Mikael Silvestre makes bold Premier League top-four prediction with Manchester City finishing third

Mikael Silvestre has revealed his top-four prediction for the new season, boldly tipping champions to finish just third.

Man City, the dominant force in English football in recent years, reeled in long-time leaders Arsenal to .

has his sights set on a fourth consecutive Premier League title and more European success after guiding Man City to their first victory.

Arsenal enjoyed their best season for some time to finish five points behind Man City and have bolstered Mikel Arteta’s squad with the signings of Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber.

Manchester United and Newcastle United secured the final two top-four spots last term but the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea are expected to improve next season and challenge for a place in the Champions League.

Silvestre believes Liverpool will secure a return to Europe’s top club competition by finishing fourth in the Premier League, one place behind treble-winning Manchester City.

The ex-France defender expects his two formers clubs – Manchester United and Arsenal – to battle it out for the title, with the Gunners edging out the Red Devils to win the Premier League for the first time in 20 years.’

‘I think Arsenal will win the title,’ Silvestre told . ‘In second, I’m going for Manchester United. Man City will be third and I think Liverpool could get fourth.

‘The fact that Arsenal challenged for the Premier League last season was a surprise to everyone and even to themselves.

‘Now that they’ve done that with consistency, being in the topspot for so long, they clearly are title challengers this season. They’ll go for it and they should.’

Gary Neville has also been discussing the top-four race and says Arsenal’s position in the table is ‘up for grabs’, tipping Manchester United to leapfrog them in the table.

‘Sitting here today, it’s difficult to say yes,’ Neville told  when asked if anyone can overtake Manchester City. ‘It’s all dependent on United’s budget.

‘Under the owners the club has had, I think they’ll probably still finish in the top four, but I don’t think they’ll improve on it.

‘If they got new owners and had £250m or £300m to spend, they’ve got a chance of going up to second. I do think they’ve got a chance of taking that spot off Arsenal – that’s up for grabs – but they’d have to spend well.’

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