'I just don't think': Paul Merson predicts which big Premier League club will finish outside the top four

Today at 12:15 AM

It’s all up for grabs in the Premier League top-four race at present, with numerous clubs staking a claim to secure Champions League football next season.

Liverpool sit top of the Premier League table, with Arsenal and Chelsea both nine points behind, then Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester City sit fourth and fifth.

Tottenham Hotspur are currently seventh on 20 points, while Manchester United are ninth on 19 points, and Nottingham Forest and Brentford are also in the picture.

Admittedly, it’s still early days, and with December being such a busy month, the likes of Spurs and the Red Devils will hope to climb further up the table.

Paul Merson has now predicted which clubs he expects to be firmly in the picture for the top four by the end of the season, and he backed one big club to miss out.

READ MORE: Glenn Murray names the three clubs he expects to be relegated from the Premier League this season

Paul Merson suggests Chelsea have the edge over Tottenham in Premier League top four race

Merson, writing on Sportskeeda, says he doesn’t think Tottenham are favourites to finish in the top four, and suggested that Chelsea hold the edge over Spurs.

The pundit believes Manchester United will “get it right” under new manager Ruben Amorim at some point, although they’re still very much a work in progress.

Merson also reckons it would be a shock if Manchester City fail to get top four and tipped Arsenal to remain consistent.

“I don’t think Tottenham are favourites to finish in the top four this season,” wrote Merson.

“I expect Manchester United to get it right under Amorim at some point, even though they have a lot more to work on.

“Manchester City may be struggling, but you’d be shocked if they don’t finish inside the top four.

“I expect Arsenal to remain consistent and then you’ve got Chelsea, who also look good at the moment.

“It will all come down to consistency in the end. But I just don’t think Tottenham hold the edge over Chelsea as things stand.”

Tottenham and Chelsea festive fixtures

Both Tottenham and Chelsea have eight fixtures between now and New Year’s Day, which includes a game against each other.

Spurs are next up against Bournemouth in midweek before hosting Chelsea in the league on Sunday.

The following week sees Tottenham in Europa League action against Rangers on Thursday before heading to Southampton in the league on Sunday.

Spurs then host Manchester United in the Carabao Cup before hosting Liverpool in the league in their last match before Christmas Day.

Boxing Day then sees Tottenham head to Nottingham Forest, and then Ange Postecoglou’s charges host Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday 29 December.

As for Chelsea, they head to Southampton in midweek before then playing Tottenham in North London at the weekend.

Enzo Maresca’s charges then head to Kazakhstan to face FC Astana in the Europa Conference League before the Premier League clash with West London rivals Brentford.

Chelsea then host Shamrock Rovers in Europe before heading to Everton in the league just before Christmas.

Another West London derby follows, with Fulham heading to Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day, and then Chelsea wrap up 2024 with a trip to Ipswich on Monday 30 December.

With so many fixtures in different competitions, Tottenham and Chelsea will have their squads pushed to the limit.

With that in mind, there could be a lot of changes in league positions over the next month as all the clubs jostle to climb up the table.