SunSport reporters predict top four and bottom three with mixed bag for Man Utd and Arsenal as Premier League restarts

THE Premier League is back – and there’s still so much to play for.

Liverpool may have all-but clinched the title, sitting 25 points clear of the chasing pack – but elsewhere the fight will go on until the final day.

Manchester United know they have a good chance of getting back into the Champions League, especially if the ban for rivals City is upheldCredit: Getty Images – Getty

This is how the Premier League table looked throughout the lockdown

As well as an intriguing relegation battle, the race for European spots is really heating up.

Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham ALL sit outside the top four, with Wolves and Sheffield United fighting them all the way for a spot in the Champions League and Europa League.

With clubs having just nine or ten matches to play, SunSport’s team of reporters have had their say on how 2019-20 will unfold.

From the top eight to the bottom three, take a look at what each of our writers think…

MARTIN LIPTON

1. Liverpool

2. Man City

3. Leicester

4. Chelsea

5. Man Utd

6. Tottenham

7. Sheff Utd

8. Wolves

Relegation: Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Norwich

WITH nine games to go nothing is “set in stone” – except Liverpool winning the title, of course.

But the table looks like it does for a reason.

One thing that Germany’s resumption has told us is that playing games behind closed doors takes away much (if not all) of “home advantage”.

That’s bad news for Villa, who have six of their remaining ten games at Villa Park.

Sheffield United in the Champions League would be a fantastic story but the Blades look to have the toughest run-in of the top half.

I can’t see the top four changing and Spurs, even with Harry Kane, Son Heung-min, Steven Bergwijn and Moussa Sissoko all fit, look to be coming from too far back.

But whether fifth is enough for United won’t be known until we hear the Court of Arbitration for Sport verdict into Manchester City, due by the middle of July.

PHIL THOMAS

1. Liverpool

2. Man City

3. Leicester

4. Man Utd

5. Chelsea

6. Wolves

7. Tottenham

8. Sheff Utd

Relegation: Norwich, Bournemouth, Brighton

WE know who’ll win the title, the top three is all but nailed down… so the REAL battle when football resumes is the one to beat the drop.

Norwich are already nearing the time they need snookers, so expect them to be playing in the Championship next season.

But there are at least five clubs scrapping to avoid the other two slots – and I think Bournemouth and Brighton are the two who will fill them.

Brighton are in 15th at the minute, but have a real tough looking run-in, and that could do for them.

As for Bournemouth? They get back underway against Palace but five of the next six could see them stranded.

John McGinn’s return to fitness means Aston Villa can claw their way out of it, while Watford have a rough final two games, but plenty of the others look winnable.

In the top four race, Man Utd will be in pole position if they avoid defeat at Spurs and then beat Sheffield United.

They have a great looking run after that.

So I’d back them to leapfrog Chelsea and get the final Champions League slot, with the top three already having breathing space.

And of course Liverpool will finally end a 30-year drought and win their first ever Premier League.

NEIL CUSTIS

1. Liverpool

2. Man City

3. Man Utd

4. Leicester

5. Chelsea

6. Sheff Utd

7. Tottenham

8. Wolves

Relegation: Bournemouth, Aston Villa, Norwich

OUTSIDE of champions-elect Liverpool nobody could have been more disappointed about football’s lockdown than their historic rivals Man Utd.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side had just beaten Man City 2-0 in the Premier League and recorded a 5-0 away win in the Europa League against LASK Linz in Austria.

They were on an 11-game unbeaten run recording nine clean sheets in that time.

The question now is whether they can pick up where they left off. If they can it is look out Chelsea.

United are aiming for their top-four spot but the way they are playing they could even climb into third placed Leicester’s position.

They are eight points behind Brendan Rodgers’ side with nine games left but could haul that in.

The Foxes still have to play Chelsea meaning one or both will drop points some points.

At the other end of the table both Norwich and Aston Villa look doomed.

Meanwhile, Bournemouth’s five-year stay in the top flight is also looking over with Eddie Howe’s magic glitter having turned to dust.

DAN KING

1. Liverpool

2. Man City

3. Leicester

4. Man Utd

5. Chelsea

6. Tottenham

7. Wolves

8. Arsenal

Relegation: West Ham, Aston Villa, Norwich

MAN UTD start and end with two tricky games, but I like their remaining fixtures more than Chelsea’s.

