The Premier League resumes with another intense race for Champions League qualification expected, and pundits have offered their top-five predictions.
More English clubs are competing in Europe than ever this season, with Bournemouth and Sunderland making rare continental trips, while Chelsea and Tottenham missed out. A competitive mid-table could see several upstarts challenge the established order, with a transitional Manchester City among the vulnerable sides.
Carragher backs Spurs and Chelsea
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher expects Chelsea and Tottenham to recover from difficult campaigns and return to the upper echelons of the table.
“There’s a real opportunity for Spurs and Chelsea, without European football next season, to make a real fist of it,” he said on The Overlap. “There’s a lot of questions about Manchester United playing more European games, Iraola coming in as well at Liverpool, and Unai Emery and Aston Villa losing a lot of their best players, [there] in the Champions League as well.”
“So, there’s a real opportunity for Spurs and Chelsea to get into those Champions League positions this season.”
Wright and Aguero see surprises
Arsenal legend Ian Wright expects the Gunners to challenge for the title again but sees Nottingham Forest as surprise contenders for a high finish.
“City, Chelsea and Liverpool all have new managers, which makes all of them a bit unknown,” he told Metro. “It’s a huge transition season for City: no Bernardo Silva, Stones, Pep and Rodri. But they have Haaland, and that’ll take you far regardless of other issues.”
“I fancy Chelsea to challenge if Alonso gets a good start and is able to make them more solid defensively. I’ll have my eye on Nottingham Forest now that Oliver Glasner has come in.”
Sergio Aguero believes Aston Villa are well placed to upset the big six again. “I’d add Aston Villa into the title race, they’ve been doing a great job with Emery. This is a season with a lot of changes at the big clubs. We’ll have to see which one adapts the quickest and finds the consistency you need to stay in the title race until the end,” he told Stake.
“You have to bear in mind that most of the usual contenders are starting new projects: Chelsea with Xabi Alonso, City with Maresca, Liverpool with Iraola, Tottenham with De Zerbi and United with Carrick. Some of them have been there a little longer, but they’re still basically rebuilding their teams.”
“Chelsea will be playing in fewer competitions and that will work in their favour in the Premier League. There will be less physical strain and fewer rotations. Of course, Arsenal were deserved champions and they’ll be the team to beat.”
Makelele and Hamann differ on Chelsea
Chelsea great Claude Makelele is not expecting too much from his former club this season. “Alonso is capable of great things and I truly hope he succeeds. Those of us who played know how brutal this job is, and he'll need real strength of character because, for me, the hardest club to manage in London is Chelsea,” he told ComeOn.
“Arsenal will be there. Manchester City will be there, with a new coach, and we'll see what they show us, maybe a new game, a new system, we don't know. I don't see Manchester United, Manchester City or Arsenal, the teams in front right now, giving up their place to Chelsea as a gift. So we wish Alonso well in taking back what we are owed. Because if you ask me, that's the place Chelsea deserves.”
“Chelsea, I hope, will be there. Aston Villa will be there. Liverpool. And then there's always a surprise. In each of the last five years there has been one, so I'll leave that final spot to the club that manages to surprise its own fans.”
Didi Hamann has tipped Chelsea to ‘surprise’ their rivals. “I think Arsenal are worthy favourites. Manchester City, for the first time in a long time, are facing the prospect of being without Pep. Rodri and Bernardo Silva have also left the club so with City, I’m not too sure what to expect,” he said to Andy’s Bet Club.
“Regarding Liverpool, I’m not too sure whether too many things will change this season. The surprise package, I think, could be Chelsea. They don’t have the distraction of playing in Europe.”
“Arsenal are worthy favourites, then I see pretty much the rest of them, whether it’s City, Liverpool, or United, on the same level, maybe even Villa are on that same level. But the one team that could really surprise everyone, I think, could be Chelsea.”
Petit and Hutton differ on top four
Emmanuel Petit has a clear idea of the top three but worries Aston Villa might not repeat last season’s finish. “I am not certain Aston Villa will qualify for the Champions League again, but I would definitely include Chelsea and Manchester City as contenders. The fourth spot is harder to predict,” he told Grosvenor Sport.
“It will likely be a battle between Manchester United and Liverpool. Liverpool need results immediately. Manchester United has shown confidence in Michael Carrick and I expect them to be in the mix. But, the demands of a Champions League return and the necessary squad rotation suggest they are still missing a few players.”
“Ultimately, I see the top four being Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Manchester United. Liverpool may find it tough again this year.”
Alan Hutton is worried Tottenham will struggle to finish in the European places. “I think top four is a big ask for Tottenham Hotspur this season,” he told BOYLE Sports.
“I know they’ve been through a transitional period with different managers, different personnel, and it’s been difficult, but to finish 17th two years in a row and go from there to top four, even though they’ve spent a lot of money, and spent it wisely, that’s a big jump in one season.”
“After the last couple of years, a top six finish would be a good result, but they have spent well, and I think in Roberto Di Zerbi they have a top manager who can get the best out of the players, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they exceeded my expectations to finish top five or top four.”
