Paul Merson, writing his latest column for Sky Sports, argues that despite being only a few weeks into the campaign, three of the Premier League’s biggest clubs – Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Manchester United – already have matches that could define their seasons. Spurs have yet to register a win or even find the net after three league outings, and they travel to Goodison Park on Saturday night to face an Everton side that remains unbeaten.
The encounter will be shown live on Sky Sports’ Saturday Night Football and will be watched by a hopeful Tottenham crowd eager for a breakthrough. Merson likens the fixture to a cup final for the north London club, saying that a victory could provide the foundation for a more optimistic campaign, whereas a loss might signal another long‑term grind.
He points out that if Spurs manage to beat Everton, they will move onto four points from four games and enjoy a two‑match unbeaten run, giving the manager and supporters a platform to build on. Conversely, a defeat would leave them with a solitary point and raise serious concerns about their ability to string together multiple wins. He recalls last season’s decisive Spurs‑Everton clash on the final day, which, had they lost, would have consigned them to a relegation battle.
While he does not expect Tottenham to rack up five or six consecutive victories, he stresses that this particular game carries outsized importance for the club’s early momentum. Merson also notes that Tottenham’s opening fixtures – an away loss at Brentford, a home defeat to Newcastle and a loss at Nottingham Forest – have already set a low bar, making the Everton match a potential turning point. A win, he argues, could spark a snowball effect, giving Spurs confidence heading into next week’s home clash with Aston Villa, whereas a loss would likely see that momentum stall.
On Sunday, the focus shifts to the Manchester derby, where Michael Carrick’s United side, described as inconsistent, will take on a Manchester City team confronting its first major test since Pep Guardiola’s departure. Merson suggests that the derby is equally pivotal for United; a victory would lift them into the upper echelons of the table, while a defeat could see their season slip back into uncertainty. He observes that United have only collected a single point from their opening two games, including the draw with Everton, and that other clubs are already pulling ahead.
Merson remains skeptical about United’s transfer activity, claiming the squad lacks depth and defensive solidity. He cites the two goals they conceded against Everton – one from a tight angle outside the box – as evidence of a leaky back line. The former England midfielder advises that when a team is winning, they should reinforce the attack rather than retreat into a defensive shape.
He warns against the temptation to replace an attacking player with a defender, arguing that doing so invites pressure and gives opponents an opening to dominate. Merson contrasts this with the approach a smaller club like Coventry might take, where a defensive shift after taking the lead is sensible; for a heavyweight like United, he sees no justification for such a retreat. His concerns about United’s lack of cutting edge and defensive frailties explain why he did not rank them among his top five teams at the season’s start, a view that has not changed.
He adds that drawing games hurts United’s confidence and hampers their progress. Turning to City, Merson admits that their performances have not always been convincing, but he notes that a string of wins can mask underlying issues, which is worrisome for their rivals.
He highlights the impact of Erling Haaland’s goal‑scoring prowess and the clean sheet they kept against Coventry as positive signs. However, he emphasizes that City’s true test will come in the upcoming fixtures against Manchester United and Liverpool, as well as a match with Sunderland sandwiched between them. Success in these three games could keep City within striking distance of the title as the season progresses, while dropping points would open the door for Arsenal to pull away and for Chelsea to climb into third place, according to his projections. Merson concludes that these weekend fixtures are more than just regular league games; they are decisive moments that could set the trajectory for each club’s entire season.