Clinton Morrison's Predictions: Arsenal's Title Nerves, Spurs' Relegation Fight & European Nights
There is absolutely no let-up in the football this week, and Clinton Morrison has plenty to say about all of it.
Ekitiké's devastating Achilles injury threatens to derail Liverpool's season further, Arsenal face their biggest game of the year at the Etihad on Sunday, Tottenham's relegation fears are growing by the day, and all three English clubs in Europe are dreaming of semi-finals.
Former Premier League striker and Sky Sports pundit Clinton Morrison sat down with the team to give his verdicts on everything.
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
HUGO EKITIKÉ — NINE MONTHS OUT WITH ACHILLES INJURY
You knew there was an issue when he got stretchered off. It's a huge blow; for Ekitiké himself, for France, and for Liverpool. Nine months means he'll miss the start of next season too. The Achilles is probably the worst injury you can get, worse than the cruciate in many ways because it's nine months minimum. Liverpool have had Isak out for a long time, he only just came back, and now they're going to lose their best striker this season for the best part of a year. You just wish him well, because it's not one you can rush. You have to take your time.
What does this mean for Liverpool's season?
It's just been a stop-start, disappointing campaign. I think everyone at Liverpool can't wait for it to be over so they can rebuild properly. Salah and Robertson are going, which frees up money, but they'll need to bring good players in. Their goal now has to be finishing in the top five and securing Champions League football, you need that to attract players. They're favourites to do it but Chelsea are chasing. The Merseyside Derby this weekend is massive.
MAN CITY VS ARSENAL — TITLE RACE REACHES ITS DEFINING MOMENT
Arsenal don't have to win this game, a draw works for them. So it's on City to come out and be positive. The thing is, City are playing brilliant football right now. Even against Chelsea they weren't at their best in the first half, then turned it up a gear in the second and were fantastic. Arsenal, meanwhile, are nervous. They've been in this position before and can't get over the line. They're playing with the handbrake on. I watched the Bournemouth game at the weekend and Iraola's gameplan was brilliant, that's the blueprint for playing Arsenal right now. Arteta has to take the handbrake off and let them play with freedom, because if they play like that against City, they'll lose and this title race will be as good as over.
Where will the game be decided?
There are loads of key battles. Arsenal need Saka, Rice and in particular Timber fit, those wide areas could be crucial with Doku on one side. Everyone talks about Haaland versus Gabriel and Saliba, but City also have Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Savinho and Nico O'Reilly, who has a goal in him and gets into dangerous positions. It's a fascinating game.
If City win, do they win the title?
Yes, I think so. City are a machine right now; relentless, well-managed, clinical. They've got tough games left but I just don't see who's going to stop them if they beat Arsenal on Sunday.
And what happens to Arteta if Arsenal finish without a trophy?
There'll be question marks, for sure. A month ago we were talking about a quadruple. If they end up with nothing, Arsenal fans won't be happy. I think the club will back him because of what they're building, but personally, if it was my money and we'd come this close without winning a single trophy, I'd have to seriously consider a change. That's just the football world we live in.
IRAOLA — THE MOST SOUGHT-AFTER MANAGER THIS SUMMER
He's done a brilliant job at Bournemouth. The performance against Arsenal at the weekend was outstanding and he's got the best out of some genuinely good players. There'll be a lot of clubs looking at him, I wouldn't even rule out Man United in the mix this summer. He's a fantastic manager and what he's done at Bournemouth is first class. Bournemouth will be very disappointed to lose him, but when a manager feels the time is right to move, you've seen it happen. He probably feels ready for that next step.
TOTTENHAM — HEADING FOR RELEGATION?
I'm starting to genuinely question whether they'll stay up. Leeds are now six points clear of them. All the other teams around them have momentum — Forest are getting points, West Ham are getting points — and Tottenham haven't won a game in 2026. Romero is out for the season. Kulusevski might not be back before the end of the season. Maddison's still not back. They need those creative players and they just aren't available. They look lackluster, no ideas, not creating anything. That's not a reflection on De Zerbi, he's only just come in. He's walking into a group that are low on confidence and suffering.
They've got two games coming up, Brighton at home and then Wolves. If they don't get anything from those two, they're going to get relegated.
Was the Igor Tudor appointment the real mistake?
Yes. I think De Zerbi probably left Marseille wanting a break and would have come in the summer. But bringing in Igor Tudor — whoever made that decision made a big mistake for that football club. There was no bounce when he came in. He played players out of position, never in their preferred roles. If Tottenham go down, Tudor's spell has to be looked at alongside everything else. And ultimately, Tottenham's recruitment of both players and managers has been nowhere near good enough — and the hierarchy has to look at itself about that.
Clinton Morrison's Predictions — At a Glance
| Match | Clinton's Prediction |
|---|---|
| EUROPEAN SECOND LEGS | |
| Nottingham Forest vs Porto | 1-1 (Forest win on penalties) |
| Aston Villa vs Bologna | Villa 2-1 |
| Crystal Palace vs Fiorentina | 1-1 (Palace through 4-1 on agg) |
| CHAMPIONSHIP | |
| Blackburn vs Coventry | Coventry 2-1 |
| Ipswich vs Middlesbrough | 1-1 |
| PREMIER LEAGUE | |
| Brentford vs Fulham | 2-2 |
| Leeds vs Wolves | Leeds 2-1 |
| Newcastle vs Bournemouth | Newcastle 3-2 |
| Tottenham vs Brighton | 1-1 |
| Chelsea vs Man United | Chelsea 2-1 |
| Aston Villa vs Sunderland | 1-1 |
| Everton vs Liverpool | 1-1 |
| Nottingham Forest vs Burnley | Forest 2-0 |
| Man City vs Arsenal | Man City 2-1 |
| Crystal Palace vs West Ham | 1-1 |
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