Arsenal Or Spurs? Sky Pundit Offers His Prediction On Who’ll Finish Second

Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson is predicting a tense finish as Arsenal try to pip North London rivals Tottenham to second spot in the table this weekend.

The Premier League 2015/16 campaign draws to a close on Sunday afternoon and with the title and relegation spots already decided, the focus will be on how the rest of the top four will shape up.

Tottenham are in the driving seat to finish second as they head in to their game at Newcastle United realistically needing just one point to secure the runners-up spot as Mauricio Pochettino’s men hold a two point lead over Arsenal despite losing at home to Southampton last weekend, with Spurs also boasting a +13 goal difference advantage.

That defeat at White Hart Lane has given the Gunners fresh hope that they could steal second and finish above Tottenham for the twentieth consecutive season, but Arsene Wenger’s are going to have to beat Aston Villa at the Emirates to stand any chance of securing the bragging rights.

Sky Sports pundit Merson believes it will be a comfortable afternoon for the Gunners and is tipping his former side to thrash relegated Villa 4-0 tomorrow afternoon.

Writing in his column for Sky Sports, Merson said:

Arsenal v Aston Villa – Sunday, 3pm

I can’t think of anywhere worse for Villa to go on the last day. Arsenal have to win and I think it’s going to be a big win to end a disastrous season for Villa. They have 17 points and they won three of those on the first day of the season. There is zero chance they are going to spring a surprise at the Emirates.

PAUL PREDICTS: 4-0

So Arsenal will get the job done at home but they’ll need a huge favour from Newcastle at St James’ Park. The problem is that Rafa Benitez’s men are already relegated so you have to question how much motivation they’ll have tomorrow.

Merson feels the Geordies will still want to put on a show for their fans and it tipping them to make it a hard game, but in the end the pundit believes Spurs will get the point they need to take second. He said:

Newcastle v Tottenham – Sunday, 3pm

If Spurs don’t get a draw it would be an absolute shocker. I reckon they will get the point they need to finish second. Newcastle are down but they have to put on a show for their fans. They can’t just go there and lie down after being relegated, they will have to make it a hard game for Tottenham otherwise the fans will get frustrated.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1

So if Merson’s predictions prove accurate, then both Tottenham and Arsenal will end up on 71 points but Spurs will take second and finish above the Gunners for the first time in 20 years.