Former Arsenal midfielder and TV pundit Paul Merson has offered his scoreline prediction for Tottenham Hotspur’s Premier League showdown with Manchester City, expecting an open, attack-minded contest with goals at both ends when Pep Guardiola’s team travels to north London.
Spurs head into the fixture under mounting pressure after a tough run of league results that has left them sitting 14th. While performances have shown promise, points have been hard to come by, making this match a key chance to spark a turnaround. A strong result against the champions could lift confidence and help Thomas Frank’s side close the gap in a tightly packed table.
City, meanwhile, are firmly focused on the title race. With Arsenal close by, any slip-up could prove costly, adding extra edge to an already high-stakes encounter.
Merson’s Verdict on Tottenham vs Man City
Writing for Sportskeeda, Merson forecast a lively, competitive and high-scoring game. Despite his Arsenal ties, he surprisingly leaned towards Tottenham, highlighting Spurs’ impressive recent record against City. He pointed out that Tottenham often raise their level in big games, regardless of their league position.
Merson also questioned City’s recent dominance, suggesting they have not been as ruthless as expected. He compared their performances against Wolves and Galatasaray, noting a pattern of strong starts followed by a drop-off that allows opponents back into games—something he feels Spurs could take advantage of.
A key battle, in Merson’s view, will be between Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven and City’s Erling Haaland. While Haaland has found the net recently, Merson noted his finishing hasn’t been as sharp as usual. Still, he warned that the striker can rediscover his rhythm quickly and score in bursts, meaning Spurs must stay alert.
Beyond Haaland, Merson praised City’s attacking depth, singling out Antoine Semenyo for his fast adaptation and tipping him to start alongside Haaland. He believes the final attacking role will go to either Omar Marmoush or Rayan Cherki, with Cherki’s creativity potentially key to unlocking Spurs’ defence.
Given the title context—where Arsenal could be seven points clear by kickoff—Merson acknowledged the pressure on City to win. Even so, he ultimately predicted a 2-2 draw, a result that would see Arsenal extend their advantage to six points.
Why Spurs Can Still Get Something
Although Tottenham have taken only three points from their last five league games, they have consistently troubled City in recent seasons. Their earlier win at the Etihad this campaign underlines their ability to deliver on the big stage.
With home support, the desire to climb the table, and a mental edge over City, Spurs will feel confident they can avoid defeat. If they stay disciplined defensively and make the most of their chances going forward, a positive result remains well within reach.
