David James predicts Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham to miss top four; backs 2 other clubs to battle for final Champions League spot
Former Premier League goalkeeper David James has predicted Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur to miss the top-four again. The trio had finished outside the top-four last season.
While Tottenham finished fifth, two points off fourth-placed Aston Villa (68), the Blues finished sixth, three points behind Spurs, while United finished a lowly eighth with 60 points.
All three clubs are outside the top-four after four rounds of games this season. The Blues are eighth with seven points, two points off fourth-placed Liverpool. United are tenth with six points, while Spurs are a point adrift in 13th.
James reckons all three sides will finish outside the top-four once again as he predicted Manchester City to reign supreme yet again. He told SafestCasinoSites (as per Daily Mail) about his predicted top-three:
"Manchester City will expect to win the league, or at least that is my expectation from them. That is simply what City do. Arsenal will be up there. I expect Arsenal to mount another title challenge, and I think Liverpool will do the same thing."
About the fourth position, James said that there could be a few contenders:
"The final position is a little bit trickier to predict. I think Villa will be there, but sadly for them to do that, then they will likely have to sacrifice the domestic cup competitions, which is a shame, but that's the reality of the standard in the Premier League these days.
"I think Newcastle could be there or thereabouts. I like the club's start to the season, which has been achieved in less than harmonious circumstances. We've seen Eddie Howe do it before, so we know he has that in his locker."
He continued:
"Chelsea, they have some wonderful players, but consistency will be the main issue for them. I can't see them being consistent enough to challenge for a place in the top four over a 38-game season."
"If I'm looking at the table as things stand, I'm pretty sure the top four will come from the clubs that are currently sat in those positions, possibly even in the same order. It's between Villa and Newcastle for the fourth-placed position."
City, Arsenal, Newcastle and Liverpool are the current top-four after four games.
What's next for Chelsea and Manchester United?
Both Chelsea and Manchester United have had underwhelming starts to the campaign, especially in the league. As mentioned above, both sides are outside the top-four at the moment.
Manchester United, though, are riding a two-game winning streak across competitions. Having won 3-0 at Southampton in the league, they thumped Barnsley 7-0 in their EFL Cup opener in midweek. Erik ten Hag's side next take on Crystal Palace away in the league on Saturday (September 21).
Meanwhile, Chelsea - coming off a 1-0 league win at Bournemouth last week - next take on West Ham United away on Saturday, looking to close the gap on the top-four.