Clinton Morrison's Predictions: De Zerbi at Spurs, FA Cup Quarter-Finals & Champions League
It's a huge weekend of football and there's plenty to talk about.
Roberto De Zerbi was confirmed as Tottenham's new manager yesterday, the FA Cup quarter-finals are upon us, England had two pretty uninspiring friendlies, and the Champions League quarter-final draw is a thing of absolute beauty.
Former Premier League striker and Sky Sports pundit Clinton Morrison sat down with the team to give his verdicts on all of it.
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
DE ZERBI TO SPURS — IS IT A GOOD APPOINTMENT?
It's a good appointment. I think he's a really good manager to be fair. Did I think he'd take the job now? Maybe not. I think he probably wanted it in the summer. But where Tottenham are at this moment in time, they need a manager with Premier League experience and De Zerbi had that going in straight away. He's a no-nonsense manager but he can't go in there and just be no-nonsense, he's got to take time and get Tottenham out of trouble first.
I was surprised they managed to get him, but yeah, I think it's a good appointment. In the long term it could be a really good appointment. And the no relegation clause, that was very interesting. But I think he believes in himself that he's good enough to keep Tottenham in the Premier League. That's why he didn't need it. He's ambitious, the hierarchy have backed him, and you just wish him well.
Will it be enough to keep them up?
If I had to say one team going down right now, it would probably be Tottenham. And that's not a knock, that's just the way it is until I see some kind of bounce from De Zerbi and the players. West Ham's next game is Wolves at home, you expect them to win, and by the time Tottenham play Sunderland on the Sunday they could be in the bottom three. When you're in the bottom three, it's hard to get out. But I do think the players are good enough to survive — and Leeds are on a slippery slope at the moment too, so it's really interesting.
FA CUP QUARTER-FINALS
Man City vs Liverpool (Saturday, 12:45pm)
There's massive pressure on Arne Slot here because this is the only chance Liverpool have of bringing silverware through the door this season. But I actually think the bigger priority for Liverpool right now is getting into the Champions League, that's more important than the FA Cup. If you're not in the Champions League, you lose players.
That said, they still need to get through Man City, who are in brilliant form. You saw what they did to Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final. Pep will want another trophy and they'll go for this. The way Liverpool are playing at the moment, I wouldn't make them favourites. In a one-off game they can beat anyone, but I just feel they're a bit vulnerable at the back. I'm going Man City.
Prediction: Man City 2–1 Liverpool
Chelsea vs Port Vale (Saturday, 5:15pm)
Chelsea will have too much, especially at home. It's a massive game for Liam Rosenior, they've lost a couple before this and the pressure on him is growing. Chelsea need silverware and this is their best route to it. I could see them winning this comfortably. And let's not be disrespectful to Port Vale, if it was at their ground it might be a different game, but being at Stamford Bridge, I can only see one winner.
Prediction: Chelsea 4–0 Port Vale
Southampton vs Arsenal (Saturday, 8pm)
This could be a banana skin. Southampton have been in really good form and they're fighting to get into the Premier League playoff positions as well, so they've got motivation coming from all angles. I think Arsenal will still be too strong, but I don't think it'll be a walkover. It'll be a difficult game.
Prediction: Southampton 1–3 Arsenal
West Ham vs Leeds (Sunday, 4:30pm)
I'm actually at this one doing the radio, so I'll see it first-hand. It's going to be hostile, two teams down near the bottom, fighting for their lives, and probably neither needed this game in their calendar. But if you get to the semi-final, you've got a chance, so why not go all guns blazing? It could be a real confidence boost for whoever wins going into the final run-in. Just because of home advantage, I'll go West Ham.
Prediction: West Ham 2–1 Leeds
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUARTER-FINALS — FIRST LEGS
Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich (Tuesday, 8pm)
This is a fascinating tie. Real Madrid, everyone thought Man City would roll over them and look how that turned out. They come into their own at the Bernabéu. They've got Bellingham back, Mbappé's back fit, they're a different animal at home. Harry Kane has a slight injury which is a concern for Bayern, because they're going to need him. But I'd have backed Bayern coming into this based on their form. It's tight. First leg at the Bernabéu, I'll go Real Madrid to nick it.
Prediction: Real Madrid 2–1 Bayern Munich
Sporting CP vs Arsenal (Tuesday, 8pm)
Arsenal will be too strong for Sporting in the long run, but the first leg in Lisbon will be tricky. Sporting are always good at home and they play really attacking football, these games have never been easy. I think it'll be tight. I'll go for a draw in the first leg, then back Arsenal to be too strong at the Emirates in the second.
Prediction: Sporting CP 1–1 Arsenal
Barcelona vs Atlético Madrid (Wednesday, 8pm)
Atlético need to stay in this in the first leg — if they can do that, they'll give themselves a chance. But the quality Barcelona have going forward at the Camp Nou is frightening. Yamal, Raphinha, Lewandowski, Pedri — they can cause Atlético real problems. But Atlético have their own weapons; Julián Álvarez, Griezmann, Lookman — they play a high line and they can score. I think it could be a high-scoring game.
Prediction: Barcelona 3–1 Atlético Madrid
PSG vs Liverpool (Wednesday, 8pm)
Liverpool have a genuine chance of winning the Champions League, they can beat anyone over two legs. But the key is the first leg in Paris. Look at what happened to Chelsea, they were in it until a stupid mistake and then it fell apart. 5–2, damage done. Liverpool need to keep it tight in Paris, stay within touching distance, and then Anfield on a European night is a completely different beast. PSG's front three and midfield are outstanding, but they can be exposed defensively too if you've got pace up front. Hugo Ekitiké could be a real threat. I'll go PSG in the first leg, but it's far from over.
Prediction: PSG 2–1 Liverpool
WHO WINS THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE?
Bayern Munich. From what I've seen this season, going forward and in midfield they're outstanding. Yes, there are still question marks at the back, but their attacking options are the best in the competition. They've got the hardest side of the draw, but if they go on and win it they'll have fully deserved it because they'll have beaten some top teams to do it. You can never sleep on Real Madrid or PSG in these latter stages, but if I'm sticking my neck out, Bayern Munich are my favourites.
Clinton Morrison's Predictions — At a Glance
| Match | Clinton's Prediction |
|---|---|
| FA CUP QUARTER-FINALS | |
| Man City vs Liverpool | Man City 2–1 |
| Chelsea vs Port Vale | Chelsea 4–0 |
| Southampton vs Arsenal | Arsenal 3–1 |
| West Ham vs Leeds | West Ham 2–1 |
| CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUARTER-FINALS (First Legs) | |
| Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich | Real Madrid 2–1 |
| Sporting CP vs Arsenal | Draw 1–1 |
| Barcelona vs Atlético Madrid | Barcelona 3–1 |
| PSG vs Liverpool | PSG 2–1 |
| Champions League Winner | Bayern Munich |
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