Paul Merson makes bizarre statement as he predicts who will win on Saturday - Aston Villa or Newcastle United
The Premier League is back this weekend, which means so are Paul Merson's score predictions and bizarre takes that often have nothing to do with the actual game.
Each week, we dive into the mind of Paul Merson as he makes his score predictions, and we sit back in awe as he goes off on Donald Trumpian tangents before offering up his score prediction.
It's a new season, but nothing has changed as the former Aston Villa striker has made his prediction for Saturday's Villa Park clash involving Newcastle United..
Newcastle face a tough ask going to Villa Park, there's no doubt about that, while predicting the first game of the season is never easy, so let's see how Merse has gone with this one.
Paul Merson thinks it will be a tough start to the season for Newcastle
Paul Merson has predicted an opening day defeat for Newcastle in his column for Sportskeeda, but it's his opening gambit that has us most puzzled.
"This is a big football match. These two clubs were tipped to fight for a top-five place but haven't been able to strengthen their squad in the transfer window. Newcastle, especially, have had a nightmare window considering they won the EFL Cup and qualified for Champions League.
"You can only feel sorry for Newcastle with what has happened over the last few weeks. Big players like Alexander Isak call the shots in football these days. They will always want to play with the best players in the world. So the ball is firmly in his court. If Newcastle freeze him out of the first team, he can still leave in January. Isak isn't the first person to do this, so I don't blame him! He could have left as a hero, if he had been more patient though. That almost seems impossible now. His image is tarnished and it will be a sour feeling whenever he leaves.
"I'd be shocked if Newcastle don't get rid of Isak before the summer transfer deadline. He won't care if he has to sit there and do nothing for the next six months because he will still attract interest from top clubs in January. So it's best to sell him now in my opinion.
"Newcastle set the bar really high last season and I expect it to be really tough for them this time around. I don't think they are the same team without Isak and I expect Villa to beat them in his absence.
"Prediction: Aston Villa 2-0 Newcastle United"
Paul Merson needs to tone down his hyperbole
Our summer transfer window hasn't gone the way we'd hoped. I don't think anyone would argue with that statement, but to suggest we 'haven't been able to strengthen' is lunacy. Anthony Elanga, Malick Thiaw and Aaron Ramsdale have all come in with Jacob Murphy due any minute.
Each one of those is an upgrade on someone in or someone who has just left the squad. We still haven't got a striker in, and that is a huge cause for concern, but that doesn't mean we haven't improved.
As for his score prediction ... well, like we say, it's hard to predict the first game, but with no wins in pre-season and a big black cloud hanging over the club, we wouldn't be too shocked if we get this season off to a bad start.
