THE Premier League returns from the international break on Saturday after a two-week hiatus.
We kick things off with a mouth-watering North London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham – the first of two huge grudge matches over the weekend as Manchester City host Manchester United on Sunday.
Defending champions City currently sit alongside Tottenham on 17 points after seven matches – one point behind league leaders Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta’s men suffered defeat to Manchester United, but have won all six of their other games.
Brighton occupy fourth place after a superb start under now-Chelsea boss Graham Potter.
Manchester United come next after recovering from back-to-back losses at the start of the campaign.
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And they are followed by Fulham, Liverpool and Chelsea.
Here is how 10 of the most well-known football pundits see the season unfolding from here on in – with no break until the World Cup in mid-November.
Jamie Carragher – Arsenal can challenge for title
The Liverpool legend told talkSPORT: “If you actually watched Arsenal this season – and you’d never seen them before – they do look like they could be title contenders.”
Gary Neville – Man Utd to miss out on top four
Speaking on Sky Sports, ex-United star Neville said: “I think Man City, Liverpool and Tottenham will be the top three.
“I think it’s a big battle between Chelsea, Arsenal and Man United. I think Liverpool, you think they are going to come good just because of what they have done in the last few years.
“I think United will struggle to get in the top four, personally.”
William Gallas – Arsenal have more chance of title triumph than Spurs
Gallas told Genting Casino: “I think Arsenal have a better opportunity to compete for the title than Tottenham because this season they aren’t playing in the Champions League.
“I think they have to be focussed on the title. I don’t know what their target is, but whether it’s top four or to win the title, I hope [Mikel] Arteta has told his players, ‘this season we have a good opportunity to fight for the title, so let’s do it’.”
Patrice Evra – City and Liverpool remain title favourites
Former Man Utd man Evra told Betfair: “I think City and Liverpool are still the favourites, but you have so many others too, including Tottenham, Arsenal, and Chelsea.”
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Bacary Sagna – Man Utd not in top four conversation
Ex-Gunners man Sagna spoke to Lord Ping, saying: “I think Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester City will definitely finish in the top four.
“Then you only have one spot left, which will be fought between Liverpool and Chelsea.”
Gabriel Agbonlahor – Liverpool to miss out on top four
Agbonlahor told talkSPORT: “Top four, for me, would be first place for Manchester City, second place Arsenal, third place Spurs and fourth place Chelsea.”
Alan Shearer – Arsenal to secure Champions League football
Newcastle icon Shearer told ViaPlay: “It has slightly changed from the beginning of the season.
“But on the evidence I have seen from Manchester United and Chelsea, then I think Arsenal might sneak in there as well.”
Paul Merson – Chelsea and Man Utd to miss out
Former Arsenal man Merson told Sportskeeda: “It’s still early doors, but I think the Premier League top four this season will be Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal in whatever order.
“Chelsea will obviously have a thing or two to say, but we’ll have to wait and see how [Graham] Potter performs at Stamford Bridge.
“As for Manchester United, I don’t think they’ll make it because they still have a lot of work to do in terms of their squad.”
Jermain Defoe – Arsenal and Man Utd up against it
Ex-Tottenham and England striker Defoe told Football Daily: “I’m not going to say who is going to win it, who will finish second and that.
But for me, the top four teams in the Premier League this year, when I look at the squads, are Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea.”
Roy Keane – Man Utd nailed on for a top four finish
The Man Utd legend told Sky Sports: “United [to finish ahead of Arsenal], I think United are certs for the top four. I think they’ve got a settled group now.
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“Obviously the transfer window, I mentioned it earlier, a lot of baggage with players who weren’t happy at the cub gone.
“The manager is settling in, the options coming off the bench today [against Arsenal] we saw… United for me.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
