Clinton Morrison's Predictions: Chelsea's Crisis, The Title Race & FA Cup Semi-Finals
There is a lot going on this week and Clinton Morrison has thoughts on all of it.
Chelsea got battered by Brighton, leaving Liam Rosenior's future hanging in the balance. Arsenal's title hopes are still alive after a valiant defeat at the Etihad. Coventry are champions. And this weekend brings FA Cup semi-finals, a relegation six-pointer and one of the most loaded game weeks of the season.
Former Premier League striker and Sky Sports pundit Clinton Morrison sat down with the team for his weekly verdicts.
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
CHELSEA'S CRISIS — HOW LONG HAS ROSENIOR GOT?
You look at all the managers since this hierarchy came in and they've all struggled — and they've all been decent managers. I thought Enzo Maresca was a good manager, so I was surprised when he left. Liam is a good manager. But going to Brighton and getting battered doesn't help when you're trying to prove you're the right man. The scoreline could have been worse. Brighton were outstanding.
And it doesn't help that you're without Palmer, Enzo Fernández, Reece James and João Pedro, four of your best players. I think some Chelsea players think they're better than they are and some are probably fortunate to be playing for a club like Chelsea. The pressure will mount on Liam. It looks like Champions League football is gone, the gap is too big now.
His post-match comments — was he right to be that critical publicly?
In my era a manager would say in the dressing room exactly what he'd say to the press. I don't mind that. But in this day and age, players are bigger than clubs. You have to do it the right way, because being very public with your criticism can come back on you, the players start saying they're not happy, and then you're fighting a battle on two fronts. He was right to say something, but it's a fine line.
Is the FA Cup Chelsea's only route to success?
I don't think winning the FA Cup alone would be enough. Chelsea want Champions League football, that's what the owners want, what the players want. They're not going to have it next season. I can't even think about the final yet because they've still got to beat Leeds, and Leeds are in great form. But yeah, all Liam can do is try and win it. Would it be enough for the hierarchy and the fans? I'm not quite sure.
FA CUP SEMI-FINALS
Man City vs Southampton
Southampton have pace in the wide areas that can cause City problems, but I just think the way City are playing right now they'll be too strong. Southampton have been brilliant to get this far. They need to try and get in behind City's defence — the fullbacks love to get forward and that's where the vulnerability is. But I think Pep manages his minutes well and still has enough to get through. Prediction: Man City 3-1 Southampton.
Chelsea vs Leeds
Leeds are in brilliant form and I don't think they're looking over their shoulder anymore. I said it many times with Palace — people wrote them off against Villa and City and they went and won the trophy. Leeds fans are full of confidence, especially after watching Chelsea's performances over the last few weeks. I think this will be tight. Prediction: 1-1 after 90 minutes — Chelsea win on penalties.
HAS ARSENAL BOTTLED THE TITLE?
No, I wouldn't say that. I still think there are twists and turns to come. City still have Everton away and Bournemouth away — those are two really tough games. If they come through both, then I think City will probably win it. But what I saw from Arsenal at the Etihad — they took the handbrake off, they played attacking football, they were really unlucky not to get something.
The next two games for Arsenal are pivotal, Newcastle at home and Fulham at home. If they win both, they put the pressure back on City. It's going to go right down to the wire.
If pushed, City or Arsenal?
Yeah, I'd say City. But I'm not ruling Arsenal out. Everton away is a really tough place to go and City could still drop points. We've seen it before. Rodri went off the other day and he's so important to them — you hope it's nothing serious.
Gabriel's headbutt on Haaland — should he have been sent off?
That's a sending off any day of the week and I don't understand why VAR didn't intervene. But the battle between Gabriel and Haaland all afternoon? That was magnificent. That's what I grew up watching, two top players going at it toe-to-toe. And credit to Haaland, most players today would have fallen down holding their face. He stood up and fronted it. Gabriel got away with one, but the battle itself was a throwback. That's what football should look like.
TOTTENHAM — MUST WIN AGAINST WOLVES
If they don't win this, they're as good as relegated. That's how big this game is. But I am seeing positive signs under De Zerbi, the Brighton performance showed that. The problem is De Zerbi should have come in straight after Thomas Frank. No Igor Tudor — straight to De Zerbi. They wouldn't be in this position.
But this is the perfect time to play Wolves. Wolves are really struggling, they've probably got one eye on the Championship next season. I think Spurs have enough to get the three points.
And don't rule out the Chelsea game doing them a favour too. Chelsea are in terrible form. Tottenham haven't beaten Chelsea in years, but if they play like they can — and if Chelsea play like they have been — Tottenham will beat them. That game might just keep them up.
Prediction: Tottenham 2-1 Wolves.
NEWCASTLE — WHAT'S GONE WRONG?
That's such a difficult one because they've got good players who just haven't stepped up. I tipped them for the top five this season. Eddie Howe's been fantastic — I don't want to see him lose his job. But five games left, every one is a cup final for them. The fans are slowly starting to lose patience.
I think there'll be big changes in the summer. Gordon could go, Trippier's leaving, Danilo might move on. I don't think Bruno Guimarães will go — he wants to stay — but if the right money comes in and he wants Champions League football, it's hard to turn down. He's been their best player this season.
COVENTRY — CHAMPIONS OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP
Frank Lampard has been outstanding. When he walks in a building, if players can't raise their game for a Premier League legend, something's wrong. He got them to the semi-finals in his first season, let the players come back from that disappointment, sorted it themselves, added a few players, including that loan from Palace, and they went from strength to strength.
I have to give a special mention to Mark Robins. He laid the foundations. From where that club was to where he took them is outstanding. But yeah, credit to Frank, he's done a brilliant job and he's a good guy. You want to see good people succeed.
How will they do in the Premier League?
They need four or five additions with Premier League experience. Don't go over the top, spend wisely, like Sunderland have done this season. Frank won't spend ridiculously. He believes in his players and that group is good enough as a base.
Clinton Morrison's Predictions — At a Glance
| Match | Clinton's Prediction |
|---|---|
| TONIGHT | |
| Burnley vs Man City | Man City 3-0 |
| Bournemouth vs Leeds | Bournemouth 2-1 |
| PREMIER LEAGUE | |
| Sunderland vs Forest (Fri) | 2-2 |
| Fulham vs Aston Villa | 1-1 |
| Liverpool vs Crystal Palace | Liverpool 2-1 |
| West Ham vs Everton | Everton 2-1 |
| Wolves vs Tottenham | Tottenham 2-1 |
| Arsenal vs Newcastle | Arsenal 2-1 |
| Man United vs Brentford (Mon) | Man United 3-2 |
| FA CUP SEMI-FINALS | |
| Man City vs Southampton | Man City 3-1 |
| Chelsea vs Leeds | Chelsea win on penalties |
| CHAMPIONSHIP | |
| Southampton vs Ipswich (Tue) | 2-2 |
| CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI-FINALS (First Legs) | |
| PSG vs Bayern Munich (Tue) | PSG 2-1 |
| Atlético Madrid vs Arsenal (Wed) | Atlético 2-1 |
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