Man Utd and Chelsea snubbed as David James makes Premier League top-four prediction

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David James has revealed his Premier League top-four prediction and dismissed Manchester United and Chelsea’s chances of qualifying for the Champions League.

Manchester City and Arsenal are already threatening to pull away from their domestic rivals, just as they did over the last two seasons.

Pep Guardiola’s champions, who are bidding to lift a record-extending fifth Premier League trophy, are the only team in England’s top four divisions yet to drop a point.

Man City boast a perfect record after four games – though their form will be put to the test on Sunday when Mikel Arteta takes his title-chasing Gunners to the Etihad Stadium.

Arsenal dropped their first points of the campaign before the international break but returned to winning ways in last weekend’s north London derby against Tottenham.

The Gunners are looking to win the Premier League for the first time since 2004, having finished as runners-up last season as well as in 2022-23.

Newcastle United are third with three wins and a draw from four games, while just three points separates the next seven teams at this early stage of the new season.

The clubs in those positions include Liverpool, eager to see what they can achieve in Arne Slot’s first season at Anfield, big-spending Chelsea and chaotic Manchester United.

United and Chelsea have historically been two of the most successful teams in England but have dropped off massively and James believes both will miss out on a top-four finish.

Asked for his Premier League top-four prediction, the ex-England goalkeeper told safestcasinosites.co.uk: ‘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. The final position is a little bit tricker 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.

‘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 thirty-eight-game season.

‘If I'm looking at the table as things stand, then 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.

‘For me, it's between Aston Villa and Newcastle for the fourth-placed position.’

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