Michael Owen is tipping Liverpool to challenge for the Premier League title and Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur to miss out on the top four, with Manchester United making it in.
The former England international is backing Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool to make the top four.
Arsenal failed to qualify for the Champions League last season and Owen expects that to continue. He has Manchester United taking Tottenham’s spot.
Owen explained that he sees Tottenham’s temporary stadium change as reason for their fall back, after finishing second last season.
He said: “Spurs have the equivalent of 19 cup finals, going to Wembley will be great for young players who know they might not get another chance to play there and so everyone will be buzzing to play Tottenham away next season.”
Owen said that he feels Arsenal fans’ temporary ceasefire towards boss Arsene Wenger will not last, and the negative feeling will again envelop their season.
He said: “My gut feeling is they could win five straight games, but if they lose the sixth the Wenger out brigade will come out which creates a negative atmosphere and that’s probably the main thing going against Arsenal.”
Owen has been predicting Arsenal to miss out on the top four for years, so his latest call will not surprise Gooners.
His prediction about Tottenham was one also made by ex-Spurs midfielder Jermaine Jenas, who told The Independent a fortnight ago he fears they will miss out on a Champions League place.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
