs Liverpool

Manchester United v Liverpool FC - Premier League
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.

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