Michael Owen predicts the top 4 in the most unpredictable Premier League season of recent times
It takes a brave man to predict how the Premier League table will end up this season and Michael Owen has attempted to do just that. The former England international has had a storied career in the Premier League with clubs like Liverpool, Newcastle United and Manchester United. However, his stint as a pundit for BT Sport and Premier League TV has not exactly lit up the TV screen.
The former Real Madrid forward had predicted his top six and bottom 3 at the beginning of the season and was much ridiculed for getting his predictions wrong.
Leicester are currently on top of the Premier League table while Chelsea are languishing in the bottom half of the table. Fair to say that this was not one of his best predictions. However, Michael Owen has decided to stick his neck on the line once again and predicted his top 4 when he spoke to Premier League TV on Monday.
Manchester City are title favorites according to Owen
Michael Owen believes that the blue half of Manchester will finish on top at the end of the season in what he predicted will be a very close title race between the present top 4. However, the former England forward believed that keeping Aguero fit will play a major role in Manchester City’s hopes for success.
Owen was quoted as saying: “ Aguero is the game changer for City. If City manage to keep their key players like Aguero fit, they are the most capable of the four teams to handle the pressure and claim the title”
In second place, Owen went for the Gunners. Arsenal who have slightly faded away in the last few weeks will recover to finish 2nd at the end of the season according to the BT Sport pundit. Arsene Wenger has not won the Premier League since 2004 and Michael Owen expects the Gunners’ fans to suffer more heartbreak this season as they will miss out on the title by a whisker this season.
“Ozil has been extremely good this season but Arsenal just seem to lack that something extra and I expect Arsene Wenger’s men to miss out on the title narrowly”
Third place will be taken by Arsenal's great north London rivals Tottenham according to Owen. Mauricio Pochettino's team has been incredibly consistent this season and the performances of young English talents such as Harry Kane and Dele Alli have caught the imagination of the Spurs’ supporters.
“Mauricio Pochettino is a fantastic manager and in Harry Kane and Dele Alli, Spurs have two of the brightest young talents of English football” Owen said. “However, the Premier League title might be a step too far for Tottenham this season”
Premier League’s surprise package Leicester City are expected to grab the last spot in the race for the Champions League edging out the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool who are struggling for form and consistency.
Leicester who have surprised everyone including themselves will be looking to prove Owen’s prediction wrong and finish on top of the table. “Leicester have performed absolutely brilliantly this season but with a run of tough games coming up I expect them to grab the 4th place and make it to the Champions League.”
With the likes of Vardy, Mahrez and Kante all playing with supreme form and confidence this season, nothing can be put beyond the reach of the Foxes who have no European competition as well to distract them from their goal of winning the Premier League
Michael Owen’s prediction for the top 4 at the end of this season:
1. Manchester City
2. Arsenal
3. Tottenham Hotspur
4. Leicester City