Pundits Deliver Verdict on Crucial London Premier League Fixtures
The Premier League's London clubs return to action this Saturday, 27th December 2025, following a Christmas break that saw the traditional Boxing Day fixtures delayed by 24 hours. The spotlight falls on a pivotal top-four clash at Stamford Bridge, while the capital's other giants face tests of their own as the title race and European battles intensify.
Arsenal Aim to Cement Top Spot Against Brighton
Paul Merson believes Arsenal will navigate their injury concerns to secure a comfortable victory at home to Brighton. He argues that the Gunners' performances this season show they are well-equipped for a challenging fixture run. Merson makes a bold claim, stating that if Mikel Arteta's side beat Brighton and then Aston Villa next Tuesday, they will have effectively sealed the Premier League title. His prediction is a resounding 3-0 win for Arsenal.
Meanwhile, Chris Sutton disagrees with suggestions that Arsenal are currently wobbling, pointing to their recent 1-0 win at Everton as a typical battle against a David Moyes team. His only gripe is fantasy football-related, wishing Bukayo Saka took penalties instead of Viktor Gyokeres. Sutton acknowledges Brighton's unpredictability but still expects a home win, forecasting a 2-0 scoreline for the league leaders.
Chelsea Host Villa in Title Race Six-Pointer
The weekend's standout fixture sees Chelsea welcome high-flying Aston Villa to west London. Paul Merson frames it as a duel between two England hopefuls: Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer. He notes that Rogers has surged ahead of Palmer in the international pecking order, with Palmer scoring fewer league goals in 2025 than Emile Smith Rowe.
While Merson believes Villa rely too heavily on Rogers' individual brilliance, he predicts a 2-2 draw, admitting a gut feeling leans towards a Chelsea win if forced to choose. Chris Sutton, however, is baffled by recent criticism of Villa, who are on a remarkable run of 10 consecutive wins. He respects them as genuine title contenders but backs his former club Chelsea to end that streak, praising the resilience shown by Enzo Maresca's side. Sutton predicts a 2-1 victory for Chelsea.
Struggling Tottenham Face Out-of-Form Palace
At Selhurst Park, two out-of-sorts London sides meet as Tottenham take on Crystal Palace. Paul Merson suggests Palace look tired after a Carabao Cup loss to Arsenal and a packed schedule. He was also unimpressed by Spurs' display against Liverpool and cannot see them winning this match.
Merson questions whether this is a 'do-or-die' game for Spurs boss Thomas Frank, hinting at deeper problems at the club. He believes the potential signing of a player like Semenyo could buy Frank time. His prediction is a 1-1 draw.
Chris Sutton echoes concerns about Palace's stretched squad due to fixture congestion. This leads him to think Tottenham might get a result, which Frank desperately needs after a poor run. However, Sutton lacks confidence in either side securing three points, ultimately forecasting a goalless 0-0 draw.
