Paul Merson on Newcastle United – Even by his standards this is pretty bizarre 9 days before end of the season | OneFootball

Paul Merson speaking about Newcastle United.

United with two games remaining.

Eddie Howe’s team preparing for their next match, a 4.30pm kick-off this Sunday afternoon.

Newcastle United looking to make it nine wins in eleven matches in all competitions, with only one defeat in the last ten NUFC games.

Paul Merson discussing the possibilities for Newcastle United in their away match at Arsenal, as United look to add Champions League qualification to silverware.

Paul Merson talking to Sportskeeda ahead of Arsenal v Newcastle:

“Newcastle will be in trouble here.

“I don’t see anything but an Arsenal win.

“Looking back at last week, Arsenal were 2-0 down and still got a result against Liverpool at Anfield.

“Considering the disappointment in the Champions League, Arsenal will want to ensure they don’t give up on second place in the table.

“If Newcastle lose this game that puts them in a tricky position.

“Out of all the teams fighting to secure Champions League football, Newcastle have the toughest match on the final day of the season in my opinion.

“Chelsea vs Forest is a virtual shootout, Aston Villa will face Manchester United after the Champions League final and Manchester City Fulham. Newcastle host Everton and that will be a trick game.

“The only Newcastle United have is their goal difference compared to the others and they will be hoping not to hurt that too much against Arsenal.

“Prediction: Arsenal 3 Newcastle United 1”

Where do you start???

Having read what Paul Merson has said, I almost had to go back and check that United had really won last Sunday against Chelsea, just in case I had imagined it.

I think pretty safe to say that if you asked any of the other four clubs competing with Newcastle United for the last three Champions League places (I think Arsenal are going to qualify whatever happens on Sunday, with Southampton as their last match and the Gunners advantage on points and goal difference already), whether they would swap their circumstances with Newcastle’s, then all of Man City, Chelsea, Forest and Villa would snap your hand off.

Just in case anybody (including Paul Merson!) had forgotten, this is how the Premier League table is now, thanks to Newcastle winning against Chelsea and other other results last weekend.

What Paul Merson is saying might make some sense, if United had LOST to Chelsea, BUT that is NOT the case!

No Newcastle fan is saying it will be easy against Arsenal nor Everton, but on all available evidence, it points to them having the best chance of all the five clubs. Indeed, the bookies certainly think so, to finish top five they make Newcastle United huge odds on 1/25 chances. For those not totally familiar with betting odds, this means the bookies and punters think Newcastle qualifying for the Champions League is so likely, you would have to put £25 on to win £1. So you would be risking £25 to get £26 back, including your £1 winnings.

Arsenal did come back to draw 2-2 with Liverpool BUT this is a Liverpool with nothing now to play for and who lost 3-1 to Chelsea in their previous match. Whilst Newcastle have eight wins and a draw in their last ten games in all competitions, you have Arsenal who have won only three of their last eleven Premier League matches, then Everton who have won only two of their last eleven PL matches.

Paul Merson makes it sound like Man City are home to Fulham BUT they are away at Craven Cottage on the final day.

Paul Merson bizarrely claims that Newcastle United have the toughest match on the last day of the season.

Anything can happen in any match but if you asked why of the other managers which is the opposition you would least be wanting to face on the last day of the season, does anybody really think that any of them would say Everton at home looks tougher than Fulham away, Forest away, or Chelsea at home? Whilst I know Man U have been totally feeble but even facing them at Old Trafford wouldn’t necessarily be preferable to having Everton at home.

This Arsenal game won’t be easy but why Paul Merson, or anybody else, could see it as a certain defeat for Newcastle United, doesn’t match the facts.

Arsenal got booed off in their last home match when losing to Bournemouth, lost to PSG and drew against both Brentford and Palace in their next three most recent home games.

The Gunners in reality have little to play for and are up against a Newcastle side with everything to play for. A Newcastle side who have already defeated Arsenal three times this season,, scoring five and not conceding a single goal.

Losing any match is always a possibility and Arsenal are a decent team, however, certainly no reason why we shouldn’t have confidence that Newcastle can get at least a point.