Former Arsenal star turned pundit Paul Merson reckons the top three will stay the same in the Premier League. That means Manchester City first with Manchester United runners-up and Leicester City third.
I feel that’s good news for us. Finishing second is an improvement in the league but it doesn’t change the fact that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer needs a trophy. Those who listen to the Strettycast regularly will know I predicted City to win the league and United to finish second, at the beginning of the season.
Anyhow, less of blowing my own trumpet. I’d love to be wrong and see United come first!
Merson thinks fourth could be close between Liverpool and Chelsea but believes Tuchel could have his work cut out for him with a lack of a goalscorer.
He doesn’t think West Ham will stay fourth and neither do we – but I’m really not sure about Liverpool. I don’t see the Anfield slide stopping anytime soon.
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.
“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.
‘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.”
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