Paul Merson forecasts a high-scoring 4-goal showdown between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City.
Former Arsenal midfielder and seasoned pundit Paul Merson has shared his detailed score prediction ahead of Tottenham Hotspur’s Premier League clash with Manchester City, anticipating an entertaining game full of attacking play and goals at both ends when Pep Guardiola’s side visits north London.
Tottenham enter the match under pressure, seeking to improve their league position after a difficult run of results that has left them 14th in the table. The team has struggled to turn performances into points, making this weekend’s game a crucial opportunity to shift momentum. A positive result against the reigning champions could boost confidence and help Thomas Frank’s squad close the gap on the teams above them, with the league standings still tightly packed.
Manchester City, however, remain focused on their title push. Locked in a fierce race with Arsenal, any dropped points could have serious consequences, adding extra intensity to the fixture.
Paul Merson’s Tottenham vs Manchester City Prediction
In his Sportskeeda column, Merson predicted an open, competitive, and high-scoring encounter. Despite being an Arsenal supporter, he expressed unexpected backing for Spurs, noting their strong record against City in recent seasons. According to him, Tottenham often rise to the occasion in big matches, regardless of league form.
Merson also critiqued City’s recent performances, suggesting they have not been as dominant as their reputation implies. He drew parallels between their matches against Wolves and Galatasaray, pointing out that City often start strongly but fail to fully capitalize, allowing opponents to grow in confidence later on—a vulnerability he believes Tottenham could exploit.
One key matchup highlighted by Merson is Tottenham centre-back Micky van de Ven versus City striker Erling Haaland. While Haaland has scored recently, Merson noted his recent miss rate is unusually high. Nevertheless, he believes Haaland could quickly return to form, potentially scoring multiple goals in quick succession, which would demand caution from all opposing defenses.
Beyond Haaland, Merson highlighted City’s attacking options, praising Antoine Semenyo for quickly settling into the squad and predicting he would start alongside Haaland. He suggested the third attacking spot would likely be filled by either Omar Marmoush or Rayan Cherki, with Cherki offering the creativity needed to turn City’s dominance into clear chances.
Considering the title race, Merson noted that Arsenal could be seven points ahead by kickoff, making this game crucial for City. While he sees a must-win scenario for Guardiola’s side, he ultimately predicts a 2-2 draw, which would allow Arsenal to extend their lead to six points.
Why Tottenham Could Still Earn a Result
Despite inconsistent league form—just three points from their last five matches—Tottenham have historically been tough opponents for City, capable of disrupting their rhythm and exploiting counter-attacks. Spurs already defeated City earlier this season at the Etihad, proving they can perform in high-profile games.
With home advantage, motivation to climb the table, and a psychological edge over City, Tottenham will believe they can secure at least a draw. Staying defensively solid while seizing attacking opportunities could make a positive result very possible.