Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson believes that Manchester City will beat Huddersfield Town resoundingly in Sunday afternoon’s clash at the Etihad Stadium.
Merson thinks that despite the absence of key figure Kevin De Bruyne in today’s line-up due to injury, City will still be too much for the Terriers in their second match of the season.
He has reckons that his absence will not be felt in Sunday’s game, and predicts that the Citizens will thump Huddersfield 5-0.
“City have hit the ground running and Huddersfield got slaughtered by Chelsea, they were well beaten at home. This is a different kettle of fish again, I just don’t see how they can contain them,” Merson said on the Sky Sports website.
“Kevin de Bruyne is a massive miss for City, of course, but they’ll still have too much for Huddersfield.”
OPINION
City may be favourites to retain their Premier League crown this season, but Merson has been quite unfair in his assessment of the Terriers. He needs to remember how they performed at the Etihad towards the end of last season, where they grinded out a draw to all but guarantee their top-flight status. They threatened a few times in that game, and must not be underestimated in Sunday afternoon’s clash – even though they will find it extremely difficult get all three points, they are more than capable of avoiding the thrashing that Merson has predicted. City can be lethal on their day, so they must not hold a high line against such an attacking team, who have the ability to run right through opponents’ defences with ease. Even though De Bruyne is out with injury, City are more than able to cope without him – they have an array of talent to choose from, so his absence should not be much of a problem.