Clinton Morrison's Predictions, VAR Controversy, The Title Run In & Summer Transfers
The season is hurtling towards its climax and there is no shortage of talking points. Arsenal are on the brink of the title, Chelsea and Man City face a defining cup final, and the relegation battle could be heading to the final day.
Clinton Morrison joined us for his weekly verdicts, plus plenty on the summer transfer market, the World Cup squad picture, as well as arguably this week's most shocking story: 'Spygate'.
Here's what Clinton had to say, and don't forget to check out the best World Cup Free Bets & Betting Offers, courtesy of Free Bets.
IN FULL: Clinton Morrison's Predictions
WEST HAM VS ARSENAL, VAR GOT IT RIGHT, BUT THE BIGGER PROBLEM REMAINS
They got there in the end and it was the right call. Pablo Fornals does have his arms across David Raya close to his face, as much as West Ham fans and everyone who doesn't want Arsenal to win the league think it's a goal, it isn't. And I'm glad it took the time it did, because that decision could have decided the Premier League title and someone's relegation.
But there are bigger issues VAR and referees need to sort out for next season. Trossard isn't even looking at the ball when he's holding Fornals, for me, if you're not looking at the ball and you're pulling someone's shirt, that's a penalty. The inconsistency is the real frustration. One week it's given, the next week the exact same thing isn't. That needs to be sorted.
The title, would it be a huge shock if Arsenal threw it away now?
Yeah, it would be. But I've been around football long enough to know there are always twists and turns. I think the Palace game they'll win because Palace have the Conference League final three days later and Glasner won't be risking key players. Without that factor, Selhurst Park would have been a very tricky last game. It was the West Ham game that mattered. When Fernández went through I thought, if he scores there, the title race is wide open. But Raya made a brilliant save, and then Trossard scored with seven minutes to go. I watched it with my son and I said to him just after the Fernández chance, they're going to score. And they did. Arsenal have crossed the line.
DAVID RAYA, PLAYER OF THE SEASON CONTENDER
I could count on both hands the big saves he's made this season, Champions League, Premier League, saves that have kept Arsenal in games. He's been the best goalkeeper in the Premier League and that's probably why they'll win the Premier League. The West Ham save was outstanding. If Arsenal win the title, he has to be in that conversation. But me personally, if I had to pick one, I'd still go Declan Rice.
RELEGATION BATTLE, ADVANTAGE SPURS, BUT IT'S GOING TO THE FINAL DAY
Just about advantage Spurs. But if Tottenham had won against Leeds it would have been four points and nearly impossible for West Ham to come back. Now West Ham go to Newcastle, must win, then Leeds at home. Spurshav Chelsea away, and the hostility between those two clubs? Chelsea would love to be the ones to send Tottenham down. It's not going to be easy.
The positive for Tottenham is James Maddison getting back on the pitch, they've missed him all season. But Tottenham's home record hasn't been great, so West Ham will take heart from that. This is going to the final day regardless.
BRUNO FERNANDES, FOOTBALL WRITERS' PLAYER OF THE YEAR
He's been outstanding, the catalyst for United getting into the Champions League, the assists record he's chasing has been brilliant. He deserves to be in the conversation. But me personally, I'd have gone Declan Rice if Arsenal win the title. And it's worth noting United haven't had European football this season, one game a week, more rest, fresher every weekend. A lot of the other top players have had Champions League on top of everything else. That does come into it.
RASHFORD AT BARCELONA, A NO BRAINER
I'd want to stay at Barcelona. The Marcus Rashford I'm seeing at the moment is playing with a smile on his face, full of confidence, delivering at a massive club where the fans have taken to him. On that left side for England right now, he's probably the starter because Gordon hasn't been playing at Newcastle. For Barcelona it's a no brainer to sign him, this is the Rashford we want to see. His time at United had to end and I think both parties have moved on.
XABI ALONSO TO CHELSEA, AND THE SUMMER MANAGERIAL MERRY GO ROUND
Xabi Alonso is a very, very good manager and he would turn Chelsea into a top team. But I think he has his heart set on Liverpool. The question is, how long do you stay out of work waiting? If Liverpool stick with Arne Slot and he starts next season well, that door might not open. A job like Chelsea comes along and it's hard to turn it down.
My crystal ball picks, Iraola to Chelsea, Marco Silva to Crystal Palace. That's my hope.
SPYGATE, SOUTHAMPTON HAVE LEFT A NASTY TASTE
I don't get it. Why are you spying on training for a two legged tie? You've already played Middlesbrough twice this season. And their best player, Hackney, was injured anyway, what are you gaining? Instead of talking about what Eckart Dundee has done at Southampton, and it's been brilliant, we're talking about Spygate. That's not good. It doesn't sit well with me at all.
Kim Hellberg handled it with total class. He said if his team lost, fair play to the better team. He deserved better than this.
TUCHEL'S WORLD CUP SELECTIONS, THE BIGGEST CALLS
Full backs are a huge one. Centre backs, Guéhi and Konsa, and if Stones is fit he goes, then it's between Maguire and Dan Burn. Midfield, Anderson and Rice for sure, then does he take Mainoo, Wharton, Garner? I don't think he'll take all three. Gibbs White's injury may have cost him his place on the plane.
And then in attack, Foden, Palmer, Ezé, Bowen, Madueke, Rogers, Bellingham. You're probably picking three from four or five of those. Think about that. Either Foden or Palmer could miss a World Cup. That's crazy to say. But that's the competition for places right now. Ollie Watkins is scoring goals again, you'd expect him on the plane as Kane's backup. And Tuchel picks based on what you've done for him previously, so the players performing right now will have given themselves a real chance.
FA CUP FINAL, MAN CITY TO EDGE IT
If Chelsea play like they have been recently, they'll get battered. But they did turn up in the semi final and I think this'll be a decent game of football. If Rodri is back fit, I think the game could be won and lost in midfield. And Doku, if Reece James isn't fit and Gusto plays at right back again, nobody can live with Doku right now. Chelsea fancy themselves against anyone, but against City's attackers with a defence that's been leaking goals? City will be too strong.
Prediction: Man City 2-1 Chelsea
Clinton Morrison's Predictions, At a Glance
| Match | Clinton's Prediction |
|---|---|
| PREMIER LEAGUE | |
| Crystal Palace vs Man City (Wed, game in hand) | Man City 3-1 Crystal Palace |
| Aston Villa vs Liverpool (Fri) | Aston Villa 1-1 Liverpool |
| Man United vs Nottingham Forest (Sun) | Man United 2-0 Forest |
| Brentford vs Crystal Palace (Sun) | Brentford 2-1 Palace |
| Everton vs Sunderland (Sun) | Everton 2-2 Sunderland |
| Leeds vs Brighton (Sun) | Leeds 1-1 Brighton |
| Wolves vs Fulham (Sun) | Wolves 0-2 Fulham |
| Newcastle vs West Ham (Sun) | Newcastle 1-1 West Ham |
| Arsenal vs Burnley (Mon) | Arsenal 3-0 Burnley |
| Bournemouth vs Man City (Tue) | Bournemouth 1-2 Man City |
| Chelsea vs Tottenham (Tue) | Chelsea 1-1 Spurs |
| FA CUP FINAL | |
| Man City vs Chelsea (Sat) | Man City 2-1 Chelsea |
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