Merson predicts Tottenham to consolidate second place this weekend.
Tottenham and Arsenal have been leapfrogging between second and third place over the past month, and it looks like the battle between the North London rivals could go to the wire once again this season.
Arsenal have never finished below Spurs during Arsene Wenger’s reign, but needed a big swing on the final day of last season to keep up that record.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
Tottenham are currently in second only on goal difference, but former Gunners ace Paul Merson expects them to be three points ahead of Arsenal by the end of this weekend.
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Merson told SkySports he expects Tottenham to beat Middlesbrough 3-0 this weekend, and Arsenal to suffer defeat to Chelsea.
He said: “Middlesbrough will set up to make things difficult for Tottenham but Mauricio Pochettino’s side need to win this game. It was a poor result against Sunderland but I expect them to bounce back.”
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino
Spurs drew 0-0 at bottom side Sunderland in midweek but this was enough to lift them above Arsenal on goal difference after the Gunners suffered a shock 2-1 loss at home to Watford.
Merson says that Chelsea will be too strong at Stamford Bridge for the Gunners, calling a 3-1 win for the league leaders.
He said: “I just can’t make a case for Arsenal here. Chelsea are running away with the league and I think they’ll claim a comprehensive victory.”
A loss would pretty much end Arsenal’s title challenge, and while Spurs fans should perhaps relish this, and the hope to go three points above their rivals, a win for Arsene Wenger’s side might not be a bad thing from Tottenham’s perspective, as it would haul mutual enemy Chelsea closer in to touching distance.
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