- Manchester United and Chelsea will try to qualify for the Champions League
- Both clubs missed out last year and are expected to fall short again.
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David James has predicted that Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham will all miss out on a top-four place in the Premier League this season.
Former England goalkeeper James made almost 600 top-flight appearances between 1992 and 2010, playing for the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City.
Now a pundit, the 54-year-old has waded into the debate surrounding the Champions League race and is confident two of his former clubs will challenge for the title.
And James believes United and Chelsea – both teams who fell short last season – will join a faltering Spurs and be outclassed once again.
Talking with The safest casino sitessaid: ‘Manchester City expect to win the league, or at least that’s what I expect from them. That’s just what City do.
Manchester United are expected to miss out on a Premier League top four finish
One pundit also believes Chelsea will fall short again despite spending millions on signings.
“Arsenal will be up there. I expect Arsenal to challenge for the title again and I think Liverpool will do the same.”
James, on the other hand, believes Newcastle and Aston Villa will fight for fourth place.
He added: ‘The final position is a bit more difficult to predict.
‘I think Villa will be there but unfortunately to do so they will probably have to sacrifice 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 close to it. I like the club’s start to the season, which has been achieved in somewhat discordant circumstances.
‘We’ve seen Eddie Howe do it before, so we know he has it in his closet.
‘Chelsea have some wonderful players but consistency will be the main problem for them. I don’t think they will be consistent enough to challenge for a top four place in a 38-game season.
‘If I look at the table as things stand, I’m pretty sure the top four will come from the clubs currently occupying those positions, possibly even in the same order.
Former England goalkeeper David James says Newcastle and Aston Villa will battle for fourth place
That would see Tottenham miss out on Champions League qualification after their shaky start.
‘Fourth place will be disputed by Villa and Newcastle.’
All five clubs mentioned by James currently occupy the top positions in the top flight, with Newcastle third, Liverpool fourth and Villa in fifth.
City and Arsenal are first and second respectively ahead of Sunday’s clash.
