Overview

• Liverpool lead the Premier League by five points, with the weekend bringing trips to Crystal Palace for Liverpool and Newcastle United for Arsenal.
• Speaking via Sportskeeda and in his Sky Sports column, Paul Merson said a Liverpool win at Selhurst Park combined with an Arsenal defeat at St James’ Park would leave the race over for Arsenal.
• Merson previously argued Arsenal would win the league if they took four points from matches against Manchester City and Newcastle, a stance he reversed after the draw with City.
• Football365 criticized the new prediction as panicked and unreliable, highlighting the abrupt U-turn and the early stage of the season.
• Coverage notes the fixtures are not foregone conclusions, with Palace presented as a genuine test and Merson himself forecasting a tight game that could see Liverpool held.