Which teams will be competing for a spot in the Premier League top four?Gary Neville reveals his prediction for the Premier League title winner and the teams that will make the top four…
The new Premier League season is about to begin, and top clubs like Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, and Chelsea all have high ambitions.
Last season saw one of the most thrilling three-way title races in recent memory, with Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool battling for the top spot. The race for European places was equally intense, going down to the final day and beyond.
Ultimately, Manchester City claimed the title, with Arsenal finishing second, Liverpool taking third, and Aston Villa securing fourth place. Tottenham edged out Chelsea for fifth, while Manchester United finished eighth. However, United managed to defeat City in the FA Cup final, earning a place in the Europa League.
This season, all six teams are expected to compete for a top-four finish, with City, Arsenal, and Liverpool aiming to challenge for the title once again.
Gary Neville has shared his predictions for the top four, humorously acknowledging that one of his picks might raise eyebrows.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, as reported by the BBC Sport website, Neville has tipped Arsenal to finally end their 21-year title drought. He predicts Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City to finish second, followed by Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United in third, and Tottenham securing fourth place. This means Liverpool and Chelsea would miss out on Champions League spots.
“I’ve gone for Arsenal,” Neville said. “Like I did last year. I think they’re getting closer, and this could be their year. Manchester City second, Manchester United third—though I say that with a laugh—and Tottenham fourth. United had a good season the year before last, and although last season was a disaster, I believe they’ll improve significantly.”
As for which teams will be in contention for the top four, Manchester City remains the team to beat. They’ve won four consecutive first-division titles and, if not for Liverpool’s 2019-20 triumph, could have had seven in a row.
Many neutral fans—aside from Tottenham supporters—might be rooting for Arsenal to finally break City’s dominance this season.
Arsenal and City have been the standout teams over the past two years, with Liverpool also in the mix, narrowing the gap by the end of last season.
Liverpool’s performance this season remains uncertain, with a new manager in charge and minimal transfer activity this summer.
Meanwhile, Manchester United, Tottenham, Villa, and Chelsea have all strengthened their squads and will be vying for a top-four finish.
West Ham United could also be a surprise contender for a Champions League spot after making significant changes to their squad.
Although Newcastle United finished fourth in 2023, financial constraints have limited their ability to improve their squad, so their ability to compete for a top-four spot again is uncertain.
