Merson: Spurs, Man City and Man Utd have defining games this weekend

Winless Tottenham take on Everton on Saturday in what will be a big game for Roberto De Zerbi's side and their confidence; the Manchester derby takes place on Sunday; watch Spurs vs Everton and Manchester United vs Manchester City live on Sky Sports this weekend

In his latest Sky Sports column, Paul Merson says Tottenham, Manchester City and Manchester United all have defining matches this weekend, even though it is early in the season.

Spurs are still without a win or a goal in the Premier League after three games and will play against an unbeaten Everton team on Saturday Night Football, live on Sky Sports , in front of their expectant fans.

Meanwhile on Sunday, the Manchester derby takes place as Michael Carrick's inconsistent United team take on a City side facing their first big test in the post-Pep Guardiola era.

Spurs have to beat Everton this weekend. It's a cup final for them - I'd go as far as to say this is their season on the line.

If they lose to Everton, then you starting thinking: this is going to be another grind of a season. Here we go again. You would start really, really worrying as a Tottenham fan.

But if they go and beat Everton, you start going two games without a defeat, they'll be on four points. Then all of a sudden you can build from there.

It's not as big as the Spurs vs Everton game on the final day of last season. If they lost that game, they were going to Lincoln.

But, at the moment, I just don't see this team putting five or six wins on the trot together. So this is a big football match.

The start Spurs have had is Brentford away, Newcastle at home and Nottingham Forest away. If they lose to Everton and have one point from four games, you start to worry.

If they beat Everton, then they've got every chance of beating Aston Villa at home next week. If they don't beat Everton, they're not beating Villa. That's how it works. It's a snowball effect.

When you win football matches, you expect to win the one after. But if you don't, the confidence goes.

Man Utd have got the Manchester derby - and their season is in the balance too. If you beat Man City, you're flying. If you get beat by Man City, here we go again.

It would be one point from two games including the Everton game. And other teams are winning around you.