Paul Merson has tipped Arsenal to win comfortably against Everton when the two sides meet at Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon.

The former Arsenal midfielder gave his weekend predictions on Sky Sports and is tipping the Gunners to win 3-1. Merson believes Everton manager Ronald Koeman could lose his job if the Toffees come unstuck, noting that Leicester City sacked Craig Shakespeare following a poor start to the season.

Arsenal are currently sixth in the Premier League table with 13 points from eight games this season. The Gunners are five points and nine places better off than Everton ahead of Sunday’s meeting, and Merson can’t see anything other than a win for the visitors – even with Arsene Wenger’s side managing just a point from four away games in the league.

“This could be a must-win game for Ronald Koeman on Sunday. You look at Craig Shakespeare’s sacking, and Leicester were always tipped to finish mid-table. Everton were a shoe-in for seventh, at least, and Koeman is under severe pressure. They could be in the bottom three after this,” Merson said.

“I’m going for Arsenal. I know they were beaten at Watford, but Everton are not a team who are going to kick you off the pitch. Arsenal will be more comfortable playing against them. Koeman bought a lot of the same in the summer, and lost Romelu Lukaku. I don’t think it was money well spent.”

Arsenal have greatly struggled on the road in the league, suffering three defeats to Stoke City, Liverpool and Watford, while drawing with Chelsea. Wenger’s men have scored just one goal on their travels too, conceding seven, but Everton are in worst shape.

The Blues have lost two of their last three home games in the Premier League, to Tottenham Hotspur and Burnley, while scoring just five goals from their eight games this season. Arsenal have a good head-to-head record against Everton, boasting four wins from their last five games, and the woeful form of the hosts is likely to give Arsenal the advantage, I feel.