Paul Merson has now predicted which team will come out on top in their upcoming encounter: Manchester City or Tottenham Hotspur.
In April, Gary Neville had urged Arsenal and Liverpool to take the title race down to the wire to ensure City had to beat Spurs.
Mikel Arteta’s side ended up beating Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford, which means how Pep Guardiola’s men fare against Tottenham could decide the title.
Paul Merson now shares who will win: Man City or Tottenham
If Ange Postecoglou’s side restrict the Sky Blues to a draw, goal difference will come into the title race.
As things stand, City’s goal difference is +58 while Arsenal’s is +61.
With the treble-winners set to face West Ham United on the final day of the season while the Gunners will face Everton, Arteta’s side have a much easier game and that too at the Emirates Stadium.
A defeat for City against Spurs makes Arsenal firm favourites to win the league title.
However, Paul Merson is confident that Manchester City will beat Tottenham on Tuesday.
Merson said on Sky Sports: “Arsenal are probably going to finish second. If you’re relying on Tottenham to win a football match or draw a football match, yeah…no!”
Dave Jones said: “Don’t go upsetting them [Tottenham fans] at this point. I thought you were trying to play the mind games, trying to lull City into a false sense of security.”
Merson joked: “Yeah, I’m sure every Tottenham fan’s going to think, ‘Paul Merson says get behind!’
“If they win now, I’ll have a Tottenham tattoo.”
Initially, Paul Merson felt that it was Fulham and not Tottenham who could cause Manchester City problems in the title run-in.
But City’s £77.6 million man, Josko Gvardiol led them to victory with a brilliant brace, as Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez also chipped in with goals in their 4-0 win against the Cottagers.
Man City rarely ever lose title deciders
In our view, one important reason why Paul Merson could be proven right is because of how decisive Manchester City are historically in title deciders and could be against Tottenham as well.
Whether it was in City’s 4-1 win against Arsenal last season, their 1-0 win against Manchester United in the 2011/2012 season or their 2-1 victory against Liverpool in the 2018/2019 campaign, the Sky Blues have a history of stepping up in such games.
With history on the line as well as Manchester City would be hoping to win their fourth league title in a row, Spurs could find it difficult to do Arsenal a favour on the night.