Paul Merson has predicted how the top-four race in the Premier League will unfold (Picture: Sky Sports)
Arsenal legend Paul Merson has delivered his Premier League top-four prediction and backed Liverpool to edge out Chelsea for the final Champions League spot.
Manchester City are currently ten points clear at the top of the table and Merson says there is no stopping Pep Guardiola’s side, who have won 18 successive matches.
Their local rivals Manchester United are second and former Arsenal and England star Merson believes that will be where they remain, ahead of third-placed Leicester City.
West Ham, Chelsea and Liverpool are currently fourth, fifth and sixth respectively but Merson expects the Hammers to fall away and Liverpool to come through and pip Thomas Tuchel’s Blues to a Champions League spot.
Merson told Sky Sports: ‘Man City are in, obviously – that’s the easy part!
‘Next, I have to stick with Manchester United and Leicester, who are a very good team. The top three now will stay there, in my opinion.
‘After that, this is so difficult. You know me, I don’t like to sit on the fence, but I’m finding it really hard to pick a team for the final spot.
Paul Merson’s top-four prediction
Manchester City
Manchester United
Leicester City
Liverpool
‘Despite their superb season so far, I don’t see West Ham lasting the distance, and that means a spot is up for grabs.
‘Moyes’ side have been brilliant, but I saw enough in that second half against Spurs to tell me it’s just too much for them to do in the reminder of the season.
‘Everton have got the fixture list to make a challenge, but I do worry about their consistency. For me, it’s between Chelsea and Liverpool for that final spot.
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‘If Chelsea have a good March, that’s it, they are in. But, I worry about Chelsea scoring enough goals. I can’t see them blowing teams away.
‘I’ve always said Liverpool will make it but when push comes to shove, it so hard to stick with them, at the moment. It’s hard to get away from their form and the fact the luck is not with them.
‘You look at the games they’ve lost, and you look at the games they have coming up and wonder if they can turn it around. They should beat Sheffield United but there is doubt there, especially with no defenders.
‘I’ve shown so much faith in them, but the players keep dropping like flies. The one player I want on the pitch out of all of their players at the moment is Jordan Henderson.
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‘When things are not going well, he’s the leader. He’s the player that gets people going. With him now being out of the team …read more
Source:: Metro
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