Paul Merson has predicted that Newcastle United will be able to overcome Cardiff City this weekend in a very tight affair.
The Magpies come into this Premier League clash having won their FA Cup third round replay against Blackburn 4-2 on Tuesday, but they sit amongst the relegation spots in 18th place – the Bluebirds meanwhile, sit one point above them in 17th place.
The Sky Sports pundit believes that United will secure a narrow 1-0 victory over Neil Warnock’s side on Saturday, and added that this clash is the most important one coming up.
“This is the biggest game of the weekend. This is huge. A cup final. I watched Cardiff against Huddersfield and they got battered – it was just that Huddersfield wouldn’t have scored in a month of Sundays. Cardiff wouldn’t have either, by the way,” he said in his Sky Sports predictions.
“Rafa Benitez couldn’t have done what Neil Warnock has done at Cardiff though. No chance. Warnock is pulling up trees. He’s an unbelievable manager.
“I’m leaning just towards Newcastle here, who have got superior players to Cardiff. That will be the difference. Imagine if Newcastle lose? There’d be uproar. They simply can’t lose this game. And won’t.”
OPINION
Merson is right – this game will be like a Cup final to both teams, especially as they are both threatened with relegation this season and there is only one point separating them both. However, it is easy to agree with Merson in his prediction, as Newcastle do have more superior players than Cardiff do. No one has particularly stood out for the newly-promoted side so far, but United have talent in the shape of Salomon Rondon. He is one player who can prove to be the difference between the two sides on Saturday, especially as Cardiff have one of the worst goal scoring records in the league. Warnock has done a great job there, just as Merson pointed out – but Newcastle definitely have the slight edge in this one. This will no doubt be an entertaining fixture to watch, especially as there is a lot at stake – and it is one game that Benitez’ side just cannot afford to lose.
