Gary Neville predicts who’ll win Premier League title and who’ll make top four.
The new Premier League season is upon us, and the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Chelsea will all be aiming high.
Last season, the Citizens, the Gunners and the Reds contested one of the most exciting three-horse title races in recent years.
Meanwhile, the battle for some of the European spots also went down to the final day of the season – and beyond.
In the end, Manchester City won the title, Arsenal finished in second place, Liverpool got third, and Aston Villa clinched fourth, while Tottenham pipped Chelsea to fifth.
As for Manchester United, they finished eighth in the Premier League table, but they overcame their city rivals in the FA Cup final to secure a spot in the Europa League.
All six teams are expected to be pushing for a top-four spot this season, while the Citizens, the Gunners and the Reds will hope to challenge for the title again.
Gary Neville has now given his predictions for the Premier League’s top four, admitting one of his picks is being said “with a laugh”.
Gary Neville tips Manchester and North London clubs to make up Premier League top four
Neville, speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, via the BBC Sport website, has backed Arsenal to finally end their 21-year title drought.
He then went for Pep Guardiola’s side to get second place and backed Erik ten Hag’s Red Devils to finish in third place.
Neville concluded by putting Tottenham in fourth, meaning Liverpool and Chelsea would miss out on a Champions League spot.
“I’ve gone for Arsenal,” said Neville. “Like I did last year as well.
“Thinking they’re going to go that one step further and they’re getting closer every time. This could be their year.
“Manchester City second, Manchester United third, although I say that with a laugh, Tottenham fourth.
“I mean, Manchester United the season before had a good season. The last one was a disaster. I do think they’ll improve enormously.”
Who will be in and around the Premier League top four?
Manchester City will once again be the team to beat. They are the first English team to win four first-division titles in a row and, were it not for Liverpool’s triumph in 2019-20, would’ve had seven in a row.
Many neutrals – except for Tottenham fans obviously – will probably be willing Arsenal on to win the title this year, if only to stop the Etihad monopoly over the trophy.
Those two have been head and shoulders over their rivals over the past two seasons, though Liverpool were in the race for much of the season and narrowed the gap come matchday 38.
Liverpool will be an unpredictable team this season, considering they’ve got a new manager at the helm and haven’t managed to do too much business this summer.
As for Man United, Tottenham, Villa and Chelsea, all four have strengthened considerably and will fancy their chances of being in the top four.
West Ham United could also be one to watch in the Champions League chase, considering how much they have revamped their squad.
Although Newcastle United finished fourth in 2023, profit and sustainability rules have stopped them from being able to significantly improve their squad, so it remains to be seen whether they can make a dent in the top four once again.