If United lose to Tottenham on Friday I may change my mind, though!

I can see Spurs going close to the top four with Kane and Son back, but not close enough.

Down at the bottom, I think Villa need to win just for the sake of belief – but even then it looks really tough.

Norwich even more so…

And I just wonder whether West Ham will find themselves sucked down at the death, because it’s so close in that six-team mini-league.

For me, it’s Villa and Norwich down, plus any one of the other four – with Watford the least likely of those.

MARK IRWIN

1. Liverpool

2. Man City

3. Leicester

4. Man Utd

5. Chelsea

6. Tottenham

7. Arsenal

8. Sheff Utd

Relegation: Norwich, Aston Villa, Brighton

IF Man City can get their European ban overturned, Chelsea could yet have Champions League qualification snatched from their grasp by a resurgent Man Utd.

Sheff Utd and Wolves have worked wonders to get into the top seven early in the season.

But their lack of squad depth could cost them in the run-in when the games are coming thick and fast.

It’s going to be a fight to the death at the bottom of the table but Brighton have a horrible fixture list and were in a desperate run of form before the lockdown kicked in.

Villa and Norwich are most-likely to join them in heading to the Championship.

PAUL JIGGINS

1. Liverpool

2. Man City

3. Leicester

4. Chelsea

5. Man Utd

6. Wolves

7. Sheff Utd

8. Arsenal

Relegation: Norwich, Aston Villa, Bournemouth

I RECKON Man Utd will benefit if City’s Champions League ban is upheld.

Wolves and Sheff Utd should complete the top seven after their superb seasons.

I believe Arsenal will pip Tottenham to that, ahem, all-important eighth spot like two bald men fighting over a comb.

Down at the bottom, I predict the current bottom three Norwich, Aston Villa and Bournemouth will remain there.

That’s a huge let-off for West Ham, Watford and Brighton…

Arsenal will need to hit the ground running when the season resumes to have any chance of getting into EuropeCredit: AFP or licensors

GRAEME BRYCE

1. Liverpool

2. Man City

3. Leicester

4. Chelsea

5. Man Utd

6. Wolves

7. Sheff Utd

8. Tottenham

Relegation: Norwich, Bournemouth, Brighton

LIVERPOOL will end 30 years of hurt to become Premier League champs and deserve huge credit for a near-flawless campaign.

To be honest, I don’t see much movement at the sharp end of the table, although Manchester United will be wary of a refreshed Wolves and fearless Sheffield United breathing down their necks looking to seize on any slip-up.

Down in the drop zone I’m afraid Norwich are done for and I suspect this could be the season when Bournemouth finally fall through the trapdoor. You could flip a coin to fill the final relegation slot with Aston Villa, Watford, West Ham and Brighton all in peril.

My hunch is John McGinn’s return will see Villa claw their way to safety, while Nigel Pearson and David Moye’s experience will help Watford and West Ham grab a surprise win here or there – leaving Brighton as my fall guys. Sorry Seagulls, but too many draws could be fatal in the final analysis.

TOM BARCLAY

1. Liverpool

2. Man City

3. Man Utd

4. Leicester

5. Chelsea

6. Tottenham

7. Wolves

8. Sheff Utd

Relegation: Norwich, Aston Villa, West Ham

I EXPECT Man Utd to pick up where they left off with the return of Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba through injury.

Predictions are difficult given how likely it is that, without fans, the Premier League will mirror the Bundesliga’s random restart results.

But I still fancy Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men to go unbeaten for the rest of the season and take a whopping 21 points to finish third.

Leicester will struggle compared to their imperious form before Christmas but have enough in the bank to just about see off an improving Chelsea for a top-four spot.

Spurs will be revitalised with Kane and Son coming back – plus they generally finish seasons strongly. But the points gap to the Champions League is surely too much to bridge.

Sheffield United have a game in hand on their rivals and their consistency and settled team are huge strengths going into this unprecedented period – but their fixture list is tough.

Norwich have a few more wins left in them but their fancy football won’t quite be enough to save them.

Villa have an extra game but some really hard fixtures so even with John McGinn back alongside Jack Grealish, staying up is a tough ask.

After that, it is going to be so tight between Bournemouth, Watford, Brighton and West Ham.

I feel Eddie Howe’s returning stars can save them, Brighton’s two-point cushion will be significant and Watford have the quality in Abdoulaye Doucoure and Troy Deeney.

