In his most recent column for Sky Sports, former England midfielder Paul Merson argues that three of the Premier League’s biggest clubs – Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Manchester United – each have a make‑or‑break fixture on the horizon, even though the campaign is still in its infancy. Tottenham are staring at a must‑win encounter with Everton on Saturday night, a match that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports as part of the network’s Saturday Night Football slot. The Spurs have yet to register a victory or even a goal after three opening league games, and the outcome against an unbeaten Everton side could prove decisive for the trajectory of their season.
On Sunday, the focus shifts north to the Manchester derby, where Michael Carrick’s United side – still searching for consistency – will travel to face a Manchester City team that is already confronting its first major challenge since Pep Guardiola’s departure. The result will have a direct bearing on both clubs’ early‑season momentum. Below, Merson shares his candid thoughts on these two high‑stakes fixtures.
**Tottenham must triumph over Everton** Merson likens the Spurs‑Everton game to a cup final for the north London club. "I would go as far as to say this is their season on the line," he writes. A loss, he warns, would likely plunge Tottenham back into a familiar pattern of grinding through a long, uneventful campaign, prompting fans to worry that the club is once again stuck in a perpetual cycle of underachievement. Conversely, a victory would not only hand the Spurs two points but also break a winless streak, putting them on four points after four matches.
That modest cushion could serve as a platform to build confidence and momentum. While not as momentous as the final‑day showdown with Liverpool last season – where a defeat would have consigned Spurs to relegation – the Everton game still carries significant weight. "I just don’t see this team stringing together five or six wins in a row at the moment," Merson admits, underscoring the importance of securing three points now. He outlines Tottenham’s opening fixtures: an away loss to Brentford, a home defeat by Newcastle, and a loss on the road to Nottingham Forest.
If they fail to beat Everton and remain on a single point after four games, anxiety among the fanbase would be justified. However, a win could spark a snowball effect: it would boost morale heading into next week’s home clash with Aston Villa, a match that, in Merson’s view, becomes far more attainable after a positive result against Everton.
Merson stresses the psychological side of football: "When you win, you expect to win the next one. If you don’t, confidence evaporates." The implication is clear – the Spurs need to seize this moment to avoid a spiral.
**Manchester United’s derby dilemma** The Red Devils also have a pivotal game on Sunday, with their season hanging in the balance depending on the outcome of the derby. A win over City would feel like a launch‑pad, while a defeat would send United back to the drawing board, leaving them with just one point from two games and watching rivals pull ahead. Merson has been vocal all season about United’s transfer strategy, suggesting the club has not invested adequately. "The squad simply isn’t big enough," he says, adding that the defensive unit is especially lacking.
He points to United’s recent 2‑0 loss to Everton – where one goal came from a tight angle outside the box – as evidence of a porous back line that often leaves the ball at the opponent’s feet. He offers tactical advice: when a team is leading, managers should consider adding an extra forward rather than pulling back a striker for a defender. This, he argues, forces the opposition to adjust and can preserve the advantage.
United, however, have tended to invite pressure by retreating defensively, a strategy Merson deems unsuitable for a club of United’s stature. He draws a contrast with smaller teams like Coventry, which might reasonably shore up their defence after taking the lead, but says United should not feel compelled to do the same. Merson’s skepticism extends to United’s league position.
He admits he never placed them in his top‑five predictions at the season’s start, and his opinion has not changed. Drawing games, he notes, is damaging for a club that aspires to challenge for titles.
**Manchester City’s early test** Turning to the Citizens, Merson concedes that City have not been spectacular, yet he acknowledges that a series of wins, even if not entirely convincing, can be unsettling for opponents. He highlights Erling Haaland’s continued goal‑scoring form and a recent clean sheet against Coventry as positive signs.
The real test for City, according to Merson, lies in the upcoming fixtures against United and Liverpool, as well as a match with Sunderland in between. Success in those games could keep them within striking distance of the league summit as the season progresses. Failure to secure at least two points from the United and Liverpool encounters could open the door for Arsenal to pull ahead, with Chelsea projected to settle around third place, already trailing Arsenal by a considerable margin. In summary, Merson’s column paints a picture of three clubs standing at crossroads early in the campaign.
Tottenham must win to avoid a season of endless grinding, Manchester United needs a derby victory to justify any optimism, and Manchester City faces a series of high‑profile tests that will determine whether they can maintain their early‑season momentum under new manager Enzo Maresca. The outcomes of these matches will likely shape the narrative for each club’s season, making the weekend a defining period for all three.