Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has surprisingly predicted that Newcastle will secure a massive 2-1 win over Chelsea in their final-day Premier League clash on Sunday.
The Magpies have little to play for apart from their final position in the table, and Rafa Benitez’s men would likely secure a brilliant top-half finish should they beat the Blues.
Chelsea on the other hand have to win to have any chance of securing a top-four spot, and will be hoping that Liverpool lose to Brighton for that to happen.
In his predictions for Sky Sports, Merson said: “It’s all about the FA Cup final now for Chelsea, isn’t it? They have to win, Liverpool have to lose but I don’t see it happening. Let’s be honest, they’ve messed it up. I just don’t think Chelsea will be at the races. I think they’ll be be more focused on the final.”
OPINION
It is surprising to see that Merson has written off Chelsea so emphatically here. The Blues may be in a precarious position and are unlikely to finish in the top four, but they will surely be well up for the challenge and do all they can to secure the win they need to capitalise on a potential Liverpool slip-up. The Magpies on the other hand have looked on the beach for weeks, although a much-improved display against Spurs last time out did restore some sense of pride. A loss on Sunday would make it five losses to end the season, which would be a bit of a disappointment for the club after such an incredible second half of the campaign. In the scheme of things it means very little, with safety secured weeks ago, but having the momentum of a win over the former champions would be a welcome boost. Following the game Newcastle must move quickly to resolve the future of manager Rafa Benitez, and then begin planning for what promises to be a busy summer ahead.
