Clinton Morrison's Predictions: Harry Maguire, Arsenal's Title Race & This Weekend's Big Games
It's been a busy week in football and Clinton Morrison has plenty to say about it.
Harry Maguire has signed a new contract at Manchester United, Aaron Ramsey has announced his retirement, Southampton are flying and Arsenal's nerves are starting to show, and that's before we even get to the weekend fixtures!
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
HARRY MAGUIRE'S NEW CONTRACT
It's been outstanding, to be fair to Harry Maguire. He's been ridiculed, had the captain's armband taken from him, never spoke out, just got on with his football, and he's reaping the rewards now. To get another year with an option is good for him. He had to take a pay cut, but he's still playing for a club like Manchester United. If you can stay at the highest level for as long as possible, it's a great deal for both parties.
Would you take him to the World Cup?
He'd definitely be in my reckoning. I'm not saying he'll be a starter, but for his experience and what he's done for Manchester United this season, I'd take Harry Maguire to the World Cup. His experience alone, and from set pieces he's a real threat, as you saw when he came on against Japan. First and foremost, he's playing well too.
AARON RAMSEY RETIRES
He's had a very good career. Probably been stop-start because of injuries, but he's played for some top clubs and was always a super talented individual. The injuries are the thing you think of most when you think of Aaron Ramsey. But he scored some big goals for club and country and had genuine quality. He'd be that kind of number 8 or 10 in this day and age, gets on the ball, makes things happen, scores spectacular goals. You don't play for the clubs he played for unless you're a good player. I wish him all the best.
SOUTHAMPTON KNOCKING ARSENAL OUT OF THE FA CUP
You've got to give credit to Southampton, they were outstanding. They're flying at the moment and are probably the favourites to win the playoffs if they keep this form up. As for Arsenal, that team should have been good enough to beat Southampton. There are question marks over them right now, but you've got to give Southampton full credit. It wasn't long ago everyone was talking about Arsenal and the quadruple. Now people are panicking. But I still think they'll win the Premier League.
ARSENAL'S 1-0 WIN AT SPORTING
The win last night helped them. Getting a result breeds confidence back into the squad. But watching the game, David Raya kept them in it, if it wasn't for him, they'd probably have lost. Then Kai Havertz scores the winner, which is a good moment for him after his injury. I fancy Arsenal in the second leg, even though Sporting Lisbon created a lot of chances. But the big game for me is Saturday's 12:30 kickoff against Bournemouth, because Arsenal cannot afford to slip up. Man City are ready to pounce.
Is David Raya their most important player right now?
Recently, I'd probably say yes. He's been outstanding all season, gets Arsenal big points in big games. Gabriel is important, Declan Rice is important, but right now, I'd give it to Raya. He's had to make crucial saves at the biggest moments. If Arsenal win the Premier League, he will have had a massive say in it.
REAL MADRID 2–1 BAYERN MUNICH (CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QF FIRST LEG)
It was a brilliant game of football, the one I chose to watch. Even though Manuel Neuer was outstanding, towards the end Bayern could have killed the game off. And Real Madrid missed loads of chances when it was 2-0. But you've got top goalkeepers, Neuer kept Real Madrid at bay and then Trent Alexander-Arnold's ball for the goal was pure quality. Positive sign for England too. Jude Bellingham came on and started running the show, he looked fit, sharp, exactly what you want to see.
I still make Bayern Munich slight favourites because they're at home for the second leg, but you can never sleep on Real Madrid.
Michael Olise was exceptional...
He was doing that at Palace. The thing is he was injured quite a bit there, so we weren't seeing it consistently. But he's gone to Bayern, he's playing with better players, and his game has gone to another level. Give him the ball and he can go either way. His body shape, always turning, always trying to take his full-back on, always looking for that incisive pass. He's a top player. Unbelievable. Name me two better right-sided wingers right now than him and Yamal. You can't. Olise last night against Real Madrid was outstanding.
CHELSEA AND LIAM ROSENIOR
Not really buying him time, because you're expected to beat Port Vale. And obviously everything going on with Enzo Fernández off the pitch isn't helping the football club either. The next two games, Man City and Manchester United, are massive for him.
Has he handled the Enzo Fernández situation well?
It's a difficult one. I understand a club needs to make a stance, no player is bigger than the club. But he's one of your best players. Me personally, I'd have had the conversation with him privately first, address it, and if he keeps doing it, then you make a stance. I'd probably have still had him in the squad because if things go wrong with him out, people say he shouldn't have been left out. Marc Cucurella coming out publicly as well doesn't help, but when you're not in good form, you want your best players on the pitch. It's a really difficult one to handle.
THIS WEEKEND'S PREDICTIONS
West Ham vs Wolves (Friday, Championship)
West Ham need this badly, it's a must-win. But Wolves have been in decent form under Rob Edwards and they've got plenty to play for. I think West Ham have enough going forward.
Prediction: West Ham 2–1 Wolves.
Arsenal vs Bournemouth (Saturday, 12:30pm)
Bournemouth will cause them problems. I think there'll be goals. But this is a massive game for Arsenal and in front of their home fans, I think they'll win it.
Prediction: Arsenal 3–2 Bournemouth.
Brentford vs Everton (Saturday, 3pm)
Massive game for both in the hunt for Europe. Brentford have been outstanding this season, Keith Andrews has done a brilliant job. But Everton are in good form right now.
Prediction Everton 2–1 Brentford.
Burnley vs Brighton (Saturday, 3pm)
Brighton have got the attacking players and when they get it right they're too strong. Burnley look doomed.
Prediction: Brighton 3–1 Burnley.
Liverpool vs Fulham (Saturday, 5:30pm)
Fulham are a good team and they're in good form, but at Anfield Liverpool need those three points to stay in the Champions League places.
Prediction: Liverpool 2–1 Fulham.
Coventry vs Sheffield Wednesday (Saturday, 12:30pm, Championship)
My old team Coventry will be too strong. I think they could seal promotion here in front of their own fans. It could easily be a 3 or 4-0.
Prediction: Coventry 3–0 Sheffield Wednesday.
Norwich vs Ipswich (Saturday, 12:30pm, Championship)
It's a derby, Norwich are in great form, and Ipswich have games in hand but this won't be easy. I think Norwich can hold them.
Prediction: Norwich 1–1 Ipswich.
QPR vs Bristol City (Saturday, 12:30pm, Championship)
Roy Hodgson's gone in there and got two positive results. QPR are inconsistent at home. I think Bristol City nick this.
Prediction: Bristol City 2–1 QPR.
Crystal Palace vs Newcastle (Sunday, 2:00pm)
Depends a lot on how Thursday night goes in the Conference League. Palace want to finish in the top half and still have an outside chance of Europe. Newcastle need a result badly. At Selhurst it's a difficult place.
Prediction: Crystal Palce 1–1 Newcastle.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa (Sunday, 2:00pm)
Such a hard one to call. Villa will have played Thursday, both teams want top five. I'd go a draw here too.
Prediction: Forest 1–1 Villa.
Tottenham vs Sunderland (Sunday, 2:00pm)
De Zerbi's first game in charge, and they could start it in the bottom three. But they're going to a Sunderland side who've been outstanding all season. I can only see one winner.
Prediction: Sunderland 2–1 Tottenham
Chelsea vs Man City (Sunday, 4:30pm)
City look sharp right now and they've got no midweek games from here to the end of the season. Pep can play his strongest team every week. I think City are too strong.
Prediction: Chelsea 1-3 Man City
Clinton Morrison's Predictions — At a Glance
| Match | Clinton's Prediction |
|---|---|
| PREMIER LEAGUE | |
| Arsenal vs Bournemouth | Arsenal 3–2 |
| Brentford vs Everton | Everton 2–1 |
| Burnley vs Brighton | Brighton 3–1 |
| Liverpool vs Fulham | Liverpool 2–1 |
| Crystal Palace vs Newcastle | 1–1 |
| Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa | 1–1 |
| Tottenham vs Sunderland | Sunderland 2–1 |
| Chelsea vs Man City | Man City 3–1 |
| CHAMPIONSHIP | |
| West Brom vs Millwall | 1–1 |
| Coventry vs Sheffield Wednesday | Coventry 3–0 |
| Norwich vs Ipswich | 1–1 |
| QPR vs Bristol City | Bristol City 2–1 |
| EUROPEAN FIXTURES | |
| Crystal Palace vs Fiorentina (Conference League) | Palace 2–0 |
| Nottingham Forest vs Porto (Europa League) | Porto 2–1 |
| Bologna vs Aston Villa (Europa League) | Villa 2–1 |
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