Paul Merson has once again ruled out Manchester City’s ability to maintain their title charge, predicting they will drop points in a challenging away fixture against Everton.
The ex-Arsenal midfielder, who made more than 300 appearances during his time in north London and lifted multiple domestic trophies, has built a reputation in recent years for outspoken and often controversial predictions.
This season has been no different, with Merson frequently tipping City to falter in crucial matches.
As the Premier League title race intensifies, his latest prediction centres on City’s trip to Merseyside, where he believes the Sky Blues could be held to a 1-1 draw.
Writing in his weekly column on Sportskeeda, Merson suggested the encounter would end level, backing Everton to frustrate Pep Guardiola’s side.
City under pressure in title run-in
Merson believes the psychological aspect of the title race could play a decisive role in the outcome of the match. With Arsenal still pushing strongly at the summit, he argues that the pressure on City may begin to show.
He explained: “The pressure will be on Manchester City here. If Arsenal don’t win against Fulham, I would back City to win two-nil or even three-nil in this game.
“But I think Arsenal will win and that could force City to slip up in their chase. Everton have a lot of footballers who can hurt City.”
Everton’s recent performances, despite not always producing positive results, have impressed the former midfielder.
He pointed to their narrow defeats as evidence of a side capable of competing at a high level.
“I thought they were very unlucky to lose against Liverpool and West Ham in the last two games. Not long ago, I remember them slaughtering Chelsea at this stadium!” he added.
For Merson, the fixture represents more than just another game—it is a potential turning point. He emphasised the difficulty of the challenge awaiting City, particularly given the context of the title race.
“This is a difficult game for City. If Arsenal lose to Fulham, City can afford to draw one of their upcoming games and still win the league,” Merson continued.
“But I just think it won’t get to that stage, I’m predicting the title race to be over this weekend with a Manchester City draw at Everton.”
His comments underline a recurring theme in his analysis this season: a belief that City, despite their quality, are vulnerable when the stakes are highest.
Whether that assessment proves accurate remains to be seen, but it adds further intrigue to an already compelling title battle.
Arsenal’s opportunity to seize control
While casting doubt on City, Merson expressed confidence in his former club’s ability to capitalise.
Arsenal’s home fixture against Fulham, he argues, could prove decisive in shaping the direction of the title race.
“This is a huge football match. Fulham’s win against Aston Villa keeps them busy in the race for European qualification.
“If Villa finish fifth and win the Europa League, the sixth-placed team will qualify for the Champions League. Even though Fulham are 10th in the table, they are just two points off sixth place,” he said.
The stakes, according to Merson, extend beyond the title race itself. Fulham’s own ambitions add another layer of complexity to the contest, making it far from straightforward for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Nevertheless, Merson believes Arsenal have the edge and could take a significant step towards the title with a victory.
“If Arsenal win this game, they win the league! Three points to Mikel Arteta’s team in this one and Manchester City will have to pull up trees to win the title from here on.”
He also highlighted the scheduling factor, noting that City still face difficult away fixtures in the coming weeks.
“City still have to go to Everton and Bournemouth, which are two tricky away fixtures. Arsenal getting points on the board before those games will be an advantage for sure.”
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Despite City’s attacking strength, Merson questioned their overall performance levels in recent matches, suggesting there are vulnerabilities opponents could exploit.
“I watched City against Burnley and I thought they weren’t that great either. I expect them to score goals in games, but they could concede chances and a team like Everton or Bournemouth might hurt them!”
His analysis extended to Arsenal’s broader outlook, particularly with European commitments also demanding attention.
He urged the team to remain fully focused on domestic matters before turning to continental competition.
“Arsenal must forget about the second leg against Atletico Madrid and get the job done against Fulham.
“If they lose to Fulham, then they will definitely lose to Atletico on Tuesday. And hence, it could be all over for them in the next few days. Arsenal must get the win.”
