Paul Merson predicts Arsenal vs Burnley, Chelsea vs Tottenham and other Premier League GW37 fixtures

That win for Manchester City against Crystal Palace puts a bit of pressure on Arsenal in the Premier League title race. If Arsenal drop points, the goal difference could hurt them in the end.

I can’t see Manchester City winning it from here though. I simply don’t believe Arsenal will drop points, and I don’t even think City can capitalise on it. if the Gunners slipped up.

On that note, let us dive straight into my predictions for the penultimate week of the 2025/26 Premier League season. Here’s what I expect in gameweek 37.

Aston Villa vs Liverpool

This is a massive football match. In terms of Champions League qualification, it doesn’t get any better than this game! I do think this is a very winnable game for Aston Villa.

It’s a bit of a catch-22 situation for Unai Emery’s team. They have the Europa League final coming up on Wednesday. Should they rest some players for the final? What if they lose to Liverpool after playing a weakened team and then face another defeat in the final? Then Villa are at serious risk of missing out on Champions League football, despite having two routes to get there.

I don’t think Liverpool have been playing well. So I’m backing Villa to get the win here, especially since they are at home.

Prediction: Aston Villa 2-1 Liverpool

Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest are safe from relegation now. If you consider where they were mid-season, I think they will be happy with the deep run in the Europa League and retaining their status in the Premier League.

However, Forest are a team that narrowly missed out on Champions League football last season. So clearly, there has been a drop-off when you look at it from that lens. I believe the fans will expect more from the team and Forest should try to kick on and not be involved in another relegation battle next season.

Manchester United were poor against Sunderland last weekend. That squad looked shallow and it just shows how many more signings they need to be able to compete in the Champions League.

I don’t think Manchester United even have an outside chance of pushing for the Premier League title next season. They will do well to qualify for the Champions League again and that’s about it. The challenge of playing in midweek could hurt them if they don’t recruit well enough.

Obviously, the million-dollar question is whether Michael Carrick should be given the managerial job on a permanent basis. I think he deserves it. But I also have another thought in my mind.

If Luis Enrique wins the Champions League again this season, he would have won that trophy twice and in back-to-back years. Ligue 1 is an absolute ‘give-me’ league as well. I wonder what else does he have to achieve at PSG then? If there is a possibility of him wanting to embrace a new challenge, Manchester United should be ready to pounce.

Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 Nottingham Forest

Brentford vs Crystal Palace

Nothing but a Brentford win here. Crystal Palace look like they are only waiting for the Europa Conference League final now. And rightfully so, they should look to win that trophy.

Brentford could play in Europe next season and they must win this game to keep them hopes alive. If Keith Andrews’ team win, they can maintain pressure on Brighton, who sit in the final European qualification spot.

I’m a huge admirer of the work done by Brentford this season. Even at the start of the season, I didn’t have them as favorites to go down. But to be in with a shout of qualifying for Europe at this stage, even after losing some top players, that is simply incredible!

Prediction: Brentford 2-0 Crystal Palace

Leeds United vs Brighton & Hove Albion

This is a difficult fixture for Brighton because it is Leeds’ last home game of the season. I can’t see Leeds capitulating at home in what has been a remarkable campaign. They will be up for the fight and can cause problems to Brighton.

Brighton may be seventh, but they still have a chance of being in the Champions League next season. If Aston Villa lose and Brighton win their respective last two matches in the Premier League, the Seagulls could finish above Villa, who are now fifth!

It’s a crazy scenario if Brighton qualify for Champions League from here but it’s not impossible. I’m expecting a draw here, there will be goals in this one.

Prediction: Leeds United 2-2 Brighton & Hove Albion

Wolves vs Fulham

Wolves have been embarrassing in recent weeks. Result after result, they haven’t been great at all! I don’t see them having any fight left in them.

If they want to return to the Premier League next year, they will have to retain their best players. I doubt that will happen this summer though. I fully expect some of their top performers to leave the club.

Wolves are still good enough to be around the playoff places in the Championship next season, but their promotion depends on who they retain.

A routine win for Fulham here.

Prediction: Wolves 0-2 Fulham

Everton vs Sunderland

Sunderland were good the other day against Manchester United. I thought they were the better team in that game. A win here would boost Sunderland’s chances of finishing above Newcastle this season. That will be massive for their fans.

But I just can’t see them beating Everton. I know Everton have fizzled out in recent weeks. They have no win in five games. I’m still going to back them because they are playing their final home game of the season.

Prediction: Everton 2-0 Sunderland

Newcastle United vs West Ham United

This is Newcastle’s last home game of the season and I expect them to beat West Ham. It’s not entirely bad news for West Ham because I can’t see Tottenham beating Chelsea. So West Ham are not out of the race to avoid the drop and it will go down to the last day of the season.

This is a nightmare game for West Ham. Even though Newcastle are down in 13th, the crowd at St James Park will be up for it.

Prediction: Newcastle United 2-0 West Ham United

Arsenal vs Burnley

This could be any score. It could be four-nil or three-nil. But until Arsenal score that second goal, there will always be the worry of them conceding. Even if Arsenal score in the first minute, it’s all about finding that second goal quickly. They need that at the earliest to put the game to bed.

If Arsenal can’t win the league from here on, they will never win it! Burnley are already relegated and Crystal Palace will be looking forward to their Europa Conference League final. So it’s the perfect time to be playing these two teams.

I believe this will be an easy win for Arsenal. I can’t see Burnley troubling them at all.

Prediction: Arsenal 3-0 Burnley

Bournemouth vs Manchester City

It all depends on what happens with the other games this weekend. If Aston Villa lose, Bournemouth will settle for a draw. If Villa and Brighton won, then I expect Bournemouth to have a real go and try and beat Manchester City. It is difficult to call at the moment. If Bournemouth go all out, this could be entertaining.

I don’t see anything but Arsenal winning the title from here. And I have a strange feeling that this game will be a draw. Bournemouth are a very underrated team and they play some good football.

Prediction: Bournemouth 1-1 Manchester City

Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur

I’m going for a Chelsea win because this is their cup final every season! A lot of Chelsea fans would rather win against Tottenham on Tuesday than beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final! Or I should say most Chelsea fans are in the middle of feeling this way, let us put it that way.

I say that because the last thing they need is Tottenham staying up in the Premier League with a result at Stamford Bridge. No Chelsea fan would want to witness that.

Roberto De Zerbi has certainly improved Spurs. They will be confident in this game, especially since Chelsea are involved in the FA Cup this weekend. Tottenham may only need a point here, if West Ham end up losing to Newcastle. But like I said earlier, I see this relegation battle going down to the last day of the season.

Chelsea win and a clean sheet. I don’t even know why I’m backing Chelsea to keep a clean sheet, but it is what it is!

Prediction: Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur