Merson's predictions: Everton and Man City can pile pain on Palace and Sunderland
Toffees' top-four bid and Man City's title hopes won't be derailed...
By Paul Merson
Tuesday 15 April 2014 18:08, UK
Image:James Milner: Manuel Pellegrini isn't getting the most out of the midfielder, says Merse
Everton v Crystal Palace
Sunderland have to go and try to win this game - a draw is no good to them. They are behind the eight-ball and have to win one of their next two games against Man City and Chelsea or they are relegated. That's a big ask when you consider how many teams have gone to City and done that.
They can't afford to do what I expect Palace to do at Everton - sit there and frustrate them. Sunderland have to open the game and try to win it. A draw isn't enough. But playing open, attacking football just plays into City's hands.
I don't see Man City not winning this game and it could be by plenty. I don't want to be disrespectful to Sunderland, who were unlucky and shouldn't have lost against Everton, but they haven't got enough to hurt teams. That's the problem.
They aren't going to score three or four goals in a football match. The pressure is off City to some extent now that the title is out of their hands. They can go out and play and that could be bad news for Sunderland.
PAUL PREDICTS: 4-0
