Ex-Man City and Arsenal striker predicts top five and who will challenge for the title next season… | OneFootball

Who will finish Premier League top five this season?

Most importantly, who will get a place in the Champions League due to reaching top five AND who will miss out?

Giving his predictions on who will join Liverpool in that top five, is former Arsenal and Manchester City striker Paul Dickov.

He has also been giving his thoughts on a few other issues.

These include who have been the top three strikers this season in the top tier.

Then looking further ahead, which teams will be challenging for the 2025/26 Premier League title.

Paul Dickov speaking to 10bet and asked:

‘Who do you think will finish in the Premier League top five this season?’

“If you’d asked me before the weekend, I would have said the top five are nailed on. But some of the results that we’ve seen, it looks as if it’s going to go down to the wire.

“Obviously, you’re looking at Liverpool, who are guaranteed. Arsenal, barring a disaster.

“I still think [Man] City will do it. Newcastle in pole position and I’ve got a sneaky feeling for Villa.

“I just think Nottingham Forest and Chelsea are the ones that end up on the outside looking in, after the results they’ve had at the weekend.

“I just think it’s fantastic at this stage of the season. We’re going down to the last couple of games and there’s still so much to play for in the European places as well. Even for second place, isn’t it? I mean, that looked wrapped up a while ago, but it’s not anymore. And Arsenal, they’ll be kicking themselves a little bit, but Mikel over the two games against PSG had to prioritise in his team selection. And maybe that cost him a little bit.

“But a finish in the main Champions League spots, whether it’s going to be second or third, they won’t be happy with it, because I think everybody thought they were going to really push Liverpool to the end of the season. I think from Arsenal’s point of view, if Newcastle or [Man] City do pip them to that second place, it’s going to give them a little bit of a knock, after being there for so long.

“They’ll be in the Champions League, but the perception of finishing third or fourth and being second and pushing Liverpool for so much of the season, people will be saying yet again at the end of the season that they’ve tailed off a little bit.”

‘Who do you see as Liverpool’s biggest challengers next season?’

“I think it’s going to be a lot closer than what it was this year.

“[Man] City obviously are going to strengthen, they’re going to have players back from injury such as Rodri, John Stones will be back fit, Akanji’s coming back fit as well. There’ll no doubt be new signings, Arsenal are going to be there too with new signings as well. I do think it’s imperative that they sign a centre-forward as everyone has mentioned for the last couple of years.

“I think Chelsea, with the young team that they’ve had, they’re going to be a year older, a year better, a year more experienced.

“And then you look at the likes of Newcastle, who have had a wonderful season already.

“I think next season could possibly be the hardest Premier League to win ever because there are so many good teams now. Aston Villa are going to be strong again. It’s going to be really interesting but I can’t see the top three not being Liverpool, Man City and Arsenal.”

‘Who do you think have been the top three strikers in the Premier League this season?’

“I think you’ve got to put Alexander Isak up there. He’s outstanding for Newcastle.

“I think Chris Wood has been absolutely fantastic for Nottingham Forest. I don’t think anybody could have foreseen the season that he’s had. He’s vital to how Nottingham Forest plays. If he’s not on the team, they do miss him.

“The other one might not surprise you, people are saying he’s not having the best of seasons but he’s still up there and getting 25-30 goals, and that’s Erling Haaland.”