Man Utd and Chelsea snubbed as Jeff Stelling makes shock top-four prediction | Football

The 2024-25 Premier League season gets underway on Friday night with Erik ten Hag’s United, who finished eighth last term, facing Fulham at Old Trafford.

Defending champions Manchester City kick-start their title defence on Sunday with a trip to Stamford Bridge to take on big-spending Chelsea.

City are favourites to win an unprecedented fifth successive Premier League title but Stelling believes Pep Guardiola’s stranglehold over the trophy is set to come to an end.

If Man City do slip up, Arsenal appear best placed to take advantage following back-to-back second-place finishes under Mikel Arteta, but Stelling has also overlooked the Gunners.

‘They had a wobble last season and that cost them. People are making a great deal about the lack of signings but equally they haven’t had any significant losses either.

‘I think a lot of the young players will be better. People will think why are you overlooking Man City and I just think the team has been chipped away a bit over the last few years.

‘Those 115 charges hanging over them must have an effect too. So I’ve gone for Liverpool, Arsenal and Man City as the top-three.

‘I don’t think Man United have enough depth and I would rule Chelsea right out [of the top-four race].

‘If [Dominic] Solanke comes off I think Spurs have a chance and Aston Villa do too if they can cope with the Champions League.

‘Newcastle had a lot of injuries last season and I know a lot of clubs did but if they stay relatively injury-free I think they can get fourth.’

Meanwhile, a new Betfair survey of more than 2,000 football fans has revealed that Anfield is the stadium with the best atmosphere in the Premier League. 

The poll, conducted by YouGov Sport, also found fans up and down the country are largely resigned to Manchester City winning the title for a fifth straight year, while supporters believe the top four will be made up by Arsenal, Liverpool and Man United.

This weekend, thousands of supporters will be cheering on their teams away from home, and people surveyed can’t be split on who the title of best away fans should go to, with Newcastle and Liverpool supporters both sharing top spot.

When asked who the worst away fans are, Arsenal got over the line to clinch that title.

Speaking from experience about stadiums with the best atmosphere, Betfair Ambassador Alan Shearer said: ‘St James’ Park has always been a special place.

‘Anfield is always a unique atmosphere – even as an opposing player, stood there listening to You’ll Never Walk Alone, it’s a really good atmosphere.  

‘When I played at Anfield with Blackburn and won the league that was a very different atmosphere, because the Liverpool fans didn’t want Man United to win the league, yet they wanted Liverpool to win, and they also wanted Kenny Dalglish to win it for Blackburn, that was a different atmosphere but a unique one and one that I enjoyed.

‘I always remember getting the goal to beat Jackie Milburn’s record. The atmosphere was off the charts at St James’ Park and if I could’ve bottled up that atmosphere it would’ve been amazing.

‘For me to go away, learn my trade and come back ten years later, then to break the record in front of the Gallowgate End where I used to stand as a young kid – it doesn’t get any better than that for me.’

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