That means West Ham could suffer the kind of goal-difference nightmare they endured under Glenn Roeder in 2003 – only with a far smaller points total.

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard looks set to battle it out with Jose Mourinho for a Champions League spotCredit: Getty – Contributor

Aston Vulla know they need Jack Grealish firing on all cylinders to have any chance of avoiding the dropCredit: Reuters

OSCAR PAUL

1. Liverpool

2. Man City

3. Chelsea

4. Leicester

5. Wolves

6. Man Utd

7. Tottenham

8. Sheff Utd

Relegation: Brighton, Bournemouth, Norwich

With their run-in favourable on paper, Wolves look the best value to sneak a Champions League spot if Manchester City are banned.

The big question is whether Nuno Espirito Santo’s side’s momentum has been stalled after starting way back last July.

If they do hit the ground running, the likes of Adama Traore and Raul Jimenez will be tough to stop and they have a great chance to pip Manchester United to fifth.

At the bottom, Brighton look in real trouble with five of their first six against the big boys.

BEN HUNT

1. Liverpool

2. Man City

3. Chelsea

4. Leicester

5. Man Utd

6. Wolves

7. Tottenham

8. Arsenal

Relegation: Brighton, Bournemouth, Norwich

I AM expecting a resurgence from the London trio of Chelsea, Spurs and Arsenal when the season resumes.

They will use their previous experience in preparing for big European matches to good effect in the league as they fight for a seat at Europe’s top table.

As for the relegation place, I fear for Brighton and Bournemouth with the South Coast pair set to return to the Championship.

Elsewhere, Norwich have far too much to do and will likely join them.

Liverpool are destined to end their 30-year wait to win the top flight but Norwich are doomedCredit: Getty Images – Getty

DUNCAN WRIGHT

1. Liverpool

2. Man City

3. Man Utd

4. Leicester

5. Chelsea

6. Arsenal

7. Sheff Utd

8. Wolves

Relegation: Norwich, Aston Villa, Watford

THE battle for third and fourth could go down to the wire and I wouldn’t be surprised if goal difference comes into the equation.

United seem to have a buzz about them and can make up the ground on Chelsea, while Leicester won’t have it easy and the break could knock them out of their stride.

The Foxes and Frank Lampard’s side may be slogging it out on the final day with United just having enough to clinch a Champions League spot.

Meanwhile, Norwich will count the cost of wasting winning chances earlier in the season to tumble down.

Aston Villa’s defence is unlikely to stand firm for long enough to save them, with Bournemouth major winners from the shutdown with key players returning.

West Ham should have the goals in them to stay up, meaning Watford’s struggles in front of goal could consign them to the drop.

ROB MAUL

1. Liverpool

2. Man City

3. Leicester

4. Man Utd

5. Chelsea

6. Wolves

7. Tottenham

8. Arsenal

Relegation: Norwich, Aston Villa, West Ham

For Champions-elect Liverpool it’s a question of how many points they will achieve over the remaining nine matches – and if they can set a number of Premier League records.

Manchester City should finish as runners-up but assuming their two-year European ban is not overturned on appeal, then the likes of Leicester, Man Utd and Chelsea should secure their spots in the Champions League.

I fear Sheffield United, as excellent as they have been this season under shrewd Chris Wilder, could miss out on the Europa League and be overtaken by Tottenham and Arsenal along the final furlough.

Of course, a lot depends on who wins the FA Cup on August 1 because that will affect the Europa League qualification.

Norwich City and Aston Villa have been worthy additions to the Premier League this season but I don’t see them escaping relegation.

Nigel Pearson is the man you would call for a Great Escape and I’d back him to get Watford out of trouble when Project Restart begins.

West Ham’s form was poor before the lockdown and with an ageing squad and no crowd in the London Stadium, they may see their eight-year Premier League status come to an end.

MARTIN BLACKBURN

1. Liverpool

2. Man City

3. Leicester

4. Man Utd

5. Chelsea

6. Wolves

7. Tottenham

8. Arsenal

Relegation: Norwich, Bournemouth, Watford
The top three look to have done enough already to finish in the Champions League spots so it’s down to who gets the last one – and United were in great form before the enforced break started in March.

At the other end it looks like three from six to go and I see Villa and West Ham as having just about enough quality to stay up, along with Brighton.  Could go right to the final day though.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk