Paul Merson has made his prediction for the Premier League fixtures (Picture: Sky Sports)

Paul Merson has revealed his predictions for Arsenal’s clash with Crystal Palace and Everton’s trip to Chelsea in the Premier League this weekend.

With Manchester City playing in the FA Cup, Arsenal will move eight points clear of Pep Guardiola’s side if they beat Palace at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

That would represent a significant lead in the title race going into the international break and Merson cannot see the Gunners slipping up.

Mikel Arteta’s outfit were knocked out of the Europa League on Thursday night but have won five league games in a row ahead of the visit of Palace.

Crystal Palace, meanwhile, have only won one game since the World Cup break and sacked Gunners legend Patrick Vieira on Friday following their dismal run.

Making his prediction before Vieira’s sacking, Merson told Sportskeeda: ‘I’m going for an Arsenal win all day long – pick a scoreline!

‘I’ve always said this and I firmly believe it matters who plays first in terms of the title race. Manchester City are in the FA Cup, so if Arsenal manage to win this week, they can go eight points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

‘City will have games in hand, but Arsenal need to do whatever they can to put pressure on Pep Guardiola’s side as we enter the business end of the season.

‘People keep saying Arsenal have hard games between now and the end of the season, but I look at Manchester City’s run-in and it doesn’t look a whole lot easier.

‘Crystal Palace, on the other hand, are already in a relegation battle, but the good thing for them is that there’s too much traffic between them and the bottom three.

‘Patrick Vieira’s side have a good set of fixtures coming up after Arsenal – every team they are set to face over the next six games is currently below them in the standings, so their clash against the Gunners becomes a bit of a free hit.

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‘As for Arsenal’s standout performer this season, it’s between Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard, for me.

‘The Arsenal captain has led from the front and produced the goods consistently, while Saka has scored some big goals for Mikel Arteta.

‘I like players who show up in big games to score the opening goal or the winner and Saka has done exactly that this season.

‘Leandro Trossard is another player I’ve been really impressed by – what an unbelievable signing he’s turning out to be for £28 million!

‘He ticks many boxes and I think he’ll get into the Manchester City team tomorrow. Arsenal 3-0 Crystal Palace.’

Patrick Vieira has lost his job at Crystal Palace (Picture: AP)

Earlier in the weekend, Chelsea will look to continue their revival against an Everton side sitting just one point above the relegation zone.

The Blues endured a miserable run under Graham Potter but have won their last three games in all competitions to brighten the mood at Stamford Bridge.

Everton, meanwhile, clinched a much-needed victory against Brentford last time out, though Merson does not expect the Toffees’ success to continue in west London.

‘Everton got a fantastic win against Brentford but they have a bunch of hard games coming up, so they really needed to get three points against the Bees,’ Merson added.

‘Chelsea, on the other hand, are finally showing signs of clicking under Graham Potter after the Englishman decided to revert to a three-at-the-back formation.

‘Some of the football they played against Leicester was unreal. In the second half, they sliced through the Foxes like butter and carved them open, with Mateo Kovacic and Enzo Fernandez pulling the strings in the centre of the park.

‘I said it before and I’ll say it again – these guys are massive dangers in the Champions League as there’s just too much depth and quality in that squad despite how their league campaign has turned out so far.

‘Raheem Sterling no longer makes Chelsea’s best team anymore, as Mykhailo Mudryk, Joao Felix and Kai Havertz led the line to devastating effect against Leicester.

‘Sterling did get the winner against Borussia Dortmund, but Potter is finally showing signs of finding his best XI and if Chelsea continue to win games, will he change his team?

‘For now, if I were him, I wouldn’t change anything. Chelsea 3-0 Everton.’

MORE : Mikel Arteta responds to Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag’s dig at Arsenal

MORE : Graham Potter reacts to Chelsea drawing Real Madrid in Champions League

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Merse has revealed his predictions…