I expect – Paul Merson delivers his Chelsea vs Manchester City prediction

Paul Merson believes Chelsea can halt their recent slide and take a point off champions Manchester City when the sides meet at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, a result the former Arsenal midfielder says would “essentially mean Arsenal win the league.”

Speaking to Sportskeeda, Merson underlined the stakes for interim boss Liam Rosenior, whose side have lost back-to-back Premier League fixtures to Newcastle and Everton and sit sixth, one point adrift of Liverpool in the race for the final Champions League berth.

“The next two games will define Liam Rosenior’s future at Chelsea,” Merson said. “I hope he plays Andrey Santos and Moises Caicedo in midfield, Pedro Neto and Estevao as the wingers and Cole Palmer in the No. 10 role through the middle. I’ve already said this many times: Palmer should always play as the No. 10.”

Chelsea enter the contest buoyed by a record-equalling 7-0 FA Cup rout of Port Vale but acutely aware that City represent a far sterner examination. The Blues have not beaten the Sky Blues since the 2021 Champions League final, though they did surprise Pep Guardiola’s men with a 1-1 draw at the Etihad in the first match following Enzo Maresca’s departure earlier this season.

Enzo Fernandez will watch from the stands as he completes a suspension, while club captain Reece James continues to nurse a hamstring problem that could keep him out until later this month. With Fernandez unavailable, Caicedo is expected to wear the armband and anchor a midfield Merson insists must blend youth and energy.

“I expect Chelsea to give City strong competition in this game,” Merson added. “I’m going for a draw here.”

A share of the spoils would extend Chelsea’s unbeaten league run against City to two matches and, in Merson’s view, tilt the title momentum firmly toward Arsenal with only a handful of fixtures remaining.