Paul Merson’s Boxing Day predictions including Arsenal and Chelsea fixtures

Boxing Day football is right around the corner and Paul Merson has predicted the outcome of all six Premier League fixtures, including Norwich City vs Arsenal and Aston Villa vs Chelsea

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Arsenal’s 2021 in review

Paul Merson is backing both Arsenal and Chelsea to continue the festive cheer on Boxing Day by winning their Premier League games.

With three fixtures in the top flight and many more in the Football League postponed due to Covid-19 outbreaks, there will be just the six helpings of action from the big boys on Sunday.

Liverpool’s lunchtime clash with Leeds United, Wolverhampton Wanderers’ match against Watford and Everton’s trip to Burnley have all been called off as the Omicron variant rampages through the UK, but there should still be plenty of entertainment.

Manchester City and Leicester City will face off at 3pm, the same time as when Arsenal travel to Norwich City, hoping to prolong their stellar winter form.

Join the debate! How do you think the Boxing Day fixtures will go? Comment your predictions below.

Merson is backing Mikel Arteta’s men to do just that by predicting a comfortable 3-0 win for his former club.

“Arsenal have been playing very well this month – they’re bright all over the pitch,” he told Sportskeeda.

“They’re flat-track bullies at the moment, and I have no problem with that. Arsenal have been better than a lot of the other teams in the Premier League, but they have struggled against the big three.

“They’re a bag of rebels – you don’t know what you’re going to get.

“[Eddie] Nketiah laid down a marker in the Carabao Cup, but I don’t think Arteta’s going to tamper with a winning formula this week.

“[Alexandre] Lacazette, [Gabriel] Martinelli and [Buakayo] Saka have been impressive for Arsenal and will lead the line against Norwich.

“Arsenal have been winning as a result of their desire, and if they can overcome their inconsistency, a top-four finish is within reach.

“Norwich have been causing a few problems recently but Arsenal should be able to blow them away with ease.”

After in-form Tottenham Hotspur host Crystal Palace and West Ham United welcome Southampton, Chelsea will look to get back to winning ways in the Premier League, before Brighton & Hove Albion meet Brentford on the south coast.

But the Blues visit Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa for Sunday’s tea time kick-off, who have not played since December 14 and were in formidable form under their new boss.

Both teams have endured Covid-19 outbreaks but only one must go for broke in this one, according to Merson.

“Chelsea have got to win now. Draws are no good,” the ex-Villa maestro affirmed.

“If they draw and City win, Chelsea will be eight points behind. That means Manchester City will need to lose thrice without Chelsea dropping points.

“Attack, attack, attack. That has to be Chelsea’s only approach this weekend.”

Star striker Romelu Lukaku has returned to action in recent weeks but is yet to score in league play since facing Villa over three months ago, and Merson believes his performances are cause for concern.

“There have been certain games where you’d think Lukaku was surely needed, but he’s gone off the board,” stated the player-turned-pundit.

“He hasn’t scored in several Premier League games, and these are worrying signs for Chelsea.

“Aston Villa have been brilliant under Steven Gerrard and they’ve improved defensively.

“Chelsea have firepower in their ranks, however, and there are no two ways about it – they need this victory.”

Paul Merson’s Premier League Boxing Day predictions

• Manchester City 3-0 Leicester City
• Norwich City 0-3 Arsenal
• West Ham United 2-0 Southampton
• Tottenham Hotspur 2-2 Crystal Palace
• Aston Villa 1-3 Chelsea
• Brighton & Hove Albion 1-1 Brentford